Mount and Blade

The old man's face was full of traces of time, but his eyes were still sharp, and every time he swung his sword, he revealed his youthful demeanor.

"Hu...Hu..." Even though the back of his hand was bruised, the boy's blue eyes were firm, and the panting boy did not want to give up so easily.

Soon the boy organized another round of offensive and rushed towards the old man.

"Bang" "Bang...Bang..." The sound of wooden swords hitting each other continued to echo in the martial arts training field in the courtyard.

The boy was panting, his silver hair was wet with sweat and stuck to his forehead. Although his steps were a little heavy, his movements became more and more powerful, and every swing of the sword was more accurate.

The old man looked at the boy, nodded with approval in his eyes, and felt very proud. This child with the royal blood of the Bayer Empire has extraordinary perseverance and determination.

He still remembered that when the prince first came, he couldn't even hold the sword steadily, and knew very little about swordsmanship. But now, he has been able to spar with the old man for several rounds. He is a prodigy like his father. His slender and flexible skeleton and body that can easily deal with attacks mean that the boy has the talent to become a master of one-handed sword fighting.

Finally, the boy found the old man's flaw, and he stabbed with a sword at an extremely fast speed.

The old man slightly turned his body to avoid the attack, and at the same time, he swung the wooden sword in his hand and hit the boy's arm.

The boy stepped back a few steps and rubbed his arm, but there was no discouragement in his eyes.

"Very good, you have made a lot of progress." The old man said, "But you still have to work hard to become a real sword fighting master."

The silver-haired boy nodded and tightened the wooden sword in his hand again. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but he believed that as long as he persevered, he would always be one step closer to his dream.

"Come again!" The boy's voice was firm, and there was no retreat in his eyes.

The old man nodded, he raised the wooden sword again, and began a new round of guidance. Although his movements were slow, each swing of the sword was full of power and skill. The boy followed the old man's movements closely, and his swordsmanship improved with each practice.

Time passed quietly during the master and apprentice's practice, the sun gradually set, and the martial arts training field was filled with golden afterglow. The boy's breathing gradually stabilized, his movements became more skillful and free, and he practiced the new moves he learned today alone on the field.

After the last move was completed, the boy put away his sword and stood up, with a flash of fatigue in his eyes, but more of satisfaction. The old man smiled and walked forward and patted the boy's shoulder gently.

"Let's stop here today, your progress is gratifying. Remember, the improvement of sword skills requires persistent practice." The old man picked up the towel on the ground and handed it to the boy, "Take a break and continue tomorrow."

The boy took the towel and wiped the sweat from his face. He looked back at the martial arts training field, where the tiny muscles had gradually taken shape, and then looked at the white castle reflected by the setting sun not far away. Dreams no longer seem out of reach.

During the break, the boy sat on the windowsill, his blue sash scattered, and his silver-white hair fluttered in the breeze. His eyes passed through the curtains and fell on the street in the distance.

The sound of children playing and fighting was the same as always. This place was far away from the street where his mother was. The clothes of children of the same age were neater than those in the previous alley.

He watched them laughing with today's spoils in their hands, and he laughed too. His dream, his spoils, must be more dazzling than the toys in the hands of those children.

The blue eyes fell into the memories of the past few months.

The naughty and rude guy was gone, and Jie Du also went to a farther place. It is said that he went with his father who suddenly returned home and carried his mother to find the legendary "Fairy Phosphorus Powder".

The old man taught him to recognize words and asked him to find a more suitable name for himself in the ancient books of the old empire. There was a myth about "Griffin" that he liked very much.

"Eagle" is a symbol of power, always soaring to the top of glory. In the ancient books of the old empire, it also implies wisdom and salvation.

"Lion" represents power. If the eagle and the lion are combined, it will be the pinnacle of power and strength.

That's what it means to be in harmony with your name, right? But he doesn't know what redemption is.

"Griffith..."

"Teacher, I've thought it through. I think I should be called that name."

The old man stroked his beard, his eyes flashing, "... Well, a good name, Griffith."

Griffith woke up from his brief memories and looked at the ring on his left ring finger, feeling helpless.

This ring has been unremovable since he put it on, and he doesn't know how to return it to that kid in the future. When he thought that the dream he had finally told others was regarded as a joke, Griffith felt powerless like a fist hitting cotton.

He is indeed a guy who only makes people feel annoyed! !

"Alas..." He sighed softly. He didn't know if that guy was still alive, but he hoped that he would not die. He wanted to use his martial arts that he had practiced for a long time to compete with him.

His white and slender palms had been worn out by thin calluses from holding the sword for a long time. He really didn't know how that guy got his hands like that. They were as rough as sandpaper.

"Master, it's time to practice writing." The old man's voice came from the mansion. He usually only called him Your Highness when there were only two of them.

"...I'm coming." Griffith replied, with a hint of expectation in his voice.

Young people are always hungry for knowledge, and the road to the castle has just begun.

.........

At the border between Midland and Jodah.

The truce has been over for nearly two months, and winter is coming. Gambino of the Fierce Bear Group has a rare leisure time. He eats and drinks every day. Jodah has settled the bills of their mercenary group, and everyone is still well-off.

It is not a good idea to support so many people every day. Those who need to visit their relatives can go back to visit their relatives, and those who need to go to the city can go there. I heard that the prisoner exchange between Midland and Jodah is scheduled for February next year, including Midland's White Dragon General Yuris.

I'm afraid Midland doesn't have much spare money to hire mercenaries, and Jodah's mercenary contract has ended. It seems that they can only follow those nobles who are still well-off in the coming year.

Peace between kingdoms does not mean peace between lords and nobles, because it is common for troops to fight within the same kingdom due to conflicts of interest.

"...Gambino."

Just when Gambino was about to go to the tavern for another drink today, his little follower came over.