Chapter 185 – The final moment (1)
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Fei Yan update:2022-07-25 14:23
Brendel contemplated the canyon’s shape one more time.
The places that one could hide near Hati’s pit mostly consisted of small boulders and gaps, and given how good at Andesha was tracking people, she would have encountered the person William was describing very quickly. If she did not murder the person immediately, then it was unlikely for them to be anyone good.
[Just who exactly could it be? Another member of the Tree Shepherds? Even if that person is not, he would probably be one of the bad guys. Bad news, in any case.]
“How much time do I have, Grandmaster William?” He asked.
The old wizard’s intelligent eyes studied the pit, while his hand opened a dimensional portal and took out a silver staff:
“Andesha seems to be stunned from discovering Hati. But she’s the Mistress of Withering Decay, and I believe she will recover from it very soon. You have a few minutes before she arrives.”
Brendel nodded; the Archmage was hinting to him to open the gate now. This place was not a good one to do battle with Andesha, and the youth was not sure how much William was going to help him.
He studied the rock gate closely. It was made with the hands of the Ancestral Citizens. The Great Craftsman, Delluha constructed it approximately thirteen thousand years ago, transcending many Laws and generations, standing quietly in this place with the mist giving it a mysterious air.
This bit of lore was written in the ancient chronicles.
The gate was carved with poems praising the light and fire in many different languages, and Brendel eventually discovered them on the dark obsidian walls. The letters were written majestically and gazing upon them made the youth feel breathless.
He touched the icy gate, and a blast of energy struck him, as though it was a message that came from thirteen thousand years ago.
The sounds of spears and swords filled the entire area. Murderous roars filled his ears, and a vivid picture of the ground stained with fresh blood assaulted his eyes. A bell high above the clouds rang out loudly, as though it was signaling the outcome of this unknown battle.
A pillar of green light pierced through the heavens, striking through the colossal dragon which had unfurled its wings and blotted out the sun’s rays.
Brendel gasped and shook his head, waking up from the illusion. A fragment of history that left him out of breath. Perspiration filled his forehead, and he glanced around to make sure he was not stuck in that timeline.
William smiled when he met Brendel’s gaze:
“Not many people know about that era. The Sky Knights sundered the empyrean to bring us to a new world, felled the Twilight Dragon and ended the generation of suffering. But at the same time, the races gradually forgot the meaning of glory.”
Brendel’s eyes squinted as he considered a speech.
[But the suffering hasn’t ended yet! The people in this era have never lost the meaning of glory. This world is always oppressing someone; heroes do not just exist in one’s memories, they are created whenever the era needs one—]
He would have declared so in the game.
A perfectly standard answer to call forth a new quest.
But the youth was afraid of something crazy happening. There was no need to repeat the situation where the Lionheart reacted to his nonsense again. This particular place was probably even more mystical than the sword, and there was no telling what would happen if he tried to make a grand speech.
Furthermore, he was way past the age of a hot-blooded teenager.
His eyes stayed on William for another second before he turned to Sifrid. Time was running out, and Andesha was probably moving past Hati by now.
“Sifrid, do you sense anything?”
“I hear a voice calling out to me, brother Brendel,” Sifrid said a little nervously.
She also went up to the gate, closed her eyes, and placed a white hand onto the ink-like rock. Her body shook.
“Is it saying anything?”
“The key within the gate, the radiance of starlight, heroic spirits of the past, the Lord who will guard Order.”
“These lines come from the Druids’ Poem of Brambles. This is probably a code of some sort. Did the Druids teach you about what the lines mean?”
“.…… No, I only learned ‘The Way of Nature’, brother Brendel.”
“They only taught you that?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault, these stubborn fools are really fond of wasting time. They didn’t even teach you about ‘The Great Split,” Brendel resisted the urge to call them names, “perhaps they have been spending too much of their time with the Elves and have picked up on their bad habits.”
“How much do you know about the Druids and the Elves?” William did not appear bothered by Andesha’s threat and asked curiously.
The youth kept on surprising him.
Brendel did not respond. His mind was quickly shuffling through the walkthrough and the lore about Valhalla from the forum posts. Despite his powerful memory, the urgent situation was interfering with his ability to recall them.
“No. Not this. Perhaps…… The key within the gate? Sifrid, repeat after me and tell the gate these few lines. I am the Daughter of the Forest, blessed by the Goddess and chosen by the Heroic Spirits, the wielder of the Forest and Mountains’ authority.”
Sifrid’s eyes popped out when she heard Brendel’s words. William was stroking his beard with narrowed eyes.
“Ah, I forgot, add in ‘Oh, Mighty Spirit of the Gates’ before you repeat my words.”
“Oh, Mighty Spirit of the Gates,” Sifrid slowly recited Brendel’s words as he repeated himself one more time, “I am the Daughter of the Forest, blessed by the Goddess and chosen by the Heroic Spirits, the wielder of the Forest and Mountains’ authority.”
A mysterious energy poured out from the little girl’s voice. A long moment passed, and Brendel was about to think of another way to interpret the words, but a sudden rumble shook the valley.
“And?”
A thunderous voice reached into everyone’s hearts. Sifrid’s eyes gleamed brightly and she looked at Brendel with disbelief.
Faena who was looking at the situation with great cynicism, stuttered: “Brendel, i-i-it’s talking……”
William’s eyes were so narrowed that they were forming a line.
“What do I do?” Sifrid asked in confusion.
“Erm…… Please open the gates—” Brendel said with uncertainty.
“Please open the gates!” She shouted.
“Did it work?” Faena asked.
“Are the conditions wrong?” Brendel frowned as he muttered to himself.
He kept looking at the lore stated in the forums in his mind, but the more pressure he put on himself, the more unfocused the words became. No matter how good his memory was, there was a limit to it.
William’s eyes suddenly glanced at the valley’s entrance. This subtle action did not escape Faena’s observation, and she started to become restless:
“Hurry up—”
“Shut up!” Brendel exclaimed.
“You—” Faena was like an angry cat, hissing loudly, but she knew who was in charge and could only sulk in silence.
“Brother Brendel, there’s another voice, and she’s asking me something.” Sifrid suddenly spoke.
“What?” Brendel was jolted out from his memories and he replied in a daze: “What is she saying?”
“She’s asking me, where is the Lord King who will guard Order?”
[…… The Lord King?]
The memory from the gate flashed through his mind again.
[Ahh— I see. The Lord King is Valhalla’s lord, the king of the Forest and Mountains.]
Sifrid was the wielder and keeper of the Forest and Mountain’s authority. But the day would come where the authority was handed to its true owner. The Lord King shall lead the Heroic Spirits of Valhalla and guard its vicinity, just like how the chronicles described it.
Brendel placed his hand onto the wall, speaking within his mind:
“Oh past Lord Kings and Heroic Spirits, I am willing to receive your blade and guard this land against the Chaos. I will never let it cover this land, and allow Order to break the fog of Chaos for all eternity. If this is your responsibility, then allow me to take over; if this is the crown of glory, please coronate me. The Light shall sunder the Wall of Clouds and allow the sun to illuminate the earth once more. The miracle that the Ancestral Citizens witness shall be repeated.”
Brendel could feel each word carve into his heart:
“Many more than a thousand years have passed, but the Sacred Oath still remains—”
Time seemed to stop for a moment. And a venerable voice spoke:
“May it be, Successor.”
Brendel and Sifrid felt an invisible energy pushing them away from the door, and they took a step back. There was a slight movement of the gates, with a faint rumble coming from above the Wall of Clouds. At first, they could not sense anything, but the earth started to tremble and shake, and the rumbling turning into resounding roars that came like an endless wave.
The pebbles around the gate started dancing like a king’s jester, creating tiny clacking noises.
Faena was so terrified that she backed away from the gate and crashed into a boulder without even feeling anything. William was so astonished that his eyes opened wide to witness this spectacular scene.
The gate was slowly opening revealing a small dark gap between the doors, but a gust of strong wind blew out of it, causing everyone’s hair to flutter freely. The wind was not musty and instead had a scent of nature.
It was quiet after the doors were opened fully.
Brendel took a deep breath. Peering into the dark cave within the gate made him feel like there was a fearsome beast lurking somewhere within it.
“S-s-surely we’re not going in there……” Faena stuttered when she saw the cave’s ominous darkness.
There was a sudden long cry that came from the cave, sounding a little like a bird, and it immediately crushed her mental strength and turned her face pallid.
“Sure, it’s not really necessary for you to go in. After all, there might be monsters that are more terrifying than Andesha.” Brendel took out a strip of cloth from the bag on his waist and tied up Veronica’s sword to his belt. He then pulled out Halran Gaia out from its sheath on his back.
“Y-y-you think you’re scaring me, I-I-I’m not frightened……” Tears were swimming in the girl’s eyes and threatening to spill out.
Brendel cast a final glance at her, patted Sifrid’s shoulder, and led her into the darkness.
“Archmage William……” Faena turned to the old wizard when she saw that Brendel went in without hesitation.
“Little girl, your Lord is right. There is no telling what dangers lurk in the ancient ruins, but there might be a possibility where it’s significantly less dangerous than what you encountered earlier.”
“He’s not my Lord!”
“I see, well then, at the very least, you wouldn’t need to worry about his safety.” The Archmage replied with a smile, lifting up his staff and prepared to enter into the darkness as well.
Faena’s face turned red in shame, then turned white in fear, but she gritted her teeth and eventually followed them. She did not know whether Brendel was scaring her on purpose, but a possible danger could not compare with a danger that was all too real.
“That old man is right. That man rescued me from Andesha even though I did him wrong. I-I-I can’t leave him when he might face a great danger. T-that’s right!” She muttered to herself and persuaded herself in a twisted manner.
volume 2 - 84
“Why is it, that you don’t wish to tell us where they went?” Conrad chortled with mirth, smacking the flat blade of the dagger on the girl’s cheek: “Why do you want to risk your dear life for that group?”
The cold blade reflected the dim light seemed to emit a chilling feeling to her, and she twitched once. She lightly gasped and answered with a pause on every word: “.…… My responsibility…… for failing to defeat you…… Only the weak…… would save themselves…… by betraying others.”
“I…… am…… different…… from…… you.” Her half-opened eyes hid the burning fury within her.
“Really?” Conrad did not get angry: “But you see, I’m not a patient man. As both you and I know, the Grey Wolves Mercenaries have seventy to eighty of their men here. I’m actually quite certain that not everyone is willing to sacrifice themselves for other strangers. I don’t need to remind you that mercenaries are mercenaries, after all. There is really no need to be so loyal. If you think about it, the results won’t change and I’ll get my answer. Why do you still want to persist in resisting? I can assure you that I don’t enjoy killing, so I’m giving you one more chance, little girl, otherwise you’re going to that useless goddess Mother Marsha.”
Scarlett’s eyelids twitched, and he waited with bated breath. In the end the girl gritted her teeth and shook her head.
“The other mercenaries…… are not me.” Her reply was curt.
“Then farewell, little girl.”
Scarlett tensed her body and paled. She was a normal human being who still feared death at the last moment, but it still did not overcome her willpower. She feebly clenched her fists and waited for her fate, closing her eyes tightly while two streaks of tears flowed from them.
Conrad turned his head.
The high-ranking Disciple of the Black Flames who had stood behind Conrad throughout the interrogation nodded his head once. It was just like what Conrad said, the mercenaries were already in their trap and there was nowhere to run. There was no need to worry. Even though the mercenaries were not afraid to die in battle, they would not easily give up their life to meaningless loyalty or honor.
Makarov and Buga needed to keep their secrets, but the men under them did not.
Conrad took the dagger and plunged it into the girl’s chest.
The disciple looked coldly at this scene. The red blood that flowed from the girl did not look like a life was ending, but more of a painting to be admired. She gurgled and her body convulsed a few times, causing her red hair to flutter about. Her eyes opened wide and she looked like she was thinking of something in her final moments, but they quickly became vacant and void of all expressions.
Her willpower and strength were quickly leaving her own body.
[Am I dying……? Eke…… do you know…… that I really like—] She felt extremely sleepy, but felt something was placed onto her chest before she fell to a sleep she would not wake up from.
“What is that?” Conrad turned his head back and asked.
The disciple had placed a glowing dark ruby on the girl’s body. In a few moments, the ruby extended dark tendril-like lights around the wound. The dark lights passed through the veins of the girl and her body quickly gave out a faint crimson glow.
“The Divine Blood of a God.” He said.
“Do you wish to awaken her as an undead?” Conrad asked.
“No.” He shook his head. “This woman has an Element Resonance with her weapon, and even defeated our high ranking disciple with just her current status as a Silver-ranked fighter. This means that her potential is very high, and with such a tender age as well. What I gave her was the blood of the Lightning God, Cabal. If she raises as an God Acolyte, then this gamble is worth it to me.”
“Blood from a high ranking God?” Conrad narrowed his eyes: “You’re a lower ranked bishop. How did you get your hands on the blood jewel when you don’t even have the qualifications to handle it?”
“A mere coincidence. Luck plays a great factor, as dictated by the highest truth in this world, chaos.”
Conrad gave an incomprehensible hum in response to that, and looked back at Scarlett. The tendrils were gradually turning her body into a cocoon.
“The chance for failure is very high.” Conrad said.
“The loss is acceptable.” The disciple said coldly.
“You can do whatever you want, my next move is going to launch an attack. You had better stay back. Makarov and Buga are not your common fodder. If both of them put their lives on their line, my chances to survive are not that favorable.”
Conrad got up and place his white gloved hand on his sword. Even though he could supposedly lose his life, there was no tremor to his hand. The disciple knew that he was in charge of their current mission, so he did not oppose his rudeness. He moved to one side to allow Conrad to pass, then spoke suddenly: “The group that left the Grey Wolves Mercenaries, is that truly ‘Eke’?”
“The possibility is almost certain.” Conrad continued to walk towards the edge of the forest and spoke without turning his head: “Regardless of they do, they won’t be able to escape here. If I want them to die here, then they would assuredly be dead.”
The disciple merely gave a sneering smile at Conrad’s declaration.
============= Brendel POV ===============
The silence was quickly broken within the quiet forest —
“My lord, do you mean to say you knew that Eke was Duke Lantonrand’s son since the beginning?”
“Of course not, Miss Amandina. I was only suspicious of his identity in the beginning.” Brendel sighed. “But seeing Miss Yula made me certain of that fact. She is not only a Star Seer, her other identity is Eke’s fiancee. I had seen them before in the Black Tower.” (TL: Black Tower probably refers to where the wizards congregate.)
[A lie, of course. I haven’t been to the Black Tower in this world yet. Not that anyone’s going to break my lie anyways. But it’s true that Yula is Eke’s fiancee and the most famous Star Seer in Aouine in the future. At the same time, her capabilities in the battlefield are beyond imagination.]
Brendel clearly remembered that Yula was a Chosen, and her blindness was proof of that. Mother Marsha favored certain humans, but mortals were imperfect and unable to receive such pure divine energy, resulting in a damaged body.
Over Vaunte’s long history, only two Chosens did not have any defects on them. One was the King of Flames, Gatel, and the other future emperor of Madara who possessed the Mercury Staff. The other Chosens might have been famous, but they were still flawed.
[Telling them that Yula would be a Grandmaster Brawler who awakened her Element status and was at a peak level of 115, will be treated like a running joke. She aided the Princess Regent and the Goddess of War to form a stalwart defense against Madara. Right now, her abilities as a Chosen have not awakened yet— Hold on, is there a possibility that she awakens her abilities in this battlefield?]
Brendel wanted Yula’s abilities, but she was already in Eke’s faction and they were still loyal to the Royal faction. The civil war would temporarily shake their loyalty, but the couple ultimately emerged victorious and pledged their support for the Princess Regent. Unfortunately, the two prodigies died in the war and left behind a daughter, Airrah Lantonrand Orphelon, who led the Aouine’s final resistance against Madara.
At that time, Brendel had left the frontlines to join the Knights’ Order, Glace.
Brendel rapid thoughts were interrupted by Amandina’s reply who sounded like she doubted him.
“You mean to say that the fight between these two mercenary groups are a cover for the nobles’ civil war, while Makarov is actually Duke Rhun’s retainer? The Grey Wolves Mercenaries are actually the guards of Eke, and the mercenaries of Paper Cards are hired as assassins?”
“No, the majority of the Grey Wolves Mercenaries probably do not know the real truth behind their commander.” Brendel explained: “When Duke Arreck was in control of the political arena, the entire family of Duke Rhun was nearly wiped out by assassins. I’m sure you have heard of that incident.”
“Yes, the nobles’ blood that was shed on that day caused great political changes in a month. It’s not possible for me to be ignorant of it……” Amandina’s eyes shimmered.
“Duke Rhun knew that the assassination was coming, and he planned to send his only son away. This is the truth behind that incident; he used the deaths of his other family members in order to protect his only child.” Brendel sighed and answered wearily.
Amandina did not respond after listening to Brendel’s explanation. The fights between nobles were bloody and difficult. From a certain point of view, Duke Rhun’s actions were understandable.
Romaine merely glanced around, seemingly disinterested in this topic.
“Then instead of an assassination, they would want to capture his only son to threaten him?” Amandina asked again after a short while.
“Yes, an astute observation.” Brendel praised her: “Duke Rhun is currently the strongest supporter of the royal family, and if someone wants to act against them, they would naturally need to shake this ‘pillar’.”
“That would mean……”
Amandina frowned with worry. Even though a chaotic civil war was an advantage to them, she was still a citizen of Aouine, and did not wish to see the worst outcome happening.
“No more than three months.” Brendel said.
“Makarov also knew about the movements of the Paper Cards and the Disciples of the Black Flames from the beginning? He used his own mercenaries as bait?”
“Most likely.”
The girl took a deep breath and sighed wistfully. The entire Grey Wolves Mercenaries consisted of more than a hundred men and women altogether. There were people who had served Makarov for over a decade.
She understood that being merciless was the only way to survive in a cruel war, but she still felt a certain chill spreading throughout her entire body when she experienced it first hand. She cast a glance at Brendel’s youthful face.
[I wonder if my lord is going to be like them in the future……]
Brendel’s eyes were already placed somewhere else as he prepared himself to solve a troublesome problem.
volume 3 - 179
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