(AN:- Tried to do some different POVs and expand the lore.
Hoped you would like it!)
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(Garfield Pov)
To say these past months were eventful is an understatement.
Just after the Oath of Aura Ceremony, I immediately returned to the Estate to make preparations for the retaliation that would come.
I know, you'd be asking me, why the heck did I take the Oath of Aura, knowing that would make me the enemy of both factions?
Well, does a father need a reason to fulfill his child's wish? Besides, His Majesty is my Lord's only child...
The same Lord, whom I couldn't protect..
You can say it's a message from remnants of the Crown Prince's supporters, to not make a move against His Majesty. Besides Duke Warung and that guy hadn't made a single move.
I bet that's what's made those geezers unable to sleep at night.
But the audacity of those ape-headed Nadur Republic, to launch an attack deep into Archduke Raul's territory!
Another surprise was the unification of those lawless Maleret islands. All 141 of those cursed Islands are united. And the person who did that is a grandmaster of Aura, probably in a higher rank than mine.
It took me 10 years to reach the intermediate 5th Stage, and alongside Richter and our fallen friend William de Aarigon, we were the [Trio] of the young generations.
But this guy...
It is said that he's still young, about mid-thirties, and he's already at the 5th stage of Aura.
Normally, that would have been the end of the story, but the issue is... this guy led a massive raid across the Western coast of the Empire, or more specifically..
On the Duchy of Aquila..
I don't even know whether to laugh or cry!
Although I hate both of them and wish for their utter destruction from the Lord, I do love my nation. Eldorion is my home, I have bled for this land...
More importantly, that friend of mine..
Johannes...
He would've helped Karl as well, even though they are enemies.. Just cause Raul Dutchy is part of the Empire as well.. The people are Eldorion's people..
I did send help, letting some of the young knights who had joined Elmsworth's Knight Division, Falcon Order, led by that son of mine.
*sigh
Just thinking about him makes my blood boil!
That brat! He's so annoying! Can't he be like Luna and behave like an ideal, obedient child! He's a complete trouble-maker, womanizer, and whatnot. He's only 15 and has already wooed all the maids in my palace. Damn it!
Now I am having dreams of those maids visiting my palace with kids. I am just 41, and he's already going to make me a grandfather!
Then what! I'll have to take care of like 45 mini Dynir! Oh god!
What's more frustrating is that he's extremely competent when serious. Be it opening and operating companies, leading troops, war strategy, commerce, or the development of territory, he's good at it all.
Well, I did get to see a rare astonished face when I revealed what had transpired in the session.
He was against it, but for Luna's sake, he gave in.
Deep down, he's a softie..
Annoying softie..
~~~
About His Majesty..
He's capable, but needs the drive.. Or we could say, he needs a purpose for igniting his potential. Being capable of manipulating mana, while also having a body capable enough to use Aura..
Yeah, it's a second coming of the Emperor Cardinal..
He might even have surpassed the First Emperor...
Just that drive, that purpose..
Luna told me everything about him. he used to be a curious kid with an extremely sharp mind. But after what happened during the territorial war, he recognized the importance of his loved ones in his life..
Now he just needs another push, and I bet he would finally unleash his potential.
An Ignivar can never be underestimated, especially the one who hides his claws...
He's the Thread that binds the entire Empire..
He's the only one who can free not only himself, but also all the oppressed people of the Empire. He just needs to realize it.
And when he does, then that Thread would become a spear that will plunge into the enemy's heart..
~~~
Looking at the report sent to me by The Guardian.
Damn it!
I still got manipulated...
*sigh
"Maybe I am getting older. "
But Guardian is an annoying and dangerous opponent. It is said that the current Guardian has forced their predecessor to 'commit suicide '.
Their spy network is formidable as well. But for now, they are allies, especially since they are watching over His Majesty..
After all, their only job is to serve...
The successor of Valgus.
(Pov Ends)
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(Vinfred Pov)
Even though I had missed my daughter's birth, I did get to see her in just a few days. Truly...
She's the most beautiful thing I've ever held..
I am a rational person, with little thoughts for philosophy, but when I held my little daughter, my strength increased..
'A man gets stronger when he has some to protect'
I guess I should accept the Guardian's proposal..
Though that person is a bastard, he's still the most loyal of them all.
Besides, that Emperor. To go such lengths, to protect someone dear to him.
"It's just like you, Johannes. Like father, like son. Heh. " I chuckled loudly.
"What are you talking dear? " My wife, Lina, asked.
She is from a small baron's family, a pawn not even worth being disposable. That's why she managed to marry me, an unknown man, with broken dreams..
"Nothing! But I do have something to tell you. " I said.
"What is it, dear? " She asked.
"We're leaving the town. We're shifting to Capital in the next few days. " I said to her. That Guardian is truly capable. I already have forged documents for the new house in the eastern district of the Capital.
"What! Why so sudden? Then what about the school?" She asked in a tone of panic. Of course, I expected that.
Currently, I just run a school for countryside kids, teaching them to read and write. Of them, this kid, Ron, he's the brightest one among them. Also, he's awakened mana, which means he'll be a magician in the future.
Maybe I should take him with me...
"Old man Biden can take care of the school; it was originally his, I was just a caretaker. " I said, before stopping.
I guess I should reveal it. Lina still didn't have any idea of who I was in the past. All she knows is that I had served a Lord, who died on the battlefield. Maybe...
I was holding it all in...
"Lina.. There's something I want to share with you. " I said hesitantly.
She looked at me for a moment before smiling warmly, " Yes, tell me. "
That gave me courage; maybe she always gave me the courage to move ahead.
"I hadn't told you about my past. " I said,
"You did tell me that you worked for a Lord before his death, then spent two years wandering before meeting me, right? " She asked.
"Yes, that's true, but... Half of the truth. Let me tell you from the start. " I said, telling my birth, how I abandoned swordsmanship and chose books, how I was unceremoniously ousted of my house, my wandering days.
What I didn't realize was that I had a smile on my face when I told her about my meeting with my Lord.
"Then, on one of my days in the Library, in Imperial Territory, I came across a young man with blonde hair. " I said.
"We both talked for hours, and before I knew it, that idiot asked me to 'join' his crew, to 'change the world'. I accepted his invitation, and later on, I realized his identity. " I said, looking at her.
"His name was Johannes Von Ignivar, the Crown Prince of my Empire.... " I revealed, to which she was dumbfounded. But I continued,
"After some adventures with him, I became his retainer, one of the first ones. He became my Lord, my best friend, and my reason for using my gift. " I said, with a fond smile.
"We came across the Legendary Wandering Strategist, whom I joined to gather exchange. For the next few years, we became mercenary strategists, and I became a full-fledged strategist, with a dream of becoming the Prime Minister under Johannes's reign. "I said, with a nostalgic look. She just looked at me, with the same bewildered face, but still keeping quiet for me to continue,
" But then... I heard the news.. Crown Prince died on the battlefield.. After confirming it, I didn't cry.. Nor did I break down.. But... "I said, with few chocks, tears glisning from my eyes.
" But.. It felt like I lost my reason, my passion... "I said, before finally crying..
" My Sun! " I cried out.. She rushed in and hugged me. It's so nice to have a wife who can support you in the darkest of times. Truly, I'm blessed to have it.
Before she could console me,
"But I had forgotten something... Something Important in my grief. " I said, determination sweeping through me..
The days I spent with the teacher, crossing mountains, lakes, and forests, gathering experience and intellect, all for my pledge to my Lord. It's back in me again.
"I had forgotten that, my Lord had a son.. " I said, a smile forming.
"A son, capable enough to carry his legacy. I had already wasted my 4 years in grief, but not anymore. " I said, then looked straight at her.
"My journey will be filled with trouble and danger. I'll be back to my days as a strategist. If the enemies recognized my identity as the Crown Prince's retainer, anyone associated with me would be in danger. So, will you join me? " I asked her wife, not as Vinfred, a school teacher, but as Vinfred Tristan, the strategist.
Without any hesitation, she held my hands and kissed me.
"Our life was already bound together that day when we married. Your past is my past, your burden is my burden. Don't worry, this Lina will follow you to the depths of hell and back. " Lina said.
"Besides.. " A mischievous grin on her face, she said,
"Vinfred strategist looks so much cooler than that nerdy Teacher. " She said cheekily.
"Oh really, how about I show you my strategies for tonight. " I said, with a grin, before pouncing on her. Looks like my daughter will get a younger sibling soon.
My relationship with Lina has improved a lot today. After my 'sessions' with her, I sent my message to the Guardian.
From now on, I'll be the Vinfred Tristan, the Archive Manager of Imperial Library...
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(Unknown Pov)
"Never thought, I'll be returning to this land, let alone bringing an armada, to fuck it up. " Said the figure in a melodious voice. The figure was wrapped around, in a tight chainmail armor, with a crimson red cape, with a Jolly Roger of a skull, with a bone below it.
"My Lady, we have been spotted by the Aquila Navy! Requesting to engage them! " A Sailor asked the figure, who is revealed to be an extremely beautiful woman, with gilded silver hair, and looks like in her mid-twenties.
"Fuck'em up boys." She replied coldly.
"HAA"
"FOR THE KING OF PIRATES! "
"JUST YOU WAIT, NOBLES! "
"Make sure not to harm innocents. If anyone dares disobey my orders, kill'em. " She said coldly.
She then went inside her Captain's cabin. Inside the cabin, there was something no one had ever expected from her of all...
Or someone..
Inside were toys and picture books for children,
"Mom! You are back! Hehehe. " A little kid, about the age of Arthur, barely 4 years, pounced at the silver-haired woman.
One look at her, and I would even doubt whether they are even related, but their scarlet red eyes say different.
"How was your day, sweetheart. " Woman asked, with a warm smile, as if she were not the King of the Pirates, but just a loving mother.
"It was amazing! Aunt Riko took me to see the new fish! " The child replied, with a toothy grin.
After chatting with her child, she let her down from the cabin, and let her sleep.
Later that night, looking at the two moons in the sky, she murmured softly to herself,
"Let's help your child for once, Johannes. "
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