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Chapter 22: Your Why

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Seeing Ron and him had an agreement, many postponed their move.

Still, as they walked out, several candidates introduced themselves to him. Many wished to make him at the very least, an acquaintance.

Though troublesome, he still received them well.

But why now actually?

That was because they had finished the second screening.

Many soon decided being worried of it will not benefit them. Before the result was announced, every one of them could at least retain the identity of a candidate.

One ought to make the most of whatever chance to make connection.

For the future.

After around a dozen candidates made contact with him, they finally get out of the dining hall.

Many followed, maintaining distance.

Outside the hall, there was an interior garden, surrounded by the building’s corridors.

It was night time now. The surroundings were dimly lighted with blue crystals along the building walls and corners. Krone and company walked onto the garden, stopping under a tree.

Others watched them with interest.

“This ought to be good enough.”

Ron turned to him. His hand again saluted him, this time, he held his salute on his chest.

“First, I should reintroduce myself. Ron M. Shamanov, fifteen, from City of Voran of the Ulvarr region. My peers call me Ron. I saw your performance before, so I was intrigued. Hope you won’t be bothered, since I’ve some questions I need answers.”

Hearing him said Ulvarr region, Krone frowned for a bit.

“Not at all. Well, I’m fourteen, from Lithia village, just to the east. Likewise, just off with the formality and call me Krone. Though I am a bit surprised, I thought Ulvarr region is closer to the Imperial Capital? Saint Aurenburg and your hometown ought to be, what, four or five hundred km?”

Ron nodded.

“There are circumstances. It’s more convenient taking the test here.”

“I see. I won’t bother you with the details then. What is it you wish to ask?”

“Then I’ll be blunt. No intent of bragging, but I had great Masters teaching me since childhood, and thus I thought I was not lacking, at least in my field.”

He paused, Krone nodded.

He indeed had nothing lacking. Instead, his existence could be said as to be very rare.

How rare?

Ron had a disciplined, strict upbringing.

His mind obviously sharp, his temperament stable. His skill was superb, his body well-developed.

His values admirable, thus his loyalty ought to be acceptable.

In Krone’s mind, it was at least one in a million.

Well, rare enough to say he would be a great knight in the future, no doubt.

‘If he survived, that is.’

Seeing him comprehending what he had said, Ron continued;

“But seeing you, I can hardly believe it, even when I witness it myself. I’ve no ill intent, just wish to hear this directly from you… Krone Kozak, how did you become so skillful?”

“…How?”

Hearing his question and his tone of voice, he understood a bit of the teen’s mentality.

He was raised to be strong, and while he could accept others to be a bit stronger or capable than him in his own field, he could hardly believe his existence.

The existence which blew everything out of proportion.

The logic was a bit hard to accept, and that troubled him, even with his stable emotion.

He however, had no jealousy or envy in particular.

Instead, he focused on the possibility that there was a better way to improve. A way unknown to him, not taught to him. A way even his Masters did not know.

His conclusion was; not that he was lacking, the way just not available to him.

‘That must be it.’

Such was his mentality.

It was way too mature for his age.

Krone was silent.

He was silent.

Athea by their side, did not intrude.

Slowly, she clenched her fists, pursed her lips. She stared at Krone, expectant of his answer. Even she was interested, as to how this monster came about.

And in her mind, from where?

‘True. Even if he’s from the main family, it’s too much. His ability was just too much.’

He had said he had an able Master, but she hardly believed it.

It could not be that simple.

The others, while maintaining distance, also could not help but stepped forward.

Ears listening, mind attending.

Would he answer this question, in earnest?

As Krone was taking his time, three people came into the garden.

One big guy, two similar girls.

Doran and the twins had arrived just in time. Witnessing the crowd surrounding two familiar faces, they stepped in, closer.

They pondered what happened.

Was it a confrontation?

What actually happened here?

The meat, bro, you didn’t keep some for me?

While others kept their distance, they saw no reason to. Thus, the three of them closed in to Krone, silently.

Standing behind him, Doran was akin to a bodyguard.

Standing beside him, the twins were akin to his harem, um, loyal friends.

Krone, who had been silent for a long moment, raised a smile.

A peculiar smile.

Confident, with seemingly deep meaning.

‘Perfect timing.’

“The question was a bit incorrect, Ron.”

…?

What, incorrect?

What he’s on about?

His answer baffled the audience, but they waited.

Ron frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“The question, was not how. The right one would be why.”

Ron’s eyes widened.

There was reaction from the audience. They murmured.

What, why?

Is he talking philosophy now?

“Why…”

Ron, who had heard it directly from him, had his heart thumping.

It was as if his answer reverberated within him, as if his being knew his answer was right.

However, his mind could not formulate it.

“Then, allow me to ask the right question. Why did you become so skillful?”

“Well, for a start,”

He sighed.

“I had a father, and a mother.”

“Had…”

Krone turned his head up, gazing onto the stars.

He breathed in, and out.

His feeling heavy, everyone could sense it.

It infected everyone, they thus became silent.

So silent, the sound of bugs around the garden could be heard.

While they were contemplating, a girl in purple came in from outside.

She noticed the heavy air.

“Krone? This…”

She did not know what to make of the situation, so she soon melded among the crowd.

Not long after, several more people came in. Similarly surprised, they did as she did.

Waiting, eyes on him.

So many eyes, on one person.

Krone clenched his fist, gaze still locked onto the stars.

Following him, everyone’s eyes soon landed on the ocean of lights.

The magnificent ocean of the sky, filled their view.

Filling the night sky, the stars were guides during darkness.

Their position itself, was awesome creation.

Revelations, for those who knew.

“Back when my sister and I were younger, they would always bring us here and there. We’ve met a lot of our people; simple farmers, soldiers, kind people in towns and cities. Later, through the mountains, the plains, the forests and the valleys, our parents brought us through the hardest of routes, meeting so many people in rural areas. Never stopping for long, we continue moving.”

Ah…

Huh…

Their imagination ran in full circle. They could imagine his journey, the journey of young children traversing the great landmass of Kharlussia.

But for what purpose?

“…Crossing rivers and lakes, withstanding snows and winds for so many years. At the time I remember asking; can’t we just stay in one place?”

He breathed in, feeling nostalgic.

He did not pretend. There was no need to.

The information bothered the audience.

Moving around with two little children?

They could hardly imagine such a harsh life before.

The weather in Kharlussia was not so forgiving, and with its humongous size and mountainous regions, most regions did not have proper road connecting rural areas.

Plus, from his story, it was not like he was moving around with land or air cruisers, much less Wyvern or Pegasus. It would not make sense.

Thus, their means of travel would be the traditional way; using cattle or horses.

“And when the conflict erupted four years ago in the South, Dad signed in, volunteering for service. Mom was worried, yet she did not protest. Only from thereon, we settled in a village.”

A volunteer soldier…

South? Four years ago?

The Grandia conflict!

Some of the knowledgeable ones managed to deduce more information.

With that, they had an idea of what was coming.

“He left my mom, my sister and myself. At the time, I couldn’t comprehend it. What could be more important than your own family? What made you left us, dad, when you could just stay and let others do the job?”

He paused.

For a time, those listening consumed the details.

Thiana and Liliana gulped. They knew he was telling them sensitive story of his past. His story reminded them of their own. Yet in contrary, their father was a knight. He was bound by duty, his father was not.

That put them in deep reflection.

Doran was a bit clueless, yet he did not fail to notice the heavy feeling around Krone. He simply shut his mouth, and waited for explanation.

He knew not to ruin the moment.

Athea realized his mood as well. He had always been more of a confident side, no, confident almost to the level of arrogant. Due to this, never did she imagine he would have such a heavy history.

Her heart thumped, questioning her prior impression.

Among the candidates, many hated his arrogant-like demeanor. They thought this guy was simply lucky, with some even said his arrogance would be his downfall.

These people, who were hostile to him before, were also in deep thought.

Soon, they arrived at the same question as him.

Indeed, why?

What was the relation between the question, and his story?

“Why, indeed? When the news of his demise reached us, three years ago, it struck us like lightning. Mom, in particular…”

“Ah,”

The subject turned heavier.

“She loved him, too much.”

He paused, saying no more.

With that, everyone had a gist of what happened.

Some shivered, many pondered.

Yet that only left them in confusion. They could not comprehend the idea.

The idea that one could grief to the point of death.

Is it even possible?

He himself knew it was not so simple, but there was no need for them to know.

“Krone Kozak, this…”

“Back to your question. Why did I become so skillful? I already answered it.”

“What?”

It was not just Ron.

Recovering from the heavy feeling, the others were equally confused.

He answered it? When?

Is it in the story?

How? I can’t relate it.

Is he bullshitting us? Who does he think he is?

He’s telling us to think?

“Krone Kozak, what do you mean?”

“From the story. Look into it. That’ll answer your question, in earnest. You ought to be sharp enough, yes?”

“The story…”

Seeing as he did not wish to elaborate, Ron was quick to grasp his intent.

He wished for him to think, to use his mind.

It was something that ought not be told, but one which he must reach the conclusion himself.

No, they must reach it themselves.

‘The thought process is of utmost important.’

Krone knew how the human mind worked.

He could, but should never give the answer directly. One who used his or her mind, would be able to connect the obvious message he encompassed within.

And that, would harvest the most benefit.

If one could not relate it, then one would be a fool, dumb.

Such a person, would not benefit anything, even if he told them directly anyway.

‘To those who are able, giving the answer would not produce enough impact.’

While it was not truly an answer that Ron or everyone expected, it was the closest one he could give.

There was no way he could say he got it from eighteen years on the frontline, fighting the Alliance and monstrous beasts while trying his best to survive.

They would just assume he was crazy, or a liar.

At the very least, they would think he was making a fool of them.

Thus, he had to relate them this story, the closest answer available.

‘As long as they comprehend…’

Learning directly from a great general, he knew how much of an impact it would be, should they manage to arrive at the right answer.

That will be their why, the push they needed.

Without a strong why, how could they become strong, capable?

‘Their reason of being, that was the most important.’

Even after waiting for some time, he stayed silent.

Ron was in deep deliberation, eyes closed.

He could not move from his position, still trying to grasp the hidden message out of his story. His mind delved deeper, he cut every conscious connection he had from the world.

Athea and the twins closed their eyes as well.

Krone’s presence infected them more so than others. At the moment, it was as if they had separated their whole being from their universe.

Their mind, travelled through time and space.

Landing them right at his side, replacing his sister in the story.

Behind the crowd, the brunette in purple, was in similar position.

She was entranced, mind flying through the whole story, replaying it over and over.

Within her, it was as though he was the sister, travelling through the land, facing the challenges along with him. Within the short time, it was as though years had gone by.

Their father left them. At that time, she was concerned, hardly able to sleep. When she received the news of their father’s demise, tears actually flowed from her closed eyes.

When their mother passed away, her heart shattered. Her legs weakened, soon failing her.

She sat there, frozen.

Sniffles could be heard, but not many paid attention.

Similarly, many more candidates had to face the same process.

Those who gave up halfway, was confused.

They noticed many of their peers standing still, as if in deep meditation.

Strangely, they had this feeling they better not move or made a noise.

Thus, they returned to being entranced, seeking enlightenment.

Meanwhile, Krone noticed a screen of night sky beside him.

[Grand Trait: Alpha Male in full effect.]

‘How long had it been there?’

He had activated the trait in full effect.

The trait heightened his personal influence, so it was a good thing.

Soon, another screen popped up, replacing it.

[Grand Trait: Tyrant Guardian in full effect.]

It was not the first time he activated it.

This time however, would be the first time he activated it in full effect, influencing so many.

‘This can be considered training too? I see. No wonder it works wonder.’

The audience was influenced.

So influenced, to the point of being frozen right there and then. They were led to go for a spiritual journey, deep into their mind.

Yet whether they reached the destination or not, it depended on them.

Their own self.

“…Huh?”

One however, was not influenced.

Doran was turning left and right, wondering if he had missed something.

Krone noticed him, sighing a little.

‘Oh, how clueless you’re.’

He shook his head.

Grabbing his sleeve, he led him towards the dining hall.

“Bro, this…”

“Shh, silent.”

“Oh, sorry…”

When they entered the dining hall, two knights came in, chatting.

Huh?

Woah!

Realizing the crowd’s existence, they stepped back, startled.

Noticing them being frozen, the two’s mouth opened wide, baffled.

“The hell… what happened here.”

“Shh, I had a feeling we better shut up.”

“Right. Same here.”

They stepped through the garden, careful as not to make any noise.

When they entered the dining hall, they could hear a lively voice.

“So meat’s all in your mind, huh?”

“B-bro, I don’t think about eating all the time!”

“Just most of the time?”

“Yeah, just most… Hey, that’s mine!”

The two within, had plates full of meat.

The amount was enough to fill a tiger to the brim.

…

Witnessing this, the two knights pinched their cheek.

Soon, they shook their head.

“Haha, such a good weather today, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, such a good weather, haha, haa…”

…

[Your why will lead you all the way to your goal.]

- Shurran Algate’s Army Doctrine.

==== Chapter 22 End ====