Dragon Order of Flame Volume 1 Chapter 5 Part5

Chapter 5 Part 5

The days that came after the subjugation of the Orcs were relaxing and without incident. August quickly pa.s.sed by, and by the middle part of September, an unexpected incident occurred to Count Astal.

One night when everyone was asleep, excluding the knights, Count Astal walked into his study room out of habit and noticed a letter placed on top of the table. Thinking that it may have been an invitation from another n.o.ble, the Count picked up the letter and found a name written on it.

To Father, from Luke Astal.

Although they both lived in the same castle, it was difficult for them to see each other’s faces. Finding a letter from his riddle filled son, the Count tilted his head. If he had something to say, he could’ve just said it in person. Why did he have to go out of his way to leave a letter?

However, as soon as the Count opened the letter, his face stiffened. It was because the contents of the letter were unexpected. The Count immediately threw on his overcoat, ran out to the stable, and was rus.h.i.+ng out on top of a horse.

“Count! Where are you going this late at night?”

“I’ll be right back! It’ll be quick, so don’t worry about it!”

Responding back to the question that the surprised gate keeper asked, the Count continued to ride away. And, after he broke himself free from the town, he headed towards a forest past the hills.

It was very easy for the Count to find his way towards his destination, because it was brightly lit, as if to guide him there. It was difficult to consider the light as being campfire, because it seemed like many firewood were stacked together before being lit.

He he he heng!

The Count continued to head towards the light. A little before the entrance to the forest, it seemed as if a festival was about to begin. Many firewood were stacked together and lit up with a blazing fire.

“Luke!”

Noticing someone standing in front of him, the Count yelled out. Although the person in front wore a thick, traveler’s cape and had a hood over his head, the Count was sure that it was Luke.

“You’ve come, father.”

As if waiting for this moment, Luke unveiled his hood to show his face. Stopping in front of him, the Count got off the horse and asked.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought it would be difficult for you to find your way here, father. And, because I wanted to say my last goodbyes, I put a lot of thought into this.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. Why are you suddenly saying that you’re going to leave?”

In Luke’s letter, all that was written was that he was planning on leaving, and that he requested the Count to make his way towards this location to say his last goodbyes. As the Count was surprised, he had no other options but to rush his way over here.

Luke responded.

“I have something that I must do.”

“What is this something that you must do? Didn’t you come here to gain recognition as my son? You can now live here as my son, so why are you saying that you’re going to be leaving?”

The Count was very confused.

Being similar to himself, Luke was very mysterious and hard to figure out. His maturity that did not match his age, or his outstanding talents that could be seen, even though he was not raised in a n.o.ble family; these were just some parts to his mysteriousness.

However, the Count was never suspicious or nitpicky regarding these points. Either way, Luke was his son, so it was obvious to be boastful of his strong will and outstanding talent for martial arts. As his father, the Count wanted to accept everything of Luke and wanted to be responsible for him.

During the 6 months since Luke had come to the castle, the Count had completely accepted him as his son. Although he may have felt a little out of place, the Count had a.s.sumed that Luke was getting used to living life here at the castle. He was very proud with what Luke had shown during the Orc subjugation, and was also happy because he had though that Luke was getting along with Marvin.

Yet, now he was saying that he was going to leave. It was hard to comprehend.

With a bitter smile, Luke responded back.

“Father, I am a seed of disorder.”

“What?”

“The day that you had accepted me as your son……..I became an existence that would become a poison to the Astal family.”

“Who said that? Because you’re an illegitimate child? If there’s a person who would dare to say such bulls.h.i.+t, I will…….!!!!”

As the Count was getting agitated, Luke quietly shook his head. Seeing that the Count was truly getting angry for his sake, Luke felt even more bitter. The Count really had accepted Luke as his son, and was therefore, getting angry for his sake.

Luke spoke.

“It’s not something that someone had said. Father, you should know the laws of this country. Even still, as I became an existence that you had accepted, you did not provide any relief for Marvin who had felt a sense of crisis from me.”

“I have yet to decide on a successor. If you weren’t there, I’m sure Marvin would have become the successor. However, if there are two qualified people for the spot, the person who should take over the family name should be the one that is more outstanding.”

The Count answered without hesitation. At those words, Luke bit his lips.

Luke had already realized what the Count was thinking. That’s why, because the Count couldn’t decide on a successor between himself and Marvin, the family had scattered.

However, this was the first time hearing such direct words from the Count. For some reason, Luke felt relief, but anger at the same time.

“That’s wrong, father.”

“What did you say?”

Anger could be heard in the Count’s voice. Simultaneously, a compelling spirit began to radiate out. A normal person would have become unable to breathe if they were against this force.

However, Luke calmly stared and answered.

“As a Lord, you are outstanding, father. I’ve seen how much the people respect you as the Lord, and I also respect you as a Lord”

It was very difficult to find a Lord who was so loved by his people, even if the whole world was flipped upside down. However, being a perfect Lord quickly led to an imperfect family for the Count.

“However, you were too busy looking at the big picture that you failed to notice the little one. You must clearly see the results that come out from your actions. The hurt you have caused your wife, the anger that has formed within Marvin. You say that you will take responsibility for your impulsive actions, but that is the genuine act of irresponsibility. You probably don’t know all the pain that you have given, because of your selfish decisions.”

“Luke, you dare to lecture me?”

“That’s right. Even if you get mad, I will say everything that I want to say. If I don’t, no one else will be able to teach you the truth. You need to know the thoughts of those around you. The thoughts of your wife, Marvin, and……even me.”

“Luke, I am your father! It’s a matter of course for the father to take responsibility of his own child, yet you’re saying that that’s wrong?”

“I did not say that that was wrong. What’s wrong is the method in which you’re taking responsibility. You have accepted me as your son, and think that everything is over with that, but you have failed to realize the thoughts of those around you. Also, after you released your desire on my mother, not once did you go to visit her.”

“I had given Rinal a keepsake, and requested her to come find me if she needed anything.”

“How wonderful it would be if the world was as simple as you’d wish, father? After you released your desires on a woman, how many of them do you think actually came to visit you? And, have you ever had any interest in what had become of them?”

“Luke, I will not listen to any more of this. You better shut that mouth of yours before I truly get mad.”

“I’m glad to hear that you really will get mad. I’ve been thinking that we should speak through our fists at least once anyways.”

Luke spoke, while staring at the heavily angry Count. And, he undid the pin on his shoulder that held his traveler’s cloak together, threw it to the side, and got into a stance.

“Although I’ve been well behaved till now, there are a mountain of things that I have kept bottled inside of me, father. Honestly, I wanted to clear these from my heart before I left, which is why I had you come over here. Let’s fight.”

“Alright. If that’s what you want, I will not reject it and will help you fix your manners!”

The Count also threw off his overcoat and raised his fists. Like that, in the midst of Autumn’s chilly night air, father and son faced each other.

Chapter 5 Part 5 Completed.