After Roderick leaves, Rifidi's expression darkens even further.

  Powell, the commander of the 22nd Legion, steps forward, gripping his sword hilt as he scolds Scar Tiger, "Are you really the bandit leader, Scar Tiger?"

  Rifidi frowns, "What? Are you siding with Roderick too?"

  Powell sneers, "You've misunderstood, Commander! I'm going back to report everything this bandit leader said to the military department. If Lord Roderick is indeed at fault, our 22nd Legion will not tolerate it. But if someone is trying to use this to target us, we won't take it lying down!"

  Then, Powell gives Scar Tiger a menacing smile, "You'd better hope you're lying. If so, you might get a quick death for sndering a noble.”

  ”But if you're telling the truth, then it's going to be interesting! It would mean you really did ambush the kingdom's nobles and caravans. What awaits you is endless torment and punishment! No one can save you! If you don't believe me, ask the commander if he can grant you a pardon."

  In the end, this military meeting not only fails to establish Rifidi's authority but also ends in discord.

  Scar Tiger, tormented by fear all day, immediately kneels before Rifidi upon seeing him.

  "Sir, save me! I can't testify in court, or I'll definitely be executed!"

  Feeling irritated, Rifidi snaps, "Why are you panicking? I promised you'd live and enjoy wealth and honor. Do you think I was lying? I'll apply for a royal pardon for you, and I'll arrange your new civilian identity. As long as I'm sure the military deployment map you provided is accurate, I'll ensure you become a noble!"

  Kneeling, Scar Tiger hurriedly says, "Everything I said is true! The military deployment map is absolutely real! I have an irreconcible hatred for Henwell. He sent me to deceive you, but I don't want to serve that devil any longer. Please, believe me—I have no intention of deceiving you. Your spies will soon confirm that all the information I provided is true!"

  Rifidi nods slightly, "It better be true! For now, stay quietly at my residence; no one will dare touch you!"

  After Rifidi leaves, Scar Tiger still feels uneasy. He's starting to realize that his decision to come here might have been a risky gamble. Perhaps he should have just taken off, using his years of savings to start over in another country. The Duchy of Lumir sounds like a decent option.

  But the thought of settling down as just another wealthy man doesn't sit well with him. He once thrived on the thrill of banditry and rose to become a legion commander, second only to one.

  The drastic change in status is hard to swallow, and he feels compelled to take a gamble.

  Moreover, as long as Henwell remains alive, Scar Tiger lives in constant fear. That's why he ultimately chose to side with Rifidi.

  However, after yesterday's events, he's begun to realize he might have underestimated the nobles.

  Without military power, influence, or allies, those nobles who once treated him politely now have many ways to eliminate him.

  This realization prompts him to start considering his escape pn after dealing with Henwell.

  It might be his st resort, and perhaps it's time to start preparing for it now.

  In Peace Haven, Henwell has already received intelligence on the meeting that Rifidi held. After reading it, he hands the report to Chick and Senra.

  Senra, a bit worried, asks, "Will the Roderick connection become a problem?"

  Henwell shakes his head, "No, it won't. Roderick is a local powerhouse among the southeastern nobles of the kingdom. He's spent over a decade solidifying his position. Over the years we've worked together, he's amassed at least a few million gold coins.”

  ”Do you think all that money is just sitting in his castle's celr? Of course not! He's spread it around, paving his way from baron to viscount, from border legion commander to regur army commander.”

  ”He's built a network of loyal followers, forming a massive interest group in the southeastern corner of the Ika Kingdom.”

  ”If it weren't for the fear of my retribution, do you think Rifidi could truly become the southeastern commander of Ika Kingdom? Rifidi is still too inexperienced; he has a long way to go before he can bring down Roderick! And Roderick, upon seeing Scar Tiger, will immediately understand my intentions."

  Chick frowns, "Sir, could he sabotage our pns?"

  Henwell shakes his head again, "No, he won't. He'll cooperate because he wants to climb even higher. He wants to become an count; he wants to oversee the military and political affairs of the southeastern kingdom.”

  ”I've already id the groundwork for him. All he needs to do is wait patiently for the right moment and then step up. Becoming an count of the kingdom!”

  ”Rising from a baron to an count in just ten years is something many would envy. Why would he refuse? It's not like the kingdom belongs to him!"

  Senra voiced her concerns, "Sir, Roderick knows too much about us at Peace Haven! If he really becomes the southeastern commander of Ika, holding both military and political power, is that truly beneficial for us?"

  Henwell smirks, "He's a smart man and won't do anything foolish. The more he craves power, the more he has to cooperate with us!”

  ”If I can orchestrate for him to become the count commander of Ika Kingdom, I can just as easily put someone else in that position. The more he knows about me, the less he'll dare to oppose me. Of course, he'll be cautious of me—that's a given!”

  ”But let me share a truth with you, as members of the intelligence department. As long as humans control this world, no matter how strong a fortress, how perilous a pass, or how united an organization, they're all run by people. Find the right person, at the right time, in the right pce, and with a little push, the entire structure can colpse!"

  Seeing the two deep in thought, Henwell continues, "At the same time, you also have the responsibility of safeguarding these fragile key points of Peace Haven. While you're undermining others, learn from it to prevent us from making the same basic mistakes."

  Chick then reports another situation, "Sir, Commander Arnold has already set up all the battle pns. But... but... in luring the enemy, we might suffer significant losses on our side!"

  Henwell sighs, "Ah, this is a life-and-death war; how can there be no casualties? I care about my soldiers too, which is why I've recruited a batch of prisoners from the Ogiro Kingdom. After more than two months of training, with good food and care, it's all for this pn.”

  ”Besides, we're just staging a major retreat. If they had trained diligently before, many of them could survive. When the time comes, I'll provide them with a suitable pce. So, train hard and sweat more during peace; when it truly matters, you'll bleed less and have a better chance of surviving!"