CH261 Drake Fury, a failure as a father?

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[A.N: Special thanks to Bull_Shit_3883, DaoistvsDd4u, Hakkira, Icexfirewolf (Wait! Fen, is that you? 😲🤣), Calyddon, and TheXAutumnKingX.

Thanks so much for the support—I really appreciate it.]

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"Jared, you've watched him for weeks. What do you think about the boy?" Earl Drake Fury asked.

He stood before the ceiling-high window of his study, gazing out at the City of Ashes and the greater Dankrot Plains—his fiefdom—stretching beyond on the horizon.

Behind him, Jared, the ever-imposing Dark Knight, stood silent. A part of him pondered how best to answer the Earl's question, while another part tried to discern the true intent behind it.

"In terms of personal strength," Jared finally began, his voice deep and measured, "the Young Master is sufficiently powerful for his rank. He could easily claim a position as one of the Empire's Stars, or perhaps even rise to the level of a Continental Dragon.

"There is, however, one critical thing he lacks—combat experience. The Young Master has far too much power at his disposal than he yet knows how to wield. He hasn't formed a personal style of fighting to fully bring out the best of his abilities.

"In truth, one could argue he is conflicted—uncertain of how to properly blend his Mage spells with the Warrior disposition of his body. He has yet to find that synergy. Still, this is something I believe will improve as he gains more combat experience."

Jared paused for a moment, considering his next words before continuing.

"As a Commander, however, he is already very good. He knows how to earn the loyalty of those under his command, and the record speaks for itself—consistent victories with minimal losses under his direct leadership. That alone proves his competence."

His tone grew more cautious. "My only concern lies in his command style. He often falls back into a support role. This isn't necessarily bad—if anything, he becomes a one-man force multiplier, allowing his troops to shine and grow.

"But I fear this habit denies him the opportunity to gain the personal combat experience he needs, which in turn hinders his growth as a powerhouse professional."

Drake's hands clasped behind his back as Jared shifted to the final point.

"Lastly, if we consider his ability as a leader in the broader sense," Jared said firmly. "Though he hasn't actively taken up the role of a fief lord, there have been glimpses of what kind of leader/ ruler he might become.

"Much like his command, his charisma naturally draws people to his side. A good example would be Cowle City in the Konradin Barony of the Kellerman fief. There, he acted in a way most would call atypical for a noble. Yet it was precisely the approach needed to win the hearts of the people after his unit reclaimed the city.

"Even after losing their friends and family during the young master's retake of Cowle City, the people there still stand firmly with him," Jared continued. "Chances are, they would follow him more readily than whoever the Kellermans appoint as their Baron going forward, especially given the current state of Baron Konradin and his family."

"That said, my concern remains the same as with his command style. He invests himself too deeply in the interests of those under him—beyond what is strictly necessary. Noble, yes, but also equally naive, as I believe it hinders his own growth.

"If he continues on this path, he will inevitably hit a wall in the development of his personal strength. At best, he risks becoming a weak leader of a powerful fiefdom, army, or organisation.

"Charisma may carry him for a time. It may even allow him to gather strong, loyal people around him. But when his influence grows large enough, his personal strength will inevitably come under scrutiny. Charisma alone cannot silence the hyenas when they start circling his holdings.

"True strength, as you are well aware, Master, is the most effective deterrent—both against traitors within and enemies outside."

Earl Drake remained silent for several long moments, his expression unreadable as he weighed Jared's words. Much of what the Dark Knight said, he found himself in agreement with—though there were nuances where their views diverged.

"He still hasn't discovered the hidden trait of the armour?" Drake asked suddenly.

"Not that I could tell," Jared replied. He glanced at his master's side profile, sensing the heaviness in the air, before venturing, "Master, may I ask a candid question?"

Drake turned toward him with a faint frown.

"Do you need to ask? You've been with me since the beginning—even before all of this." He gestured at the vast city and plains beyond the window before fixing his gaze back on Jared. "If you, my closest friend, cannot ask me something, then who else can?"

The two men locked eyes, silence stretching between them until Jared finally gave a small nod.

"It occurs to me that everything I've just said—you already know. That's why you had me pass the armour to him. Even before that, sending him to the Enclave to solve his bloodline issue, thrusting him into the Dankrot Forest, then appointing him to lead the taskforce… all of it was to give him combat opportunities, to shape his experience, and force him to develop a fighting style and way of his own.

"You've considered every step, every challenge, with painstaking care. Not only for him—for all of your children. The difference, however, is plain. While Young Master Alex may understand some of your intentions, he remains an anomaly.

"The others… they are not the same. If I am candid, Master, I would say they care little for you."

"Why sacrifice so much, Master? Why do all of that in a way that makes those you do it for neither realise it… nor appreciate it? Worse, some of them even hate you for it." Jared's voice was steady, but his eyes were searching.

Drake's brows lifted, genuinely caught off guard. "That's… an unexpected question."

He turned back to the window, staring at his own reflection in the glass. A long sigh escaped his lips.

"When I look into the mirror, Jared, do you know what I see? I see a man drenched in blood."

He turned back with a wry, weary smile. "For most of my life, I've known only battle, conquest, and killing. I am a mercenary... a soldier… a weapon… a killer... a madman. And unfortunately, that is all I can see.

"I cannot see myself as a father. I am far too lost for that." His hand pressed lightly against the cold wall of stone by the window. "But as much as I want to deny it, I cannot run from responsibility that I am one.

"So my solution is this: I keep my children at arm's length. Close enough to guide, to uphold the duty I bear towards them for having brought them into this life. Yet far enough that they don't inherit my… deficiencies.

"As for whether they hate me or not—it matters little. What matters is that they grow competent enough to stand tall on their own. If I can ensure that much, then I've succeeded in some way. I may be a failure as a father, but... I won't be a complete failure."

The Dark Knight studied him with unguarded surprise. This was still Drake Fury—yet also not. The man before him seemed stripped bare of the iron mask that usually defined him.

"Master," Jared finally said, his voice lower than usual, "you do realise you are already better than most noble fathers, don't you?"

"Thank you for saying that, my friend." Drake smiled faintly, patting Jared's shoulder before returning his gaze to the reflection in the glass.

But Jared could tell—the Earl had taken his words as nothing more than consolation.

The Dark Knight frowned. Then, with a sigh, he let the matter go.

"So," Drake said abruptly, his tone sharpening again, "all things considered, do you believe he is ready to assume true leadership? More specifically, Lordship?"

"It's still too soon to say for certain," Jared replied after some thought. "But yes, I believe he could hold his own—provided he has support.

"I would recommend starting small. Something manageable that can grow with him. He cannot command a division yet… but a company, perhaps even a battalion—yes. I believe he could handle that. He has ideas, and a way of thinking unlike others. That kind of mindset could birth a new kind of unit."

"I see…" Drake nodded slowly.

He turned back to his closest confidante. "Thank you, Jared. I'll take that under advisement."

"Then may I ask, Master—what exactly are you planning for his future?" Jared pressed. His tone was respectful, but there was no mistaking the weight behind the question.

Drake's lips tightened. "To be honest, I don't know yet. I haven't determined what direction he wishes to go. If it will truly benefit him. And if I can… whether I'm even capable of helping him."

"Then why not ask him directly?" Jared suggested.

Before Drake could respond—

Knock~

Both men turned toward the door.

"Father, it's me. I want to talk to you about something," came Alex's voice.

Jared's lips curved faintly. "Talk to him, Master… no, Captain. You said you want your children to be independent. Now's the time to let your son show you what he wants—and what he can do. Only then will you know how to help him."

"I haven't heard you call me 'Captain' in decades," Drake remarked, taken aback.

"The situation never called for it." Jared smirked faintly as he strode toward the door. "Now, it does."

He opened it wide, stepping out with the quiet dominance only he carried. His presence pressed down so strongly that Alex instinctively moved aside without a word.

'Damned disrespectful knight!' Alex cursed in his head only after the Dark Knight's heavy footsteps echoed away down the corridor.

Taking his chance, Alex quickly entered, a thick stack of papers in his arms. He marched straight to the table and laid them down with an eager thud.

"Father, I've been working on some development ideas for the fief. I think you need to see these." His tone brimmed with excitement.

"Alright, boy. Sit." Drake gestured to the chair across from him as he settled into his own seat.

And so, Alex began to present his ideas—plans not just for Earl Drake's fiefdom, but for the greater Fury lands as a whole.

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