volume 3 - Chapter 184 (1/2)
Chapter 184 – The Druids’ Choice (2)
“Grandmaster Tulman, if you ask me this question, could it be that you wish to help Aouine?” Brendel asked curiously.
The great scholar was placed in the top three of his profession in the game, and he probably had his own plan for this calamity.
“Your observation is astute, but you’re not answering my question,” Tulman said.
“I don’t know, but I can only try.” Brendel paused for a few seconds before shaking his head: “Are you suggesting something, Grandmaster Tulman?”
“Rather than place one’s hopes into an uncertain possibility, why not choose something that is more definite?” Tulman scrutinized Brendel as he spoke: “The Druids should abandon the Green Tower. Young man, we do not have the right to gamble with the lives of others. The chance that you will succeed is abysmal— If the tokens for this gamble are merely gold, I will bet on you, but you are gambling with lives instead.”
“Brother Brendel won’t do that!” Sifrid felt like she was about to faint with anger because of the old man.
“Hmph. Using crafty words to sway others, that’s your common method of choice, you mysterious b.a.s.t.a.r.ds—” Faena who was standing next to Brendel scoffed.
The girl did not know that Tulman was someone who was on equal footing with William, otherwise she would not have dared to mock Tulman, even if Veronica was there to guard her.
She suddenly realized that she was standing on Brendel’s side, even though she wanted to stab him a dozen times. Still, she could not help but get upset when Tulman went against the youth. In the end, she muttered that she hated people who tried to corner others.
“Hoh~ I didn’t think you will speak up for me.” But Brendel seemed like he wanted to pick apart her words, even going as far as to speak in a tone of ridicule.
Faena was so furious that her neck flushed red, wanting to strangle him: “What manner of foolish prattle is this, I did not speak up for you!”
Brendel’s mocking laughter persisted for a while before he turned back to Tulman.
The great scholar’s words were not wrong, and perhaps it was even meant to happen in the game. The Druids were destined to fail to protect the Green Tower.
It was a common sight in the continent’s history, after all.
But he was not here to give up on Aouine or the Green Tower. Tulman thought that it was a simple Mana Wave and would soon be over. However, the term in the game was Waves of Calamity, proving that there would be more Calamities, and the kingdom’s southern region would be completely destroyed if the Druids failed here.
Perhaps one day the Blackthorn Council would eventually return to the Dark Forest and set up the Green Tower again, but Tulman’s stance to help Aouine here would instead be crippling the kingdom in the near future.
Brendel could not allow this outcome to happen.
“I have to use lives as my gambling tokens because the thing that I’m saving is lives, and I risk my own by entering the most dangerous place. It is a fair trade.”
“Your bravery is to be commended, but you cannot expect others to be as brave as you.”
Brendel raised his voice and right fist, eyes glaring at Tulman:
“If that is the case— I shall request for the treatment that a hero is ent.i.tled to receive!”
His voice echoed in the hall, reaching everyone’s ears despite the noise from the heavy rain and lightning.
The Druids who were swayed by Tulman’s words suddenly felt ashamed, and the Great Druid Elder nodded in acknowledgment.
Tulman was slightly taken aback, but he laughed and exchanged looks with William.
[Interesting.]
“Very well, young man, you have convinced me. I will give you a little more time. Now, my friends—” Tulman turned around and glanced at the Druids: “What about you? Our young hero has extended an invitation, and only the brave can join this game. Have you made your decision?”
His voice reverberated in the hall, and most of the Druids answered with their eyes.
Brendel’s unwavering eyes and his confidence had affected them. Even Faena looked at Brendel from the side with astonishment. The country b.u.mpkin who did not seem to know the meaning of manners, looked like he was incredibly……
Charismatic?
The Great Druid Elder patted Sifrid’s shoulders, and everyone made a path for her as she walked to the center of the Magic Formation. The Elder Druids around her started to chant and completed their spell. Light burst forth once again, even stronger than before—
Tulman spoke in his mind:
“Valhalla, it looks like you discovered something remarkable, old friend.”
“It wasn’t me who discovered it. I’m just someone who’s observing all these things as they happen,” William answered, communicating through telepathy.
“But it is true that the Green Tower will be saved if Valhalla’s fabled Fire Seed is kindled.”
“Yes, and Aouine would also gain another piece of land because of this,” William nodded, believing that Tulman was happy about this outcome.
“…… But why did you ask me to agree with his plan?”
“What? Did you not already agree to help him?” William was surprised at Tulman’s disapproval.
“No, I’m not fully convinced. You know very well that I hate uncertainties.”