Chapter 767: A Troublesome Problem

Henwell wakes exhausted after completing his breakthrough.

The first thing he sees is a majestic dragon coiled before him, its enormous head looming close and its eyes fixed on him.

His spiritual power drained nearly dry, Henwell is still dazed.

"W-Who are you?"

Barbarossa almost launches into a roaring tirade.

Then its huge eyes shift. Its skeletal form slowly fades, replaced by a sacred body of mingled gold and silver.

"Mortal! You are awake? I am the Dragon God you worship. You fell into terrible danger, and only by expending a great deal of power was I able to preserve your life."

Henwell rolls his eyes and flicks a hand. Countless spectral chains shoot out and wrap the posturing Barbarossa from head to tail.

Barbarossa roars in fury, "You damned, despicable insect! Isn't your soul supposed to be weakened?"

Henwell ignores it. His mind remains fogged, but even now he senses deep malice from Barbarossa.

Every word the dragon speaks carries an evil, corrupting power that claws at Henwell's mind.

Henwell has no patience for anything trying to plant a corrupting influence inside him.

He sinks back into the ocean of spiritual power.

No matter how Barbarossa struggles, Henwell never opens his eyes again.

Time races on, and every part of Peace Haven continues to develop at remarkable speed.

A year has now passed since the Northern Mountain Counteroffensive.

The Northern Mountain Front Supply Base is fully operational before Henwell's thirty-ninth birthday.

Peace Haven halts bulk military shipments north and sends only high-end goods that can be produced in its heartland.

Soon after the Midsummer Festival, Rawkins, Victor, and the others meet again.

A troublesome matter has landed before them, too serious to ignore but not yet a true crisis.

A northbound supply convoy has been raided.

That sounds grave, but members of the Phoenix family were the ones who intercepted it.

And that makes everything far more complicated.

Victor turns to Cumberland of the Military Intelligence Office. "Have you found out who in the Phoenix family seized the convoy?"

"That Viscount House is only a hotheaded pawn pushed forward to test our reaction."

"Whoever pinpointed our convoy and took only its most important cargo must have had intelligence support."

Cumberland looks up but remains silent.

Rawkins frowns. "Say it! Whoever it was, we need to decide how to respond."

Cumberland draws a deep breath. "Kaku, the Phoenix family's second son, ordered it!"

Brows furrow around the room. This has just become much harder to handle.

At last, Rawkins says, "Send the Phoenix family a formal letter and ask how they intend to resolve this."

Victor shakes his head. "That would be unwise. A formal letter would drag the entire affair into the open."

"We should send the duke a private letter explaining what happened."

"If this were anything else, we could simply give it to Lord Kaku."

"These were military supplies bound for the Northern Mountain Front. The duke knows how important they are."

Cumberland speaks again. "Personally, I think we should inform the lady and ask her to speak with them."

"That would show how seriously Peace Haven takes the matter without making it too official. Both sides would still have room to step back."

Dalton, commander of the Lord Iron Guards, shakes his head. "No. The lady has been in poor health since giving birth."

"With our lord absent, she already has to manage a great many important affairs."

"She is exhausted. It would be inappropriate to trouble her with this as well."

Everyone knows Melissa has been unwell. After Dalton's reminder, they abandon the idea.

They ultimately decide to send someone to question Kaku first.

If he refuses to admit it, they will ask Duke Jansen to intervene.

Meanwhile, a small banquet is underway in Kaku's castle on Phoenix family territory.

Viscount Pierre of the Phoenix family says uneasily, "Haven't we gone too far by holding Peace Haven's goods?"

"These are wartime supplies bound for the Northern Mountain Front. Peace Haven will never agree to let us keep them."

The guest opposite him smiles. "Isn't the mixed legion defending the Northern Mountain Front?"

"To hear you speak, Viscount Pierre, one might think the mixed legion belongs solely to Peace Haven."

"Why bother calling it a mixed unit? Peace Haven might as well declare it a numbered legion."

Kaku gives the guest a sidelong glance. "Eric, it sounds as though you are trying to drive a wedge between the Phoenix family and Peace Haven."

"Even without Peace Haven, your Descartes family would still be no match for the Phoenix family."

"If you hope these tricks will recover the land stripped from your family, you have badly miscalculated."

Eric, the second son of Marquis Descartes, chuckles. "Heh. How could that be?"

"Everyone on the continent knows Duke Jansen treats the lord of Blood Hill as his own son."

"I even hear the duke moved him to second in the line of succession, behind only Orak, who is away on his travels."

"How could I possibly undermine a relationship like yours? You must be reading too much into my words."

Kaku snorts. "Good. I am no fool."

"I know exactly what I am doing, and I know I cannot contend with Henwell."

"He is the world-renowned lord of Blood Hill. I am only an obscure, pampered young noble."

"I did not seize Peace Haven's supplies because you urged me to."

"Those supplies were meant for the mixed legion, and the mixed legion belongs to the Phoenix family. No one can take it from us."

"Nor did I rob anyone. The fighting on the Northern Mountain Front is fierce."

"As a member of the Phoenix family, I intend to do my part."

"The heirs of every ducal family are fighting on the Northern Mountain Front."

"My elder brother is still away, and Henwell remains in seclusion. I am the only one who can represent the Phoenix family in battle."

"These supplies are for raising an army."

"Before long, I will head north, reinforce the war zone, and fight beside the Phoenix family's soldiers."

Eric applauds softly. "As expected of the Wolfclaw family. You certainly have courage."

"Then let me wish you a swift victory and another great achievement for the Phoenix family!"

He raises his wine cup in a toast to Kaku across the table.

A noble beside Eric speaks next: Viscount Fenas, a trusted member of the Descartes family.

"Count Kaku, building an army requires money."

"Several items among the northbound supplies you requisitioned interest us greatly."

"If you are willing, we will pay a very high price for them."

Fenas produces a list and places it on a serving tray.

At Kaku's signal, the tray is brought over. He scans the list, then passes it to the two men beside him.