--- About a hundred years ago---

???: My son. One day I will be gone. Yes, it is, and there is no getting away from it. Always remember that my friends and brothers can help you in difficult times. You know your brothers, but you don't know your friends much. I have a friend, Shozsh, and his son Dokvakin was born. You should definitely meet and get to know each other. You can say that you are the closest relatives, but not by kinship. I also have a couple of friends, but I do not know the names of their children, since they died before they told me. One is called Mask, and the other is called Grinia... The world is narrow, I think you will be able to find their children and you will have something to talk about.

Kradr: Yes, Father. I understood. Why won't you be here?

???: Eh... I would not say that I will die or perish, but at the same time I will not be with you.

Kradr: Somehow I didn't quite understand...

???: My son, the time will come and you will understand everything and everything. Most likely, your friends, comrades or your girlfriend will help you. By the way, about the girl. I do not condemn your choice, whatever it may be, and therefore I wish you a long and happy life.

Kradr: Dad, you're saying strange things...

--- Our time---

Faceless: What is it?

Kradr: Yes, I remembered about my father.

Faceless: In what way?

Kradr: Eh... Dokwakin is the son of my father's friend. He said that if there were difficult times and a helping hand was needed, then his friend's son Dokvakin would help me. It's been about a hundred years, and I've just found my close relative.

Faceless: What does a relative mean?

Kradr: Well, look. There is a blood relative, and there is a non-blood relative. Blood relatives are those who are related to you by blood, that is, for example, there was once Sam and he had a brother. This brother's name was Ben. You both had sons. Shim and Ben are brothers, which means they were from the same mom and dad. So they're blood-related. Their sons are not brothers, but descend from fathers who are brothers, and therefore are blood. So you can go on until one of them breaks the chain with death without procreation. Non-blood relatives are different. For example, from different fathers or mothers. Then, they are relatives, but they were not born from the same parents. Also, there are non-blood relatives, for example, Ben's mom and dad decided to have another child, but they do not have the opportunity or, conversely, do not want to, but at the same time they take the child from the orphanage or they got it from friends who died. Then they are related, but not by blood. Also, there is no blood relationship, but also no kinship. For example, Ben had a friend, Sam. They have been friends since they were very young and have been friends for 50 years. Yes, they are not related, but they can be called relatives, since they have known each other all their lives. Something like that.

Faceless: So my brothers are my relatives?

Kradr: Well, it's already difficult here. As if, in fact, you are brothers, but you do not have a father and mother. Yes, there is a father, but he created you, not begot you. At the same time, you haven't known each other all your life. But, in fact, you can be considered relatives and one big, big family.

Faceless: Are they my family?

Kradr: Yes, sir. They are your family.

Faceless: Hmm. Clear...

Kradr: Are you upset?

Faceless: I do not know how it is. I just sighed inwardly and thought about it.

Kradr: I see. But don't think about it. There is nothing wrong with the family, and even more so with your family. Oh, yes, by the way, your father is not your family. The father is blood and real. The blood father gave birth to a child, and the real father raised him to adulthood. In your case, he did not give birth to you, but he did not bring you up, so he is not your father, who may be part of the family.

Faceless: I get it now. Thank you.

Kradr: By the way, we've reached the adventurers guild.

"Kradr and Faceless were standing at the entrance to the Adventurers Guild building."

Faceless: So we're done with this for today?

Kradr: Yes, it turns out that it is. You're staying here, aren't you?

Faceless: Yes. Go and rest until tomorrow. If you wake up before Chlori, then wake her up, otherwise she will wake you up herself. Don't doubt it.

Kradr: Good.

"Kradr went inside and it was night for him."

--- A night later---

Chlori: Sir, as I see it, you didn't bother much about the sleeping position.

"The Faceless One turned around."

Chlorine: Didn't you sleep?

"The Faceless One nodded."

Chlorine: Don't you think it's good for your health.

"The faceless one tilted his head to the side."

Chlori: Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot, you're not sleeping and you don't need to.

"The faceless one turned his head back and nodded."

Chlori: If anything, Kradr will be out soon. He said he would finish something and come.

"The faceless one got down on one knee and pulled his hands back, thereby inviting Chlori to sit on his neck so as not to get tired of standing."

Chlori: Just like that? But I want to walk a little by myself.

"The faceless One stood up. Both were standing at the entrance and waiting for Kradra to come out."

--- A few minutes later---

Kradr: Sorry for being late. It was an urgent matter.

Chlori: Can you tell me which one? We've been waiting for you here...

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Kradr: It's personal. All right, let's go. We need to go right and straight until we see the range with the knights.

"The trio of travelers began their journey towards the landfill."

Chlori: Tell me, what happened yesterday while I was sleeping?

Kradr: Nothing special. We went to the blacksmith, I bought armor, and now I'm wearing it.

Chlori: These armbands and this small and light bib?

Kradr: Yes, and don't interrupt.

Chlori: Okay, but why?.. Okay, I get it.

Kradr: So, the gentleman chose his weapon, but did not choose it. As a result, we agreed with the blacksmith that they, together with our blacksmiths, create a weapon for our master. Also, I told him about the family connection, since this blacksmith is the son of my father's friend.

Chlori: I see. Why didn't you tell him about it?

Kradr: If you mean that blacksmith, then we were already leaving and he told us his name. After that, I remembered. I'm seeing him for the first time in my life, how could I know that?

Chlori: Okay, okay. But I could have stayed and discussed it with him.

Kradr: Next time.

Chlori: Don't forget that your next time may be when he dies. Dwarves may be long-lived, but you are a high-ranking demon and you live much longer than him.

Kradr: The next time is when I will deliver our blacksmith.

Chlori: Oh, good then.

...

Chlorine: How much longer do we have?

Kradr: We're already halfway there.

--- About 16 minutes later---

Kradr: That's what we came for. Here is the training ground, here is the arena, here is the knight's department of the castle.

Chlori: So how do we figure out which one of them is Yoru?

Kradr: Easy. He is currently training knights or knights on his own. If the first option is, then just approach him, if the second, then ask the knights where he is.

Chlori: Well, I see that there is someone standing next to the knight and explaining something to him holding a sword in his hand.

Kradr: It's probably Yoru. Let's go and talk.

"The trio came to the gate where the guards were standing."

???: Who are you and why do you want to come here?

Kradr: Can't we come in and talk to Mr. Yoru?

???: No.

Kradr: Why can't you just get here?

???: No.

Kradr: And if he comes out to us?

???: This is not possible, he is busy at the training ground and cannot leave for any rabble to talk.

Kradr: Don't you think that your words will cost you dearly?

???: I don't think so. I know everyone who is a noble and above by sight. You're not the ones I know, which means you're a rabble.

Kradr: Can I teach him a lesson?

"The Faceless One nodded."

Chlori: Just not too much...

"Kradr swung and hit the guard so that he flew over a 3-meter fence. A voice from the training ground was immediately heard."

???: Attention, violators! Everyone be ready, if possible, not to kill!

"A lot of knights came out of the training ground and all stood around the trio of travelers."

Chlori: Listen, there's been a misunderstanding!

???: What kind of misunderstanding are we talking about here? You almost killed a guard of the royal knights.

Chlori: There was a misunderstanding with that guard. First of all, he insulted us, that's okay. But he insulted our Lord Faceless, who is the emperor. Secondly, he did not want to let us inside without explaining the reason.

???: So, let's say you're telling the truth, but how can you prove it?

Chlori: There is how. Mr. Faceless, you can take off your mask a little or show the agreement with the Solar Kingdom.

Faceless:*Is she a fool? I don't have a contract with me, it's in one of my brother's portals, and I don't know how to use them. Take off the mask? So I'm going to kill everyone here... Okay, I guess I'll have to take off my mask.*

"The faceless one took up the mask and began to remove one half of the mask. Having slightly detached the mask from the face, a large accumulation of mana formed around the Faceless One, which began to slowly spread along the road."

???: That's it, that's enough. I've heard about the Sun Kingdom's recent alliance with some kind of empire. What brings you to us?

Chlori: We need Yoru.

???: I am Yoru. What did you want?

Chlori: Can we step back?

Yoru: Not really. I have a lesson right now. We can talk at the training ground.

"All the knights, Yoru and the three travelers have entered the training ground."

Yoru: Everyone go work out the mistakes that I have indicated! So, what did you want?

Chlorine: Not much. First of all, we met with your father. He asked me to tell you that he's fine and he's waiting for the day when you come to visit the village. Secondly, we ask for your help. We need to have an audience with the king.

Yoru: Wow, good. I will definitely visit my father. But an audience will be problematic...

Chlori: We know he's gone. So we are waiting for his arrival, but we still need to get to him.

Yoru: Then it's a little easier. Come back tomorrow afternoon and I'll walk you through.

Kradr: Yoru, could you please keep our lord busy with sword training?

Yoru: And how did he become an emperor without wielding a sword? Is it magic?

Kradr: Strength, alliance, abilities, and a good brother.

Yoru: Who is this brother, what gives such influence?

Kradr: A calm madman.

Yoru: The one from the children's fairy tales? Ha ha ha ha. Then who is it? Faceless? The real one? Don't rush me...

Kradr: One more word and you will regret your words.

Yoru: Okay, but it's true. Are you saying that this is the Faceless One?

Chlori: Take off the mask completely, let him see. And I ask you, Yoru, to take a few steps back.

"Chlori, Kradr, Yoru took a couple of steps away from the Faceless One and the Faceless One completely took off his mask. Behind her, you could see the blood flowing from the holes that were being tightened and a completely white face, with no signs of a face."

Yoru: Kha... Enough... I'm going to... huh... I beg... Enough...

"The faceless one put the mask back on."

Chlori: Ahem, and now the question. Could anyone have such a reserve, pressure and mana power, except for the real Faceless One, m?

Yoru: Khaaaa... no... Don't do that anymore... I almost did... He was losing all his blood...

Chlorine: So, will you try to fulfill Kradr's request and teach our lord a little sword?

Yoru: Yes... go to that scarecrow.

"Four men approached the scarecrow at the cliff edge."

Yoru: First, let's look at your vaunted strength. Hit this scarecrow with and without armor.

"The faceless one swung with all his might and struck at the scarecrow. The force of the blow was no different from that of an ordinary knight."

Yoru: So, now without armor.

Chlori: Kradr, will you help him?

Kradr: Yes, of course.

"The Faceless one took off everything below the waist, and Kradr opened the fastening on his back."

Yoru: And you don't need to take off your mask.

"The Faceless One started swinging. At that moment, he realized that everything had stopped. There was no sound, no movement. The shadow of his body remained in the same place where it was when he was standing. Without hesitation, he nevertheless hit the scarecrow with all his might and stood in the place from which he had started. Suddenly, time went on as usual. A trace appeared in place of the Faceless One's push, and behind him everything that was behind and below the leg during the push was destroyed. In place of the scarecrow there was a void and a huge hole, which was visible as a crater with burnt rock from the impact. At the same moment, a shock wave appeared in the form of a wind flow towards the mountain and towards the city, but not very far from the impact site."

Yoru: What. What just happened?! Why? How?

Chlori: I didn't expect him to come back with the blacksmith with such force...

Kradr: I didn't expect it either. Melt the mountain and at the same time I did not see even a millimeter of his impact movement. In addition, he moved from the place where he was standing by a couple of centimeters, which indicates that he was moving.

Yoru: I don't understand, but why would he learn the art of the sword, if he is much stronger than any living or non-living creature without it?

Kradr: And without at least basic skills, they don't take adventurers to the guild.

Yoru: Are they completely crazy? Did they even test his strength?

Kradr: And if you do not pass the basic registration, then your verification is impossible, because you are not confirmed as a possible adventurer of the guild.

Yoru: I'll arrange it for them!

Kradr: No need, we want to register according to the rules.

Yoru: Okay, that's your business. Since that's the case, then Faceless, put on the armor.

"The Faceless one put on the armor, and Kradr, approaching him, fixed the upper part."

Yoru: And so. The base of swordsmanship is a stance and a dissection. Take the sword in your hand and stand up just like me. Then raise your hands up and make a sharp downward swing, along with the sword. This is the base of swordsmanship. The rest comes with experience and personal training.

"The Faceless one stood up and recreated the dissection that he showed to Yoru. His wave of the shock wave split the stone lying a meter away from the dissection."

Yoru: Well done, that's right. Can I find out how much his armor weighs?

Kradr: It weighs differently, but I can assume that the Faceless one knows the answer himself.

"Kradr approached the Faceless One, putting his hand on his shoulder."

Kradr: How much does she weigh right now?

Faceless: Several hundred tones, or maybe the whole thousand.

Kradr: About a thousand tons.

Yoru: How much?

Chlori: That's it. With that kind of weight on top of him, he moves like an ordinary knight.

Yoru: I think the dissection will be enough for him...