Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 104: Drake Fury, the Enigma

CH104 Drake Fury, the Enigma

***

The Fury family was filled with cunning individuals—and Earl Drake Fury might well be the craftiest of them all.

He had exploited the marriage alliance with the Holts not for support, but as a temporary shield. It kept the Empire’s external threats at bay long enough for him to consolidate strength within the Fury family.

By absorbing the Wolves of War mercenary corps and their families as vassals, he ensured he had loyal and battle-hardened subordinates who owed their lives to him. With them, he had no real need for anything the Holts or Machholts might offer.

As the conqueror of the Schaumer family, Earl Drake clearly surpassed them in strength. He didn’t stop there. He went deeper into the planes the Schaumers had barely scratched, securing new territories, resources, and secrets.

And with the unknown and hidden resources discovered in those distant planes, he had amassed a fortune—quietly. A vast wealth and strength, hidden beneath the surface and kept from the prying eyes of those who believed they still had a leash around his neck.

Only one vulnerability remained—Kurt.

The boy born from his union with Joselin Holt.

A child likely raised under his mother’s influence. Perhaps even indoctrinated. The signs were all there—Kurt flaunted his Titan Bloodline, his maternal legacy, far more proudly than the Furor Bloodline he inherited from his father.

’Earl Drake Fury isn’t just a powerful man... a Legendary warrior. He’s also a masterful strategist.’ Alex came to this conclusion with quiet certainty.

And yet... something still bothered him.

’Such a man would never let something so critical spiral out of control. So why did he even allow a child like Kurt to be born of Joselin Holt?’

A few seconds later, the answer dawned on him.

’To keep the jackals at ease... he gave them what they wanted. A child. A legacy they could point to, claim as proof of their growing influence within the Fury family.

’It was a calculated move. A necessary pawn to appease the vultures.’

But another question followed.

’Even if the child was needed... couldn’t he have limited Joselin’s influence on Kurt?’

Alex shook his head inwardly.

’Not that simple. The Earl spent most of his time on planar expeditions, according to my memories. Any interference would’ve likely raised Joselin’s suspicions. She would have tightened her hold on Kurt, or worse—acted recklessly.’

And then, a realisation struck him.

One that made him stiffen where he sat.

’...Kurt is a sacrifice.

’The moment the boy leaned too far into his mother’s heritage, the moment he stopped being a Fury in heart and spirit—Earl Drake gave up on him.

’Rather than fight a losing battle, he repurposed him—as bait.

’Kurt’s growing influence would lull the Holts and Machholts into a false sense of victory, making them believe their slow takeover was working. It would stay their hand. Make them wait. Make them complacent.’

’And in that growing shadow, Alex Fury—the true heir—was given room to grow.

’He used Kurt... to protect Alex- to protect me.’

The thought hit Alex hard.

His gaze darkened with complication and awe.

Earl Drake met his eyes with a cool, expectant look. He didn’t speak, but the message in his gaze was clear:

’You’re finally seeing it, aren’t you?’

Another flash of clarity lit up Alex’s thoughts.

’He’s already won. He can clear the board at any time.

’But instead... he’s waiting. Watching. This is my final test. If I can’t overcome Kurt, if I can’t claim what should be mine... then I’m not worthy of being the heir.

’And I’ll be discarded—just like Kurt and his mother.’

Alex realised there had been an error in his earlier deduction.

Drake Fury was a self-made man. He had built his fiefdom from nothing. Much of the prestige and power the Fury family enjoyed today had originated from him.

The foundation, origin, and support base of three of the family’s other four Class 3 nobles—the Counts—could all be traced back to him.

Even the fourth Class 3 noble, Edgar Fury—the oldest living Fury noble and a recently appointed Earl—had received soft backing from Drake, whether he would admit it or not.

Even without directly intervening, Earl Drake’s presence alone opened doors. His existence made things easier for every Fury noble and their vassals.

It went without saying—everyone knew who truly ruled the Fury family.

The idea that these vassals—handpicked by the man himself—could be swayed by a mere noblewoman, an outsider like Joselin Holt, was laughable.

The chance that Drake Fury couldn’t act against it, if he truly wished to? Even slimmer.

That left only one conclusion: the growth of Joselin and Kurt’s faction had been allowed.

Silently sanctioned by the very man they presumed to outmanoeuvre.

And there could only be one reason for it—a test.

A test for Alex Fury, the one being groomed to inherit everything.

Alex’s heart grew heavy. His thoughts conflicted.

He didn’t know how to feel about Drake Fury.

There were moments where the man seemed like a good father—hard-handed, grim, and direct, but still driven by a desire to teach and protect.

But then there were other moments... moments like this, where he seemed cold and calculating. A leader who played games of war and succession with his children’s futures as his pieces.

’Perhaps he is a good father,’ Alex mused, ’however, he is also a ruler. His decisions—even those involving his children—are tied to the greater web of his dominion and the countless lives under his care.’

With that in mind, it’s impossible to separate the father from the leader. What you get... is both. All of it. The man, the power, the madness, and the reason.

It isn’t perfect, but it is what it is.

”Looks like you’ve pieced something together. Good,” Earl Drake said, interrupting Alex’s thoughts. ”You don’t need to tell me what it is. Act based on the assumption that you’re right. If you ever hope to stand where I do, you’ll have to make decisions based on your deductions and assumptions. Right or wrong—you’ll have to live with the consequences.”

He paused, tapping his index finger along the border of the Magic COMET table, lost in thought. Then, without warning, he moved.

”Alright. The lessons end here for now. Come.”

He headed towards the second door of his office—a door that led into an adjoining chamber.

Alex followed, and upon stepping through, found himself in a training hall. Similar to the one back at the lodge, but larger—much larger. And better equipped.

”Before we begin your training,” Earl Drake began, ”we must first determine what you’re naturally inclined toward.”

He gestured to a long rack against the far wall, upon which lay a variety of basic weapons.

”These are the foundational archetypes used by warriors. From these, all other weapon variants evolve.”

Alex nodded slowly.

”And how will I know which one I’m best suited to?” he asked.

Earl Drake gave a small, knowing smile.

”Oh, you’ll know. Just pick one.”

Alex exhaled, then walked forward toward the rack. His hand reached out toward the first weapon...

**