novelraw Chapter 21: Noticed
Chapter 21: Noticed
"Lucky Henwil? Or Brave Henwil? Which title do you prefer?"
Facing Fabio's teasing, Henwil smiled bitterly: "It's not as exaggerated as they say. It's just because I'm too small.
The enemy was fooled by my age, giving me the chance to ambush them. Otherwise, I would have died on the battlefield long ago!"
Fabio put away his smile and patted his arm: "Henwil, this is my fault!
I promised you that I wouldn't send you to the battlefield, but I broke my word. This has brought shame to my family's honor."
Henwil said: "Sir, please don't worry about it. This battle was completely unexpected, something none of us could have predicted.
Technically, since I'm in the army, I should go to the battlefield, but I'm just too small!
If I had a few more years to grow up, I would definitely become a qualified warrior and a good helper serving under you."
Fabio smiled: "I believe what you say! You will definitely become a knight. When that time comes, I'll find a way to get you a knighthood!
But that's for the future. For now, I've already given orders - you don't need to participate in any subsequent battles. Stay in my tent and help me organize things!Additionally, as compensation for breaking my promise, you can ask for whatever you want. As long as I can get it, I will definitely make it happen!"
Seeing Henwil about to say something, Fabio added: "I know you're a polite little gentleman, but you must not refuse. This is my chance to restore my honor!"
Henwil thought for a moment, then tentatively asked: "Well then! If possible, could you give me some more auxiliary cultivation potions?"
Fabio said without hesitation: "Of course! I'll have someone send them to you shortly!"
After Fabio left, having confirmed that he wouldn't need to go to the battlefield in subsequent battles, Henwil couldn't help but sigh with relief.
He had only fought against serf soldiers where both preparation and martial skills gave him advantage, yet he still got injured.
If he were unlucky enough to be sent to the front lines facing regular legions, confronting those fully armed, battle-hardened veterans, he would certainly meet certain death.
Now with Fabio's guarantee, his chances of survival were much greater.
Based on his speculation, this accidental melee would definitely become the trigger for a full-scale major battle.
The Allied Forces already had plans to retreat, but they couldn't just withdraw and leave.
At the very least, they needed to ensure that the enemy forces wouldn't closely follow during their retreat.
Otherwise, what should be an organized withdrawal could easily turn into a disastrous rout.
On the Allied Forces side, pressured by political demands from the Ika Kingdom, they needed to quickly drive the enemy forces out of their territory.
Thus, both sides actually wanted to withdraw.
When the Allied Forces finally retreated, the noble private army would certainly be in complete chaos, giving Henwil the opportunity to escape.
He could run back to the cellar of his home, wait for the enemy forces to leave, and after the royal army recaptured the area, he could return without anyone noticing.
Without anyone to testify that he had served the Allied Forces, everything would return to normal.
But just as Henwil was fantasizing about this beautiful future, Fabio sent someone to deliver the items.
When he saw fourteen body tempering auxiliary potions neatly arranged in the box, Henwil's expression shifted from ecstatic joy to suddenly narrowing eyes, his face stiffening momentarily.
After just a brief moment, Henwil returned to his previous expression of delighted excitement.
But internally, Henwil was experiencing tumultuous waves of shock, though outwardly he maintained the appearance of someone who had obtained precious treasure, carefully storing these potions.
The quantity was wrong!
Not too few, but too many!
If the other party had given fewer than five potions, it would indicate that he held some importance in Fabio's eyes, but only that.
If more than five potions, it would prove that Fabio valued him highly and wanted to keep him around for training.
Henwil had never imagined the number of potions could exceed ten - this would require Fabio to mobilize significant resources, something that couldn't be arranged in a short time.
So the current situation could only prove one thing: someone was helping Fabio behind the scenes.
And he had already entered this person's field of vision. This person was likely the Earl of Worui Duchy, former commander of the Silent Battleaxe Legion, Fabio's relative - Obiken.
This was not good!
Henwil knew his own limitations. Fooling a inexperienced young man like Fabio was one thing.
But facing an old fox like Obiken - Henwil had enough self-awareness about that.
Whatever the reason, being noticed by this old thing was clearly not good news.
Henwil could already smell the scent of danger.
Meanwhile, Fabio met with Obiken.
"Have you delivered the items?"
Fabio bowed humbly: "Earl, the items have been delivered!"
Obiken behind the desk put down the book in his hand and looked up at Fabio: "What do you think of that little fellow?"
Fabio thought for a moment: "Very clever, moldable talent. I was just thinking of recommending him to you. After the war ends, we could bring him to our family - he might become a good helper!"
"Is that all you see?"
Hearing Obiken's words, Fabio lowered his head: "Sorry, sir, I'm dull! That's all I can see!"
Obiken sighed: "Are you still resentful toward me? You're my youngest son, with no inheritance rights.
You're naturally lazy and not particularly talented, so I had to push you to participate in this war.
With just some minor achievements, I could arrange things to get you an official title."
After a moment of silence, Fabio asked: "Then what made you change your mind, Father, letting me handle even small matters?"
Obiken hesitated briefly: "After the Fire Eye campaign, I realized I might lose you. That's when I started thinking maybe I've been too harsh on you!
So I transferred you to the noble private army, giving you a safer position. Yet under that little fellow's guidance, you managed to achieve merit again.
Therefore, I want to give you more opportunities to learn more affairs, just to be prepared!"
Fabio: "Be prepared? With Big Brother around, I can only establish my own household. What preparations are needed?!"
Obiken didn't say anything more, just waved his hand indicating Fabio could leave.
After Fabio left, a man emerged from the shadows: "Sir, the child showed no abnormalities. He appeared very excited upon receiving the items, constantly checking and counting them!"
Obiken: "You weren't discovered, were you?"
"Sir, I'm a professional. Though not high-ranking, I'm not someone a child could detect!"
Obiken smiled: "Don't be so confident! Someone that Kavizé values so highly,
someone he would fake his death to establish goodwill with - if you only see him as a child, that's your biggest mistake!"
The man didn't argue further, changing the subject: "Sir, about young master Fabio - should I go protect him?"
"No need! His current position is good - neither too high nor too low, not too dangerous but with enough opportunities for tempering!"
"But what happened to the eldest young master shouldn't happen to the youngest young master again!"