Vahina was dressed in a sky-blue Knight's uniform. Even the oversized uniform could not hide her slender figure. Her bright golden hair was neatly tied into a ponytail behind her head, and her sapphire eyes were filled with confidence and maturity. She did not look like a spoiled noble's daughter at all.
Brendel was stunned when he saw the young lady's expression.
Vahina seemed to be satisfied with his reaction. Her eyes narrowed into crescents as she smiled mischievously: "They said you were here, and you really are here."
"You're looking for me?"
"Of course. What else do you think?" Vahina's tone was still a little angry: "Why didn't you come looking for me these past few days? You know I'm here?"
Brando looked at her strangely. "The meeting is about to start. Aren't you with Duke Mehotofen?"
Vahina's eyes widened in anger as she glared at Brando: "My father told me to come."
Brando looked at her and could not help but laugh: "I'm sorry. I've been too busy these past few days. Besides, it's not suitable for me to meet with Cruz in private, is it?"
This explanation extinguished Vahina's little dissatisfaction. The poor girl did not care about her lover's excuse at all. She looked at Brando with a gentle gaze and said: "Actually, it's more suitable for you to meet with Cruz in private. No, it's more suitable for you to meet them in public."
"What?" Brendel paused for a moment, wondering why the young lady was starting to spout nonsense again after just a few sentences.
He could not help but look at the Knight beside Vahina. The two young Knights were looking at him enviously. They were obviously admirers of the Flower of Mehotofen. However, Vahina did not mind the gazes of her two companions. She did not hide her admiration at all: "That's true. What's so good about Aouine? If you're willing to join the Empire, you can have everything you want."
"Don't we already have the answer to this question?" Brando replied with a smile. If someone else had asked him this question, he might have felt displeased. However, when the question was asked by this young lady, it reminded him of the good times he had spent in the Loop of Trade Winds. He could still remember the warm and fragrant feeling in his arms.
Vahina could feel the warmth in Brando's eyes. Her heart fluttered a little and her face blushed a little. Evidently, she had thought of the same thing. She stuttered, "But it's different this time."
"What's the difference?"
"What?"
"I mean, what's the difference?"
Vahina opened her mouth to reply, but quickly changed her words as if she remembered something. "I know you can't let go of Erouine's princess, but I'm a princess as well. Even if my father is a duke, Mehotofen is much more powerful than Erouine. If you're willing, I can consider it for the Empire."
Brando did not know whether to laugh or cry at her words. Even though he knew that this young lady was not ordinary, he could not help but feel that she was a little too passionate at times. Even Amandina could not help but turn her head to the side, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Metisha tilted her head and looked at the scene with interest.
Vahina's face was also red, but the warmth and generosity of the people of the Empire were different from the people of Erouine. She looked at Brando with determination, her blue eyes waiting for his answer.
"Vahina, thank you, but I'm from Erouine." Brando shook his head.
"But it's not impossible for someone from Erouine to become the emperor of Cruz." Vahina could not hide her disappointment.
"What did you say?" Brando did not catch the young lady's mutterings.
"N-nothing," Vahina quickly shook her head when she realized that she had let the cat out of the bag: "What I meant was, it was my father who asked me to look for you. Sister Delfien is also waiting for you —"
"Oh?" Brando knew that Delfien never joked about important matters. It was only then that he realized that Vahina might really be representing the Duke of Mehotofen. [But why is the Duke looking for me?] Apart from Vahina, he had only met the Duke once, and it could not even be considered as an acquaintance. As someone from Erouine, he did not seem to have any relationship with Cruz.
Moreover, he felt that the young lady in front of him was a little strange. She looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself. This was not her usual personality. One must know that the arrogant and willful noble lady might have disappeared, but her outspoken personality was still imperceptible. It wasn't something that could be changed in a short period of time. As the saying goes, it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature.
Brando looked at Vahina suspiciously. He felt that this young lady was conspiring with the Prime Minister's daughter to plot against him. As for why it was Delfien, it was not that he looked down on her, but she really did not have the brains to plot against him.
Vahina did not know that her sweetheart had already labeled her as a bad person in his heart. She asked in a serious tone: "You are no longer a noble of Erouine, right, Brando?"
Brando nodded. Ever since he took the initiative to remove his identity as Count Tónigel Randner, it could be said that he had faded out of Erouine's circle of nobles. Although in name, he was also the descendant of the Cardiloso Family and the Earth Sword Saint, this identity wasn't much to begin with. Moreover, he had never considered himself as such.
The princess gave him the title of honorary chairman, but it was only binding within Erouine's borders. Rather than calling it a noble title, it was more of an honor and a symbolic position.
He suddenly understood Vahina and Delfien's intentions.
The Prime Minister's daughter had deliberately planned for him to attend this meeting as a Kirrlutz citizen.
If he insisted on attending the meeting as a citizen of Erouine, the best choice would be to use the identity of Count Tónigel. Even if he denied it, it would not prevent others from thinking so. This was because the Count represented Erouine's hero, a legendary lord who had saved the kingdom and the royal family more than once. Furthermore, people were fond of talking about his' love 'with the princess. After all, the story of the princess and the Knight had always been popular in Wohnde. But more importantly, people recognized him as the Regent of Erouine.
So if he attended the meeting with Haruz, whether he liked it or not, people would think that he, and not the royal family of Erouine, was the leader of the meeting. This may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it would cause damage to the central authority that the ancient kingdom had painstakingly established.
Perhaps the princess had already seen through this, but for some reason, she and Haruz did not show any signs of minding. Brando could understand the brother-sister's feelings for him. But if he did not realize it, then he would not allow everything he had done in the past to go to waste.
But Brando himself also realized that he might have no talent in politics, because it was only now that he figured it out. Not only Princess Gryphine, but the Prime Minister's daughter also saw the crux of the problem at a glance.
Brando sighed and stopped thinking about this depressing problem.
In fact, he could seek the help of the Bugas. Because of his identity, Solomon would definitely give him a place. However, this was not the best choice. After all, in the Sacred Oath, the Silver People had always been onlookers and not participants. What he had to do was to lead the meeting. After all, in this war, there was probably no one who knew the Twilight Dragon better than him.
If he participated in the peace conference as the Count of Tónigel, because the whole of Wohnde witnessed the dazzling holy sword when Amandina resisted Sorcerer Sadr, the people of Erouine would naturally have an advantage in this alliance. Especially when people already knew that the holy sword Amber might be in Erouine.
But if he had to give up this advantage, then the other best choice seemed to be Cruz.
The reason was simple.
Because the sage of Cruz was the Flame King, Gretel.
But there was also a problem. He frowned and asked, "But I'm Erouine after all. Even if I'm with you, it's not legitimate, is it?"
Faena replied confidently, "Brando, don't worry. Sister Delfien said that she will definitely satisfy you."
Brando thought of the woman with nine orifices. Delfien was indeed not a helpless person, but this time he really could not think of a way that the prime minister's daughter would solve this thorny problem.
But every time he thought of that charming name, his heart was more with the touch of the cold fingertips intertwined with each other, the burning skin, the half-opened starry eyes, and the breath that was like orchids and musk.
This impression in his mind was somewhat indifferent at first, and even made him feel afraid. But gradually, it became so profound.
Brando looked back at Amandina, and she nodded silently to him.
The light in the clouds was fading.
The grass was low, and people gradually appeared on the wilderness.
The representatives of the various countries on the side of Order began to enter the real Sacred White Hall.
"Teacher!"
Entering the hall, two voices with the same childish tone sounded at the same time.
Haruz stopped, his small hand under the thick cloak clenched the scepter tightly, and looked at Huang Huo not far away vigilantly. His expression was like a small animal protecting its food. Huang Huo already knew that this teacher had another student, and also stopped to look at him curiously. She did not avoid Haruz's gaze and looked at him with a calm expression.
"Teacher, she is …"
"She is Huang Huo. In a sense, she is your classmate. According to Jiu Feng, you are the senior brother, the elder brother." Brando of course understood the little prince's thoughts and reminded him, "Although Huang Huo may be far away from you in the future, at least here, you have to take on the responsibility of protecting her."
"Then, is she learning swordsmanship from you?" Haruz frowned and asked in a low voice.
"More or less." Brando replied. Of course, Huang Huo did not only learn swordsmanship from him, but she could also be regarded as his successor. In the eyes of outsiders, he was more of a Sword Saint, so it was not wrong to say so.
Haruz was even more disappointed and muttered in a low voice, "So, it would be great if I could learn swordsmanship too."
Brando looked at the little prince's increasingly deep eyes that seemed to contain stars and shook his head indifferently, "Black magic is not bad, Haruz, and maybe this is the future. Besides, I said to have confidence in yourself. At your age, your swordsmanship is not bad."
Of course, it was still not as good as Huang Huo.
"Really?" After all, Haruz was still a child. Although he had tried to be mature and steady most of the time, it was different in front of Brando. It was a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and expectation.
Brando nodded.
The venue of the Sacred White Stone Monument was actually a group of short stone pillars surrounding the monument. It was unknown who had built this group of stone pillars. Stone slabs were laid out in standard concentric circles in the grass. Circle after circle, they intersected with the short stone pillars. There was a huge white stone monument in the distance.
Looking at it from such a close distance, the holy white rock looked like it was towering into the clouds.
More and more people had entered the venue, and some people had noticed this direction. Every move of Erouine's people was now being watched, but few people could recognize Brando's identity. People saw him talking to Erouine, the young king, and were secretly trying to figure out his identity.
Compared with Haruz, Huang Huo's performance on the side was naturally much better. She still silently served her master with the sword — this was also the tradition of the Nine Phoenixes.
Seeing Huang Huo take the sword from Brendel and stand to the side, many people were even more surprised. Over the past few days, people were gradually able to distinguish the identities of the people of the Nine Phoenix. Huang Huo was the Jade Phoenix Mage of this generation and the princess of the Nine Phoenix. Needless to say, her status would be extremely respected in the future. She might even be above the royal power. Otherwise, she would not be representing the Nine Phoenix to participate in this meeting.
And these two important people were actually related to the young man — who was he?
Perhaps the only ones at the scene who did not have doubts were the Bugas, Cruz, and a few Wind Elves of Saint-ausol. In fact, even among the Wind Elves, many middle-level nobles were whispering about Brando's identity.
But under their gaze, Brando saw Yaruta.
"Mr. Brando."
Yaruta hurriedly saluted Brando. Peya did not lower her head, but the proud huntress remembered her absurd actions that night. Her face burned a little and she quickly turned her head away — fortunately, her skin exuded a healthy bronze glow and her blush was not noticeable to outsiders.
Seeing this pair of hunter's son and daughter, Brando thought of Saint-ausol the Wind Empress. He sighed slightly, "You have done well, Yaruta, Peya, I have heard of your deeds in Alkash. You have not let down the Ring of the Wind Empress in your hands. Lord Saint-ausol will be proud of you."
He then looked at the Lord of Lorindale behind the two and nodded slightly to the latter. Apparently, he had heard of the other's glorious deeds. It was not necessarily a bad thing for the siblings to have such a person to teach them.
"You are the grandson of Darius?" Isdoville met Brando's gaze and his eyes flashed.
"Yes."
"Very good, Darius has a good descendant," Isdoville nodded and replied, "Unfortunately, the lifespan of humans is too short. Your grandfather is the best opponent I have ever met in my life, but you are not bad either. It may not be a bad thing for the coalition to have a commander like you."
Brando knew the grudge between his grandfather and this person. In the long war sixty years ago, the commander of the coalition forces on the Saint-ausol side was this person. However, the elves had a long life, rich experience, and excellent strategists emerged one after another. The King of Lorindale became famous at least a century earlier than his grandfather. The Earth Sword Saint was definitely a genius to be able to fight him to a draw and even gain the upper hand. His great reputation in the entire Holy Cathedral of Fire was not accidental.
But the words of the Elven Lord still stunned him, "What did you say, Mr. Isdoville?"
In response to this question, the King of Lorindale's gray face showed a natural smile, but he did not answer again. Instead, he left with Yaruta and Peya and returned to the elves.
But just this one encounter had once again caused a stir in the entire venue, and more and more people turned their eyes in this direction.
On the contrary, the discussion within the wind elves had subsided, and it was obvious that most of the elves recognized the other party.
This Count may not be a legend in Erouine, but his other identity was not to be underestimated. As the one who signed a contract with the Wind Empress, he held the Holy Sword of the Earth and the Blade of Golden Flames. No matter where he went, he was a living legend and was respected.
Some people also turned their eyes to the Lion Men of Toquinin. It was self-evident what the Holy Sword of the Earth, Halran Gaia, meant to the people of the White Plains. And it was said that in the early days, the Lion Men had a bad relationship with Erouine because of this. They also sent people to Erouine to seize the Holy Sword, but in the end, nothing was done.
But Brando did not care about this. He continued to walk forward with Haruz and Huang Huo, occasionally exchanging his experience with his two students. As they got closer and closer to the center of the venue, the huge chalky rock in their field of vision became more and more shocking.
People retreated to both sides, and only the really important people could enter the area next to the stone tablet. Only two representatives were chosen in the whole Silver Bay, and most of the small countries could only send one person, but they could not enter the core area.
Those who could really walk to the side of the stone tablet and engrave their names on the sacred contract were only the descendants of the seven former kings. At most, there was the Nine Phoenix and Madara.
More and more people began to speculate about Brando's identity.
It was finally time for Huang Huo to leave, because she had arrived at the area where the Nine Phoenix delegation was. She bowed to her teacher, returned the sword, and turned to leave. Behind her, Brando saw Fang Qi again, but the guy looked a little angry, as if he was not happy to see him.
"They're all looking at you, Brando," Vahina's voice was a little happy, and she paid attention to the surroundings as she walked: "They must be guessing who you are."
But Amandina shook her head and answered calmly: "They're just curious. Once they know who we are, they won't pay so much attention to us. Erouine is important now, but it doesn't mean that Erouine has become important in the kingdom."
"I understand, Miss Amandina," Haruz quickly shook his head. Back in Tónigel, Amandina had been his teacher for a longer time, and he was a little afraid of her lecturing style: "We'll face our own identity."
Amandina glanced at him and nodded.
But Vahina could not tolerate Brando being looked down upon, not even by his own teacher. She retorted: "That's not necessarily true."
Brando turned around and looked at the confident young lady with a strange expression. He was becoming more and more suspicious of her performance today: "What did Delfien say to you, Vahina?"
"N-nothing." Vahina was shocked and quickly shook her head.
"Nothing?"
"Delfien didn't want me to say, Brando," Vahina was forced into a corner and could only bitterly betray her teammate: "Anyway, you won't be disappointed, right?"
"I hope so."
"Are you angry, Brando?" Vahina asked carefully.
Metisha giggled behind him, but she quickly blushed and covered her mouth.
"Do I look like I'm that petty?" Brendel laughed helplessly.
"Alright." In truth, the girl was just a little worried in front of her sweetheart. "By the way, where's Ropar?" She still remembered the Lord of the Fireclaw Lizardmen who saved her life in the Imperial Capital.
"Lute took him to the Fire Elemental Plane, the River of Scorching Heat." Brando answered casually.
He saw Magadal in the crowd, and the Nun Princess also saw him at the same time. She quickly stood up and nodded to him with a smile. To Magadal, Brando was not only the most likely candidate to get close to the Throne of Destiny and obtain the Amber Sword, but more importantly, this close friend of hers, a Knight, had saved her life several times.
But in her heart, Brando was far more than just a simple gratitude.
Fortunately, no one noticed the distant glance between the two, or else the venue would have been in an uproar. The Silver Bay states were the first to respond to the call of the Kirrlutz and the Sanorso Wind Elves to establish an alliance, and it was under the leadership of this Nun Princess. They had participated in the Battle of Kanebell and the Battle of Alkash, and at this moment, they were already influential in this venue and were no longer a force to be ignored.
"Who's Lute?" Vahina asked doubtfully.
"A little fairy. They are Flame Fairies, creatures born from the Fire Elemental Plane. The Fire Elemental Plane is their home." Brando answered.
"So the Fire Elemental Plane is also the home of the Fireclaw Lizardmen? So Ropar went home to visit his family?"
Vahina's slightly naive explanation made Brando smile slightly, but he understood that the Fireclaw Lizardmen and Lute's trip might not be that easy. After the Battle of the Elemental Frontier, the Four Elemental Planes had long collapsed, and the natives there had fled to the material plane. Now, all that was left was a dead and distorted void.
The reason why Lute and Ropar returned there was only to obtain the inheritance of the Fire Elemental Plane. Correspondingly, the other little fairy and the Crystal Stag, Malourcha, also returned to the Shallow Sea Realm.
Thinking of the Shallow Sea, he couldn't help but think of Miss Tata and couldn't help but sigh.
Vahina couldn't understand why he was sighing, but she didn't have time to think about it. Because with Haruz's departure, everyone's eyes finally fell on her. Although the little prince was slightly surprised by Brando's choice.
"Teacher, are you really not coming with us?"
He furrowed his brows and looked very sad. His eyes were already flashing. If he hadn't remembered his identity, he probably would have cried in front of everyone.
Brando shook his head. He knew that although the little prince pretended to be strong on the surface, the weakness in his heart had not been completely eradicated. He was that brave Princess Fosha, and also that Haruz who cried at the slightest thing. But for the sake of the kingdom's trust, this little youth had actually sacrificed too much.
Fortunately, a scream suddenly came from the distance in the crowd. A fat dragon suddenly flew over from nowhere. Haruz and Brando both looked at the Hipamira chasing after it with some surprise.
The little prince only then realized that he had lost his composure. He wiped away his tears, bowed to Brando, and then returned to his position with his attendants.
So, only Metisha, the Mephistopheles siblings, Amandina, and Vahina were left by Brando's side.
But they still continued to move forward.
At this time, the people in the venue finally recognized Vahina.
"It's the people of Cruz."
"Strange, is there such a young man in Cruz's representative?"
"Is it their eldest prince?"
"No, no."
"Look at the sword on his back-"
The Blade of Golden Flames.
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
And at this moment, Brando had just stepped into the innermost ring of the sacred white monument.
Lastly, the little female dragon Aloz and Flora.
Every gaze had a different meaning.
Some were understanding, some were happy, some were anxious, some were admiring, some were calm, some were scrutinizing, and even some were doubtful and suspicious. Brando distinguished every gaze and responded to a few of them. He looked at Dilferi with a little surprise. He did not expect to see the Count's daughter and his captain here.
Manrique was obviously very excited. He had wanted to return to Erouine long ago, just like Bretton, but the mission given to him by his lord forced him to stay and continue to protect Dilferi.
He also did not expect to see his lord in this place.
Then, Brando saw Aloz, the little female dragon's golden eyes did not hide her longing for him as she smiled and responded to his gaze.
Finally, it was Brando. The old man nodded slightly to greet him.
But Brando noticed another gaze in the crowd. That gaze made him feel a little warm. He looked in that direction and saw a pair of dreamy green eyes. The little girl looked at him with incomparable gentleness and admiration. Her gaze was so firm that it was like a hope.
On the night when Castle Abies was filled with blood and fire, he personally preserved this hope. This hope was like a seed that took root and sprouted in people's hearts. Now, it had broken through the soil and was about to grow into a towering tree.
He smiled slightly and suddenly understood something. Perhaps he had made too many choices and taken on too many responsibilities, but as long as he remembered his initial decision, he would not regret it.
Because he believed in all things righteous.
He nodded to Sifrid, and the little girl's eyes seemed to suddenly light up as a satisfied smile bloomed on her face.
Then, Brando stopped.
Raising his head to look at the huge stone tablet, he felt a faint throb in his heart. As he stood there, time seemed to flow backwards. It was the wilderness from a thousand years ago. The wind blew the leaves, and the waves splashed. The faces of everyone standing around the stone tablet were so clear and vivid.
The air seemed to ripple with a sacred and solemn aura.
Brando could clearly feel that there was a gaze that seemed to have transcended the shackles of time and was looking at him.
He reached out his hand —
There was a buzzing sound. Delfien stood in the crowd and looked at the scene with a faint smile. The Sacred Ring of Fire in her hand at this moment emitted a dazzling light and trembled slightly in her palm.
The wind rose in the grassland, and the wolves in the distance howled to each other.
The sound of howling rose and fell one after another.
The Lion-Men of Toquinin stood up one by one.
The tall young Lion-Man with a shallow scar on his face held a burning ball of light in his hand. He looked at the scene with some disbelief, and then looked in the direction of the crowd.
"Human, who are you —?"
The Wind Elves, Fanzin, Hazaire, Druids, and Dwarves also stood up one by one. Although some of them had expected this, the scene still shocked them.
Every ring was emitting a dazzling light, and every ring was trembling as if it was trying to break free from all restraints.
That was an ancient story, the Flame King's sacred oath of the Seven Precepts.
And now, their king had returned.
… …
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