Warhammer 40: Shattered Steel Soul

Chapter 20 The eldest son of the tyrant
When Harkon walked into the workshop, Callifon frowned slightly.

She put down the hand that was supporting her cheek, stood up from the small wooden chair Andos made for her, caressed the hem of her skirt casually, and said hello to her eldest brother.

Harkon narrowed his eyes and gave the princess a smile full of artificial kindness.This caused discordant wrinkles to appear on his face, as if his skin was smiling while the muscles within were contracting with disdain.

The hypocrisy of the eldest prince is like a colorful snake.Callifon didn't like it, never had.

"Andos is working," she said softly. "It's almost game time."

Halcon stared at his sister for a few seconds, trying to force a little fear out of her frozen mask-like smile.

When he had to accept his failure, Harkon turned his head nonchalantly, waved to Andros, and then strode towards an erected stone statue in the workshop.

"I came to see you, Andos." Harkon said with a smile, "That boy lives in the city, why don't you live in the wilderness? Father's palace can no longer satisfy you?"

The edge of his silk robe proudly scraped across the workshop countertop and caught the porcelain statue of the God of War; then, the ornament fluttered toward the ground.

With quick eyes and quick hands, Kali Feng caught the fallen device and when placing it back on the table, she deliberately controlled her strength and knocked the table with its hard chassis.

Halkong was startled by the sudden "boom" and stumbled forward.

Callifon smiled, touched the helmet of the small ornament with his fingers, and said to the ornament as if comforting a child: "Our God of War is angry."

Harkon pretended not to hear. He walked near the nearly completed stone statue and clapped his hands, "Andos, how are you preparing? Is the carving finished?"

Behind the stone statue's fluttering silk robe hanging down to the ground, came out a figure who was not in a hurry.

The shape of the stone statue is still reflected in the eyes of Andos and the sweat on his forehead. Part of his spirit and soul is always immersed in the long carving process, while the other part is withdrawn from the vortex of art. Drives the shell of reality to fulfill the additional obligations that ethics and etiquette entrust to an independent individual.

"The statue will never be finished," Andos said. "Each revision brings more imperfections...but I'm almost ready."

He couldn't help correcting Harkoon's words, and then the natural respect for his brother welled up in his heart, making him quickly withdraw his unfinished words guiltily and answer Harkoon's question.

"Very good." Halcon clapped his hands, "You have always brought honor to my father, and having you as my brother is a real honor."

Andos thanked silently, opened his mouth, not knowing what to say more.

"thanks……"

"You will prevail, my brother." Harkon took Andros' free hand eagerly.His expectations and the anxiety hidden beneath them made Andos, who had been sitting by the stove for a long time, feel unbearably hot.

Carliphon held the statue of Mars in his palm, and used his observation of the subtle color differences on this artwork to cover up his thinking.

She was too used to Halcon's unreasonable anxiety.

Whether driven by the pressures of being the firstborn, or driven by natural ambition, she saw a man who, decades later, had been covered in all its smooth silks, ornate tiaras, and fortified majesty. The eldest son of a tyrant whose innate talent was insufficient.

The first time she witnessed how power and honor can destroy a person of good nature was on her elder brother.

Calliphon's thumb brushed against the spear hand of the statue of Mars.

She wouldn't mind assisting Halcon someday in the future, but that would only be out of attachment to Locus.

Andos's nose wrinkled with nervousness, and his eyes moved up from his grasped hand to Harkon's face.

He stated honestly: "I don't know, Harcon...I didn't know until I saw Perturabo's work."

"That holy boy made your contest known to the whole city."

The subtle tremors of Halcon's muscles silently revealed his unique anxiety.

"This month, he went to every stonemason in the capital, who had been waiting for his visit before his arrival. The boy went into the workshop, empty-handed, with the free tools of the craftsman, and the The praises spread throughout the city left. The god son from the mountain and the prince of the tyrant will start a duel of skills, which is a fact known throughout the country.”

"So... can't I lose?" Andos asked, quietly pulling his hand away from his elder brother.

His hands are made to hold the tools of creation.

"I didn't mean that." Harkon said immediately, and he turned to the side of the stone sculpture, which was very close to the statue.

Andos hesitated for a moment, but still did not follow the first thought that popped up in his mind and persuade his brother to stay away from the things he cherished.

Hal Kong spoke earnestly, as if he was several generations older than his younger brothers and sisters: "When a person comes into this world, he will definitely face failure, just like stones will always fall to the ground, and springs will always gather into rivers. Lake, you have to learn to accept winning and losing, just like accepting any truth that exists in this world. What's more, what you are going to fight against is the descendants of the gods who descended from the snow-capped mountains to the ground. Leading, even if you lose to the favored ones bestowed by the gods, it is also the reason allowed by heaven and earth."

"But," he changed the topic, lowered his head with affected patience, and looked at Callifon: "In addition to our identity as Olympians serving the gods, we are also the children of Lokos, and we will serve the Lokos people and lead us. The people are responsible for moving towards greater prosperity in this vortex of endless war. If we often expose our failures before gaining the trust of our people, then what face do we have to be the masters of a country? Woolen cloth?"

Calliphon put down the statue of Mars, and casually played her role: "Then I wish Andos the victory, I sincerely think so."

However, in her mind came the countless amazing works of art in the workshop of Morse and Perturabo, as well as Morse's joking advice.

In recent days, she had actually exchanged some letters with Morse.

She was the first to boldly send greetings, and the response she received was an unexpected surprise.

She couldn't figure out the true character of the man in black through a few pieces of paper, but it might as well be that she was indeed attracted by his few words.

She knew that if she had the opportunity to meet those two alone next time, she would definitely try to call Mrs. Perturabo first, and then Mrs. Morse.

Halcon got a satisfactory answer, and couldn't wait to show his sincerity to Andos. "I did not offend you, my brother?"

Andos' eyes no longer linger on his works, his sculpture is smiling compassionately and happily, and Andos has completely returned to reality, his sad heart no longer allows him to indulge in creation.

"It is you, brother, who will be master of the nation," said Andos. "My loss and victory, how will it hurt your face? What's more, as you said... People will face failure when they come to this world."

Harkon shook his head.

"Three days later, whether it is the skilled craftsmen of Locus, or the distinguished guests who come to visit from foreign countries, and even some citizens of my Locus, will watch your fight with Perturabo. Andos, you are my cherished brother , our glory is deeply connected by our blood."

"Did they come here uninvited?" Kalifeng asked suddenly.

Harkon's pride was shattered during the questioning, his smile turned into pain due to gloom, and an angry shadow enveloped him, making this man look sharp and cold.

"I invited them," he announced stiffly. "I bless you, my brother, and my sister."

After Halcon left, Andos did not return to work.He sat down on the ground and looked at his statue silently.

Callifone asked softly, "Is this Goddess Hefonni?"

Andos nodded.

Hefonne, who is in charge of life, is the chief god of the name-changing ceremony when the Olympians come of age.

She names the child of Olympia, embraces the soul that has just arrived in this world, and blesses the child's welcome new life in this vast world.

"I'd actually like Perturabo to win," Andos said.

Callifon stared at the mask of the statue. Just being stared at by the stone statue, she felt a sourceless emotion in her heart.

"Can he win?"

"If he's not improved from where he was a month ago ... he can't."

Callifon knew her brother was never arrogant.He is humble, gentle, few words, and always honest.

So she smiled and sat down again.

"I wish you both well," she said.

(End of this chapter)