Atlas Battle Song

When can we meet Master Egg again?Little Trand thinks about this question every night before going to bed.

He used to talk to the stars and the moon, but now he talks to the distant Master Egg.The difference is that he can feel that he is missed and loved.In his heart, the childhood spent with Egg almost became a kind of belief that supported him.As long as he thought of the boy he loved so much, and those jewel-like gray-blue eyes, he was no longer alone.

Life in the imperial capital went smoothly, and Little Trande adapted well.He was a quick-witted boy who quickly became a part of the knights.Not only was Sir Kardud, whom he served, very satisfied, but even the head of the knight order appreciated Trander and tried his best to cultivate him.

In addition to outstanding martial arts, the boy's good looks are also a huge advantage.For a knight, having a handsome young squire by his side is a great way to save face.When Trande gracefully tied the lacing of his armor or poured wine for a knight, he was always praised by other nobles.Over time, on all important occasions, there must be a chance for Little Trande to attend.

Trand grew up in a romantic scene, and he is very good at observing words and feelings, and knows how to show his value to others.It didn't take long for him to stand out among the numerous knight attendants and steal the limelight in the martial arts competition.The emperor was also there.I heard that His Majesty also asked about the boy's name from the West Plateau.The leader of the second knight order discussed with Sir Kardud, and asked Little Trand to be his knight attendant.

The opportunity was not lost, and Little Trande redoubled his efforts: to be outstanding in swordsmanship, but not too sharp; to make powerful "friends", but not to be obsequious.He was only 13 years old, but he was able to blend in like a fish in water in the field of power, and he was as experienced as a strategist.Sometimes the older knights would even come to ask him for help, and Little Trande would try to help others as much as possible.Even if you can't have one more "friend", you should at least have one less enemy.

He is like a strange flame with thoughts and can control his radiance and heat autonomously, making people feel warm and friendly while maintaining a safe distance from everyone.

But after all, he has the appearance of a foreign race, wheat-colored skin, and half of Sybil blood.

Some young people were jealous of him, tried to make him look bad, or framed him.But in Trand's eyes, these little tricks were so childish, it was almost like a schoolboy pushing a vase on purpose, saying another boy did it.He can always easily resolve such small traps, publicize the opponent's tricks on appropriate occasions, and when others condemn the framer, he is appropriately magnanimous.After coming and going, the envious people knew that they were not Tland's opponent, so they didn't dare to stretch out their minions easily.

"Trand Muawia, the boy's name."

Whether out of admiration or loathing, many people remember him.

The preparations for the climb were all set, the only question now was the age of the boy - 13.He is only a little away from adulthood, and it seems too young to be directly promoted to knight.

"Then wait until you're 14."

The knight commander told Little Trand that he would be promoted to an apprentice knight when he was 14 years old, and he could be promoted to a knight as soon as he was 15 years old and joined the Second Royal Knights.And His Majesty the Emperor is a little interested in boys.If Trande is lucky enough to obtain military exploits, he might be able to confer the honor on his majesty himself.

"Well, as long as two more years..."

What Little Trande really cared about was not the age of entitlement, but that he could reunite with Egg by then.

If the vassals of the Gorgon family came to the imperial capital to do business, they would send a letter from the young master to Little Trand.

Egg's body has completely recovered.The earl has been away from the territory for a long time, so little Igor can be free, and now he studies and trains with Ishtar every day.The relationship between the siblings is much closer.

"And Mom," Little Egg wrote in the letter: "Now I am with Mom a lot, and she is more willing to talk to me than before. Mom still talks about weird topics, such as asking me what I remember?" Can’t remember the weird puppet show I’ve seen before, but it’s always reassuring to be with my mom.”

Trand was also relieved.Little Egg was very attached to his mother, but Trander really didn't see the Countess hugging his son very often.This is not as good as his own mother. In Little Tland's heart, mother is the best mother in the world.

"pity……"

Little Trand smiled wryly.

I don't know if my mother will look at him in the sky.Surely it will?

Because mom loves him.

"Maybe one day I can go back to the West Plateau and visit my mother's grave." The boy thought of the hill where white flowers bloom twice a year.

He daydreams about the future.

At that time, he must have grown into a powerful lion, and lived a happy and peaceful life with Yi Ge.

Children's ideals are always beautiful.Summer can imagine the mellow fruit, but it cannot imagine the severe cold that freezes the earth.The world is like this, the gods placed purity and courage in the young man's soul, but destroyed him with disasters.

Perhaps the Countess herself had a premonition.In this winter, she often took the initiative to summon her son.

"Egg, sit by the window and let me see you."

Mother said softly.

"Okay, mother."

Little Egg nodded, though he'd rather sit next to his mother.

The countess had been ill for a long time, and her nerves were very weak, and she could hardly bear any noise or sunlight.She lives like a delicate plant.

Little Egg sat quietly by the window.The countess who was lying on the bed turned her head occasionally and smiled at her son, as if admiring the roses.

Although the mother and son had nothing to say, it still gave little Egg some comfort... It was like sitting under the gentle moonlight, like a small statue guarded in a glass case.

"How is little Trande?"

The countess coughed for a while, and the maid appeared quietly, and put a short silver ferret shawl on her.

"He has a good life in the imperial capital, and he should be promoted to a knight when he becomes an adult. He is very talented." Little Egg tried to keep his face expressionless, but he was happy in his heart.

"That kid is not bad. One day he will become famous, and he will become an ally of the Gorgon family in the future. It is also a reasonable choice for you to let him go."

"Yes, we'll be best friends forever."

"forever?"

The countess smiled slightly.Little Egg's nerves tensed, and he tried to wonder if he had offended his mother by saying the wrong thing.

"Yes, yes... Mom..."

The boy looked up timidly.

For a long time, Egg Jr. has struggled to play the role of "ideal son".As long as his performance is satisfactory, mother will be happy and will be close to him.

The countess smiled with her head down, and gently lifted her drooping black hair, pinning it behind her ears.Years of illness did not destroy this beauty, she was still the same as before, like moonlight and black pearls in a glass cabinet.Her voice is also, still as light as a girl's generation:

"Ego, do you still remember the puppet show we watched together when we were young? "Mr. Red Dragon's Happy Life."

"I remember, Mom."

"Do you think that's a good story?"

"..."

Little Egg really didn't know how to answer, for he was afraid of making his mother angry by saying the wrong thing.But it is impossible not to answer... There is no other way, the boy can only bite the bullet and retell the story:

"Once upon a time there was a Mister Red Dragon, who had two happy brothers, and a magic golden cup, and... and... lots and lots of treasure. Everyone liked Mr. Red Dragon..."

"and after?"

"Later..." The boy was originally not good at words, and he stumbled even more when he was nervous: "Later...later..."

The countess showed an impatient look, and little Egg said hastily:

"Everyone likes Mr. Red Dragon, and they all come to his house for a banquet. People say: You are so rich and happy, give me some of your things. Mr. Red Dragon agrees. Its first brother takes away The golden goblet was enchanted, and it was turned into a glass of wine, which was drunk by the party. The second brother took its beautiful eyes, and it was turned into...become..."

"Turned into a beautiful picture book."

"Ah, yes. It turned into a beautiful picture book, and was torn page by page by the people at the banquet. Everyone drank, everyone got a beautiful picture, everyone got a red The treasure of Mr. Long went home happily. In the empty house, only Mr. Red Dragon was left without eyes and brothers. But it got real happiness because it lived forever and had nothing left. So lost..."

After the story was finished, little Egg suddenly recalled the feeling of grievance when he watched the puppet show, and was so choked up that he couldn't speak.

It's not happy at all.Mr. Red Dragon has nothing left, and the story forces that it should be happy.

Mom smiled softly:

"Egg, if you were Mr. Red Dragon, what would you do?"

"I don't know... I don't want to have everything taken away by someone else."

"But you will be alone in the end, and there will be no one to accompany you in the dark labyrinth. Trand won't live that long, and will die soon, just like those cats you raised, won't you?"

At the mention of his dead cats, sad memories flooded back, and the boy's eyes watered.

"My poor child."

Mother took little Egg into her arms and stroked the baby's soft forehead.She smiled: "Don't be afraid, it's our family's destiny, you're always going 'there'."

"I don't want to go, mother, don't let me go."

Little Egg didn't understand very well, but was instinctively afraid.

"At that time, you should think about the story of Mr. Red Dragon. Even if someone else takes everything from you, as long as you re-understand what 'happiness' is and pursue that kind of happiness, you can live. This is a very simple matter. Egg, don't believe in the principles and emotions taught to you by the world, they won't allow you to live in the abyss."

The mother kissed the boy's forehead as if kissing a white rose before parting.

"I love you, my child."

Afterwards, little Egg snuggled up to his mother and listened quietly to her singing:

"The daughter of the sea, the innocent star..."

The Countess hummed softly.Little Egg grabbed his mother's pajamas, closed his eyes, and felt the warm melody surrounding and embracing him.

Mother and son had never been so close before, just like ordinary families, and this was the first time.

Also the last time.