volume 2 - Chapter 76 (1/2)

TL: As explained in my correction in the previous chapter, there’s a numbering mistake in the original raws. However, for my sanity points, I think I’m going to follow the raws numbering chapter from this chapter onwards.

The previous chapter’s contents have been fixed.

Chapter 76 – Night a.s.sault (2)

Redi and the person beside him walked closer and closer, the two lithe figures looking like they were floating specters in the thick fog.

Everyone at Brendel’s side had stopped their actions and looked over to their direction. Amandina lowered her head, estimated their direction and immediately paled. She raised her head and looked at Brendel, her eyes full of worry—

They had camped in an area where there was a clear landing, and the Mercenaries of Lopes had cleared all their tents. Even if they simply pa.s.sed by the forest, they would surely discover this abnormal scene.

“Keep your hair on.” Brendel merely stared ahead and said. (TL: In here it’s a chinese idiom, so I replaced it with the english equivalent, sort of. It means “to stay calm.”)

Even though the people around him did not understand what the phrase meant, they regained their composure when they saw Brendel’s raised hand and unperturbed face. His action meant that they should not act rashly.

Amandina’s lips opened slightly.

The mercenaries were Brendel’s summoned creatures and completely obeyed the Planeswalkers’ commands. Even if there was a precipice in front of them and Brendel ordered them to advance, they would do so without hesitation.

However, in Amandina’s eyes, these proud veteran soldiers ceased their murmurs and actions just because of Brendel’s small action. Everyone became silent, and she subconsciously held her breath, not daring to exhale loudly.

The strength of the valley’s gale was at its peak, howling across the southern mountain’s entrance towards them. The branches beat upon each other and caused the leaves to drown out any other noises. Faint starlight danced across Redi’s face as the leaves swayed to and fro, making him feel like he was brooding.

The two people made their way across the thick foliage, but they did not act cautiously like how Brendel predicted they would be, to the point where they freely broke the dry branches beneath their feet.

Brendel changed his opinions and believed that Makarov did not tell his subordinates where Brendel’s camp was, and the two people had no idea they were near them.

[The ‘Maned Wolf’ probably wishes to avoid trouble as well.] Brendel thought.

They were less than a hundred feet away and Brendel was certain they would discover the abnormal sight here.

[If that stupid brat claims that they are suspicious of us, it will become impossible to explain our actions. Even though these two people are equally suspicious, Makarov will most likely believe in his men than any explanations of our own.]

He was actually tense like the others but he did not show any signs of it. When he looked to his side, the leader of the mercenaries, ‘Nightsong Tiger’ was also looking at him with queries in his eyes. He was shrewd as well as experienced, and his intentions were quite clear, “Do you want to take the initiative and ‘off’ them?”

[Off them? A decision not to be made lightly. This is a normal decision for any mercenaries, but this is different from the time in Pine Fortress. That time was simply because there was literally no choice as our lives are on stake. I have not fallen so far as to disregard lives… but…]

Brendel was conflicted. He had came from a civilized land in a more peaceful time, and murdering people out of a mere thought went against all his senses. In spite of that, his position at this juncture required him to act decisively, otherwise the consequences would be of dire proportions.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

[Should I follow the rules of this world and sever the connections of my past? Or hold on to a single thread. Denying Sophie would mean denying my entire past… Maybe I’m actually dreaming in my sleep, a nightmare of sorts… No, even if everything is a delusion in this world, all the memories that I had in the previous world are clearly there, carved into my very eyes.

How can I deny them?

If I cut off my past, then what meaning is there for me to work so hard in this world. Losing my ‘self’, can I still call myself ‘Brendel’? The answer is clearly right in front of me.]

Chaotic thoughts filled his mind, but he cleaved them apart like a sharp sword through ropes. He opened his eyes as if he was the king of gamers, his eyes crystal clear as he found his answer.

“My lord?”