The Amber Sword

v3c346
The Abyss(5)

Across the rain-soaked woodland, Brendel met Archbishop Wood while accompanied by Freya. This was the second time he had seen this Archbishop of the Holy Cathedral of Fire since Ampere Seale. When he saw Mephisto standing beside Archbishop Wood, Brendel hurriedly curtsied, “Teacher.”

Although Sanorso passed down the Nine Luminaries Sword Art to him, Mephisto had also taught him quite a few practical combat skills. Nominally they also had the status of teacher and student, and the Wind Empress didn’t object to this.

Archbishop Wood looked slightly surprised at Mephisto, “So that’s how it is, you have admitted a good student.”

“Indeed.”

Brendel raised his head and saw several Paladins in red robes, and couldn’t help but squint, guessing what Archbishop Wood was coming for. But Archbishop Wood had incurred him a big loss using the name of Tulman, a lesson Brendel would never forget.

Seeing Brendel’s expression, the Archbishop of the Holy Cathedral of Fire smiled awkwardly, “It seems that Mr. Brendel has become prejudiced against me.” He held back the shock in his heart. Williams had brought ten Paladins and even if the Konolia fleet was stopped by Aouine’s royal fleet, they wouldn’t have been wiped out instantly, not to mention they had the White Winged Knights’ assistance. Even so, all he had seen were the Kirrlutz people who were tied up and looked dejected, and the White Winged Knights’ banner that was thrown into the muddy water.

Not knowing whether the Holy Cathedral had long been too covetous for an easy life or whether its enemies were too powerful, Archbishop Wood looked at the young man in front of him and a deep unease welled up in his heart.

“Why?”

“Auntie and I are both strange people in their eyes. Besides, when have you seen ordinary girls who want to be businessmen? So it’s normal to be unappealing.”

“I haven’t seen them, my aunt has been by my side for as long as I can remember. Auntie said, ‘Little Romaine, when you grow up, you must repay me well!’”

“So that’s why you want to be a businesswoman?”

“Yup.”

“That’s a weird way of thinking.”

“It’s okay—”

From that moment on, Brendel understood that he was deeply in love with that eccentric maiden. Because they shared a certain quality, even though he was not an eccentric person in the eyes of people around him, they both shared a common goal.

She’s going to be a big businessman, and he’s going to save Aouine. These are all weird goals that regular people can’t imagine, but it’s okay—

It’s fine as long as the promise has been made.

“Brendel, Romaine is…” echoed Freya, the simple-minded girl from the Bucce country worried about her best partner even before Brendel did.

But Brendel gave her a reassuring look, though he was feeling shivers all over his body,
“Archbishop Wood, are you able to control those Doors of Flame?” He asked with the hope of getting lucky.

“Mr. Brendel, there’s no need to speculate, we lost them just before rushing here. All for One will connect them to the area under Jorgendy Ridge. You should know where that place is.”

“The Sulfur River,” Brendel replied through gritted teeth. “So what do I do? Order a halt to the pursuit of the Konolian fleet, and then turn around again to engage the demons of Jorgendy Ridge, here, in the land of Aouine?” He couldn’t help but blurt out, “Look what you did, Kirrlutzan bastards! What kind of bullshit is the Holy Cathedral of Fire?”

It was the first time Freya had seen Brendel so angry and she was so scared that her face went pale. The last time he had gotten so mad was in Riedon Fortress (glossary was the other way around), but she hadn’t been there.

“That’s a proper scolding,” replied Mephisto, “You’re finally showing signs of manliness.”

Wood was speechless, and it was an indisputable fact that the Holy Cathedral of Flame and even the Four Holy Cathedrals had been infiltrated by the cultists. It was just that the state of affairs had never exceeded their anticipation as it had today, and this time the Holy Cathedral of Fire was truly a disgrace to the heavens, even bigger of a disgrace than the Kirrlutzan fleet being defeated by Brendel. “We will fight alongside you.” That was all he could say.

Brendel let out a suppressed laugh, he didn’t trust these Kirrlutz people at all. If he had known earlier that Moros was the undercover spy of All for One, he might have guessed the other’s intentions the first moment he saw those portals. It’s just a shame that throughout history Moros missed out on this opportunity so no war took place in Ampere Seale and that the Kirrlutz didn’t build the Doors of Flame in Aouine until after his tenure.

Later, Moros had returned to Kirrlutz, and Brendel also went north to Sanorso and the Great Priest Farnezian. Then news of the Holy Cathedral of Fire gradually faded from his memory.

And he had also forever missed the opportunity to identify Moros.

“Alright” Brendel concluded, “I will convince Her Royal Highness to call off the pursuit of the Kirrultzan fleet, but you must also convince the Northern Coalition Army to join our camp. If the situation is allowed to develop in this manner, you know better than me what kind of situation will arise near Ampere Seale.”

Pointing to Wood again, he said, “I hope you will remember what was discussed today, otherwise you will regret the words that came out of your mouth today.”

Wrath blazed in Brendel’s heart, but right now he was only worried about Miss Merchant’s safety, and if Romaine had the slightest injury in Ampere Seale, he would definitely make the Holy Cathedral of Fire pay for it.

This was far from being an empty threat.

As he turned around, Wood vaguely heard Brendel muttering, ”I hope the number of demons teleported over by All for One is not too large.” The Archbishop of the Holy Cathedral of Fire froze for a moment before reacting.

This young man seems to know too much?