I’m a Rebel in Another World

Chapter 74: Disrupting the Rhythm

"Master Arluis, what exactly seemed off to you earlier?"

Faced with his attendant's question, Henwil didn't answer directly but instead asked in return: "Rogins, Ela, did you notice anything unusual?"

Rogins said: "Because they didn't look at us after we entered?"

Ela added: "Because they were wearing concealed armor under their clothes?"

Henwil shook his head: "Of course not! It's because when I walked past, they didn't even stand up.

My attire had already proven my noble status. Every guest at all the other tables either stood up or prepared to stand up as I passed.

Only they showed absolutely no intention of rising, which was clearly abnormal.

Additionally, the way they looked at me proved they weren't seeing me for the first time.

I suspect they've definitely seen my portrait before—maybe we could even find one on their corpses right now!"

The two young attendants looked at Henwil with expressions full of admiration.Henwil instructed them to prepare meals and bedding arrangements, offering no further explanation.

In Henwil's view, these two young men were still too green.

They might be quite capable in combat, but they were significantly lacking in worldly experience.

Rogins and Ela were both in their early twenties, already married with children, and currently striving to break through to the Knight Rank.

Both came from noble branch families—households that could be considered reasonably well-off.

Their natural talents were also quite good; within three years at most, both could advance to the Knight Rank.

Throughout the journey, the two had taken extremely attentive care of Henwil, since in their eyes, Henwil was Arluis.

As for what Henwil had just said—of course, it was all complete nonsense.

He certainly couldn't just kill people outright simply because they didn't stand up.

It was just that after Henwil entered the tavern, he immediately sensed killing intent directed at him.

And it wasn't just from one source; Henwil had merely identified the origin of the most intense killing intent.

Clearly, the group in the tavern who wanted Henwil dead weren't the only ones present.

Henwil was walking the Path of Glory, not some path of slaughter.

By eliminating the most urgent assassins, he had already achieved his objective.

After all, if Henwil hadn't taken action, that group would definitely have attempted an immediate assassination.

Once chaos broke out, other assassins would also look for opportunities.

Those lurking in the surroundings would eventually join in as well.

At that point, Henwil would face endless waves of assassinations, becoming overwhelmed and inevitably getting injured.

Most importantly, Henwil would have to respond with full force, prematurely exposing his true strength.

If that happened, he would inevitably face targeted assassinations later, making his Path of Glory much more difficult.

Therefore, to conserve energy, Henwil decisively struck first, killing that group of assassins on the spot.

This temporarily intimidated the other assassins.

As for scaring them off completely and making them dare not attempt future assassinations—that was clearly somewhat naive.

Although some cowards might retreat, most assassins wouldn't give up.

After all, they made their living by risking their lives; they definitely wouldn't abandon their mission easily.

However, by causing this disturbance, Henwil was certain to attract the city's defense forces.

These underworld figures couldn't withstand interrogation, so they would inevitably withdraw first.

Thus, they would have to alter their assassination plans against Henwil—at the very least, tonight was no longer feasible.

Assassins operated according to plans; they definitely weren't foolish brutes who attacked on sight.

Reorganizing an assassination plot would require another two or three days.

By that time, Henwil might have already left Iris City, forcing the assassins to follow behind him and continue seeking opportunities.

Henwil's goal was to disrupt their arrangements and avoid falling into their planned rhythm.

Otherwise, he would face endless battles and killings.

Especially important was preventing so many assassins from attacking him simultaneously; it was best to force them to stagger their attempts over time.

Regardless, Henwil had secured himself a peaceful night's rest.

After the murders at the inn, the city's defense forces arrived to investigate.

Henwil wouldn't appear personally; his two attendants would present the Grand Duke's orders and explain everything that had happened.

The soldiers wouldn't disturb Henwil, and the Iris City lord had no desire to deal with this hot potato either.

The next day, Henwil changed clothes and went with his attendants to visit Viscount Holzwarth.

This Viscount's castle was located over forty kilometers east of Iris City, with about twenty kilometers of territory extending eastward belonging to him.

His domain wasn't particularly large for a Viscount, but he was wealthier than many other Viscounts.

His lands contained extensive sugar-tumor tree plantations, four sugar refineries, and two honey workshops.

Just sugar products alone generated tens of thousands of gold coins in annual revenue for him.

He commanded twenty-six knights, five of whom were knighted nobles sworn directly to him.

The remaining twenty-one knights served as the main officers in his army, commanding over five hundred elite cavalry.

During the War of Six Kings, Viscount Holzwarth contributed five hundred cavalry, more than half of his knights, and nine hundred well-trained infantry.

Their battlefield performance was quite commendable, far superior to typical noble private armies.

He was an old-school noble, loyal to the Duchy but rarely involved in its political affairs.

Now, facing Henwil's visit, the Viscount didn't arrange a high-profile reception.

The nearly fifty-year-old Viscount Holzwarth stood on his castle walls in full military attire, calmly watching Henwil's arrival.

After presenting his Glory Certificate—which served as a formal visiting card—Henwil waited for the Viscount to assign his test.

Viscount Holzwarth glanced at the parchment: "Which of you will test this young man's mettle?"

A knight stepped forward: "My lord, I would be honored to serve you!"

Viscount Holzwarth turned to look at the knight. After a long moment seeing the knight's determined expression, he sighed softly: "Ah~! Laval, how long have you served me?"

"Sixteen years!"

Viscount Holzwarth examined the knight before him, now forty years old: "Sixteen years! Time passes so quickly. How many sixteen-year periods does a person have?"

Knight Laval said solemnly: "I can still serve you for at least another sixteen years!"

Viscount Holzwarth: "Are you willing to serve me? Or are you willing to serve Viscount Pansy?

Laval, I know you're anxious. You're getting older, and after fighting bloodily alongside me all these years, you've always wanted a knightly title.

When the Duchy conferred titles after the last War of Six Kings ended, your name wasn't included. I know you hold resentment.

Not just you—others are dissatisfied too! You've all followed me for so many years; when have I ever let you suffer?

I said be patient! Just wait a few more years—can you not even wait that long?

I don't blame you for turning to Viscount Pansy!

But you shouldn't, while still under my command, use my honor to curry favor with Pansy, and you especially shouldn't involve yourself in this matter!

Considering your years of service, I won't punish you or publicize your actions. You will become a free knight!

Since you can no longer wait and no longer serve me faithfully from your heart, then leave!

Perhaps I truly am getting old. Maybe you'll find better prospects elsewhere! I'll give you some gifts and hope you can become a true noble!"

With that, Viscount Holzwarth waved his hand.

Knight Laval stood stunned for a moment, then knelt on one knee in salute before finally rising and leaving.

Throughout the entire exchange, there were no explanations, no excuses.

They were all adults—saying more would only insult others' intelligence and demean oneself.