Chapter 432: Act 184 – The Druid’s Choice (Part 2)
“Master Turiman, are you asking this because you want to help Erluin?” Brendel looked at the renowned scholar from the Amber Sword, unable to resist raising an eyebrow.
“That’s clever, but that’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
Brendel was taken aback.
“I don’t know, but I can only try.” Brendel shook his head. “Do you have any suggestions, Master?”
“I actually have a better proposal,” Turiman said, looking at Brendel. “Rather than placing hope in uncertain possibilities, it’s wiser to choose a more reliable approach. Don’t you think so, young man? After all, we have no right to gamble anyone’s life for a one in ten thousand chance. If the bet were gold, I would wager, but your stake is a human life.”
“Brother Brendel would never do that!” Funiya felt like she was about to be driven mad by this old man.
“Hmph, using seductive words to sway people’s hearts, that’s truly a common tactic of you mysterious types!”
Even Faina on the other side of the light and shadow couldn’t help but scoff. Of course, she didn’t know Turiman. If this noble lady were aware that Turiman held a position equal to William in the Silver Academy, she wouldn’t dare to rebuke him openly, even if she had a thousand times the courage.
In fact, she found it strange. She’d been wishing to stab Brendel with a long sword a dozen times, yet upon hearing this old man’s insidious remarks about Brendel, she couldn’t help but step forward to mock him, as if unconsciously considering herself on the same side as Brendel.
After she spoke, she gave a light hum, as if to imply—she simply couldn’t stand that old man.
“Hey, I didn’t know you would help me speak!” But Brendel, seemingly aiming to tease her, opened his mouth to jest. Faina’s face turned red down to her neck. This noble lady wanted nothing more than to jump over and strangle Brendel, but before she could act, she reflexively retorted loudly, “W-what nonsense are you talking about? That’s not what it is!”
Brendel smiled without replying; he turned back to look at Turiman. Among so many people, only he truly understood the scholar’s intentions—indeed, as calm and wise as he remembered, but he didn’t expect him to have this idea. However, it was understandable. Brendel even thought this could be a setting like an insurance from the past storyline; even if the players failed their task, the withered woods council and the entire southern Erluin could be temporarily preserved.
Is this what they call the inertia of history?
But Brendel smiled slightly: “What I want to save is life, so wagering with lives as the stakes, I will place myself in the most dangerous situation as the cost. That’s fair.”
“Very brave, but you cannot expect everyone to be as fearless as you.”
“But I can demand that the brave receive their due treatment—”
Brendel held his head high, not avoiding Turiman’s gaze.
Turiman was slightly taken aback, then smiled. The hall fell silent, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard, and the young lord’s words were exceptionally clear, almost resonant, making those who had wavered earlier feel ashamed. Only the Elder looked at Brendel and nodded. And the scholar exchanged a tacit understanding through a glance with his old friend William across the light and shadow.
Interesting.
“Alright, young man, you have convinced me. I can give you some time.” Turiman turned back to all the Druids in the hall. “So what about you? This young one has extended an invitation to you. He says only the brave can join this game. Now you can tell me: what is your choice?”
The old man’s voice echoed throughout the hall.
Most people answered this question with their eyes. Brendel’s ever-present confidence infected everyone; even Faina couldn’t help but go into a daze—she was watching Brendel’s profile from the side and couldn’t help but get lost in thought—this country bumpkin from Erluin didn’t seem so incompetent, at least at this moment, he looked quite… handsome?
And in the withered woods council, the Elder patted Funiya on the shoulder, and everyone made way for the young girl. The Druids standing by the magic circle began to complete the spell, the light of the magic circle shining blindingly, and at this moment Turiman looked at William on the other side of the light and shadow, suddenly thinking:
“Valhalla, it seems you’ve discovered something incredible, old friend.” He didn’t speak aloud; their communication was completed on a spiritual level.
“Not me; I’m just an observer,” William replied.
“However, if you ignite that original spark, the Green Tower does seem like it could be preserved just like this,” Turiman said.
“You’re mistaken; Erluin will gain another territory because of this.”
“Are you saying I should agree with this plan then?”
“Didn’t you already agree?”
“Not entirely. You know I hate possibilities—”
“There’s another reason, right?” William smiled. “Jiufeng has a saying: ‘An innocent man is wronged because of his treasures.’”
“Indeed, but why did you signal me to agree earlier?” Turiman asked.
“Hmph, did you see those Druids? I can almost hear them asking—Druids have never betrayed their oaths. How about you, children of silver?”
William’s teasing made the scholar smile slightly: “That’s precisely why I agreed. In any case, we are aligned on the same side of order. Humanity has degraded itself; the silver people cannot imitate this. This time, the magical tide is overwhelming and has already made me uneasy. I even begin to doubt whether the assertions in the dark prophecy are mere threats.”
“Humanity degrading itself? That may not be entirely true,” William looked at Brendel, smiled, “But believing that the Dark Dragon will resurrect because of this is also absurd. You and I should know best what kind of existence the Dark Dragon is.”
Turiman shook his head after listening but did not refute. However, it seemed he did not completely agree with William’s words.
At this moment, Funiya had already walked into the magic circle. After a blinding white light, the runestone in the center of the magic circle suddenly exploded, causing the surrounding Druids to collapse onto the ground. But this was a normal response of the spell; the runestone shattered under the enormous force fluctuations during spatial transmission, absorbing the backlash of the spell on behalf of the caster, a notable characteristic of circle magic.
The sudden magical reaction even dimmed the lights in the hall for an instant. Just when everyone was still oblivious to the fact that the spell had succeeded, they suddenly heard Andrew’s shout: “Alright, go reinforce the defenses of the town hall, don’t let the descendants of Fenrir break in so easily!”
The Druid, who had been blurred by the explosion, was slightly stunned at first, but soon reacted. The hall immediately became chaotic, people were rushing about, and the council was in disarray, which was enough to make one frown. However, regardless, the earlier despondency and despair had vanished at this moment. It seemed everyone was stirred by the remaining bravery inside them, becoming eager for courage and glory.
The Elder watched this scene and couldn’t help but tap his wooden staff with his finger—a light sigh escaped his lips.
“Incredible, the Druids not only believe in humans from the outside world, but they are also inspired to believe and find courage because of one human,” Turiman said, not knowing when he had come beside the Elder, somewhat lamenting.
“A steadfast heart is universal; when people see the strongest one has not fallen, they too will grow stronger.”
“But unfortunately…”
The Elder turned slightly and looked back in surprise.
“It seems wisdom cannot be passed down. Otherwise, that young one would at least have become a bit smarter upon seeing me. At least he should have asked me to teleport that young girl over, instead of wasting your already limited power,” Turiman said teasingly, observing the collapsed Druids, indicating that those high-ranking Druids had exhausted their magical energy.
The Elder’s expression instantly became splendid.
Meanwhile, Brendel had just caught Funiya as she fell from the magic circle and sneezed intensely. He certainly didn’t expect a distinguished scholar would speak ill of him behind his back, thinking it was Charles or Romaine quietly sticking a voodoo doll of him—though the latter was more suspicious.
He rubbed his nose and then set Funiya down. The little girl had been looking up at him the whole time, her small face filled with admiration.
“Are you planning to let this little girl open the door to Valhalla?”
William, upon seeing the suddenly appearing Funiya, suddenly realized: “So, the Daughter of the Forest?”
Brendel nodded.
“So the rumors are true; the spark of Valhalla is held in the hands of the Daughter of the Forest, waiting for a day to awaken from slumber. This day has become reality in prophecy. No wonder Turiman said that to me so suddenly.” William nodded in sudden understanding. “But do you know how to open the door?”
Brendel shook his head; of course, he didn’t know. The strategy didn’t mention this part at all. He originally thought bringing Funiya would be enough to enter Valhalla, but didn’t expect there to be a door.
“I plan to give it a try; it shouldn’t be too difficult,” Brendel replied, recalling that player from history.
The grand wizard raised an eyebrow: “I see, but I suggest you hurry.”
“Hmm?”
The elder turned back, looking past the dense white mist toward the other side of the valley: “That woman seems to have finally gotten rid of her troubles. I think it’s your turn to have troubles next—”
Brendel’s expression changed, but he quickly replied, “I seem to remember that, Master Wizard, there’s still an agreement between us.”
William smiled slightly and nodded.
“Not only that, but I can also throw in an extra service for you.”
“What do you mean?” Brendel was taken aback.
“That is to tell you that you might not be the only person coming.”
“Not the only person? What does that mean? Are there others here?” Brendel held Funiya, genuinely stunned this time.
…(To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log in for more chapters and support the author for original reading!)
