"Father," I began, "it seems to me that both greed and arrogance are like quicksand. One's descent into a pitfall is inevitable when their strength fails to balance their claims. The Rux family's downfall is not an example of greed being thier falling , but that of their weakess . In the pursuit of wealth and dominance, they neglected the crucial aspect that they were too weak to set their foot on their life-style "
Father looked at me, his eyes thoughtful, as if contemplating the weight of my words. before he replied "Our strength, derived from the crystal mines, is indeed a boon, but it must be complemented by astute diplomacy and alliances . We shouldn't let the allure of immediate gain cloud our judgment. Avarice can lead to a self-made abyss, and arrogance, if unchecked, may topple even the mightiest."
He looked at me and I looked at him
"Please, son, let me impart this to you as your father," he began, his eyes reflecting the depth of his paternal worry. "When you inherit my position, do not let our downfall be written by your hand. Maintain the same policy I've upheld—let our strength rise steadily. Currently, we are the puppeteer behind the scenes in the kingdom, we decide on wars and winners . It may not be acknowledged, but it's known to everyone. We have a target on our back, and the moment they smell blood, they will pounce on us like wolves sensing sheep."
I met his gaze unwaveringly and reassured him, "You seem to have a mistaken view of me, father. I have no interest in the dance of politics. For me, it will suffice to be strong enough to ensure our house stands in peace—strong enough that potential adversaries think twice before challenging us. Yet, not so overpowering that allies view us with suspicion. Do not worry; I will heed your warning.All I desire is to live in peace and comfort."
With that, I raised my cup in a silent toast, acknowledging the gravity of his words while silently realizing that more challenges would come in the years to come.
He exchanged the toast back , looking me with a serious gaze.
We both went back to eating, the sounds of knives and forks on plates filling the air. Our chat was still hanging around, but we put it on the back burner for now.
To clarify the matter, crystals harvested from our mines weren't just a source of wealth; they served as the backbone of our military might alongside that of everyone . These precious gems were refined and harnessed to power mana cannons, functioning akin to gunpowder in our world. However, unlike traditional firearms, these mana cannons had the potential to unleash devastating magical energy.
In battle, the larger mana cannons were reserved in the back and usually commanded by experienced engineers. The sheer cost of using and maintaining these cannons meant that only the most affluent noble families and the crown possessed them. Our county, according to my father, boasted three such mana cannons, a considerable force in comparison to other nobles.
Smaller, handheld guns were commonplace among infantry, providing a reliable weapon against lower-ranked monsters. However, their effectiveness waned against skilled opponents who could easily counter the projectiles with their own mana. Despite this limitation, most armies equipped their infantry with guns, pairing them with traditional armor and swords as with numbers they could topple even the strongest of warriors .
The royal family, as expected, held the most potent military force, boasting a staggering eight mana cannons. Other noble families combined had access to only five such cannons. This positioning made us one of the second- or third-strongest forces in the kingdom, but actually really the first as without us supplying nobles with crystals , their cannons and guns are just pieces of junk.
----
As all three of us were eating, and I finally started thinking that maybe I could finally finish my meal in peace, it seemed that my father still had a different idea
"Actually, son, there's something else you should know," Dad hesitated, looking like he expected me to blow up or something.
Seriously? I'm in the middle of a feast, trying to enjoy my roast in peace. Can't this wait?
"You see, one thing about mana crystals is that they also seem to attract monsters and beasts to them, and since they pose a great danger to our villages, we usually organize parties to seek them out."
I was already aware of this, as the main character, Lucas, participated in one of these raids in the novel, nonetheless why did he brought this? "While being passive and letting monsters roam freely would mean having many villages sacked and destroyed before we could notice it, we usually opt ofr another strategy.
I'm talking about clearing mana dungeons. Since our land is filled with mana, it means that here, the amount of time required for a mana dungeon to be created is almost half of that in other lands, which means that our expenditure for these scouting parties is more than double that of others. Obviously, the cost of organizing a party to clear such nests is even higher. I want you to understand the consequence of our blessing, so I will send you in one of these parti—"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Shouted my mother as she embedded her knife into the table.
Holy shit, I never thought she had it in her.
"YOU WILL NOT HAVE MY BABY PUT AT RISK!" My mother's voice reverberated through the room, cutting through the air with a mix of anger and concern. The table shook slightly as she emphasized her point, and her eyes bore into my father's with a fiery determination.
''Honey am I trying to show our son what it means to possess the blessing of mana crystals, please do you think I put would put him in such danger?''
That bastard was lying ... as there was always danger related to anything regarding monsters.
My father's voice softened as he sought to reassure my mother. He continued, "He'll merely be scouting the landscape before returning. I'll ensure he's protected by our most elite soldiers armed with mana-guns, ensuring his safety during the expedition.He is my heir and only son , do you think I would like for him to get hurt?''
My mother's worry continued as she was not totally convinced . My father, the ever-reassuring figure, spoke words of comfort and reassurance until her anxieties were finally laid to rest.
As the tension lifted, I turned my gaze towards my father. "When is the scouting expedition?" I inquired
"The expedition is set for tomorrow, right after your classes." Was his answer
I nodded, a sense of understanding settling in. Without a word, I emptied the cup of wine, the liquid warmth providing a fleeting sense of comfort.
''Very well I understand father'' I said as I rose from the table
Apparently, this was to be the first time that I would get into contact with the monsters that will terrorize this continent for the rest of the novel.