Soul of Burning Steel

When standing in front of this door, there was still a little fear and expectation in my heart.

The unique freshness of the northern frozen soil in summer. With the long wind rolling across the street, the light in the pyroxene lamp will not tremble at all because of the steps of the bustling crowd. The special carriage that leads directly to the lord’s mansion from the airship landing site is the light of the evening sunset. I disappeared at the corner of the intersection, and I had arrived at my destination.

Northland, the gate of the Lord's Palace of Moldavia. I muttered the name silently in my heart: at the door of the house of Earl Radcliffe.

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

In fact, I have seen Earl Radcliffe a long time ago. I saw him at the Royal Library on the day I just returned to the imperial capital from the battlefield. He is not very old, but his strength But far surpassed me, and his attitude was more like my elders, not his peers. He even showed me his source of power, Potestasofpugna, the power of fighting.

For this generous and young legendary powerhouse, I always have an inexplicable emotion in my heart... fear? In awe? disgust? No, this illusory feeling is difficult to explain in words, but it definitely includes respect because of his integrity. Earl Radcliffe is a powerful warrior, morally as impeccable as his strength, you know, I have seen countless morally degraded nobles and warriors who take pleasure in killing enemy women and children in battlefields and private places. , Although every orc deserves to die, the crime of torture and killing has nothing to do with who the other party is.

"His Royal Highness, come in, your lord 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. Looking around, there were no extravagant plants or furnishings. A small piece of artificial lake seemed to be very deep. The most labor-intensive facility here. Not to mention a legendary powerhouse, even for an ordinary field earl, it seems too shabby. Although I knew he was a pure person who didn't care about anything except fighting, this scene still disappointed me a bit.

The strong should not be like this.

Perhaps, I have probably found the truth about that inexplicable emotion, with respect and disappointment.

Going through the courtyard and walking into the gate of the Lord’s Mansion under the guidance of the maid, I thought so. Joshua did not fulfill her duties.

It is not the responsibility and obligation of human beings or nobles. In this regard, Earl Radcliffe is not wrong. He protects his people, expels beast tides, slays mad dragons, and runs for the whole world. He is willing to protect the weak and slay evil. This is what the big heroes in the legend can do. I don’t doubt that for hundreds of years. Later, the story of the hero Joshua will spread on this land.

But it is precisely because of this that I feel illusory.

In the lord’s mansion, the ancient solemn design drags out a hazy shadow in the dim light of the fluorite lamp, but this scene is unexpectedly calm. I try to cover up my emotions as much as possible, but my thinking continues to be in the gloom. spread.

Yes, that's it, too perfect and too illusory. In the battlefield, I have seen how a few brave and fearless combat heroes in the propaganda are in private, drunken and violent, **** who beat the subordinates, and I also understand how indecisive the generals who are wise and powerful in the battle report are after losing their staff. Nothing can do nothing. I have known for a long time that there are so many filthy truths behind the many evocative stories. The greater the merits of Earl Radcliffe, the more I can't help but wonder what the secret behind him...No one is perfect. This is the truth I believe in.

But the important thing is here: he does not have any negative news. This makes me feel extremely illusory in addition to respect.

In the dim light, following the guidance of the maid through the narrow corridor, I walked towards the reception hall. I have seen the half-hidden door, and also felt a strong pressure that made me kneel and kneel down. This pressure is not directed at ordinary people who just serve here, but only at people like me. Such an extraordinary person, the pressure is the same as when he met his father in the palace, and it is as powerful and irreversible.

At the thought of meeting with a legendary powerhouse that is familiar and unfamiliar, darkness swells in my heart.

why? It seems that my strong teeth are biting my heart, and a feeling of itching is spreading from the depths of my soul. I stopped and took a deep breath. The maid in front of me smiled in understanding. She probably thought I was a little nervous. It was true, but the details were quite different. I was just wondering.

A legendary powerhouse! It can be called the highest level in the whole world! How can they live in peace?

Why did Joshua Van Radcliffe happily nest in a small place like the Northland? And my father, in the name of iron-blooded, cold-hearted, even his son, the emperor who didn't put much love into him, how could he endure the appearance of another legend to undermine his authority? Why can the two of these two cooperate so firmly, even the many rumors circulating in the palace and the people can not add much doubt to them?

They should be just like those rumors-at war, with each other on guard and vigilance, even when they meet each other-they should have a duel, or who will lead the future of this empire? Who has the highest right to speak? I'm not thinking about putting the entire empire into the flames of war, but just thinking...this world shouldn't be so beautiful. It should be a little worse. Even though it will make sentient beings into misery, I might die because of it, but that's normal.

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

This is disease. A demon lurking in my heart because of years of dark life, the scene of my mother's death is the source of this nightmare. I know this is wrong, but I can't help but think too much. I don’t want to be a disciple of a legendary strong man, but I want to know how the man who has been seen before, but has become very strange, sees the world, and how he gradually makes this full of wars and disputes , The world that began to decay from the bones has gradually become as vibrant and hopeful as it is now.

This is why I, Dimoore Diamond, came here.

======

As the door opened silently, I couldn't help but sit up from the big chair padded with cashmere, nervously, but then I immediately realized my gaffe, and then slowed down in the calm gaze of the legendary powerhouse beside me. Sit down slowly, then looked at the silent comer.

It's Dimoore Diamond, and it really is him, my brother.

This young man, who has always looked a little gloomy, has a calm expression, but I can see that the corners of his mouth are slightly pulled down, which proves that his mood is not good, or rather nervous, just like I am now.

Who said no? Except for those who have been familiar with Earl Radcliffe for a long time, 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 mother and the queen were very happy about the father's decision. Although he was a little dissatisfied with the second emperor brother's going to go there, he sneered and said that it didn't matter. "Alva, he can't be your competitor." While bending over to cut her new potted plant, the queen said casually: "I know his character, I have always known it, just like his unwillingness to subdue to others. , Like an arrogant mother."

Of course I don't know what kind of person the second emperor brother's mother is, nor do I know what kind of person the second emperor brother is, but I know that I am weak compared to the other person. So I shouldn't have any luck and arrogance, but try to be myself as much as possible.

Speaking of the weak, I couldn’t help but look at the man beside me who was slowly closing the book in his hand. In front of people like Earl Radcliffe and his father, besides the gods, who would dare to claim to be strong? What? But that book... "Spin of Time"? The latest best-selling dark mystery novel? Unexpectedly, Mr. Earl would like to watch it too, which was unexpected.

I thought that the strong, apart from the mystery all day long, only had cultivation.

"well."

A simple and powerful voice came from his side, and the pressure spread slightly, but he was controlled by the legendary powerhouse. I could sense the emotion of Earl Radcliffe slowly getting serious: “It’s a good habit not to be late. If we are all together, then we should 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 to speak: "Your father, that is, the imperial emperor, Islay You entrusted me to teach you the two sons he likes. He wants you to be my disciples, and you should also understand what this means."

Of course understand. I curled my lips slightly, a disciple of a legendary strong man, for the next battle for the crown prince, this can be said to be a ghost card, not to mention that it also means a rapid increase in strength and a death certificate. This is also the reason why the queen must let me strive to become a disciple, even if I actually don't intend for the throne.

To be honest, the only attraction of the throne to me is probably to make the world better as much as possible. After all, if only the prince, many things would not be possible.

As if feeling my absent-mindedness, Earl Radcliffe glanced at me. I was so scared that I immediately sat upright and posed, and his voice continued: "But don’t think I will accept you as disciples. , I’m very demanding. I don’t mean talent, but your mind. 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 but 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 couldn't help feeling a little excited.

======

As the setting sun sinks, the dim orange light fades from the canopy of the tall iron pine tree halfway up the mountain. A winter sparrow is going in and out of the hole behind the branches, making the brown needles that gradually fall off become part of its warm nest—but Soon after, the hard-working bird stopped its actions, because it keenly noticed that something huge was passing by.

Taking the two princes through the forest, Joshua could feel the doubts that were gradually rising in the hearts of Dimore and Alva, but he remained silent and let this emotion spread.

"Where are we going?"

Walking between the mountain roads, Di Moore took the lead to speak. He felt that there was a familiar taste in all this. Similar scenes seemed to have happened not long ago, and this made him puzzled: "My lord, if we are going to hurry, we You can fly over."

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

"Actually, it's already here."

Without paying attention to the interaction between the two brothers in secret, the warrior stepped over a hillside, and his vision suddenly became clear. Standing on the ridge of the Great Aas Mountains, Joshua looked around the southern half of the Northland. The night had fallen, and the forests everywhere. The lights in the village were shining, and he said casually: "Actually, just as you think, this is not much different from the time Israel took you through the entire empire. My purpose is actually the same as his. , I want you princes to see what this world really looks like."

"I've seen it." Di Moore frowned. He thought of what he had been experiencing, and shook his head dissatisfiedly: "I'm not the kind of person who was born with a golden key and was raised by a noblewoman. When I was young, I followed the military travels, and of course I knew what the world really looked like."

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

Regarding the words of the two princes complaining, Joshua did not care. He stared at the villages with a faint smile on his face, and said to himself: "In the past, you may have seen a lot of hidden The darkness under the glamorous appearance of this world—the fish boss who exploited the fishermen, the landlord who annexed the land, the merchant who hoarded food commodities to cause riots, and the dark side of all kinds of people’s hearts, but that belonged to the emperor who needed to consider cutting off, and What I am going to say today is irrelevant."

He spoke in a calm tone. Joshua did not deliberately ask Dimore and Alva to listen to him, but the two of them couldn't help but listen carefully: "Do you know what courage is?"

courage? Familiar vocabulary. Dimoore closed his eyes. Even if he emptied his brain, his instinct would make him casually report seven or eight definitions of this word and inflammatory speeches about it. It was one of the most important things the military emphasized during the war. Discipline is juxtaposed and is engraved in the first article of the military training of the Royal Legion. He was so familiar with it that he was a little bored.

Courage...Alva is thoughtful. He also knows this vocabulary very well. Whether it is a myth or a legend, this vocabulary is repeatedly emphasized. Although the second prince never had the opportunity to experience courage in person, he still knew it in his heart. There is a kind of inexplicable kindness.

"My disciple can have no talent or strength. He can long for a peaceful life like a plant, or he can long 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 smooth and without ups and downs, but his words were very clear: "But absolutely not, without courage."

"You missed the fog of God and Evil, that is the best way to test courage. Several of my registered students have passed that test, but it is not important. We have opportunities."

Withdrawing his gaze from the distant mountain village, the soldier who seemed to have found the target finally turned his head and looked at Dimore and Alva: "Israel promised me that you are all good boys with courage, but in my opinion, It’s not like that."

"Why do you say that?" Dimoore was not as anxious as Joshua's remarks. He calmed down and asked, "You should know that I have fought orcs and faced stone rhino cavalry face-to-face. I don’t think it’s something a courageous coward can do."

And Alva shrugged. He did not have any examples to prove himself, but he didn't think he was a weak fellow.

In response, Joshua smiled, 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 reaches the center of the village from afar. In the light curtain, the gray sky above the village is reflected. With the orange-red fire, the moist mist at night was reflected by the light, and it retreated to the corner of a few abandoned houses.

Obviously, this is a small hunter village common in the Northland. It lives on hunting prey in the mountains and forests and cultivating winter wheat. This kind of village has rarely changed once in more than ten years. Hunters hardly leave themselves except for selling fur. In their native land, they even exclude 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 through most of the empire in the night of three days. They had seen more than a dozen similar villages. They wanted Asked suspiciously why Joshua wanted them to watch this ordinary scene, but the subsequent changes made them watch with bated breath.

In the center of the light curtain, in a semi-destroyed house, a seemingly ordinary hunter boy tossed and turned with his bow, and a few salted fish and dried rabbit meat were basked by the cracked window. The fire outside the house was reflected in his eyes, staring 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, it has been the Kuroshio and the dragon disaster. Many of them are far away from the main city and the reinforcements come. Chi’s villages have lost a lot of adult labor as a result. Many underage children can only struggle to survive alone, because other people in the village have the same hard life and cannot help them. Some vicious people even make a living by exploiting these children. .

Such days have been going on for a long time. This can be seen from the thin arms and deep sunken cheeks of the teenager. Anyone can see that such a poor life is a chronic suicide for an adolescent teenager. If he still can't get enough food to grow, he can't hunt prey by himself even as an adult, and finally has to become a waste person.

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

—Can’t go on like this.

Unable to sleep peacefully because of hunger, the unknown hunter boy suddenly sat up from the wooden bed with only hemp. His mouth was so clear under the light curtain, and the light revealed in his eyes made everything even more so. Everyone knew what he meant—and in the next instant, he took up the dried meat and salted fish by the window, his only food reserve, and then he lurked in the dark and walked along the rocky avenue. Walked into the distance.

"Since the construction of these rocky roads, dozens of such mountain people who originally lived in mountain villages have gone to the main city of Moldavia almost every day. He is not the first and not the last."

Qiao Xiuya calmly recounted at this time: "What I have to tell you is that the mountain people are extremely nostalgic for their homeland. They are so ignorant that they almost never leave their hometown. In terms of this village alone, It has been almost thirty years since no one has walked out of it. He is the first one."

"What's the meaning of this?" Di Moore was a little hard to understand: "Even if he leaves the village and comes to the main city, he may not be able to live comfortably, let alone the dangers that may be encountered by the roadside."

"And this is the point." The soldier replied, "This is courage."

"He knows what he has to face—unfamiliar environment, dangerous roads and all kinds of accidents, but even so, he still wants to go out and have a look. He is willing to bear these dangerous consequences. This is the only point. The guys who stayed in the mountain village as hunters are different."

Facing Dimoore's still somewhat disapproving gaze, Joshua gave a chuckle. He lowered his head and watched the boy who was moving along the stone road towards the main city of Moldavia: "You may only see a boy who is ignorant. And reckless behavior, but I saw a man made the most important choice in his life. Dimoore, you think too much, anyone can become anyone, but the odds are high and low, as long as you have the courage, an orphan You can also become a true warrior, and an unknown little person can also become the emperor of the empire."

"I want to help him."

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

"Go, your choice is your freedom."

Before the other party could explain, Joshua waved his hand and signaled that Alva could move freely. However, with permission, the seventh prince happily followed the instructions of the light curtain and ran in the direction of the young hunter.

After that, the soldier turned his head and looked at Dimoor, who was still frowning and incomprehensible. He looked at the previous imperial emperor: "I can see that you are wondering... You said you have courage, but in fact you just follow the rules. , The general orders you to move forward, you move forward, Israel tells you to come back, you come back, Dimoore, this is not courage, it is just drifting with the flow, you have not made any choice about your life at all. "

"Israel told me that he has told you what the way of the king is, and he wants me to teach you what the way of the strong is. This is actually very simple, that is, make the choice you want, and then carry it. All the consequences of it."

Facing such serious words from a legendary powerhouse, even Di Moore could not help taking a step back, but then he stopped. The second prince was silent for a while, and his eyes flickered and said: "But there are always choices that will bring unbearable consequences... Many wars are the same, and many killings are the same."

There was something in his words, but the soldier knew what he meant.

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

Without replying to Di Moore, Joshua withdrew his gaze. He turned his head to look at the lights in the north, and his heart was very calm.

The Great Demon Tide has come, and the world is changing. In this environment, many stubborn people and groups have made changes. Countless heroes stand out from the ordinary. Most of the future powerhouses and heroes have nothing at the beginning, but they The difference from other ordinary people is that they think they can do more and they dare to make choices.

Reminiscing about the names that rushed out during the invasion of the abyss, Joshua was a little surprised, but then he took his thoughts back. He noticed that Alva was returning from the foot of the mountain with the dazed hunter boy, and the warrior whispered. : "If you want to help, just help. Although Alva doesn't know anything about this, he knows what he wants to do. He wants to help when he sees someone encountering difficulties, and he knows that he has to take responsibility for the follow-up. , This is also a kind of courage."

"I won't teach you how to become a ruler. I will only show you what courage is and what choice is. The strong does not need majesty, nor kindness and cruelty. He only needs to stand firm on his goals, and then just like that. Keep going, I hope you can become such a strong person, 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 only indifference could be seen from them. There is no desire for power, no majesty, and no desire for **** in his eyes. He can only see the reflected stars in it, that is the whole world.

I understand. Suddenly he thought of this in his heart. This man has never cared about those, rights, majesty, and right to speak. He, and his emperor's father, the two of them had never cared about these things, they cared about higher things, 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, as pioneers, have expectations of everyone.

But those are all I have.

Di Moore suddenly laughed. He also turned his head and looked at the little villages in the north. The eyes of the second prince were burning as if they could 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 to be unable to be so lofty, to fight for order, the world and everything in the world, even if the fateful day comes, my reason must be more realistic: for my authority and desire Fight.

This is true no matter who the opponent is, whether it is a rotten nobleman, or those aliens, or other countries or even other world demons.

"I probably understand what my choice is."

He said so, and then bowed slightly to Joshua: "Thank you for your teachings." Behind Di Moore, some Alva who didn't understand what was going on came to the warrior with the hunter boy who had been panting.

A few days later.

The news that Alva, the Seventh Prince, became a named disciple of the Northland Earl spread throughout the imperial capital.

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