Chapter 651 - v4c35 Another Chance(6) (1/2)
v4c35
Another Chance(6)
“What’s wrong?” Brendel saw the look on her face. “You may as well say what you have to say, Lady Knight. I have heard of your reputation and therefore do not equate you with certain people.”
“Miss Delphine went there of her own accord. Lord Veronica was unaware of what was going on between you and her, and I only noticed it later by accident. I just didn’t expect her to be so determined. I’m to blame for this; I shouldn’t have taken any chances with something so important in the first place,” Laurenna replied with a sigh, a little self-conscious.
Brendel became curious. “How so? You know what’s going on?” He really could not help but wonder how creepy it would be for anyone to be stalked by a woman who seemed to be crazy for no reason at all. In fact, even now, he still felt rather uncomfortable when he recalled that resentful look in Delphine’s eyes.
It felt like he had done something unforgivable to her, but Marsha was his superior; there was nothing between the both of them. Brendel remembered vividly that he had only met the other from a distance when he was on the front lines of the Black Forest’s fight against the Calamity of Wolves.
“Actually…” Laurenna was also a little embarra.s.sed as she brought this up. She gathered her thoughts, before she bagan to elaborate on Delphine’s incident.
“…Count Elman lost his life at Andersha’s hands, but Miss Delphine has always believed that you deliberately dropped them. Coupled with the fact that she had been devoted to Count Elman, which is well-known in the Empire, the Count’s death hit Miss Delphine hard…”
“That was an unexpected disaster, Ms. Laurenna.” Brendel laughed bitterly. He was suddenly a little at a loss of words after hearing this outrageous story. This was an unexpected disaster that no one foresaw. If he had known that he would offend such a mulish lady, he would have been careful to send Count Elmanout of the country. He would never let Andersha have an opportunity to strike.
“I’m sorry. My Lord… Miss Delphine, she…” It seemed that Laurenna wanted to further explain on behalf of the prime minister’s daughter. However, Brendel had already interrupted her first. “I understand what you mean, Lady Laurenna, but even so, she shouldn’t strike out at innocent people. This is not revenge. It’s just venting anger.”
He thought for a moment, and then added, “I will consider your words, but not now. It’s better to let that lady calm down for now. You don’t want to let her run around and ruin Lord Veronica’s plans, do you?”
Laurenna was startled, and then thought that it seemed as if there was indeed such a possibility.
With Delphine’s current mindset, even if the empire were to get involved, the sacrifices would be worth it as long as she was able to carry out her revenge. Laurenna could not help but sigh even after thinking about it. “I see.”
“Then let’s continue,” Brendel replied. “Since there aren’t many people within the empire who know about your operation, there shouldn’t be many people from the Azure Skies. Can I know the size of your forces?”
“It’s… Sorry, it’s confidential, Count.” Laurenna was a little sheepish, but she declined Brendel’s question.
“It’s okay. I’m just asking casually.” Brendel narrowed his eyes. He was certain that the Azure Skies that had infiltrated Aouine’s territory was probably just a small elite team. Just like what was mentioned in the information he got, it could be an elite knight group under the Azure Skies, but there was no need to delve into this matter. He asked again, “The letter says that the Holy Cathedral of Fire suspects that the shard might be with Duke Arreck. Is this true?”
The female knight nodded. “Yes. Lord Veronica has been receiving information that also matches with this speculation ever since entering Aouine. It might have been Duke Arreck who colluded with the Evil Cultists and Devils to smuggle the Portal’s fragments away on that day.”
“I heard that Duke Arreck has recently allied with Count Radner, which means that the shards might have been transported to Magitan?”
“It’s possible.” Laurenna frowned. “However, the news from the Holy Cathedral of Fire suggests that those shards may not have stopped at Magitan, but have moved north instead.”
“Do you have a way to track the location of those shards?” Brendel froze. He stared back at the knight and thought to himself. These Kirrlutzians are not just here to entertain themselves. If they’re capable of locating those shards themselves, why do they still need us?
But Laurenna’s reply immediately answered the question in his mind. “No, just some trivial divination and prophecy, my Lord.”
It was only then that it dawned on Brendel. “North! Then, which way in the north?” he asked abruptly.
“This…” the female knight was tongue-tied. How would I know such a thing? But her natural serious self still led her to reply, “I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
However, she didn’t expect Brendel to interrupt her. “It’s okay. Maybe I know.”
He turned back, his eyes falling on the point on the huge map marked with the name Magitan. From here till northward was the vast Misty Forest. Further northward would be Lantonilan territory. His gaze s.h.i.+fted sharply upward. The Anserra Forest, the Goldfinch Mountains, the mountains on the northern sh.o.r.e of Lake Vallendaren-
Something flashed through his mind, like a bolt from the blue. Suddenly, he looked up and realized what these Devils, or Evil Cultists, or Duke Arreck wanted.
To rebuild a Portal, a great deal of magical power was definitely required.
Preferably an energy core.
The Kirrlutzian had the Flame Gem.
What about Duke Arreck?
Brendel’s eyes finally stopped, and there, on the map was a line of fine text marked in rough script: the Falling Needle Hills Avenue.