Atlas Battle Song

The summer was over, and the earl's children had grown a little longer, and the tailor had to measure the boys again for winter clothes.

Little Trand had grown taller than little Egg.

For some reason, the little lion has been working very hard on eating and exercising recently.The maids chattered.Little Trand didn't like vegetables before, but now he always eats nothing, not even the cauliflower, which he hates the most.The little lion drank milk, gulping down tons and tons, as if he was completing some kind of task.Little Trande also quietly made a mark in the stable, measured his height every few days, and carved it on the door frame with a knife.

The boy becomes mysterious.In addition to completing sword training with Yi Ge every day, he would also go for a run in the forest alone at night, as if he was going to fight in a few months.

"Hey, Little Trand, what's the matter with you?"

Every time he was asked this question, the boy replied solemnly: "I want to become a man quickly...to become a strong knight."

"It's really expensive to keep a lion." Little Egg always liked to watch Trand eat.

Under the gaze of the young master, the little lion worked harder to drink milk and eat meat, imagining that he would grow into a majestic big lion in the future.

The boys played, studied, and practiced swords together.Everything is not much different from before.It's just that little Trander seems to have added some new fun. He always gets up early and runs into the forest, picks wild flowers and fruits and hides them in Master Egg's pocket.When little Egg puts his hand in his pocket, drawer or hat inadvertently... he always catches the acorn or bouquet hidden by the little lion.

"Are you a squirrel?" The young master frowned.

"What's so great about squirrels, if you want, I can catch ten of them for you!"

"No."

"I'll get you whatever you want!" Little Trander seemed to be caught in some kind of frenzied game, sometimes he ran to provoke Egg, and sometimes he showed his affection.Although the young master just responded a few times lightly and gave him a round of applause.But the little lion is always genuinely happy. Not only does he run around Egg excitedly, but he is also willing to perform tricks like shaking his ears up and down.

Like all boys who try to express themselves, Little Trand often does silly things.

Once they saw a strange tree, and little Egg just said casually: "This tree looks very difficult to climb." Trander just wanted to "conquer" that tree.He tried his best to climb to the top of the tree, triumphantly begging the little master for a compliment, but he couldn't get down for a while.

Another time, Ishtar made a bet with Egg: "Let's bet whether the little lion will be jealous of the cat."

The younger sister declares that Trand will definitely declare war on the foolishness and the cat, but little Egg doesn't believe it, so the brother and sister try it.All that day, Egg played with the cat and ignored Trander.In the afternoon, little Trander couldn't bear it any longer, and forcibly took the cat from Egg's arms, and asked Egg to hug him too.

As a result, Trander was scratched in the face by the cat.

"Did you see it? This lion is stupid." The younger sister laughed happily.

Little Egg nodded with a sigh: "This lion is stupid."

The happy days passed day by day, the forest turned from yellow to red, and the temperature became colder day by day.The autumn wind rustled, and the children ran and played among the fallen leaves.

The two boys were always together, inseparable, the closest master and servant.

When alone, the boys kiss secretly.

Just like all young lovers, they get along, observe each other, and talk about those strange and far-fetched hypotheses.

On the training ground, they are evenly matched opponents.The young master's swordsmanship has become more and more sophisticated, and the knights are sincerely amazed by the skills he has grown up.And Trand's progress is even more astonishing. The strength and intuition of a young man are like hot molten steel. Over time, they will surely become sharp blades.

During the martial arts competition, the knights no longer treated them as children. If they were merciful, they would inevitably be defeated.

The boys grew up and gradually acquired the heroic spirit of youth.

Ishtar also has a slightly girlish appearance, and the roundness of a child gradually grows into a slender figure.

The partners race horses, compete in martial arts, and watch puppet shows together.

The grand ball was held a few more times.The Earl's whereabouts are still uncertain, sometimes he is busy in the imperial capital, sometimes he is busy in various places in the territory, and he seems to be planning something.The countess knew it well, but didn't care much.Egg still went to visit his mother every week, full of anticipation before each visit, and preoccupied when he came back.Trander couldn't help it either, after all, their peculiar mother-child relationship was like this.

When Egg was 12 years old, the Earl and his wife held a grand birthday party for their son.

It was January, the rivers were frozen, and the forests and villages were covered with thick snow.However, on the day of the birthday party, the castle was filled with warm lights.Distinguished guests brought countless gifts, such as rare birds, famous ancient swords, dolls made of gems and ivory, and exquisite doll houses... Everyone wished the young master well and praised him for his future. Be the pride of the family.Egg's grandparents came too.

Little Egg was very happy, and little Trander was always by the young master's side as a servant.

It was a perfect day.

In the middle of the night, Trander hesitated, and finally took out the birthday gift he had prepared for a long time: the picture book "Little Furball and Emerald" drawn by himself, which is a story about a little lion and a little leopard.Indeed, for a teenager, such a gift seemed a bit childish.But Egg liked it.

That night, the boys lay by the window together, looking at Orion in the winter night sky, talking about the past and the future.Trander pointed to the hunter in the starry sky, and said with a smile, "I will be the head of the Knights in the future. I am strong and handsome, and everyone respects me."

Egg touched his forehead, "I don't have a wish. Mom said wishing is boring."

"No, you should have one."

After thinking for a while, Egg said, "Okay, then my wish is 'All the wishes of the silly lion come true'."

"Then I will change it too! My wish... is to die in the same year, the same month, and the same day as Yi Ge."

The boys held hands together.

However, it backfired.

In spring, the boys had to separate.The earl thought that since his son was 12 years old, he should enter the noble academy in the imperial capital - "Emerald Academy".

The decision was hasty and caught the boys by surprise, but Egg had to obey his father.The servants hurriedly prepared for two days, and then the knights sent Egg away.Fortunately, Trand was also allowed to accompany the young master to the imperial capital.

When they arrived at the "Winter Gate" of the imperial capital, it happened that a group of knights returned from an expedition.Trand watched from a distance, and spoke to Egg about his future wishes in a contented manner.

So, the young master made up his mind.

Among the bustling crowd, Egg said, "You must be free, Trand."

The crowd cheered and blessed the triumphant knights.Trander was excited for a while, and didn't hear the young master's words.When he realized what seemed to have happened just now, he turned around and asked again, but Yi Ge just smiled.

"Stupid lion."

The time for parting has come.

As a servant, Little Trand was not even qualified to approach the gate of the "Emerald Court".He could only watch from a distance, watching Young Master Yi Ge being taken away by a group of instructors in dark blue robes.The adults surrounded the boy, and the knights guarded the earl's son.The heavy carved door opened, revealing a bright courtyard in the dark porch——

Egg looked back.

In the light, Trand saw those gray-blue eyes, as if recognizing a tear in the starry sky.

The gate of the "Emerald Court" closed dully.

It's like a metaphor.

From then on, Trand understood: Master Egg belonged to "that world".If he was going to have Egg... he had to enter the world of power, he had to climb, he had to be the strongest.

Otherwise, what he loves must be taken away again, just like his mother.

"It takes power."

The boy raised his head, and the closed door was reflected in his emerald-like pupils.In the chest, the hazy ambition and pain finally acquired a burning shape, just like the casting of a sword.

It must be so.