Chapter 243: The Peace Midsummer Festival

First off, Henwell can’t help but feel curious and even a bit hopeful about this wild card, Newwood.

After all, in this damn world, Henwell’s only real mental anchor is that virtual chat group.

Now that there’s another “earth” man in the mix, how could Henwell not be intrigued?

Second, Henwell wants to dig into all sorts of intel about the other continent through Newwood.

A man with such high-level combat skills should be able to clear up many of Henwell’s lingering questions.

But then there’s a complicated layer of worry.

Newwood is undeniably a troublemaker—otherwise, he wouldn’t have pissed off two major factions.

Henwell now knows for sure that above the Vorry Kingdom, there’s an even higher authority: both the Holy Spirit Church and the Groias Empire.

These two are completely out of Henwell’s reach right now.

If anyone finds out Henwell has ties to Newwood, Peace Haven could be wiped out in an instant.

And Henwell himself would end up on the run, just like Newwood.

That’s a fate Henwell simply can’t bear.

In short, Henwell feels an innate closeness to Newwood.

But because of the unknowns, there’s a healthy dose of caution too.

Henwell won’t assume Newwood’s intentions are good just because of some help.

And most importantly—

Henwell has no clue where the hell Newwood disappeared to!

Even if he wanted to reach out, tracking him down would be nearly impossible.

After a long think, Henwell decides to just let things be.

He’s not like Newwood.

He’s about to get married, and he’s got a whole crew following him.

Henwell needs to move forward at his own pace, not get starstruck and go lone wolf just because someone else looks badass.

The next day is the Midsummer Festival.

Originally, with Vorry’s elevation to a kingdom, this was supposed to be a nationwide celebration.

But thanks to Newwood stirring things up, the festive atmosphere is more than half shattered.

Still, only a select few know the full truth.

Even though troops keep marching toward the palace, the common folk below just think some sort of coup is happening inside.

They have no clue about the assassination attempts or the Berserker Demons.

So with many nobles ‘s absence, this year’s Midsummer Festival feels more like a festival for the people.

All sorts of performances go on as planned, and the crowd’s enthusiasm remains high.

Melissa wanted to go out and enjoy the parades, the street performances, and folk dramas.

But Henwell’s bandaged-up, mummy appearance makes that clearly inappropriate.

Melissa stays by Henwell’s side, but Arius’s wife, Karitan, insists she come out and have fun.

She’s accompanied by Orak’s wife and other noblewomen.

Orak was originally supposed to leave with the archbishop to the Land of Abundance for further training.

But after everything that’s happened, that’s been postponed for a while.

Duke Jansen is still running around trying to change the situation.

Henwell doesn’t have much hope for that.

After all, Orak’s timely rescue was crucial.

He led the fastest-organized thousand-strong assault formation among the Blood Lion Knights.

His performance in battle was impressive.

According to the archbishop, young talents like Orak are rare even in the Groias Empire.

That’s why Orak is specifically assigned to head west to a place called the Western Federation.

From there, he’ll move on to train further on the Abundant Continent.

In truth, the archbishop and the Bridgechurch knights would rather have Henwell go instead.

They see Henwell, in his early twenties, already packing Grand Knight-level power and a fierce fighting style.

That means his talent is hard to find even in both the church and empire.

With decades of training, he could very well become a Glory Knight.

Unfortunately, Henwell’s half-dead condition makes it hard for them to take him away directly.

Besides, Henwell still has his engagement, wedding, and kids to think about...

It’ll be years before he’s free.

As for the Western Federation, Henwell’s hearing of it for the first time.

In all the maps he’s gathered, there isn’t a mark about this place.

Apparently, it’s a region west of Ika.

Since it connects to another continent, it must be important.

Given how many things are kept under wraps, hiding this place’s existence makes sense.

Once things settle down, Henwell plans to use Orak and the others’ training trip as a chance to investigate that place properly.

If he can’t go himself, at least he can send his brother off right!

Now, all Henwell has to do is focus on healing and then get through the engagement banquet.

Thinking about the engagement, Henwell can’t help but curse everyone.

From Amir to Newwood, he lets them all have it.

If it weren’t for these damn troublemakers, he’d have already finished his engagement drinks by now.

What a bunch of bastards!

Listening to the lively sounds outside, Henwell curses while crushing those crooked bones.

Some bones in his back are just out of reach, so he calls Simon over for help.

Following Henwell’s instructions, Simon carefully adjusts the bones in his back.

Watching Henwell keep a straight face, Simon can’t help but exclaim, “Sir, you’re incredible! Doesn’t it hurt at all?”

Henwell grits his teeth, “Enough nonsense, just get on with it! I’m about to start crying from the pain!”

Two days later, as the Midsummer Festival crowds begin to thin, the Lord Iron Guards escort the carriage out of Silver Peak City.

They’re heading to the Phoenix family castle to hold the engagement banquet.

Just outside the city, they run into Fabio’s squad.

That guy rushes up to the carriage, pulls back the curtain, and sees Henwell lying there, head covered and flat out asleep.

After a moment, Fabio pokes Henwell with his whip, “Dead?”

When Henwell doesn’t move, Fabio pulls back the blanket, revealing Henwell staring wide-eyed at him.

Fabio sighs, “I knew it! You didn’t get married and you’re dead, still not resting in peace!”

Henwell rolls his eyes, “What, you planning to mourn me? Why aren’t you back in your territory instead of wandering around here?”

Fabio kicks Henwell, “Move over! I’ve got nowhere to sit! This is your engagement banquet—I had to come! Besides, there’s nothing going on in my territory right now, why rush back?”

Fabio was the first to run during that day’s battle.

Up to now, he’s barely scratched the surface of becoming a Battle Knight, and in that situation, fighting alone wasn’t his strong suit.

He barreled through the crowd out of the palace, gathering every troop he could find.

After Orak and the Blood Lion Knights entered, Fabio charged in with the First Guard Legion.

Though it’s not his legion, that doesn’t mean he can’t command it in emergencies.

Because he brought troops into the palace in time, he played a crucial role in splitting and wiping out the Berserker Demons.

No one blames him for running fast—those who survived are just grateful he came back quickly.

Fabio now asks Henwell, “There’s something I need your advice on.”