The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 126: Unfurling the scroll (1)

Chapter 126: Unfurling the scroll (1)

The bonfire blazed in full glory, illuminating far and wide in the darkness. It was late in the night but people sang and danced. The elderly roasted strips of meat while the children dozed off at their feet. The young people, male and female, talked merrily with the ones they liked.

Although Hex stood at the window of the northern tower, he saw Mart cozying up to a girl with tanned skin and an excellent figure. Hex smirked seeing Mart steal glances at the girl’s bosom when he thought no one was watching.

’What an idiot. But perhaps this is what they need to forget the events of the past,’ Hex sighed, seemingly forgetting he, too, was a young person. He ought to be out there, having fun but he couldn’t.

Ever since he heard he was a hex, a cursed object made by the Witch and brought to life by the baroness, his desire to build relationships faded. He still felt and cared about others but he didn’t dare to get too close to someone. What if they saw through his true nature?

His eyes fell on the long-legged beauty sitting at the edge of the circle around the bonfire, accompanied by the other Knights. She sipped slowly at her cup, seemingly lost in thought.

’Come to think of it, we didn’t have a moment alone ever since that night,’ Hex sighed and averted his eyes. ’Maybe this is for the best. She is Heaven’s chosen while I am a forbidden existence. Sooner or later, we will have to make our choices.’

He shook his head and wandered in the deserted corridors of the castle. The corridors were clad in darkness but Hex didn’t mind. He was at peace. He couldn’t help but reminisce about the time spent with the baron and the others. Somehow, the few months inside the castle were more dear to him than the time before.

He wandered mindlessly until he suddenly found himself in front of a room he often visited. He caressed the door handle briefly before pushing the door to the study open. As the door slammed shut behind him, he gazed at the interior.

Strange enough, the study and the northern towers, two places the baron seemingly loved, remained undamaged. Rows of books stood on shelves at the side. Hex walked to the desk. His mind subconsciously conjured the visuals of the baron reading. The illusion disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Hex stepped toward the baron’s chair while his fingers traced the wooden desk.

’This is where he liked to sit and read,’ Hex mused, taking a seat in the baron’s chair. ’Damn, this is comfortable,’ he exclaimed inwardly. Sinking deeper into the chair, Hex sat upright, mimicking how he remembered the baron doing.

He also thought about all the times he had considered reading the books in here but he never could spend too much time on his ass. He could read but it wasn’t a habit a slum dweller like him could have afforded. He knew it was a habit he should foster but six years of habits couldn’t be filled within a few months. Especially if those were good habits.

He continued to think back to the times in the past. They would probably never return.

Suddenly, he became aware of his actions. ’I am acting like an orphaned child...again,’ he chuckled wryly. He put his hand on the desk to stand up when his gaze landed on the back of his hand.

Inside the mark holding the glyph with three dots - unlike others with three marks to illustrate their triple Blessed state, Hex had three dots - there was another mark. The outline of the mark was dim and barely visible. It would be easy to miss if someone wasn’t looking for it.

’The Knight’s Path!’

The memories regarding the mark resurfaced at once. He received it in the study where he stood.

’I can’t believe I forgot about it. Wasn’t this what he spent all his time preparing, huddled behind his desk?’ The scene of that day became vivid once more. ’Come to think of it, did he know he would have to leave? Why else give me this?’

Although Hex hadn’t undermined the baron’s effort when acquiring it, he hadn’t given it as much importance as it deserved. After that, the event occurred. And then he spent months fighting demons, both outside and inside. The scroll was thrown to the back of his mind.

’Although we are leaving in a few hours, I want to see what’s inside. Maybe there is a technique that can help me defeat others surpassing my rank.’

His heart filled with excitement as he focussed on the scroll. He was surprised that the mark didn’t activate instantly.

He sensed a warm light shooting out of the scroll and enveloping him. Looking down, he didn’t see anything but the feeling of warmth remained, fading only after a couple of seconds had passed. After that, the scroll materialized in his hand.

’Did...it check whether it was truly me?’ Hex didn’t know for certain but it certainly had felt like that way. Once again, he was left to marvel at the wondrous scroll. But he didn’t dwell too long on it. He was too excited for the next part.

He hurriedly unfurled the scroll. As he did so, rows of symbols appeared. The first line read The Knight’s Path as he already had read the first time he received it.

He went further down this time, reading the text below the title.

Whether I am there or not, may these golden letters of wisdom enlighten your path forward. The golden light represents our predecessor’s undying will to drive the darkness of ignorance away, enabling you to walk further than any before you have been able to. The Knight’s Path was created by the first human to pick up a tool to defend what it held dear, defying gods and devils alike. How far you are able to thread on it will depend on your will.

Reading the introductory paragraph, Hex’s blood boiled. He felt his heart rate increase and resolve to fill his entire existence.

His eyes flew further down, unable to stop reading.

Although everyone walks a different path, this scroll can guide everyone. And of every rank. But to prevent you from being overwhelmed, I have locked some parts. Only if you meet the criteria, will you be granted access to it.

Based on the light inspecting you, you are at the Knight rank. This rank emphasizes elements. The section related to this rank should be accessible now.

Indeed, as soon as he finished reading the last part, rows of texts appeared. They were divided into General information, element cultivation, element control, and element Techniques.

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