NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Who is the Pawn and Who is the Player
CG Chapter 44: Who is the Pawn and Who is the Player
The expression on Tom's face suddenly shifted from deep zeal to anger.
He shouted with fury, not caring about the identity of the man before him, "But that doesn't mean what he did to me was okay. Do you really want me not to kill that bastard? He sent a group of killers at me first because of his greed for the Baron's title, and naturally, I should have the right to kill him." Tom paused, catching his breath before continuing in a grim tone.
"You speak of the honor and glory of the family, but what about my honor? Am I worthless to you? Even if I am to be forgotten by the people and don't leave any trace behind, at least if I kill him, I will live my life following the path that I chose with my own hands."
The Baron, observing Tom's actions, smiled for an instant, not expecting Tom to notice. He sighed, "I understand that you have a lot of grievances against your brother. However, instead of killing him, you can turn him into a loyal follower of yours. Wouldn't that be better than the two of you fighting each other to the death?"
Tears streamed down Tom's cheeks, and words escaped his mouth with difficulty, "I … I don't know anymore."
The Baron, seeing that his son had begun to hesitate, took the chance to make his final move, "You might not forgive him in your life. Heck, you might even begin to hate me because of what I am doing. However, you, Edward, are the first of Flameheart, and as such, you are the only one I can trust here to carry on my title."
On the other hand, Tom felt that he had played his part for long enough and that it was time to wrap up this act. "I could never hate you, Father. I shall do as you order." The last part was spoken with a hint of palpable hatred.
With a weary smile gracing his fatigued countenance, the Baron's features had a newfound sense of vitality, "Well, that is good to hear, son."
"Before you leave, it's time for you to learn the sacred martial art that has been passed down through generations in our family. Don't you agree?"
Tom made sure that his face displayed an ashamed expression, just like how a redeemed version of Edward would have behaved.
However, inside, he felt happy that he would gain a higher-grade martial art instead of the one he got from Maro before killing him. This was one of the many reasons why he returned to the castle; the knowledge and resources the family could provide would save him a lot of time.
Once he depleted the family's resources, he planned to go elsewhere.
"I don't know which manual you used to reach the level of an apprentice knight, but I can assure you that all arts pale in comparison to the way of Flameheart," the Baron continued, his voice filled with pride.
"The 'Emberstorm Style,' a manual that was refined through the blood and sweat of our ancestors, those who fought in wars that are only told as horror stories to kids before bedtime. They made sure to optimize it to the highest level possible. And although it might not equal the arts that the royal families use, I can assure you that under the Seven, this art is the strongest. It will forge your strength through the crucible of fire. The more you expose yourself to its searing heat, the greater your harmony with its formidable power will become."
After he said that, the Baron grabbed a manual covered by a dark red substance from the table behind him, throwing it towards Tom. "I am sure I don't need to tell you that this manual is only to be seen by you and no one else," he said.
"Yes, of course, I will guard it with my life," replied Tom, displaying a genuine smile.
The Baron nodded his head before excusing Tom and allowing him to leave.
Tom exited the courtyard, thinking, 'The old man is really cunning. He didn't display it, but I can feel that he doubted my identity. He held his sword close, planning to kill me at the first hiccup. He is ruthless to his sons yet loyal to the family; what a waste.'
As he walked toward the library, needing to shuffle through the memories of Edward to remember its location, that task was quickly sorted with the help of Noor. By acquiring the 'Emberstorm Style,' he addressed his first weakness and was now determined to overcome the second—his lack of knowledge about crucial details of this world.
As Tom swung open the grand doors of the library, a smile appeared on his face at the enchanting sight of countless rows of books. The air was saturated with the nostalgic fragrance of ink and old sandalwood.
The library's design exuded a timeless elegance, with towering mahogany bookshelves that reached the ceiling, each shelf meticulously organized to house a vast collection of literary treasures. Soft ambient lighting coming from the fireplace cast a warm glow, creating an inviting atmosphere that beckoned readers to explore the wealth of knowledge within.
After finding a comfortable spot amidst plush armchairs and ornate reading tables, Tom began to flip through the pages of the manual. As his fingers traced the words, he soon reached the final page.
From there, he issued a command, 'Noor, optimize the martial art techniques for my body, ensuring maximum efficiency.'
[Analysis]
[Detecting a possibility of slight improvement through the merger with other martial arts]
Tom felt satisfied with that, so he let Noor do her thing while he delved into books related to the geography of the seven kingdoms.
The first book he picked had a black leather cover, and the title was 'Journey through the World' by Bon Vincent.
As he perused the pages, the intricate details of each kingdom unfolded before him. The vivid descriptions painted images of diverse landscapes, bustling cities, and the socio-political intricacies of the realms. The author's eloquent prose transported Tom to a world rich in history and culture, making the journey through the book a captivating experience.