"Then my world would collapse. I would instinctively think that, Father, you must be the mastermind behind everything, hiding in the shadows. My reason and calmness would be buried by anger and madness. I might end up like some of my brothers, embracing the Chaos." Laine frowned. He walked towards his father face to face, but passed by him, reaching behind him: "But I am always alone. I don’t get your guidance, I have no help, no brothers, no legion of my own, I don’t even have a territory of my own. How do I fight against that which can devour the world?"
"But you have time, my son. Thanks to the Savior’s efforts, although the next invasion won’t be too long from now, it won’t happen immediately. You still have plenty of time to build your own force, to form your own legion." The golden figure turned around, revealing a faint smile for the first time: "Fortunately, my plan was quite successful. From the current situation, the Chaos hasn’t discovered your trail. You can..."
"Yes, much like a great Creator issuing orders to his creations? Father, I am me, you are you. I am your son but not your servant. You have no love; I am the sharp sword in your hand, not the son you cherish. You gave me genes and life, yet expect me to repay with my life." Laine harshly interrupted the black-haired man’s words.
The black-haired man fell silent. His complexion changed, becoming as icy as the coldest void in the universe: "I have no choice."
"Yes, I also have no choice, so I can only call you Father." Laine laughed self-deprecatingly.
In the golden light and shadow, father and son stood silently facing each other.
"Everything depends on you, my son. All I can do is keep watching you in the cold void, in this dark era..." The black-haired man whispered, then his voice rose again: "You are not alone, Laine. You will never walk alone. In this world, there are also people full of hope, radiating great light, expelling evil, fighting against foreign invaders."
"Unite with them, when that day arrives, you will face it together." The black-haired man continued, the golden radiance on him shining brighter with his words: "One person cannot accomplish everything. You are very weak, you are without support. This is also part of my plan. Of course, I could make you a child of some great noble or royal family, but accompanying that is..."
"The attention of evil and assassination. I’ve heard that the most famous genius of the empire, the eldest son of the Wittelsbach family, Bruck, showed remarkable talent from the age of four, but was killed by the Chaos Chosen Killer, ’Eavesdropper’, at nine." Laine nodded deeply. At one point, he resented his father’s choice, but undeniably, a major reason for his smooth growth so far was that he didn’t attract the Chaos’ attention.
Otherwise, as a child, he definitely wouldn’t have been able to resist those terrifying Chaos Assassins.
"So what should I do now?" Laine seemed both to be complaining and seeking affirmation, proactively asking the golden figure.
"Going south is the right choice. As for what comes next, you already have a plan in your heart. The fledgling never learns to fly under its mother’s wing." The light flashed across the eagle statue behind the black-haired man: "Alright, this meeting ends here."
"One last question, Father."
"My fertility, it should be fine, right?"
"...It should be fine."
The tall golden figure gradually disappeared from Laine’s mind. Finally, the black-haired man added: "Your recent series of brave actions have drawn Yurik’s attention. The presence of Yurik... you will know in due time."
Yurik, White Wolf War God, once descended to fight against Chaos. It is said that during Emperor Charlemagne’s coronation, it was Yurik’s Chosen One who placed the crown on his head.
However, the empire neither acknowledges nor denies this now. The White Wolf War God’s overly competitive and harsh teachings do not align well with the empire’s current needs. The White Wolf Church is somewhat weaker compared to the founding of the empire, still considered a major sect.
"I understand." Laine nodded. Whether he wished it or not, his father’s appearance ultimately eased a lot of his pressure.
He actually understood why his father couldn’t exert effort. Although this was their first direct communication, his father had appeared in his dreams many times before, and he already knew what his next task was. For original chapters go to N0velFire.ɴet
But understanding is one thing; dissatisfaction must be vented. Sometimes Laine felt world was a large prison. Only when he learned from his father that he had no choice did Laine feel a bit better.
Opening his room door, Laine’s pupils suddenly contracted. The Half-Elf stood at the door with a complex expression, looking at him: "Was that... an oracle just now?"
"Please don’t eavesdrop on others’ conversations, Mr. Estelle." Laine responded helplessly but was in good spirits and was happy to say a few more words: "Sort of."
"Faith makes us strong. I’ve seen your skills, Mr. Laine. Let me reintroduce myself; I am Estelle-Windstorm, from the Saint Lorenzo Forest, a believer of the Lord of Phoenix." The Half-Elf proactively extended his right hand.
"Hello, ’Great Hammer’ Laine. There’s not much else for me to introduce; I believe you already know." Laine also extended his hand for a shake.
Since the Half-Elf took the initiative to reconcile, Laine saw no reason to hold grudges. The virtues of a knight are humility and courtesy.
"I am glad you have reconciled. However, I may have to interrupt your conversation." Oliver approached with a smile: "The evening banquet is about to start soon, my two friends. You can continue your conversation on the way."
"How long was I in there?" Laine suddenly realized that his communication with his father likely took quite some time.
"A little over an hour, Mr. Laine. The banquet is about to start." Another merchant, Mats, approached. He was already dressed in formal attire, which fit better than Oliver’s, who, due to his obesity, had his buttons stretched tight. Mats was slimmer, making his attire appear more fitting: "We can discuss any matters on the way."
"Alright, just a moment, I’ll change my clothes." Laine quickly changed into clean attire, and the four of them left the inn together.
The invited ones were just two merchants and the Half-Elf. Laine didn’t know how the Half-Elf got invited, but as he saw it, with his elegant demeanor and handsome appearance, getting an invitation to such a local lord’s banquet shouldn’t be hard for him.
"Any progress on the matter, Mr. Oliver?" Laine asked, smiling, while riding on his tall horse.
"There is some progress. We’re planning for several caravans to unite and hire a few Mercenary Corps lingering in this town to set out together." Oliver nodded, and another merchant, Mats, indicated that he was part of this plan.
"I’ve met with Billger. His Gray Blade Mercenary Corps has decent combat strength. If we encounter ordinary mountain bandits, dealing with them shouldn’t be an issue." The Half-Elf, elegant as always, flicked his golden long hair and nodded: "Even if we met formidable enemies, they are not without the strength to fight."
"Can his mercenary corps match a Nord Infantry Company?" Laine became interested.
A standard Nord Infantry Company has one knight, five cavalry, and twenty-five to eighty infantry.
"Mr. Laine, we’re unlikely to reach a conclusion just by discussing among ourselves. You’ll know when we get there." Oliver laughed.
"True, let’s go!" Laine didn’t linger on the matter.