The Amber Sword

Chapter 216 – Preparation for war (5)

Brendel gave up raising the Nine Luminaries Sword Arte after it reached level 7 for the time being. The skill needed more than 250000 TP at that level, and the XP gained from the grimoire’s fragments could hardly keep up with the requirement.

The Nine Luminaries Sword Arte at level 7 could produce eight illusions and deal 50% damage of the base body. It was just a step away from producing the maximum number of illusions, which was nine.

The youth also realized that the illusion’s duration was affected by the level. The initial duration only lasted a little longer than a second in the beginning, but each level increased the duration by approximately 0.1 seconds.

[Hmm. Typically my physical abilities use my stamina points, but my illusions use MP instead. Charge uses 6 MP, Piercing Strikes uses 20 MP. Since I’m a warrior, my MP is significantly lower than my stamina. I only have 250 MP in total, and casting eight illusions along with a Charge and Piercing Strike will use up almost everything.]

Brendel experimented with one of the illusions casting a magic spell.

[There isn’t really much time for the illusions to do any real casting, but let me try using the illusion as a defensive tool. Barkskin— Hmm. It adds +1 to armor. Barkskin requires 50 MP, but if an illusion does it, the ability requires 100 MP instead. That’s double the MP usage.]

He continued to experiment with the ability and called out Kodan to test out the Sword Arte. The illusion could not cast another illusion on its own, and it did not seek to actively swap places with him even if the main body was in danger.

Brendel’s head cooled down fully once he understood this point.

Mephisto’s swordsmanship was likely to be a skill tree of its own, and the quality was at least close to an intermediate rank or above it. Having someone as skilled as him to back him was good, let alone learning his skills.

However, he was already being taught by Orthlyss. She might ignore the Dragon of Darkness’s Legacy because he was someone from her era, and it was understandable that both of them had respect for each other, but what about Mephisto? No matter how skilled he was in this era, he could not be on an equal footing with her.

It was difficult to know what her opinion was, until she stated she did not object to it.

“I suggest you accept it.” Orthlyss felt a little satisfaction in her heart when Brendel asked for her opinion.

He did not regard her simply as a Heroic Spirit who was trapped in a ring, but a real teacher. Even though she did not really think that it was an issue, she was still pleased to find an impossibly talented youth as a successor.

“Mephisto’s swordsmanship is very unique and it is its own style. My view is limited to things that are a thousand years ago, and what that bastard Ooinn gave you was a Bloodline Legacy. In comparison, what he gave you might help you even more than what I can give you. There’s no need to pay attention to what I think. Your older sister is willing to see you become stronger.”

“Thanks.” Brendel felt a little stir of emotion in his heart. The care from Orthlyss truly resembled an older sister’s protection for a younger brother.

But he did not immediately agree to Mephisto’s request:

“I thank you for your kind intentions, Ser Mephisto, but please allow me to think about it for a day.”

Mephisto’s eyes showed admiration. He was very confident in his swordsmanship, and people would probably faint from glee if they heard he wanted a successor, but Brendel retained his composure. Be it a swordsman or a lord, it was necessary to remain calm at all times.

“It’s fine for you to choose, but you should know that I’m teaching you my swordsmanship not because you’re a future lord, or that I want your aid in restoring my land, but the fact that I indeed believe that you’re brilliant enough to inherit my swordsmanship. Even though I haven’t been with you for long…… I believe in Veronica’s judgment.” He paused for a moment and added in another line.

“You knew Veronica from long ago?” Brendel could not help but blurt out his curiosity, though he regretted it a little upon finishing his words. It was a little too gossipy. His habits as a gamer were hard to change despite coming to this world for quite some time.

But he did not expect Mephisto to nod without minding the question: “My dukedom was always a part of the Kirrlutz Empire. When I studied in the Empire’s academy, Veronica was living next to my room.”

“Damn! Really?” Brendel yelled, and his gossip soul immediately blazed. He only knew that Mephisto was the Empire’s mortal foe and had fought with Veronica many times, but to think that they were childhood friends to a certain extent.

But Mephisto cut off Brendel’s question despite the latter’s growing questions: “Remember that I asked about when your army is leaving?”

“Yes?” Brendel looked at the stoic Sword Saint in confusion. Mephisto had an expression like it was carved out of wood.

“This isn’t actually a problem. The two Archmagi from the Silver Alliance. I have a little past with Grandmaster Tulman, or perhaps I could say he owes me one, and I can get the two wizards to help out.” Mephisto said.

“Mass Teleportation magic!” Brendel’s body jolted. It might sound a little crazy to teleport thousands of people, but it was definitely not a problem to send out several hundred. If the rest of the army took swift steeds from the Green City, then everything would be solved!

The youth delayed his trip in order to solve this problem properly. Even though the Druids were trying to gather various mounts to transport supplies, how was it possible to do so when the Calamity of Wolves just happened?

But Brendel inquired with a little hesitation and expectation after he recovered from his surprise:

“But Tulman belongs to the Silver Alliance, and they made an oath not to interfere with us mortals.”

Mephisto merely put his finger to his lips, signaling an “If you don’t speak of it, and I don’t, then who would know?”

Brendel’s jaws dropped.

[Cheating!? This is absolutely cheating…… What the fuck…..]