Chapter 126 Past Events: The Victor Family, Vincent, Memories
"We were all born in the royal city, and our families have inherited titles for generations, but by our fathers' generation, our families were no longer doing well."
This involves many issues.
My family is doing well; at least in my generation, we can still inherit the baronial title and own most of the land. But Vincent is no longer eligible to inherit the title.
This means that all the lands granted to the Victor family because of their titles will be taken back by the king, and they will be excluded from the nobility. This is undoubtedly the biggest blow to an ancient family.
By the way, Vincent is your father's nickname; I don't know if anyone has told you.
Edmund paused, observing Ray's expression, fearing that the young man might be frustrated by not being able to inherit the family's glory.
"It's alright, please tell me the truth, I won't mind. I feel that as a descendant of the Victor family, I should learn about these things related to the family."
These fathers never told me, or perhaps they just hadn't had the chance to tell me yet.
Ray answered calmly, but Edmund thought he was just putting on a brave face.
"Good boy, no wonder he's Vincent and Jennifer's child!"
Edmund looked at Ray as if he were looking at his own son.
"Old Mr. Victor, your grandfather, knew that this was definitely not going to work. Losing the title did not mean the family had fallen into ruin all at once; at least they still had the land and gold coins they had accumulated over the years."
Unfortunately, the relatives of the Victor family are like bloodsuckers clinging to a cow. When they have status, they stick to you and you can't shake them off; once the family loses its title, they immediately sever ties and run away, taking a final sip of blood before they leave.
Old Victor knew perfectly well that these people were unreliable, so he focused his efforts on cultivating collateral descendants within the clan to provide support for the family.
When this part of the past was mentioned, Edmund's face was filled with uncontrollable anger, and it was clear that his family had also suffered from this kind of torment.
Lay remembered that Hagrid had mentioned this incident before, and that he was one of the collateral relatives who had received funding.
"Vincent's birth was a source of hope for the Victor family. It's a pity that Vincent didn't have any magical talent. Fortunately, he was physically strong, so old Mr. Victor sent him to knight training. That's when we met and became friends. I was only ten years old then."
"We ate, lived, trained, and went on adventures together, and finally joined the Silver Knights together at the age of twenty-four."
At this point, Edmund's eyes brightened, and his tone was filled with nostalgia.
"Those were our happiest times. The continent of Casa was never short of adventure. Our team once disguised ourselves as bounty hunters to take on some challenging missions, and we also went to the Great Forest of Eton to capture rare magical beasts."
I once thought that life would continue like this, and maybe Vincent would even become my brother-in-law. Of course, Vincent had always only treated Catherine as his own sister.
"Oh, why am I talking to you about all this nonsense?"
Edmund ended the conversation about his "brother-in-law".
"Your mother, Jennifer, was someone we met by chance during one of our missions."
Jennifer didn't come from a prominent family; she was just the daughter of an ordinary farmer. However, she had a remarkable talent for magic, so she entered a church school to study magic and eventually became an excellent magician and apothecary.
They got along so naturally, as if they were a match made in heaven. Reason told us that the heirs of a family that was declining should not choose such an ordinary girl, but Vincent did not care about these things and firmly chose Jennifer.
Old Victor was a very enlightened father and did not force Vincent to marry a noblewoman in order to inherit her family business.
After learning of their love, I offered them my sincerest blessings.
This shows that Mr. Victor was a very upright person who respected his children's wishes.
Although the family was in dire straits, they did not sacrifice their children's happiness for personal gain.
Ray had a good impression of this grandfather he had never met and also learned a little about the family.
"Later, after a solo mission, Vincent went through a period of depression, and no matter how I asked him, he wouldn't tell me what had happened."
Mr. Victor also passed away around that time, which was a very painful blow to Vincent.
So he left the Silver Knights, dismissed his servants, and quietly moved away from the capital with Jennifer, who was already pregnant.
When Vincent and I met again, you were already eight or nine years old. Because Jennifer's beloved grandmother had passed away, and there were still some things to take care of in the capital, Vincent and Jennifer set off to return to the capital.
You were too young to withstand the bumpy journey, so you were temporarily placed in the care of a trusted relative. Jennifer mentioned it, I think it was Hagrid's family. Come to think of it, I met Hagrid many times when I was little.”
He lives in a small mountain village.
"Oh, Vincent mentioned this in his letter. I'll definitely visit him when I have time."
Edmund told Ray everything he knew about the Victor family.
For an intelligent and ambitious young person, understanding their family history and past is very important.
“You two brothers live here without your parents’ protection, it must be very hard for you. Why don’t you come back to the capital with me this time?”
Edmund asked tentatively.
So much time has passed, and the memories of the past have long since faded with the passage of time.
The two children of the impoverished Victor family, returning to their house to live a simple life, would likely not attract much attention.
"Uncle Edmund, thank you very much for your kindness."
Ray politely thanked Edmund.
“From the day we were born until now, Neil and I have lived in this small village. It’s not rich, you could even say it’s poor, but it’s where we spent our entire childhood.”
Our bones and blood have long been integrated with every blade of grass, every tree, every mountain and river here, and this place has become an inseparable part of our lives.
We love the freedom and simplicity here. To suddenly step into a new environment would only cause us intense discomfort and a sense of disorientation.
Edmund somewhat disagreed with what Ray said, but he did not interrupt Ray.
"My father must have had his reasons for choosing to settle here with my pregnant mother."
I think following his advice and staying in the small village is the best choice. Uncle Edmund, thank you so much for your kindness, but I really love the environment here.
"well……"
Edmund sighed helplessly, filled with resignation.
"If you want to develop your career in the capital in the future, you can contact me in advance, and I will help you avoid some troubles."
By the way, I don't know if Vincent and Jennifer told you, but the old house where Victor's family lived is still there; he didn't sell it. It's in a really nice location, actually.
Ray had never heard anyone mention this before, but he didn't really care. Traveling was inconvenient, and he might never have the chance to go there in his lifetime.
"Is there something you need to take care of in Rosen Town, Uncle Edmund?"
Lei started to change the subject.
"Yes, I'm here to investigate some things."
Edmund replied.
Perhaps because the matter he was investigating was of great importance and not convenient to tell Lai, a junior who had only recently come of age, he did not explain in detail what it was.
"Pay close attention to news in town and city, and keep a close eye on things."
Edmund reminded him.
"good."
The two chatted for a long time about various things, as if Edmund wanted to know everything that had happened in the past twenty years.
Before they knew it, it was dinnertime, and Neil had already prepared all the ingredients.
Ray was in charge of cooking, Neil was studying at the table, and Edmund was sitting opposite him watching him study.
"Is Neil thirteen years old this year?"
"Um."
Neil nodded.
"Time flies. The children who were once the size of two palms are now almost adults."
Edmund gestured with his palm and remarked with emotion.
"How are you doing usually? Is it hard?"
Neil thought for a moment before answering.
“I’m not having a hard time, it’s my brother who is. We’re doing very well, we have enough to eat every day, and we can eat meat every week.”
Edmund grew to like Neil the more he looked at the boy.
He was obedient, sensible, and polite; he was very well-mannered. He was nothing like those arrogant children in the royal city.
Edmund thought of the heir of the Arcanis family, that little tyrant who treated human life as worthless.
"The food is ready."
Hearing the noise, Neil helped bring out the bowls and dishes.
A large bowl of steamed buns and mantou, a bowl of pork ribs, potatoes, and green beans stew, along with garlic-flavored romaine lettuce, vegetable salad, tomato and egg soup, and various side dishes and dipping sauces.
"Uncle Edmund, my brother is an amazing cook!"
"Then I'm going to have a good taste today."
The dinner was a pleasant one for both host and guests. Luckily, Neil made enough dough; otherwise, given the usual portion sizes, it definitely wouldn't have been enough for the three of us.
Ray's pickled vegetables had a sweet and spicy flavor, which Edmund didn't quite like. However, the salted garlic pickled in soy sauce and the hot sauce won him over. It's clear that he has a strong palate and enjoys spicy and stimulating foods.
Not long after dinner, when it was still cool outside, Ray went to feed the livestock and gave Edmund's horse hay and water.
Horses are much taller than mules. Little Black was seeing this creature for the first time and barked tentatively a few times. The horse ignored it, so it grew bolder and decided to go play near the horse.
Very lively and very curious.
"Lay, do we have guests?"
Hagrid could tell from the horses in the yard that the man hadn't left yet.
Strangers came to the village today, looking for Victor and his wife. As soon as he got home, villagers told him about it.
Fearing that his two children would be deceived by bad people, Hagrid came over after eating only a few bites of dinner.
"Yes, his name is Edmund Hilton, and he is said to be my father's childhood friend."
The image of a little boy with brown hair, taller than Vincent Victor, appeared in his memory.
"It was him! What's he doing here?"
Hagrid left his family early, but he also accompanied Victor through a period of his childhood, so he naturally knew that there was always a little boy of equal status with him by his side.
"Uncle, would you like to see him?"
"Let's go take a look."
Hagrid still had some doubts about whether the person who came was really Edmund.
Hagrid?
Edmund asked tentatively.
Hagrid was in his prime when he left, and now, so many years later, his face has many wrinkles, and his skin has become rough and dark, but his appearance hasn't changed much. Edmund recognized him immediately.
"I am Edmund, have you forgotten?"
Edmund has changed a lot over the years, and Hagrid didn't recognize him at first.
Who would have thought that the once fair-skinned child now has a full beard?
Neil felt that Uncle Edmund looked older than Uncle Hagrid.
The Hilton family's signature hair and eye color eased Hagrid's suspicions slightly, but he still needed to test him further to confirm his identity.
"Long time no see, Edmund. How have you been in the capital these past years?"
"Everything is fine. I wonder how you've been since you left Victor's family?"
"That's good too, life is peaceful and comfortable."
Lei had already invited the two people into the living room.
“I remember when you were little, you and Vincent often played hide-and-seek in the treehouse, where I made wooden swords for you.”
"No, you're mistaken. It's not a wooden sword, it's a knife. Vincent prefers knives."
Hagrid confirmed Edmund's identity.
"Why did you suddenly come here?"
Hagrid asked.
"I came to handle some official business and also to check on Vincent and Jennifer, but I never expected them to be here..."
The two fell silent, speechless for a moment.
"Hagrid, how old are your children?"
Edmund broke the awkward atmosphere.
“I have three sons and one daughter. The first two are already married.”
"Congratulations, Hagrid."
"And you? I don't even know if you're married or not."
“I got married a little earlier than Vincent, and I only have one daughter.”
When Edmund spoke of his daughter, his expression was filled with tenderness and pride.
Hagrid and Edmund had only known each other for a few years; given their different social statuses, they were more like familiar strangers. After a brief, awkward conversation, Hagrid made sure his nephews were safe and then left.
By this time, Ray and Neil had already tidied up the room.
Edmund will be staying overnight.
He slept in Neil's room on the second floor, where Neil and Lai slept together.
Goodnight, Uncle Edmund.
After bringing Edmund hot water for washing up, Neil happily went downstairs, overjoyed at the thought of sleeping with his brother that day.
He kept pestering his brother to tell him lots and lots of stories!
Edmund tossed and turned on the second floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.
This place is very different from the royal city, and even the countryside around the royal city.
The air is fresh, the magical atmosphere is strong, and it is far from the struggle for power, but all sorts of other dangers exist.
When Vincent suddenly decided to move away from the capital, he tried to stop him, but to no avail. Who could have imagined that Vincent's decision would, by sheer chance, save his sister's life?
Now, in just over a decade, the two brothers have been separated by death.
Summer nights in the small mountain village are quite hot. Edmund sleeps with the window open, disturbed by the chirping of insects outside.
He lay awake, thinking about this and that, until the chirping of insects faded away in the early hours of the morning before he finally drifted off to sleep. His brow remained furrowed, never relaxing.
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Author's Note: The White Tower: the symbol of the highest authority of the Mage Guild, a pilgrimage site for all mages on the continent of Casa, located in the royal city of Bersudun.
The Silver Knights: An important armed force under the Royal City Papacy, responsible for protecting the Papacy's security. They are divided into different ranks and also carry out some mysterious missions on a daily basis.
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