Chapter 111. Bullshit
Joniva nodded in satisfaction at Daquus's answer, for it was the most respectful and humble surrender he had ever witnessed.
"Well said, Baldek Blackblade of the Thousand Devourers. I accept your surrender. You will be treated fairly before being handed over to our Duke Herpans de Liones."
Dacuus then said politely, "I wonder if you could offer me one last favor? You captured us while I was preparing dinner. Could you allow me the opportunity to have one last meal? I would be honored if you would join me."
Jonivar and Bastille looked at each other, and Bastille said, "Why not?" Jonivar said in high spirits, "I'm a little hungry too." He handed the lance to the servant, dismounted, and took over Daquus's noble curved sword.
Basestin also dismounted, looked at Dacius, and said, imitating his father's intimidating tone, "Be careful, Druch. Any disturbance will result in you and your men being sentenced to the most painful death."
"You're going to tell Druzy about the most painful death if you take only one 6 away?" After thinking about it, Dacus smiled and said, "I assure you, my lord, the food is cooked by me. It is neither poisonous nor drugged. I swear to the god of loyalty, Loik, that you will eat your fill and leave the tent unharmed." He then made an elegant noble salute.
The interior of the tent was decorated with woven silk in the Druzhian style, and the ceiling was lit by candlelight. A small feast was spread on a beautiful long table, and the tent was filled with fragrance.
Two Druchi nobles and two Bretonnian nobles sat opposite each other and enjoyed the feast.
Joniwa held up his wine glass and asked Darkus curiously, "You said you were from the Thousand Devourer family, so why are you called Black Blade? Shouldn't you be called Thousand Devourer?"
Dacun smiled, poured the wine into the glass, and said, "This is my life story. It's a long story. Would you like to hear it?"
Joniwa said in a curious tone, "Tell me about it."
Jonivar and Bassett remained vigilant, alert for any disturbances. But stories were the best entertainment at the tables of the Bretonnian nobility.
Dacius took an elegant sip of wine and said, "This is a very clichéd thing." He then cut a piece of the roast meat from the plate. He continued in a heavy tone, "Long, long ago, Chaos erupted from the rift and swept across the world. We followed the footsteps of the first Phoenix King, Aenarion, and drove out Chaos, closed the Chaos Rift, and saved the world. Then, our legitimate Phoenix King, Malekith, was not recognized, and civil war broke out. Fathers and sons and brothers from the same family turned their swords against each other. Mothers chased their children with swords in the streets, and children stabbed their mothers with spears. After a long battle, countless cities and villages were destroyed, our homeland, the Kingdom of Nagarythe, was torn apart, and those loyal to the Phoenix King were exiled. My family came to Naggaroth on the Black Ark. Naggaroth was named in memory of our former homeland, Nagarythe. The Black Ark ran aground on the shores of the Chillheart Sea, and there my family settled and took root."
Franais next to him was eating the steak in front of him with a calm face. He understood Bretonnian.
"Bastien, this steak is unparalleled, you must try it." Joniwa interrupted Dacus's story and pushed the steak towards Bastien.
Daxus raised an eyebrow and said, "Thank you for your recognition of my cooking skills. You can try this baked snail. I made it according to the Bretonnian method."
"Please continue," Bassetin said, cutting into the steak. "I'm very interested in your story."
Darkeus continued his narration, "The war raged for generations, and countless divided families fought countless battles for the Phoenix King and the false king. Wars came and went, each family believing the other dead or forgotten by time. During one of these battles, my father met my mother. Back in the Kingdom of Nagarythe, my mother's family's manor was next door to the Thousand Devourer's manor, and the two families had been friendly for generations. Unfortunately, she was captured and gave birth to me."
Flannais was drinking his wine from his glass when he heard Dacuus's outrageous story and nearly choked on it. Feeling the strange gazes, Flannais put the glass down and said in Bretonnia, "Excuse me, my lords, I'm just recovering from a serious injury."
Dacuus glanced at Flanais and continued his speech in a sad tone, "My mother died shortly after giving birth to me. I was ostracized by the family since I was a child. My father and brothers beat and scolded me at will, considering me a disgrace to the family. Once, my brother stuffed me into a wooden barrel with a poisonous stone viper inside. I held its head tightly with my hands, and I stayed with the venomous snake all night. Another time, they said they would take me hunting, and I was so happy that I couldn't sleep all night. I thought they had finally accepted me, but what happened next..."
While speaking, Dacus suddenly paused and looked up at the candles hanging on the ceiling. The candlelight shone on Dacus' face, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"I was the prey. My brothers kept chasing me. I could only run as fast as I could. They deliberately shot arrows at my side, laughing, insulting me, and humiliating me. I wanted to turn around and face them, to fight them, but I couldn't muster the courage. I was just a loser. I hated it so much."
Dacus picked up the wine glass and drank the whole wine in one gulp. He calmed himself down and continued, "I'm sixteen. It's a tradition in Druzian society that upon reaching adulthood, nobles must undergo a plundering voyage trial. The captain dropped me on shore and sailed away. I can never go back, and I never need to."
The calf's story is full of loopholes, but some people still believe it.
Bastien sighed, shook his head and said, "Bastard, alas."
Dacus continued, "I have a brother named Lakas."
Joniva jerked his head up and asked, "In 996 of the Bretonnian calendar, the Druch invaded Brione, and Duke Corentin was killed in battle. The leader was named Lakas. Is he your brother?"
Daxus nodded and said, "Yes, that's him."
Joniwa and Bassetin looked at each other, surprise in their eyes, and then disappointment.
Joniva sighed and said, "The Duke of Corentin's family has died out."
Dacus closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the rising tide outside, which sounded like rumbling thunder. The waves were getting closer and closer, like a mighty army rushing towards him.
"Feel sorry."