Chapter 807: Who Objects?

The commanders of the border legions stare in disbelief as the Lord's Knight Order thunders toward them.

How could a war have broken out so suddenly?

Ika Kingdom's forces are the first to clear the road. The commanders of its two legions have received no orders to go to war with Peace Haven.

With Henwell out of seclusion, they have even more reason to stay out of his way.

The Western Federation's legion is the second force to stand aside. Before leaving, Graham had ordered it to avoid any conflict with Peace Haven.

The two Phoenix legions cannot hold the line by themselves, nor do they dare block the Lord's Knight Order's charge.

Peace Haven's forces storm into Phoenix territory without meeting serious resistance.

Members of Peace Haven's Military Intelligence Office, who have been preparing for this moment, immediately reveal themselves and guide each unit toward its targets.

Peace Haven's influence over the Phoenix family exceeds everyone's expectations, and its infiltration now runs bone-deep.

Fighting erupts throughout Phoenix territory that day. One defiant noble faction after another is tracked down and wiped out.

Henwell remains inside Phoenix Castle, sitting silently in the ducal chair.

No one else in the hall dares to move. They can only stand stiffly and wait.

Evening arrives, and Peace Haven's leaders push open the doors.

Rawkins, at their head, salutes. "My lord, every rebel has been captured! Phoenix territory will be placed under curfew tonight, and normal life will resume in two days."

Henwell gives a slight nod. "Good. I suppose you came to ask how I want the remaining prisoners handled."

No one answers. Henwell waves a hand. "Kill them."

Victor blurts, "My lord... all of them?"

Henwell answers, "All of them."

This is the result Peace Haven's leaders wanted, yet now that Henwell has actually spoken the words, none of them feels any satisfaction.

Instead, a nameless unease settles over them.

Cumberland, head of the Military Intelligence Office, says, "My lord, Young Lord Pabos promised the old duke that Kaku's family would be spared."

Henwell slowly raises his head. "Is he the master of Peace Haven? Is it his turn to make decisions? Or do you believe he should be the one making them?"

Everyone falls silent in fear and immediately kneels before him.

Henwell raises a finger and taps the air. A succession of dull thuds comes from outside the doors.

Beyond the doorway, Kaku and the others collapse as blood sprays from their chests.

Henwell says softly, "It seems I can no longer command any of you. In that case, I will have to do it myself."

Dalton of the Lord Iron Guards immediately rises. "My lord! I will handle it at once!"

The others hurry out of the hall as well to issue their orders.

Henwell turns to Rawkins. "Go. Pass down my order. Eradicate the Descartes family."

This time, Rawkins asks no questions. He turns and leaves to make the arrangements.

Eppdin, the Judgment Bishop, frowns. "Henwell, are you trying to start a war during the Calamity War?"

Henwell answers a different question. "Bishop Eppdin, the Phoenix family is in turmoil, and I cannot be everywhere at once."

"That is why I need Orak to return and take charge of the Phoenix family's affairs."

Eppdin says, "Henwell! That is not something I can decide, and this is not the time to discuss it."

Henwell gently shakes his head. "I am not discussing or negotiating with you. I am demanding that you make it happen immediately."

Eppdin sneers. "Are you threatening the Church? Henwell, do you think becoming a Glory Knight gives you the right to speak to the Church this way?"

Henwell looks at him calmly. "I would very much like to share certain things with you, but you have not reached the level required to understand them."

"You cannot comprehend the reasoning behind this, so I can only tell you that if the Church refuses to return Orak..."

"I will go to the Scorching Sand Sea, or perhaps the Great Wasteland, and fight the calamity creatures there."

"Pass that message to the Church. Someone will understand what it means. That is a threat."

Eppdin stares at Henwell in confusion. How could any of that possibly be a threat?

At the same time, Henwell's contempt fills him with anger.

Henwell ignores him and turns to Ika Kingdom's envoy. "Prince Danks, your forces will leave the territory under Peace Haven's control immediately."

"You will not interfere in our campaign against the Descartes family."

"In return, I will spare your life."

"The poison that killed my uncle entered Vorry through your people."

"That reason alone is enough for you to die here."

"Allowing you to leave alive is already the greatest concession I am willing to make."

"Do not try to bargain with me. If you do, I will be delighted, because you will have given me a reason to kill you."

Danks feels death closing in. He opens his mouth, falters, then finally forces out a few words. "As you wish."

Henwell looks at the pale second son of the Descartes family. "Eric, if your family surrenders now, I will allow you to retain one hundred square kilometers of territory and the title of count."

Eric's face twists with rage. "Henwell! You are making an enemy of every noble in the kingdom!"

Henwell wags a finger. "Wrong, wrong, wrong. I am not making an enemy of the kingdom's nobles. I am standing against the whole world."

"As a courtesy, you may leave now. Run as far as you can, then wait for me to catch and kill you."

Eric remains silent for a moment, then turns to leave with his entourage.

They have taken only a few steps when every guard and attendant around him explodes.

Splattered with their flesh and blood, Eric screams wildly, "Henwell, you broke your word! You said you would let me leave!"

Henwell nods. "I did, but I never said anyone else could leave with you."

Eric does not dare say another word. He turns and leaves the castle alone.

When Henwell's gaze falls on him, Danks, Ika's fourth prince, feels his heart tighten.

The eyes of everyone around him fill with even greater fear.

Henwell smiles. "Do not worry. I will not kill you."

Some time later, night falls, and Rawkins and the others return once more.

Henwell surveys the crowd. "Does anyone still object?"

The Western Federation's representatives join everyone else in lowering their heads rather than meeting Henwell's gaze.

Under the dim light, flesh and blood cover the hall.

Henwell looks down from his elevated chair. His silhouette flickers in and out of the wavering light.

The pressure bearing down on the crowd is immense. It feels as though the darkness behind Henwell might swallow them whole.

Beside Henwell, unseen by everyone else, Barbarossa, the death dragon, laughs on and on.

"Human, I can feel your rage. Your subordinates acted behind your back, and your enemies came here to pressure you."

"You are furious."

"Why should someone as powerful as you accommodate these ants?"

"Can you not bring yourself to kill them?"

"If that is the problem, why not let me eat them?"

At last, Henwell's hollow voice breaks the silence. "Are you all satisfied now?"

Everyone immediately declares that Henwell alone will decide everything.

Henwell waves them away. "Leave. All of you."