Chapter 678: The Price of Taking Hostages

Just like last time, Henwell rides alone into Duke Reyes's camp. Duke Reyes has far more nerve than Marquess Descartes. He directly dismisses the guards at his side, leaving only his trusted confidant, Count Holdsworth, to accompany him.

Duke Reyes says, "I heard about what happened to you at Descartes's place, so I won't serve you wine."

"There is no need to explain principles to me either. Since I chose to do this, that proves I have already thought it through."

"None of us are children. We naturally know what we are doing, and we know what consequences this will bring."

"As for you, Henwell."

"Have you truly thought it through?"

"Including myself, we all feel that you are too powerful."

"At your current stage, you are dangerous. That isn't a good thing for anyone."

"If you insist on continuing down this path, we don't mind taking this opportunity to smash Peace Haven."

Henwell replies calmly, "When the three countries joined forces before, they still failed to smash me. Do you think you can do it with only yourselves?"

Reyes nods lightly. "Yes. With only us, we can. What do you think?"

Henwell sighs inwardly. As expected of a formidable figure who can maintain neutrality in the cracks. His keen sense of the overall situation far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Whether Peace Haven is in danger this time depends entirely on Henwell's decision.

Everyone also doesn't mind taking this opportunity to change the target they are aiming at.

Henwell is silent for a moment, then raises his head and looks at Reyes.

"Just as you said, we aren't children."

"Since we have reached this point, we have all thought through every consequence."

Reyes nods gently. "Very well. Then there is no need for either of us to hold back."

"I would also like to see just how powerful the famed army of Peace Haven truly is."

Henwell smiles. "There is no rush. Before that, I still want to persuade Your Grace. I hope you can understand my difficulties."

"It isn't my wish for our two sides to meet in battle."

"Your neutral stance has always been an important cornerstone in preventing civil war in Vorry."

"And the legions under Your Grace and your followers are the most important prerequisite for that cornerstone."

"Once the Iris Legion and Screaming Eagle Legion suffer heavy losses, many clowns will jump out in the kingdom afterward."

Reyes glances at Henwell. "Are young people always this confident? I know your army is powerful."

"If you had brought five legions, I would join you directly."

"If you had brought three legions, I would withdraw immediately and no longer take part in this matter."

"If you had brought two legions, I might even close one eye."

"But the fact is, you have only brought one legion."

"Is it not a little arrogant to think you can defeat my four legions?"

"Or do you think my army is a gang of commercial mercenaries like those in Lumir?"

Henwell says, "Did I not say it already? I don't want to fight a war, so I can only persuade the old duke to withdraw."

Reyes chuckles. "You have gone in a circle again."

"We already said that each of us will be responsible for our own decision."

"How can you persuade me? What reason can you use?"

Henwell slowly draws his longsword. "I will use this to persuade Your Grace."

Count Holdsworth flashes in front of Reyes. "Henwell, what are you doing?"

Henwell flicks the spine of the sword with the fingers of his left hand. Amid the clear metallic hum, he sighs.

"Alas. This is rather dishonorable, but now I must announce that you have become my hostages."

Count Holdsworth roars angrily, "Henwell, we allowed you to come into the camp because of our trust in your character."

"What are you doing now? This is deception, a blasphemy against chivalry, and a trampling of the noble pact!"

Henwell flourishes his sword once, then holds it reversed.

"Count, do you think I can't fight my way in alone?"

"If that is what you believe, then I can leave the camp right now and charge back in alone."

"The only difference will be whether I capture one person or two people as hostages."

"Of course, there is an even greater difference. If I do this now, no one will die."

"But when I fight my way in, many people will die."

"Among them will be your trusted subordinates, and perhaps your relatives and friends."

"Believe me. Precisely because I still have some character that I would rather be cursed and make the decision I am making now."

Reyes raises his hand and stops Holdsworth, who is still emotional and wants to say something.

"Henwell, do you know the price of doing this?"

Henwell pauses. "I know. I will become the mortal enemy of the Iris City faction."

"All cooperation between our two sides will end completely, and we will enter a state of hostility from this point on."

Reyes shakes his head gently. "It goes further than that."

"From now on, you will no longer be treated as a noble."

"From now on, all powers will classify you as a powerful extraordinary professional."

"And your political life ends here."

Henwell understands what Reyes means.

By doing this, he is breaking the rules. In past struggles between the various sides, they always fought without tearing everything apart.

At the very least, Henwell's personal force has never actually threatened the lives of the other side.

From today onward, every political figure on the continent will refuse to meet Henwell alone.

At the same time, it means Henwell has given up his identity as a noble and become someone outside the rules.

Every political alliance will close its doors to Henwell.

This is a grave consequence. A struggle for the world can't be won by one person cutting everything down alone.

Unless he can cut his way all the way to the position of a god.

Henwell truly has no other way. Otherwise, he absolutely wouldn't use this method to force Duke Reyes to withdraw.

If he wants to return to the political table in the future, Henwell will have to pay a lot.

But right now, Henwell still decides to do this.

Seeing Henwell nod in confirmation, Reyes gives a soft laugh.

"Heh. Very well. Let us go. Escort me out."

"Inside the tent, you can't force me to withdraw. You must let all my soldiers see it."

"Let them see the lord of Blood Hill relying on his own force to tear up the pact that nobles must not secretly harm or coerce one another."

"Let them see you use our goodwill toward you to kidnap me, a duke, and threaten my subordinates into retreating."

Henwell grits his teeth and steps forward, lightly placing his longsword against Reyes's neck.

"Forgive the offense."

Count Holdsworth takes a step forward. "If you are taking hostages, then take both of us!"

This is his declaration that he is completely breaking with Henwell.

Henwell still respects this principled noble he has known since the Path of Glory.

Now that he has lost this friend, Henwell can only feel sorry.

When Reyes and Holdsworth are escorted out by Henwell, an uproar immediately breaks out.

Many knights and extraordinary professionals surround them tightly.

Looking at the disbelief in the eyes of the surrounding nobles, and hearing the hateful curses from the soldiers, Henwell's heart is filled with mixed feelings.

Is it worth paying so much?

He hesitates for only a moment.

Then Henwell strengthens his conviction once again.

Of course it is worth it.

For this, he can go to war with all of Vorry, and with the entire continent.