The Amber Sword

Clad in cyan as he galloped along a steep slope, Bunide’s gauntlet-clad hands clung tightly to the reins as he turned around. To the north of Ampere Seale, several massive light gates were opening over the horizon. Countless soldiers were pouring out of them, densely packed like ants.

“In half an hour, the entirety of the Black Blade Squad will appear on the battlefield in Ampere Seale, and the Kirrlutz will also be involved.”

“Master, what do you think we should do?”

The leader of the Highland Knights watched the tiny dots over the horizon rise up – those were the Dragon Knights of the Black Blade Squad. In an instant, it seemed like the whole sky was covered as they advanced straight towards Ampere Seale.

The sheer scale…… it was not just the Black Blade Squad anymore. It looked like the Holy Cathedral had completely deviated from their neutrality. The nobles of the north and the cathedral that had hidden their powers in Aouine had colluded with Duke Seifer.

The Kirrlutz people wanted to end the problem once and for all.

He turned around and looked at his subordinates, “What do all of you think?” He asked.

Brendel could do that easily. The tagline of the Highland Knights was engraved on a stone at the ancient Karsuk Highlands and was eulogized by all generations. Even tourists and poets spoke and sung of them. As a player, he would definitely be aware of it-  “The blood of the Highland Knights is passed from generation to generation, and he who embarks on the Knight’s path begins upon taking up his ancestor’s sword.”

Before he could even finish saying the sentence, he froze.

Brendel’s face turned pale.

His sword fell onto the ground with a clang.

Ciel smiled without saying a word.

‘My brocade is quite good in fact. Even the old sergeant praised me, and said that my brocade was the best among all the other students.’

‘My bedroom’s door wasn’t far from me. Thank Marsha, I could barge out of the room with just a few steps and I would be able to see my sword lying right there.’

‘That sword was one of my heirlooms. My grandfather used to use it on the battlefield. I heard that he used to be a knight’s servant for a period of time, and the sword was given to him by that old knight-’

‘That sword was a 32nd-year edition. It was engraved with patterns of the ivy plants, in honor of the victorious battle on the Grinoires Highlands.’

‘I remember His Majesty changed the design of the cavalry sword that year. The sword became half an arm’s length shorter, and the copper ornaments on the guards were replaced with ordinary iron flowers. It was to save costs as there was an ongoing prolonged war- the Eleven Months’ War.’

Brendel could not hear clearly, he felt his brain ringing loudly as if something was about to explode. He shut his eyes tight, thinking that he was a complete fool.

A 32nd-year edition sword? War commemoration?

I am such a fool.

Didn’t the Highlands Knights take part in the battle on the Grinoires Highlands? I clearly should have remembered all these facts, but remained ignorant and misled due to Brendel’s memories. How could I have forgotten such an important thing?

Brendel pulled himself back together after a while. Fortunately, his soul did not leave his body entirely so he was able to accept the truth. He managed to calm down- Brendel, you fool. If you had looked at this whole matter from Sophie’s perspective, everything would have been much clearer. 

He lifted his head and looked at Ciel, Oberwei, Maynild and the princess. It seemed like only the four of them understood what was happening.

But why did it have to be these four people? Brendel sorted out his thoughts a little before asking, “So, obviously my grandfather was not just an old veteran that nobody knew, right?”

Brendel was not dumb enough to think that the princess knew each and every one of the veterans who served in the Eleven Months’ War. Besides, based on the reactions of the princess and Oberwei earlier, it seemed like his grandfather had been quite the figure in the past.  Relating to Bunide’s words, Ciel’s identity was suspicious as well.

Brendel felt annoyed, as he was the only one who knew nothing about this. I know this cute face is dumb, but not remembering such an important thing sure is too much!

And now he needs an answer.

“You didn’t know?” Princess Gryphine continued, “ The Marshal truly complied with the agreement and never disclosed a word to outsiders.”

She looked at Ciel who was standing at the side, “Mr.Ciel?”

Ciel could not help but laugh bitterly and said, “This is actually a misunderstanding. In truth, back when I returned to this world, I already realized that it was Goddess Alice that is weaving the fates of this world-”

“Like what I said, nothing can escape fate.”

“Marshal?” Brendel looked like he heard an inexplicable word. From what he knew, Aouine never had such a rank, position or title like this. “What is going on?”

“Master, like what you have guessed, your grandfather was never someone unknown,” Ciel said after a sigh.

Brendel did not say anything. He had guessed it earlier, that his grandfather’s brocade was beyond ‘perfect’ in terms of quality, it is impossible for a normal veteran to have that. Even Leto who was an old veteran too was incomparable to his grandfather.

The funny thing is that Brendel had always thought his grandfather’s brocade was just ‘a little better’ than other people for the past nineteen years, and his face blushed in embarrassment.

The most ironic thing was that Brendel never knew his grandfather’s name. When he was still alive, people used to call him ‘Old Charles’, which was obviously a nickname. From what Brendel could recall, there had been no other names similar to this one.

As if confirming his thoughts, Ciel continued, “Actually, we should start our explanation from the Highland Knights. Just as My Lord expected, when your grandfather was young, he was a true Highland Knight, which is why you inherited the blood of the Highland Knights.”

“At some point in time, he had a wizard servant called Ciel Peloche.”

“Ah-” The surrounding youngsters sounded like they had heard a strange story, and they turned to look at the young wizard who told the story in shock. Although Brendel had guessed it, he could not help but take a breath. “Ciel Peloche……Ciel Peloche, Ciel, you were the wizard of the Peloche family?”

Ciel nodded his head.

‘Peloche was the most prominent title among the Highland Wizards. They had the closest bloodline to the Silver Race. Are you trying to tell me that to have you as a servant, my grandfather or I was named after Kadiloso?”

Princess Gryphine interrupted, “Mr. Ciel did not lie. Brendel, your grandfather is the descendant of the most prominent family of the Highland Knights. His real name should be Darius, and people often referred him as Earth Sword Saint Darius…”

Brendel felt that he was listening to a mythical story at that moment, except he was somewhat related to it. In his fading memory, when the Kingdom was in its second period of glory,Aouine had three powerful men who had reached the top of the Elemental Realm: Earth Sword Saint Darius, Saint of the Silver Sword, Gory Keyes, Scholar of the Silver Fortress, Tulman。

Brendel could not believe that his grandfather was the most famous among the three.

He looked at the princess and Ciel blankly.

Ciel laughed bitterly once again, “My Lord, actually your grandfather does have another name- One that was his glory but also brought about his downfall- Harrasgue Dragon, the marshal of the Holy Cathedral of Fire in first Holy War……”

……

“So,” At last, Kodan asked, “Have you written to Bunide? What did you tell him in the letter?”

Leto nodded and looked at the sea for a moment, then he answered, “I only asked him if he still remembered Harrasgue Dragon.”

“Haha,” Kodan broke into laughter. “Of course he does.”

“How could he forget?”