Although Langer gave two choices in the name of the Einske family, Chris knew that he had no choice at all.
To be precise, the Eaton family has no choice.
The population of the Eaton Territory is only over 10,000 people. Although these people who have taken root in the north for generations support and love the kind-hearted Eaton family, if they want to move to the south thousands of miles away, at least half of them will have to move from there.
No longer willing to be a subject of the Eaton family.
The difficulty of leaving homeland is one factor.
Deaths and injuries during the migration, fear of an uncertain future, fear of rejection due to regional conflicts between the North and South, and worries about whether they would be enslaved after arriving in the South, etc., all made people afraid to support the Eaton family.
Especially since they have other options.
After the Eaton family was isolated, both the Ice and Snow Goddess Cult and Earl Mikonokhi have been sending people to sneak into the Eaton territory and promising generous conditions to lure them away from the Eaton family and enter the northwest plains to start a new life and bathe in the Ice and Snow Goddess Cult again.
of brilliance.
Moreover, since the title and nobility system is about to be eliminated in the South, can the Eaton family still have people after it has passed?
Without the people, how can they rise again? With just a few dozen men with the surname of Eaton, by the time they are as powerful as in the north, they will probably be dead and wounded!
Moving to the south and starting everything from scratch would be no less than self-destruction for the Eaton family.
At least, Chris will not sacrifice his entire family and territory to fulfill his own future!
So when Lange Einske first gave his choice, he asked without thinking, "Your Majesty, how much time do I have?"
It also made Lange show his approval eyes again.
Because he knew that Chris had already made his choice and was asking him how much time he had left to pursue the road to becoming a strong man.
Especially because the young man in front of me has just turned nineteen.
Nineteen years old, he is still a big boy.
At this age, many people are still making trouble everywhere under the protection of their fathers, but he has to shoulder the responsibility for the rise and fall of the family. And he did not complain or shrink, and chose to face the difficulties without hesitation.
Therefore, at that moment, Lange even felt that the choice he gave was too harsh and unfair for the young man in front of him.
After all, he is Avril's child, and Einsick's blood also flows in his body.
And based on James's observations in the wilderness, it is enough to conclude that he has good qualities and is the heir to Eton worthy of Einsick's continued support.
"Dear little Chris, you don't have much time."
After a moment of silence, Langer said softly, "You should know that more than twenty years ago, the demigods brought back the heads of two centaur Khans from the northern grasslands, right? In fact, the other one was not killed.
Khan was also seriously injured by the demigods back then, and died ten years ago. But before he died, he asked all the centaurs to prepare for the invasion of the north. Because he said that the demigods were also seriously injured.
, will inevitably fall within twenty years! Not many people in the world know this secret, not even your grandfather and father, but it is not a secret to the Einske family. Therefore, you only have ten years, or even less.
.”
Having said this, Langer stood up, walked to Chris, and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Dear little Chris, your choice makes me very happy, and it also awakens my guilt as an uncle. Therefore, I plan to give you another chance to choose. If the Eaton family is willing to come to the south, I will help you
How about choosing an Ainsk wife and letting your family have a parish as a place of self-sufficiency?"
"Thank you, dear uncle."
Chris, who felt family affection for the first time when he entered the study, showed a bright smile, "But my grandma once told me that fate is as cold as winter. Only by bravely facing the injustice of fate can we welcome the tenderness of God."
Wait', she told me not to lack courage no matter what I face. So I'm sorry, uncle, my choice remains unchanged, because I can't live up to grandma's expectations."
"Avril~~"
Lange sighed softly after receiving the reply.
After a slight silence, he continued, "That's all, it's up to you. However, little Chris, if you change your mind in the future, my promise today will be valid until the demigod falls." After saying that, he turned around and went to the tall room.
In front of the counter, he took out a parchment letter from the bottom drawer, handed it to Chris, and then waved his hand, "I'm tired, you can go out. James, you can take little Chris directly to accept the trial tomorrow.
, there is no need to come again to ask for instructions.”
"Okay, Father."
James, who had been treating himself as a bystander since entering the house, quickly responded, stood up and pulled Chris away. His steps were so hurried, as if there was a snake man chasing him behind him, and Chris didn't even have a chance to thank him or politely leave.
.
Is it possible that the Duke will go back on his promise?
After leaving the yard, Chris felt a little confused.
And James didn't wait for him to ask questions, he just said casually, "Don't think too much, my father has been used to being alone these years, and he doesn't like people in his study. He usually just asks the guards to deliver notes.
. If it weren’t for the fact that you came to the south for the first time, he would have asked me to talk to you today."
"Oh~"
Chris responded, "Well, James, what does the Duke mean by asking me to accept the trial?"
"A trial that can only be accepted by direct children of the Ainske family or those with extraordinary talents. It lasts for one month. If you pass it, you can pursue the path of becoming a strong person. But if you fail, you can stay at home and serve the family peacefully.
. It can be regarded as a kind of screening, in order to reduce the unnecessary death of family members trying to break through the shackles of the strong. You will know the specific situation tomorrow. Well, it is late at night, you go back and rest first, and I will look for you at noon tomorrow.
"
"good."
The whole journey was silent.
Chris, who returned to his room, took out the parchment letter Lange had just given by the dim candlelight.
The rolled parchment letter was tied with a thin rope. The original color of the rope could no longer be seen, and the corners of the paper letter were also slightly yellowed. It was obvious that it had been aged for some time.
Is this a certificate for joining the Order of the Guardians?
Chris, who still remembered Lange's promise, gently opened the parchment letter with curiosity, and then couldn't help but exclaimed.
This letter was written by his mother Avril!
Although Avril Lavigne didn't leave much writing, Chris recognized his mother's handwriting at a glance.
"Ama~"
He called softly and touched the handwriting with his fingers, and the good times of his childhood came to mind.
I do not know how long it has been.
Finally coming back from his memories, he moved the candle closer and read the letter word for word.
"Dear Chris, when you read this letter, you should be a man. I'm sorry that I can't accompany you to grow up, nor can I witness your coming-of-age ceremony. But Chris, you have to believe that I am
Your love is always there. On your fifteenth birthday, your father should give you a long knife, right? That long knife was originally my weapon, but I entrusted your grandfather to let the dwarf forging master seal it
Come on. Yes, the blade you see now is actually just a scabbard. It has no characteristics except that it is strong enough. If you want it to see the light of day again, you need to get the fangs of the gold-swallowing beast and the poisonous needles of the scorpion-tailed beast.
As well as a dark red ice-bone lizard horn, these three materials are given to the dwarf blacksmith master. This is the coming-of-age ceremony test I left for you, and it is also the final requirement: If you cannot gather these three materials on your own, then
Give up the road of chasing the strong! Please promise me this, my little Chris, I don’t want to meet you again in heaven soon - the grandma who will always love you, Avril."
Chris, who had read it several times, blew out the candle and lay on the bed holding the parchment letter tightly.
Grandma, I will always remember your face...
Grandma, I will never live up to your expectations...
Grandma, I miss you so much...
The night is getting deeper, and the insects outside the house are singing happily about the vitality of early summer. The enchanting red moon diffuses the blood through the window and falls on the ground, making a mockery of the joys and sorrows of the world.