Chapter 664: What Gives You the Right to Decide for Him?!

Scott is from the seventh class of the Intelligence Division. He graduated fourth in his class. Henwell personally appointed him to be stationed in Knight Lynd's territory.

His only direct superior is Director Chick of the Military Intelligence Office. Of course, he also has the right to report directly to Henwell.

Now, this intelligence officer, who isn't yet thirty, quietly separates from the group.

After several disguises and confirming that no one has noticed him, he slips into a merchant caravan.

At noon, he finds a chance to leave the caravan, reaches the estate of a wealthy household, and obtains a horse.

Following the Military Intelligence Office's dedicated map, he takes a small road toward Peace Haven.

He doesn't follow Lynd's instruction to go directly to Count Doyle of the Gilbert family.

He is certain Doyle has already betrayed Henwell.

Otherwise, Cloud Tree City, the first major city that Peace Haven has extended influence into, could not possibly have failed to notice what is happening here.

Scott's stealth and concealment skills are excellent. If his training talent weren't poor and his personal strength weren't lacking, he would certainly have been the top student of his class.

Because of that weakness, he fails to notice that a professional has already gotten close.

When he is captured, he doesn't even have the chance to take poison and kill himself.

He also understands that the opponent should be at the peak of the Battle Knight level.

Soon, he is escorted into a castle.

The moment Scott sees Doyle, many things become clear.

"Count Doyle, you betrayed Lord Henwell!"

Doyle says nothing. He simply waves for his men to untie Scott.

Then he has his subordinates withdraw, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

Scott says coldly, "You aren't the only one. Someone inside Peace Haven has also betrayed Lord Henwell."

"And it is a high-ranking official in the Military Intelligence Office. Is it Director Chick?"

After a moment of silence, Doyle says, "We have not betrayed Henwell. On the contrary, everything we have done is for Henwell!"

"As an intelligence officer, you must have some understanding of the continental situation. You must also have your own analysis of Peace Haven's position."

"You know very well that Peace Haven needs this opportunity, and Henwell needs this opportunity too."

"Do you know how rare this opportunity is?"

"If we miss it, both Henwell and Peace Haven will be trapped in a dilemma."

Scott says in a low voice, "So you intend to sacrifice him?"

"Isn't it worth it? Do you know what Peace Haven and Henwell will gain afterward?"

Scott says, "So you made the decision on Lord Henwell's behalf?"

"If the person being sacrificed were you, would you still say the same thing?"

Doyle says calmly, "Whether you believe it or not, if sacrificing me could exchange for the opportunity ahead, I would be willing."

"It doesn't matter if I die. My family and my descendants will follow Henwell and be crowned in glory."

Scott shakes his head.

"Count, you don't understand Lord Henwell. He isn't soft-hearted. He simply has his own scale in his heart."

"He isn't an indecisive leader. He knows clearly what he should do next."

"He has already quietly planned everything for Peace Haven. He has his own plan and his own decisions."

"As a leader, he sees much farther than we do."

"There are some things he can't say, and that is why we can't understand some of his decisions."

"Whether as friends, subordinates, or allies, the greatest help we can give him is to trust him."

Doyle says nothing.

Scott takes a step forward.

"Count! Every step Lord Henwell has taken has exceeded everyone's expectations, and every step was made after careful thought."

"Peace Haven grew from the cracks between greater powers into what it is now. Which time did it not rely on Lord Henwell's decision?"

"Ask yourself honestly. If you were in that position, could you have led Peace Haven out of danger and strengthened it step by step until now?"

Doyle shakes his head.

"No. Henwell is a genius."

Scott roars, "Since you know that, why are you privately making decisions for a leader like that?"

"You only see the step in front of you. Which of you can see the results several steps later?"

"If this matter could truly be done, Lord Henwell would have laid out the plan long ago. He would not need you to push him into it like this."

Seeing Doyle's conflicted expression, Scott's tone turns almost pleading.

"Count, it wasn't easy for us to reach this point."

"Do not let our private decision destroy Peace Haven's future."

"If the terrible results later prove that we were foolishly shortsighted, how are we supposed to clean up the aftermath?"

"Baron Pacino has already made it this far, and so much has already happened. How many days do you think this can be hidden from Lord Henwell?"

"And after that, what kind of Lord Henwell will we have to face? Have any of you thought about that?"

"If anyone can be sacrificed, then what will Lord Henwell become in the future?"

"Is that cold, merciless ruler truly what you want?"

After a long silence, Doyle sighs.

...

On the road more than ten kilometers from Cloud Tree City, a group of people is surrounding and attacking Lynd's remaining party.

After they drive back this wave of killers, Lynd collapses to the ground. It takes him a long time before he can drag himself over to Pacino.

"Your Excellency, it seems we are going to die here today."

Pacino coughs blood and gives a miserable smile.

"I have been a coward all my life. I didn't expect I would even die so quietly."

Then Pacino wipes away the tears on his son's face, smearing blood across little Karich's cheek in the process.

"Karich, be strong. This is my fault. I brought you out this time and ended up leading you to your death."

Lynd says, "Baron, surrender later. They won't make things difficult for you again."

Pacino points at the wound piercing his waist.

"I am about to die."

"Even if I surrender, I won't live. If that is the case, I may as well die with some backbone."

Lynd sighs.

"I should have held you in my territory back then and sent the message to Lord Henwell myself."

As he speaks, the first wave of killers has already surrounded them.

Now, the sky is beginning to brighten. The long night is over.

Lynd struggles to his feet, props himself up with his longsword, and takes a deep breath, ready to meet his end.

At that moment, faint tremors come from the ground.

Lynd freezes. Then, seeing a large force of cavalry galloping over from afar, he can't help muttering.

"What? To kill two wounded men and one child, they need an entire cavalry warband?"

Pacino's younger son lowers the telescope and cries out in surprise.

"Those are the troops of the lord of Blood Hill!"

Lynd takes the telescope, looks once, and says, "No. They are only flying Peace Haven's banner. Those are Count Doyle's troops."

Now, the killers freeze as well. This isn't what the plan called for.

A little while later, Doyle appears before everyone in full armor.

The leader of the killers steps forward.

"Count, what is the meaning of this?"

Doyle says coldly, "Get out. I will personally escort the baron to Peace Haven."

At this time in Peace Haven, Henwell is still doing his morning training when a rider races into the estate, holding a banner high and shouting.

After seeing Henwell, the rider flips off the horse and falls. Henwell flashes over and catches him, preventing him from hitting the ground.

Once Henwell sees Scott's blood-covered face clearly, he frowns.

"What happened?"

"Lord Henwell! Gather the army! Baron of Waterhill and Knight Lynd were attacked. They are badly wounded and near death!"

After saying this, Scott, who has ridden through the night, spits out a mouthful of blood and passes out.

Henwell pauses for a moment.

"Lord Iron Guards, assemble!"