Chapter 284: A Life-or-Death Gamble

Henwell smiles at Fred’s words, neither confirming nor denying the conclusion.

Fred looks at Henwell in surprise. “Hey, why haven’t you tried to kill me yet? That’s not right! You’ve hidden so deeply. You must have some grand plan. Now that I’ve exposed your secret, it should be a huge risk to your scheme.”

”By all rights, you should have taken me out already! Why do I get the feeling you don’t want to make a move? Afraid of making too much noise and attracting attention?”

Henwell counters, “Since you know this guess puts your life in danger, why come to confirm it? From what I know, you’re not the type to be that curious. Why take such a huge risk?”

Fred doesn’t answer immediately but studies Henwell for a moment. “I get it! You really don’t want to kill me. You already knew I’d come. That flaw you showed me was deliberate. Otherwise, how come I’m the only one who noticed it?”

Henwell shares his own suspicion. “Your real goal must be to face me in combat. I have to say, you’re bold! Have you ever seen an Iron Knight fight? Do you really think you can escape my hands? Are you underestimating the Iron Knight rank, or overestimating yourself?”

Fred’s expression hardens. “I want to see my wife and child. If I can just escape you alive, it won’t be long before I become an Iron Knight. Then Baleqi won’t be able to stop me from bringing my family to live with me!”

”They’re the reason I’m alive. You have no idea how I’ve survived all these years. Every year, I’m only able to see them for a few days. The rest of the time, every moment is torture.”

Henwell shakes his head. “No need to risk your life! I can tell you this: you’re not on the wrong path. You’re very close to becoming an Iron Knight! Take care of the hidden injuries in your body, then go back to fighting and training. It might speed up your progress.”

Fred stands frozen. He knows just how much those few words mean to him.

Without guidance from an Iron Knight, Fred’s biggest fear isn’t a lack of potential, but that he’s heading in the wrong direction.

Without family backing or royal support, Fred has been figuring things out on his own, with no mentor or model to follow.

Now, Henwell’s words confirm his path and assure him he’s not mistaken.

Those two sentences are priceless treasures to Fred.

He doesn’t doubt Henwell’s honesty. After all, there’s no conflict of interest between them.

If Henwell were lying, it would only be to help King Baleqi and other nobles of the Ika Kingdom.

Realizing that his decade of struggle wasn’t in vain, and that he might still live to be with his wife and child, Fred raises his hand to his face.

Tears slip through his fingers as they fall.

After a moment, Fred, having composed himself with slightly reddened eyes, looks at Henwell and says, “What do you need me to do? I can’t betray the kingdom. My wife and son are citizens too, and I won’t abandon them.”

Henwell points westward. “I want to know what’s over there. Why is the Ika Kingdom deploying so many troops in that area?”

Fred falls silent for a moment. “Sigh... You’re impressive. To have made such a name for yourself and become an Iron Knight at such a young age, it’s clear it’s more than just talent.”

After gathering his thoughts, Fred continues, “From here westward, it’s a seven-day ride on horseback before you enter the danger zone. That place is filled with monsters. Well, monsters is the best way to describe them.”

”I’ve never seen or even heard of anything like them before. They’re not a single species but a collective term for many kinds. I’ve encountered undead corpses that come back to life, fierce extraordinary creatures, and even deadlier environmental hazards.”

“I know you intend to push further west, and it’s hard to convince you to stop. But I have to warn you. I’ve nearly died there several times. It was only luck that kept me alive. So far, I’ve only dared to venture three days into the danger zone. I won’t go any further. I don’t even know how big that area really is.”

“Over the years, I’ve been investigating these threats, but I haven’t found any definitive answers.”

“I’ll give you a map showing the routes I’ve explored. These paths are relatively safer. I’ll also provide a detailed guide on the monsters, including their weaknesses and habits. Finally, I’ll prepare enough supplies for you to cross those dangerous areas. Many of these items will definitely come in handy.”

Henwell nods softly. “That’s enough. So all those troops stationed here are actually to guard against these monsters?”

Fred shakes his head. “No, it’s because of orders from above. After I took over as city lord, I received a handwritten letter from Baleqi. He instructed me that whenever someone arrives bearing a royal family seal and another special mark, I must obey any instructions they give. The troops here are more like a standby force.”

“But as far as I know, nothing unusual has happened in the past hundred years. About 137 years ago, the Western Regions suffered a major disaster. Some say it was a volcanic eruption, others say a massive storm. Whatever it was, that catastrophe caused heavy casualties here. The detailed history of that event seems to have been wiped clean.”

Henwell makes a mental note of this information, then says to Fred, “Alright, this intelligence is very important to me. Now we’re even.”

Fred bows slightly to Henwell and quietly leaves the inn.

Henwell doesn’t ask Fred to swear secrecy about his own secret. That would be pointless.

Fred isn’t a fool. What good would it do him to offend a powerful Iron Knight like Henwell, a young man with unlimited potential?

Maybe Fred could foil Henwell’s plans.

But Henwell won’t die. If Henwell stays alive, it’s Fred and his family who’ll be the ones dead.

No one can protect them, not even King Baleqi of Ika.

Sure, Fred might become an Iron Knight someday, but that’s at least ten years away.

By then, Henwell will probably have reached Glory Knight rank and could easily wipe out Fred’s entire family.

Fred is smart; exposing Henwell’s secret won’t bring him any great advantage.

Besides, a twenty-three-year-old Grand Knight is already impressive.

Would anyone really believe Fred if he claimed Henwell was an Iron Knight?

Unless an Iron Knight personally tests Henwell’s life, it’s impossible to know his true strength.

But Henwell carries the Holy Spirit Church knight’s talisman. Which Iron Knight wants to challenge that?