Chapter 701: Mending Relations

Summer arrives before long, and Henwell remains as busy as ever.

By now, his wounds have completely healed, and the door to the Glory Rank stands fully open before him.

Henwell can only circulate the energy through his body and temper himself over and over, holding his breakthrough at bay.

This is not yet the right time. Instinct tells him that he is not ready.

It is not his body that remains unprepared, but Peace Haven and everything around it.

Besides, Henwell gave his word. He still owes the Lady of Calamity a turn as her bodyguard and must repay the favor.

Today, however, he needs to pretend his wounds have yet to heal.

After all, the more miserable he appears in the coming meeting, the more leverage he will gain.

At Peace Haven's western border, Henwell waits with the Lord Iron Guards.

Before long, a party approaches from the direction of Ika.

In addition to the Ika Kingdom's Golden Guard Knights, the party includes several knights from the church and the empire.

The two groups stop a hundred meters from the boundary marker. Henwell waves, and Dalton drives the carriage up to the marker.

The other side responds by sending forward a lone carriage of its own.

With Dalton's help, Henwell settles into a custom-made wheelchair and approaches the boundary marker.

Two men climb out of the other carriage. One is Henwell's old acquaintance, Graham, lord of Guardian City.

After a brief greeting, Graham gestures toward the tall young man beside him. "Allow me to introduce Senar, one of the finest talents from the Abundant Continent."

"You are both outstanding members of your generation, so you should interact more in the future."

"Henwell, I have come today bearing the Church's goodwill. Everything that happened before left you with certain misunderstandings about the Church."

Henwell replies coolly, "I would not dare misunderstand the Church. I am merely worried that all of you might misunderstand me."

Graham sighs. "This was our failing as well. We never discovered the agent of Veil hidden in our ranks."

"It was his actions that drove a wedge between us and caused so many misunderstandings."

"Fortunately, matters have not yet deteriorated beyond repair."

"To show its sincerity, the Church ordered me to bring you the agent who drove us apart. You may deal with him however you see fit."

With that, Graham beckons, and a church knight rides forward.

A rope trails from the saddle. At the other end, a battered, limping man struggles to keep pace with the deliberately slow horse.

Graham points to the scarred man. "Henwell, this is the culprit."

"He colluded with Veil and caused all the misunderstandings between us."

"His name is Harry. He is a treacherous man who has always hated the Church. He hoped to exploit our conflict and damage the Church's interests."

Henwell studies Harry across from him, then shifts his gaze to Senar.

After a moment, Henwell says, "That does not show much sincerity."

"How do I know you did not simply find some scapegoat to fool me?"

Graham shakes his head. "He is a member of the Church Strategic Studies Council and has served there for several years."

The name Church Strategic Studies Council sounds like it belongs to a department devoted to studying doctrine.

In reality, it is one of the Church's advisory bodies and is primarily responsible for planning its various external operations.

There is also the Divine Grace Military Studies Council, the Church's military advisory body.

Its members hold considerable status. Every full member occupies a position equivalent to that of a Paladin.

Their standing is only slightly below that of a diocesan bishop.

Henwell does not expect the Church to offer up a Cardinal Bishop as a scapegoat. This is already the greatest concession it is willing to make to an eastern native.

When Henwell remains silent, Graham adds, "He was also Sir Senar's strategic aide."

"I can testify, however, that Sir Senar had nothing to do with this matter."

"Sir Senar came in person to explain precisely because he did not want you to misunderstand him again."

Graham then looks at Senar and motions for him to step forward.

After a brief hesitation, Senar steps forward. "Henwell, I had nothing to do with this. Harry acted alone. I knew nothing about it."

"We are handing him over to you now. Deal with him as you please. We will raise no objection."

Heh.

What a performance.

If Henwell had not sensed Senar's killing intent on the battlefield, and if it were not still so intense now, he might actually have believed him.

Henwell does not respond. Instead, he asks Graham, "My lord, the Vorry Kingdom needs stability at present."

"I assume you have also received word about the Northern Mountain Raiders that Arius mentioned."

"Vorry needs capable people right now. Besides, my uncle, Duke Jansen, and the rest of his family all miss my elder cousin Orak."

"Ten years have passed. My cousin must have completed his studies by now. Is it not time for him to return home?"

Graham slaps his thigh. "Ah! If you had not mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten. I have a letter from your cousin."

As he speaks, he takes out a letter and hands it to Henwell.

While Henwell reads, Graham remarks, "The Phoenix family truly produces remarkable talent."

"I thought you alone were a genius, but Orak has turned out to be an excellent prospect as well."

"The first time I met him, I knew he was a rare talent."

"It took him only five years to become a Grand Knight."

"He may not compare with you, but reaching the Grand Knight rank before the age of forty already proves that he is exceptionally gifted."

"Orak only progressed faster after that. Calling him a late bloomer may sound uncharitable, but all those years of groundwork have certainly borne fruit."

"Not long ago, he reached the peak of the Grand Knight rank."

"To avoid delaying his progress, Archbishop Ashiburn personally decided that he should go to the Divine Grace Continent to continue his training."

"Ah, if Orak had not left, the Church would never have been manipulated into coming into conflict with you."

Graham gives him a broad, teasing smile. "Henwell, surely this misunderstanding hasn't made you think we deliberately kept Orak hostage to threaten you?"

Henwell smiles in return. "Of course not. The Church is hardly some bandit stronghold."

"You have invested so much effort in training my cousin that I cannot thank you enough."

"How could I mistake the Church's goodwill? My uncle and aunt may be disappointed, however."

"My cousin and his family can reunite for only a few days each year. They had hoped he would return so the entire family could finally be together."

"It seems they will have to wait quite a while longer."

"Indeed. Such is the extraordinary path. The farther and higher one travels, the fewer people remain by one's side."

This last reflection is no act. Complicated emotions flicker through Graham's eyes.

At that moment, Senar suddenly asks, "Forgive my impertinence, but how does the lord of Blood Hill intend to deal with this traitor?"

Henwell glances at him and replies flatly, "If you know it is impertinent, why are you still asking?"