Mount and Blade

Green felt a strong desire rising in his heart, a desire for power and a yearning for freedom. He knew that this was a test of desire, and he had to pass this test to truly master the method of restraining desire.

A golden "qi" seemed to flow out from the Yintang acupoint, and the meditation techniques recorded in ancient books flowed rapidly in his mind.

Green closed his eyes and began to talk to his heart. He asked himself, what is true freedom? What is true power?

The "heart" gave the answer. True freedom is not freedom, but the ability to control one's own desires! !

The real power is not to conquer others, but to be able to defeat oneself! !

A burning scarlet "qi" emanated from the totem, and the scarlet qi steamed all over his body, as if it was about to burn.

When the violent flames ignited from the body, it was like the soul was caught in the quagmire and swamp called "anger" and could not extricate itself.

"Roar!!"

The eyes in the totem turned scarlet, and with a dragon's roar, the hands and forehead showed the embryonic form of the "dragon" desire, which was shown in the prison. Several ancient books floating down from the bookshelf revolved around Green's body.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" Nine silver iron chains appeared from the ancient books around him and entangled them on the dragon-shaped totem.

As the ceremony progressed, the light in the library began to become dazzling. A powerful force was slowly flowing in his body, and this force made him feel unprecedented clarity and calmness.

[Suppressing nature... a stupid choice. ] The whisper of the evil dragon gradually sank.

When the ceremony reached its climax, Green felt that the desire and cracks in his heart were being restrained and closed by an invisible force. His mind became firm again, and he knew that he had successfully restrained the original desire.

On the totem, the scarlet dorsal fin gradually returned to its original appearance, changing from the strange scarlet to gold, and the eyes closed again.

After the ceremony, Green felt an unprecedented sense of relief, and seemed to have gained new strength.

The scarlet dragon scales and claws on the palm of his hand that were attached to his skin could be used freely, and he could change them at any time without falling into that crazy state.

So... this is the real power! !

An owl flew down to the counter of the huge library with a coo, and with its cry, the ancient books automatically flew back to the original bookshelf.

‘... Owl? ’

Green looked up at the owl that was tilting its head and looking at him, with a snow-white belly and brown feathers, an obsidian beak and a pair of big golden eyes.

“Coo...”

As it soared up, a flash of white light tore the space on the ceiling of the library in half, as if returning to the boundless snow-white world, and as if gradually returning to darkness.

.........

[Fantasy Continent - Barkley]

When Green opened his eyes again, the color of the sky was very blue, and his eyes did not feel unaccustomed to the sun. He was basking in the sun in the remote village of Barkley.

A tear slipped quietly across the corner of his eye, perhaps because of the wind and sand, or perhaps because of some kind of touch deep in his heart.

"It's time to set off, Master Ryan."

"... Coming."

Following the call of a Barkley heavy-armored soldier, Green got up from the boulder and ran to the hut where he stored his equipment and luggage. Everyone in the legion was already preparing to set off again.

Green quickly packed his luggage and stepped out of the door. He saw other soldiers checking their weapons and equipment, with serious and focused expressions. He took a deep breath, felt the fresh air, and a sense of mission surged in his heart.

At this time, Trunks came over and patted Green on the shoulder, "This pursuit mission will be very difficult, but I believe you can hold on. Remember, we represent the honor of Barkley and must go all out."

Green nodded and stood at attention. "Understood, General Trunks!"

The team began to set off and headed towards Yaoyang Port in the south. Green looked back at the village that was getting farther and farther away, and prayed silently in his heart, hoping that those villagers who were still strong after experiencing hardships could live in peace.

Following Trunks' footsteps, he cleared many large and small Snake Worship strongholds along the way.

In the evening, tents were everywhere, and the troops were making fire and cooking under the inspection of the Azure Disciples.

Green walked towards the campfire of Seranti and Trunks, who seemed to be still talking about the war.

Green sighed and decided not to disturb them, after all, the war was important. However, it seemed that after passing those villages, the atmosphere in the army was not as tense as before.

In the late night after dinner, except for the chirping of insects, it was particularly quiet. Green just wanted to stay under this quiet sky and look up at the stars. The military tents below extended like sparks into a bright river.

The thoughts should have drifted to the hometown with sadness and loneliness, but I don't know where to miss...

In this long and wandering life journey, for Green, this kind of homeless and lonely life seems to have become a kind of fate, which has lasted for two reincarnations.

I don't know whether it is the trick of fate or the impermanence of fate. Even if the warm family affection that he once dreamed of came to him, it was like a short-lived epiphyllum, which was fleeting, leaving only endless loneliness.

He probably missed Sissy and his brother, or maybe he felt lonely because the pace of life suddenly relaxed. Because most of the time, he had no time to feel sad and lonely, and he was just busy working for a living.

When his tired body could finally rest for a while, the emotions that had been suppressed for a long time came like a tide.

A very light footstep came from behind him, and Green knew that it was probably the sound made by Seranti deliberately.

"...You seem to have something on your mind."

"...Yeah." Green didn't know how to start. The only person he could rely on and could be called a relative... would it be Seranti?

The answer seemed to be yes, but... he seemed to be deliberately keeping a distance from himself. Green was a little confused about what their relationship was. Compared with family affection... it seemed that something was missing, and he couldn't fully express his feelings.

It was more like... a simple foster relationship, an adopted son and a guardian. Just like Gambino, but obviously, Seranti did a better job as a guardian than Gambino.

Seranti didn't know what Green was thinking. To him, this child always did something unexpected.

It seemed that when he was this old, he was still curled up in a cage and shivering alone?

"... I miss my mother too." I miss Gus too...

Green leaned against a big rock holding a big sword and recalled the words of the child in prison, but his tears were silent. He remembered that the child died of despair and hunger. If he hadn't been caught, he should have been a very happy child, right?

Seranti's pupils shrank slightly and he choked. He felt his heart skip a beat, as if someone had pinched it hard. He didn't know how to answer.

Neither of them was good at speaking, but they could enjoy this night view together. Perhaps, silent companionship is the best comfort...