The Amber Sword

The overwhelming number of Brute Devils that were circling mid-air flew towards the humans near the second Door of Flame, like a devil’s claw sweeping across the sky. Brendel could not help himself thinking about the Great Locust Plague of Solaniland that took place in the Year of the Second Trade Wind, when the locusts covering the sky was a scene similar to today’s.

The second Door of Flame crumbled completely into fragments, blending with the rain as they fell like thousands of golden butterflies, dissipating as they do so. As Gryphine stood in the rain looking up at those falling sparks, a glimmer of hope lit up in her eyes, and she pursed her lips and clenched her fists.

The remaining knights remained to be excited, their vanity and morale made it possible for them to seemingly forget about the situation they were in. Only Nicholas and Leider grew doubtful. They looked back at Brendel, knowing full well that Garlock had lost the majority of his troops on his way to the third portal. If they wanted to get to the third portal now, they could only hope for another miracle from Brendel.

The rain was so heavy that it even masked the shrieks of the devils in it.

Brendel stood in the rain and tried to keep an apathetic face. Although he wasn’t confident in his own ability to escape the predicament, he knew he should not look pessimistic and desperate. At least he could not show that side of him to his men.

“We have to slaughter a path out of here,” He gently spoke.

“H-how are we going to kill our way there?” Nicholas and the knights asked in unison. But unlike the knights, Nicholas’ voice wavered. Although the two of them were still going for each other’s throats just a few hours ago, he knew nothing about Brendel. Instead, he could only rely on the seemingly calm look Brendel had on his face as he faced the devils.

There aren’t many young swordsmen like Brendel in Aouine anymore… He’s just like me back when I was just learning how to spar with swords, although he may have accomplished more than me. He did not harbor any jealous thoughts to the young swordsman before him. Instead, he felt relieved at how dependable the boy was.

There was both obedience and respect in his salute.

It was the reverence of a fanatic following in the footsteps of the Flame King. Only the same people could understand one another, and it didn’t matter if they were Aouine people or Kirrultz people.There were those among them who pursued the same goals and Brendel wanted to prove it.

Babasha didn’t answer as she stood on the sidelines and just smiled mysteriously. The Darkness Dragon was once called The Fool. Then just who are these fools in front of her who did not mind sacrificing themselves?

Brendel was stunned.

The words of the knights echoed in his ears, like the oaths that echoed in his heart night after night. Those like-minded people had such a trait. It did not matter if they were men or women, old or children, powerful or ordinary, ideals were not judged to be noble or lowly based on one’s opinion.

Brendel had always thought of those simple ideals as games, but he found out that he was wrong.

And he encountered those flaring ideals once more.

Right here, beside him.

He remembered that drive that he had seen in his fellow teammates back in The Amber Sword. Setbacks, failures, and death couldn’t stop them. The others laughed at them for being fools, fighting for a virtual number that didn’t matter in real life. But the world itself was no different. No one was born special.

The only thing that everyone strived for was the persistence of the heart, and this kind of persistence is neither noble nor lowly. Brendel had no intention of refuting others, but if he couldn’t stand up for himself in the virtual world, how could he not lose himself in the bigger world?

Retreat was just a cowardly expression.

Princess Gryphine’s clear voice suddenly interrupted Brendel’s thoughts.

“It’s a noble idea, but it’s not perfect.”

The half-elf maiden gently inhaled and spoke, “The predicament is now before all of us, and there is no room for even a single mistake. Therefore we must do our best out of every little detail.”

“There is nothing wrong with Mr. Brendel’s arrangements, but you’re the one who’s the most familiar with the cloak of the King of Giants, and in the battles to come, that cloak will come in handy. All it takes is one tiny and everything will turn into a  disaster.”

“Aouine can’t afford to fail like that.”

“So I suggest that Mr. Brendel trade places with me as commander of this battle. you, on the other hand, will escort Miss Amandina until the mission is completed.”

Her Highness said calmly. Indeed, the crowd gasped as if they had just realized this, but despite the fact that Brendel was the one to propose this plan, the core of the plan was not to attract the monsters with a group of people packed with firepower, but rather how to flexibly apply the Giant King’s cloak to reach the other end of the battlefield.

It was definitely not an easy job.

While Brendel claimed that the cloak was easy to work with, anyone could see that it was only because of his selfish desire to keep Her Highness safe.

Such selfishness would only be respectful, but not necessarily applicable.

Brendel felt Her Highness’s incredibly calm eyes on him and suddenly realized what the other was going to say, “Wait, but-”

“I know what you’re going to say, Mr. Brendel.”

They had already spent a fair amount of time leaving her with little time to debate with Brendel. Princess Gryphine lowered her eyelids and continued, “Although I never asked what you were up to, I could feel that sincerity. I thank you very much for that, Mr. Brendel.”

“However feelings are not the first factor to be considered at a time like this. If it were to be a choice between Aouine and myself, I would prefer for Aouine to survive. I do not represent Aouine, Brendel. The only people who can represent it are its people.”

Her Highness’s words caused everyone to gasp, especially Nicholas and Leider who felt like they were getting to know the princess for the first time today. Amandina tightened her grip on Brendel’s sleeve, as if it was only at this moment that she understood why Brendel chose to let the princess follow her along.

But she did not understand one thing.

Why does it seem like he had anticipated this? And that he is so afraid of it?

Brendel looked at Her Highness, and Her Highness continued, “So please promise me that the operation will be successful.”

“Your Highness.” Brendel couldn’t help but speak up.

However, Princess Gryphine turned back. The rain fell on the young woman, causing her long silver hair to be plastered on her shoulders. She looked up at the others,

“The future king of Aouine is too young to lead you into battle for now. So today, as the Princess Regent, I will lead you to overcome the difficulties ahead.”

“This is an honor that belongs to me, a duty that no one can take away from me.”

“If I die in battle today, then at least let me say one last time -”

“The blood of Covardo is shed for the sake of Aouine.”

In the midst of the silence, the knights suddenly shouted out.

“Long live the princess!”

“Long live the regent!”

“Long live the Kingdom of Aouine!”

The voice echoed through the downpour, and Brendel found himself speechless. The five words of the Princess Regent fell upon his heart like thunder and lightning. History was miraculously coincidental. He could still remember the same downpour of rain and the same attitude she bore.

The declaration remained the same. word for word. Her persistence and stubbornness was always so distinct and shining.

As if it had never once faded from his heart.

Perhaps this was fate. Brendel thought.