Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 3: Stern Father

"Master Darn, your father, the Governor, wishes to see you!" A steady, deep voice echoed as the knight spoke respectfully, yet behind that respect lay four unavoidable gazes.

Oh dear, how did Gurian and Marcelis arrive so quickly! It seems Father is truly furious this time! With this realization, Darn began to rack his brain for an escape plan, but in the presence of the two knights who were fixated on him, his plans had no chance of fruition.

If I can't slip away, then I must obediently walk out under the watchful eyes of the two knights.

Damn it, had I known, I wouldn't have sought out Aeloria first; I should have gone to the Mage Association to find Mother! Filled with regret, Darn shuffled towards the exit, glancing back longingly at Aeloria and his four loyal friends.

Aeloria, you must plead for me! Hmm, Babu, Cassius, why aren't you rushing to the Mage Tower to deliver the message? With fervent blinks, Darn fully utilized the acting talent inherited from his mother, the high-ranking mage Kliya Spencer, expressing his wishes through various facial expressions and gestures. The four boys immediately responded with determined expressions, while Aeloria offered Darn a comforting look.

What a stroke of bad luck! Why didn't I go to find Mother first? Why did I let my impulsiveness lead me to Aeloria? Pondering this, Darn finally exited his teacher's home, and under the 'escort' of the two knights, he reluctantly made his way towards the Governor's residence.

Unlike when he had left the Governor's residence, Darn firmly declined the reins offered by one knight, insisting on walking home at a snail's pace. The two knights, fully aware of the Governor's intentions, did not press the matter but closely followed Darn, preventing any potential escape.

No matter how slowly he walked, the journey would eventually come to an end. After more than an hour of dawdling, Darn's eyes finally fell upon the grand structure of the Governor's residence. At the entrance of this imposing building, which symbolized the authority of the Rutania Province of the Bylins Kingdom, several guards were eagerly awaiting the return of the Governor's son.

"Master, why have you returned so late? The Governor has inquired about you several times; please hurry inside! If you delay any longer, we might have to search the city for you!"

One guard rushed forward, speaking anxiously as he took the reins from the two knights. Meanwhile, another guard turned and dashed into the Governor's residence, evidently to report to the Governor.

Whew-this is terrifying! Father is searching for me with such urgency! Should I even go in!? Staring at the once imposing doors of the Governor's residence, Darn felt a sense of dread, as if the grand entrance, wide enough for four carriages to pass side by side, had transformed into the gaping maw of a high-level magical beast, waiting to devour fresh meat.

"Master Darn, please enter! We have already delayed for quite some time... Keeping the Governor waiting will only incite more wrath!" one of the knights escorting Darn urged.

"But... my martial arts rating is only at the fourth level. If my father truly is angry, my skin will pay the price!" Worrying about the Governor's formidable eleventh-level fighting spirit, Darn felt his legs weaken, rendering him unable to move.

Even if your martial arts rating were to rise by two or three levels, could you withstand your father's punishment!? Well, perhaps it's not entirely bad for the Governor to occasionally lose his temper; if it makes Master Darn more obedient...

The two knights exchanged glances, a shared glimmer of amusement evident in their eyes.

"Master Darn, fret not! You are the beloved son of the Governor; how could he possibly punish you severely? Moreover, considering the time, your friends should have already found Lady Kliya! So, you should hurry inside!"

Ah, that's true; Mother must have set aside her magical experiments and is on her way home now. Perhaps by the time I see Father, Mother will have returned!

With this thought, Darn's mood lightened slightly, and after countless glances back towards his mother's figure, Darn Spencer finally stepped hesitantly into the Governor's residence.

In the Governor's study, yes, in the Governor's private study, Antonio Spencer, Darn's father, who had crossed into his forties, sat with a furrowed brow, lost in thought.

Seated behind a brilliantly polished mahogany desk, Antonio, with his square face, intently scrutinized a document he had already reviewed several times, which had only deepened his growing concerns.

As a high-ranking official of the Bylins Kingdom, commanding a significant military force, Antonio Spencer typically bore a stern demeanor and composed manner. His years of experience facing the orcs of the northern Naglan plains had further tempered him into a renowned northern commander, known for his restraint and mental fortitude.

However, today, upon learning that his mischievous younger son had once again committed a disgraceful act, the Governor could no longer maintain his usual composure, his anger flaring. Had he not just seen a confidential report, Antonio might have remained in his study, fuming, eagerly awaiting the chance to unleash his famed martial prowess upon his son.

But now, lifting his gaze to the timid figure outside the door, Antonio merely sighed inwardly, the impulse for domestic violence dissipating.

"Rascal! Get in here!" Finally closing the document in his hand, Antonio snorted coldly, and then he saw Darn Spencer enter, head bowed and ears down.

Like the most obedient of kittens or the most compliant of puppies, Darn tiptoed into his father's study, then quietly found a spot far enough from Antonio to avoid displeasure yet close enough to remain within reach. He then offered his father a long-lost ingratiating smile.

Hmph, this... ungrateful child! With a cold snort, the glimmer in Antonio's eyes softened slightly as he gazed at Darn, who bore a resemblance to his younger self. In those days, Darn had always smiled at him like that and had never done anything to provoke his ire...

Why must children grow up? If only they could remain forever young, always obedient to their parents, viewing them as the greatest beings in the world...

This little rascal has grown up! He has begun to take an interest in girls. Hmm, not long ago, this child would hardly acknowledge that girl Aeloria, only teasing the clever and gentle girl...

As Antonio reminisced about the amusing yet exasperating antics Darn had engaged in, his mood softened further, though his expression remained stern and unyielding.

"You've become quite accomplished, haven't you? To be drawing such... morally questionable things, hmm?" Antonio fixed a stern gaze upon Darn, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking slowly.

Whew-Father finally spoke! If he hadn't, I might have been scared to death. Hmm, it turns out that a silent father is more terrifying than an angry one; what a strange phenomenon!

"Speak! Why did you draw such things? Hmm, who taught you to create such lewd images?" Fixing his gaze on his son, Antonio's tone sharpened, yet he left Darn an opportunity to explain himself.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I won't do it again... It was all Babu; that rascal showed me a book, um, one of those inappropriate art books, and encouraged me, saying I was a great artist and could do even better... I'm sorry, I won't do it again..."

Feigning a pitiful expression, Darn once again used his friend as a scapegoat, but this time it was to appease his father's anger...

"Babu!? That chubby little tax officer? Hmph, that fellow is utterly lecherous; a bad apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

A plump official's figure flashed through Antonio's mind, and upon recognizing the lascivious glint in the official's eyes, he concluded that his son was merely an accomplice, fundamentally good at heart, while the fault lay with another's child...

A reader's words, a flower, is the motivation that supports my efforts to move forward.