Chapter 445: New Neighbors

After finishing negotiations with the Ika elites, Henwell heads over to meet Ogiro’s guests.

Only three people lead the group here.

First is Count Divarak, one of Henwell’s collaborators, along with his cousin, Commander Pavaro.

And finally, between them stands Prince Sundike.

Prince Sundike is under thirty years old, with personal combat skills only at a knight’s level.

Overall, he’s a rather mediocre prince, average in both battle and politics.

His maternal family isn’t powerful either, making him a marginal figure within the Ogiro royal family.

Henwell greets Prince Sundike politely, and the prince responds with well wishes for the wedding.

After some small talk, Henwell gently taps the table. Divarak waves his hand to those around.

The Ogiro nobles who aren’t entitled to sit at the table wisely step back, clearing the space.

Simon, accompanied by the Lord Iron Guards, stands watch nearby to prevent any uninvited guests from barging in.

Prince Sundike, somewhat nervous and confused, finally speaks up: “Lord Henwell, what exactly are you planning?”

Sundike still fears Henwell deeply.

He knows that his future fiefdom will be carved out here, and he has long been familiar with Henwell’s reputation.

The more he learns about Henwell’s exploits, the greater his fear grows.

Just thinking about having such a person as his neighbor keeps him up night after night, and he’s been losing clumps of hair.

He’s already petitioned his father, the king, multiple times, asking for a different fiefdom.

But King Ogiro has refused each time, explaining that Sundike is being sent to guard the kingdom’s northwest region precisely to keep Henwell’s expansion in check.

Henwell’s growing power puts immense pressure on Ogiro.

The nobles in the northwest all fear Henwell deeply.

If Henwell ever mobilizes his forces, nearly no one in the kingdom’s northwest can stop him.

The kingdom must show resolve and make the nobles in the northwest understand that it will not abandon these lands.

Despite his father’s earnest explanations, Sundike remains bewildered.

He understands the reasoning, but the problem is that to restrain Henwell, he needs real power, but he isn’t a top contender for the throne.

How could he be assigned to guard such a dangerous borderland?

With a heavy heart and anxious thoughts, Prince Sundike arrives in the northwest region to select his fiefdom.

At first, Prince Sundike really didn’t want to meet Henwell. The kingdom had ordered him to attend the wedding, but deep down, he resisted the idea.

However, Divarak and Pavaro found him and explained the stakes involved.

Since he couldn’t avoid Henwell, it was better to use the occasion of Henwell’s grand wedding to make a good impression while Henwell was in a good mood.

Divarak is the leading noble in the kingdom’s northwest, and his cousin Pavaro commands the military there.

Together, they practically control the political and military power of the northwest region.

Given their advice, no matter how reluctant Sundike was, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.

Once he arrived at Peace Haven, he saw many things firsthand.

The fortified Los City, the grand architecture, the elite patrol cavalry, and the massive training camps for new recruits.

This is the military foundation of Peace Haven!

The bustling commercial trade, the well-planned industrial zones, and the dense population.

This is the foundation of Peace Haven’s development!

All of this made Prince Sundike realize just how powerful Henwell’s influence really is.

The stronger Peace Haven becomes, the more fearful Sundike feels.

If Henwell makes a move, Sundike knows his only option will be to run.

Now, with Henwell dismissing the others and speaking directly to him, Sundike can’t help but feel a chill of fear deep in his heart.

Facing Sundike’s question, Henwell offers as friendly a smile as he can manage. “Don’t worry. I just want to discuss something private with you.”

Beside him, Divarak reassures, “Your Highness, since Lord Henwell is bringing this up, there must be a reason. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Henwell gets straight to the point. “Prince Sundike, since you’re being granted lands in Ogiro’s northwest, we’re going to be neighbors. I want to know your thoughts on this. To put it more bluntly, do you plan to raise an army, prepare for war, or build a defensive barrier?”

Henwell’s direct question startles Sundike, who hastily waves his hands in denial. “Henwell, you’ve got it all wrong! I’m no warrior, and I’m clueless about commanding troops. How could I possibly raise an army to oppose you?”

Henwell smiles and shakes his head. “Your Highness, don’t be nervous. You misunderstood me. From now on, we’re neighbors. There’s a saying: distant relatives aren’t as close as nearby neighbors. You’re far from the kingdom’s core, in this remote region, so the royal family is like distant relatives to you. Our lands border each other, so we’ll have plenty of opportunities to cooperate. We should visit each other often and build a good relationship.”

Sundike nods quickly. “Henwell, you’re right. We should get along well.”

Henwell continues, “Your Highness, I want to know how many troops the kingdom’s Capital expects you to raise.”

Sundike doesn’t hide it: “Four legions.”

Henwell nods gently. “Looks like Capital thinks Count Divarak and Commander Pavaro hold too much power and wants to use you to balance them.”

Sundike’s heart skips a beat. Catching the calm looks from the two beside him, he quickly explains again, “No, that’s not true! Count Divarak is the leading noble of the northwest and a key figure in the region’s development. Commander Pavaro is the military head of the northwest, responsible for border security. I’m here with their help to learn, not to weaken them.”

Henwell stays noncommittal. “How will you raise these troops? Has Capital given you funds or soldiers?”

Sundike falls silent. Henwell sighs, “Ah, so you’ll have to carve out military power from them.”

Sundike speaks with some resignation, “Honestly, I’m just a prince. I don’t understand these things. Unlike you, I’m a puppet, powerless, without influence or money. I can only go with the flow and be manipulated.”

Henwell pours him a glass of wine. “Your Highness, I believe Count Divarak and Commander Pavaro trust you’re not trying to seize power. But as you said, when given unreasonable orders, you have to follow them. However, as neighbors and fellow young men, I understand your difficulties. I have a somewhat unpolished idea. Would you like to hear it?”

“Henwell, go ahead.”

“I’ll provide the funds, they provide the manpower, and you provide the official authority to establish your four legions.”