Valhalla always looked particularly beautiful near the end of the year. The whole city was shrouded in a special atmosphere, warm and peaceful. Snowflakes floated outside the dark window. In the distance, Princess Street was lit up, and the light of magic was connected in the darkness, forming a bright necklace. Below them was a peaceful outer city. Lights were everywhere, and behind every window was a warm family.
Above was a brightly lit mid-level platform, where the citizens were having a night of revelry. Chiara held her cheeks. His eyes twinkled with starry light as he stared at them enviously.
This was her third year living under the fence. Since the death of Levin Ornason, Her Royal Highness sent her to this place in the name of marriage. But in essence, this was to keep Chiara away from her ill-intentioned relatives. After all, in House Seifer, there were still many people who coveted the inheritance of that title.
Chiara was not uncomfortable with it. She did not like or hate the Abies, but she was interested in the Count, her nominal fiancé. In this era, women tended to have children at a very early age, especially noble girls. Chiyara didn't really mind this marriage. After all, the other party was the spouse that her brother Ornason had personally arranged for her, and he was so outstanding.
If not, why would she give Seifer's Heart to that person? The necklace itself was a token of love.
But what made her a little annoyed was that her distant cousin always looked at her like she was a child, afraid that the Count would taint her. "Hmph, you just want to steal it yourself!" Chiara frowned and pulled the quill, "So annoying. What's wrong with being the descendant of Elkan III?"
Ling and Lotus looked at Chiara's movements in puzzlement.
Elves grew slowly. A few years ago, the two of them looked the same size as Chiara, but now the latter had become more and more like a little sister. Compared with the two little girls, she had more ignorant troubles. "Chiara, what's wrong with you?" Lotus asked softly.
"You don't understand," Chiara replied impatiently.
Ling replied faintly, "Miss Amandina said that you can't go anywhere this year."
"I know." Chiara was so angry that she wanted to grab her hair. "I don't need you to repeat it."
"Don't mess up your hair." Qian Xi helped her fasten the last brass button and reminded her.
Metisha was behind the three of them, holding Ling's hair and braiding it for her. She smiled and listened to the three girls talking. Although the two sisters were fostered under Scarlet's name, as her elder sister's daughters, they could be considered her true family in this world.
"Miss Amandina is too strict with them." Scarlet carefully adjusted Chiyara's collar, straightened up, and said to Metisha with a slight frown. The Silver Elf Princess chuckled, her eyes curved into crescents. She shook her head and said, "Then you'll have to tell her yourself."
Scarlet's eyes widened. She didn't dare to provoke that strict young lady.
"Miss Amandina is also afraid that something will happen to them," Metisha said with a smile. "After all, today is different from the past. The Twilight Army is pressing on the border, and the final battle is imminent. Although the Twilight Dragon's underlings in the Order Realm have suffered great losses, it's hard to guarantee that they won't cause any trouble.
She looked at the three girls and said, "But at the beginning of the new year, it's not a good idea to be cooped up at home. After the banquet is over, I'll take you to see the celebration."
Chiara suddenly raised her head, her eyes almost shining. "Really, Sister Metisha?"
"Of course, but you have to be obedient later." Metisha said seriously.
"Yeah!" The three girls cheered together, after all, having the temperament of a child.
With a whoosh, the cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed into the warm hall. Even the bright flames in the furnace dimmed by a few degrees. Amandina, Maynild, and Allium Japonicum pushed open the door to the courtyard from outside. A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the shoulders of their windbreakers. Allium Japonicum took off his windbreaker and handed it to Felaern, who had a serious expression on her face. He looked at them with a smile and asked: "What are you so happy about?"
"Hmph." Chiyara snorted softly.
"Sister Metisha wants to take us out to play." Lotus replied very obediently.
"That's not bad."
"The tone you use to coax children." Chiyara said lightly.
Amandina glared at her sternly.
Everyone laughed secretly, and Metisha also lowered her head and chuckled. Amandina asked Felaern who was beside her: "Are there any other guests? I saw a carriage outside." The tip of Felaern's ears twitched. The Elf lady was staring at her sister. Tia, who had sneaked over to a long table, stuck out her tongue embarrassedly and obediently put down the gingerbread in her hand.
She then opened her mouth and replied: "Princess Gryphine and Princess Magadal are upstairs in the study."
Only then did Amandina nod.
She looked at the three girls carefully and said in a rare gentle tone: "Remember not to cause trouble for Miss Metisha."
"Understood!"
A crisp voice answered.
Brando looked at this scene warmly by the fireplace, a little lost in thought.
This Castle Abies was like his home in this world, and every member was a part of this family. Whether it was Medissa, Scarlet, Amandina, Senior, Ling, Lotus, or the others, although they didn't know what the future would be like, there was no doubt that everyone cherished the time they had now.
Just like the last days of the Year of Spring, during this New Year, people understood that perhaps for a long, long time in the future, they would remember these last days of peace.
In the days to come, people would witness more and more of the spreading flames of war, death, parting, and sorrow.
It would be more tragic than any war that the civilized world had ever experienced.
Brando asked without blinking: "Is there any news of Carglise?"
The Shire behind him slowly shook his head: "No, but after the incident, we searched the entire Bernicel and the surrounding areas, and did not find Mr. Carglise's body. We can only conclude that he is missing."
Brando sighed. He knew that there were too many strange abilities and spells in this world. Even if they did not find the body, there was no guarantee that Carglise would be completely safe. Presumably, when Carglise covered Haruz and Mikaya's escape, he must have prepared himself for everything.
Brendel felt a little disappointed. Back then, he was the one who had led this young man onto this path. He had promised to protect his marriage with Maria, and now that the old nobleman had finally agreed, this outstanding young man would not be able to wait for that day to come.
"Her Highness has also asked about this matter. The astrologers believe that this is not a sign of death. Perhaps we have not lost all hope."
The Shire replied: "I think so too, but I can't free myself now. The situation in Karsuk is getting worse by the day, and the local affairs have been entrusted to the patrolling cavalry of Lantonilan."
Brando nodded, understanding that this was the only way.
He gently put down the letter in his hand and flattened the corner of the paper with his fingers.
After a while, he asked again: "The Shire, what is Gaia?"
The Shire looked at the letter and hesitated for a moment: "Is this the letter that Mistress White wrote to you?"
Brando nodded.
"Then for this question, my lord, you should ask Ovina or Miss Andrea. After all, they are the only ones who know about the Mythological Era of the past." The Shire replied. The fire in the fireplace not far away burned, and the red light reflected on one side of his face.
"I asked them."
"Oh, what did they say?"
"Gaia is not part of Tiamat's authority, and only Martha knows of Gaia's existence. Its duty is to nurture life. The Curved Surface Project that created me was completed by Martha with the help of Gaia's power. Tiamat's network only provided the necessary energy for this project. It was because of this that the Twilight Dragon was successfully fooled — "
The Shire was surprised to hear this, and asked: "Doesn't that mean that Gaia does not have the authority of Tiamat's law, and is not a god?"
Brando nodded.
"That seems to be the case. I remember that in the era of the divine people, Gaia was not a real god. The main god of the Temple of the Earth was the Goddess of the Mountains, Himilud. Although the Lion Men and Dwarves of Toquinin respectfully called Gaia the Mother of the Earth, there is no record of this goddess participating in the war in the Pale Poem of the past. "
The Shire frowned, and suddenly remembered something.
But Brando asked: "What if she is not a goddess of war?"
"But her authority is not within Tiamat's law, unless her power is equal to Martha's," The Shire answered firmly: "Another main god."
Brando remembered the girl he saw in the Stagnant Realm, who looked very similar to Sifrid, and shook his head. He had seen Martha, and he had seen the power that could control the entire Tiamat's law with her every move. That kind of majestic and all-encompassing power, as if she owned the entire world. Gaia might know many secrets, and she was wise as if she could see through everything, but the feeling she gave him was completely different.
The Shire looked at him and suddenly asked: "My Lord, why do you ask about this?"
Brando shook his head and replied: "Haku said in the letter that she would leave us all with a hope. I originally thought that she only wanted to resurrect Metisha, but now it seems that her scheme is far from that. She went through untold hardships to obtain Gaia's power, and even had to abandon her mortal feelings. Why is that? "
"She is a very ambitious woman, my Lord."
Brando looked at The Shire: "Are you still brooding over the matter of your great-grandfather?"
The latter shook his head: "Not to that extent. I just want to say that there may not be only one Échis in this world."
Brando nodded.
But in his heart, he had a faint feeling that perhaps Haku was not lying to him about this matter.
What was the so-called hope?
Gryphine looked at the bright lights of Valhalla from afar.
She put down the white porcelain teacup with both hands, and the fragrance of the tea filled the study. She looked up and fixed her gaze on her best friend: "When you were in Vlada, did you ever think of this day, Magadal?"
Magadal smiled and shook her head: "Gryphine, I will tell you, even in the craziest and most absurd dreams, I never thought that there would be a day like this. Would you believe me?"
Gryphine did not answer.
But the silence was the answer to all the questions.
Yes, who would have thought of this? Their fates had taken a 180-degree turn at the intersection of Ampere Seale, and it was all because of the same person. Gryphine gently rubbed the edge of the teacup with her slender fingertips: "Sometimes I even have an illusion that this is not my real fate. Maybe it is just a dream. I am afraid that I will wake up from this dream, because these days I often have a nightmare that makes me wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat … "
"What kind of nightmare is that, my friend?" Magadal asked: "Maybe you have been worrying too much these days. Why don't you tell me so that I can share some of your worries? Maybe you will feel better."
"Thank you, Magadal," Gryphine said softly: "In my dream, I dreamed of a different Erouine, where I did not meet Brando. After we parted ways in Vlada, I was betrayed by the Royal Faction in Ampere Seale, and I had no choice but to marry Arreck and become his tool to raise his children. The conditions that the nobles promised me were nothing but beautiful lies. I saw Haruz die in front of me with my own eyes, and Aouine eventually fell into a sea of fire. I tried my best to save everything, but what awaited me in the end was nothing more than a sharp blade — "
The princess' voice began to tremble. "But what killed me was not a conspiracy, but endless despair. Magadal, can you understand that feeling? There was no hope, and it was a dark path that led straight to the abyss and death."
Magadal said softly: "But that was just a dream. You met Mr. Brando in the end, didn't you?"
Gryphine took a deep breath.
She calmed herself down and replied, "Thank you, Magadal. Perhaps that is the case. I still remember the first time Oberwei described him to me. The scene of that day is still vivid in my mind. After that, I exchanged letters with him and used the brooch as a keepsake. That was probably the boldest thing I did in my life. But now that I think about it, I was so lucky at that moment. "
Magadal looked at her friend gently, but her eyes were full of envy: "You are indeed lucky, Gryphine."
Princess Gryphine raised her head and looked at her. "Are you tempted too, Magadal?"
"How can I not be?" Magadal replied honestly: "He changed the course of my life, and entered my heart. No matter what, I can't forget his place in my heart. I thought that I should live a normal life, but it turns out that a peaceful life is not as easy as I thought. It was Mr. Brando who made me understand this."
Gryphine was speechless.
Yes, perhaps only when that moment comes, people will understand. Even if they were to hold on to everything that was precious, it would still be a luxury.
Both of them looked at the lights in the darkness.
"Have you ever thought that this might be the last New Year we will see in our lives, Magadal?"
"But people still carefully guard this last bit of light."
"I hope the long night will pass."
… …
Freya checked her warhorse one last time. She patted the neck of the beast, smoothed its fur, and carefully fed it with hay and beans before carefully leaving the stable. In the distance, the soldiers of the White Lion Legion were cleaning their weapons and armor. Although it was the New Year, the whole camp was bustling with activity. Everyone was making their final preparations.
After today, they would leave their homeland and go to the highlands to participate in the real war.
Although it was the first time for many of them to go to the battlefield, they were very brave and joking with each other. A young soldier was excitedly discussing his future wife and life after the war. Although many of them knew that most of them would not be able to return to this land.
But they encouraged each other. Everyone clearly understood that the reason why they were willing to die was because they could not let go of their worries. And the reason why they chose to leave was because they loved everything here.
Freya stood silently in the darkness.
But what was the reason for her worries?
Was it just for Erouine?
Or was it for everyone in Bucce?
She looked at the young soldier's face from afar, and the happy smile on his face. She felt a stab of pain in her heart. It was like that night in Braggs. The bright moonlight shone in the small alley of Braggs, and melodious music came from the tavern like a nocturne. The two of them looked at each other.
She could still remember how she had dressed up in her favorite military uniform, but that stupid guy hadn't seemed to notice. He had only told her about the things she needed to pay attention to in the future, and then put on the ring she had given him with his own hands.
'Now do you understand why I want you to go to the Royal Knight Academy, Freya?'
'Because Freya, I need your help.'
Aouine's Goddess of War bit her lips as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I don't know …"
"But I'm only doing it for you."
"All of this is …"
She covered her mouth and turned around, but she did not expect to bump into someone. Freya lost her balance and almost fell backwards, but a hand caught her before she could fall. The girl from Bucce raised her head in astonishment, and the first thing she saw was a familiar, tall figure. In that instant, tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Brando looked at the girl silently, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He, Freya, and the Roman were all from Bucce, and the three of them were the most familiar with each other. But he never thought that he would occupy such an important position in the heart of this innocent girl. He gently wiped away the tears on the Goddess of War's face, and suddenly regretted it. He regretted the decision he made at that time.
He finally understood how heartless it was to let Freya go to the Royal Knight Academy alone, to an environment that was completely foreign to her.
But for him, this naive and innocent girl from the countryside of Bucce had chosen this path without hesitation.
Freya looked at Brando's hand in a daze. On his index finger, there was a shining ruby ring, exactly the same as that time.
"This … this is?" She almost could not believe her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Freya," Brando answered clumsily, "I accidentally broke the ring you gave me. This ring was specially made by Master Tamar. I can't accompany you to Karsuk tomorrow, but I hope it can protect you on my behalf —"
Tears came out again, but this time, they were tears of happiness.
Freya looked at Brando with tears in her eyes as he carefully lifted her hand, and then put on the ring with both hands. At that moment, she felt like she was going to faint.
"Accompany me to the banquet, okay?" Brando took Freya's hand and was about to lead her out.
But Freya stopped.
Brando looked back at her, and the girl firmly shook her head. She seemed to have gathered all her courage and said, "I'm going to the battlefield tomorrow, Brando."
"But I don't know if I can come back alive —"
"Tonight, let me be willful for once, okay?"
It was like a lily quietly blooming in the night. Brando stared at Freya for a long time without saying anything.
…
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