Chapter 235: Act 2 – The Letter (II) (Double Monthly Votes Requested, Outburst Tomorrow)
“Silver Elf?” Brendel turned slightly, resting his chin on one hand. “Of course, but the friendship with the People of Silver is one of my last trump cards. I will avoid playing it until the last moment.” He asked, “Is there anything else?”
Antinna noticed the lightly yellowed parchment paper beneath the young lord’s pen—other than sheepskin and papyrus, Duke Toniger’s paper mostly came from a type of ‘paper tree’ in the Golan-Elsen region of the south. The locals referred to this tree as ‘Duwijin,’ meaning the tree that produces gold. These papers were primarily shipped to Ampere Seale, Siphai, or Corvado, the prosperous provinces. However, this trade relationship had unilaterally broken down due to the imminent risk of civil war—this made the young girl blink, recalling the current situation. “My lord,” she raised her head, “do you wish to—?” At this point, she suddenly furrowed her brows: “But even if the princess’s side is weak, they may not even look favorably upon us. Besides, the royalists clearly would be more reluctant to offend Count Rendener than us.”
“You hit the nail on the head, Antinna,” Brendel folded the second sheet of paper and ‘crumpled’ it into a ball. “But what if instead of leveraging strength, we instead remove it? What then?” As he spoke, he tossed the paper ball away.
“Remove strength?”
“This letter is indeed addressed to Her Highness Princess Grifian Corvado Odrefice,” Brendel replied, “the significance lies in finding a glimmer of respite beneath the suffocating pressure,” he turned the pen point and slid the quill and parchment toward the noble girl, “you write.”
“A letter to Her Highness?” Antinna took the paper and quill, inhaling softly, the tip of her pen pressing against the paper: “How should I write it?”
“The format is up to you, but the content should be as follows,” Brendel snapped his fingers, “17th day of the Autumn Twilight Month, written in Duke Toniger’s territory—hereby addressed to Her Highness Princess Grifian Corvado Odrefice. In the battle the night before yesterday, the Undead Army led by ‘Black Duke’ Instalung flanked the southern four territories, launching a surprise attack on Cold Fir Castle—causing significant casualties, and during the battle, Lord Grudin also perished fighting for his country. As a recipient of hospitality from Lord Grudin as a passing party, a Pioneer Knight of the kingdom, and as a dual authority of the lord of the Valhalla region, I believe it is my duty to temporarily undertake the local defense work. After a night of battle, the Undead have been repelled, but to prevent a renewed invasion, I shall temporarily take charge of the local defense and administrative work starting today,” he paused, “until a new lord appointed by Her Highness arrives—”
Brendel observed the noble girls diligently writing, the sounds of the pen scratching against the paper resonating like whispers in his ears.
“Continue,” he said, “and I hereby question Count Rendener about his responsibilities—why he has concealed the news of the Undead Army’s presence from Instalung in the Southlands, as well as his dereliction of duty in allowing the army of Madara to silently cross the four territories. Furthermore, I hope for Her Highness’s understanding and will eventually enclose a magic stone that records battlefield images as evidence of my claims.”
Antinna raised her head slightly astonished, “Magic stone?” she asked, “Where did this come from?”
As her words fell, a ‘knock, knock, knock’ sounded from outside the door—
The young lord raised his head in response, and the door opened. In walked Flour, the elder sister among the wild elf siblings—the girl looked up at the two inside the room, then walked to Brendel’s side. “My lord,” she replied straightforwardly, placing a gray-white stone ball covered in intricate patterns beside him, “the item you requested.” The elf lady today was wearing a fitted leather armor, paired with simple short attire, her fine golden braids tied back; she appeared natural and competent.
“Is it checked?” Brendel asked.
Flour nodded.
Antinna recognized the ‘magic stone’ Flour held—the product of magical craftsmanship by the wizards of Bud, which could record and transmit images. In fact, even before the establishment of the Silver League, the wizard craftsmen had discovered a type of quartz that could record images for a short duration (typically one or two days), but the People of Silver incorporated it into a magic formation, thereby creating the ‘magic stone,’ which could preserve information for decades; magic stones are not rare, but the noble girl scrutinized the young man’s expression—”My lord was prepared for all of this even before yesterday,” she thought, “though impulsive, he is not reckless…”
Brendel secured the stone ball before addressing Antinna: “With this letter, it remains to see how Her Highness Princess Grifian Corvado Odrefice will react, but Her Highness is an intelligent person; I believe she will make good use of this opportunity.”
“You are quite familiar with Her Highness?” The noble girl keenly grasped the crux of the matter, “My lord?”
“A girl who can leave the turbulent Corvado alone and sneak back to her territory, using the royalists’ power against her own brother—a mindset that mature and determined enough?” Brendel replied, turning back, “Antinna, let’s not forget she is only just over sixteen this year,” he paused, “to say the least, those around her won’t be blind or deaf; the royalists who have experienced court struggles would certainly not miss the meaning behind this letter.”
He took the letter from Antinna’s hands and flicked it, causing it to rustle. “Count Rendener is the type of person to play both sides, swaying between the local factions of old and new royalists; each side would welcome the appearance of a variable like us to apply pressure on him,” Brendel continued. “Thus, the letter’s key does not lie in whether what is written is true, but how true it can seem. The royalists receiving this letter serves as an opportunity to compel Count Rendener to take a stand—”
“In a vulnerable position, choosing to become a pawn is certainly a good strategy,” Antinna frowned, “but once Count Rendener sides entirely with the royalists, we would become pawns to be discarded—”
“Not so simple,” the young lord shook his head, “Count Rendener is an old fox, naturally cautious; how could he easily be manipulated by one side? His indecisive nature means that once pressured, his anger would replace his vigilance. In that case, at least temporarily, our pressure would ease. Looking at it long-term, as long as we have a moment to catch our breath, there is a chance for us—” he raised the letter, replying, “Ultimately, strength determines one’s fate.”
The noble girl glanced at him but soon lowered her gaze. Brendel privately told them he was just a Pioneer Knight, but how could a mere Pioneer Knight know such deep secrets? Understanding the familial traditions of the nobility and their character could only be accomplished by those who received specialized education. Even as the young man’s mysteries were unraveling one by one, Antinna increasingly believed that he must have a story.
Not just her; most likely, those who followed Brendel thought so too.
“But we killed his son,” the wild elf girl said, somewhat confused, “and that’s it?”
“For an old noble, in comparison to status and power, offspring are nothing,” Antinna answered quietly, “Grudin is not Count Rendener’s only heir; however, out of family honor, he will not let it rest easily. Sooner or later, we will have to face Count Rendener’s army.”
Brendel nodded in agreement with the noble girl’s words. “Even pawns must hold value to exist,” he answered, “we need to show Her Highness that we can apply pressure on Count Rendener; if we lack the ability to stand firm, no one will invest in us as a risk.”
“Investment risk?”
“Like a gambler placing a bet,” Brendel explained, “a good gambler does not simply believe in luck.”
The two girls nodded, indicating their understanding. But Brendel set down the letter, opened a drawer, and took out another letter, then said to Antinna: “Additionally, Antinna, copy this letter again.”
The noble girl was startled.
“This letter is for Retao and the others; we must inevitably face Grudin’s retainers and Count Rendener,” the young lord replied. “Currently, the only ally I can rely on are those mercenaries outside, and whether they can be trusted is still uncertain.” He glanced at the door, “You know I do not like to rely on uncertainties; thus, I need them to abandon their original plans and come here to meet me.”
Antinna opened the letter, reading its contents, a flicker of surprise passing through her eyes. She thought for a moment and suddenly looked up to ask: “What do you plan to do with those people from Viridien Village?”
This was also something Brendel had been contemplating. He could see that those werewolves were willing to follow him, but their low status held them back from speaking out. However, he did not mind this point; there were over three hundred people in Viridien Village, and due to their inherent physical traits and survival in the harsh environment of the Black Forest, a large portion of them were of black iron level strength. Setting aside other factors, this already counted as a strong reinforcement. Therefore, he pondered, “Erluins may not readily accept the Sainya people,” he answered, “The only way is to let them return to Viridien Village for the time being. When I find that place, it will require a large population—”
“That place?” Both girls were taken aback.
“A fantasy land called Valhalla; you will understand soon enough,” Brendel tapped on the table with his finger, “By the way, what’s the situation with those Druids? I haven’t asked you yet, Antinna.”
“That was just a coincidence,” Antinna answered, “I didn’t expect the villagers from Viridien Village would come when I urged them. But I think—”
She looked up at Brendel.
“They came looking for Funiya.”
“Funiya?”
Brendel frowned slightly.
(pS: Almost sorted out, outburst tomorrow. Double monthly votes requested; I found many have been pushed down. Continue to ask for subscriptions and recommendations.) (To be continued. For more chapters, please log in, support the author, and enjoy the authentic reading experience!)
