That night, Henwell finds himself alone in his study, drinking. Burdened with frustration, he shares his situation in a chat group. Everyone advises him to endure for now and settle scores once he gets more power.
Henwell remains silent for a long ti. Late into the night, he finally responds in the chat group with a single question.
"What do you think the unknown existence that granted us another life wants from us? To watch a ga of transmigrators? To satisfy their curiosity? Or do they want us to do sothing, to change sothing?"
No one knows how to answer. This question has lingered in their minds for a long ti, yet it remains unanswered.
As the night deepens, Wendy, the housekeeper and head maid, brings Henwell a blanket. Before she can persuade him to rest, Henwell asks her, "Wendy, I've promised so people to do certain things. Now, due to so reasons, I might break that promise. Do you think I'm wrong?"
Wendy tilts her head, pondering for a mont. "My lord, I'm not sure what you're referring to, but I know everyone trusts you. Even if you can't fulfill your promise now, you certainly will in the future! No one will bla you!"
Henwell continues, "Wendy, why do you think everyone trusts ?"
Wendy smiles, "Because you will lead us to a better life!"
Her words send Henwell into deep thought. He doesn't even notice when Wendy leaves.
A better life? What does that an?
Having enough to eat, staying warm, living without the threat of war, and surviving in peace...
Henwell doesn't know how much ti has passed as he reaches out towards the night sky, whispering softly, "I want to end the suffering I see before . I want those who trust to live better lives. I want to control this entire world! I want to rewrite the rules!"
He doesn't notice the flickering lights of various colors shimring around him.
Yet, he's about to break a promise to so people—those who have died. They can no longer speak, those who died for him.
Is this what it takes to achieve power and dominion? Does his vow to conquer the world truly hold any significance?
He's deceiving the living and failing the dead.
Who is he really deceiving? Himself, perhaps.
He's betrayed his own heart and let down his own will.
The next morning, Victor enters the study and finds Henwell sitting at his desk, eyes bloodshot, lost in thought. Suddenly, Henwell speaks, "Victor, summon all departnt heads here for a eting! Every single one!"
Victor's heart skips a beat, unsure of what's happening, but he notices a sharp determination in Henwell's gaze. By noon, most of the departnt heads have arrived at the venue.
Henwell appears, dressed in a manner that surprises everyone—Nightwind armor, the Dusk Dawn greatsword, and a blood-stained cloak draped over his back. He addresses the crowd, "I've thought it over all night, and I still can't bring myself to deceive the dead!"
Victor and Chick, sensing sothing, stand up together.
"Henwell! Calm down..."
"Henwell, this isn't your fault, you can't just..."
Henwell raises a hand, silencing them, and continues, "When I fled from Billie, my brothers covered my retreat! I promised them I'd bring them back, then they died! But I broke my word! I swore over their bodies that I would bring them back. I've tried everything, but the Kingdom of Billie refuses, and the Duchy won't intervene! I refuse to break my promise again! I'm going to bring them back myself!"
Rawkins and others want to oppose, but Henwell speaks first, "Many of you don't know these n. I'm not forcing you to risk your lives for strangers! But I promise you now: if any of you ever find yourselves in the sa situation, I will bring you back too! I swear it! By my na—Henwell!"
After a long silence, soone draws their sword. Monts later, everyone in the room kneels on one knee, swords planted into the ground.
"We swear to follow you to the death!"
Henwell remains silent for a while, then kicks aside his chair and bursts into laughter. "Ha ha ha... Good! Good! Good! Ignite the crimson beacons! Gather every soldier you can muster! Let's turn the world upside down and carve out a path to the peace!"
It is a calm and sunny day, and Peace Haven remains as peaceful and prosperous as ever. Then, they see a crimson smoke rising from the estate of the lord of Blood Hill. Soon after, hundreds of cavalry ride out, trumpets blaring, spreading across Peace Haven.
Before long, crimson smoke signals rise all over Peace Haven, and the sound of rallying horns echoes throughout. By the afternoon, an endless stream of soldiers begins to gather at Blood Hill Manor. People from all over Peace Haven are curious about what the renowned and resourceful lord of Blood Hill intends to do.
The next day, tens of thousands of troops assemble near Blood Hill Manor. Cavalry squadrons, patrol units, fortress garrisons, regional defenders, village guard teams, workshop security groups, and new city troops all gather. For the first ti, the people of Peace Haven realize just how vast their lord's military might is.
Over fifty thousand troops are arrayed in formation near the manor, awaiting Henwell's command. Draped in Rudolph's blood-stained cloak and wielding a war spear, Henwell stands before the assembled forces.
With all his might, Henwell shouts to the soldiers, "I am Henwell! Your lord! The protector of Peace Haven! I once promised so soldiers, soldiers just like you, that I would bring them ho! Now, there are those who don't want them to return, and I intend to get them back! Who among you wants to co with ?!"
Henwell's roar echoes for miles, and the soldiers respond with the synchronized clashing of weapons against breastplates. Henwell raises his war spear, pointing into the distance, "Follow to the Kingdom of Billie to demand our people back!"
The army slowly follows Henwell, and as they pass the new city, he reins in his horse and shouts, "I'm off to fight! It might be a long ti! I might die on the battlefield! Now, Peace Haven is nearly defenseless, so tell your masters that if they want to cause trouble, they better hope I'm dead! Otherwise, when I return, no matter who they are or what backing they have, I will turn my forces against them, and no one will stop from taking their heads!"
Dozens of wagons carry drums and trumpets. The drums thunder, the trumpets blare, soldiers march in formation, and banners flutter in the wind. The footsteps of tens of thousands of elite soldiers pound the earth like drumsticks, striking fear into the hearts of all who hear them.
For the first ti, Henwell's battle standard reveals its young but sharp fangs to the world...
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Note：
Honestly, I've thought a lot about whether Henwell should ask the Billie Kingdom for the bodies of his fallen comrades.
Henwell is designed as a rational and profit-driven person. As long as there is benefit, he can turn an enemy into a friend in an instant. I believe many followers are drawn to his wisdom and rationality.
So, for Henwell, the best course of action in the current situation is to quietly develop his territory and wait until he has sufficient power to deal with these matters.
However, this leaves feeling unhappy, very unhappy. I don't want the MC of my story to be a cold-hearted person, soone who deceives his companions, or soone who deludes himself.
Such a person might live well, but I firmly believe they cannot be truly happy. Thus, I've always found the stories in the political realm to be quite fascinating, full of wisdom and strategies that deserve applause, but I simply can't bring myself to like politicians.
Perhaps, reclaiming the bodies of a few comrades through warfare might result in more sacrifices, possibly hundreds or even thousands, but I believe it's worth it.
Because they are partner who would sacrifice their lives for you.
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