Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"My future isn't set in stone yet, but I believe that I might join the royalty in the future," Branded added. "That will limit my actions a bit, but it will also grant me some influence. Once that happens, I will only lack the manpower to actively shape the future of the realm, manpower that I can trust. That is why I have been working to deal with that in the last few months."

Branded wanted his own army, apparently, to be able to influence some battles in the future. At least considering his words. It was also entirely possible that he wanted his own army to take over the country one day or betray it as Leo did. Helping a coup was the last thing that Rain wanted in his resume, though. His life already had too much emotion as it was.

He knew very well in societies like that, traitors tend to be exterminated down to the last one alongside their families.

"Those words might sound weird coming from me, who was always the center of the attention of the family, but I truly want to restore the legacy of our family, and people like you can help me with that," Branden said. "Some people might think less of you because you aren't one hundred percent noble, but you can prove them wrong as you have been doing until now, but on a much larger scale."

While those were some nice words, but that only made Rain feel more suspicious. While he doesn't remember hearing bad things about Branden either, nobles are particularly good at deception. Rain would rather trust those who put their lives on the frontlines instead of those who just sit back and send people to their deaths.

"If you help me, I will do my best to make sure that your family won't suffer like you did in the last few years since the fall of Tristan," Branden added. "I will also make sure that your father will be able to move more freely and become the knight of this region. If you wish, your sisters can also attend the school in the capital.

I believe that those terms are the best for your family, but I don't know what you want yet. Girls? Boys? Money? Land?"

"Peace and freedom," Rain replied.

"Those are some things that are hard to grasp and negotiate with," Branden said while furrowing his eyebrows. "Still, can you have peace and freedom if the magic people keep winning this war?"

Branden had a point; Rain and his family will never have true peace as long as the war persists. It was time to make the magic people lose some as well… still, Rain found it hard to believe that the kid in front of him would be able to change the tides of the battle. Unless he was a reincarnated person like him. Still, Rain had the feeling that it wasn't the case.

"I already have a decent unit under my command of loyal people, and I am planning to use them soon to make the magic people lose some of their soldiers," Branden said. "Still, it is hard to find good enough mages for that kind of work that they are also well trained physically or haven't been corrupted by the proposals of nobles. That is why I am trying to recruit you.

Naturally, don't have to work for me forever, just until we recover our hometown."

Branden tried to convince Rain using other things as a bargain as well. Recover his status of his family as a noble. Make him the second in command of Tristan once it is recovered, and even find influential partners for his sisters when the time comes. That was something common in such times; marrying, considering feelings alone, wasn't something common.

Still, Rain wasn't planning to decide that kind of thing for them. In the end, when noon arrived, Branden decided to return home.

"You can think for as long as you want, but the war won't wait for us," Branden said. "I give you my word that no one will bother you or your family here, so you don't have to feel compelled to agree with the proposal. Still, you should know that the enemies will make sure to hunt down all of those who have noble blood if they take over the country."

Branden entered his carriage and then left the village. He had a point; while most of them are a pain in the ass, nobles are also the leaders of the country. They take up arms when war is approaching and lead the common folk. So, they will be a threat if they are left alone after the war.

"Well… that was unexpected," Meiro said.

"... He didn't seem like a bad kid, but…" Luana said while showing a difficult expression.

"He makes me remember Hugo when he was younger," Roan said and then sighed. "Sorry about this, Rain… I guess this is all my fault."

"It was bound to happen," Rain said while shaking his head. "Well, I am going to read my book now; we can talk about this later."

Everyone looked surprised after hearing what Rain said. He didn't seem that worried, considering the situation… Perhaps that was the right approach considering the situation. Still, they felt worried about him since another burden was being put on Rain's shoulders.

Considering his son's talent, Roan imagined that Rain would be recruited by some groups to join them, but he thought that before Tristan fell. Lately, he had hoped that his son wouldn't have to get involved in battles for the realm when so many people saw him as someone insignificant. He didn't have to fight for those people.

"I suppose I need to think of a new and faster method of transportation," Rain thought when he entered his room and opened the book that he just got. "I don't trust the guy, so I will have to check things here pretty often."