Brad continued, "Let me reiterate. I find it very surprising that you have no such ambitions despite having the ability. Any other man would have gone drunk with power if they were you."
Since Brad had known Viktor for decades, he always noticed how Viktor was nonchalant about most things and how despite being so powerful, he never did anything to gain power in society for himself.
It was as if he was content living like a normal youngster one might see walking on the road and pass his days doing normal things.
Viktor softly smiled as he answered, "I am too tired and lazy to do all that. But...who told you I never tried these things?"
"Eh?" Brad was puzzled as various thoughts passed through his mind, his brows creasing from speculating many things.
"Don't tell me you really…"
"The year 70 BD, who do you think was the infamous General Raoul who single-handedly won the Battle of the Frozen Lakes?"
"The legendary General Raoul? Y-You can't be kidding...History records say that his name was enough to send chills through even the most hardened soldiers in those war-stricken times. Hell, even armies surrendered to him just because he showed his face. And the Battle of the Frozen Lakes was said to be the most brutal one-sided massacre in human history," Brad said in a tone of disbelief as he stared at Viktor.
Since the Battle of the Frozen Lakes was one of the most famous battles ever to take place in the world, it was something made known to kids through history lessons even when Brad was a kid.
Not only that, there were many famous books written describing the war in detail and most notably the main character who participated in the war, General Raoul.
The main reason this historical event became famous was that this war was the only obstacle that laid before General Raoul in his path to taking control of the majority of the lands in a couple of countries at that time.
If there were faster modes of transportation available during those times, then nobody could tell whether General Raoul could have taken control of the whole world. This was why he was considered to be one of the most terrifying characters to ever exist in history.
Brad went on as he remembered certain details of this terrifying character, "It was his devilish mask with two large bloodied horns that stood out among his other aspects. He was also nicknamed the Blood Demon because of the rumors that he drank the blood of the men he killed and how no matter how many men rallied against him, they couldn't kill him, and he kept rising again and again like a demon. I guess the conspiracy theories of him not being a human were true indeed."
"Why are you still talking about me in the third person. General Raoul is walking right beside you," Viktor said as he smiled.
Brad shuddered for a moment when he saw that devilish smile and picturing General Raoul's bloodied mask over Viktor's face.
Without him knowing, he was feeling his hands had become cold just by thinking about the frightening events General Raoul was involved in.
Viktor chuckled, "Well, this is one of the true events where history didn't exaggerate it because...it can't. In fact, the history books have a watered-down version of what I really did. Of course, this is just one of many famous and infamous historical events I was involved in. I guess I was almost 30 years old at that time. Of course, I started counting my age based on when I woke up, as you know."
Brad took in a deep breath and said, "Still...I still can't picture you as that man. It's like he was a completely different person—someone who was cold, ruthless, violent, and demonic. I mean, as a general, you were supposed to be loyal to your king, but records say that you murdered him in cold blood, killed all his sons, and took away all his concubines and daughters. God knows what happened to them. I mean, you are still terrifying when you want to be, but your current personality does not match General Raoul's."
Viktor scoffed, "Hmph, he deserved it. The history records might picture him as a pious and righteous king, but only I knew his dirtiest and darkest secrets and how they affected me as well. Around 80 BD, I was peacefully living in a village with a small number of people where everyone cared about each other like a family. But the king wanted their land to build a mansion for his concubines just because the place was located in a very scenic place with fresh groundwater and fertile lands. Not only that, but he also wanted to use the lands to build a larger army. Obviously, the village leader protested, and the king subtly sent out his secret band of soldiers to kill them all so that the public wouldn't know it was his doing."
"Unfortunately, this all happened when I was studying in a distant school, and only when the news reached my ears did I learn that the soldiers did more terrible things than just killing. They killed all the elderly and children without mercy, raped the women, and tortured the rest to death. The king sent his vilest band of soldiers to get the job done effectively, and they did just that."
Brad took in a breath of cold air as he never expected to hear the true and cruel history from the man who lived it himself.
"So you took vengeance? But were these people really close to you?"
"Even if they weren't related to me, they were like family to me. Especially a certain middle-aged couple who took care of me like their own son, especially when I had no idea of my identity or what I was. They knew I was different because I was unable to hide certain things from them since everything about me was new to me. But still, they safeguarded my secrets no matter how shocking they were. And to me, they were like my parents even if not blood-related."
"So, why not use your powers to take down the king directly? It was not like he could kill you even if he rallied all his men, right?" Brad curiously asked.
Viktor shook his head as his eyes became frigid for a moment, "No...I wanted to break him mentally and physically bit by bit since a quick death would be too merciful. So I decided to join his ranks and break him from the inside. Also, I wasn't used to my powers, nor did I have proper control over them. So after I became General Raoul, many things I did were because I went out of control, especially because it was the first time I let loose my inhuman side. So my bloodlust and bestial instincts took over, making me do a lot of things I couldn't control. And after that, I couldn't stop myself, since gaining power and looking down on others made me feel good."
Brad sighed inwardly as he nodded, "No wonder you were so...scary and terrifying then. Now I guess it makes sense. Phew, I am glad that you are not that person anymore."
Viktor laughed as he patted Brad's jittery shoulder, "Haha, don't tell me you got scared there."
Brad straightened his back and said, "Of course not. You are Viktor now and not General Raoul. So there is no reason for me to fear, hoho."
Brad then asked with a thoughtful expression, "Still, history says that General Raoul only lived till the age of fifty before he was betrayed and assassinated by his own men. But what really happened?"
Viktor wrinkled his brows as he said in a cold voice, "It was an attempted assassination indeed but not by my men since they don't have the balls. It was none other than my so-called prized wife who stabbed my heart since she wanted all my power, wealth, and followers. But thankfully, even though I was naive in the ways of love, I never told her about what I really am to her for fear of her getting scared. I am glad I did that. Otherwise, she might not have tried to betray me, and I wouldn't have torn her head apart."
Brad gulped, hearing what happened to the woman that betrayed him, but at the same time, he felt that the scheming woman had it coming.
"But after that, what happened?"
"After killing her and being the king of everything below heaven, I felt empty and useless. It was as if I had no idea what I should try to seek or live for since I had all the power, wealth, and followers I could ask for. I also learned that the higher up the mountain, the more treacherous the path is. So to seek my new aim, I decided to stage my own death and leave it all behind to start anew."
"Ohh…" Brad felt like he had learned a lot about one of the most infamous men in history and couldn't feel proud about the fact that he knew the same man personally. In fact, he was literally a living legend.
"This place...didn't the Batlle of the Frozen Lakes happen somewhere around here? I mean, the land has changed, so has the names, but still, records say that the war took place here even though no traces remain because of natural factors."
Viktor nodded, "You are right. That's why I never visited this place more than once since I always felt moody thinking about this place. But now I am alright, and it's been more than two thousand years. So no point in thinking about a long gone past. Now, look at this place. It doesn't look anything like the place I used to live in before, nor should I let it bother me," Viktor said with a calm smile.
"Hmm, you are right. Past is past. We must focus our minds on the present and future. Still, I can't believe you never told me before that you had such an impactful past."
"Haha, I guess I only say certain things when I am in the mood. Anyways, all the things I just said now were only just a made-up story," Viktor said with a wink.
Brad's mouth slacked as he suddenly felt like he was bamboozled, "No kidding. I know what you said was the truth. No fooling me here. Wait...was it really just a story?"
Viktor slightly laughed as he shrugged, "Haha, who knows? Maybe it is, or maybe I just made it up for fun. Anyways, heads up, we have reached our hotel."
Brad was surprised that they reached the hotel, and then thinking about Viktor's words, he shook his head as he said, "You never change, sigh."
