Chapter 371 - 260: Uniting All Forces

Chapter 371: Chapter 260: Uniting All Forces

Henry stood within Odoche’s military encampment. Thousands of soldiers were drilling, but his gaze was fixed on the intelligence report in his hands.

The report’s handwriting was sloppy, clearly written in a hurry, but its contents made Henry’s brow furrow ever more tightly.

"The Headmaster is going to make a move against me?" Henry muttered to himself, a trace of disbelief in his voice.

His fingers gently rubbed the surface of the paper, his expression complex. There was doubt and vigilance, and even a faint, almost imperceptible trace of excitement.

’So lacking in cunning? So impatient?’ A slight smile touched the corners of Henry’s lips.

He knew his actions on the eastern grasslands would arouse the Emperor’s displeasure, but he had never imagined the Emperor would move against him so directly.

Henry took a deep breath, his mind racing as he analyzed the various possibilities.

’If the Emperor is truly going to act personally, he must have been forced into a corner.’

Henry’s thoughts flashed like lightning as he recalled the various measures he had taken on the eastern grasslands.

At this moment, he had, for all practical purposes, consolidated the local forces, recruited a large number of soldiers, and begun to establish his own administrative system. Moreover, according to the intelligence report, a large number of his old schoolmates were on their way to join him.

These actions had undoubtedly struck a nerve with the Emperor.

However, the Emperor’s move wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. A sharp glint flashed in Henry’s eyes.

If the Emperor really made a move against him, this crisis might just become the opportunity for his rise.

In fact, this storm was exactly what Henry needed.

He turned, walked to the table, picked up a quill, and quickly scribbled a few lines on a blank sheet of parchment before sealing the letter.

"Go. Deliver this letter to Duke Calvin," Henry said, handing the letter to a clerk beside him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The clerk took the letter, bowed slightly, and quickly left the training grounds.

’Your Majesty, do you really think I, Henry, can be defeated so easily? Even if I didn’t have an ace up my sleeve, I’m still your student...’

Claude and Tommy, who had rushed over for a meeting, strode into the training grounds. They spotted Henry sitting in the distance, and after exchanging a look, they quickened their pace.

"My lord, what’s happened?" Claude asked first.

He had fought alongside Henry for a long time and was almost always by his side. He was long accustomed to Henry’s decisiveness and calm, so seeing such a grim expression on his face now, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of worry.

’What could possibly make Henry worry? Did Caladia fall? Have the overseas Beastmen invaded?’

Tommy, on the other hand, had anxiety written all over his face. He asked pointedly, "My lord, are we in big trouble? What are you going to do?"

In truth, although Tommy was currently bogged down with the affairs of developing their territory, he was actually the most well-informed person in Henry’s inner circle, aside from Henry himself and Jemins.

Henry looked up, his gaze sweeping over their faces. He sighed softly and handed the report to Claude. "Take a look. It seems our wise and divinely martial, great His Majesty the Emperor is about to make a move against me."

Tommy took the report, his eyes flying over the contents. His face instantly became grim.

Claude leaned in to look as well. "How is that possible? My lord, you just defeated Count John. Why would the Emperor move against you at a time like this?"

"Perhaps my movements have been too swift, upsetting the interests of too many people. After all, the fall of a Count is quite a tremor. Count John was merely an obstacle to my unification of the eastern grasslands, whereas the Emperor is the master of the entire empire. The threat he poses far exceeds that of Count John."

Tommy’s face turned pale. He subconsciously grabbed Henry’s arm, then immediately let go, asking with a tremor in his voice, "This is no laughing matter! The Emperor’s authority is not to be challenged. He controls the empire’s armies and resources. Is the victory we just achieved going to be all for nothing?"

Tommy felt as if the heavens were playing a cruel joke on him. Everything had just started to go right for his lord.

’And now this mess happens!’

Henry patted Tommy’s arm gently, his tone reassuring. "Tommy, calm down. Things aren’t at their worst yet. The Emperor may be powerful, but he has his own concerns. He can’t possibly start a civil war so easily, especially given the empire’s current situation."

Tommy almost fainted. ’It’s precisely because the empire’s situation is so bad that the Emperor needs to use an iron fist to intimidate the regional nobles!’

Claude handed the report back to Henry. "My lord, no matter what the Emperor thinks, I believe in you. You’ve already proven your ability. You defeated Count John’s army with ease, so what does the Emperor’s army matter?"

Tommy: ’???’

’Dude, has your brain been smashed by a battering ram?’ Tommy thought Claude had gone mad. ’That’s the Emperor! The master of the empire!’

Henry smiled faintly. "This matter is indeed a bit tricky."

Tommy cut in anxiously, "My lord! The Emperor is too great a threat. Perhaps we can first try to explain, to declare our loyalty and our position."

Henry shook his head. "Explain? Do you think the Emperor would believe it? He’s already suspicious of me. Any explanation now would likely be seen as a feeble excuse. Right now, we can only prepare for the worst-case scenario."

A hint of excitement appeared on Claude’s face. "My lord, you’re right. We can’t show any weakness."