Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 319: Fury Pride

CH319 Fury Pride

***

Unexpectedly, three days passed before the final draft of the document was ready. According to Esmond Fury, that was unusually fast — and only possible because all parties, especially the Kellermans and the Mediator team, wanted the matter concluded as quickly as possible.

Alex’s lips twitched.

’It’s like they’re worried my father or I will suddenly change our minds, so they want this signed fast,’ he thought. ’That can’t be it, right?’

It was possible. Earl Drake Fury had a reputation for unpredictability; who could say what a ’madman’ would do? After this negotiation, rumours of Alex being just as ’mad’ as his father wouldn’t be surprising.

’It’s one of the easiest ways to smear my name. And I’m not exactly making it difficult for them,’ Alex chuckled inwardly.

Once the scribes from the Fury, Kellerman and Mediator delegations finished their work, three identical copies of the draft were presented to each side’s representative.

Because of the document’s importance, everyone read carefully. First, to ensure no clause had been sneaked in by another side; second, to confirm all three copies matched exactly.

When that was done, both Earl Kellerman and Alex exhaled. Afterwards, Grand Mage Taman also signed as the High Arbiter and witness to the negotiations.

One copy would remain with each family; the third would go to the Imperial Notary for record and safekeeping.

With that, the intrigue of the negotiations closed. The remaining details would be handled by those below — one of the benefits of being at the head of an organization.

Josiah Kellerman would be released to his family two weeks later at the handover of the Northwest County. Until then, the Fury family agreed to release him into Imperial custody as a precaution.

Grand Mage Taman had suggested that precaution in passing; he hadn’t expected Alex to accept it.

Alex framed the decision as a goodwill gesture toward the Kellermans — but that wasn’t the truth. He didn’t care about the Kellermans. What worried him was conspiracy.

Anyone who wanted the Fury family bogged down in war could simply assassinate Josiah in the two weeks before the handover. That would turn things into a diplomatic annoyance the Fury family would rather not have on its plate.

On the other hand, even if something were to happen to Josiah within Imperial custody, it would have nothing to do with the Fury family. The Kellermans would still have to follow through with the agreement while sorting things out with the Empire.

As for why the Fury family didn’t just hand him over to the Kellermans since the agreement had already been reached... well, it was simply how things were done.

Until the Kellermans upheld their end of the bargain, the Fury side wasn’t obliged to fulfil theirs either. And since they didn’t need to, they wouldn’t.

Alex would have much preferred to release the Kellerman young lord and be done with it, but that apparently would’ve lowered the Fury family’s standing in the matter.

He could only shrug.

As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

So, Grand Mage Taman’s offhand suggestion ended up being the perfect solution to Alex’s problem.

He smoothly tossed the hot potato to the Imperials and washed his hands of the matter. As for the actual takeover of the County, that too no longer concerned him.

The twins, Sophia and Seraphina, were set to assume control once the handover was complete.

Sofi, in particular, had been meticulously reviewing plans to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible.

As Alex figured, the Witch really did have a good head on her shoulders.

The next day, Esmond and the delegation prepared to bid farewell to Alex and the Enclave.

Alex couldn’t help but feel as if this world moved at a breakneck pace. The delegation had rushed to arrive for the talks, and now they were rushing to leave. It reminded him of how little free time he’d actually had since awakening in this world.

’Is it this world... or is it just the Fury family?’ he wondered.

Before leaving, Esmond called Alex over.

”As the heir of the family patriarch, I’m sure you know the origins of our family, right?” Esmond asked.

”You know it too?” Alex replied.

”Indeed,” Esmond chuckled. ”Perks of being one of the weird ones in the family.”

His expression then grew solemn. ”Then tell me—do you know why the entity on our family crest is a lion, and not something else? Not something tied to our true origin?”

Alex shook his head. ”I initially thought it was meant to veil our origins, but I doubt that now. From what I’ve read of our forebears—and from what I’ve seen of our family today—we’re far too proud to hide our roots in such a way.

”We simply don’t speak of it to those unworthy of knowing, rather than pretending it’s something else.

”It just isn’t in our nature to deny our nature. The world may call us mad, but we’re proud of our madness. So the answer must be something else—something I haven’t quite figured out yet.”

”You’re correct. We’re far too proud to deny our nature,” Esmond nodded. ”The Furor Bloodline drives its inheritors to the very extremes of emotion—but also with a kind of potent clarity. Put bluntly, it makes us indulgent in our feelings. But viewed another way, it makes us very true to ourselves.”

Alex listened quietly, deep in thought.

’Indeed... Calm Madness is a state that pushes its user toward a kind of irrationality. Yet within that irrationality lies clarity. The two opposites blend together, allowing one to act as needed—rationality or consequences be damned.’

’It truly pushes the user to be faithful to their convictions... to be true to themselves, even when reason, laws, or the social constructs that govern behaviour say otherwise.’

Esmond continued, ”In every generation, our family has always been led by those who bear the Furor Bloodline. And those people would never allow the family emblem to remain what it is if the reason behind it was merely to hide our origin—or our nature.”

He paused, then gave a small, knowing smile. ”But you know, Alex... even though that’s not the reason, none of us—except our progenitor who first chose it—actually knows the truth behind the Lion emblem.”

”Really?” Alex blinked, genuinely surprised.

”We all just assume,” Esmond said with a light laugh. ”Each of us invents our own reason. But thanks to you, I’ve finally found mine.”

He turned toward the morning sun cresting over the horizon, a faint glimmer softening his stern face. ”It came to me when you told the story of the Tiger and the Fox.”

Then, meeting Alex’s gaze squarely, Esmond said, ”You’ve got it wrong. Your father isn’t a tiger, and you’re no fox. Both of you—and every single member of our bloodline—are lions.”

The middle-aged man’s eyes held Alex’s firmly, making sure every word struck deep.

”You are not a fox who needs to borrow the strength of a tiger. You are a lion—a cub, perhaps, but still a lion nonetheless. Just like your father.

”You’re Fury, just as he is Fury. And names carry power. Our family name, no matter who bears it, carries that same power—just as a lion’s prestige remains unquestionable, whether it’s a cub or a full-grown beast.

”Every Fury—each and every one of us—is a lion. We all seek to carve out a throne for ourselves in this world. That’s why we rebel. We rebel against anything that would make us mediocre... even family if we must.

”Yet despite our infighting, our rivalry—there is one thing we all protect with every fibre of our being: the Fury Pride.

”Pride—whether it’s our nature or family—we’ll always defend it. Especially when the hyenas beyond our lands begin to circle.”

Esmond paused, his expression softening into a faint, reminiscent smile.

”Your father, for all his strength and flaws... could have chosen to grow alone. He might have already reached the rank of Marquis—or even Margrave—by now. But he didn’t. Instead, he returned to Fury lands and ushered it into a golden age.”

Esmond’s gaze grew firm. ”That’s because he carries the heart of a Fury... the heart of a lion. And that—” he placed a hand over his own chest, ”—is his Pride.”

His eyes settled on Alex once more.

”You must be wondering why I’m telling you this,” he said, laying a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ”It’s because you’re going places, kid. I can see it in your eyes. So listen well—never forget what matters most: your Pride.

”You don’t have to be like your father, bearing the weight of the entire House upon your shoulders. In truth, I believe you’re different from him, and so is the path you’ll walk. But no matter how high you climb, never forget to care for and raise those around you. They are your Pride.”

He clenched his fist lightly against Alex’s chest.

”They are the source of your lion’s heart... your Fury heart.”

Alex met his uncle’s gaze silently, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

’I guess you’re quite the scribe, huh,’ he mused.

”Don’t worry, Uncle,” Alex replied aloud. ”I’ve heard that it’s cold and lonely at the top of the mountain. So, I’ll make sure to bring people along—to share the warmth together.”

”Haha!” Esmond burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the courtyard. ”Well said, Young Master Alex! Looks like I didn’t need to say so much nonsense after all!”

Alex chuckled softly and shook his head. ”No, it’s not nonsense. I’m truly grateful for your insight.” He gave a respectful bow.

Esmond patted Alex’s arm warmly, then turned with his usual suave composure toward the waiting carriages.

”I can’t wait to see what heights you’ll reach, Young Master Alex,” he said without looking back. ”And the sights you’ll bring to the world.”

With that, he climbed into the lead carriage. Within moments, the Fury delegation departed, their convoy vanishing down the road toward Ashen Castle.

Alex stood watching for a while, then shook his head with a small smile and made his way back to his dormitory.

When he arrived, he noticed an unfamiliar woman standing at the door. He was about to ask who she was when his eyes drifted downward—and recognition struck.

He opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing politely. ”Please, come in.”

The woman raised an eyebrow. ”Is this how you invite any woman you meet into your home?”

Alex smiled faintly. ”But you’re not any woman, are you?” His eyes gleamed as he met her gaze. ”Isn’t that right, Lady Eleanor?”

***