Chapter 527: Act 275 – Beneath the Night Sky
There are no impenetrable walls in this world, and within just three short days, word of the duel at the Grand Temple of Ant浮ler had spread through the circles of nobility and then to the common folk. One combatant was Anlek, a renowned swordsman, who had been defeated by a mysterious youth. By the time the bards had woven this tale into a story, Brendel had already become renowned as the most outstanding figure of Erluin’s new generation.
At least within Ampere Seale these past few days, his fame had almost reached the level of the recognized elite young nobles of Erluin. Everyone was guessing about his identity, though only a few knew that High Priest Wood had personally presided over a ceremony for him. This person must have an extraordinary background, and soon all the major and minor powers in Ampere Seale grew interested. Even the future Regent Princess dispatched people to investigate Brendel’s origins.
Especially after learning the truth from her close friend Margadale—
Anlek of the Siphai family was no exception. The roads of Ampere Seale were suddenly filled with people of all kinds, causing chaos. Fortunately, the common citizens had long been accustomed to the nervous behavior of the nobility at the slightest incident during this period. People consoled themselves, saying that as long as white sails still filled the harbor of Ampere Seale and the Grand Temple of Ant浮ler still stood, the port would not decline.
The bells of the temple were the explanation of this statement, ringing day after day, undisturbed, echoing across the gray-white port city.
Amidst this unrest, Brendel himself managed his days in Ampere Seale with order. As he had foreseen, as long as the Grand High Priest of Ant浮ler’s temple did not speak, no one would come looking for him. Over the past week, through Margadale’s introduction, he met the host of the auction, Earl Donal. The latter was very interested in a painting of Princess Darkshine that he had mentioned he was selling. However, Brendel—or rather the Business Lady—knowing the psychology of her peers, politely smiled without displaying the item, instead suggesting that he would bring the artwork in a few days for Donal to authenticate its genuineness.
It was hilarious to watch Lord Donal squirm anxiously and deal with Little Romain with composure, her eyes darting around. Even this seasoned businessman and nobleman could not help but admit defeat, praising their Business Lady as a natural talent in business.
This was truly unexpected for Brendel.
He knew that Romain had a talent for business, but this young lady’s brain was often unclear—or rather, operated on a different logic—and she had not had many opportunities to deal with peers before—lacking experience. In short, theorizing was different from actual operation, and even more so when dealing with people. To be honest, before bringing her along, he was wondering if the little darling might get stage fright.
“How was it, Brendel?” As they walked out of Lord Donal’s residence, Little Romain lifted her little face, staring at him with pride—her slim, elongated neck supporting her beautiful head, her dark brown hair done up, and wearing the black evening gown that Brendel had bought her in Bruglas, accentuating her neck and shoulder lines like shining snow. She wore a ruby necklace that gleamed like flame and blood, matching the confident and proud aura exuding from this Business Lady.
Brendel could fully understand her pride because he loved her, and her joy made him feel a little flutter in his heart.
“Hmm.” Brendel nodded instinctively: “Surprising, Little Romain, you performed better than I expected. I didn’t expect the old gentleman to praise you so highly; he is someone with considerable standing in this city…” Brendel suddenly realized that Little Romain’s opponent was not ordinary. The story of Donal’s life was another tale of a genius, a man who was the first in Ampere Seale to be honored as a noble solely based on his business accomplishments.
“The old man’s praise is excessive.” Romain raised her willow-leaf-like eyebrows high, answering in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Hmm?”
Brendel turned around—he rarely saw this Business Lady being modest. Even when she was in Buche, she had always had aspirations higher than the sky. She never hesitated in front of anyone, as if she was destined to be someone who controlled the situation.
“Desires create weaknesses,” Little Romain answered in an obscure tone, but revealed her true feelings in the latter part: “Aunt said so, besides, if someone uses Brendel and Little Romain in transactions, Romain would also be troubled.”
The first half sounded like a valid sentence, but as Brendel listened on, it grew increasingly absurd. He pinched the little girl’s face with one hand, “Don’t talk seriously about something ridiculous like trading your fiancé.”
“Ow…Brendel you…oww… let go…” Their Business Lady immediately lifted her eyebrows high, her little face distorted by Brendel’s pulling.
The Princess Priest Margadale nearby watched them with a strange look on her face. For some reason, she felt envious and finally managed to say a proper line: “Your relationship is really good…”
Brendel smiled faintly, released Little Romain, and looked at the silver moonlight shining upon Ampere Seale.
In the following days, news of the heavy conflict in the north finally spread. The Crusians had already advanced their cavalry to the Sword Castle, and the threat from the Lionmen of Toquinin seemed to have turned real overnight. The word ‘Holy War’ quickly replaced young swordsmen as the hottest topic among the citizens of Ampere Seale. Even the air seemed to contain a heavy atmosphere of conspiracy. The Ant浮ler Grand Temple was about to hand over its leadership, and the temple became busier.
On the other hand, after meeting with the Eagle Dejyar near Lord Julian, Brendel sensed a hidden crisis. He entrusted Sue and the bloodline followers under Andrigraphis to gather intelligence—vampires are creatures living in the shadows, secrecy reconnaissance is one of their specialties. Madara had sent vampires to mingle among the humans to obtain intelligence several times, and now Brendel was just following their example. However, the news provided by Medephis and Andrigraphis only intensified his suspicions. It was said that Anlek was staying in a castle to the south of Ampere Seale. The fortress’s defenses were so strict it resembled a royal capital.
Brendel was well aware of Anlek’s nature, an old sly character. If he were so cautious, it surely suggested some sort of conspiracy. Unfortunately, the vampire’s reconnaissance failed to breach the castle’s defenses. This information made Brendel feel a sense of urgency. He wanted to meet with Princess Grifian to warn her in advance, but the manor where the princess was staying was also heavily guarded. Otherwise, he might have attempted an infiltration.
The peace conference of the nobles was approaching, and finally, Brendel had to set aside his suspicions about Anlek. On the other hand, every day, High Priest Wood sent confidants to report on the movements of the temple and the nobility—but these pieces of information seemed superficial. Brendel could obtain similar information by mobilizing his own people. However, the High Priest’s actions saved him a lot of time and, in another way, assured him of the temple’s movements. Moreover, High Priest Wood was still managing the daily affairs of the Ant浮ler Grand Temple—just this fact conveyed a substantial amount of information.
After calming down, Brendel had to confront his biggest trouble—how to infiltrate the nobles’ peace conference that he must resolve. He would not ask for High Priest Wood’s help, given the significant stakes and potential for leaving incriminating traces. It is certain that the High Priest would not agree, and Brendel himself also did not want to trouble the Temple of Fire.
He thought over and over again, and the only relatively reliable news at the moment was what Sue had brought back a week ago.
Of course, that wasn’t actually a reliable piece of information either.
…
Mid-Rebirth, two days before the nobles’ peace conference—
Ampere Seale was facing the sea to the west, with the Shackleo Sea Strait bisecting the narrow peninsula. Salty seawater carved out a white trail beneath the cliffs, incessantly crashing onto the dark brown rocks. Geographically, Ampere Seale was located at the northern end of the Anseli Mountains (Anlek Mountains). Being the place where the mountains met the sea, this area gathers sea winds and currents, with a humid climate. Cloudy mountain slopes, and abundant precipitation, resulting in a forest-covered landscape. East of this port city sprawls expanses of woodland, with black pines and Anlek hazelnuts densely covering the wilderness.
Silver Elf Princess Medisa was hiding in the bushes, her silver-gray battle robe covering her petite body drenched with dew that had gathered after nightfall. Unable to suppress it, she coughed softly twice; her eyes peered through the forest at the waist of the mountain, gazing at the brightly lit town in the darkness not far away.
There were a few estates in the town. This place was about ten li away from the great Ampere Seale, and could be considered a place depending on the harbor city. There were many such towns around Ampere Seale.
“Is this the place, Sue?”
She tapped the map on the stump with her knuckles and turned to ask.
Under the glow of the lanterns, the young Sue’s eyes shone brightly but lacked expression, as if answering this question was as mundane as recitation. Nonetheless, she did so meticulously. Her glance also fell upon the town below, which she had ordered her subordinates to reconfirm several times over the past few days. There was no mistaking it.
The young silver elf princess had never doubted her companion. Having heard this response, she turned and softly called into the gloomy recesses of the forest: “Lord.”
An immediate hiss came from the bushes.
“Wait, sss…”
…
