The Amber Sword

Below verdant green leaves, a thin layer of mist drifted about, painting a picturesque scene of the serene Frada Forest. However, some people broke the tranquility. A knight lifted a bunch of shrubs and leaves with his sword to let his horse out from behind the bushes. Then, he saw a group of people sitting on the forest ground not far away.

Makarov raised his head and inspected the person behind the knight closely. His once tensed face relaxed. He shook off the leaves on his shoulders then stood up and said, “You all are finally here.”

The young man was not sitting upright on the horse’s back. He looked at them with an uptight face and said nothing.

Makarov instantly knew that something was not right.

Within his scope of vision, many knights in black and red robes appeared in the forest and surrounded the Royal Faction.

Dozens of drawn longbows with razor-sharp arrowheads aimed directly at everyone near the campfire.

It was the army of Duke Anthony.

But he felt a burning fire in him today.

This Kingdom has such a strong army. But why was this army allowed to become the Kingdom’s own enemy? Where were they when we were fighting against Madara? Killing each other in the skies of Aouine? 

His heart weighed down by the hopelessness and the prospect of defeat, Danos tightly shut his eyes.

In the dark, rainy night, a ray of light shot skyward.

The North Gate was closed.

…

Brendel also stopped the discussion about his own life. He knew better than anyone that a large and unpredictable army was crossing the straits of Ampere Seale at this exact moment and might appear right in front of them anytime. All the armies would be gathering in Ampere Seale, making it a dangerous place.

Whether it was just his hypothesis or not, he had the same idea as Danos.

The Southern Dragon Knights were forced to retreat.

Brendel had already ordered them to withdraw in the direction of St. White’s Bay. It was the key to determine their chances at victory.

They were left with very little time.

He was already leading the students of the Royal Cavalry Academy across the whole North City of Ampere Seale. Yet not even a shadow of their enemy was seen, all the way from Old Fisherman’s Avenue to Veliky Square.

Although Brendel was confused, he dared not waste any time. The huge fortress at Ampere Seale’s Port’s south gate seemed to appear in his sight in an instant.

The fortress looked like an abandoned building.

Where are the Coast Guards?

Brendel and everyone else looked up, and saw a familiar figure.

In that moment, the street, lit by the sun’s golden rays, seemed to blaze a pure white.

That person on the fortress’ ramparts smiled slightly and waved his hands. Amidst heavy rumbling, Ampere Seale’s huge southern gate slowly opened.

Everyone’s jaw dropped.

Count Audine stood proudly on the top of the fortress, a sword in his hands he looked at the army on the street as it gradually showed itself. To be precise, he was actually looking at the young commander who was upfront of the army.

A beacon of hope had arrived, emerging after a long night of darkness.

He believed that a miracle would come upon Aouine once again. But it was not until he saw Princess Gryphine behind Brendel that he realized Marsha had never left her people.

Brendel smiled too.

It seemed like he returned to history again, surrounded by his comrades who were fighting towards a shared goal. The people of Aouine had never given up, so he and his compatriots refused to yield as well.

Even if they had to face an army of thousands, what was the big deal?

“In the Loop of Trade Winds, I heard that you would save this Kingdom.” Count Audine shouted from the top of the fortress. “But I didn’t believe it!”

“So you came?”

“Yes.” Count Audine said with a laugh. “So I came.”

“I wanted to bear witness in the princess’ place,”

“All of this.”

The half-elf girl behind Brendel bit her lip, silver eyes beginning to tear. Although the Kingdom had crumbled, there were – in defiance of the odds – new shoots sprouting from its ashes.

Like life, it regenerated.

And the cycle of life never stops.