Chapter 684 - v4c64 Before Departure (2/2)

King Erik hadn’t wanted to change the arrogance of the n.o.bles; what he wanted to change — was history itself.

Brendel smiled at Freya. “You’ll understand. Go wake the others, we should head out.” He kept the last sentence to himself — Lady War G.o.ddess.

Freya looked at him dubiously. As she turned around she seemed to have an epiphany. She looked back and gave Brendel another glance. “Brendel… can I, can I keep up with you?”

Brendel looked at the experience crystal in the Circlet of Convenience and nodded at her.

“Someone who believes will not fall behind.”

Freya paused and then nodded firmly. She suddenly remembered that her belief was like the wild flowers that bloomed in the Bucce countryside — ordinary but stubborn, unable to be killed even by the summer wildfires. These flowers bloomed among the mountains of Yulsong and left a deep impression on anyone.

The girl’s desire was just as ordinary. She wanted to protect everyone and make sure the memories of the peaceful and beautiful times were not tainted by the flames of war.

Brendel watched the girl from the Bucce turn around and leave. He looked back to see Laurenna and Filas standing to the side. The female knight watched him with an admiring gaze.

“Mister Brendel, ‘someone who believes will not fall behind’ – do you mean that?” Her eyes shone and she asked loudly.

“If you are firm, why would you back off?” Brendel asked casually.

“But reality is not perfect.”

“That’s why some people will be called heroes.”

“Do you think you’re a hero, Mister Brendel?” Brendel’s meaning was so straightforward it startled the female knight.

“If that’s a wonderful thing to be, why not aspire to be it?”

“So that’s why –” Laurenna frowned slightly.

“But I’d rather be the devil king — “Brendel continued answering.

The female knight hesitated and looked at him.

“Because sometimes you have to fight against the whole world.”

Laurenna inhaled deeply and nodded at him respectfully. “I hope you never change, Count Trentheim.” Then she murmured quietly, as if to herself, “I hope I also don’t change –”

…

The news that Brendel had finished elemental activation finally spread throughout the caravan. Before, Brendel’s talent with the sword could be said to have Sword Saint potential, but now he could finally be called a true Sword Saint.

Aouine finally had a second Sword Saint a hundred years after Darius, the last Sword Saint, retreated into seclusion. A young Sword Saint. Brendel’s authority, especially among the guards, seemed to reach the top immediately.

Brendel once jokingly mentioned his appellation. Just like “Trendsetter” Garlock or Fiery Nicholas, a Sword Saint with elemental activation had the right to an appellation of respect.

But Maynild simply reminded him that after the battle at Ampere Seale, he already had a well-known t.i.tle.

“Wolfherder”

Wolfherder Brendel.

On Duke Arrek’s gaunt face, his deep-set eyes were tired but still sharp. They quietly examined the parchment map in his hands, but his mind kept turning that name over and over.

The information he got over the last few months were enough for him to learn about the key person behind the failure of the entire Ampere Seale plan. This head of bandits from Trentheim had been a n.o.body until Fortress Riedon; then his star seemed to be on a meteoric rise.

His opponent’s tactics seemed vulgar and brutish, as if he was your average bandit. The n.o.bles wouldn’t deign to give them a single glance. The northern n.o.bles even jokingly called the new leader of Trentheim a cra.s.s nouveau riche.

In private, many envied him for his luck.

But Duke Arreck didn’t think so. How naive could the grandson of Sword Saint Darius be? He had once met the Sword Saint himself and to this day, his heart still chilled when thinking about the impression the Sword Saint left him.

Plus he has already noticed some details. That Count Trentheim seemed to

A cla.s.sic example would be —

This time, he was right behind them again.

Duke Arrek frowned. The sounds of an argument came from the distance. He looked up and the shapely female knight seemed to sense the displeasure of the person who had once been a bigshot among the upper ranks of Aouine n.o.bles. She hurriedly murmured an explanation, “The hunters don’t seem willing to go further –”

“They still believe the Stained Frost Forest Labyrinth has a wicked curse. Such fools.” The female knight added.

Arrek frowned and answered dismissively, “Devard disappoints me. We just need one person to show the way.”

Sylvia paused and then realization hit her. She lowered her head and answered obediently, “I understand, sir.”

The Silver Knight looked towards the forest and had to shake her head — some people don’t know what’s good for them.

<script>