The Amber Sword

Chapter 81 – Difficulty

Maher and Jocah got upset when Brendel refused to accept Cohen’s offer, especially when the sickly youth’s hands grasping the bars slid down as though he had given up. Even if they were freed and went outside, it was a fact that they had caused this incident.

The conclusion was almost certain death for all of them even if they got out. If Cohen and the other youths could not be freed, they intended to stay behind.

Maher was especially vindictive against Brendel. The latter was at least a noble, and probably someone of considerable importance because of his combat skills. If it was not for him, they would not have been imprisoned.

[If that bastard loses, it’s all worth it. Getting trapped with all of us is worth it to get back at him.]

Brendel was secretly thankful that the announcer gave him extra time. Perhaps winning the sword was the reason. He turned towards Romaine and said:

“Romaine, we will leave the stage. When the announcer asks you the question again, raise your hand and say that you’re giving up, do you understand?”

“Y-yes. Brendel, did I do something wrong?” Romaine asked again.

Not to mention that this was a sacred place where countless ancestors were watching him.

How could he back down right here?

“I might be old, but I will never back down! Especially when this place is the territory of us Rune Dwarves, you impudent brat!” Odum roared.

Kodan immediately smirked upon hearing Odum’s words. He had never heard such fitting words in his life, to the point that he saw the grumpy old man in a better light.

[Torbus’s grandson certainly has no manners, but—]

“Odum, why are you down here?” Kodan asked.

The old dwarf still had more complaints in his chest, but it quickly died down when he saw the Gold-ranked Kodan in an injured state: “Commander Kodan, what happened to you?”

“That’s because your Rune Dwarves’ territory is a fine place indeed,” the old man raised a bushy brow and replied with a huff, “come to think of it, are you not a Gold Dwarf? When did you become a Rune Dwarf?”

“I merely stayed in the Gold Dwarves’ territory when I was young, I’m a full-blooded Rune Dwarf!” Odum was furious to hear someone suspecting his bloodline.

“Fine, I’ll believe that you’re a citizen of the Silver Lineage, what are you doing down here?”

“I……” Odum suddenly blinked at Kodan’s sinister smile. It seemed like the latter had baited out his secret, and the old dwarf tried to think of an excuse while he stuttered.

Surely he could not say that there was a rumored legend where a treasure vault buried here and as a real Rune Dwarf, he had the authority to inherit it all? Leaving other greedy nobles aside, Count Randner would turn him into a genuine dead Rune Dwarf first.

“M-more importantly, why do you have Halran Gaia?” The dwarf tried to change the topic and turned back to Brendel.

“You recognize this sword?” Brendel looked at the dwarf and asked with surprise.

Even though Odum said he was the last bloodline of the Rune Dwarves, Brendel had encountered too many of such ‘last bloodlines’ in the game. The majority of them in the whole continent had already forgotten about their Legacies.

In fact, one could trace the current citizens of the continent back to the Gold Lineage if they tried.

But the era of the Gold and Silver Lineage were already over, and so was the Era of Darkness. The current Vaunte was a different thing compared to the past Vaunte where Gods and legendary figures were still around.

“Ahem, of course, …… my lord,” Odum lowered his head slightly and spoke more respectfully when he remembered that the youth was carrying Halran Gaia.

The corners of Kodan’s lips went up to reveal his teeth. He suddenly felt disgusted at the sudden change of the dwarf’s attitude.

[Why is this old bastard changing his tune faster than that cowardly Perkins and sucking to the brat? I’ve experienced his stubborn attitude before. Sure, that sword looks like a good sword, but is it really that important?]

Kodan’s gaze went to the sword, and so did Brendel.

“Is this sword very important to you?” Brendel said.

He brought his sword a little closer to the dwarf, but he naturally had no intention to give it to him.

“Rather than it being rather important, it has something to do with a…… legend.” Odum was a little disappointed in his heart.

There were many legends about the Rune Dwarves’ treasure vaults, but there was only one of the Halran Gaia. If the sword appeared here it meant that the sword was the only ‘treasure’ here.

[This is really such a waste of time. I waited years to get my chance to get nothing. I’m just a minor branch of the Rune Dwarves too. I didn’t even learn my ancestors’ architecture skills that rival Galbu’s Wizard Craftsmen……]