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

The fresh scent of summer in the northern tundra swept through the streets with the long wind, the glow of the pyroxene lamps did not tremble in the slightest with the footsteps of the bustling crowd, and the special carriage that led from the airship landing field to the lord's mansion disappeared around the corner of the junction in the light of the evening sunset, and I had reached my destination.

Northland, the gate of the Lordship of Moldavia. I silently recited the name in my mind: at the door of the Earl Radcliffe's residence.

He should have noticed my arrival a long time ago, and for a legendary powerhouse, it wasn't that difficult.

Actually, I had met Count Radcliffe a long time ago, in the Grand Royal Library on the day I had just returned from the battlefield to the Imperial Capital, he was not very old, but he was far superior to me in strength, and in terms of attitude he was more like my elder than his peers, and he even showed me the source of his power, Potestas of pugna, the power of battle.

I always have an inexplicable emotion in my heart for this generous and young legendary powerhouse...... Fear? Awe? Abhor? No, it's hard to put into words this illusory feeling, but it definitely includes respect because of his integrity. Count Radcliffe was a formidable warrior, as invincious as his moral might, and I had seen countless morally depraved nobles and warriors who took pleasure in killing the women and children of their enemies on the battlefield and in their private lands, and although every orc deserved to die, the evil act of torture had nothing to do with who the other was.

"Your Highness Demoore, please come in, your lord is waiting for you."

The doorman bowed, respectfully opened the door, and I followed a maid who had been waiting here into the courtyard of the lord's palace, and looked around, there were no extravagant plants or ornaments, and a small artificial lake that seemed to be deep was probably 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 that he was a pure man who cared about nothing but fighting, I was a little disappointed by the scene.

The strong should not be like this.

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

Walking through the courtyard and leading the maid into the gate of the Lord's Palace, I thought. Joshua did not do his duty.

It is not the duty or duty of men or nobles in this regard, and in this respect the Count of Radcliffe is not wrong. He protects his people, banishes the tide of beasts, slays the dragon, runs for the whole world, he is willing to protect the weak, kill the evil, this is what only the great heroes in the legends do, and I have no doubt that in hundreds of years, the story of the hero Joshua will spread in this land.

But that's what makes me feel unreal.

In the Lord's Mansion, the ancient and solemn design dragged out hazy shadows in the dim light of the fluorite lamp, but this scene was unexpectedly calming, and I tried my best to hide my emotions, but my thoughts continued to spread in the darkness.

Yes, that's it, too perfect and too illusory. On the battlefield, I have seen how several heroic and fearless battle heroes in propaganda are drunk, irascible and beaten up in private, and I have learned how indecisive and incompetent the generals who are wise and martial in the war report are after losing their staff officers, and are so incompetent that they cannot do anything. I have long known that there are many filthy truths behind many singing and crying stories, and the greater the Earl Radcliffe's exploits, the more I cannot help but wonder what secrets lie behind him...... No one is perfect, and that's 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 in addition to respect.

In the dim light, following the maid's guidance through the narrow corridor, I walked to the reception hall. I had seen the ajar door, and I felt the same powerful pressure that I could not help but kneel into, not against ordinary people who merely serve here, but only against transcendents like me, and this pressure was as powerful and irreversible as when I met my father in the palace.

The thought of meeting a legendary powerhouse who was both familiar and strange made darkness swell in my heart.

Why? It was as if the sharp teeth were biting at my heart, and the tingling sensation spread from the depths of my soul. I stopped, took a deep breath, and the maid in front of me smiled understandingly, she probably thought I was a little nervous, which was true, but the details were very different, I was just confused.

A legendary powerhouse! It's the top of the whole world! How can they live in peace?

How could Joshua van Radcliffe be willing to live in a small place like the Northlands? And how could my father, His Majesty the Emperor, who was known for his iron blood and coldness, and who did not devote much love even to his own son, could endure the appearance of another legend to dilute his authority? Why were these two people able to cooperate so firmly, even the many rumors that were widely circulated in the palace and the people could not add much doubt to them?

They should be like the rumors – saber-rattling, wary of each other, even fighting each other – and they should be divided into a duel, or who will dominate the future of this empire? Who has the highest voice? I'm not trying to plunge the empire into flames, I'm just thinking ...... The world shouldn't be so good. It should be a little bit worse, so that even though it will cause sentient beings to suffer and I may die because of it, that would be normal.

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

It's a 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 it's wrong, but I can't help but think too much about it. I don't want to be a disciple of a legendary powerhouse, but I want to know how the man I once saw but who has become an unusually strange person sees the world, and how he has gradually made this world, which is full of war and strife, and which has begun to decay from the bones, gradually become as vibrant and hopeful as it is now.

That's why I, Dimore Delmond, are here.

======

As the door opened silently, I nervously sat up from the large cashmere-covered chair, but then I immediately realized my gaffe, and then slowly sat down under the calm gaze of the legendary powerhouse beside me, and then looked at the silent comer.

It was Dimore Delmond, and sure enough, it was him, my brother.

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

Who's to say it isn't? Except for those who have long been familiar with Earl Radcliffe, no matter who is facing a legend, it is helpless, like ordinary people encounter dragons.

Sitting quietly in my chair, my thoughts couldn't help but drift a little away.

The queen mother was very happy with her father's decision, although he was a little dissatisfied with the fact that the second emperor brother was also going, but then he sneered and said that it didn't matter. "Alva, there's no way he's going to be your rival." The Queen Mother bent down to cut her new potted plant and said nonchalantly: "I know his character, and I have always known it, just like his arrogant mother, who does not want to be subservient. ”

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

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, who would dare to claim to be strong except for the gods? But that book ...... "The Cockroach of Time"? The best-selling dark suspense lately? I didn't expect Mr. Earl to like to watch it too, it was really unexpected.

I thought that in addition to being mysterious and secret all day long, the only thing a strong person could do was to cultivate.

"Good."

A concise and powerful voice came from his side, the pressure spread slightly, but it was controlled by the legendary powerhouse, and I could sense the Earl Radcliffe's emotions slowly becoming serious: "It's a good habit to not be late." Now that everyone is together, then it is time to start. ”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a stool appeared behind my imperial brother, who sat down a little bewildered, and then the count continued: "Your father, that is, the Emperor, Israel has entrusted me with teaching you the two sons whom he favors. He wants you to be my disciples, and you should know what that means. ”

Of course I do. I pursed my lips slightly, a disciple of a legendary powerhouse, 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 certificate of avoiding death. That's why the Queen Mother had to ask me to become a disciple, even if I didn't actually want to be on the throne.

To be honest, the only attraction of the throne to me is probably to be able to make the world as good as possible, after all, if you are just a prince, many things cannot be done.

As if sensing my absent-mindedness, Count Radcliffe glanced at me, and I was so frightened that I immediately sat up straight and posed, while his voice continued: "But don't think that I will directly accept you as a disciple, I am very demanding, not to say talent, but to your mind." But you don't have to guess about that, because today I'm going to take you out and teach my first class. ”

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

He is a completely different person from his father.

When I think about it, I can't help but feel a little excited.

======

As the sun sets, a dim orange glow fades from the canopy of the tall iron pine trees halfway up the mountainside, and a winter finch is moving back and forth in the hollow behind the branches, making the peeling brown needles part of its warm nest – but before long the industrious bird stops its tracks, as it keenly notices that something behemoth is passing by.

Carrying the two princes through the mountains and forests, Joshua could feel the doubts that were gradually rising in the hearts of Dimore and Alva, but he remained silent and allowed this emotion to spread.

"Where are we going?"

Walking between the mountain paths, Dimore was the first to speak, and he felt that there was a familiar smell to all this, and a similar scene seemed to have happened not long ago, and it made him wonder: "My lord, if we are in a hurry, we can fly over." ”

Alva, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and sighed: he hadn't reached the Golden Realm yet, and the flight was a bit far away for him.

"Actually, it's already here."

Not paying attention to the secret interaction between the two brothers, the warrior crossed a small hillside, and his vision suddenly opened up - standing on the ridge of the Great Ajax Mountains, Joshua looked around the small half of the southern part of the Northland, night had fallen, and the lights in the forest villages everywhere were shining, and he said a little carelessly: "Actually, just as you think, this is not much different from the time Israel took you all over the empire, and my purpose is actually the same as him, I want you princes to see the real world as it is." ”

"I've seen it." Dimore frowned, he thought of what he had been experiencing, and shook his head dissatisfiedly: "I am not the kind of person who was born with a golden key and raised by a noble lady - I have been traveling with the army since I was a child, and of course I know what the world is really like. ”

"My father took us to see it once." Alva muttered, "I don't think it's useful to watch it again, we can't do anything right now." ”

Qiao Sia didn't care about the complaints of the two princes, he looked at the villages, with a faint smile on his face, and said to himself: "In the past, you may have seen a lot of darkness hidden under the glossy façade of this world—the fish bosses who exploited the fishermen, the landlords who annexed the land, the merchants who hoarded food and commodities and caused riots, and the dark side of the human heart of all kinds, but that is something that the emperor needs to consider cutting off, and it has nothing to do with what I am going to talk about today. ”

He spoke in a calm tone, and Joshua didn't deliberately ask Dimore and Alva to listen to him, but both of them couldn't help but listen: "Do you know what courage is? ”

Guts? Familiar vocabulary. Dimore closed his eyes, and his instinct to let him out seven or eight definitions of the word and incendiary speeches about it, was one of the most emphasized things in the army during wartime, and it was inscribed in the first article of the Royal Legion's military discipline, alongside discipline. He was so familiar with it that he was a little bored.

Guts...... Alva was thoughtful, he also knew a lot about this word, whether it was myths and legends, it was repeatedly emphasized in it, although the second prince had never had the opportunity to experience courage firsthand, but there was an inexplicable kindness in his heart.

"My disciple can have no talent, he can have no strength, he can long for a peaceful life like a plant, or he can long for power and strive to be a superior man."

didn't look back at the expressions of the two princes, but Joshua knew that the two of them had different attitudes, his tone was still flat and did not fluctuate, but every word was very clear: "But absolutely not, no courage." ”

"You missed the Mist of Doom, that's the best way to test your courage, several of my named students have passed that, but it doesn't matter, we have a chance."

Retracting his gaze from the distant mountain village, the warrior who seemed to have found his target finally turned his head to look at Dimore and Alva: "Israel promised me that you are all good boys with courage, but in my opinion, this is not the case. ”

"Why do you say that?" In response to Joshua's almost disparaging speech, Dimore was not as agitated as before, he calmed down and asked, "You should know that I have fought against the orcs and faced the charge of the stone rhino cavalry head-on, I don't think that is something that a coward without courage can do." ”

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

At this, Joshua smiled, he waved his hand, and a light curtain reflecting the distant mountain village appeared in front of everyone's eyes.

It was an ordinary village on the edge of the forest, probably because of its proximity to a small river, and there were three watermills near the village, and a rocky road from a distance to the center of the village, in which the gray sky above the village reflected the orange-red firelight, and the wet mist of the night was reflected by this light, and retreated to the corners of several abandoned houses.

Obviously, this is a common hunter village in the Northlands, where they make a living by hunting prey in the mountains and forests and cultivating winter wheat, and this kind of village rarely changes once in a dozen years, and the hunters rarely leave their homeland except to go out to sell their furs, and they even exceptionally reject the entry of outsiders unless they can bring them benefits.

Neither Dimore nor Alva were strangers to such villages, not long ago, they and Israel had traveled through most of the empire in three days and nights, and they had already seen more than a dozen similar villages, and they had wanted to ask Joshua in confusion why they had shown such an 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-deserted house, a seemingly ordinary hunter boy tossed and turned with his bow, a few salted fish and rabbit jerky drying by the broken window, and his eyes reflected the fire outside the house, staring in amazement at the empty house except him. Obviously, his parents should have left him forever because of some accident, this kind of thing is not uncommon, especially in recent years, it has been the Black Tide, and the Dragon Disaster, many villages that are far away from the main city and have come late to send reinforcements have lost a lot of adult labor, and many minor children can only struggle to survive alone, because the rest of the village lives equally hard and cannot help them, and some vicious people even exploit these children for a living.

Such days have been going on for a long time, as can be seen from the boy's thin arms and deeply sunken cheeks, and anyone can see that such a life of poverty is a slow suicide for an adolescent boy, and if he does not have enough food to develop, he will not be able to hunt prey alone even if he is an adult, and will eventually become a cripple.

In this regard, Dimore looked at this scene indifferently, unable to see what was going on 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, the unknown young hunter sat up abruptly from the wooden bed with only hemp, his mouth so clear in the light curtain, and the light in his eyes that everyone understood what he meant—and in the next moment, he neatly scooped up the dried meat and salted fish by the window, the only food he had left, and then lurked in the night, walking along the rocky avenue into the distance.

"Since the construction of these rocky roads, almost every day dozens of these mountain dwellers, who originally lived in mountain villages, have traveled to the main city of Moldavia, and he is not the first, nor the last."

"I must tell you that the mountain people are so attached to their homeland that they are so ignorant that they almost never leave their homeland, and he is the first one in this village alone that no one has walked out of it for almost thirty years. ”

"What's the point?" Dimore was a little puzzled: "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 on the side of the road." ”

"And that's exactly what the point is." The warrior replied: "This is courage. ”

"He knew what he was up against—unfamiliar circumstances, dangerous roads, and all sorts of accidents—but even so, he wanted to go out and see, and he was willing to bear the consequences, unlike those who have been staying in the mountains as hunters."

Facing Dimore's still somewhat disapproving gaze, Joshua chuckled, and he lowered his head to look at the young man who was moving along the stone path in the direction of the main city of Moldavia: "You may only see the ignorant and reckless actions of a young man, but I see a man making the most important choice in his life. Dimore, you think too much, anyone can be anyone, just the odds are high, as long as there is courage, an orphan can become a real warrior, and a nameless little man can become the emperor of the empire. ”

"I want to help him."

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

"Go, your choice is your freedom."

Without waiting for the other party to explain, Joshua waved his hand, signaling that Alva could move freely, and when he was allowed to do so, the Seven Princes happily followed the instructions of the light curtain and ran in the direction of the hunter boy.

After that, the warrior turned his head and looked at Dimore, who was still frowning and unable to understand, and he looked at the emperor in his previous life: "I can see that you are confused...... You say you have courage, but in fact you just follow the rules, the general orders you to go forward, you go forward, Israel calls you back, you come back, Dimore, this is not courage, this is just going with the flow, you don't make any decisions about your life at all. ”

"Israel told me that he has already told you what the way of a king is, and he wants me to teach you what the way of the strong is. It's actually quite simple, it's to make the choice you want, and then carry all the consequences of it. ”

In the face of such serious words from a legendary powerhouse, even Dimore couldn't help but take a step back, but then he stopped. The second prince was silent for a while, and then said with a twinkle in his eyes: "But there are always some choices that bring about unbearable consequences...... This is true of many wars, and so is many killings. ”

There was something in his words, but the warriors understood what he meant.

"It's just that they didn't want to think about it until then."

Instead of replying to Dimore, Joshua withdrew his gaze. He turned his head to look at the lights of the Northland, and his heart was very calm.

The great demon tide is coming, the world is changing, and in such an environment, many stubborn people and collectives have made changes, countless heroes have stood out from the ordinary, and most of the future strong and heroes have nothing at the beginning, but they are different from other ordinary people in that they think they can do more, and they dare to make choices.

Joshua was a little distracted by the names that had come up during the Abyssal Invasion, but then, he retracted his thoughts, and he noticed that Alva was returning from the foot of the mountain with the dazed young hunter, and the warrior whispered: "If you want to help, go and help, although Alva doesn't know anything about this, but he knows what he wants to do, he wants to help when he sees someone in trouble, and he knows that he has to take responsibility for the follow-up, which is also a kind of courage." ”

"I'm not going to teach you how to be a ruler, I'm just going to make you understand what courage is, what choice is. A strong man does not need to be majestic, nor does he need mercy or cruelty, he just needs to be firm in his goals and go on like this, and I hope that you will be able to become such a strong man, and then one day you will be able to stand side by side with me and your father against those disasters in the future. ”

Dimore and Joshua looked at each other, and he stared at the warrior's red eyes, but only indifference could be seen in them. There was no desire for power, no majesty, no desire for domination in those eyes, and he could only see the reflected starlight in them, which was the whole world.

I understand. It suddenly occurred to him in his mind. This man never cared about those, power, majesty, right to speak. He, and his emperor father, the two of them never cared about these things, they cared about the higher, about the future and safety of this world. They don't fight with each other because they don't bother to fight over things that don't make sense, they teach themselves and others selflessly, because they, as pioneers, have expectations for all.

But that's all I have.

Dimore suddenly laughed, he also turned his head, looked at the villages dotted in the north, the second prince's eyes were burning with flames that seemed to melt steel, he understood the difference between himself and his father, but he was not ashamed of it, because it was his choice.

My life was not destined to be so noble, to fight for order, for the world, and for all things in the world, and even if the day was fateful, my reasons would have been more realistic: to fight for my authority and desires.

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

"I kind of understand what my choice is."

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

A few days later.

The news that the seventh prince, Alva, had become a registered disciple of the Earl of Northland, spread throughout the imperial capital.

===

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