Atlas Battle Song

When Egg first met Trand, they were less than nine years old.

That afternoon, little Egg had just finished riding lessons and was grooming his pony carefully.It was a beautiful little black horse with a shiny mane, a cold temper, and a proud heart. Even if the little owner fed it carrots himself, he would ignore him, let alone the horse breeder.

"Master is back and brought you a present."

The servant said so.

"A present?" Little Egg frowned.He is relatively estranged from his father and has little contact with him.

The count only routinely saw his son after returning from a long journey.It was a surprise to bring a gift to my son this time.

"Yes, the master brought it back from the western plateau, I think you will like it."

"Is it a sword or dagger again?"

"No."

"That's weird, then I guess... maybe it's an antique or a gem." The young master replied absent-mindedly, still caressing his beloved little black horse seriously.

"Master, guess again? It's something you've always wanted."

The child was lost in thought, and shook his head again.

"Impossible. Father never cared about this, and it's not something he should care about."

The old servant smiled and said, "Then let me give you some hints: it's a pet."

"!"

The child became excited when he heard it, and stopped the movement of his hands, but the etiquette of the nobles restrained him.So the child still tried his best to maintain a cold demeanor, and asked unhurriedly:

"Is it a cub?"

"Yes."

"Yeah..." The young master's eyes lit up, and he tried to imitate the adults and nodded calmly, "What color are the eyes?"

"Watery emerald green."

"What color is the fur?"

"Soft black, just like the young master's pony, soft to the touch."

Little Egg smiled softly: "Ah, that should be a cat. I've always wanted a little black cat to keep company with the forest cat at home. It's just that my mother doesn't let me keep ordinary cats, saying that only rare breeds are acceptable." It’s worth raising. Are there any expensive cats in the western plateau?”

The old servant smiled lovingly. Although he couldn't touch the young master's head, this smile conveyed enough love:

"It's not expensive, and it's not common. It's a hybrid, but it's beautiful."

Little Egg pondered for a moment: "It's okay, I don't mind...I want to name him Little Furball. Take me to have a look. Has father summoned me now?"

However, what his father gave him was not a kitten.

Facing this scene, little Egg was a little at a loss.The count smiled and pressed his son's shoulder: "Egg, see what I gave you?"

"My name is Trande Muawia. I wish to be your sword, Master Egg."

A dark-skinned boy knelt on one knee, with a green tourmaline machete pinned to his waist.He was about the same age as little Egg, maybe seven or eight years old, and looked very cute.A pair of emerald green eyes are big and bright, with long black eyelashes, like a girl.

This is a child from the West Plateau, an alien.

"Ah..." Little Egg was a little disappointed.It was not a little black cat.

But the boy was indeed treated as a gifted pet. His slightly curly black hair was smeared with camellia powder, making it smooth and shiny, his nails were carefully trimmed, and his body was washed clean and refreshing, with the smell of mint .

The boy looked up, and the two children met their eyes.Little Egg could see it in an instant, with resentment shining in those olive eyes.

This is a little beast pretending to be tamed.

"Father, I don't need bodyguards..." Little Egg thought about his words, "or...you want him to be my blood?"

"Of course not. In a few years, you will go to the Emerald Academy to study, and then you will become the crown prince's blood alliance. As for this one..."

The Earl smiled and hooked his fingers.

The boy obediently took off his shirt, revealing his bronze chest.

From the hand of the old guard, the count took the red-hot soldering iron and handed it to his son: "It's just a toy for you, don't take it so seriously. I saw this kid at the market in Axu, performing and Cobra Duel. Half-Sybyl, nice frame and teeth, funny little guy."

"But……"

Little Egg didn't want to catch the soldering iron.Of course he knew what his father expected of him: branding the servant's chest, this is the power of the future Gorgon Patriarch, and it is also a kind of education for him.Little Egg glanced at the strange boy, who had his chest out, looking indifferent.He looked at his father again.If the father gets angry and takes back this "gift", then the boy's situation will not be good.

"Why, you don't want it?" the count raised his eyebrows.

"I want him, Father..." Young Egg dropped his eyes, holding his iron.

"can."

The two boys looked at each other, their throats constricted by the impending ceremony and the pain.The adults wait.Little Tland took a deep breath and took a step forward.With a firm face, he pointed to his chest, but his fingers were trembling.

"This place will belong to you, young master."

"..."

"If you can't do it, I can do it myself. It's necessary..." said Little Trand.

Young Egg shook his head sadly, and glanced at his father.

The count smiled: "Go, do better, and be careful not to kill yourself."

The servant firmly grasped Little Trand's shoulders and arms to prevent him from struggling in severe pain.The boy desperately suppressed his panting, his chest heaved violently, his skin was still intact, but the fiery hallucinations had already scared the children.The young master held his breath, sweat rolled down his forehead, and he held a baking stick in his hand.

The two children looked at each other with wet eyes.

The soldering iron was burning red, and the three-headed snake family crest glowed in the dark dungeon.

After nightfall, the day of the Sybyl nobles began.

According to the custom, little Egg would visit his mother first.The servants changed the young master's clothes, and the old nurse hummed a song, combing the young master's hair gently, with the short braids tied behind his head, and the tiny silver hair buttons fastened one by one.The old nanny looked in the mirror and found that the young master was still unhappy.

"What's the matter, my child? The master came back from a long journey today, did he blame you?"

"No... Dad, he gave me a 'gift'..."

"Ha, isn't that great?"

"..."

"Don't you like that boy from the West Plateau? I thought you always wanted a playmate of the same age. Miss Ishtar is a calm child. You brothers and sisters are too similar, so it is difficult to play together. This time The master picked up this boy, and he can accompany the young master to take lessons and practice martial arts. If the boy works hard and is loyal, he can become the young master's knight when he grows up."

The old nanny was combing her hair while observing the young master.She found that Egg had listened, and continued to persuade: "And this child is a half-Sybyl, maybe he can live as long as a Sybyl. You don't have to worry about it, young master."

"Really? But mother said..."

"Yes, he will accompany the young master, don't worry."

Little Egg smiled slightly, then asked in a low voice: "Then can I make friends with him?"

The nurse smiled and kissed the boy's soft cheek: "Of course, after all, every child should have friends."

"Then...how was he? The branding wound...he was so painful that he passed out at the time." Little Egg bowed his head.

"The child is still asleep. I will tell the young master when he wakes up."

"Will he hate me?"

"No, you are Master Egg after all."

"Then can I have it with him at snack time? I also want to show him my pony."

"Master said, that child is your pet, you can decide whatever you want."

"Ah."

The child nodded shyly.

Young Egg didn't tell the story when he went to see his mother.The countess had heard about it, but she didn't ask.As usual, the mother and child didn't talk much, just looked at each other with smiles.It was almost time, so Egg went back to his room for a while, changed his clothes, and went to evening class.This year he needs to continue studying "Sybyl's Battle Song" and geography and history.When he is ten years old, he can start learning mathematics.

On the way to class, the servants followed the young master with their scrolls in their arms, and little Egg saw his own shadow moving on the wall of the corridor.

At that moment, little Egg suddenly thought:

"I only have the shadow to accompany me now, if that boy is also there? I won't be bored on the way to class."

Thinking about it this way, he suddenly felt... Maybe many things will be different in the future.

"Because I have a friend."

Backfired.

That boy hates him.

"Master Egg, you're treating me like this, it's embarrassing for me." Little Trande said politely, but with a clear expression of disdain on his face, his feet were laid carelessly on the table, and his posture was very embarrassing. Arrogant.

"Eh……"

Little Egg was a little at a loss, obviously he brought scald medicine to visit, but the boy was very unfriendly, like a wild cat that was cornered.

why?

He didn't give up and tried to explain: "I'll be honest... I don't want you to be my bodyguard or toy. But in that case, I don't know what relationship it has with you."

The other party laughed as soon as they heard it, and tossed the scald medicine that Yi Ge sent, not taking him seriously at all, "What else could it be? You are my master, Master Yi Ge."

"I don't want to be your master."

Little Trander suddenly said: "If you keep saying 'you' again, I will never say a word to you again. Aren't you a noble young master? You are usually arrogant, but occasionally you pretend to be gentle and considerate." Come and satisfy your illusion. Are you interested in teasing me like this? If you think it’s fun, that’s fine, I’ll play with you.”

As soon as these words came out, little Egg was dumbfounded.

No one has ever dared to speak to him in such a tone!Such a little ruffian really doesn't know what's good and what's wrong. He obviously sent the scald medicine out of good intentions, but he was humiliated like this in the end!The current Trand is completely different from when he was in the dungeon.

Seemingly seeing his anger, the boy became even happier, and even made a face: "Master Yi Ge, my chest hurts~ Can you take pity on me?"

"Trand Muawia, you not only failed my goodwill, but also insulted me..." He couldn't bear it anymore.

"That's right, that's how you are insulted, what's wrong with you?" Trander actually folded his arms and laughed!

Egg understood that there were no adults present, only the two children, so Trander was bullying himself!

As the future master of the Gorgon family, the heir to the title and territory, Egg has been pampered since he was a child, and he has never heard a single harsh word.But now, such a wild boy from the West Plateau openly insulted and provoked him!The more Egg thought about it, the angrier he became. This kid not only has a rough accent, but also has an extremely bad temper. He is totally ungrateful!If it was his father, he would definitely beat this kind of ignorant bastard with a whip.

The anger couldn't be stopped, and Egg wanted to call the guards to come and grab the itchy bastard, then lock him into the dungeon and give him a good beating!

He was about to shout, but felt it was wrong.

"If my father finds out, he will definitely ask to kill Trander, and then find another boy to replace him." Egg thought.

He looked at the bastard who was jumping left and right and making provocative faces, and immediately regretted that he didn't care about the life and death of this kind of thing, he was really making fun of himself!He was furious: "Trand Muawia, I demand a duel with you!"

The green-eyed little boy imitated him meanly: "'I demand a duel with you~' Forget it, I admit defeat! It is much more terrifying to duel with a nobleman who is powerless than Yi Ge. gone."

"Hmph, mediocrity."

"!"

Trander suddenly exploded: "A duel is a duel! It's up to you to compare swords and fists. I want to smash your nose right now!"

"Sword? Huh, you are a juggling kid at the market, can you know how to use a sword?" Egg felt secretly relieved when he saw that Trand's fur had exploded.

"Of course I will!"

"The knight's sword? Just you?"

"Of course it's a knight's sword! Why do you know it and I can't!"

The young master sneered, regained his dignified expression, and stroked his lambskin gloves: "Are you joking? I have been trained as an orthodox knight since I was 3 years old, and my swordsmanship teacher was Olha, who was once the best among all heroes." , my riding teacher is the crown prince's teacher. What can you do? Play house with your dear cobra. You are just a child and don't understand anything, huh."

As soon as he finished speaking, Egg himself was shocked.He never quarreled with other kids.

Trent's face turned from red to blue, and then from blue to purple.

"Playing house...? Do you think I'm willing to do that! Being played like a monkey by a group of fools, in order to get a few coins, bet your life to perform snake fighting, and make those old men happy. If I have enough money, mother I wouldn’t die of illness, if I were born like you...I, I..."

"ah."

When Egg heard this, he immediately regretted it.It turned out that the child's mother was gone.

"special……"

"Where to go duel! You can say whatever you want! Let me see what you can embroider with your sissy swordsmanship! Hey, 'My swordsmanship teacher is Olha who used to be the best among cats~ Among the yellow cats Leader', come on, little cat, meow meow." Trander stuck out his tongue, deliberately embroidered, and Egg coughed in anger.

"Yellow cat?! You are the yellow cat!"

The two children refused to give in to each other, almost arguing forehead to forehead.

It was a serious duel, a duel of honor between knights and knights.

They came to the river, where there was a big willow tree that was crooked.And the referee of the duel was sitting on the branch of the tree—Igo's younger sister, Ishtar, a round-faced little girl with long platinum-blond hair and a light blue skirt.

The little girl liked to tease her brother on weekdays, but now that Egg was going to duel with Trand, she was even more happy to watch the show. "I, as a witness, declare——Sir Trande Muawia and Earl Egg Swalders Gorgon begin a duel!"

When the little girl gave an order, the two boys rolled into a ball, brandishing daggers and competing like adults.

Although Yi Ge felt guilty, he was competitive by nature, and he didn't care about it when they fought.

Trander hadn't intended to show his real skills, but the young master's sword skills and speed were indeed not bragging, as fast as lightning.The duel didn't start for a long time, and the two children became serious. After all, the sword was real, and when Egg wielded the blade, he was deadly. Trand was a little panicked.

"You are not only a young master, you are also a lunatic! You are unreasonable!"

"It's a perfidious bastard like you who hit it!"

"You bastard!"

"You're an asshole!"

"You idiot!"

"You're retarded!"

The two little boys hugged each other and rolled into the river.Fortunately, the river beach is very shallow.The little girl watching the fight laughed so hard that she almost fell off the branch.Egg was furious!That bastard kid in Trand kept hitting him in the chest, and he hit him in the face.But just when the two were fighting hard, Egg felt inexplicably happy.

Because in that instant, Egg felt a strong emotional connection that he had never experienced with his parents...that kid was angry because of him.That child wanted revenge, also because of him.

A strong emotion that connects him to the world.

Egg thought it was amazing.

The boys were so envious, they threw their swords aside and rolled on the river beach regardless.The little girl on the tree took turns cheering for the two of them.The two children refused to give in to each other, and beat each other hard with all their strength.

"Come on! Beat him!"

"Stinky brat!"

"You are—!"

The summer light and shadow layered into the pupils, the heat of the air made them dizzy, and a kind of inner enthusiasm burned them-maybe it was anger, maybe it was pure passion.It was as if all other moments in the world were irrelevant and had ceased to exist, and only this boy in front of me was the only outlet for the surging emotions in my heart.

The shadows of the two children overlap each other.

During the chaotic battle, Egg suddenly discovered that blood stains oozed from Trand's chest, staining the white linen shirt red.

Ah, the wound from the branding has opened...

Trand didn't care about the wound at all, and still fought desperately to win.

If Egg himself was injured while practicing martial arts, the servants in the family would be on the verge of a formidable enemy. Although Dad would not see him, he would still ask the housekeeper about the situation.But getting burned by a soldering iron...why didn't Trand care?

"Wait, I surrender." Egg said suddenly.

"what?"

The panting boy stopped, tilting his head in confusion.

Egg looked at the blood oozing from the soaked shirt, and gently put his hand on it, "I'm sorry...Trander."

Trander was stunned, his green tourmaline eyes wide open.

He looked at the young master, then followed the other person's line of sight to look at the torn wound on his chest, and it took him a while to understand.

"What's this."

Trand lowered his voice, trying to hide something.He was evasive, and when he lowered his eyes, the long eyelashes cast a small shadow, like a curtain of emeralds, gently supporting the light.Egg saw a mole there, and looked closer.

"ah……"

The two boys were so close that their cheeks were almost touching.Trand was amazed and at a loss, his ears gradually turned red.

"Hey, don't look at it like that!" He finally couldn't take it anymore, and pushed the young master away.

"Ugh..."

"Ah, it's not that I... hate you." Trent rubbed his short hair carelessly, and looked away, "I thought... you were just like those people, just using me for fun and looking down on me, nobles are like this ! But if you, oh, I mean..."

Egg asked, "Then can we be friends?"

"..."

"Hi, little lion." Eggy rubbed the boy's red ears, soft.

"whatever."

Trander didn't speak any more, but he didn't shake off Egg's hand either.

The children did not tell the adults about the fight that day.

This is the secret.

It was late at night, and the servants were asleep.Little Egg quietly fell off the balcony.He wanted to go to the boy's room and have a look.

The moonlight illuminates the castle and terraces.

Egg walked very lightly, almost like a cat.He heard soft breathing, and the moonlight shone on the boy's sleeping face.Little Trand fell asleep, clutching the blanket.

"Mother……"

The boy was talking in his sleep, with tears in the corners of his eyes.

Little Egg walked over and touched the tear lightly with his finger, and the moonlight became bright on the child's wet eyelashes.

"Mom, don't go..." Little Trand curled up, wallowing in a sad dream.

Little Egg thought for a while, then leaned over and hugged the sleeping boy.

"Good night, Trand."

Another kiss.

Now, they should be friends.