Chapter 726: Act 84 – The Ball of Yore V
“Nemeses, sob sob…” Brendel quietly covered the prince’s mouth, turning to look at the woman beneath the coach: her long, ebony hair contrasted with her snow-white skin, her lips angular and as red as rubies, curling into a smile, with ink-black pupils, her figure perfectly wrapped in a fire-red wizard’s leather armor.
That uniquely warm smile was so familiar to Brendel, as if it had risen from some long-sealed memory, stirring up ripples, and that familiar face reappeared before him.
Brendel felt close to tears.
“What’s your ID? Is this your first time playing the game?”
“Join my team, Sue.”
“How adorable! You’re using your real name in the game.”
“My name is Bai Jia, and I’m your senior. Haha, I didn’t expect our academy to have such a cute younger boy.”
Brendel felt like a massive whirlpool was stirring within him, but he took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions. “I am indeed Viscount Kartel, and you are?” He could almost feel his hands trembling, knowing that what was before him was a memory long turned to dust, yet he couldn’t help but want to inquire about her well-being.
Even a single word of greeting would suffice. That senior from another world, forever beyond his reach.
“Hello, Sir Viscount. We are the mercenary group ‘Crimson Wanderers’. You’ve heard of us, right? Today, we are in charge of the security outside the Golden Tower Palace. You can call me Bai Jia.” Bai Jia introduced herself with a faint smile.
But the past had long since faded. What he was seeing was an event that had already transpired. Back then, his senior, still optimistic and cheerful. The Crimson Wanderers, originally signifying those who forever ventured towards the setting sun, had once promised to traverse the Black Forest to discover what lay beyond.
But everyone’s fate ultimately became intricately tied to the kingdom’s sorrow.
On that very night, the warm lights of Mensterlos shone just as they did today, and he had stood before this gate alongside Senior Bai Jia. But now, only she remained within the confines of his memory. Beyond that, Mensterlos in his recollection was reduced to a palace ablaze in a sea of fire, a team that had once felt like home now shattered.
Brendel nodded at Bai Jia: “I know you; you are the Wanderers.”
Though adventurers also existed among the native population, NPCs often referred to players simply as travelers. This term was quite fitting, for players were merely passersby in Vaunte; although they participated, everything that happened in this world had little lasting connection to them.
“Whoa, this NPC is quite interesting, Sister Bai Jia,” a voice interjected. A girl with tanned skin, short hair, and wearing dragon scale armor, hefting a large sword, appeared from nowhere, looking curiously at Brendel.
Players were indeed fearless, but Brendel couldn’t help but smile wryly, noting that he had been referred to as an NPC.
“Ah! I’m sorry! I know, I was rude saying that, Sister Bai Jia. Let me apologize to him first, Sir Viscount, I’m really sorry.” The girl said unabashedly, “But I might say something like that again next time. I can never remember, so I’m sorry!”
“Not at all, I know your character, Miss Hongcha,” Brendel responded with a slight smile—having a conversation with someone familiar from his memory was quite amusing.
Hongcha was taken aback, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise: “Wow, I didn’t know I was this famous!” She turned to Bai Jia, exclaiming excitedly, “Sister, did you see that? I’m a recognized person too! All that time grinding reputation really wasn’t in vain!”
Brendel shook his head. Hongcha was the second-in-command of the group, a real go-getter; of course, that was a euphemistic way of putting it. To be more blunt, she was someone who acted without thinking.
Bai Jia smiled gently: “Alright, the princess has been waiting for a while, Sir Viscount.”
“The princess?”
“And Miss Bethyl as well. The princess has prepared a private banquet for you. I’ll have Hongcha take you there directly,” Bai Jia explained.
Brendel understood that Princess Grifian could not possibly recognize Viscount Kartel and Miss Bethyl, as the nameless one should have perished long ago, and the assassination incident involving Princess Grifian wouldn’t occur until the end of the First Era, meaning that the princess would naturally have no connection with this viscount. The only possibility was that Kartel’s dream and his dream had intersected once more, as history was full of coincidences. This meant that this viscount might have experienced a similar scene.
Perhaps he had once served as a confidant to a certain princess in a previous dynasty of Erluin, or to a princess from a neighboring principality, assassinated for carrying information regarding the safety of the princess. Perhaps his regret stemmed from a failed mission.
Brendel let his imagination soar: but what did this have to do with his fiancée? Why did he choose Haruz as the completer of this dream, when there were better options within the group?
Anticipating the upcoming private banquet, Brendel followed Hongcha through the Golden Tower Palace of Mensterlos. Princess Grifian’s residence was near a garden deep within the Golden Tower Palace. Since returning from the Anlek Province to Corvado, she had been living alone here.
The Golden Tower Palace had long since fallen into disrepair following the civil war; in the vast palace, very few figures could be seen, with only a few lady officials hurriedly passing by. Hongcha chatted animatedly along the way, and Brendel conversed with her now and then, so it didn’t feel desolate. In his previous life, he had a good relationship with Hongcha, intentionally matching her personality in conversation, causing her to exclaim that there were NPCs who understood players so well.
The private banquet was held in the garden, and the three quickly arrived at the site. Hongcha, naturally not qualified to participate in such an NPC gathering, bid farewell. Watching her leave made Brendel feel a pang of nostalgia, remembering a time when he too was part of such gatherings.
But this dream felt so real; every detail came from his heart.
Finally, Brendel led the younger prince toward the garden, turning past a low fence of roses, and soon spotted a figure in the pavilion.
When Brendel caught sight of that figure, he couldn’t help but feel a slight stir within him.
This was the twenty-second year of Princess Grifian’s reign. The long princess had shed the youthful innocence of her past and now radiated the nobility and elegance befitting her status. Standing there, she resembled a rose carved from ice, her slightly lifted chin symbolizing a kind of royal pride, her originally bright eyes elongated, their steadfastness transformed into mystery and wisdom; unchanging was her long silver hair still cascading over her beloved silver gown.
She was considerably taller than the young princess Brendel had met before, her forehead nearly reaching his nose, no longer needing to look up to meet his gaze.
If the Grifian princess during the First Black Rose War had still been an innocent girl, she now stood as a captivating mature woman, exuding an air of commanding beauty—high above, serene and poised.
Before noticing Brendel and Haruz, this long princess—technically half-queen of Erluin—was lost in thought. Her most trusted lady-in-waiting stood behind her, signaling Brendel and Haruz to halt.
Only then did Princess Grifian lift her head.
One thing remained unchanged about her: the bright and sharp light in her eyes, signifying her resolve, which others might describe as stubbornness. Even until the very end of her life, she had never wavered.
Under that gaze, Haruz, who had originally put his hand on Brendel’s, couldn’t help but nervously tighten his grip. The ‘little prince’ lowered his head fearfully, instinctively whispering: “Sister, sister…”
As if by some instinct of their bloodline, even though Princess Grifian had changed so much, Haruz immediately recognized this unfamiliar yet familiar figure as his sister. Although he didn’t understand why his sister had become like this. It felt as if years had passed instantly; her gaze had become more unapproachable to him.
Brendel broke into a cold sweat at the sound of Haruz’s voice. He had thought this prince would at least be a little braver, but unexpectedly, upon seeing his sister, he reverted to his timid self.
“Little sister, Sir Viscount, you have arrived,” the princess said, nodding lightly to them. Her voice was soft, resembling the distant song of a sprite.
Brendel paused for a moment before responding. ‘The Nameless One recalls fragments of their troubled past through similar scenes in others’ dreams.’ In this dream, Bethyl was Princess Grifian’s sister, indicating that Viscount Kartel’s fiancée was likely also a princess—this viscount gradually pieced together some memories.
No wonder he chose Haruz. Given Haruz’s connection to Princess Grifian in his dreams, it indeed matched his memories closely.
“Doesn’t this guy have any sense of gender relations?” Brendel couldn’t help but scoff.
“Sir Viscount, today I took a risk in inviting you here with Bethyl. You should understand my intention, right?” Princess Grifian began again.
“Hmm?”
Brendel looked questioningly at the long princess; her words left him puzzled. But thankfully, he knew this was not entirely his memory; the one controlling the dream is Viscount Kartel, meaning this dream could be both familiar and strange to him.
With this psychological preparation, Brendel felt much calmer.
“Duke Anlek will also be coming tonight—”
……
(PS: I’ll update one chapter first; resuming updates. The plot is a bit tangential, but after discussing with your Lord Nicole, I finally found some direction. Sob.) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
