Chapter 475: Undercover
Afterward, Henwell announces another matter.
He plans to spend a hefty sum ordering some extraordinary detection devices from the Western Federation.
These will be deployed across various departments to prevent incidents like Dart’s, an extraordinary Warlock who hid his powers so well.
Dart isn’t a knight but a Warlock, which is why he could conceal his physical abilities and remain undercover for so long.
After this incident, Henwell feels the need for high-end extraordinary detection equipment.
Not only will it help identify spies, but it can also be applied across multiple projects.
Whether it’s developing extraordinary drugs or researching extraordinary alloy materials, having such devices for detection is extremely advantageous.
By the time the meeting concludes, it’s already evening. Henwell doesn’t rush back but stays overnight at the Technical Research Institute.
That night, the Institute holds a rare simple banquet, where Henwell expresses his gratitude to the many researchers.
He thanks them for willingly staying hidden on the mountain’s edge, far from Peace Haven’s prosperity, working hard to lay the foundation for Peace Haven’s technological system.
After boosting morale, Henwell goes to meet the subject from earlier that day.
Jefferson is visibly honored by Henwell’s visit.
Henwell gestures for him to relax. “You’re an outstanding soldier who’s fought alongside me. It’s only natural for me, as your commander, to check in on you. Don’t worry about your family, they’re all well.”
”Your parents are fine, and your child is attending Blood Hill First Elementary School. Your former commander Kivel is now the leader of the Third Legion, and your good friend Fersen has been transferred to the Fourth Legion as commander of the Eighth Battalion.”
Hearing this, Jefferson can’t help but smile.
Henwell sighs. “Jefferson, you’re a fine officer, only twenty-nine years old. If not for that incident, you’d have graduated from the military academy by now. With the new round of army expansion, even if you weren’t serving as deputy battalion commander in a main legion, you’d at least be commanding a garrison battalion. By the next war, you might be leading a legion, fighting side by side with me.”
Jefferson feels Henwell’s regret but simply lowers his head in silence.
Henwell waves his hand, and Dalton brings in a bottle of wine.
Henwell pours a cup for Jefferson, then takes a few sips himself. “Jefferson, you really shouldn’t have killed that family. They caused your wife’s death. I know you’re furious, but you should trust me when I say I won’t let my soldiers suffer that kind of injustice.”
Jefferson mutters, “Sir, they have noble blood. They came to Peace Haven to buy houses and live here. They’re nobles from the Northern District. I’m just a commoner. I know nobles kill commoners and only have to pay some compensation!”
Henwell snaps sharply, “Fool! I’m willing to go to war with Billie over the death of a comrade’s body. Of course, I’ll seek justice for your wife. I don’t fear that damn king, why should I fear some little lord?”
“You idiot, I was already drafting Peace Haven’s laws back then. I don’t care about kingdom laws. If you commit a crime here, you follow my rules. No exceptions, commoners, nobles, even the king, and damn it, even the gods have to face punishment! I could’ve used that chance to strike down those nobles and show them what happens when they mess with my soldiers.”
“I had an opportunity to execute a noble publicly, to send a message to everyone! To make it clear that in Peace Haven, my law is the only law! “
”But because of your rashness, not only did I fail to execute the noble publicly, I had to personally sentence one of my best officers to death! What angers me most is that you, you fool, ruined your own future with your impulsive actions and cost me a valuable commander!”
Henwell takes a few hard swigs of wine, clearly frustrated.
Jefferson’s eyes well up, and choking back tears, he says, “I’m sorry, sir! I was blinded by anger. I thought if I didn’t act, I’d never get my revenge! They’re noble lords, and I’m just an officer, I had no way to fight them.”
Henwell kicks him to the ground. “Damn it! I’m the only noble in Peace Haven right now! I’ve worked damn hard for over ten years not to be called ‘noble.’ Who dares let you call them ‘noble’?”
“Don’t you get it? I’m building a regime with no noble rule. There might be officials who oppress, but there will never be any bullshit where people get killed and animals pay the price! I reject kingdom fiefdoms. The surrounding countries hate me because they realize I want to wipe out the noble class!”
Jefferson sits on the ground, silent, tears streaming down his face.
After calming down, Henwell pulls Jefferson to his feet. “Now, I have a mission for you. I’ve already sentenced you to death, I can’t go against my own laws! You’ve also survived the life-and-death trial with the experimental drug, so consider yourself lucky to have been given a second chance.”
“You’re fortunate you didn’t die from the drug trial; that counts as paying off your previous crimes. But I can’t let you leave here, and you certainly can’t appear as Jefferson anymore. From the moment I signed your death sentence, Jefferson ceased to exist. Now, I have a new identity for you.”
With that, Henwell signals Cumberland to come in.
“This is Cumberland from the Intelligence Office. He’s the deputy to Intelligence Chief Chick and is temporarily in charge of the office. From now on, you’re under the Intelligence Office’s command. Cumberland is forming a new team that specializes in infiltrating high-risk organizations.”
“You’ll learn all kinds of intelligence skills on this team while focusing on identifying and exploiting the Technical Research Institute’s vulnerabilities. Once Cumberland thinks you’re ready, he’ll assign you to a dangerous organization called Veil, a monstrous faction lurking in the shadows across the continent.”
“Here’s a secret: I once escaped from Veil myself. Now, there’s a good opportunity to plant spies inside. That prisoner number twenty-two, the Dart you reported today, is a member of Veil. Your task will be to start with him, gradually earn his trust, that will be your stepping stone into the Veil Organization.”
Jefferson hesitates. “But sir, I reported Dart today. Why would he trust me?”
Cumberland chuckles. “Don’t worry. That’s exactly why. From his perspective, you’re someone who’s done great service for Peace Haven but was abandoned by your superior and reduced to a subject of life-and-death experiments. In his eyes, you’re full of exploitable weaknesses.”
“You don’t have to do anything. He’ll slowly erode your loyalty to Peace Haven. The harder this process is, the more trustworthy you’ll seem later. Many guards already know your past and naturally sympathize with you, giving you extra care. That’s exactly what Dart plans to use against you, he’ll weave his own trap.”
Jefferson looks confused. “So, what should I do?”
Henwell smiles. “You don’t have to do anything. Cumberland will teach you the necessary intelligence skills during your personal training. Later, you’ll ‘luckily’ succeed in the drug trial and achieve the rank of knight. Your treatment will improve, and you might even get a pardon. The plan is long-term, you’ll understand everything in time.