Chapter 27 - Volume 1
TL: Just a warning.
If you plan to eat something or are already eating something, you might want to finish your food before reading this chapter. Apparently Brendel has a very active imagination.
Chapter 27 – Soul Gem
The gigantic Rotten Beast raised its branch-like claws that were the size of a human and used it to smash at Brendel. He quickly bent his body to evade it, and the attack went past his head like a hammer. The withered branches of the claw dragged the air along with it, causing his hair to dance wildly while it continued to swing against a boulder behind him. The boulder was knocked away with a deafening boom, and it flew twenty to thirty meters away.
Brendel spied on the boulder to see it hit and crash against the walls three times, before finally piercing deeply into the ground, bringing debris and dust everywhere to where it landed
He felt a sudden tightness in his throat; the monster’s strength was just too terrifying. If he got struck even once, his entire skeleton would not be able to absorb the impact, and would instantly be reduced to bits. His organs would be ruptured from the immense pressure, while the shattered bone remains would pierce them and create a bloody mess everywhere.
Brendel quickly searched through his memories. A Elite Rotten Beast’s 8.9 OZ was one of the strongest Level 20 Creatures around, and only Berserkers and the Dwarven Steel Guards would be able to match its strength.
He had no intentions of facing it head on. He quickly gestured to Freya to protect him from the sides, and used his advantage in agility to get into range for an attack. He swung the Thorn of Light at its left foot.
[This ‘Brendel’ really has good luck to be able to pick her up.]
“Really? My aunt also said this many times, ‘Little Romaine, you are really the best.’”
The merchant girl puffed up her chest in pride, but quickly cast concerned glances on Freya. He knew she was concerned with her best friend’s injury, so he answered:
“Don’t worry, these are just superficial wounds. Once we find a safe place and bandage her up, it should be fine.”
Freya was still blushing and did not reply.
Brendel finally got the chance to breathe and he glanced at the future Goddess of War.
He felt a little cross. He wondered how she survived the ‘War of the Black Rose’. Was it the qualities of being ‘determined’ and ‘calm’?
The past Freya gave him an impression like that. Even though she was a little naive, she had great composure that normal people would not have. Perhaps she had her own reasons to come here but not letting her bag go made Brendel displeased. She was too stubborn, but perhaps that stubborn nature of hers nurtured her tenacious character.
[This is still a bad thing in the battlefield.]
“Why did you come here?” In the end she was a fellow soldier, and he did not want to hurt her feelings. He thought for a while and decided to use a gentle tone.
Freya was silent for a while, then she removed a ring from her finger: “This is the seal ring from the Captain of the guards. Captain Marden asked me to bring this to you when you report to Fortress Riedon.”
Brendel patted his own forehead.
It was not because he forgot about this matter. The truth was he did not expect to be treated seriously by the people at Fortress Riedon. The militia like Freya might not know this but a veteran like Marden understood it clearly. If the nobility in Fortress Riedon treated the defense in Bucce with importance, the situation with Madara would not happen today.
The biggest reason why he wanted to go to Fortress Riedon was because of Romaine’s aunt. He did not expect Marden to be moved by his actions and actually sent his personal ring over. He had overlooked this, and he would have rejected Marden personally if he predicted this would happen.
After all, this ring would be of great use to the refugees.
“You were the one who requested to come right?” But Brendel reflected on it for a while longer, believing that the veteran soldier would never send Freya to her death even if the ring was of great importance.
The girl combed and tidied her ponytail, then nodded.
“Why bother.”
“You’re not from Bucce, Brendel, what excuses do I have to run away? I’m the leader of the third militia squadron and I need to set myself as an example.” She looked at him and answered.
“And what’s inside the bag?”
The future Goddess of War lowered her head and hugged the bag. She hesitated for a while.