Chapter 804: Mine!

Henwell soon reaches the outskirts of Silver Claw City.

The Phoenix family members there look at him in terror.

Only now do they remember what he has done in the past.

When Henwell was their ally and protector, they never felt the weight of his power.

Standing against him at last, they understand how terrifying an enemy he can be.

Henwell glances at the officer guarding the gate. "Move aside."

The defenders tell themselves they must be loyal to their family and their lord.

Their bodies retreat anyway, as though their minds have lost control of them.

Fear of death leaves them helpless.

The people of Silver Claw City are startled to see Henwell enter.

They also know something momentous is about to happen.

No one dares stop him on his way to the castle gate.

A few diehard loyalists are still waiting outside.

Some are reckless, some merely stupid, but most believe Henwell would never attack in front of representatives from so many powers.

Henwell does not attack them himself.

He simply keeps walking. Everyone who tries to block his path is torn to pieces.

Stepping over scattered limbs, he enters the castle as if walking down a scarlet carpet laid out to welcome him.

The investiture ceremony is nearly over.

A frail Duke Jansen hands Kaku the scepter symbolizing ducal authority. Kaku's face shines with excitement, and the surrounding guests are all smiles.

Then the hall doors swing open.

Harsh sunlight pours in. Henwell's shadow stretches across the center of the hall as he walks forward.

The guests feel as though an empty darkness is slowly closing over them.

Several Phoenix family nobles try to rebuke him.

All that comes out of their mouths is a meaningless rattle.

Danks, Ika's fourth prince and representative, starts, "Henwell, what are you..."

Henwell glances at him. "Keep quiet. Once you're dead, that's the end of it. No one cares what the dead think."

Anger rises in Danks's face, but he says nothing more.

Henwell crosses the hall, climbs the steps, and stops before Kaku and the others.

He takes the scepter from Kaku's hand. "Mine."

Kaku stares at him. "You..."

Eppdin, the Church's Judgment Bishop, speaks up beside them. "Henwell, are you pretending the rest of us aren't here?"

Henwell's voice is cold. "Would you rather I acknowledge you, or pretend you don't exist?"

Eppdin does not answer. He cannot afford to choose either response.

"The Phoenix family invited us here," Eppdin says. "Every member of the family agreed to this. You have no right to interfere!"

Henwell ignores him and walks straight to Duke Jansen.

"Don't worry, Uncle. They'll hand over the antidote. They can get away with a trick this vile once, but keep doing it and they'll break the rules everyone lives by."

Jansen smiles. "Did you succeed in advancing?"

Henwell nods. Jansen asks, "Any lingering problems?"

Henwell shakes his head. "No. I gained a little less than I might have, but it doesn't matter."

Duke Jansen sighs. "I've brought you more trouble. Come, I'd like to speak with you alone."

Supporting Jansen, Henwell follows him and Lady Grace into a room at the back.

Before leaving, Henwell turns to the guests. "Stay here. No one leaves until I come back."

Only after he has been gone for some time do they finally let out their breath.

Viscount House of the Phoenix family bursts out, "He's alone! What are we afraid of? He can't kill all of us, can he?"

"If it comes to a fight, we have professionals from the Church, the Empire, and the Ika Kingdom. He might not win!"

The others stare at House in horror. Those nearest him edge away as though avoiding a plague.

Graham curses inwardly. What kind of reckless fool is this? He had better stay well clear before the man's blood splashes onto him.

Kaku looks grimly at the Western Federation's representatives. Eppdin says, "Don't worry. Henwell doesn't rule this entire continent!"

Tobias, commander of the Imperial Knights, also speaks for the Empire. "Henwell has no right to interfere."

"He carries none of the Phoenix family's blood. Their affairs are none of his concern!"

In the private room, Henwell turns to Duke Jansen. "Uncle, why go this far? I can handle the Phoenix family."

Duke Jansen chuckles. "Henwell, you're as perceptive as ever."

"I suspect you're the only person in Peace Haven who saw through this."

"I thought I'd hidden it well. What gave me away?"

Henwell sighs. "House. House would never betray you. I chose him to protect you."

Jansen pauses. "So you were the one who placed House there? I thought the Phoenix family had finally produced someone capable!"

Henwell shakes his head. "He was already a member of the family. I only trained him."

"I had him stand among your opponents so he could keep you safe when it mattered."

"He isn't loyal to me, but he is genuinely devoted to you, Uncle."

Jansen falls silent, then says, "Henwell, I'm sorry. My weakness allowed things to reach this point."

"If I'd made the hard choice sooner, matters might not have become so dire, and you wouldn't be in this position."

Henwell reassures him. "That's enough, Uncle. Rest now. I'll take care of the rest."

Jansen shakes his head. "There's no need. Don't try to force the antidote out of them, either. They won't give it to you easily."

Henwell replies, "I have my own channels. The Church isn't the only one with contacts inside the Veil."

Jansen studies him. "Henwell, you understand that if this is a deadlock, only a death can break it."

"I've taken another poison myself. Even if Kaku hadn't been used against me, I would still die."

"I'm glad I got to see Pabos before the end."

"He has your intelligence without your flaws. He'll make a fine successor."

"Seeing you once more has settled my last regret as well."

"Now remember what I'm about to say."

"After I die, don't claim the position of family head. Bring Orak's child back and serve as his adviser."

"I've prepared a list of those who must die and those who must be spared. House will give it to you."

"Spare Kaku. Killing him would only make matters worse."

"When the Calamity War ends, send him off to some remote corner."

Henwell says nothing. Most people believe Duke Jansen has been outmaneuvered.

Henwell knows these inept conspirators could never have brought Jansen down by themselves.

The scheme began when Grace started helping Kaku and Kaku seized Peace Haven's supplies.

Jansen had laid the trap himself, staking his life to clear the Phoenix family's last obstacles from Henwell's path.

Some later developments did escape Jansen's control, however, including Kaku's decision to poison him.

Now Jansen means to tell Henwell everything, including how he should bring it to an end.