Chapter 10 (2/2)

With mixed emotions, the band left this area, and faced their next obstacle—a densely wooded forest.

With staff raised in one hand, Herti drew some kind of runes in mid-air. She then looked towards the dense forest and said, “We can only reach the main road through this forest. That’s the only way we’ll be able to reach Tanzan.”

Gawain’s face was brimming with curiosity and envy (even as he tried to mask it) as he stared at the glowing runes above Herti’s palm. “Magic does seem like a convenient thingy…”

“Ancestor?” Herti looked a little confused, before her expression morphed into one of terror. “Have I displeased you with my magic?”

Gawain was surprised. “Ah? Why would I be displeased?”

“Knights have always been the foundation of the Cecil Clan. The orthodox path for members have always been of martial arts and knighthood. Rebecca and I have become mages instead… if it was a hundred years ago, it would have been a problem for us to get a foothold in the family, let alone been able to inherit the right to rule,” Herti explained a little anxiously. “It’s just that… ever since that incident that happened a hundred years ago, the clan’s reputation had taken a nosedive, and with the population growing scarce, there was a lack of disciples with extraordinary strength, which meant that we could only get recognition outside of being knights… But no matter what, this has violated the family’s rules.”

Gawain returned, “Who came up with such a silly rule?”

As an open-minded person, he had always detested pedantry for rules.

However, as soon as he uttered these words, the atmosphere suddenly became weird. Knight Byron immediately pretended to tie his shoelaces—even though he was wearing iron boots—and Herti froze on the spot, while Rebecca raised a timid finger to Gawain himself two seconds later.

Gawain: “…”

Going through his memory of that year…. that had indeed happened.

The youthful and proud hero, Gawain Cecil, had been drinking in light of their triumphant establishment of the Anzu Kingdom with Charlie the First. Both the close friends had tooted their own horns and discussed what the world would then become. During that year, they had painstakingly led their clansmen to escape to the north, and had now become pioneers and founders. They predicted that they would become the first wave of aristocrats, and so long as they lived and had descendants, this posse of founding noblemen would be able to continue their lineage and become ancient families with a wealth of heritage…

Thus, the inebriated pioneers of the kingdom huddled together in reflection. Should they standardize a set of rules and family percepts and things like that, so that their descendants would not forget the spirit of these gang of forefathers? As the pioneers of the pioneers, and the founders of the founders, Gawain Cecil and Charlie the First were undoubtedly looked upon to lead by example.

So, the Gawain Cecil of seven hundred years ago had gulped down a mug of strong beer, looked at the knight’s sword holstered at his side, and raised a hand to pen these lines.

‘Knights are more freaking awesome than mages.’

When Charlie the First saw this line, he was so pleased that he wrote the following line.

‘Gawain speaks the truth.’

The former remark had become the guiding principle of the Cecil Clan, while the latter… the latter had been so strongly opposed by the retinue and advisors of Charlie the First that it had been nullified.

The king, who was sober and had the bigger picture in his mind, naturally would not make such a drunken proclamation a policy of the kingdom. However, with all seriousness, Gawain Cecil had implemented this as a clan rule.

After emerging from his memory bank, Gawain cast an awkward glance at both Herti and Rebecca.

He sighed. “I was drunk then. Just pretend that there was no such rule…”

Herti and Rebecca: “…”

Just then, Gawain’s embarrassment was saved by a grumbling emanating from Amber’s stomach.

“Though I know it’s kinda inappropriate to break this to you when you’re enjoying your quality family time,” the half-elf girl said as she rubbed her tummy awkwardly, “but I’m a little hungry.”

It was as if the growling from Amber’s stomach was a catalyst, as everyone’s stomach rumbled right after she spoke.

Even Gawain was no exception to this.

It was only then that Gawain realized everyone had not eaten for a long time ever since they had surfaced from that darkened crypt.

Also, he had gone without food for a way longer period of time than anyone else here—the last time he had the pleasure of chewing food, the monkeys on Loren had not even begun to walk upright.