The Amber Sword

Chapter 124 – Standing at the edge

Brendel took several steps back and readied himself into a defensive stance, and Veronica allowed him to do so. Her earlier attacks were nothing more than attempts to gauge his strength.

They took a pronounced pause as they sought for weakness in each other’s stance. Brendel found hundreds of lines prodding at his body, and he shifted ever so subtly to react to any changes. It caused Veronica to knit her brows slightly.

[This level of raw talent….. It’s such a pity that he’s not a Kirrlutz citizen, or I will definitely get him to be my disciple and inherit my swordsmanship.]

Silence filled the area and the tension rose to the point where everyone was holding their breaths. One could almost hear every subtle movement from both Brendel and Veronica.

The female commander was the first to attack. The Evaluation skill reduced the number of lines pointing to his body, but there was still a dazzling number that pointed all over his body. It was proof that the skill had its limits in predicting someone of her skill. In the end, Brendel turned it off and relied on his experience to defend against it.

Their blades met in screaming union, and a flash of green and black blinded the crowd. The youth gritted his teeth when he felt the immense impact. Veronica’s blade had incredible speed and power which caused him to nearly shift out of a defensive position, but he planted his feet firmly on the ground to resist her.

Her blade drew back and she flicked it to his. He pulled his body back a little while rotating his sword so that its large flat blade guarded against her needle-like thrust.

Wings of light appeared behind his back as he raised his left hand. They quickly faded as hundreds of swords made from light floated in the air, pointing at Veronica and the crew behind her.

The female commander faltered when she saw this scene.

It was not just her, everyone had their eyes on Brendel when they saw the white glowing wings behind him, then stared at the hundreds of swords above him in astonishment.

“Just try it.” Brendel pointed Halran Gaia at her and said calmly.

“Are you threatening a general of the Kirrlutz Empire?” Veronica’s eyebrow lifted slightly: “Do you think these things can harm me?”

“Harm you? No. But these two hundred-odd projectiles have the force of a Silver-ranker and all of them can rain down in an instant. Commander Veronica, do you have the capability to protect every one of your men?”

The youth’s tone was light, but she frowned.

Rono was an Alchemist and a knight. He was one of the most gifted youths in the Empire and even received an audience with the Emperor. Faena’s status was even more unique.

Nothing must happen to these two.

She actually stood there blankly for a while, unable to think of a response.

“You’re despicable for trying to hold a lady as your hostage!”

Faena saw that her idol being caught in a bad position and the reason was her. She glared angrily at Brendel. If looks could kill, then she would have stabbed him a hundred times.

“And you are honorable for using numbers against us? Or to bully us with experienced fighters?” Amandina immediately retorted.

The two aristocrats did not allow each other to gain the upper hand.

Amandina continued to speak: “Commander Veronica, does the Empire’s honor come in this form?”

The Azure Green easily allowed her to identify Veronica, even if she did not recognize the latter’s face.

Veronica scoffed and did not answer Amandina’s question: “Elementalist, Alchemist, a Sword Saint and even bringing out the Equipment of Gods? When did Aouine have a genius like you? Speak truthfully, which faction is interfering with Aouine’s politics? Is it the Divine Pantheon of Wind, or the Sacred Church of Light?”

There was a slight pause before she added sarcastically: “I didn’t expect that Aouine is capable of drawing the attention of so many factions.”

Brendel wanted to cough out blood as he listened to Veronica’s words.

[What does the Holy Swords have anything to do with the Equipment of G—?]

He suddenly whipped his head and stared at the swords, and the urge to spit out blood came again. Why did he not realize that this Cleric skill somehow resembled the projectiles from the Equipment of Gods?

[But they are two different spells, right? …… Damn it.]

The Equipment of Gods was one of the signature spells of the Sacred Church of Light. Only a ranked personnel who was a Bishop and above would be capable of casting it. The Sacred Church of Light was also enemies with the Holy Cathedral of Fire, and they were rivals who fought bitterly with each other.

Brendel had no doubt that any Bishop belonging to the Holy Cathedral of Fire in the kingdom would invite him for tea, if they heard rumors about him casting the Equipment of Gods.

While he dared to go against Aouine’s nobles, he definitely did not dare to go against the Holy Cathedral of Fire.

[For crying out loud, they are comprised of two Empires and twelve kingdoms. If any of the seven Cardinals say something like “Destroy Aouine!”, the kingdom will be wiped off from the map. In fact, the reason why Aouine is safe from Kirrlutz is that they recognize the kingdom. Otherwise, Kirrlutz would never tolerate their presence. Shit, how am I going to explain this?]

“Hey, you know what? I’m a Planeswalker! What is a Planeswalker? Well, they are professional card players!”

Brendel could imagine Veronica slapping his face and making it kiss the ground. The youth felt a sense of dread and could only hope that this crazy woman was not one who gossiped. It was fortunate that the game’s Veronica was known for being a taciturn person in front of outsiders and was not fond of people who blackmailed others.

But Veronica did not continue to harp on this topic. She raised her sword coldly and arrogantly continued: “But do you really believe I wouldn’t attack, young man?”

Brendel knitted his eyebrows. He could sense overwhelming pressure all around him.

“She’s determined to attack,” Orthlyss warned him.

[Is she insane!] Brendel cursed inwardly and was frantically finding a way to stop her attack.

But a dignified voice came from above and interrupted both of them.

“Just try it, woman from Kirrlutz.”

The deafening voice reverberated in the air and thundered in everyone’s ears. The green barrier around the market shimmered as Druids started entering it. They stopped in front of Brendel and stood completely in the path of Veronica’s attack.

A moment of silence covered the market.

Veronica frowned inwardly and she lowered her sword.

The Druids finally appeared. No matter how prideful she was, she would not break the Druids’ rules in front of them. If she accidentally hurt any Druid, the Empire would have to give an explanation even with her status.

Even though these Druids seemed like they do not concerned themselves with the mortals, the fury from the Circle of Skies was not something to joke about.

There were thousands of Dark Forests in the whole continent, and each of them had Druids guarding in them. Only Mother Marsha knew how many Druids there were.

There was also the fact the Kingdom of Forests, Eirlann, was also their allies.

“Lady Veronica, your messengers promised not to cause trouble when they entered the city. You should understand your Empire’s strength has nothing to do with the Druids.” Andellu spoke somberly.

His forceful tone made Brendel stick out his tongue. That man was not giving Kirrlutz any respect. It was also clear that the Druids were siding with him by accusing Veronica first.

[It seems like the Druids are pleased with my suggestion.]

Meanwhile, Veronica’s expression was turning dark. She naturally felt the unfriendly tone from them. She originally hoped that her status as Kirrlutz’s messenger would be enough for these grass manipulators to arrest Brendel.

She thought that Brendel had come to the city in the guise of an adventurer, and the political clout she had would make the Druids think twice. She truly did not expect the Druids to shield him to this degree.

Thus she widened her eyes and observed Brendel and the Druids. Was it because the youth had some kind of connection to the Druids, or did they think that she was the one who was completely at fault?

But what did a noble from Aouine have anything to do with the Druids?