Chapter 21, The Coming of the Will

Ryan and Teresa walked along the street. Ryan's face was very ugly, as if covered with a layer of dust. He casually pulled out the long sword he picked up on the pier and threw it aside. This behavior caused looting by the local residents. Ryan He didn't care about it, he seemed to hesitate for a while, and took out his one-handed sword in front of Teresa and put it on his back: "It's really stupid, I actually thought that there would be no battles in the town."

Teresa paid special attention to Ryan's one-handed sword, because in her memory, from the first time she saw Ryan, this sword was by his side, but she never saw him draw the sword. More of an ornament than a weapon.

The scabbard of this sword has gold and silver patterns, and a scripture is stuck on it with a wax seal. Teresa can't understand what is written on it, but she knows what it is.

This extremely complicated script is High Gothic, a sacred language used by the Carolingian knights led by Charlemagne during the founding of the empire. It is different from the common language of the mainland, Low Gothic. It takes years of hard work to master it. Only the great nobles of the empire know how to use this language and it is strictly forbidden to spread it. Being able to speak High Gothic is a symbol of status and glory. Teresa remembered that Ryan’s godfather was indeed a member of the empire. That... She forced herself to turn her attention back to the sword.

This sword is longer and larger than the normal standard long sword, about 1.3 meters. It should be a two-handed giant sword in terms of specifications, but it is in the shape of a one-handed sword in terms of style.

The sword body is hidden in the scabbard and cannot be seen. Only the hilt and the sword body are connected by a strange golden square box engraved with various runes. I don’t know what it is for. The black hilt is deep and deep. Seriously, the head of the sword is a weighted ball shaped like a silver skull.

"This sword of yours is a ritual sword specially made for you by a craftsman, right? I don't think you have ever used it before." The sorceress asked casually. She was actually a little interested.

"Maybe, maybe not, who knows? I'm still thinking about that bloody mercenary and this bloody Nord custom."

Seeing that the man didn't want to talk about it, the sorcerer knew that now was not the time to start a conflict, so she said softly, "Why do you care about a little mercenary? I really don't like it. Just kill him. There's nothing to be embarrassed about." of?"

"After the end of the Second Chaos War, the first group of veterans who followed His Majesty Ludwig agreed that every ten years, everyone would come to Brunswick's Griffin Square to meet and chat about the past. story.” Ryan did not answer Teresa’s question, but told a story: “In the first ten years, in the second ten years, and in the third ten years, everyone is getting older, but most of them People can always go back to the Griffon Square, where everyone chats together in the square, getting drunk at night, so happy."

"In this way, in the fourth decade, fifth decade, and sixth decade, the number of people gradually decreased, and some people gradually left them."

"After the ninth decade, there are only a few old people who can come to the square. They are all strong people who have broken through the legendary threshold, but after ninety years have passed, they have also begun to age , and more veterans have turned into the dust of history.”

"Then the tenth decade, the eleventh decade, the twelfth decade..."

Teresa remained silent. If one cannot break through to the sanctuary level, one's lifespan will always come to an end. This is an eternal truth.

"In the fourteenth decade, on the morning of another appointed day, when Baron Manuel Rudy was wheeled by his servants to the Griffin Square, he did not see a comrade-in-arms .”

"At first he thought he had arrived early, so he signaled the servant not to leave and wait patiently."

"In this way, the morning sun rose, and the sun gradually rose into the sky until it was three poles high, and then the sun was shining brightly."

"No one ever came.

"

"Tears soaked Baron Manuel's military uniform and stained the medal on his chest. He knew that he was the last one alive among those brothers back then."

"No one will come again."

"In this way, Baron Manuel sat on the square for a long time, and when the afternoon sun shone on him, he seemed to have given up."

"But at this moment, an accident happened."

"Countless imperial troops poured out, pouring into the Griffon Square from all directions, with spears like a forest, swords like rain, the Empire's Halberd Corps, the Empire's Elite Great Sword Corps, the Empire's Firearms Troop, and the Empire's Knights. poured into the square from all directions."

"Then there are the most powerful Brunswick Thundercast Inner Ring Guards and the Royal Wizarding Corps, and then the legendary Battle Court Guards that only exist in legends to protect the emperor and the electors. The emperor has come, the electors The princes are here, all the great nobles of the empire are here."

"Emperor of the Empire, His Majesty Franz Friedrich, who had just ascended the throne at that time, walked up to Baron Manuel, stood at attention, and saluted him, followed by all the electors, from the Duke, to the Those imperial generals and ministers, all the great nobles and soldiers of the empire paid a military salute to Baron Manuel, and His Majesty the Emperor himself said such a sentence."

"The empire will never forget your contributions. We will always remember your sacrifices for the empire. It is your sacrifice that has made the empire the glory it is today. Here, on behalf of all the people of the empire, I would like to extend my respect to you and those veterans of the empire." respect and sincere thanks.”

After saying this, Ryan's eyes were a little red, he paused, and then said: "Look at Nord again? They regard humiliating veterans as a source of happiness, and sympathize with veterans as a sign of their kindness."

"Well, indeed, Nord pays attention to the weak and the strong. The status of these retired soldiers is very low. At most, they can only get a pension and go home to retire. Unlike the Empire, retired soldiers will enter the army as instructors and become responsible for security. The military police." Teresa said casually, it can be seen that the sorceress is not very concerned about this topic, although the previous story touched her, but her way is to pursue the arcane path after all. Instead of caring about the lives of these civilians.

"Oh, forget it, let's not talk about this. After a while, Lord Villard will hold a banquet. Do you want to come together?" After Ryan forced the mercenary named Simon to apologize, he naturally let the blood ax mercenary The group's favorability for him has dropped a lot, so he doesn't plan to stay at the pier any longer, and plans to go back to the hotel to rest for a while.

"Before you go to the banquet, can you tell me what this kind of country noble banquet is like?" The sorceress's slender Danfeng eyes stared at Ryan, and the corners of her mouth slightly raised: "Know everything, Mr. Ryan?"

"God knows everything~" Ryan rolled his eyes.

"Then~ Mr. Sledgehammer?"

"..." The muscles on Ryan's face twitched constantly. He was really annoyed by the nickname "Sledgehammer".

This always reminded him of a certain skit from the Celestial Dynasty: "The big hammer is eighty, the small hammer is forty."

But there is no way around it. In this world, nicknames are given by others, not by oneself. Generally speaking, for low-level nobles like him, nicknames are often derogatory and ugly. The nickname "hammer" is derogatory, but it means that nicknames are often taken in this way, because they want to show their humbleness to the gods and the world.

Among the eight virtues of chivalry, humility is also an important virtue, isn't it?

To get a good nickname, Ryan's current level is far from enough. He needs to become stronger and have a higher reputation.

"The banquets of the country lords are usually a group of people enjoying barbecue, stew and fine wine in the house. Everyone is either standing or sitting, eating and talking. Everyone will discuss the latest situation together and do some business." Ryan nodded first, and then shook his head mockingly: "However, some lords' banquets will be different. They will... be more open ~ for example ~ well, that's what it means."

"What do you mean?" The sorceress obviously didn't understand.

Lane snickered a bit, and he made a gesture where the man's right thumb and index finger pinched together in the midwinter air to form a circle, and then his left index finger passed through the circle in a quick piling motion, winking .

"...I really want a frostbolt to cut your head off your neck." The sorceress immediately understood the man's meaning, and her cold and pretty face turned red immediately, and then immediately turned black again. Those stinking men should die as far away as possible.

She suddenly didn't want to attend the banquet: "You can go that night, I won't go."

"Then why don't you go and see that little mercenary? That Banda who broke his arm in order to be brave in front of you?" Ryan squeezed his chin and said with great interest: "Oh~ the beautiful Ms. Teresa came to visit the heroic Mercenary, and sent a fiery kiss, our cute little mercenary will definitely wet the bed with emotion, I'm sure."

"Tch, people who admire me can line up from the Chaos Sea to the Roof of the World, and many of them are my suitors, that mercenary, Banda? What does he have to do with me?" Teresa looked disdainful, for For a sorceress, a small mercenary with only ordinary strength is definitely classified as a "useless man", so for her, even if a small mercenary is willing to die for her, it cannot be used by a sorceress. Leave any shadow in your heart.

The women of the Garland Council are like this, realistic and cruel, which makes many people dislike them.

Ryan thinks this is easy, you fucking ignore me, do you think I want to find you?

If it wasn't for the cooperation of the church and his father's life-saving grace, Ryan would not have planned to have anything to do with these female spellcasters.

Because the Garland Council has always liked to interfere in politics, some of them married the nobles of the kingdom, and then issued orders as wives, and then continued to conduct "ladies" diplomacy through rallies, and then formed their own network of contacts in order to gain More political discourse power.

"Then you're not going to the party?"

"Do you think I should participate?" The sorceress suddenly stopped, and her tall figure stood where she was, looking at Ryan with her beautiful red phoenix eyes.

"If you'd take a word of advice from me, you should go, Theresa, meeting some stinky men and learning about the outside world is better than shutting yourself up in your own hotel room and adoring yourself, isn't it?" Considered According to her mother's entrustment, Ryan can only make his own suggestions: "Of course I just suggest you, whether to go is your own consideration. The path of Arcana does not mean hiding in the tower for endless research."

"Okay, see you tonight, Ryan." The sorceress finally nodded, she moved her proud figure, and her long legs wrapped in tights and boots disappeared into the corner of the street in a flash.

"See you tonight."

After packing up his things, Ryan walked towards the other direction of the town. The caravan of the imperial merchant Oliver is here. He has booked the entire hotel and even a small farmyard next to it. Ryan is staying here because He didn't intend to stay in this town for long.

There were a lot of people in the caravan, and there were people coming and going, and the guys and guards were constantly carrying things, which should be some goods. Ryan noticed that ores and furs belonged to the majority, and there were also some other commodities.

Loading and unloading has always been a hassle.

Lane walked into the hotel lobby, and he noticed that Oliver was talking to another richly dressed man.

The half-elf Estelle was standing behind the man, so if Ryan expected correctly, he should be the half-elf's employer—the businessman Matz he was talking about.

Speaking of which, Matz is not a nice name. The name means butt cushion.

"Mr. Ryan! You're back? I heard that a group of water ghosts attacked the pier before. It was Mr. Ryan who showed his might and killed the leader of the water ghosts, thus repelling the water ghosts? Mr. Ryan is really amazing Ah." Seeing Ryan coming in, Oliver stood up, and the imperial businessman looked a bit apprehensive, but Ryan could tell at a glance that he was pretending.

How could a big town be attacked by a group of water ghosts?

"Your combat skills don't seem to be learned from Nord. I look like... Griffon footwork?" Estelle said suddenly, and the half-elf's face showed some curiosity.

"Have you ever been to the empire?" Ryan raised his head. For some reason, he didn't like this half-elf either.

Maybe it's because this kind of half-elf with a handsome face and exuding an elegant and intellectual aura is more likely to win the favor of others than him. Men are inferior to each other, and some hostility between them is inevitable.

"Heh~ I have worked for His Excellency Corleone, Elector of Tuscany for eight years, and he has always been reluctant to bear the title of knight. Do you think I don't understand the empire?" Estelle sneered, and the half-elf looked I found a place and sat down: "So, if nothing unexpected, Mr. Ryan, your combat skills must be learned from that elder, right?"

"Does it have anything to do with you who I study under? Hearing you say this, I think I understand why Mr. Estelle, you didn't even get a stable job after working for Lord Corleone for eight years." Ryan looked the handsome half-elf ranger up and down, and suddenly sneered: "Long ears are not an honor, half-elf."

"You!" The half-elf stood up directly, but he immediately realized something, his face turned pale: "Forget it, in the name of Asuryan, I will not argue with you, and please don't get entangled, Nord knight."

Asuryan is the main god of the elf pantheon, the god of the phoenix.

This surprised Oliver and Matz. The arrogant half-elf didn't care about such things with Ryan? You know elves don't like it when people refer to them with long ears.

What surprised them even more was Ryan's expression. The knight of the Nord Kingdom had a very strange expression, with anger, surprise, and even a hint of... happy and relieved?

"I'm going back to my room first! Don't bother me, I'll talk about something when I come out!" Ryan paused, and immediately said to the two businessmen present, Oliver and Matz nodded subconsciously.

After speaking, Ryan rushed to his room without looking back. He closed the door of the room tightly, and then closed all the doors and windows.

The man stood alone in his room, as if welcoming something.

Gradually, in the cold and quiet room, pale golden energy slowly appeared, and an energy full of incomparable majesty and holiness flashed across the room.

Ryan was gradually surrounded by this mysterious energy.

In the sea of ​​consciousness, endless golden light spreads around Ryan, and the flashing golden light is like flowing water, constantly rotating, colliding, and merging together. Ryan only feels that his consciousness is shining among the stars, but it seems to be like Mount Tai was trembling like the top of the mountain.

It wasn't until a golden figure flashed out from the light and shadow that the terrifying pressure subsided a little.

"I speak to you from afar, my son!"

"I really don't want to be your son! I have a father on earth, I have an adoptive father here, and a godfather, and now you tell me that I am your son, how many fathers do you want me to have?! "Ryan said mockingly to the golden figure, his face was a little dissatisfied, but it was more of a relief.

"You are my son, ever since you accepted my genes, Ryan, you are my son, the youngest and youngest of my sons." The golden figure didn't fluctuate at all, he just used He continued in a gentle tone.

"...Well, I finally have a place where I can beat someone from the Celestial Dynasty." Ryan had no choice, he could even feel the strong resonance of his blood, the blood in his body was cheering, he His bones made noises due to excitement, his muscles played a resonant melody, and the feeling of blood connection echoed in Ryan's body.

He is his son.

That's right.

He is his father.