Chapter 822: Act 3 – Late Summer Trifles
A gold beetle slowly climbed up the smooth surface of the hourglass, its hooked feet ineffective against the glass. After several attempts, it finally grasped the wooden support rod of the hourglass and climbed up. However, just as it reached the top, it was flicked down by a pale white finger. It angrily flapped its wings, making a rustling sound but helplessly fell back onto the walnut table, spinning around twice before trying to repeat its previous actions.
The window was bright, with verdant leaves hanging down from the sill. Below, Lady Camille was trimming the branches by the low rose bushes. The flowerbed in the courtyard was a remnant from the Grudin period, but Lady Camille was a senior noble gardener specially hired by Antinna from Ampere Seale. Although the lady was not accustomed to the hot climate of Duke Toniger, she praised Miss Antinna’s character as the true picture of grace within a hundred miles, claiming her manners rivaled those of any princess. It was likely this admiration for her mistress that made the proud lady agree to come to the poor remote Cold Fir Territory.
“Brendel, you… you really don’t blame me, right?” In the study, Alorze looked unusually—if not rarely—submissive at Brendel. Beside him, a tall man with white hair stared in shock at the scene. In his memory, when had this female Tyrannosaurus ever shown such docility? Among the three major disasters of the dragon race, Alorze ranked first, and if her current demeanor got out, no one would believe him. He thought it had to be an illusion, or the sun outside had shone too brightly, blinding his eyes.
Strangely, after the end of summer, the temperature had not dropped but instead rose, with the weather becoming hotter day by day, as if returning to the hottest days of midsummer.
It had been nearly two weeks since it last rained.
“Your Lordship, this matter is not Miss Alorze’s fault; it was my oversight,” Medisa quickly said from the side.
Brendel cast a glance at the Silver Elf Princess, knowing deep down that it was mostly the young female dragon’s negligence when she had used the star-shaped stone as a stool, completely forgetting about it when she went to rescue someone. Medisa had likely not noticed either, allowing Anlek to seize the opportunity. Now, with Xi missing in the explosion, the young dragon had been anxious for days. However, Brendel did not expect her to care so much about his attitude, which somewhat eased his anger. In truth, he was not worried about Xi; when the star-shaped stone exploded, Milos’s timely intervention ensured that everyone present was safe. The Frost Giant’s father also confirmed that the mountain girl had not perished in the explosion.
If the word of a deity was not enough to convince one, the fact that the sky-blue spear was not found in the ruins also indirectly proved the same fact. The current problem was where Xi had gone missing, but that was not the primary issue. Xi’s current strength was likely unmatched in all of Erluin, so Brendel was not overly worried that the mountain girl would encounter any misfortune. If, as Milos had said, she did not die in the explosion, she may have simply been delayed for some reason. The knights and mercenaries dispatched from the territory and Lantonrand had already set out; the area around the Cold Fir Forest was not large, and now that the explosion had leveled everything, news would likely arrive soon.
Although he still worried about Xi’s condition, he was not furious over the incident.
What truly troubled him was Anlek’s death.
With Anlek’s death, the news of him being a dark dragon could no longer be concealed. This issue had always been a hidden danger for him. Now he wanted to know who Anlek’s superior was, but finding that person in the vast sea of people was clearly impossible. He glanced at the young female dragon, and the man beside Alorze was also a dragon, reportedly sent to retrieve her back to the dragon clan. He had been confined for suspected cheating in exams, which was indeed a consequence of his own actions, but it was also quite pitiful.
He couldn’t help but shake his head, softly answering, “It’s nothing. How long do you plan to be gone this time?”
If he remembered correctly, confinement among dragons was measured in centuries. If Alorze’s offense was too severe and resulted in centuries of confinement, it would mean his hard-won connection with the dragon clan would be wasted.
“I’ll probably be confined for three hundred years,” the young dragon replied, starting to frown, but quickly perked up again and said boldly, “But it’s okay; they can’t keep me for long. I’ll break out soon.”
Brendel nearly died of fright. He glanced at the white-haired man, who was thankfully looking up at the sky, appearing as if he hadn’t heard anything. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. Although he did not know why this man had that expression, it was likely related to the young dragon. He couldn’t help but glare hard at her, thinking, you can escape if you want, but don’t say it out loud. Even if you’re not afraid, what if others think I’m in cahoots with you? If the dragon clan comes down to exact revenge, even Valhalla being ten times stronger than it is now wouldn’t help.
Seeing his expression, Alorze immediately rolled her eyes, clearly saying, “I get it, geez!”
Then this young dragon mumbled a few words that were neither painful nor itchy, mostly something along the lines of, “You can’t forget about me!” “I’ll be back soon!” And with that, she was finally taken away by the white-haired man. Medisa also quietly bid farewell, mentioning that Veronika wanted to see him. Brendel knew that the female commander was likely eager to return to the empire; her mission had been successfully completed. However, oddly enough, he had recently often seen a worried expression on her face. He nodded in acknowledgment, and soon the room was left with only the two of them.
As the study quieted down, Brendel turned his gaze back out the window.
Separated from the flowerbed by a row of low bushes, Kuran was watching the servants groom two tall horses, Anlek’s steeds, beside the stables. Dappled sunlight filtered through the dense branches of the oak trees and fell on the old swordsman’s grey military uniform, making him resemble a retired colonel. However, Brendel knew he could not hide the news of Lady Rendener’s impending action from those below him. Kuran likely knew something, even if he said nothing, and appeared somewhat dispirited. After all, one was the kingdom he served, and the other was his old master. His status in the castle was slowly becoming akin to that of an old steward. Brendel allowed the old swordsman’s personality to play out, partly due to his grandfather’s relationship, and partly because he viewed Kuran more as a guest of Toniger than as a subordinate.
Further away stood the white walls of Firburh, covered in climbing vines, creating a lush green appearance. A staircase led to the walkway atop the wall, where a few patrolling guards hung out. Outside the walkway were parapets and merlons, with these defensive structures connecting to towering arrow towers at the corners. The shiny helms of crossbowmen at the door of the tower glimmered as one of them seemed to lean against the doorframe, boasting to his fellow guards.
Outside the city walls was a main street of Firburh, but the thatched cottages on both sides had now been dismantled and replaced with more sturdy and aesthetically pleasing wooden stone constructions. After relaying new cobblestones, it no longer resembled its previously dilapidated state. Now the wide white street was bustling with people, tiny figures moving like ants. Further beyond were patches of reddish rooftops, with the canopies of trees interspersed, looking like bunches of Dutch parsley in the city.
Brendel looked at this scene as his previously restless feelings eased somewhat, slowly rising a sense of accomplishment. If one year ago Firburh was indeed a shabby countryside, it now at least had the feel of a real city. After all, he had visited Burnoson and Magitan; compared to these top cities in the Southlands, Firburh’s urban aspect had not fallen short and might even be wealthier. These changes, even in the game, had never occurred, and they were things he personally brought about. Of course, he also understood that the true creators of all this were not himself, but Antinna and Romaine—specifically, a somewhat scatterbrained merchant miss who played a much more significant role in this heavy burden of success.
She herself proposed the entire revival plan and personally led Toniger to today’s prosperous commerce. Now, from Port Gris to Ampere Seale, the connection tied the whole north. Every day, countless merchant ships sailed this route, and under the watchful eye of the shimmering Naga, this waterway had become one of the safest in all of Erluin in the past six months due to its renowned reputation among various merchant guilds. Although his agreement with Queen Freya had yet to show its military and political significance, it had already attracted the attention of merchants smelling opportunity, which was not surprising, as they were the most perceptive group in human history.
An unending stream of goods was today being transported via this waterway to the Cold Fir Territory before being sent from Firburh to the Loop of Trade Winds, with no worries about their destinations; the Black Forest was a truly fertile land waiting to be developed. In just these two months, Master Berun had called back students and subordinates from various places and had explored two to three mines in the forest, containing silver, gold, copper, and even mithril, alongside the best woodlands, countless game, and various precious plants—rich soils accumulated for a thousand years. In the past, this forest had deterred pioneers due to its harsh environment and terrifying monsters, but now, the Order’s Flame had been ignited at the heart of the Loop of Trade Winds, centered around the entire Karanjar Mountain range, restoring stability. Druids and treants had also joined Brendel’s campaign, opening the last gate for the people of Erluin.
Resources from the entire north were rapidly turning these underground treasures into reality. Merchant ships gathered at the port, carrying these resources back and forth, converting them into the manpower, technology, and magical industrial resources that Brendel urgently needed. It was like a waterway flowing with gold, and everyone on this route benefited as long as they possessed strength or wisdom; they could obtain what they desired, thanks to his generous fiancée.
All of this was thanks to Romaine. Although without Antinna, this somewhat scatterbrained merchant miss might not have been able to organize the entire spring and autumn festival for Toniger smoothly, at least the prosperous scene of commerce now, with inns overflowing with merchants and the bustling silhouette of sails in the port, was all the result of her negotiations. From having nothing at first to persuading the trust of the guilds with nothing but her words, to a single sailboat arriving at Port Gris, loaded with goods and departing—all carried out by this girl who appeared somewhat disorganized in everyday life.
Brendel himself rarely paid attention to such matters, but he suddenly felt fortunate, as if everything had suddenly appeared before him without his effort. The merchant miss had arranged everything perfectly for him. Now, everything in Toniger was on the right track; others believed he had to wait until he obtained Rendener’s land to truly unleash his potential, but little did they know, Erluin’s future had already unfolded before him.
That girl who had always been by his side had drawn the most important blueprint for him.
He couldn’t help but look at Romaine. The merchant miss had pulled back her onion-like fingers, cradling her face, her sparkling eyes fixed curiously on the gold beetle as it attempted to climb again. When it finally reached the top, she mischievously flicked it down again, repeating the process several times as if amused by it. Dressed in a noble long skirt, she lounged on the long chair, wrinkling the fabric and rolling up her sleeves, successfully presenting the attire of a proper lady in the guise of a countryside girl.
If Lady Camille saw her like this, she would likely shake her head with a sigh. Brendel knew she once thought that Antinna was his fiancée, but fortunately, the advisor miss herself clarified that misunderstanding. He still remembered the odd look on Lady Camille’s face. Although Brendel never felt fear even when facing a true deity, the astonished expression of that stickler old lady had indeed forced him to retreat, reportedly marking his first unresisted withdrawal in this world.
Brendel sat side by side with the merchant miss, so close that he almost felt her body warmth, with a faint fragrance of girlhood wafting in the air. He began to feel a bit dreamy, reflecting on his thoughts, and unconsciously wrapped his arm around Romaine’s waist. Her waist was so light and slender it felt as if he could encircle it with just one hand. She seemed to sense Brendel’s sudden affection, turning her head to glance at him with a slight smile, not exposing him but rather playfully nudging him with her foot before returning to her amusement with the pitiful gold beetle.
Brendel’s mind was swirling with thoughts, but he suddenly realized that although Romaine was very particular about every copper during business dealings, she was not stingy with her own money. In fact, apart from when discussing a serious deal, she was surprisingly generous. When he leaned back to ask about this, the merchant miss was in the midst of once again flicking the beetle from the hourglass, casually responding:
“Doing business is like going to war; one must be meticulous about every detail. But when investing, you need to look further ahead; being petty won’t yield good returns.”
Brendel was taken aback, as if surprised: “Who taught you this reasoning? Was it your aunt?”
“Not really. She doesn’t do business; I came up with it myself. How is it? Impressive, right?”
Brendel could only sigh; this must be what they called talent. However, Romaine’s eyes blinked once, her pride momentarily dimming: “Speaking of which, I haven’t seen my aunt for a long time. Brendel, you said you’d help me find her, but there’s still no news.”
Romaine’s words made Brendel’s face flush. It wasn’t that there was no news; it was that he hadn’t made a concerted effort to find her. In fact, before Romaine mentioned her, he had almost forgotten about her. After all, Aunt Jennie was like family to him in this world, always feeling a certain distance that made her seem like a background character to him. While he had sent someone to inquire with Buche, it had been just a passing mention, and he hadn’t even told Antinna. Later, Buche responded saying there were no leads, and the matter was left unresolved.
After all, he had too much to do. Half a year ago, he had nearly immersed himself in pulling Erluin back from the path of certain doom, with time so tight that he barely had the chance to breathe, let alone look for someone.
But now thinking back, considering all that Romaine had done for him, looking at the innocent face of the merchant miss before him made him feel incredibly ashamed.
“Soon, there will be news. Erluin is not that big, and your aunt will definitely be looking for you too. Now that you’re so famous, with just a little attention, we can find her.” He pinched Romaine’s face and reassured her.
Romaine giggled, her eyes narrowing into a crescent as she laughed like a little fox.
“Giggle, Brendel, you’re being guilty.”
“Cough, cough,” Brendel’s face turned beet red. He almost forgot that although this merchant miss had no cunning, her intuition was sharp. The critical part was that she didn’t spare him any dignity either; he couldn’t help but glare at her a bit. However, unexpectedly, she seriously raised her head, vigorously shaking it at him, saying: “Actually, it’s nothing. Brendel has a great goal, and Romaine has a great goal. When I spoke of my goals in the past, even Freya would giggle, but only you believed I could do it, and you never laughed at me—”
“Brendel can embrace Romaine’s goals, so Romaine can also embrace Brendel’s goals.”
“Brendel, do you know? My aunt said that a mortal’s ideals are like the stars on a summer night—seemingly unreachable and brilliantly dazzling. But as long as we dare to reach out, we will definitely grasp that starlight in our hands, for the starry summer night belongs to everyone who gazes at the sky.”
Brendel stared blankly into Romaine’s eyes, as if in those bright eyes, the starry night sky of Buche truly reflected back at him. He had once believed that this somewhat scatterbrained girl had been following him since Buche out of her own fancy, as that was simply Romaine’s nature—to care for those close to her without discerning right from wrong. But he had never considered that she truly believed in him, just as she said—those were the stars in the summer night sky, and as long as he reached out, he would grasp that great light in his hand.
Even if what he sought was the brightest star in the night sky.
“Do you know what I want to do, Little Romaine?” he suddenly asked.
Romaine nodded earnestly, speaking slowly.
“I know, Brendel, you want to marry Princess Grifian and become the true king of Erluin.”
“Pfft—”
……
(PS: It’s a bit late; here are a few hundred extra words for you.)
