Catherine pauses for a moment before speaking. "How do I know you're telling the truth? If your family is high-ranking in Ika, how did you end up as a sve gdiator?"

  Henwell shrugs. "I won't prove it. Just telling you, Your Highness, is already a huge risk for me! As for how I became a sve and was thrown into Billie as a gdiator, that's a long and complicated story. “

  ”In some situations, I was in the way of my siblings. I think you understand such family dynamics better than I do. Before Peace Haven's rise, I wasn't of much use to my family. But now, don't you think they see my value?"

  Here, Henwell fshes a mysterious smile. "Besides, Your Highness, how do you know this wasn't all deliberately arranged? Aren't you curious about how I know about that organization?”

  ”How long did the duchy pn and how many resources did it expend for the marriage war? The results were equally rewarding for the duchy! So why wouldn't the Kingdom of Ika be capable of orchestrating an even bigger game?"

  Catherine's heart skips a beat at his words, and her expression changes. Henwell realizes that this cunning princess is beginning to believe his bluff. His excellence make it hard for anyone to accept that he is merely a former sve.

  Compared to Henwell's true experiences, Catherine, having been bested by him, is more inclined to believe he comes from extraordinary origins. She is especially prone to suspecting that Henwell might possess royal blood from the Kingdom of Ika. Only an opponent of equal standing would make her defeat feel less unjust.

  At this moment, Henwell reflects on how just the name of the Veil Organization has helped him achieve many objectives. How vast must such an organization be? Henwell imagines a massive shadow lurking in the darkness above the unsuspecting nations.

  Catherine considers for a moment. "If I don't kill you, I won't be able to justify it to the kingdom."

  Henwell chuckles. "Well, that's your problem, Your Highness! I've mentioned the downsides of killing me. Now let me tell you the benefits of sparing me. I'm sure you'll come up with a suitable excuse for the kingdom."

  Henwell raises a finger once more. "First, Your Highness will gain my friendship! We've worked together, and you know how valuable my friendship can be. You can't deny that."

  Catherine frowns. "After this, retions between our countries will be tense. Transporting goods will be much more difficult."

  Henwell confidently replies, "Your Highness, rules are made and enforced by people. No one dislikes gold coins. If someone does, they tend to block others' paths to wealth, and such people don't live long."

  Then, Henwell raises a second finger. "Secondly, we can form an alliance to some extent. Whether you want to do something in Billie or elsewhere, I can exert some influence.”

  ”Yosui City will be handled by Arius, and I trust you don't doubt my influence over him. The distance between us is not a disadvantage. 'Distant alliances and nearby offensives'—if we were too close, we'd have conflicts of interest. “

  ”If nothing unexpected happens, the kingdom likely won't let you return near the capital after this. They probably won't station you in North Bay City either, given your high prestige there.”

  ”Moreover, with your good retions in Karitan, you could easily leverage Arius's strength, which means the kingdom will want to keep you at a distance. I believe they'll send you to Cape City in the southeast, effectively ending your political career.”

  ”So, you should take this opportunity to cim your mission wasn't completed and stay in Backmount City to expand southward. This way, you avoid the political center and the frequent northern conflicts, gaining a chance for stable development."

  Catherine thinks for a moment. "Consider that idea your third benefit! Is there more?"

  Henwell raises a fourth finger. "The fourth and most crucial benefit: if you spare my life, I'll spare yours as well!"

  "How dare you!"

  The five Battle Knights rise in unison to rebuke him, but Henwell is faster. He retracts his four fingers and forms a fist, unching himself at the Battle Knights. Before they can draw their swords, he strikes each of them with a single punch, sending them flying. Each knight's chest pte bears a clear imprint of his fist.

  Henwell approaches the stunned Catherine with a smile, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Your Highness, there's something I've always wanted to correct. Now, I think you understand. I'm not just a Battle Knight; I'm a Grand Knight."

  With that, Henwell gently lifts Catherine's hand and kisses the back of it. "Princess, I believe a Grand Knight is worth sparing, don't you think? After all, I can do a lot, especially since I'm only twenty-one. Quite valuable, wouldn't you say?"

  Having said this, Henwell steps back. "As for my true strength, only you and a few others know. Whether for maximizing our mutual benefits or for the sake of our cooperation, I'm sure you'll keep this secret."

  Catherine gently cps her hands. "Henwell! You never cease to amaze me. How did you hide it so well? A Grand Knight! And one under thirty! Do you realize what that means?"

  Henwell shrugs. "Your Highness, you know I'm always in danger. It's never wrong to leave oneself a way out. I didn't want to hide it! But without any foundation or support, revealing myself too early wouldn't have been good. It would mean standing out, drawing attention, and inviting jealousy and schemes."

  Catherine looks at Henwell with a peculiar expression. "You still don't fully grasp what this means! If you had told me you were a Grand Knight, this conflict wouldn't have erupted. Even if you had just told me, I would have done everything to ensure your subordinates' bodies were returned to you."

  Henwell spreads his hands. "I didn't want it this way either, but fate has its own pns. I'm just trying to survive in the cracks. What's done is done, and there's no point dwelling on it. Besides, this was a step I had to take sooner or ter."

  Catherine and Henwell discuss some potential future colborations.

  Suddenly, Catherine asks, "Does the daughter of the count your army captured know you're a Grand Knight?"

  Henwell pauses for a moment. "Not yet! She's not fond of all this fighting and killing."

  Catherine remains silent for a while, then tosses her sword aside. "Go on, then! You've survived once again!"

  Henwell catches the sword. "Your Highness, I'll take my leave, then. Compensation will be sent shortly!"