Chapter 366: Act 125 – Bud
But what does a small noble from Erluin have to do with a Druid?
Veronika found it hard to comprehend, gently shaking her head as she replied coldly, “This is the feud between Cruz and Erluin; I hope you won’t interfere.”
As soon as the commander of the Azure Sky Legion spoke, the atmosphere turned cold.
“Personal grudge?” The Druid frowned and shook his head, “I don’t care what grievances you have, nor any reasons; you are not allowed to strike at him here.”
He paused, “However, for the sake of the friendship of the Flame King, we can overlook what happened before. But if the Cruz Empire thinks it can act with arrogance here, don’t blame us for being impolite.”
“Impolite?” Veronika snorted, “What do you plan to do, be impolite?” Her tone was frosty; even if all three of the great Druids of the Green Tower joined forces, they might not be her match.
“So, Commander Veronika, you insist on provoking a war?”
War. The black-haired boy beside them raised his eyebrows at the mention; a war with the Druids was no small matter and could very well be a holy war.
Faina looked at them in disbelief, her eyes widening, “Are you planning to go to war with the Cruz for an Erluin person?”
“No,” the Druids shook their heads, “You misunderstood; it’s for our most respected guest.”
Most respected guest.
What kind of title is that?
Aside from Erlandta, it seems the Druids have never referred to outsiders in such a manner. When did they have such close ties with the outside world?
Everyone exchanged confused glances, curious and suspicious looks focusing on Brendel.
This statement caused Veronika to fall silent; the Druids might be serious. She had to take a step back and replied, “Alright, then what about this young boy who hurt my people?”
“Hurt someone? What happened?” the Druid elder turned to Brendel.
“Let their people speak,” Brendel pointed to Faina, bound tightly, and said generously. However, he wasn’t being truly generous; the Druids understood the situation as soon as they saw the noble girl entangled in thorns.
In the peaceful barrier, the first one to strike would be subjected to an attack that would hinder movement. Though some might ignore it, not everyone had Veronika’s strength.
Veronika clearly realized this and inwardly cursed that little fox. Yet, to be fair, she found some admiration for the young man—calm, clever, and not overly aggressive, and, most importantly, possessing outstanding talent.
She couldn’t help but take another look at Brendel, thinking how great it would be if this young man were a Cruz.
“Faina, you speak,” she glanced at the tightly bound girl.
The female commander of the Azure Sky Legion thought that since things had progressed this far, there was no need to hide anything. She was aware of the whole situation but had to represent the empire’s dignity here.
Brendel initially thought that this ill-tempered noble lady would exaggerate the whole event to gain sympathy, which would have played into his hands. However, he was quite surprised that she didn’t lie but simply described the matter with indignation.
As she spoke, she raised her sharp eyebrows at Brendel as if to say—such a small matter doesn’t warrant lies from me—commoner!
Of course, wherever Brendel was mentioned, she criticized the young lord from Erluin harshly, calling him a bumpkin from Erluin, an impolite fellow, a man lacking discernment, driving Brendel’s temples to throb.
However, once the Druids learned the details, matters were soon resolved. The people of the Cruz Empire were indeed in the wrong, and after the later scuffle, they gained no advantage. Thus, the knights of the empire had to carry the injured Earl Carlan and leave in defeat, only to feel like those knights from the Highland Legion lowering their heads and leaving a sorrowful place after a devastating defeat against the Hazell people a century ago, the white tassels on their helmets drooping weakly on their shoulder plates.
However, it must be noted that since that catastrophic defeat over a century ago, the empire had never suffered such humiliation outside its borders. Even Commander Veronika couldn’t salvage their dignity here.
The knights couldn’t help but glance resentfully at the young lord from Erluin—everything was because of that young man, that damned Erluin.
Veronika also looked at Brendel, “I remember you, young man.”
“The Cruz Empire will remember me,” Brendel sheathed his sword and replied calmly while looking at the commander.
“Are you a noble?” the female commander asked again.
Brendel nodded.
“A lord?”
“Pioneer Knight.” Although this woman was tough, she was a true hero and half a mentor to Ferei—thus, Brendel looked at her seriously and replied.
Veronika fell silent.
“It seems,” she regarded him, “that Erluin will have a legend.”
Brendel didn’t respond.
“Young man, I ask you,” Veronika said, her tone softening a bit, “Would you like to join Cruz and become a knight of the Cruz Empire? I can give you everything you want—”
Brendel smiled; it was surprising that a legendary figure would admire him so, “Thank you,” he replied, “but I am from Erluin.”
Veronika glanced at him one last time before nodding. She turned and patted the noble girl, who had just barely escaped the thorns with the Druids’ help, on the shoulder, “Let’s go.”
“Wait, wait a minute,” the young girl’s delicate eyebrows shot up as her golden hair in twin ponytails swiveled around in surprise pointing at Brendel, “The Stone Key, just letting it go to that rude guy?”
Veronika shot her an irritated glare, “Is it not humiliating enough?”
“But, but—” the girl was startled and lowered her head, muttering, “That’s a necessary tool for my job change exam?”
“Let’s go, I will have a good talk with your grandmother about your upbringing when we return.” Veronika sighed, shook her head, and walked ahead.
“Ah—!” The girl’s face changed upon hearing this, and she hurriedly picked up the hem of her skirt, sprinting after her pleading, “Commander, this, this isn’t my fault; it’s all that guy’s rudeness, isn’t it…”
Brendel watched as they walked away, sheathing Sacred Sword Technique. Then he heard Antinna and Xi approaching from behind. The noble lady from Bruglas looked at him, saying somewhat weakly, “My lord, you have offended the Cruz Empire again this time.”
She sighed.
“It still counts as worthwhile,” Brendel opened his left hand and looked at the Stone Key in his palm as he replied.
“Worthwhile? My lord, do you know who that woman is?”
“Veronika,” Brendel nodded, “I know her.”
“Then how could you dare antagonize her!” Antinna asked irritably, suddenly getting angry, “My lord, when will you stop doing things that make me worry so much?”
Brendel was taken aback and turned to look at the noble lady—Antinna was looking at him with concern.
“You just scared me…” Antinna finally sighed, taking a long, deep breath as if she had finally found her peace.
“I’m sorry.”
Brendel felt warmth in his heart as he replied sincerely.
“Please don’t keep saying sorry.” The noble girl retorted displeasedly.
“I’m sorry.”
This time, Brendel smiled.
However, the earlier departure of the Cruz Empire knights relieved the young lord greatly. At least he confirmed that no one would stay behind to contest the Stone Key with him. The Cruz Empire had vast financial resources; should that young lady insist on staying to save face, Brendel realized he would truly be in a difficult situation.
On one hand, the Stone Key was very important to him, but on the other, he was unwilling to bear excessive unnecessary expenses; after all, he wasn’t as wealthy as the Empire of Eagles; Toniger was still relatively impoverished.
Eventually, without any competitors, Brendel traded two Flame Pattern Agates for the Stone Key. The centaur boss naturally thought he made a great profit; he even believed the Cruz people brought him good luck; otherwise, this big spender wouldn’t have been willing to pay so much.
And Brendel also believed he got quite a bargain—putting aside offending the Cruz Empire.
Thus, this result could be termed as a win-win for all, of course, except for the Cruz Empire.
Little did anyone know, as the conflict occurring in the Green Tower market wrapped up without a victor that afternoon, not far from the market, two pairs of eyes witnessed the entire conflict unfold.
Two pairs with silver pupils, filled with experience and wisdom.
…
The Silver Sparrow Tavern is located between the ancient trees named ‘Audra’ (Elder in Treantspeak) and ‘Tassal’ (Evergreen in Treantspeak), constructed like a bird’s nest from branches. Although it appears strangely peculiar on the outside, the interior is inviting and warm.
The tavern’s main feature consists of a circular wooden promenade, aside from the lush verdant vines hanging from the ceiling; it hovers in midair, just like the ‘Centaur Hoof’ market in the Green Tower.
However, while the ‘Centaur Hoof’ market is constructed by the fiery-centaur personality and overflows with their rugged style, the tavern’s owner is a genuine Treant, thus the tavern’s aesthetics deeply reflect the fine and mysterious beauty of the elves.
In a seat close to the west, one can see the ‘Centaur Hoof’ market not far outside through a round window. Among the twelve great mages of Bud, the silver leader, and the recorder of all magic—a venerable old man clad in silver robes, with a white beard nearly dragging on the ground—was drawing back his gaze.
“That girl seems to be from the Cruz Empire,” the elder spoke.
“Veronika, commander of the Azure Sky Legion,” another elder sitting opposite replied.
“Of course, the Lionheart Sword is their legacy, no wonder they dispatched people in such a hurry; however, Gilt’s descendants seem to be weakening.”
“Then how about you, William?”
“Me? Eke was a close friend of mine; his sword has manifested, so naturally, I must come to see the one he chose—”
The elder smiled, “They say the mages of Bud are cold and unfeeling; seems that’s not entirely true.”
“I wish I could be so, wanting nothing but time and knowledge. But no one can transcend this corporeal shell, not even the silver race.”
“What about the undead of Madara?”
“That bunch of skeletons can’t stir up any storm; however, there have been some peculiar happenings lately.”
“What’s going on?”
“It seems the Silver Candle Society’s surveillance over the Dark Borders has been interrupted; that dark kingdom appears to be undergoing some changes; in the stargazers’ prophecy, a force seems to be emerging from the east, but whether it’s related to this matter, I do not know.”
“A new empire is about to be born?”
“Perhaps not just one.”
“Speaking of that young man, isn’t he from your Erluin?” the elder in the silver robe remarked, “Interesting.”
“Yes, I seem to have seen him there before.”
“Oh?”
“And I noticed that young man had a magical mark on him, which he seemed to overlook; that mark bears a familiar aura to me.”
“Whose?”
“It seems to be that of a rather disobedient girl—” the elder’s face revealed a strange expression.
…
(PS: A free chapter will be released shortly, providing information on the protagonist’s attributes. I nearly died preparing this attribute table, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone in the group for their help; tears of gratitude… (To be continued. For further developments, please log in for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)
