Chapter 4: Journey Begins

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Journey Begins

That very same day, in the afternoon, his father called Kronor into his study again.

​The atmosphere between father and son was awkward, to say the least.

​Without being too wishy-washy, Priest Elmond pulled an envelope from under his arm.

​"This is a recommendation letter from the Town Hall. Take this to the House of Erdogans and begin your journey as a Dragon Hunter there. As a priest of a small church, I cannot do more than this."

​Though his expression remained stoic and strict, the words clearly came from a place of deep concern.

​Accepting the envelope, Kronor felt his hands trembling. He looked at his father, amazed that the stubborn man had gained such sudden insight in a single night.

​Overwhelmed by emotion, Krono’r stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the old man.

​

As he pressed close, the holy aura radiating from his father’s priestly robes sizzled against Kronor’s skin. But it was negligible.

​"Thank you, Father. I knew you would understand me. I am sorry if I hurt you somehow," Kronor said with heartfelt gratitude.

Priest Elmond stiffened for a moment. An uneasy light flashed on his eyes, but that disappeared as quickly as it came.

Why is that, no one knows.

"If you don’t know about House Erdogans, I must tell you that they are the premier Dragon Hunting faction of the western borders. They are ruthless, uncompromising, and they will not coddle a seven-year-old boy. If you walk through their gates, you must be prepared to leave your childhood behind entirely."

​"I understand, Father. I will not disappoint you," Krono’r replied respectfully. ℯ

​After separating from the hug, Elmond gave him a pat on the back.

​"Nothing may stop your dreams, my son. After all, they will bloom upon this corpse of mine."

​After saying that, Elmond sat down and opened his holy text.

​Kronor didn’t dawdle too long. He looked at Priest Elmond one last time and then walked out of the study.

​Just as he got outside, he encountered his second elder brother, Cedric Volcan. He was currently ten years old.

​"Hey, little brother, where are you coming from? Did Father scold you again? If so, tell me. Your elder brother will handle everything," he said confidently, flexing his small biceps like a kid.

​Kronor shook his head. "No, big brother. I am completely fine. And Father said he wouldn’t force me to be a priest anymore. In fact, he even gave me a recommendation letter for a Dragon Hunter house."

​Hearing that, Cedric’s grin widened. "That’s great then, little Kronor! I am so happy for you. You can be whatever you want. You’re this Cedric’s brother, after all.

​"Alas, your big brother will not be there to witness your growth. I, too, am heading for the Royal Academy on a full scholarship. You know it is my dream to become a wise scholar, don’t you?"

​"Yes, yes, big brother. In fact, I believe you will be a great scholar one day. Brother Eldric would have been proud, too," Kronor answered back.

At this, Cedric let out a self-deprecating smile.

​"Maybe... But he is too busy on his journey to become a Demon Hunter. You two are walking almost the same path, but me being a peace-loving person, fighting is not my forte. Besides, if I have a Demon Hunter and a Dragon Hunter as my brothers, what else do I have to fear? You would come to protect me, wouldn’t you, little brother?" he asked jokingly.

​Kronor gave a firm nod. "Of course, I will."

​"Then that settles it. Let us see who among us becomes more successful shall we."

​The day of departure came very quickly.

​By the following morning, a small horse-drawn carriage was already stationed in front of Priest Elmond’s home.

​That day, the Church of Helenwood witnessed an incredibly rare sight. Priest Elmond had invited his entire congregation to attend a farewell prayer for his youngest son, something he had never done for his elder sons.

​It was common knowledge that the strict priest had failed to mold any of his three sons into a proper successor for his position. Naturally, the townsfolk assumed he would be heartbroken and furious, just as he had been in the past.

So why was he giving his youngest boy such a grand send-off?

​Could there be a hidden reason, one kept secret from common ears?

​People were even openly speculating that Priest Elmond might have received some kind of Divine Prophecy that changed his mind overnight.

The baker’s wife Martha said,

"I’m telling you, it’s a miracle. When Eldric left to hunt demons, the priest didn’t speak to him for a month! Now look at him. He’s practically glowing with pride."

​Old Man Miller stroked his gray beard, saying: "True. Sister Agatha told me he stayed up all night in the main chapel. Said the holy aura leaking from the room was so thick she couldn’t even breathe."

​"Could it be a prophecy, then? You think the Almighty showed him the boy’s future?"

​"It has to be. Why else would a devout man bless his seven-year-old son to walk the bloody path of a Dragon Hunter? The Heavens have surely marked that child for greatness."

"Tsk. You all old men are just exaggerating things. There’s nothing special in that stupid fool," added a disgruntled child out of jealousy.

While they gossiped, the farewell prayer for Kronor already began.

Elmond’s holy voice reverberated accross the plain fields.

"Brothers and sisters, Today, we gather not to mourn a departure, but to bless a beginning. My youngest son, Kronor, has chosen a perilous road. He steps away from the sanctuary of the Church to become a shield for humanity. He will become a Dragon Hunter."

The crowd there gasped after hearing "Dragon Hunter".

Elmond then stepped forward and placed a glowing holy hand on Krono’r’s small shoulder.

The townsfolk murmured in awe at the physical manifestation of the priest’s holy aura.

​But for Kronor, it was a different story entirely.

​Hiss...

Once again, he felt a burning pain as the holy energy clashed with the dormant miasma of his body.

Yet, he gritted his teeth, to keep his expression completely neutral.

To the audience, he looked like a brave child graciously receiving a divine blessing. But inside, he felt like he was being branded with hot iron.

​"May the Goddess watch over your soul, May your blade strike true, and may you never lose your way in the dark."

And with that, the time for departure had arrived.

What new things awaited Kronor De Volcan?