Henwell doesn’t continue tormenting Pajaje, or Scar Tiger, as he’s also known. Instead, Henwell leaves the banquet and returns to his castle chambers to rest.

  The next morning, under the escort of the Holy Lake Knights, Henwell resumes his journey northeast.

  Around noon, Monica finds the restless Scar Tiger. Her first words nearly make the worn-out Scar Tiger fall to his knees.

  “Pajaje, I need you to do something for me. If you succeed, I’ll find a way to make you a viscount!”

  Scar Tiger blinks in confusion, looking at the princess. “What do you want me to do, Your Highness?”

  “Go! Take people and kill the lord of Blood Hill!”

  “Who?!”

  Kill who? Kill Henwell? Me?!

  The sudden, daunting mission causes Scar Tiger’s mind to freeze.

  Seeing his silence, Monica expins, “Many want him dead. If he dies within Lumir, it’ll surely spark chaos. Both you and I can seize this chance to gain more benefits. Peace Haven may be powerful, but it has many enemies…”

  Scar Tiger stares bnkly at her, not wanting to understand why she wants Henwell dead.

  The real question is, why me?

  And is this widow princess really that stubborn? Doesn’t she know who Henwell is? How powerful he is? Yet she wants me to kill Henwell? If I had that kind of ability, I’d be a grand duke by now! Why wait to kill Henwell just to become a viscount?

  Is this woman still half asleep?

  After a long pause, Scar Tiger awkwardly says, “Your Highness, you might not know, but Henwell is incredibly strong. He’s already a Grand Knight, and I’m just a knight, no match for him!”

  Monica snaps, “Of course I know you can’t beat him! That’s why you bring more people. I’ll arrange four knights for you. With a dozen or so of you, you still can’t kill one man? As for the Holy Lake Knights, yes, they’re a problem. They’ll definitely block your attack, so it’s best to strike when they’re not around…”

  A dozen people, less than half knights, pnning to kill Henwell?!

  Scar Tiger has seen Henwell’s unmatched battlefield prowess. Back then, over a hundred knights and a dozen Battle Knights fell to Henwell’s bde, scattered and broken!

  Forget about this small group, even combining the forces from two territories wouldn’t be enough to trouble Henwell for long.

  Scar Tiger starts to realize that Monica is clearly not a professional and has never truly seen how powerful a Grand Knight really is. She has no idea what being a Grand Knight even means, let alone how ruthless Henwell can be.

  There are plenty of people who want Henwell dead, enough to fill the entire Billie Kingdom. Yet Henwell is still alive and well, which alone shows just how strong he is.

  Still, Scar Tiger doesn’t quite know how to expin this, especially since, technically speaking, his Hodith family is still Monica’s vassal.

  So, with a dazed expression, Scar Tiger leads a small group, walking bnkly along the official road.

  By afternoon, the escorting Holy Lake Knights are returning, and another group approaches from behind.

  The newcomer is Lierul, the eldest son of the Earl and Monica’s brother.

  Duaili greets the Holy Lake Knights’ centurion, then curiously asks Scar Tiger, “Pajaje, where are you headed?”

  Scar Tiger replies expressionlessly, “We’re going to hunt down the lord of Blood Hill.”

  Silence falls over everyone. The atmosphere turns tense.

  Duaili sizes up Scar Tiger, thinking this guy must be crazy. Kill Henwell? With this small a group? What, pnning to have Henwell for dinner tonight?

  The Holy Lake Knights’ centurion beside him widens his eyes in surprise. He hadn’t expected Scar Tiger, who was timid just st night, to be so bold today.

  The centurion gives Scar Tiger a thumbs-up. “Brother, you’re fierce! Get going quickly! The lord of Blood Hill is about to cross into Ika Kingdom. If you hurry, you might catch them by tonight.”

  Duaili rolls his eyes and turns to Scar Tiger. “Pajaje, what’s going on? Who told you to go after the lord of Blood Hill? Don’t you understand the consequences? If you die, that’s one thing! But if that warmonger finds an excuse to start a war, it’ll be a disaster for the entire duchy!”

  Scar Tiger grimaces. “Sir, I don’t want to either! It’s Princess Monica who ordered me to go!”

  Duaili looks puzzled. “Why does she keep dragging you into this?”

  The centurion speaks up. “At st night’s banquet, the lord of Blood Hill spoke with the princess for a while. It seemed to have really angered her. Maybe he said something disrespectful that offended her, perhaps that’s why…”

  Duaili snaps, “Nonsense!” Then he scolds Scar Tiger sharply, “Take her back to her territory! You’re in charge of her nd’s defense now. If she causes no trouble, don’t leave the castle.”

  Scar Tiger hesitates. “Sir, you know I’m the princess’s vassal. This isn’t proper protocol!”

  Duaili pulls out a badge. “Take this! Tell them it’s my father’s order. The Dienbos family won’t let her run wild!”

  Grasping the badge like a pardon, Scar Tiger immediately turns and rushes back with his men.

  Watching Scar Tiger’s embarrassed retreat, the centurion chuckles. “This baron must be terrified. Just now, I saw his eyes go bnk. He’s probably repying his whole life on the way back. No telling if he’s said goodbye to his family.”

  Duaili gres at him. “Chapman, enough with the sarcasm! Has the lord of Blood Hill crossed the border yet?”

  Chapman replies, “I’ve got people watching. Looks like he’s not sticking around here. With Midsummer Festival coming up, he’s gotta hurry back to prepare for the wedding. I even got an invitation! I’ll have to take a leave to go, his wedding feast isn’t something you get to skip! By the way, Duaili, what brings you here? Also chasing the lord of Blood Hill?”

  Duaili snaps, “Why would I chase that troublemaker? I’m heading east. The merchants’ guild is having some issues there, and I need to negotiate with the local nobles.”

  “Want me to back you up?”

  “No need! You better get back and report!”

  While they talk, Henwell nears the border.

  Originally, he pnned to visit Viscount Matilda of Lumir, the closest major noble to his territory. Matilda had always been cautious, insisting on dealing with Roderick instead of Henwell directly. Henwell wanted to seize this chance to meet the careful colborator in person.

  But Peace Haven sends word that Duke Jansen demands his immediate return, no loitering.

  Henwell has no choice but to change course, heading north into Ika Kingdom to reach Louis City first.