Chapter 29: Act 21 – Divide into Three Routes
Brendel’s thoughts raced; he wished he had some reconnaissance ability, like Eagle Eye, Moment’s Forewarning, Undead Sight, or any detection skills. But as he thought of reconnaissance, he suddenly had a realization. That’s right, it was that—
He couldn’t help but clench his hand and then release it to relax himself.
“Because right now the Knife River bank is virtually undefended, with at most one squad of undead stationed there, why shouldn’t I break through in that direction?”
The first reactions of everyone were almost unanimous:
“What? Is that true?”
“How is that possible!”
“How do you know?”
Brendel raised his hand to quiet everyone down. “Of course I know, Brensen, do you remember the half-broken statue you found in Qing Village?”
“That one that looks like a demon, heavy and solid?” Brensen suddenly recalled. That thing was found by Zeta and Leysen beneath a collapsed Kalidas shrine; they had discovered a knight’s trail nearby and started searching, which led them to that statue.
Brendel took out a black ebony statue from his pocket. “That’s called a gargoyle; I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s a basic war unit from Buche, and the wizards control it through this.”
He placed it in his palm for others to see. Most of the young guards had participated in the operation at Qing Village, and they immediately recognized this little thing as identical to that statue.
“Wait, are you saying you can control that thing?” someone asked.
“But can it move?”
“It has wings; can it fly?” asked Zeta, a scout in the back row, staring at Brendel.
“It can definitely fly, and it’s not any slower than a dragon. You all know our dragon knights, right? They hold a similar status to the gargoyles in Buche; they are the best scouts on the battlefield. I’ll use it to clear a path and avoid large undead armies.”
“I noticed yesterday morning that Madara’s advance to the north was having trouble; they had at least three squadrons stranded at Weibi, unable to promptly seal off the northern bank of the We family. And due to coordination issues among them, I think the two undead armies in front of us still aren’t aware of their comrades’ mistakes to the north.”
“But unfortunately, while I was conducting further reconnaissance, the stationing troops found the gargoyle and attacked it, resulting in damage. When I ordered it to return, it crashed in Qing Village—”
Just as Brendel was speaking, Freya suddenly reacted, “So that’s how it was. Brendel, at that time you said you had personal matters to attend to. No wonder you always managed to lead us away from danger. No wonder why you insisted on going to Qing Village despite heavy injuries; you wanted to repair that thing—why didn’t you tell us?”
Brendel was about to explain when the future Valkyrie bowed her head, “I’m sorry, Brendel, I was wrong. I was angry with you then, but I didn’t know you were thinking of everyone.”
Huh?
Brendel thought he was a genius for coming up with such a story on the spot. However, as Freya pieced everything together, it was hard to say whether he was too clever or Freya was too naive. Seeing her apologetic face made Brendel suddenly feel a bit embarrassed.
However, Freya’s words turned the previous skepticism into belief. Freya was the best militia member this round and had a good impression at Marden’s place; being a Buche person, she wouldn’t be lying to them.
Even Brensen couldn’t help but rub his temples and ask, “Can that thing still move?”
“Hard to say, I’ll try my best to see. I’ve re-established contact with it; the rest is just letting it recover slowly.” Brendel said casually, thinking that if it could move, he wouldn’t be wasting breath here talking to them.
A level 23 gargoyle; not even the current Rothko would be able to handle it without getting flustered.
Brensen clearly wasn’t satisfied with that answer, “You’re hopelessly foolish. Controlling a flying gargoyle would get noticed; having a scout in the skies would be much better.”
“Oh, so your ability is to evade responsibility? Do you think you’d stop fighting without me?” Brendel taunted.
“Hmph—”
“Alright, stop arguing; we still have to fight ourselves. But kid, we can be certain what you said is true. However, Madara’s vanguard is also glaring at us, and a few hundred people are not the same as just a few; do you really think we can get away?” Marden pondered for a moment before asking.
“Then that’s your responsibility, Captain Marden.”
“Well said—” The veteran from the November War couldn’t help but glance deeply at Brendel. He found it strange that this kid seemed to know what he would be thinking, as every time he spoke, it hit the spot. It was like wanting to sing a play and someone was already setting the stage for you. He couldn’t help but think that if this kid turned to be the king’s jester, he’d have a prosperous future ahead.
But God knows, Brendel knew his personality like the back of his hand.
Thinking of this, Marden stood up and solemnly commanded, “I order, Buche Guards to assemble here and prepare for the breakout plan!”
Everyone stood straight, and then the guard members immediately stood up in unison.
Then Marden turned back, “Zeta, go tell the villagers to gather the men. Now it’s time for Erluin’s men to protect their homeland and families—”
Zeta was stunned, turned back and said, “Captain?”
“What are you staring at? Did you become a coward in the end? I’m telling you—now is the time for you to fulfill your promises, Buche Guards! Before dawn, we will launch a breakout attack on Madara’s vanguard; I expect each one of you won’t survive, but that’s okay because the villagers of Buche will carry our bravery and tell everyone outside—we are not afraid of life and death and have done our duty.”
In Brendel’s eyes, this veteran’s gaze swept over every face, the expression grave: “My past commander often told me that dying to protect others and maintaining honor is a warrior’s destiny. I now pass this unchanged sentence to you; I hope you remember this honor—”
“So, go do what you must! Brensen, I want you to lead the remaining villagers to break through from Knife River bank. There is only one requirement; do you understand?”
“I understand.” A glimmer of determination crossed Brensen’s eyes, but he bowed his head to reply.
“Very good.” Marden nodded, “Kid, and Freya, both of you. I require you to join the Buche Guards immediately as militia members. Do you have any objections?”
Freya quickly shook her head.
But Brendel, under the watchful eyes of everyone, nodded, “I have an objection.”
Marden was taken aback, “Speak,” he couldn’t help but glance at Brendel, “But if it’s about being cowardly, you can roll out from here; the Buche Guards never accept weak, timid mice.”
Around them, a low laughter arose, but surprisingly, Brensen remained silent. Brendel turned to glance at him, a bit surprised, but his gaze fell on Romaine, recalling the words spoken by that merchant miss earlier.
“I’ve never seen them; it’s been my aunt beside me since I can remember. My aunt said, ‘Little Romaine, when you grow up, you must repay me well!'”
“So that’s why you want to become a merchant?”
“Mm.”
“That’s a strange thought.”
“It’s fine—”
Brendel smiled slightly in his heart, raising his head. “Captain Marden, your decision is fine from Buche’s perspective, but are you forgetting one issue?”
“What issue?” Marden was stunned, increasingly curious about this kid.
“The three towns of Buche, as a buffer zone on the frontline of Ridenburg, have always served as a watch post for Ridenburg. If we choose to leave now, what will be the fate of Ridenburg without any warnings? If that can be said to be fulfilling our duty, then I highly doubt it.”
Brendel spoke eloquently, but the expressions of others gradually changed. What he said was indeed correct; if it were just like that, they truly had not done their duty. If Madara lucked out and breached Ridenburg’s defenses, the Vanmire-Ridenburg defense system would likely become precarious.
With this, the entire Golan-Elsen region could fall under the blade of the Undead Army. The thought that one day, Madara might come to the gates of Bruglas made the young people momentarily speechless.
But what were they to do?
“We’ve tried our best.”
“Under the given circumstances, we can only do so much.”
“We’re not abandoning Ridenburg; it’s Ridenburg that has abandoned us!”
But Marden fixated his gaze on Brendel, knowing that this young man who dared to speak up must have a way.
“Yes, I just happen to know a way to break through to Ridenburg. Although the chances are slim, it’s better than nothing.” When Brendel said this, it felt like he was expelling the air from his chest with a heavy exhale.
He turned back to glance at Romaine—the future merchant miss was bowing her head, lost in thought, nervously gripping her bag.
“What route?”
“Zavier Mountain Path.”
Marden couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. Despite searching his memories, he unconsciously avoided this place. He wanted to remind Brendel, to ask if this young man knew the dangers there—this mountain path was located south of Beledor Forest, passing through the Pine River Valley, close to the border of Erluin and the Barbarian Forest.
Once across that valley to the south was the brink of civilization, an endless expanse of wilderness. Since the Year of Whispers (L.350), no one who entered that valley had ever come out alive.
It was said that there was a dragon in that valley—
He thought that launching an attack on Madara still held some desperation for survival, but sending people there would be like sending meat buns to dogs; he thought for a moment but found it hard to shake that deeply rooted idea from his mind.
“That’s a dead end, kid.” The veteran couldn’t help but shake his head.
“Fulfilling our duty doesn’t ask for perfection; it only asks for effort.” Brendel replied.
“But I can’t send my boys there to die; that would be irresponsible. A warrior should die honorably like a warrior.”
“It’s fine.” Brendel answered, “I’ll go.”
A thick silence fell.
“What? Say that again?” Marden was stunned.
“I’ll go.”
“Why? The responsibility of the Buche Guards has nothing to do with you, kid. If you just want to show off, you’d be better off joining us.” The veteran couldn’t help but ask.
“No, I’m not showing off.” Brendel looked back at Romaine, smiling slightly, “I have my reasons to go, and any other reasons are just incidental. So, little Romaine, would you be willing to come with me—”
“Brendel?”
Romaine was taken aback, raising her head with a look of surprise.
