Chapter 549

Standing in front of this gate, I still have some fear and expectation in my heart.

The fresh air of northern permafrost in summer, with the long wind rolling through the streets, the glow of the pyroxene lamp will not tremble because of the bustling crowd. The special carriage from the airship landing site to the Lord's house disappears at the corner of the intersection in the evening sunset, and I have reached my destination.

North, the gate of Lord Moldavia's mansion. I recited the name in my mind: at the door of count Radcliffe's residence.

He should have noticed my arrival. It's not hard for the legendary strong.

In fact, I met count Radcliffe a long time ago. I met him at the Royal Library the day I returned to the imperial capital from the battlefield. He was young, but his strength far surpassed me. In terms of attitude, he was more like my elder than his peers. He even showed me the source of his strength, potesta of pugna, The power to fight.

For this generous and young legend, I always have a kind of inexplicable emotion... Fear? to fear? hate? No, this illusory feeling is hard to explain in words, but it definitely includes respect, because of his integrity. Count Radcliffe is a powerful soldier, and his moral aspect is as impeccable as his strength. You know, I have seen countless noble men who are morally degenerated and soldiers who take pleasure in killing enemy women and children on the battlefield and in private places. Although every Orc should die, it has nothing to do with who he is.

"Your Highness dimore, please come in. The Lord is waiting for you."

The guard bowed and opened the door respectfully. I followed a maid who had been waiting here for a long time to enter the courtyard of the Lord's mansion. Looking around, there were no luxury plants or furnishings. A small artificial lake that seemed very deep was probably the most manpower consuming facility here. Not to mention the legend of the strong, even for an ordinary count in the field are too shabby. Although I knew he was a purist who didn't care about anything except fighting, I was disappointed by such a scene.

The strong should not be like this.

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

Through the courtyard, under the guidance of the maid into the Lord's house gate, I think so. Joshua didn't do his job.

It is not the responsibility and obligation of human beings or nobles. In this respect, count Radcliffe has made no mistake. He protects his people, expels the tide of beasts, kills wild dragons, and runs for the whole world. He is willing to protect the weak and kill evil. This is what the great heroes in the legend will do. I have no doubt that the story of the hero Joshua will spread in this land hundreds of years later.

But that's why I feel unreal.

In the Lord's mansion, the ancient and solemn design drags out hazy shadows in the dim light of the fluorescent lamp, but this scene is surprisingly calm. I try my best to cover up my emotions, but my thinking continues to spread in the dark.

Yes, that's it. It's too perfect and unreal. In the battlefield, I have seen several brave and fearless fighting heroes in the propaganda. In private, they are such scumbags who are drunk, irascible and beat their subordinates. I also know how indecisive and incompetent the wise and powerful generals in the war report are when they lose their staff. I have known for a long time that there are many filthy truths behind many lamentable stories. The greater the contribution of count Radcliffe, the more I can't help doubting what kind of secret is behind him... No one is perfect. This is the truth I believe in.

But here's what's important: he didn't have any negative news. This makes me not only respect but also feel unreal.

In the dim light, following the guidance of the maid, through the narrow corridor, I went to the reception hall. I have seen the half closed door, and also feel a strong pressure that I can't help kneeling down. The pressure is not only for those ordinary people who just serve here, but only for those extraordinary people like me. The pressure is just as strong and inviolable as when I meet my father in the palace.

At the thought of meeting a familiar and strange legend, the darkness swelled in my heart.

Why? As if the teeth are biting my heart, numb itch unbearable feeling spread from the depths of the soul. I stopped and took a deep breath. The maid in front of me laughed understandably. She probably thought I was a little nervous. It was true, but the details were very different. I was just confused.

A legend! In the whole world, it can be called the top! How can they live in peace?

How could Joshua van Radcliffe willingly live in such a small place as the north? And my father, in the name of iron and cold blood, even his own son does not put much love into his majesty, how can he tolerate the appearance of another legend to weaken his authority? Why can these two people cooperate so firmly? Even the widespread rumors in the Imperial Palace and among the people can not add much doubt to them?They should be like the rumor that they are at a crossfire, alert to each other, and even fight against each other. They should fight a duel, or who will dominate the future of the Empire? Who has the highest voice? I don't just want to make the whole empire go to war, I just think... The world shouldn't be so beautiful. It should be a little worse. Although it will make all living beings suffer and I may die, that's normal.

This is also the right 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 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 thinking 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 met but has become a strange man views the world, and how he gradually makes the world full of war and strife and decay from the bottom of his heart become as vibrant and hopeful as it is now.

That's why I, dimore diamond, came here.

======

With the door quietly opened, nervous I can not help sitting up from the big chair with cashmere, but then I immediately realized my gaffe, and then slowly sat down in the calm eyes of the legendary strong man beside me, and then looked at the silent comer.

It's dimore diamond. It's him, my brother.

The young man, who has always been a little gloomy, has a calm expression, but I can see that the corners of his mouth drop slightly, which proves that he is not in a good mood, or rather nervous, just like I am now.

Who said no? Except for those who have known count Radcliffe for a long time, everyone will feel nervous in the face of a legend. This is a helpless thing, just like ordinary people encounter a dragon.

Sitting quietly in a chair, my mind can't help drifting away.

The mother was very happy with his father's decision. Although he was dissatisfied with the fact that the second emperor's brother was going, he later sneered that it didn't matter“ Alva, he can't be your competitor. " While bending over to cut her new potted plants, the mother said casually: "I know his character, always know, just like his arrogant mother who doesn't want to be inferior."

Of course, I don't know what kind of person the second brother's mother is, and I don't know what kind of person the second brother is, but I know that I am weak relative to each other. So I should not have any fluke and arrogance, but try my best to be myself.

Speaking of the weak, I can't help looking at the man who is slowly closing his books. In front of people like count Radcliffe and his father, who dares to claim to be strong besides gods? But that book... The book of time? The latest best-selling dark suspense novel? I didn't expect that the count would like to see it too. It's really unexpected.

I thought that the strong have only practice besides the mystery all day long.

"Good."

A simple and powerful voice came from his side. The pressure spread slightly, but he was controlled by the legendary strong man himself. I could feel count Radcliffe's slowly serious mood: "it's a good habit not to be late. Now that we are all together, we should start. "

As he said this, a stool appeared behind my brother with a wave of his hand. He sat down at a loss. Then the count continued to say, "your father, the emperor, has entrusted me to teach you the two sons he likes. He wants you to be my disciples, and you should understand what that means

Of course. I slightly turned my lips, a disciple of a legendary strong man. For the next crown prince battle, it can be said that it is a ghost card, not to mention that it also means the rapid increase of strength and a death certificate. This is the reason why my mother must let me strive to become a disciple, even if I didn't intend to be the emperor.

To tell you the truth, the only attraction of the throne to me is to make the world better as much as possible. After all, many things can't be done if it is just the prince.

It seems that I feel absent-minded. Count Radcliffe looks at me. I'm so scared that I immediately sit upright and pose. But his voice continues: "but don't think I'll take you directly as disciples. I'm very demanding. I don't mean talent, I mean your mind. But you don't have to guess, because today I'll take you out to teach my first class

But now it's evening. What can you see when you go out? I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't say it, not only because I was in awe of this man, but also because I had some expectations in my heart.He is totally different from his father.

I can't help but feel a little elated at the thought.

======

As the setting sun sets, the dim orange light disappears from the tall crown of the iron pine tree halfway up the mountain. A winter bird is going back and forth in the hole behind the branch, making the gradually shedding Brown needles part of its warm nest - but soon, the diligent bird stops because it is keen to notice, Something big is passing by.

With the two princes through the forest, Joshua can feel the doubts rising in the hearts of dimore and Alva, but he is silent and allows this emotion to spread.

"Where are we going?"

As he walked along the mountain road, dimore took the lead in speaking. He felt that there was a familiar smell of all this. Similar scenes seemed to have happened not long ago, which made him confused: "my Lord, if we are going on our way, we can fly over."

But Alva rolled his eyes and sighed: he has not yet reached the Golden State, and flying is a little far for him.

"Actually, it's here."

He didn't care about the interaction between the two brothers in secret. The soldier crossed a small hillside, so his vision suddenly opened up. Standing on the ridge of the great AEAS mountains, Joshua looked around half of the north and south. Night had come, and the lights in the forest and villages were shining. He said carelessly: "in fact, just as you think, This is no different from the time when Israel took you all over the Empire. In fact, my purpose is the same as his. I want you princes to see the real world. "

"I have." Dimore frowned. Thinking of what he had been going through, he shook his head discontentedly and said, "I'm not the kind of person who was born with a golden key and raised by a lady. Since I was a child, I've been in the army. Of course, I know what the world really looks like."

"My father has shown us once." Alva also muttered: "I don't think it's useful to watch it again. We can't do anything now."

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 bright appearance of the world - the fish boss who exploited the fishermen, the landlords who annexed the land, the merchants who hoarded food commodities and led to riots, And the dark side of all kinds of people's hearts, but it belongs to the thing that the emperor needs to consider cutting off, which has nothing to do with what I'm going to say today. "

When he spoke, his tone was calm. Joshua did not deliberately ask dimer and Alva to listen to him, but both of them could not help listening: "do you know what courage is?"

Courage? Familiar words. Dimore 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 emphasized things in the army during the war. It was side by side with discipline and was engraved in the first article of the Royal army's military training. He was so familiar with it that he was tired of it.

Courage... Alva was thoughtful. He also knew the word very well. Whether it was a myth or a legend, it was repeatedly emphasized in it. Although the second prince never had the chance to experience courage personally, he had an inexplicable kindness in his heart.

"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 that they had different attitudes. His tone was still gentle without ups and downs, but every word was very clear: "but absolutely not, no courage."

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

Looking back from the distant mountain village, the soldier who seemed to have found the target finally turned to dimer and Alva: "Israel has promised me that you are all good boys with courage, but in my opinion, it is not the case."

"Why do you say that?" For Joshua's almost derogatory speech, dimore was not as anxious as before. He calmed down and asked: "you should know that I have fought with orcs and faced the charge of rhinoceros cavalry. I don't think that's what a coward with no courage can do."

Alva shrugged. He didn't have any evidence to prove himself, but he didn't feel like a weak guy.

In this regard, Joshua laughed, he waved, a reflection of the distant mountain village light curtain appeared in front of people.This is an ordinary village around the forest. It's probably because it's close to a river. There are three waterwheel mills near the village. A rock road leads to the center of the village from afar. In the light curtain, the gray sky above the village reflects the orange red fire light, and the moist mist at night is reflected by the light, He retreated to the corner of several abandoned houses.

It is obvious that this is a common hunting village in the north, which makes a living by hunting prey in the forest and cultivating winter wheat. This village rarely changes once in more than ten years. Besides selling fur, the hunters hardly leave their native land. They even exclude the entry of outsiders, unless they can bring benefits to them.

Both dimore and Alva are familiar with such villages. Not long ago, they and Israel visited most of the Empire in the night of three days. They had already seen more than a dozen similar villages. They wanted to ask why Joshua wanted them to watch this ordinary scene, but the subsequent changes made them hold their breath.

In the middle of the light curtain, in a semi deserted house, a seemingly ordinary young hunter twists and turns with his bow, drying a few salted fish and dried rabbit meat by the broken window, and his eyes reflect the fire outside the house, staring at the room where there is no one but him. Obviously, his parents should have left him forever because of some accidents, which is not uncommon. Especially in recent years, there have been black tides and dragon disasters. Many villages far away from the main city and where reinforcements came late have lost a lot of adult labor. Many minor children have to struggle to survive on their own, because other people in the village live a hard life, Unable to 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 teenager's thin arms and deeply depressed cheeks. Anyone can see that such a poor life is a chronic suicide for a teenager. If he can't get enough food, he can't hunt alone even as an adult, In the end, he had to be a loser.

In this regard, dimore looked at the scene indifferently, unable to see what he was thinking, while Alva frowned. For a moment, he wanted to speak, but he closed his mouth.

——It 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 grass. His mouth shape was so clear under the light curtain, and the light in his eyes made everyone understand what he meant. The next moment, he picked up the dried meat and salted fish by the window, and he had only some food reserves, Then it took advantage of the dark night to lurk, along the rock road towards the distance.

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

Joshua said calmly at this time: "I have to tell you that the mountain people are extremely attached to their hometown. They are so stupid and lovely that they almost never leave their hometown. As far as this village is concerned, no one has gone out of it for nearly 30 years. He is the first one."

"What's the point?" Dimore some difficult to understand: "even if he left the village, came to the main city, may not be able to live comfortably, let alone the roadside may encounter danger."

"And that's the point." The soldier replied, "that's courage."

"He knows what he has to face - strange environment, dangerous road 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, which is different from those who have been staying in the mountain village as hunters."

Facing dimore's still disapproving eyes, Joshua chuckled. He looked down at the boy who was moving along the stone road towards the main city of Moldavia: "you may only see a boy's ignorant and reckless behavior, but I saw a man make the most important choice in his life. Dimore, you think too much. Anyone can be anyone, but the chance is high or low. As long as you have courage, an orphan can become a real warrior, and an unknown little man can become the emperor of the Empire. "

"I want to help him."

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

"Go ahead, your choice is your freedom."

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

After that, the soldier turned his head and looked at dimore, who was still frowning and could not understand. He looked at the former Emperor: "I can see that you are wondering... You say you have courage, but in fact you just obey the rules. The general orders you to move forward, and you move forward. Israel calls you back, and you come back. Dimore, this is not courage, It's just going with the flow. You haven't made any decisions about your life at all"Israel told me that he had told you the way of the king, and he wanted me to teach you the way of the strong. It's actually very simple, that is to make the choice you want, and then bear all the consequences of it

Faced with such serious words from a legendary strong man, even dimore could not help but step back, but then he stopped. The second prince was silent for a while, his eyes twinkled and said, "but there are always some choices that can't bear the consequences... Many wars are like this, and so are many murders."

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

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

With no reply to dimer, Joshua looked back. He turned his head and looked at the lights in the north. He was very calm.

With the advent of the great evil tide, the world is changing. In such an environment, many stubborn people and the collective have made changes. Countless heroes stand out from the ordinary. Most of the future strong and heroes have nothing at first. But they are different from other ordinary people in that they think they can do more and dare to make choices.

Remembering the names that came out enthusiastically during the period of the abyss invasion, Joshua was a little distracted, but then he took his mind back. He noticed that Alva was coming back from the foot of the mountain with the confused young hunter. The soldier whispered, "if you want to help, help. Alva knows nothing about these, but he knows what he wants to do, When he sees someone in trouble, he wants to help and knows that he has to take the 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 show you what courage is and what choice is. A strong man does not need dignity, nor does he need kindness and cruelty. He just needs to set his goal firmly and go on like this. I hope you can become such a strong man and one day stand side by side with me and your father to fight against future disasters. "

Dimore and Joshua look at each other. He looks at the soldier's red eyes, but only indifference can be seen. There was no desire for power, no dignity, no desire for domination in his eyes. He could only see the reflected starlight from it. It was the whole world.

Oh, I see. It suddenly occurred to him. This man never cared about those, power, dignity, voice. He, as well as his own emperor father, never cared about these things. What they cared about was higher, about the future and safety of the world. They don't fight because they disdain to fight for meaningless things. They selflessly teach themselves and others because they, as pioneers, expect everyone.

But that's all I have.

Dimore suddenly laughed. He also turned his head and looked at the scattered villages in the north. In his eyes, the second prince had a flame 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 is doomed not to be so lofty, to fight for order, the world and all things in the world. Even if the fated day comes, my reason must be more realistic: to fight for my power and desire.

This is true no matter who the opponent is, whether he is a decadent nobleman, or a devil of a different kind, or of other countries or even of a different world.

"I probably understand what my choice is."

He said so, then bowed slightly to Joshua: "thank you for your teaching." And behind dimore, some Alva, who didn't know what was going on, came to the soldier with the already panting Hunter boy.

A few days later.

The news that the seventh Prince Alva became a registered disciple of the count of Beidi spread all over the imperial capital.

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