Chapter 692: Act 52 – Long Road, Fragments of the Past VI
Before dusk, Brendel obtained a secret map of the forest paths used by hunters. This was thanks to the bald boss of the Coach House’s persistent promotion—or rather intimidation. The secret paths known only to hunters in the forest were passed down through generations, and it was nearly impossible to reveal them to outsiders unless for the safety of one’s own family.
Of course, the identity of Earl Brendel as a royal knight played a significant role; the common folk had a subconscious understanding that a nobleman would have no need for their petty secrets.
On the contrary, when they heard that yet another knight from the royal court was personally going to rescue their loved ones, they were immensely grateful and even volunteered to guide Brendel and his party, but he politely declined them—not because he believed he was more familiar with the northern forest than the locals, but simply because bringing an extra burden for a small convenience was not worth it.
Time quickly approached twilight.
A red sun was sinking into the mountains along the western shore of Lake Valenden, casting a golden-red haze over the entire world. In this dusk, a convoy consisting of only a cargo coach was departing from the northern gate of Shallow Water Town. Brendel rode at the front of the line on his steed, moving along the crescent-shaped beach by the lakeside, his shadow elongated by the slanting sun, resembling a silhouette of the ominous North Anras Forest up ahead.
Brendel looked up at the forest nestled under the shadows of the mountains, with its dark canopies rising like countless nails against the gray backdrop of Goldfinch Mountain, a vast expanse of snow-covered pine forest.
A series of hoofbeats rang out behind him.
Turning his head to the side, Brendel saw a striking flash of purple. Charles’ long robe fluttered gently in the evening breeze as he rode up on a chestnut warhorse. The Highland wizard had some riding skills, having once been an apprentice knight, and this young wizard was undoubtedly among the best.
“Hey, my lord,” Charles said, his white hand gripping the reins while the other held his staff, greeting him in his characteristic manner. “I just got something interesting; you must want to see it.”
Brendel, too lazy to look at the grinning fellow, noticed the glow of dusk fading from the eastern sky into a translucent light blue. A few white stars dotted the cobalt night sky, barely visible as a cool breeze swept across the surface of the lake, setting the floating golden lights on the waves shimmering like ribbons of light.
Basking in the evening wind, he lightly hummed, “What is it?”
He knew the nature of the guy who had been following him for quite a while; if he showed too much interest, this fellow might take the chance to tease him.
Charles indeed chuckled, “It’s the inn’s bill…”
Brendel thought the bald man had slyly altered the bill again at the end. He couldn’t help but sigh—playing tricks was one thing, but being exposed for it was disappointing. “Just a penny-pincher; no need to dwell on it.”
“No, no, no,” Charles shook his head vigorously. “I don’t think he is that foolish. Did we restock at that inn?”
Brendel paused slightly. “Restock? Of course not, but you could ask the Laurena couple; they might have bought something.”
“I asked; they had no idea, my lord.”
Brendel turned back, doubt flashing in his eyes. The convoy had resupplied at Kurk Castle, and after that, there was no need for additional supplies—he became alert. “What’s going on?”
“I asked a servant—”
“—Charles, get to the point. If you keep beating around the bush, I might just kick you into the lake.” Brendel replied tersely.
“Alright, alright,” Charles quickly raised his hands in surrender. “My lord, the servant said these items were arranged by that young girl to be prepared.”
“And he charged us for it?” Brendel felt a bit confused at this point. “Does he think we are in cahoots with that little girl?”
“Indeed we are—though that’s what the girl herself said, if the servant isn’t lying.” Charles shrugged on his horse.
“Wait!” Brendel suddenly realized. “Are you saying she left the bill for us?”
“I’m afraid that’s exactly it, my lord,” Charles laughed heartily. “Successfully ousting Grudin as lord, forcing the aristocracy to recognize it, guarding all hope and faith, saving the Loop of Trade Winds, personally heading to Ampere Seale to defeat Duke Siphai and the Temple of Fire, the Earl of Toniger who has never tasted defeat, unexpectedly capsizing today because of a little girl—no one would believe it if we told them.”
Brendel raised his head, straightened up, and faced the direction of the forest, urging his steed to pick up the pace. He squinted into the wind and replied, “Well, yes, this is indeed quite terrible.”
Seeing the composed expression on his lord’s face, Charles couldn’t help but pause for a moment. He naturally could not catch up with Brendel, who had galloped ahead, and could only shout from behind: “…My lord, why do I feel like you look rather pleased with yourself?”
Brendel smiled slightly but did not respond. His mood was not just good; it was very good—Mikaya Everey was a renowned name in history, the Witch of Alucher, the Rebel, the Witch of Gold, the Merchant of Equality and Sophistry, but among the most famous—
Was undoubtedly the ruler of Burnoson, the Lord of the Winter Country, the Witch King.
She was the mistress of time and space, the heir of the void witch Euphelia, revered as the most unique among the twelve witch clans. For she was a witch yet sought to break free from the predetermined fate of witches, earning her the title of a “rebel” among them.
But such a rebel ultimately gained the recognition of the Crown of Winter, becoming the first Witch King to unify the twelve witch clans a thousand years later.
Mikaya was from Erluin, but before the Third Black Rose War, she left Erluin for Cruz with her teacher. Before that, this Witch King had lived in Lantonrand’s Alucher, hence she was also known as the Witch of Alucher.
Afterward, Mikaya had experienced nearly thirty years of turmoil; by the time she became the Witch King, Erluin no longer existed. Therefore, Brendel did not have much interaction with this Witch King, and her name was like a brightly shining star among many floating in the splendid sky of Vaunte, brilliant yet merely a wave in the long river of history.
However, the current significance was slightly different—
Mikaya was still a little girl, but her talents were indisputable. Brendel suspected whether the “parents” she spoke of actually existed because her demeanor seemed more akin to an orphan. Though such thoughts were somewhat rude, this was truly fantastic news for Brendel.
Compared to persuading a noble couple to hand over their child to him for education, enticing an isolated and helpless little girl with a stable and affluent environment was clearly much simpler. From Mikaya’s behavior, it was evident she must be without food and shelter; perhaps she had lost her way from her parents.
However, Brendel did not turn his horse around, as he remembered that Mikaya would officially become a witch around March of the following year. He had plenty of time before then; he had already instructed the owner of the Coach House to keep an eye out—even though he didn’t believe the composed and clever little girl would continue to stay in Shallow Water Town after committing such deeds.
But it was fine; there was still time.
Brendel galloped in the wind along with his warhorse, gently exhaling a breath of relief. With the three prodigies of Erluin, the Valkyrie, Antinna, Berun, Tam, and Kargris, if he could add another Witch King from history to their ranks, more and more outstanding talents were congregating aboard this ship emerging from the storm.
Perhaps the history of Erluin would indeed change because of this.
From dusk to the rise of night, everyone in the convoy witnessed the image of the young lord galloping under the moon, running a large circle along the edge of the forest before returning to the starting point, appearing particularly spirited.
Yet few understood what the Earl was thinking in his heart, with only a somewhat cool gaze silently watching that moonlit silhouette.
Summer nights fell particularly late. Although a round moon had long crossed above the grayish blue peaks, the fiery evening glow was reluctant to retract its last remaining light until after eight o’clock, when the forest by the lakeside finally darkened completely. In the Toniger region, the forest would have already been filled with the sounds of chirping insects, but the snow-covered pine forest felt especially cold.
The temperature continued to drop, and the frozen white frost on the pine trees seemed to be out of place for the season.
Nevertheless, Brendel did not slow down the convoy but returned to the coach to urge everyone to maintain their current speed. From here onward, entering the Foy intersection meant diving deeper into the North Anras Forest. The area was still far from Needlehill, where frost elves resided, a level 20 creature that even seasoned hunters could easily subdue.
Of course, it required traps and teamwork.
However, what Brendel sought was a more beautiful creature; the first night in the forest was especially important to him—
He tightened the reins to slow down his warhorse, bypassing the heavily loaded cart to check the condition of the yoke and wheels. Progressing on the uneven roads of the forest in cold weather greatly strained loaded carts, thus requiring extra caution.
Brendel had experience from many past adventures.
Yet as he reached the other end, he saw a familiar face. The Lady Knight sat calmly on a jet-black warhorse, gripping the reins with both hands, looking at him calmly as if she had been waiting for him here for quite some time:
“The first night is very important, right?”
Her voice was calm and cold.
As night fell, the cold wind began to carry a hint of chill, sweeping through the forest, causing Brendel to shiver slightly. One hand gripped the reins as he looked at the Lady Knight:
“Who exactly are you?”
“That doesn’t matter; let others camp.” Nemeses tucked her ebony hair behind her ear and glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Follow me, and bring your three servants.”
With that, she turned her horse around, leaving him with a graceful silhouette.
“Wait…” Brendel was stunned.
“Fool,” Nemeses replied over her shoulder. “Don’t ask so many pointless questions; isn’t your task to capture the Crystal Deer? I know where it is.”
It felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck Brendel, leaving him completely frozen in place.
……
(PS: After obtaining Lady Nicole’s permission, the Strong Baboon will take a rest today. This is mainly to consolidate quality; we’ll unleash a thousand words tomorrow. Additionally, some asked about next month’s update plan around the New Year—let’s see then. I’ll be leaving on the 2nd, and if I can finish some drafts before then, I’ll maintain a thousand-word daily update.)(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it by voting on Qidian (qidian.com); your support is my greatest motivation.)
