It's a bit selfish of me, I know. The Kingdom I swore to protect, as an old man who was burnt among the flames of youth, is in danger. Enemies are sharpening their fangs in darks and open, watching us with the eyes of a predator. We are weak, My kingdom is weak. Yet, here I am, making a selfish request.
Yet, l have to. I'm still...A father, after all.
As a father, I have a responsibility. And I will properly accomplish it. My only wish is, I just don't want to get involved in a war. I hope that I don't see that place again. Both for myself and... for my family.
*********
''Alright Sir Patrick,'' Azral said as he leaned his back on the comfy chair he was sitting, slowly rubbing his glabella. ''I know you feel pain from the absence of your son but this doesn't mean that you can do anything you want. You are a valuable person, a treasure of our Kingdom. Higher ups dear you well but people under you are not the same.''
''I know, Cardinal. Greed is something everyone have.''
''Sir Patrick, this is no simple Greed,'' Azral said with a harsh tone. Patrick could see him furrowing his brows as his eyes darted around like he was thinking of something.
''You gained the jealousy and hatred of many in your younger years, it's something every individual know. Yet, this not only affects you, it also affects us. What do you think people will do if we lend our forces to a retired man who's only aim is to save his son? What do you think those particular people will do? You really don't expect them to sit down and watch quietly, don't you?''
''Cardinal, I know that even you don't believe the words you spoke,'' Patrick spoke calmly as he looked at the Cardinal in the eyes.
''That is true, but what will the others believe? You know that if Church Of Piety gets the pope's position, things will get worse. We need support, people's support. We need to protect this balance between those idiots or everything will turn into a mess!'' Cardinal let out steams from his small nostrils, a strange sight for Patrick.
''Are you that worried Cardinal? Even an uneducated man like me knows that 3 Cardinals of Piety are incapable fellows. You may not be as good as the current Pope but you are still a great candidate.''
''Sir Patrick... It's not that simple.'' Azral calmed down a little as he slowly rubbed his cheeks with his glowing hand. Patrick was intrigued by the Cardinal's action. ''It's a rare sight to see a person use Brave Heart on himself.''
''Maybe, this is the reason you are worried?''
Azral stopped a little for an instant. This motion didn't escape from the eyes of Patrick, however, who was carefully inspecting the already calmed complexion of Cardinal.
''Cardinal, what is your true intention. Be honest with me.''
Azral stood silent for a moment, then sighed. ''Then, you shall be honest with me too, Sir Patrick.''
''This matter shall be a secret between us,'' Patrick said. Without him motioning anything, every guard left the room other than the 2 personal guards of Cardinal. ''Chari, Vulcan.'' 2 guards bowed slightly and left the room without a word.
''You can speak, Cardinal,'' Patrick said with a gesture as he put down the teacup he just took a sip from.
''You know about Goldenwings family. Actually quite closer than me.''
''I'm acquainted with him, though our bonds are very poor.''
''I know of that matter.''
''Thanks,'' Patrick spoke as he put his hands under his jaw, looking intently towards the Cardinal.
''So, it's like this...''
*********
Eyvind is a normal boy who has grown up in a small town near to Kilan City. He is an honest and decent person and is a believer of Axi, God of War and Family. When he celebrated his 18th birthday, his father sent him to Kilan City for a better education. But, Eyvind's intentions were different from his father's.
He used the money his father gave him, not to use to pay the entrance fee of the academy, to take some special lessons about swordsmanship from a veteran. It was an arduous process for him to find a reliable source and person as well as a cheap price, but it was all worth it. In a short time of 2 months, he became stronger than even his father and could beat shady people that bullied him a long time ago.
Feeling confident about himself, he decided to register as an Explorer to the Guild. His teacher, Guru, advised against it saying that it was not a child's play and a dangerous thing. Though Eyvind greatly valued his teacher's words and took them in heart, he couldn't bear to part with his dream of being an Explorer. He wanted to see the legendary lands of Exiles as well as see the Magnificent forest of Mysterious Elves. He had a very strong urge to travel and meet different people.
After steadying his mind, he spent the last bits of his money and got his Explorer License. Feeling content and happy within, he prepared his belongings and bid farewell to his Teacher Guru. Guru said that he was too rash and it would have been a waste for a talent like him to die but Eyvind was clear, he had to start his adventure now or he would only be a simple man among the thousands of others.
Yet, his dream was cut off in the first day of his travel. He was captured by some unnamed bandits after a fierce fight and locked in a cage, awaiting his fate. After a week of torture like life, he was transported to another place. Before he could understand what happened, he was placed inside a huge courtyard filled with cages, young and strong people like him locked inside of them. Eyvind felt a strange feeling as everything started to feel off.
Yet, even before he could comprehend the trickery, he was taken into a secret chamber inside the courtyard. There were several orbs placed in a circle and at the center of the circle was a pool of blood, looking quite fresh. As he was looking with horror to the circle, he was mercilessly pushed into it. Because he was poorly fed and locked up for a week, Eyvind was quite weak.
As he struggled to stand up, several chains rose from the orbs creating the circle and with a lightning-like speed, hurled towards him. In an instant, these chains slithered like snakes and covered his whole body, making him look like a ball of iron. Very soon, screams of pain emerged from the ball of iron. They were heart-wrenching and could be heard from the furthest corners of the huge mansion, or so it would have been if it was not for the thick layer of soundproof magic.
After several minutes, the screams died off and fresh, deep red blood slipped through the ball of Iron, painting the center of circle red.
*********
''Tempering by Soulblood? Are they serious!'' Patrick slammed his hand to the table in front of him, blasting it into small pieces that flew in the air like bullets. Surprisingly, all of the projectiles became particles of dust when they slammed into the walls of the courtyard, not even leaving a small mark. Still, Patrick or Cardinal didn't mind any of them.
''Don't get inside!'' Cardinal Azral yelled even before his guards could enter. Feeling helpless, both of his guards closed the doors that were only opened by a tiny bit. Still, they held onto their weapons and stood right next to the door, vigilant.
''How can you let them do this, Cardinal?'' Feeling a bit of shame from his impulsive action, Patrick slowly lowered his clenched fist. Though it seemed like he was calm, Azral could swear on his name that Patrick was like a volcano at the brink of erupting. Still, Azral knew that the other party was awaiting his response intently.
''It's simple, we don't have the power. We can strike down one or two of their basements but this wouldn't put things to an end. This would only show them how to repel us again if such a thing happened. The other thing is, there aren't enough people.''
''Many of our staff and bishops are sent to frontlines to assist soldiers and workers. We simply don't have enough capacity to stop their actions. And it's not easy to tell the people about these. You know that Church Of Piety has much more believers than us as well as authority in the noble court.
''It was because of the competition between the Piety's Church and Nobles that they gathered such power. If it was peacetime, then we would have been okay but right now our hands are tied.''
Patrick looked at him with a frown, slowly leaning towards the front.
''I understand. I will teach those Goldenwings Fools their lessons after everything is over.''
''I advise you not, Sir Patrick. We can't afford to lose 2 valuable assets at the same time.'' The moment he said that Azral regretted his words.
''Valuable assets, huh?'' Patrick looked at him with a sharp gaze.
''Don't mind my words, Sir Patrick. They are only passing thoughts of mine.''
''Then Cardinal, you should watch your thoughts as they won't affect your tongue.''
''Yes...Then Sir Patrick, Can I ask my question now?''
Patrick grunted in displeasure but a promise was a promise. He was a man of his word.
''Go ahead.'' Patrick nodded and looked towards Azral, awaiting his question.
''Why did you chose to retire, Sir, no, Star General Patrick?''
''Cardinal, You should take the advice of others seriously.'' Looking at Azral with a fierce glint in his eyes, Patrick stood up. Yet, when he looked at the calm and serious stature of Azral, he couldn't help but sigh. He sat down slowly and looked at the Azral directly.
''Cardinal, you know how is a battlefield.''
''That's right, I have experienced myself.''
''Then you also know about Darkness, right?''
''Darkness? Do you mean the-?!''
''Yes, I mean it. I have reached my limits. What I saw was no battlefield, What I saw was a hell. I knew that, if I were to go on, 'They' would haunt me in my dreams. I swore to protect my Kingdom and I will certainly do what I swore to do but I also swore to protect my wife and children.''
''I...Understand. But Sir Patrick, is there really no way for you to lead our armies again?''
''No way. I'm banished from fighting, for forever.''
''What about not fighting?''
''Huh?'' Patrick looked surprised as he turned his attention to the Azral.
''We won't make you fight unless you decide otherwise. Sir Patrick, we need both men and power but the thing we need the most is a Leader. There are not many people known to be both strong and has a great leadership. And you are among those several people, coming on top of them, to say the least!''
''Don't you want to see that scene again, Sir Patrick? The scene of valiant and brave soldiers cheering like a newborn baby's crying, people letting out shouts of relief and citizens praying with teary eyes for your safety? Don't you want to see the smile of a proud...son?''
Patrick stood rooted, silently, his eyes closed. Many thoughts passed through his mind but there was only one remaining, smile of his son. 'This is a chance, a chance to save both my son and my Kingdom.' Severing all of the unnecessary thoughts, Patrick stood up again. Azral looked at him with a calm gaze as he lifted his hand. Patrick, with a swift motion, pulled him up and shook his hand.
''So, when will you take me to my men, Cardinal?''
Azral smiled in relief, replying with a smile.
''Don't be so fast, Sir Patrick. Or I should call you General Patrick from now on.''