Chapter 2

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Chapter 2: Elan Yalan

“Elan, let’s name our child Elan.” The blonde woman lay on the soft golden bed, holding the child in her arms, frowning and thinking for a long time. Suddenly, she became happy and tugged at the corner of her husband’s brown linen coat as he sat beside her reading a book.

Her husband’s somewhat unkempt face turned toward her, and his gaze shifted from the book in his hand to his beautiful wife. “Hmm, it’s a good name, Elan Yalan.” The nearly middle-aged Yann smiled and praised his wife Gianna while keeping his eyes fixed on the clean, fair-skinned Elan in Gianna’s arms. A strange and unprecedented emotion suddenly surged in his heart, causing him to nod occasionally toward Elan as he focused on his thoughts.

Perhaps it was because he was becoming a father for the first time that Yann, rarely seen, was so thoughtful and considerate. For him, the birth of this little life was like a stone being thrown into the still waters of his previously uneventful life.

In almost an instant, water splashed, waves surged, and a flood of deep thoughts spread throughout his heart.

“What are you thinking about?” Gianna couldn’t help but laugh when she saw her husband’s strange expression, which looked like someone full of ambition. Usually, her husband was quite serious and earnest.

Interrupted by his wife, Yann finally snapped back to reality, shook his head, and smiled: “Ah, nothing, I was just imagining Elan’s future! I kept thinking, and I saw you, and I thought that Elan will surely grow up to be an even more handsome man than me!”

“Of course, although you’re not very good-looking, my genes are excellent. They say boys take after their mothers, so our Elan will definitely inherit more from me.”

Yann lifted his sleeve to cover his face and laughed, his crescent-shaped eyebrows becoming even more beautiful against her starry eyes. Yann didn’t argue, but moved closer to his wife, extended his rough hand to rub little Elan’s cheek, and said earnestly, “Elan, under our good and excellent guidance, he will surely become a revered Viscount.”

Gianna’s expression became exaggerated when she heard this. She shrugged, expressing her disdain, and said in a slightly questioning and playful tone, “Oh? How do you know he’ll only be a Viscount? Maybe he’ll become a Count or even a Marquis in the future.”

“Yes, yes, our Elan is so outstanding, he will definitely surpass us and reach even greater heights!” Yann, deeply understanding Gianna, quickly clapped and agreed. Their actions also made Elan, whose memories were muddled at the time, laugh out loud, and the louder laughter echoed through the spacious room.

In this warm and cozy room, illuminated by several candles, the Viscount and Viscountess freely talked about their expectations for their son’s future, and Elan’s increasingly clear eyes and vivid memory recorded everything in his mind.

“Elan Aran” was born from that moment.

…………..

Elan stared blankly at the book in his hand. It was the one his father had always read before his death. It didn’t contain any exciting stories, only various methods and secrets for managing the Viscount’s territory, passed down and continuously refined by the Yalan family for generations.

He looked at the pages of the book. This book hadn’t been read for many years, and a gold-leaf bookmark was pressed between one of the pages, its position unchanged since three years ago.

He was now sixteen years old. The coming days were supposed to be the time for his coming-of-age ceremony, but now he had to face the tragic news from afar.

His father, Yann Yalan, had died in battle. Although he had killed the third prince of the Red Maple Federation, earning the applause of many, for Elan, this was not something to celebrate.

No one’s value could surpass his “father” himself, and this event inevitably dragged him back to those dark days he had witnessed before.

That was during the Second Red Maple-Sallo War. His mother, Gianna, a royal mage, chose to go to the front lines at Sallo Castle for support.

However, she stayed forever at Sallo Castle, helping the court mages to resist the enemy’s forbidden spell.

After that, the Imperial Mage Corps and the Knights suffered heavy losses, with two of the four legions completely wiped out. The outcome was that the enemy’s forbidden spell was neutralized, one of their legions evaporated, and they couldn’t wage a major war for the next five years.

Subsequently, the Empire urgently conscripted many barons and viscounts from Golden Spike City and Red Sand City into the army. Although the Aran territory wasn’t conscripted, his father Yann still chose to go voluntarily and never returned.

Elan had been mentally prepared for his father’s death in battle, but when that day finally arrived, the immense pressure was still unbearable.

The old butler watched as Elan quietly caressed the pages of the book, the familiar touch felt countless times reaching his hands again. Moon recalled Gianna, her death had deeply affected Elan, and it was from that time that he stopped smiling. As for the impact of Elan’s father’s death, the old butler couldn’t predict.

All he could do now was to follow the new lord’s will, stay by his side, and rein him in at the critical moment.

However, at this moment, in his humble opinion, Elan’s abilities and strength did not match the power of a Viscount. His aged eyes saw through the facade of the boy’s forced composure and saw the restless heart within.

Moon shook his head, got up, and planned to go to the kitchen to make Elan a calming tea, but suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

“My lord! Something’s wrong!” A young knight pushed the door open and entered, kneeling on one knee.

“What has you so flustered?” Elan’s breathing unconsciously grew heavier. He closed the book, stood up, and walked to the window where the sun shone, looking outside with his hands behind his back. The green vines had already climbed up the wall, becoming a decoration.

“Autumn Hill Town, Autumn Hill Town has rebelled!” The young knight was obviously agitated. He removed his helmet, his entire body drenched in sweat from continuous running, and his heavy knight’s armor and underclothes were all soaked.

“Hmm?” Elan frowned. “At this time?” The old butler Moon revealed a thoughtful expression.

Eran immediately picked up the telescope from the side table and looked toward Autumn Hill Town. There was no smoke from the town, and from this direction, there were no signs of fighting. It seemed too quiet, much different from the usual early market scene in Autumn Hill Town at this time, more like a staged play.

“Could it be a trap?” Moon reminded him.

Elan looked at him and smiled bitterly. “Hah, even if it’s a trap, I still have to go, don’t I?”

“What’s your name?” His gaze shifted from Moon to the young knight.

“My name is Solota Payne, my lord!”

Elan nodded and continued, “Well then, Sir Solota, are you willing to join me in suppressing the rebellion?”

Solota breathed heavily, and after a moment, finally made up his mind, saying, “It would be my honor!”

Elan nodded and stepped out the door. The brilliant sunlight cast its glow behind him, but he stepped into the shadows.