Soul of Burning Steel

When I stood in front of this gate, I still had some fear and expectation in my heart.

The fresh air unique to the northern permafrost in summer blows through the streets with the long wind. The light in the pyroxene lamps does not tremble in the slightest because of the footsteps of the bustling crowd. Disappeared at the corner of the intersection, and I have arrived at my destination.

Northland, the gate of the Moldavian Lord's Mansion. I muttered the name in my heart: the door of the residence of Earl Radcliffe.

He should have already noticed my arrival, for the legendary powerhouse, this is not too difficult.

In fact, I met Earl Radcliffe a long time ago. I saw him in the Royal Library on the day I just returned from the battlefield. He is not very old, but his strength But far surpassed me, and the attitude is more like my elders than my peers. He even showed me the source of his strength, the Potestas of pugna, the power of battle.

For this generous and young legendary powerhouse, I always have an inexplicable emotion...fear? awe? disgust? No, this illusory feeling is difficult to explain in words, but it definitely includes respect, because of his integrity. Lord Radcliffe is a formidable warrior, and his morals are as impeccable as his strength. You know, I have seen countless morally corrupt nobles and warriors who take pleasure in killing the enemy's women and children on the battlefield and in private , although every orc deserves to die, but the criminal act of massacre has nothing to do with who the other party is.

"His Royal Highness Di Moore, please come in, Your Excellency is waiting for you."

The guard bowed and opened the door respectfully. I followed a maid who had been waiting here and walked into the courtyard of the lord's mansion. I looked around. There were no extravagant plants or decorations here. A small artificial lake that seemed to be deep was probably The most labor-intensive facility here. Not to mention being a legendary powerhouse, even for an ordinary field earl, it seems too shabby. Although I knew that he was a pure person who didn't care about anything but fighting, such a scene still disappointed me.

The strong shouldn't be like this.

Maybe, I probably found the truth of that inexplicable emotion, with respect and some disappointment.

Walking through the courtyard and walking into the gate of the lord's mansion under the guidance of the maid, I thought so. Joshua didn't do his duty.

It is not the responsibility and obligation of humans or nobles. In this regard, Earl Radcliffe is not wrong. He protects the people, expels the beast horde, slays the mad dragon, and runs for the whole world. He is willing to protect the weak and slay the evil. This is what those great heroes in the legends will do, and I have no doubt that it has been hundreds of years Afterwards, the story of the hero Joshua will spread throughout this land.

But it is precisely because of this that it makes me feel unreal.

In the lord's mansion, the ancient and solemn design dragged hazy shadows in the dim light of the fluorite lamps, but this scene was unexpectedly calming. I tried my best to hide my emotions, but my thoughts continued in the dark spread.

Yes, that's it, too perfect and too unreal. On the battlefield, I have seen how many brave and fearless battle heroes in the publicity are alcoholic and violent bastards who beat their subordinates in private. Incapable of doing anything. I have known for a long time that there are so many filthy truths behind many epic stories. The greater the achievements of Earl Radcliffe, the more I can't help but wonder what kind of secrets lie behind him... No one is perfect , this is the truth I believe in.

But here's the important thing: he really doesn't have any negative news. This made me feel extremely illusory while respecting it.

In the dim light, following the maid's guidance through the narrow corridor, I walked towards the reception hall. I've seen the half-open door, and I've also felt a strong, unbearable pressure to kneel, not for ordinary people who are just here to serve, but for people like me For such an extraordinary person, the pressure was as strong and irreversible as when he met his father in the palace.

When I thought about meeting a familiar yet unfamiliar legendary powerhouse, darkness swelled in my heart.

Why? It was as if sharp teeth were gnawing at my heart, and an unbearably itchy feeling spread from the depths of my soul. I stopped and took a deep breath. The maid in front of me smiled understandingly. She probably felt that I was a little nervous. It was indeed the case, but the details were quite different. I was just puzzled.

A legendary powerhouse! In the entire world can be called the highest level of the top! How can they live in peace?

Why did Joshua van Radcliffe willingly nest in such a small place as the Northland? And my father, known as iron-blooded and ruthless, His Majesty the Emperor, who doesn't give much love to his own son, how can he bear the appearance of another legend to dilute his authority? Why are these two people able to cooperate so firmly? Even the many rumors that have been widely circulated by the palace and the people can't add much doubt to them?

They should be just like those rumors—swords at war, mutual vigilance, and even military encounters—they should decide a winner through a duel, otherwise who will dominate the future of this empire? Who has the highest voice? I don't mean to put the whole empire in flames of war, I just think... this world shouldn't be so beautiful. It should be a little bit worse, so that everyone will suffer, and I may die because of it, but that's normal.

This is also the correct relationship between the strong - friendship, family, trust, these are false, meaningless things, people must distinguish between superior and inferior, in this dark world, this is to maintain The only way to order.

This is disease. A demon lurking within me from years of dark life, the vision of my mother's death was the source of this nightmare. I know it's wrong, but I can't help but think about it too much. I don't want to be a disciple of a legendary strong man, but I want to know how that man who has met before but has become strange looks at this world, and how he gradually makes this world full of wars and disputes , The world that started to decay from the bone gradually became as vibrant and full of hope as it is now.

That's why I, Demore Diamond, are here.

======

As the door opened silently, I couldn't help but sit up nervously from the big cashmere chair, but then I immediately realized my gaffe, and then relaxed under the calm eyes of the legendary powerhouse beside me. Sit down slowly, and then look at the silent comer.

It was Dimore Diamond, and it was him, my brother.

This young man who had always looked gloomy had a calm expression, but I could see that the corners of his mouth were slightly pulled down, which proved that he was not in a good mood, or rather nervous, just like me now.

Who said no? Except for those who have long been familiar with Earl Radcliffe, everyone will feel nervous when facing a legend. This is helpless, just like ordinary people encountering a dragon.

Sitting quietly in the chair, my thoughts can't help but drift away.

The queen mother was very happy about the father's decision. Although he was a little dissatisfied with the fact that the second brother was also going, he sneered and said that it didn't matter. "Alva, he can't be your competitor." The queen mother said casually while bending down to cut her new potted plant: "I know his character, I have always known it, just like his unwillingness to be inferior to others. , like an arrogant mother."

Of course I don't know what kind of person the mother of the second emperor is, and I don't know what kind of person the second emperor is, but I do know that compared to the other party, I am weak. So I shouldn't have any fluke and arrogance, but try to be myself as much as possible.

Speaking of the weak, I couldn't help looking at the man next to me who was slowly closing the book in his hand. In front of people like Earl Radcliffe and the Emperor, who would dare to claim to be strong except gods? Woolen cloth? But that book... "The Scorpion of Time"? The best-selling dark suspense novel of late? Unexpectedly, Mr. Earl also likes to watch it, which is really unexpected.

I thought that besides being mysterious all day long, the strong can only practice.

"very good."

A concise and powerful voice came from the side, and the pressure spread slightly, but was controlled by the legendary strong man. I could feel Earl Radcliffe's emotions slowly becoming serious: "It's a good habit not to be late. Since people Alright, so let’s start.”

While talking, he waved his hand, and a stool appeared behind my emperor brother. The emperor sat down a little at a loss, and then the earl continued: "Your father, the emperor of the empire, Islay Er entrusted me to teach you, the two sons he is optimistic about. He wants you to be my disciples, and you should also understand what this means."

Of course I understand. I pouted slightly, a disciple of a legendary powerhouse, for the upcoming battle for the crown prince, this can be said to be a fake card, not to mention that it also means a rapid increase in strength and a certificate to avoid death. This is also the reason why the queen mother insisted that I strive to become a disciple, even if I actually have no intention of becoming the emperor.

To be honest, the only attraction of the throne to me is probably to make the world a better place as much as possible. After all, if you are only a prince, many things are impossible.

As if sensing my absent-mindedness, Earl Radcliffe glanced at me, and I was so frightened that I immediately sat upright and adjusted my posture, while his voice continued: "But don't think that I will directly accept you as disciples , My requirements are very high, I don’t mean talent, I mean your intellect. But you don’t need to guess about it, because today I will take you out to teach my first class.”

But now it's evening, what can I see when I go out? I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't say it, not just because I was in awe of this man, but because I also had some expectations in my heart.

He is a completely different person from his father.

Thinking of this, my heart can't help but feel a little excited.

======

The sun was setting, and the dim orange light was fading and dissipating from the tall iron pine tree crown halfway up the mountain. A winter sparrow was going back and forth in the tree hole behind the branch, making the gradually falling brown needles a part of its warm nest—— But not long after, the hardworking bird stopped its movements, because it keenly noticed that there was a huge monster passing by.

Leading the two princes through the forest, Joshua could feel the doubts gradually rising in the hearts of Dimore and Alva, but he remained silent and allowed the emotions to spread.

"Where are we going?"

Walking between the mountain roads, Di Moore spoke first. He felt that there was a familiar taste in all of this. A similar scene seemed to have happened not long ago, and this made him puzzled: "Master, if we want to hurry, we You can fly there."

But Alva rolled his eyes and sighed: He hasn't reached the golden realm yet, and flying is a bit far for him.

"Actually, it's already here."

Not paying attention to the secret interaction between the two brothers, the warrior crossed a small hill, and his vision suddenly became clear——Standing on the ridge of the Great Ajax Mountain Range, Joshua looked around the small half of the southern part of the Northland. The lights in the forest village were dotted with light, and he said casually: "Actually, it's just as you think, this is not much different from the time Israel took you all over the entire empire, my purpose is actually the same as his. Same, I want you princes to see what the world really looks like."

"I've seen it." Di Moore frowned, thinking of what he had been going through, he shook his head in dissatisfaction: "I'm not the kind of person who was born with a golden key in his mouth and was brought up by a lady—— I've traveled with the military since I was a kid, so of course I know what the world really looks like."

"Father took us to see it once." Alva also muttered: "I don't think it's useful to see it again, anyway, we can't do anything now."

Joshua didn't care about the complaints of the two princes. He looked at the villages with a slight smile on his face, and said to himself: "In the past, you may have seen many villages hidden in the village. The darkness under the glamorous appearance of this world-the fish boss who exploits the fishermen, the landlord who annexes the land, the businessman who hoards food and commodities and causes riots, and all kinds of dark sides of people's hearts, but that is something that the emperor needs to consider cutting off, It has nothing to do with what I'm going to say today."

When he spoke, his tone was calm. Joshua didn't deliberately ask Di Moore and Alva to listen to him, but both of them couldn't help listening: "Do you know what courage is?"

courage? familiar vocabulary. Di Moore closed his eyes. Even if he emptied his mind, his instinct would make him casually recite the seven or eight definitions of the word and the inflammatory speeches about it. It was one of the most emphasized things in the army during the war. Discipline is tied, engraved in the first article of the Royal Legion's military training. He knew it so well that it bored him a little.

Courage... Alva was thoughtful. He also knew this word very well. Whether it was myths or legends, this word was repeatedly emphasized in it. But there is an inexplicable kindness.

"My disciple can have no talent or strength. He can yearn for a peaceful life like a plant, or he can yearn for power and strive to be a master."

Without looking back at the expressions of the two princes, Joshua knew the different attitudes of the two of them. His tone was still calm and without ups and downs, but every word was very clear: "But absolutely not, I don't have the courage."

"You missed the fog of God's Evil. That is the best way to test your courage. Several of my named students have passed that test, but it doesn't matter. We have plenty of opportunities."

Looking away from the mountain village in the distance, the warrior who seemed to have found his target finally turned his head to look at Dimore and Alva: "Israel assured me that you are all good boys with courage, but in my opinion, Not so."

"Why do you say that?" Regarding Joshua's almost belittling remarks, Di Moore was not as anxious as before. He calmed down and asked back: "You should know that I have fought against orcs and faced stone rhino cavalry head-on. I don't think that's something a coward without courage can do."

And Alva shrugged, he really didn't have any examples to prove himself, but he didn't think he was a weak guy either.

In this regard, Joshua smiled, and he waved his hand, and a light curtain reflecting the distant mountain village appeared in front of everyone.

This is an ordinary village located around the forest, probably because it is close to a small river. There are three waterwheel mills built near the village. A rocky road leads from a distance to the center of the village. In the light curtain, the gray sky above the village is reflected With orange-red flames, the moist mist at night was reflected by this light, retreating to the corners of several abandoned houses.

Obviously, this is a small village of hunters that is common in the Northland. They live by hunting prey in the mountains and farming winter wheat. This kind of village has rarely changed once in more than ten years. The hunters hardly leave themselves except for going out to sell fur. In their homeland, they even extremely reject the entry of outsiders, unless those outsiders can bring them benefits.

Both Dimore and Alva are no strangers to such villages. Not long ago, they and Israel traveled across most of the empire in three days and nights. They have seen more than a dozen similar villages. They originally wanted to Puzzled, he asked Joshua why he wanted them to watch this ordinary scene, but the subsequent changes made the two of them watch with bated breath.

In the center of the light curtain, in a half-abandoned house, a seemingly ordinary young hunter tossed and turned holding his bow, a few salted fish and dried rabbit meat were drying by the broken window, and his The firelight outside the house was reflected in his eyes, and he stared blankly at the empty house except him. Obviously, his parents should have left him forever because of some accidents. This kind of thing is not uncommon, especially in recent years when the Kuroshio and Dragon disasters happened again. Many of them are far away from the main city, and reinforcements come more frequently. As a result, many villages have lost a lot of adult labor, and many underage children can only struggle to survive alone, because other people in the village live in the same hardship and cannot help them. Some vicious people even make a living by exploiting these children. .

This kind of life has been going on for a long time, which can be seen from the boy's skinny arms and deeply sunken cheeks. Anyone can see that such a poor life is slow suicide for an adolescent boy. If he can't get enough food to develop, he can't hunt prey alone even if he is an adult, and he has to become a disabled person in the end.

In this regard, Di Moore looked at this scene indifferently, unable to see what he was thinking in his heart, while Alva frowned. He wanted to speak for a moment, but closed his mouth again.

——It can't go on like this.

Unable to sleep peacefully because of hunger, this unknown young hunter suddenly sat up from the wooden bed with only hemp grass. Everyone understood what he meant—and in the next moment, he simply picked up the dried meat and salted fish by the window, some of his remaining food reserves, and then lurked in the dark, walking along the rocky road Walk towards the distance.

"Since these rocky roads were built, dozens of these mountain people who originally lived in mountain villages have gone to the main city of Moldavia almost every day. He is not the first, nor will he be the last."

Joshua calmly narrated at this time: "What I have to tell you is that the mountain people are extremely attached to their homeland, and they are so ignorant and cute that they almost never leave their hometown. As far as this village alone is concerned, It's been almost thirty years since anyone came out of it, and he was the first."

"What's the point of this?" Di Moore was a little hard to understand: "Even if he left the village and came to the main city, he might not be able to live comfortably, let alone the dangers he might encounter on the roadside."

"And that's the point," the warrior replied, "That's courage."

"He knew what he was going to face—the strange environment, the dangerous road and all kinds of accidents, but even so, he still wanted to go out and see, and he was willing to bear these dangerous consequences. It's different from those guys who have been staying in the mountain village as hunters."

Facing Di Moore's disapproving gaze, Joshua chuckled, lowered his head, and stared at the young man who was moving along the stone road towards the main city of Moldavia: "You may only see a young man who is ignorant And a reckless move, and I saw a man make the most important choice in his life. Di Moore, you think too much, anyone can be anyone, just the odds, as long as you have courage, an orphan A true warrior can become a true warrior, and an unknown little man can become the emperor of an empire."

"I want to help him."

On the side, Alva, who had hesitated for a long time, suddenly said, his tone was hesitant, but he still said it: "I think..."

"Go, your choice is your freedom."

Without waiting for the other party to explain, Joshua waved his hand, indicating that Alva could move freely, and after getting permission, the seventh prince happily followed the instructions of the light curtain and ran towards the young hunter.

Afterwards, the soldier turned his head and looked at Di Moore who was still frowning incomprehensibly. He looked at the former emperor of the empire: "I can see that you are wondering...you say you have courage, but in fact you just abide by it." Rules, the general ordered you to move forward, you move forward, Israel tells you to come back, you come back, Di Moore, this is not courage, this is just going with the flow, you have not made any decisions about your life at all .”

"Israel told me that he has already told you what is the way of the king, and he wants me to teach you what is the way of the strong. It is actually very simple, that is to make the choice you want, and then bear the burden all the consequences of it."

Facing such serious words from a legendary powerhouse, even Di Moore couldn't help but take a step back, but then he stopped. The second prince was silent for a while, and said with flickering eyes: "But there are always some choices that have unbearable consequences... Many wars are like this, and the same is true for many killings."

There was meaning in his words, but the warrior knew what he meant.

"It's just that they don't want to think about it before then."

Without replying to Di Moore, Joshua looked away. He turned his head to look at the dotted lights of Beidi, feeling very calm in his heart.

The great tide of evil is coming, and the world is changing. In such an environment, many stubborn people and collectives have made changes. Countless heroes have emerged from the ordinary. Most of the future strong and heroes have nothing at first, but they The difference from other ordinary people is that they think they can do more, and they dare to make choices.

Joshua was a little dazed, recalling the names that popped up during the abyss invasion, but then he withdrew his thoughts. He noticed that Alva was returning from the foot of the mountain with the bewildered young hunter. The soldier said softly. : "If you want to help, you can help. Although Alva doesn't know anything about it, he knows what he wants to do. When he sees someone in trouble, he wants to help, and he knows that he has to take responsibility for the follow-up , which is also a kind of courage.”

"I will not teach you how to be a ruler, I will only let you know what courage is and what is choice. A strong man does not need to be majestic, nor does he need to be kind or cruel. He only needs to be firm in his goal, and then that's it Keep going, I hope you can become such a strong man, and then one day you can stand shoulder to shoulder with me and your father to fight against the disasters in the future."

Di Moore and Joshua looked at each other. He stared at the warrior's red pupils, but he could only see indifference. There is no desire for power, no majesty, and no desire to dominate in those eyes, he can only see the reflected starlight in them, that is the whole world.

I see. Suddenly this thought came to his mind. This man has never cared about those, rights, majesty, and the right to speak. He, and his emperor's father, the two of them never cared about these things. What they cared about was higher, about the future and safety of this world. There is no fight between them because they disdain to fight for those meaningless things. They selflessly teach themselves and others because they are pioneers and have expectations for everyone.

But those are all mine.

Di Moore suddenly laughed. He also turned his head and looked at the dotted villages in the Northland. The second prince's eyes were burning with flames that seemed to melt steel. He understood the difference between himself and his father, but Not ashamed of this, because it was his choice.

My life is destined not to be so noble, to fight for order, the world and everything in the world. Even if the fateful day comes, my reason must be more realistic: to fight for my power and desire.

It doesn't matter who the opponent is, whether it's a corrupt noble, or those aliens, or demons from other countries or even different worlds.

"I probably understand what my choice is."

He said so, and then bowed slightly to Joshua: "Thank you for your teaching." Behind Dimore, Alva, who didn't understand what was going on, came to the warrior with the hunter boy who was already out of breath.

After a few days.

The news that the seventh prince, Alva, became the registered disciple of the Earl of the Northland spread throughout the entire imperial capital.

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