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Chapter 34: A Call, An Answer.

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A youth, not a boy, not a man.

Living with his family, in a remote farmhouse with red barn. Field of green, cows, sheep and farmland filled the view.

Everyday, they cultivated the land, took care of the cattle.

Everyday, he lived without worry.

…

That day, the youth was in his room, resting on his bed.

The morning work finished, there was nothing to do. The time was spend, in tranquility.

In peace.

BANG!

He heard loud bang, someone smashed the door open.

Startled, he took a peek through the door.

There, he witnessed, thugs. Entering their living room, three men. Smirking, laughing, as if drunk. He heard his father’s curse, yet one with sword slashed his father down.

His wail pervaded the room.

His brother, taking a broom to retaliate, stopped.

A knife, pierced through his stomach.

He cried. A cry of shock, extreme pain.

The short thug stabbing him, did not leave him be. The youth could hear his fist landing on his brother.

One, two, three… Cracking sound reached his ear.

Ah!

Shouts followed, women’s shout.

He saw them, his mother and sister. Terrified look on their face, the mother grabbed hold of the sister, scampering. Yet the thug with sword, grabbed the mother’s long hair, pulling her down to the floor.

She fell with a scream.

Terrified scream.

Run!

The mother’s voice, urging the sister.

The youth could see shock on his sister’s face, terrified. She wished to run, yet hesitated. Second later, her legs moved, eyes on the back door.

Making an escape.

Yet, a body hurled onto her.

A large build, slamming onto the delicate girl. A short gasp came out, she crushed onto the wall, falling.

Silent, she was half-conscious.

The force, was too much.

The culprit laughed as he closed in.

Turning her, the guy pinned her down on her belly. A small knife, ripping her dress.

Sounds of fabric shredding filled the room. Similarly, the thug from earlier took out a knife, ripping the mother’s clothes. Screaming, cursing, she struggled.

Soon, her teeth bit the man’s hand.

BAM!

A punch, landed on her stomach.

She screamed, no more.

Heh, heh…

They laughed.

Slurrp!

The thug pinning the sister slurped back his saliva, some dripping down.

Dripping, onto her face.

Ha, ha…

From the room, the youth could hear their gasping breath.

They smirked, making lecherous face.

To the side, the short thug took out the knife from the brother’s stomach.

He laughed as he did, closing the sharp edge on his eyes. Moving it left, and right. He had crazy, elated laugh. The crazy man was enjoying this, ready to gouge the eyes out.

Just by the door, the youth saw the father, lying still in a pool of blood.

The youth, scared stiff.

Witnessing this, he wanted to go out, and knocked them all, beat them all out.

Yet his fear, gripped him. He knew, he was weak.

He had no strength, he did not train.

He had no weapon, he did not prepare.

He had no skills, he did not learn.

In such a situation, what would he do?

What could he do?

…

====

“To the side, the mother was turned over, in a doggy position. To her side, the sister’s legs were raised, shredding sound yet again reached his ears... Following, the sound of zip being opened—”

He paused, he could see from afar;

Some parents, closing the ears of their young children.

The story, was merely Krone’s story.

Delivered all throughout the base, reaching the ears of all audience. Reaching the old, and the young. The woman, the children.

Hearing his tale, a certain knight, could take it no more.

She could vividly see what was being dictated, she snapped out of it.

“…Just what kind of perverted, dirty novel he’s dictating, I’ll—”

Natalia stepped to the front, yet Medron held out his hand.

Stopping her.

His face solemn, paying attention to Krone.

“…They violated his family. Still, the youth was too scared to move,”

He paused.

“You’re the youth. At the time, what would you do? Continue hiding? Bid for peace, or go out, attack with all you got?”

He raised his broken spear, the tip aimed at the audience.

“What would you do?!”

Ferocious presence came from him, jolting the audience.

The Alpha Male trait.

Rocking their very being, it was as if a lion roaring, could not be ignored.

He stood still, time passed.

They gulped.

If they were the youth, shocked in fear, what would they do? Without training, preparation, know-how, would they be victorious?

Could they, save their family?

“I’ll beat ‘em all...!”

A faint sound, yet the audience on the grandstand heard it, clearly. A young boy, answering Krone in earnest. The innocence and naivety of such child, got them thinking.

Am I the same?

Krone smiled, swirled the spear, hurling it into the ground.

Deep, into the ground.

“We all know the right answer, the better answer. However, we all know the outcome…Why? I’ll not answer it for you. Think for yourself.”

As he said, the audience could think, they were not fools.

The youth had no training, no preparation, no know-how. At the time, even when courage filled his being, the probability of him victorious?

Slim.

The candidates thinking, the knights pondering.

He had stirred them all, but for what purpose?

“Kharlussia is our family. Those thugs are our enemy. Tell me, would you like a tragedy? Or would you raise an army?”

…

Tragedy, or army?

He made the choices simple. His story, from his story, they knew. Such situation barred any thought of suing for peace. Would such thugs listen? Heh, it was a fool’s errand.

Achieving peace without strength, was a dream without work.

Laughable.

“…I call upon those my age, those who wish to train. Those who wish to prepare, to learn, to sacrifice! And when the time comes, you will be courageous! You will win! You will stand-up, respect to your own self!”

His right hand slashed the air, moving to the side.

A show of determination, burrowed deep into one’s consciousness.

“…I expect all those with dignity, Thursday morning! Gate of Aurenburg Knight’s Academy!”

He stepped forward, closing in to the observation crystal. His eyes, so close, as if staring them down.

Soon, the eyes closed.

“Choose.”

The last word.

He nodded to Sir Medron, eyes falling on Sir Kent, Natalia, Padre and the knights. Soon his sight fell on his team, he saw the twins, Doran, and Athea. His eyes gazed up, locking sight on a startled girl by a window, overlooking the field.

For them, he smiled, yet no more words.

Enough.

With that, he walked straight to the front gate, making his way out. The audience on the field, made way for him. As he walked, his lone back, the red sun showered his light.

Red hue filled everyone’s sight.

The sight, mesmerized them.

Similar thought crossed the mind of many.

He was walking a steep path, alone.

…

===

Peace without strength, is a dream without work.

The essence of the speech.

The speech made a ripple in the military staff and their relatives. Later, many more in Aurenburg came to know this boy’s name, his message reached so many ears.

His final word was simple, yet it resonated within everyone hearing it.

Choose.

That one word, became a sensation. Since it was simple, people remembered. That word kept being used more often by the days, from a serious tone down to cracking a joke. Soon enough, rumors about him spread.

About a teenage boy, dead set on defending his homeland.

…

=====

Three days after the historic speech.

While many knew of Krone’s name, not many knew of his look. Due to rumours, a lot of exaggeration and unnecessary details were added. Some of the more artful audience either commission artists or made their portraits of him. Yet even with so many artwork, most did not resembled him.

So people generally did not know his face. Well, it was only three days after all.

…

Morning.

Lively sunlight slapped a sleepy teen’s face.

“Huaahh,”

Tears, coming from his eyes.

The people walking by wondered what this young one was up to, so early in the morning.

He was sitting by a square’s fountain, dozing off. He did not have enough sleep these days, too many things to do. He had to wake up early, absorb a core, meditate, and a lot of petty things.

The days before too, were spent on moving around the city, making deals.

So much work, so much to be done.

The teen was wearing a white tunic, and by his side, a short sword.

He kept his family’s spear and other weapons in his spatial ring, convenient. He kept the sword by his side, just in case.

He took a handbook from his chest pocket, flipping it open. Within, a list of work.

It was his To-Do list.

“Let’s see, Auction House, check. Blacksmiths and Weapons, check. Land, ah, ask uncle later. Herbs, hm, Kristine should get them all today. My proxy, Riese…”

He took out a pen from his chest, pondering as he placed it on the book.

“Riese handles publication house, Alchemist Association, Magic Artisan, Media and Information… Four, wait is it five?"

He slapped his forehead.

“…I asked for a report twice a week. Perhaps I burden her too much?”

He hmm-ed. Soon, shook his head.

As a professional, him worrying about her would be an insult. She accepted the job, so he should just checked them later.

Wait, who was Riese?

Well, he had a lot of work to do, impossible to do it by himself. So he figured he needed a proxy, a loyal and skilled one, at that.

Two days ago, he went to an information agency under a guise.

He knew of this agency, a private institution often cooperating with the Defense Ministry, and Shurran had high regard for them. Thus, he chose to deal with them.

He requested the very best proxy, or agent-for-hire, no matter the price. The President of the agency presented to him five candidates, and he chose her.

Afterwards, they met.

From her face and her profile, and him probing her with critical questions, he knew he could trust her.

Riese Arhann.

A daughter of a formidable agent, she was sharp, well-trained.

More than so, it was her loyalty that made him chose her. The others were veterans, too complicated.

Too cunning.

She was a bit young, but she fit his criteria well.

They formed a legal contract, one which required her to work for him, for two years at least. His condition was simple, absolute secrecy. Her condition was simple as well, absolutely no conspiracy. After discussing the scope of her work, and the reason behind it, he was quite comfortable with her, and she, with him.

They hit it off.

“Hm, twenty thousand per month’s a bit expensive, but it ought to be worth it.”

He hired her with a salary of 20,000 Kion per month, and made the first month’s payment. Twenty thousand, enough to buy ten decent horses. For Kharlussian, a high sum for one in her twenties.

Yet he had to.

A good hand must be paid in full, no cutting corners. In addition, he promised her bonuses, for a job well done.

“It’s even better if I can pay her more, if she did a good job. It’s win-win.”

Recalling the satisfied look on the lady’s face, his pain from losing money ease, somewhat.

Originally, he had no money. Well, not much.

From his visit to the auction house earlier, he managed to secure a frontal payment of 300,000 Kion. He presented to them two very unusual beasts; a three-metre high Horned Wolf and a Tri-horn Bison, at least thrice the size of normal bison.

Both were rarest of rare, exotic.

In fact, both were never found in this world, not yet. In addition, they had their skin intact, no damage whatsoever. With all these factors, the price would soar.

“The items pack, came in handy,”

With the two beasts, he delighted the fatty Mr Duya, manager of the Aurenburg Auction House.

His pile of fats almost jumped up in joy. It was almost the final autumn auction, and he was a bit lacking in preparation. In a mere month, rich collectors around the city and nearby regions would come.

They needed new collection, to rid them of their boredom during the winter.

His reputation, and the auction house’s reputation were on the line.

Thus when Krone hinted of more rare beasts from his “source”, he agreed with making the high frontal payment. There was no telling how high they would be sold, but the fact that the ever-careful Mr. Duya was willing to pay such a sum as frontal payment, spoke for itself.

It was something rarely done.

'In one month, I can get at least two, three millions. Perhaps more, but I really don’t know how crazy these rich fellas… The crazier they are, the better.'

Originally he had eighteen beasts, preserved in three spatial rings. He entrusted two to the auction house, in order to spread the message of truly rare beasts for collection. The sixteen left with him, he pondered which to sell and to use.

They were from the Lesser Throne’s items pack, providing him six beasts in each ring. There were basic, low and high item packs, each stored inside a spatial ring.

The level of beasts, cores and rings, corresponded relative to their grade.

Moreover, the items pack gave him the highest quality beasts of each respective class.

These should be enough as his starting resources.

“Really useful,”

When he took a look at the three spatial rings on his left hand, he shuddered.

The price of these rings was astronomical. He had probed the price, apparently the basic spatial ring was 1.2 Million. It was called the Knight-class, particularly since each knight had one. On another note, so-called low spatial ring on his finger, was at least triple the price. In the market, it was called Duke-class.

However, the final spatial ring, provided by the high-items pack, was not on the market. In fact, the quality went beyond what human could forge.

“Something that could fit a warship inside. This is insane.”

Unfortunately, a living being, still alive, could not enter.

Its limitation was similar to other spatial rings. It required mana to place anything in, and mana to take anything out. The bigger it was, the higher the mana.

At the moment, the ring was filled to the brim. Six giant beasts were squeezed inside, so he barely had any space left. He could not get one out either, it required too much mana to take even the smallest high-level beast out.

His mana pool was insufficient.

“If I can get one out, and sell it, heh,”

He shook his head, that was a crazy idea.

He clearly would be calling out to the Union of Lords, with as loud a voice as possible;

Hey, I’m suspicious! I’m your target! Come to your papa, suckers!

That would be the epitome of foolishness.

Even selling the horned wolf and bison, he was risking big time. That was why he went to the auction house under guise, not to avoid paying taxes, mind you.

As he was pondering what he could possibly forget, he noticed a figure.

A familiar figure.

He stood up.

It’s still too early for anyone to come, he came here way earlier on purpose.

In his front, was a grand gate, guarded by many guards. On top of the gate was an emblem of a book with a quill pen, half-covering a sheathed sword. Today was the day when those who passed the test would report in. He purposely chose this day, and at a time conflicting the time they would come.

Come to this place, the Aurenburg Knight Academy.

He saw it. Someone came out from the gate, eyes fixed on him.

Not knowing why, he had shivers running through his spine.

“…For the first one to be you,”

He did not know what to make of it.

He clearly stated it, a call for one his age, but for her to come, was it merely for a chat?

Possible, but unlikely.

She had a light armor on, and a shining short sword on her waist. Her red cape kept flapping, blown by the sea wind. Her blonde hair was free, waving.

Her gait was steady.

Clearly, she had a purpose in mind.

Soon, she stopped in his front. Eyes on him, he shuddered, forcing a smile.

Soft, yet firm voice reached him;

“…Krone Kozak,”

“Lady Natalia,”

Krone answered, yet no more words came.

They stared at each other.

Time passed.

Sea wind brushed through, flapping her cape.

She finally spoke;

“I have questions, and I need answer,”

“…By all means,”

She smiled, placing her left hand on his shoulder. A sense of emergence shook him, he pushed her hand away, yet she was faster. She drew her short sword.

The sword’s edge stopped right before his chest.

Her left hand, filled with mana.

Stopping his retreat.

Witnessing this, the guards from afar startled, calling for the rest.

As for Krone, cold sweat ran through his neck.

“…Lady Natalia?”

He found himself compromised, never did he expect she would turn aggressive.

Aggressive, out of nowhere.

“Say, if I stab you right here on your chest…”

“That’s, that’s not funny, Lady Natalia!”

“Tell me Krone, how much mana do you need, to recover?”

“…”

Indeed, it was not funny.

She already figured out, something, within his body.

...

== Chapter 34 'A Call, An Answer' End ==