Chapter 871: Might Works Better Than Law

Harry feels sorrow, but Pabos's guard captain is furious.

Gilbert, captain of Pabos's personal guard, is the eldest son of Augusta, the commander at Cloud Tree City.

At twenty-six, he is already a veteran Battle Knight and could break through at any time.

The gladiator faction had gone to considerable trouble to place him in the Ninth Warband as Pabos's guard captain.

A position so close to Pabos is important, and every faction in Peace Haven has its eye on it.

In the end, the gladiator faction had persuaded Melissa and secured the appointment.

Henwell is annoyed about it too.

Henwell isn't angry that his subordinates have maneuvered one of their own into the post. They could never sway Pabos's thinking that easily.

The real problem is that Gilbert was an outstanding graduate of the Military Academy and had served beside Henwell in the Lord Iron Guards.

Henwell had wanted to strengthen his forces and look after a friend's son.

He had often tutored Gilbert personally. Once Gilbert reached Grand Knight rank, he was to be promoted to commander of a reinforced combat company in the Lord Iron Guards.

After a few more years of experience, he could be sent out to command a warband.

To Henwell, keeping him tucked away beside Pabos now is a damn waste.

Gilbert had often spent time with Pabos after joining the Lord Iron Guards.

He is fond of the young lord, who is a few years younger than him.

Only the Lord Iron Guards truly understand how hard Henwell's children work.

To avoid disgracing his father's name, Pabos puts in several times as much effort as other people.

His example has, in turn, encouraged Peace Haven's leaders to be stricter about educating their own children.

Not one of the children of Peace Haven's decorated military veterans is a useless fool.

They are already leading figures among Peace Haven's younger generation, helping Peace Haven advance through their work in various posts.

Now, angered by the men's insults, Gilbert raises his lance. "Dismount and surrender your weapons! Now!"

The dozen or so guards behind him raise their weapons. They guide their horses with small, precise movements, forming a triangular charge formation in moments.

The men opposite hesitate at the killing intent they sense from Gilbert and his guards.

But if they let someone disarm them on their own territory, how are they supposed to keep lording it over the locals?

The two Knights immediately give orders, and their men form a ragged assault formation of their own.

The few soldiers from the group who were waiting to be questioned and punished pick up the swords and sabers on the ground again. They clear the road and move to either side, ready to climb onto the roofs.

Seeing this, the Military Police Unit's men mount up and grab their weapons, ready to fight.

Their squad leader shouts, "You bastards! Do you know what you're doing? You're going to attack Commander Pabos? Even your king couldn't answer for that!"

"Send a signal!"

"Call in the perimeter-patrol cavalry from camp and have them sweep these rural thugs aside!"

"Notify Count Sheriman in Warmflow City! Let him see what a mess the men under him have made!"

Pabos raises a hand, stopping the soldier about to signal. "No need! These useless fools aren't worth all that trouble."

"We are guests here, after all. We should avoid disrupting local life and show some consideration for Ogiro's noble lords."

"We mustn't give people the impression that we're bullying them with our power. I'll handle this."

"Besides, he isn't showing contempt for me. He's showing contempt for coalition headquarters and the alliance agreement among the nations!"

Then his voice turns cold. "Dismount and surrender your weapons!"

At the same time, he flicks his riding crop.

A flash of fighting spirit crosses more than thirty meters and gouges a deep scar in the ground before the two Knights.

The noble's private troops are cowed at once. The two noble Knights cannot grasp the skill behind that display.

But they know they could never do that. The young man facing them is far stronger than either of them.

This is a world where might makes right. Enough strength can impose its own rules and laws wherever it goes.

The two Knights hurriedly dismount. The cavalry behind them also realize they may have picked the wrong opponent.

Gilbert is shocked too. He realizes that, after two battles, Pabos has already reached the threshold of Grand Knight.

Pabos may even reach Grand Knight rank before Gilbert does.

Gilbert has never doubted that Pabos could become a Grand Knight. What shocks him is how quickly he is getting there.

Pabos turns to Harry beside him. "Sir, look at that. Making a show of strength works better than the law!"

Harry smiles. "Don't be discouraged! This isn't Peace Haven. Here, strength still outweighs everything else."

"Even in Peace Haven, the law's authority rests on your father's military power and Peace Haven's strength."

"So, wherever you go, power sets the rules. Morality and right or wrong don't decide them."

Pabos smiles and dismounts. "Sir, would you like to help me settle this dispute?"

"Of course!" Harry replies. "I came out to relax. A little entertainment would be welcome!"

Pabos helps Harry down from his horse. Harry then tells Gilbert, "Find the perimeter-patrol cavalry around camp and bring a hundred-man unit here!"

Seeing Pabos's confusion, Harry explains, "Never underestimate a noble's greed. Still less his ignorance."

"They handle things crudely. Most never stop to think about the consequences."

"Only overwhelming force will make them give up certain foolish ideas."

"Using underhanded tactics, for instance, or being stubborn enough to try to kill us!"

Pabos looks startled. "He'd dare attack us?"

Harry chuckles. "Why wouldn't he? Here, he's the king! His word is a divine decree!"

"No one can defy his will. No one can make him back down!"

"Until the last moment before he dies, he'll believe the world revolves around him!"

"Exceptional privileges corrupt the mind. They also erode wisdom and reason."

"If he did attack, he would still be no match for us."

"But there would be bloodshed and deaths. Their deaths, of course."

"And once word got out, it wouldn't do our reputation any good. Yours in particular."

"We don't want people saying that Peace Haven's young lord, Henwell's son, killed a viscount while out for a stroll."

"So let's handle this as carefully as we can."

"Otherwise, they'll twist the argument until all anyone hears is that you killed an Ogiro noble without authority, no matter how clearly we're in the right."

"It wouldn't do much actual harm, but it would still be unpleasant, wouldn't it?"

Pabos nods. "I hadn't thought of that. Father was right to send you with me, sir. I've learned something new!"

Gilbert and the others hold Harry in great respect too.

They respect his position as Pabos's teacher. The main reason, though, is that Peace Haven's people have received a systematic education and respect wisdom.

It is a habit their society has developed over more than twenty years.

Before they enter the tavern, Harry addresses the noble soldiers, who now look decidedly uneasy. "Go! Notify your baron!"

"Tell him that Pabos, commander of the Ninth Warband in the coalition's Mobile Strike Group, is waiting for him here!"

"Make sure he understands: Pabos, son of Henwell!"

"That Henwell. The lord of Blood Hill. Peace Haven's uncrowned king!"