Chapter 21, The advent of will
Ryan and Teresa were walking 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 the local residents to loot. Ryan He didn't pay attention. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but took out his one-handed sword again in front of Theresa and put it on his back: "It's really stupid. I actually thought that there would be no battle in the town."
Teresa paid special attention to Ryan's one-handed sword, because in her memory, this sword had been with Ryan from the first time she saw him, but she had never seen him draw the sword. It's more like a decoration than a weapon.
The scabbard of this sword has gold and silver patterns, and a wax seal is used to stain it with a scripture. Theresa cannot understand what is written on it, but she knows what the text is.
This extremely complex text is High Gothic, which was the sacred language used by the Carolingian knights led by Charlemagne during the founding of the empire. It is different from Low Gothic, the common language of the continent. This High Gothic language is very complex. 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 outside. Being able to speak High Gothic is a symbol of status and honor. Teresa remembers that Ryan’s godfather is indeed from 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. In terms of specifications, it should be a two-handed giant sword, but in terms of style, it is shaped like a one-handed sword.
The sword body is hidden in the scabbard and cannot be seen. Only the connection between the sword hilt and the sword body can be seen is a strange golden square box, engraved with various runes, it is unknown what it is used for, the black sword hilt is deep Seriously, the head of the sword is a weighted ball shaped like a silver skull.
"Is this sword of yours a ceremonial sword specially made for you by a craftsman? I see that you have never used it." The sorceress asked casually, she was actually a little interested.
"Maybe, maybe not, who knows? I'm still thinking about that damn mercenary and this damn Nord custom."
Seeing that the man didn't want to talk about it, the sorceress knew that now was not the time to provoke a conflict, so she said warmly: "Why do you care about a little mercenary? If you really don't like it, just kill him. What's the matter? of?"
"After the end of the Second Chaos War, the first group of veterans who followed His Majesty Ludwig in the army agreed that every ten years, everyone would come to the Gryphon Square in Brunswick to gather and talk about the past. Story." Ryan did not answer Theresa's question, but told a story: "In the first ten years, the second decade, and the third decade, although everyone was older, most of them People can always go back to Griffin Square, where everyone chats and gets drunk at night, so happy."
"In this way, in the fourth decade, the fifth decade, and the sixth decade, the number of people began to gradually decrease, and some people gradually left them."
"After the ninth decade, only a few old people can come to the square. They are all strong men who have broken through the legendary threshold. But after ninety years, 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 the Holy Realm level, one's lifespan will always come to an end. This is an eternal truth.
"In the fourteenth decade, it was another early morning on the appointed day. When Baron Manuel Rudy was pushed by his servant in a wheelchair to Griffin Square, he did not see a single comrade. .”
"At first he thought he had arrived early, so he signaled the servant not to leave and waited patiently."
"Just like that, the morning sun rises, and the sun gradually rises into the sky, until it reaches three poles above the sky, and then the sun shines brightly."
"No one ever came."
"The tears soaked Baron Manuel's uniform and the medals on his chest. He knew that he was the last one alive among those brothers."
"No more people will come."
"In this way, Baron Manuel sat in the square for a long time. When the afternoon sun shone on him, he seemed to have given up."
"But at this moment, the accident happened."
"Countless imperial troops poured out, pouring into the Griffin Square from all directions. Spears were like a forest, swords were like rain, the empire's halberd regiments, the empire's elite sword regiments, the empire's firearms troops, and the empire's knights were all rushing in. People poured into the square from all directions.”
"Then there are the most powerful Brunswick Clay Forge Inner Ring Guards and the Royal Wizards, and then there are the Battle Court Guards who only exist in legends and are responsible for protecting the emperor and electors. The emperor is coming, and the electors are coming. The time has come, and all the great nobles of the empire have come.”
"The Imperial Emperor, His Majesty Franz Friedrich, who had just ascended the throne at that time, walked up to Baron Manuel, stood at attention, and saluted him with a military salute, followed by all the electors, to the Duke, and then to The imperial generals and ministers, all the imperial nobles and soldiers paid military salutes to Baron Manuel, and His Majesty the Emperor himself said this."
"The Empire will never forget your contribution. We will always remember your contribution to the Empire. It is your sacrifice that has created the glory of the Empire today. Here, on behalf of all the people of the Empire, I pay my highest tribute to you and the veterans of the Empire. My respect and heartfelt thanks.”
After saying this, Ryan's eyes were a little red. He paused and then said: "Look at Nord again? They use humiliating veterans as a source of happiness and sympathizing with veterans as a sign of their kindness."
"Well, indeed, Nord is a place where the law of the jungle is about the law of the jungle. 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 join the army as instructors and become responsible for public security. The military police." Teresa said casually. It could be seen that the sorceress was not very concerned about this topic. Although the previous story touched her, her path was to pursue the path of arcane magic after all. Instead of caring about the life and death of these civilians.
"Oh, forget it, let's not talk about it. Lord Velarde will hold a banquet in a while. Do you want to come with him?" After Ryan forced the mercenary named Simon to apologize, he naturally let the Blood Ax mercenary The group's favorability towards him has dropped a lot, so he doesn't plan to stay at the dock any longer and plans to go back to the hotel to rest for a while.
"Before I go to the banquet, can you tell me what the banquets of this kind of country aristocrats are like?" The sorceress stared at Lane with her slender eyes and raised the corners of her mouth slightly: "Know-it-all, Mr. Lane?"
"You know-it-all~" Ryan rolled his eyes.
"What about Mr. Sledgehammer?"
"..." The muscles on Ryan's face kept twitching. He was really annoyed by the nickname "Sledgehammer".
This always reminds him of a certain skit in China: "A big hammer is eighty, a 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 unpleasant. This does not mean that "big The nickname "Hammer" is derogatory, but it means that nicknames are often given in this way because they want to show their humbleness to the gods and the world.
Among the eight virtues of knighthood, humility is also an important virtue, isn't it?
If he wants a good nickname, Ryan's current level is far from enough. He needs to become stronger and have a higher reputation.
"The banquet of a country lord is usually a group of people enjoying barbecue, stew and wine in the house. Everyone either stands or sits, eating and talking. Everyone will discuss the recent situation and some business." Ryan nodded first, then shook his head in a self-deprecating manner: "But some lords' banquets will be different. They will be... more open-minded~ for example~ Well, that's what I mean."
"What do you mean?" The sorceress obviously didn't understand.
Ryan snickered, and he made a gesture. The thumb and index finger of the man's right hand pinched together to form a circle in the midwinter air, and then his left index finger passed through the circle, making a quick piling motion and winking. .
"...I really want to cut your head off your neck with an ice arrow." The sorceress immediately understood what the man meant, and her cold and pretty face suddenly turned red, and then immediately turned black. It would be better for those men with stinking bodies to die as far away as possible.
She suddenly didn't want to attend this banquet: "You can go there tonight, I won't go."
"Then go and see that little mercenary? That Banda who broke his arm just to show off his strength in front of you?" Ryan pinched his chin and said with interest: "Oh ~ the beautiful Ms. Teresa came to visit the heroic Mercenary, and gave him a passionate kiss, our cute little mercenary will be so moved that he wets the bed, I’m sure.”
"Tch, the people who admire me can be lined up from the Sea of Chaos to the Roof Mountains of the World. Among them are many of my suitors, that mercenary, Banda? What does he have to do with me?" Teresa looked disdainful. As far as the sorceress is concerned, a mercenary with ordinary strength will definitely be classified as a "useless man". So for her, even if the mercenary is willing to die for her, he will not be able to defeat the sorceress. leaving no shadow in my heart.
The women of the Gloria 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 weren't for the cooperation of the church and the life-saving grace of his father, Ryan would not have planned to get involved with this group of female spellcasters.
Because the Gloria Council has always liked to interfere in politics, some of them married nobles of the kingdom, and then gave orders as wives, and continued to use gatherings to engage in "lady" diplomacy, and then formed their own network of contacts in the hope of gaining wealth. more political voice.
"So you're not going to the party?"
"Do you think I should participate?" The sorceress suddenly stopped and stood with her tall figure, looking at Ryan with a pair of beautiful red phoenix eyes.
"If you are willing to listen to my advice, you should participate, Teresa. Meeting some smelly men and learning about the outside world is better than being locked in your own hotel room and admiring yourself, isn't it?" Due to her mother's instructions, Ryan could only make her own suggestions: "Of course I just suggest you, it is your own consideration whether to go or not. The path of the arcane does not mean hiding in a tower to conduct endless research."
"Okay, see you tonight, Ryan." The sorceress finally nodded. She moved her proud figure, and her long legs wrapped in tight pants and boots disappeared around the corner of the street.
"See you tonight."
After packing up his things, Ryan walked in the other direction of the town. The imperial merchant Oliver's caravan was here. He booked an entire hotel and even a farmhouse next to it. Ryan stayed overnight with him because He didn't plan to stay in this town for long.
There were a lot of people in the caravan, people coming and going, and there were guys and guards constantly carrying things, which should be some goods. Ryan noticed that ores and furs were the majority, and there were also some other commodities.
Loading and unloading has always been a troublesome task.
Ryan walked into the hotel lobby and noticed that Oliver was talking to another richly dressed man.
The half-elf Estelle was standing right behind that man, so if Ryan's prediction was correct, he should be the half-elf's employer—the businessman Mats he called.
Speaking of which, Mats is not a nice name. The name means butt cushion.
"Mr. Lane! Are you back? I heard that a group of water ghosts attacked the pier before. It was Mr. Lane who showed his power and killed the leader of the water ghosts, and then repelled the water ghosts? Mr. Lane is really amazing. Ah." Seeing Ryan come in, Oliver stood up. The imperial businessman looked a little frightened, but Ryan could tell at a glance that he was just faking it.
How could a large town be breached by a group of water ghosts?
"Your combat skills don't look like they were learned here in Nord. They look like... gryphon footwork?" Estelle suddenly said, with some curiosity on the half-elf's face.
"Have you been to the Empire?" Ryan raised his head. For some reason, he didn't have a good impression of this half-elf.
Maybe it's because this half-elf, who has a handsome face and exudes elegance and intellectual aura, is more likely to win the favor of others than him. It is inevitable for men to look down on each other and have some hostility between them.
"Ha~ I have worked for His Excellency Corleone, the Elector of Tuscany for eight years. He has always been reluctant to give up the title of knight. Do you think I don't understand the Empire?" Estelle sneered, and the half-elf asked He found a place and sat down: "So, if nothing unexpected happens, Mr. Lane, your combat skills must be learned from that elder, right?"
"Does it have anything to do with you who I studied under? Listening to what you said, I think I understand the reason, Mr. Estelle, why you didn't even get a stable job after working for Mr. Corleone for eight years." Ryan looked at the handsome half-elf ranger up and down, and suddenly said sarcastically: "Long ears are not an honor, half-elf."
"You!" The half-elf stood up directly, but he immediately realized something and 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 elven pantheon and the god of Phoenix.
This surprised Oliver and Mats. The arrogant half-elf didn't care about this kind of thing with Ryan? You know, elves don't like people referring to them with long ears.
What surprised them even more was Ryan's expression. The expression of this knight from the Kingdom of Nord was very strange, including anger, surprise, and even a hint of... happiness and relief?
"I'm going back to my room first! Don't disturb me yet. Wait until I come out to talk about anything!" After a pause, Ryan immediately said to the two businessmen present. Oliver and Mats both nodded subconsciously.
After speaking, Ryan rushed to his room without looking back. He closed the door tightly and then closed all the doors and windows.
The man stood alone in his room, seeming to be welcoming something.
Gradually, in the cold and quiet room, pale golden energy slowly appeared, and an energy full of unparalleled majesty and sacredness flashed through the room.
Ryan was gradually surrounded by this mysterious energy.
In the sea of consciousness, endless golden light spread around Ryan. The flashing golden light was like running water, constantly rotating, colliding, and merging together. Ryan only felt that his consciousness was shining among the stars, but it seemed like I was trembling as if I was at the top of Mount Tai.
It wasn't until a golden figure flashed out of the light that the terrible pressure subsided slightly.
"I speak to you from afar, my son!"
"I really don't want to be your son! I have a father on earth, 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 self-deprecatingly to the golden figure. There was some dissatisfaction on his face, but more of a sense of relief.
"You are my son, ever since you accepted my genes, Ryan, you are my son, the youngest and youngest among my sons." The golden figure did not waver at all, he just used He continued in a gentle tone.
"...Okay, I finally have a place where I can beat Mr. Lu of Tianchao." Ryan had no choice. He could even feel the strong blood resonance in his body. The blood in his body was cheering. He His bones made sounds 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.
Who is this person? Hehehe~ I don’t know either.