Constantine's Prudence

Under the scorching sun in the mountains, Andy lay sprawled on his back in the shade of a large tree, his tongue lolling out, weakly groaning, “I’m starving! Can’t move! I need food…”

Andy at this moment was like a scabby dog, though undeniably handsome. Yet, even a handsome scabby dog – no, a ‘shameless’ wolf! – he still was.

He pondered how he suddenly gained a father. No matter, if you claim to be my dad, then you must… provide food! Once I’m full, I’ll go find my master!

Constantine stared at his ‘son’ in astonishment. He thought, *Is this truly the son of the second-in-command from my Five Peaks of Myriad Streams, from Mount Miglio of yesteryear? Just moments ago, I believed him to be a man of steel, a true hero, but now… why does he resemble a dead dog?* Still, the child lost his parents young and became a pet to a weak human…

Moreover, the child had endured three days without food; he must truly be famished. Now that father and son had reunited, there was no need for him to maintain his ‘tough guy’ facade. Constantine shot Balu a look.

Balu hastily brought food from his pack to Andy’s mouth. “Young Master, please eat something. For the past three days, our brothers doubted your identity, and we truly wronged you!”

Andy didn’t even open his eyelids, merely sniffing for a moment before grumbling, “Black bread? Do you genuinely believe such fare is befitting a nobleman’s lunch?”

Balu froze, quickly tucking the black bread back into his pack. He glanced at Constantine. “Third Master, please wait with the Young Master. We have indeed wronged the Young Master these past few days. Our brothers will immediately find some delicious food to atone!” With Constantine’s silent assent, he flew off, muttering inwardly, *Could it be… could it be that the Young Master’s silence and refusal to eat for days wasn’t a sign of his unwavering spirit, but rather… that he couldn’t stomach this dry, travel-worn ration?*

*Heavens, Third Master, a hero of his generation, couldn’t possibly have such a son, could he? It must be my imagination! How could I think such a thing?!*

A moment later, Balu returned, carrying a platter of roasted turkey. Yet, before he could even steady himself, Andy’s weak voice echoed once more, “Gods above, you can’t possibly think *this* is befitting a high-ranking nobleman’s lunch, can you?”

Balu froze again, turning awkwardly to look at his master. Constantine, recalling his son’s three-day hunger strike, waved a hand. “Our father-son reunion hasn’t been celebrated yet. Forget it, Balu, prepare a proper noble banquet. Consider it a celebration of our reunion. After we’ve eaten, we’ll go find Francis!”

Balu mulled it over; it made sense. Rumor had it that during the chaos of the war, Lady Sophia, pregnant with the Young Master, vanished into the Misty Forest. Thirteen years had passed in a blink, and father and son had never met! Now reunited, a grand celebration was indeed in order! “Third Master, please wait!”

*Third Master, a hero of his generation, surely wouldn’t have a son so fixated on gluttonous desires, would he? It must be so, right?!*

This time, over an hour passed before Balu and his companions returned, each laden with exquisite food. In an instant, a noble feast was laid before Andy. Constantine raised his wine cup, but before he could speak, Andy…

Our Andy slowly opened his eyes, glancing at the roasted suckling piglet at the center of the tablecloth, and the various desserts and fruits surrounding it. He pursed his lips. “Good heavens, do you truly believe *these* things are worthy of serving as lunch for a nobleman of my standing?”

Balu’s smile froze. *Gods, could it be that Third Master, a hero of his generation, truly has a son so utterly consumed by epicurean desires? How can this be?!*

Constantine frowned slightly, his wine cup suspended in mid-air. “Andy, what exactly do you want to eat?”

Andy smacked his lips. “First, a bowl of Rock Sugar Bird’s Nest to whet the appetite. Then, *sigh*, this backwater mountain range probably doesn’t have much good stuff, so just a Tilly Fruit Platter, Roasted Heaven-Nine Wings, and Blood-Jade Violet Flower Soup… Hmm, just those. Make do.”

The onlookers exchanged glances, two of the brothers unconsciously swallowing. *What kind of dishes is the Young Master ordering? I’ve never even heard of them!*

Constantine, having originated from Mount Miglio in his early years, was well-traveled and knew what Andy was talking about, but… Andy spoke again. “Oh, and the dishes I ordered absolutely *must* be cooked personally by a Grand Master Chef. *Sigh*, Young Master Alex isn’t here, so I suppose we’ll just have to *make do* with a Grand Master Chef!”

*Make do? These are ‘making do’?!* Constantine furiously threw his wine cup, which shattered into fragments with a *smash*. “Hmph, what has Francis been teaching you all these years?! To raise you with such a temperament!? No more eating! Let’s go, we’re going to find Francis immediately!” He personally hoisted Andy up and strode towards Durkes City.

“Hey, hey, I haven’t even eaten my fill… Never mind, wake me when we get there, alright?” Andy was meticulously conserving every ounce of his energy.

Constantine grew angrier the more he thought about it. He finally realized that his son was no ‘man of principle’ at all; he was clearly a lazy, greedy, utterly indolent and gluttonous… waste!

Yet, for a son lost for thirteen years, even a waste wasn’t something he could bear to scold or beat.

Outside the city, Constantine halted, raising a hand to command, “You all wait here. Andy and I will go see Francis alone.”

Adams spoke, “Third Master, we should go with you. That Francis is peculiar; not long ago, he seemed to be the one who tested our men under a false name!” Balu gently tugged at Adams, whispering, “Third Master, do you wish for us to provide support outside the city and set up the Divine Retribution Array simultaneously?”

Constantine waved his hand, pulling his black hood over his head. “According to my three nieces, Francis displayed exceptionally powerful abilities in the Misty Forest and has a Level Nine Master by his side. Furthermore, he is Zigurd’s disciple! So, whether he greets me, Constantine, as an honored guest, or immediately launches a lethal attack to claim my head for a reward from Mount Miglio, is a matter of fifty-fifty odds! However, he is still Andy’s nominal master, so we shall prioritize courtesy before resorting to force.”

He paused, then continued, “Additionally, when you seized the Star of Turaam, you redirected the trouble northward to escape the Merfolk, resulting in over ten thousand casualties in Newin Port… We don’t know if Francis is aware of this account. If he ever learns we were responsible, it would be an irreconcilable feud. I still must be on guard.”

Adams said indignantly, “Then why don’t you just take the Young Master back to Thistle Valley, Third Master? Why even bother seeing Francis?”

“Look at Andy’s condition. Without seeing Francis, will he even speak?” Constantine scoffed heavily. “And there are too many things that require Francis’s cooperation to clarify! Moreover,” he grunted, “though I am now a Rebellious Dragon, I will absolutely not permit a human to raise my son as a mere pet dog!”

Adams was stunned speechless. Balu glanced at the sky, solemnly stating, “Then, Third Master, your visit to Francis serves two purposes: first, to clarify past events, and second, to demand an explanation from Francis regarding Young Master Andy. This will likely take about half a day… It’s just past noon now. If we don’t receive word from you by midnight, we will take immediate action! Furthermore, according to the intelligence at hand, Francis is unaware of the true reason for the Merfolk’s raid on Newin Port! Third Master can rest assured.”

Constantine cast an appreciative glance at Balu, satisfied. Balu was loyal and meticulous; he hadn’t saved his life for nothing all those years ago, nor had he taught his brothers the Combined Assault Formation of the Five Great Divine Dragons of Mount Miglio in vain.

With a booming laugh, Constantine said, “No need to worry too much. I’m simply aiming for absolute certainty! Hmph, can a mere port with a few thousand guards truly imprison me?” He clutched Andy and strode into Durkes City.

Adams watched Third Master depart, complaining, “Why didn’t we just capture Francis and interrogate him? Why does Third Master have to go himself?” He looked at Third Master’s retreating figure, his eyes full of reverence. “The Dragon God and the Pontiff never act lightly. Roland sealed his sword, Ben’s blade shattered. Who in the world today could be Third Master’s match!? If he were unhappy, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to directly activate a killing formation and destroy this city…”

Balu shook his head. “Adams, you’re thinking too simply. Haven’t you noticed? The Young Master still refuses to call him ‘father,’ but he calls ‘master’ with utmost affection! If Third Master acted as you suggest, he could indeed reclaim the Young Master, but wouldn’t the Young Master resent him for life? A parent’s heart knows no bounds. Third Master is going to see Francis alone precisely to win the Young Master’s willing acceptance of him as a father!”

Adams nodded, seeming to half-understand.

Balu gave him a look, then sighed. “Never mind. You guard the city gate; we brothers will prepare to set up the array!”

***

After the speech, Du Chen returned to the Lord’s Manor and secluded himself. Then, he excitedly called for Deboning. In the quiet room, Du Chen smiled faintly. “Since I woke up, there have been too many things, and one thing I haven’t told you yet. Now, I need your guidance!”

“Young Master, please speak!” Deboning stood solemnly, a hint of excitement in his heart. Although Flaying could influence the Young Master’s actions and temperament with a few words, *I, Brook, am the Young Master’s mentor on the Battle God’s Path!*

“I’ve advanced again!” Du Chen’s simple words startled Deboning. “One year and seven months…”

“Alright, Aliza was even faster than me, nothing to be surprised about!” Du Chen waved a hand. “Now, tell me what needs to be known about a Six-Star Battle God!”

Deboning nodded gravely, slowly beginning, “A Six-Star Battle God signifies reaching a certain realm of communication with the elements, generating a Battle Soul. From this point, Young Master, you can communicate with the divine beast young masters Belmonde and Alex through your Battle Soul. Furthermore, you can wield the Soul Artifact ‘Vanishing Snow’ without needing Young Master Alex’s assistance. Additionally, you can utilize Soul Power in combat…”

He expounded on numerous benefits, then paused and added, “Moreover, Young Master, you were formerly a Battle Mage, specialized in communicating with external Water Elements. The Battle Soul you’ve now generated is also a Demonic Battle Soul! However, after reaching Six-Star, it is best to completely temper yourself with Water Elements. When your body also becomes sufficiently strong, you will generate a Martial Battle Soul. Having one Battle Soul and then generating a second is the stage of a Battle God from Six to Nine Stars!”

“And the pinnacle of Nine-Star is the Twin Souls Unification. For you, that means both the Demonic and Martial aspects become indistinguishable from the Water Elements; you *are* water, and water *is* you!”

“Nine-Star pinnacle? *Sigh*, that’s still a long way off!” Du Chen was captivated but shook his head.

Deboning chuckled. “Young Master, it’s not far at all! Although you were surpassed by Charlemagne and Aliza during the Battle-Warrior stage, in terms of advancement speed during the Battle God stage, you are surely the foremost person under the starry sky!”