Chapter 6 - Seven years

As soon as we walked into the dining room, my grandfather glanced at Keishara waiting for her to elaborate on her findings.

"As I was saying my lord, some of the sleeping spies were activated last night for some reason. However, it doesn't take a scribe to realize that the young lord is the cause for this sudden influx of prying eyes."

"Sooner or later those bastards would have tried to get rid of me in one way or another…So, my dear, what have you found?"

"Almost a third are from the capital while the remaining three are from House Maisel, Weissel, and Kaspian respectively. All of them had the same mission: Gather information about you my lord and get rid of any possible heirs."

"I take it that you have taken care of them already right?"

"Yes, my lord. We found these people fighting like idiots before one of them pulled out a knife killing most of them before our guards managed to reach the commotion. I'm ashamed to admit, but our troops weren't fast enough to save any of the men."

My grandfather and Keishara were smiling the whole time, leaving me in sheer disbelief after I listen to how nonchalantly the woman talked about how she got rid of those spies. Even though I was just 6 years old, I wasn't like the rest of the children of my age, courtesy of whatever was unleashing seven hells inside my body. Not being able to play, go out of my room or simply walk for almost a whole year made me turn my attention to another way of entertainment and that was reading. At first, it was horrendous, but the more I forced myself to finish a book, the better I discovered that despite how hard it was, I was kind of enjoying doing anything other than lying in bed and crying out in pain. Most of the books were purely stories, but some of the books in my parent's library were related to war and being a lord, nothing too complex, but more than enough for anyone to get a slight head start if he or she is to follow those paths.

"Tell me, Konrad, why do you think those people wanted to kill you? "

I was brought out of my thoughts by my grandfather's words. While I don't know the man enough to know why would he ask a six-year-old child such a hard question, I could at least guess that this was a test.

"Because they don't want an heir to appear?"

"To some extent, you are right, boy, but at the same time, you are wrong. It doesn't exactly matter if you are my heir or not. You, being my grandson are already alarming for the people that want my lands, even more so now that in a few years I will publically announce you as my heir, bringing hell upon you. That's why, despite the pain that you will suffer, I will have you train with both Keishara and Ocelot. Both will train you in their fields while at the same time, you will learn from me. Hopefully, by the time you are thirteen, you will decent enough to do your job as the next Von Braun."

"I promise I will do my best, lord grandfather!"

I shouted with all of my strength wanting to prove to myself that I prepare to face anything, but sadly, for me, that only earned me a chuckle from my future master and a smile from my grandfather.

"I love your enthusiasm, Konrad, but first let's spend a day or two knowing each other, after all this is the first time either one of us has ever met each other."

That was seven years ago when I was still a small child that starved for recognition and to be fair for something to do other than sitting inside a room the whole day. My condition got better over the years and after I became ten years old, I didn't experience the same pain I did beforehand, be it that I got too used to it or that whatever happened to me finally stopped, but I for one was more than grateful get rid of it.

Recalling those times when I was still obvious of the true horrors of the political game, I could only smile while dodging a spear.

Unsheathing the sword that was by my side, I turned to face whoever attacks me several battle cries reasoned from within the forest. As soon as the first man was in my sight, I realized who my enemies were, barbarians. Not underestimating them, I quickly grabbed my shield from my back and throw a quick look at my uncle who together with three more soldiers dragged away more than seven barbarians all by themselves, leaving me to take care of the last three. For me, this was my fifth battle against the barbarians, and probably the hardest since I was fighting against all odds.

Looking at the charging barbarians, I noticed them being slightly taller than me, meaning that they were simply unblooded warriors that haven't proved themselves yet. They were armed with wooden spears and some light armor that would do little to no help for them in a fight, though I have to admit that their horned wooden helmets may still pose a threat to me.

The first one charged at me, a little ahead of the others, most likely taking me as an easier target than the armored men that were behind my uncle. I was shorter than any of them, but even though I was only thirteen years old, I was definitely stronger than most people around my age thanks to my teachers. Before the barbarian could strike, I met its spear thrust with my shield, deflecting the blow downward and slightly to my left side, creating a window of opportunity for me. At the same time, with my other hand, I slashed out catching the overconfident idiot off guard. With a scream, the boy fell to the ground.

After they saw their friend dying, the other two become more cautious. Instead of charging me blindly, they kept their distance, making use of the reach of their spears, and if I wouldn't have a shield these two would have killed me.

Sadly, for both of them, I had one so rather than letting these barbarians wear me out, I went onto the offensive. Charging the nearest man, I parried his attack with my shield and pushed forward, forcing the young man to stumble backward not expecting such a sudden counterattack. I didn't even hesitate before stabbing my sword into the man's throat and quickly turning to face his last friend.

Thanks to my short height and my reflexes, I managed to dodge the attack before slashing the spear's head, making the barbarian stare at me in confusion. For a moment, the barbarian struggled to comprehend what just happened when I smashed my shield into its face sending him to the ground before I granted him a quick and painless death.

Just as I was about to run towards my uncle, hoping to help them, a loud war cry stopped everyone for a few seconds. As soon as I turned around, I saw him, a man covered in tribal tattoos holding a huge axe standing twenty meters away from me glaring deeply in my direction.

As soon as the man was without my range, I stabbed forward, hoping to inflict at least an injury before he swings that axe of his. The man let out another war cry as if it dared me to kill him, he even lowered its axe leaving his chest defenseless, but something was strange about him.

"Prove your worth, man-child!"

Just as my sword was about it pierce his chest, the man raise its axe, paring my attack before turning his axe towards me. I barely saw his attack when something pass through my shield, cutting the only thing that kept me safe in two. Not even a second later, the barbarian slashed again catching me off-guard. I could feel the cold blade cutting my left hand, just enough to make it bleed, but not enough to make an invalid.

"Feel our pain man-child! Today I'll fest on your meat!"

Right as I heard his last words, something sent me flying in the air before I fell on my back. I could barely move my body at this point. Years of training made me confident, but even then, I was powerless in the face of a true monster. The barbarian wasn't even injured and yet looking back at how dumb I was to fall into his trap, I could only curse my luck as I await my demise.

The man walked in front of me and as I looked at him smiling at my sorry state, I swear I could see the madness in his eyes as he was about to swing his axe down. Just as he was about to do it, something jumped onto his back from above us.

"Shorty's my prey !"

Soon after I heard that feminine voice, dozens of horns resonate through the forest before the fatigue took over my body…

(A/N : For more chapters please check my patre0n. When this chapter goes live, there are five chapters in advance there.

Link : https://www.patre0n.com/meatbunkun)