novelraw Chapter 65: There are many people who want me dead
Chapter 65: There are many people who want me dead
The reason Henwil was working so hard to establish the trading post and organize merchant caravan trade had deeper underlying causes.
A few days later, while Henwil was patrolling the merchant route, numerous caravans stopped to bow and offer greetings upon seeing the wolf claw banner representing the Phoenix family.
When passing by a small caravan of several dozen people, Henwil urged his horse forward: "Where are you all headed?"
A burly man laughed heartily: "Hahaha... You must be the youngest young master of the Phoenix family!
We're a merchant caravan from the Ogiro Kingdom, preparing to take our textiles to trade in Cloudtree City of the Duchy."
Henwil nodded: "So you're a long-distance caravan! You can also rest and stay at the trading post ahead. Stay safe on the road, and may you earn great profits!"
"Your kind words are appreciated, and we wish the young master good health!"
After leaving this caravan, Knight Mark approached: "Young Master Arluis, these people are suspicious!"
Henwil smiled: "Of course they're suspicious! Textile goods like these are usually traded here with us—very few caravans deliver them to Cloudtree City.
On the return trip, Cloudtree City doesn't have any special local products, forcing them to detour to Iris City for purchases. This clearly doesn't make logical sense."Knight Mark: "Then what are they?"
"Bandits, of course! I've already received information that the bandits plan to teach me a lesson.
The trading post already has wooden walls and arrow towers, garrisoned with seventy soldiers and one hundred fifty militiamen.
While the defensive strength is average, it's still a tough nut for bandits to crack.
This doesn't even include the guards from caravans staying at the trading post! Obviously, attacking the trading post isn't their choice."
Knight Mark looked tense: "They're targeting you, Young Master Arluis!"
Knight Mark immediately wanted to send someone for reinforcements while trying to get Henwil to leave quickly.
But Henwil laughed: "Why panic! Constantly guarding against thieves isn't sustainable—better to lure them all here and catch them in one net!
If I run away, wouldn't that mean no bait? How would the bandits gather then? How would I get the chance to deal them a heavy blow?
Rest assured! I already knew they were planning to move against me. Reinforcements are already on the way."
Mark asked puzzled: "How did you know the bandits were planning to move against you, Arluis?"
Henwil pointed at the caravans on the official road: "They told me! Those who travel for trade have connections with many bandits.
After all, bandits need to eat, need supplies, and more importantly need someone to handle their stolen goods for them!
So many caravans have cooperative relationships with bandits—some caravans even engage in bandit activities themselves!"
Seeing Mark's stunned expression, Henwil shook his head with a smile.
The noble lords still understood too little about most people's lives.
However, Mark still worriedly said: "Arluis, this is still too risky! Let's return to the trading post first!
When the bandits come to attack, we can handle it there, and reinforcements from Peace Town can arrive in time."
Henwil pointed to a distant hillside: "To that place!"
With that, Henwil spurred his horse out of the formation and charged toward the hillside.
Knight Mark could only lead the guards in pursuit behind Henwil.
Upon reaching the location, Henwil dismounted and searched around for a while, clearing dry grass from the ground to reveal wooden planks and a pull ring beneath.
Henwil opened the hidden door, revealing a small cellar inside.
Henwil said: "Go down below and bring out the contents!"
Two guards entered the cellar and carried out more than a dozen large boxes.
Inside were complete sets of weapons and equipment: full metal armor, metal-covered round shields, gleaming war spears, and neatly stacked military arrows.
Additionally, there were numerous potions for treating external injuries, along with enough drinking water and food to last their twenty-plus people for several days.
Henwil directed the guard members to change equipment, while Mark asked in surprise: "Arluis, how did you know these things were here?"
Henwil smiled: "Because I bought them? I specifically stored them here!"
Mark inspected these excellent military-grade equipment: "Why are they all Ika Kingdom weapons and equipment?"
Henwil played coy, not revealing the real reason: "Of course to avoid attracting attention!"
Henwil hung the round shield on his back and filled the arrow quiver at his waist with arrows.
Scanning the surrounding guard members: "Is everyone ready? What comes next will be bitter fighting! Some of you might not return.
But I'm not asking you to risk your lives for nothing! One hundred gold coins have been prepared for you, with another hundred added if you fall in battle.
I swear by the name of the Phoenix family that your families will be cared for, and I will personally deliver the compensation money to your families' hands!"
Many guard members were knight attendants with considerable martial skills—the kind of reserve knights.
They knew their opportunity had come; clinging to the youngest son of the Phoenix family might bring them closer to their knightly dreams.
Of course, they also understood that death was very close at this moment.
But this was precisely the channel for risking one's life to rise in class, and no one showed any intention of retreating.
All guard members knelt on one knee in salute to Henwil.
The war lance spun once in Henwil's hand: "Send the distress signal!"
Moments later, a firework shot into the sky, exploding into bright light overhead.
Even in daytime, it remained eye-catching, and the sound carried far.
The soldiers patrolling the merchant route, recognizing this as the Phoenix family's distress signal, immediately understood that Henwil's group was in trouble.
They didn't rush to help immediately but instead sent their own signals, gathering all forces along the merchant route.
A small rescue force would be ineffective—they needed to assemble sufficient personnel first.
The merchant caravans watched the distant fireworks in surprise, immediately realizing something major had happened.
They didn't want to get involved but instead quickened their pace toward the trading post.
Meanwhile, the bandits disguised as merchant caravans cursed vehemently.
"Dammit! Who's acting outside the plan?"
"Which bastard spoiled things?"
"I'll skin that idiot alive!"
...
Despite their curses, they all knew time was short. They had to seize this window of opportunity to complete their plan before military reinforcements arrived.
Several bandit groups disguised as merchant caravans converged toward the firework launch location.
Simultaneously, hidden bandits also rode toward Henwil's position.
Seeing the bandits now numbering in the hundreds, Knight Mark encouraged the guard members: "We just need to withstand their first assault and hold out for half a day—reinforcements will arrive!"
Henwil then drew his great bow, releasing the string to kill a bandit leader, dousing Knight Mark's optimism with cold water: "Don't be so optimistic!
I told you—this will be bitter fighting. The bandits' numbers will grow even larger. Everyone must prepare for the possibility of dying in battle!"
With that, Henwil turned his head and smiled: "Reinforcements won't arrive that quickly! After all, those who want me dead aren't just the bandits!"