Chapter 670 - v4c52 == Long Road, Fragments of the Past (7) (1/2)

v4c52

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Long Road, Fragments of the Past (7)

Before evening, Brendel had a map of the hidden routes the hunters had taken into the forest. Thanks to the bald innkeeper selling publicity, or better yet, intimidation. Knowing that each of these secret trails in the forest, known only to the hunters, had been handed down from generation by generation by the hunters of the region, it would have been almost impossible to hand them over to outsiders if it was not for the safety of his family.

Of course, the ident.i.ty of Count Brendel and the Royal Cavalry also played a big role. The common people always had a subconscious understanding that a n.o.bleman did not need their secrets.

On the contrary, hearing that another knight from the royalty was going to rescue their loved ones, these people were so grateful that they even offered to be Brendel’s guide, but Brendel declined. It was not that he thought he would know the northern forest better than the locals, it was just that it was not worth it taking a burden with him for the sake of this little convenience.

On the contrary, hearing that another knight from the royal family was going to rescue their loved ones, these people were so grateful that they even offered to be Brendel’s guide, but Brendel declined – it wasn’t that he thought he could know the northern forest better than the locals, it was just that – it was more than worth taking a burden with him for the sake of this little convenience.

It was fast approaching sunset.

The red sun was dipping into the mountains on the western sh.o.r.e of Lake Vallendaren, and the setting sun was tinting the world in a golden red haze. In the twilight, a mere caravan of wagons was leaving the north gate of Shallow Water Town. Brendel was riding his horse at the front of the procession along the crescent shaped beach of the lake, his shadow stretched out by the setting sun as if it were a silhouette of the eerie north Anserra forest ahead.

Brendel looked up at the forest buried beneath the shadows of the mountains, like a thousand nails arranged upward in a dark canopy layer that stretched all the way down to the gray background of Goldfinch Mountain, a vast forest of cedars.

A series of hoofs galloping sounded behind their ears.

Brendel turned sideways and back to see a bright purple. Ciel’s robes fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, straddling a chestnut-colored horse that had come up from behind. Highland Mages were compared to other schools of wizardry because of a period of apprentices.h.i.+p as a knight. Therefore, they had more or less mastered the art of horsemans.h.i.+p. This young mage was undoubtedly the best of them.

“Hey, Lord.” Ciel’s fair hand gripped the reins with one hand and held his staff with another. Giving his characteristic greeting, “I just got something interesting that you’ll want to see.”

Brendel did not bother to look at the grinning fellow. The eastern sky was fading slightly in the late afternoon, surging to a transparent light blue. A few white stars dotted the tile-blue night sky, faintly visible, and a cool breeze blew across the lake, floating golden shreds of light that rippled above the waves like a few ribbons of light.

He was indulging in the evening breze and said softly, “What is it?”

He was well aware of the nature of this guy who had been following him for a while, and if he showed too much interest, this guy might try to pull tricks.

Ciel let out a laugh, ‘That inn bill……”

Brendel thought the bald man had ended up tampering with the bill again on the sly.

He could not help but sigh. It was disappointing that the trickster had been caught out and it was disappointing. “He’s just commoner, there’s no need to get on his bad side.”

“No, no, no.” Cie; shook her head right away, “I don’t think he’s that stupid. Did any of us replenish supplies at that inn?”

Brendel was slightly startled, “Replenishment of supplies? Of course not, but you can ask the Laurenna couple, maybe they’ve bought something.”

“I’ve asked, and they have no idea, my lord.”

Brendel turned back, a a suspicious look in his eyes. The convoy had made its last supply stop at Kurkel Castle, and there was no need to add supplies after that.” He started to be alert, “What the h.e.l.l is going on?”

“I questioned the waiter-”

“Ciel, get to the point. I’ll kick you in the lake if you try to pull tricks again.” Brendel replied, impatiently.

“All right, all right,” Ciel threw up his hands in surrender, “My lord, that’s what the waiter said, and that the little girl with us told him to set it up.”

“And then he put the responsibility on us?” Brendel was slightly puzzled by what he heard, “Does he think we’re in cahoots with that little girl?”

“You and her are indeed a gang, but that’s what the little girl said herself, it the waiter wasn’t lying.” Ciel spread his hands on his horse.

“Wait!” Brendel responded in a flash, “You said she left us the bill?”

“I’m afraid that’s exactly what happened, my lord,” laughed Char, “Successfully plotted to seize the lords.h.i.+p of Graudin and force the righteous n.o.bles to recognize it. Guarding all faith and hope, saving the Loop of Trade Winds, going to Ampere Seale only to thwart Duke Sifah and the Holy Cathedral of Fire, and Count Trentheim who has never suffered any loss, it was never expected that today he would finally capsize at the hands of a little girl. I’m sure no one will believe that if you tell them.”

Brendel looked up, straightening up and facing towards the forest, urging his horse to run faster. He narrowed his eyes in the wind and turned back to reply, “Yes, that’s a terrible thing to say.”

Ciel was startled to see his lord’s smug look, but naturally, he could not catch up with Brendel as he was zoning out, so he could only shout after him, “My lord, why do I feel like you’re celebrating the success of your plot?”

Brendel smiled slightly but did not reply. He was in not just a good mood, but an extremely good one. Mikaila Everett was a famous name in history, the witch of Alucher, the Rebel, the Witch of Gold, the Merchantress of Equality and Sophistry, but one of the most famous was-