Chapter 194: Act 127 – Power and Responsibility (Part 2)
“Xi?”
Makarolo was taken aback and then looked at Brendel with a bitter heart, realizing what the other party meant with their previous question. However, this moment was too critical; Livwz would certainly not allow him to provoke this young man. Even if his teammates were being sowed discord before his eyes, he could only endure it with gritted teeth. This punch struck quickly and fiercely, and even with his composure, facing the incredulous, questioning, or ever-so-slightly weak gaze of the girl he had raised, he couldn’t help but turn his head away.
Even if he had a thousand reasons to explain, even if he understood that this girl, whom he usually regarded as a foster daughter, hoped for at least a word of justification, at this moment, Makarolo could not utter a single word.
Everyone present could feel the pulsating power of the Golden Heart within Xi, a golden elevation. Makarolo didn’t know what had happened to her for her powers to elevate so rapidly; he thought it was a potential burst from a life-and-death situation, meaning this girl with her fiery red ponytail was at least a genius—a genius they had overlooked. But on the other side, the Golden Fruit in Brendel’s hand also emitted a more purer power of the Golden Heart.
That was the origin of the golden bloodline.
Devour it, and you possess the destiny of the chosen one.
Words rolled around in Makarolo’s throat, but when he spoke, it came out as, “Xi, what are you…”
His words seemed to drain all of Xi’s strength. She stared directly at this man—the one who had long occupied a fatherly role in her heart; her gaze, rather than disappointment, held a deep-seated plea, a plea for even a single dishonest word about happiness, something she was willing to believe. She felt helpless, like that foolish daughter awaiting her heartless relatives to reconsider, hoping he would turn around and tell her: I’m sorry, welcome back…
But what she received was an evasive, seemingly concerned remark that felt outrageously distant, like a stranger. The tall figure in her memory seemed to fade into the distance, and she clutched her chest, tears streaming down: “I’m sorry, why…” She sobbed like an injured animal, losing the last flicker of strength, her knees collapsing to the ground, and with a thunderous crash, she fell forward onto the earth.
Lost consciousness—
Seeing this scene, Makarolo was rendered speechless.
Brendel looked coldly at this man.
He felt someone gently push him from behind, and the young man nodded to indicate he understood the other’s intent. Without the dragon girl Anoz, he wouldn’t have sensed Xi’s arrival at all with his abilities. However, it was not his intention to let her experience such sorrow; perhaps he had long known what Makarolo would answer. Still, he wanted Xi to understand one thing—the truth was not charity, but he couldn’t tolerate Makarolo’s indiscretions while he was at his side.
“I’m sorry.” Brendel sighed.
He stood up, walked over, and helped Xi up, wiping the dirt from her face—she displayed a vulnerable side in her sleep, her tear-streaked face a little pale yet serene, like an angel. The young man adjusted her body and leaned her against a fir tree, then turned back to look down at everyone across from him with a loftiness.
“Mister Brendel?” Livwz spoke up, seeing Makarolo’s emotions were unstable and feeling the need to intervene.
“Makarolo!”
Brendel interrupted, his pent-up anger finally erupting from his chest, his voice cold as a gleaming blade. Everyone was taken aback, not comprehending why Brendel’s attitude had suddenly shifted, but the young man shouted angrily: “Don’t think I’m unaware of your backgrounds—”
“Ever since Anzen VII, Erluin has been in decline, and the light in the darkness seems to float amidst chaos—obscure and dim, opportunities fleeting. For ten years, you’ve seized all chances to turn the tide, investing everything like gamblers; the entire plan is meticulous, ruthless, and appears logical, yet this is merely to overturn Duke Anlek’s control. You’ve deceived everyone, making them believe that the Duke of Lantonrand, that muddled old fool, simply wishes to preserve the last remnants. Who is supporting you? Sivak?”
Brendel’s words pierced the hearts of everyone present like sharp blades, causing Makarolo and Livwz’s faces to turn ashen. For a moment, they instinctively forgot to breathe, only able to guess who exactly this young man was.
The young man had hinted at the entirety of their plans; they believed it was a sacred gamble. All sacrifices were worth it, and they could even give their lives if necessary; political maneuvering had transformed into a fervent belief. Just as Brendel said, there was only one opportunity; seize it, and in the moment of reversal, dawn would surely sweep away all darkness.
This legendary story was destined for a legendary conclusion. However, they never considered that such a plan could fall into the hands of a stranger, not even leaving a trace. This plan had been established a decade earlier, with some details even unknown to subsequent participants. So who exactly was the young man masquerading as Brendel—
Who was he?
What were his intentions?
But the angrier Brendel became, the straighter he stood, like a blade; his voice was as cold as the harsh winter: “—You think you can represent the righteousness of that royal family behind you, that your swords fight for the future of this country! Unfortunately, your foolishness blinds you to a fact: should you fail, can you still mindlessly send others to their deaths?”
“Wait,” Livwz furrowed his brow, a bit irritated. Although this young man possessed something very important to them, their plan couldn’t be desecrated—it represented the glory of the royal family.
“What do you want to say, Master Livwz?” Brendel asked indifferently.
“All you’ve said is based on a hypothesis…”
“You want to know the truth?”
Brendel sneered, raising his head as he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
In this moment, it was as if another soul stood with him; the young man’s gaze seemed to pierce through the shackles of the world, and Sue’s words returned to the other side of his soul—so that time and space crumbled before him—but after everything settled, he saw all that was past. Palaces and cities burned in flames, kingdoms toppled; everything once familiar was no longer in existence.
The Princess’s wishes.
The Valkyrie’s oath.
This kingdom seemed poised to be reborn from the flames, every player investing all their strength to fight for it, yet before the undead of Madara and the black tide of players, they crumpled and failed. It felt like a destined failure, a tragic ending. Yet these nobles still operated high above, manipulating the fate of this country, as if they could foresee the eventual conclusion—their presumed victory. Then, like a cold grim reaper, they held tightly to the lives they controlled, casting them into this frenzied sacrifice.
Unremarkable lives flowed away, like icy blood from these people.
They vanished.
In exchange, a cold end awaited.
Yet no one would take responsibility for this.
Players remembered that dark humor, but what about these high-ranking nobles? They merely changed the chessboard and continued their game. Each time they acted sacredly, representing either light or darkness, justice or goodness; their belief couldn’t be desecrated, just like the blood that flowed from noble families—indisputable on the surface.
“How could I tell you this truth…” Brendel sighed in fatigue, waving his hand: “Just like this Golden Apple in my hand. I certainly understand its significance to you because its appearance has made your game more brilliant—like a shiny weight tipping the scales in your favor—that’s how you envision it.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not that I want to dampen your spirits. Whatever happens, your failure is inevitable.”
“What do you mean?” Even Bud couldn’t help but frown this time.
“Young man, not everyone can become a Starseer,” Livwz shook his head.
“However, those witches who incite the masses with rumors were all tied to the pyre—” Makarolo shot Brendel a cold glance, adding.
Brendel smiled.
Indeed, he just happened to be one who foresaw—not just saw their failure. But he wouldn’t say so; he merely inquired: “You don’t believe?”
“Reason?” Bud asked simply.
“I remember, in Erluin’s most glorious era. The knights of Erluin held horns and fluttering swallow-tailed flags—when the horn sounded, the Kingdom’s Blade advanced unimpeded. I recall the battlefield was a sea of flags, adorned with golden Corvado’s emblem, Golan-Elsen’s emblem, and Anlek’s emblem. I remember that the nobles of that era still upheld their oaths—” Brendel smiled: “Do you remember that oath?”
Everyone was momentarily taken aback.
“Don’t remember?” Brendel’s eyes were filled with mockery: “That’s okay, I can recite it for you.”
“I hereby swear under this sword! I vow to lead my people—lead them away from conflict and slaughter, away from the arrogance and greed of imperial nobles; I vow that to avoid repeating the bloodless errors of history, I will ensure that the nobles of this newly reborn kingdom abide by the spirit of knights—just, strict, righteous, courageous, merciful, and generous. I make this vow and will dedicate my life to uphold it!”
Brendel recited this passage powerfully, then looked at the speechless crowd.
“Do you remember who made this vow?” he asked softly.
Livwz, Makarolo, and Bud exchanged glances, their faces slightly flushed; of course, they knew how could they not? They just had forgotten.
“Yes,” Brendel nodded: “This is the source of all your beliefs, the essence of the noble spirit of Erluin, made by your benevolent and wise monarch, the first king of the kingdom, His Majesty Eke, under the Lionheart Sword. Do you remember what he said? If one day the nobles of Erluin forget their responsibilities, then this sword will return from whence it came, no longer guarding this country.”
“Do you remember?”
“You don’t remember, do you—”
“How unfortunate.”
Brendel sighed lightly, casting his gaze toward the forest.
The afternoon sunlight broke through the forest, and at this moment, the Southlands’ forest seemed for the first time to be so peacefully tranquil—
…
(PS: Regarding some students feeling the plot is drawn out, I will take note and pick up the pace.) (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit, for more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!)
