Before evening, Brando had obtained a map of the hidden routes the hunters used to enter the forest. This was all thanks to the bald boss of the Coachhouse's propaganda. Or rather, intimidation. The secret paths in the forest were only known to the hunters, and every single one of them was a secret passed down from generation to generation. If not for the safety of their own families, they would never hand them over to outsiders.
Of course, Brando's identity as a royal Knight also played a huge role. The commoners always subconsciously knew that a noble did not need their secrets.
On the contrary, when they heard that a Knight from the royal family was going to rescue their loved ones, they could not help but feel grateful. Some even volunteered to be Brando's guide, but Brando politely rejected them. It was not that he thought he was more familiar with the forest in the north than the locals, but it was not worth it to bring a burden along for this little bit of convenience.
Soon, it was close to dusk.
The red sun was slanting into the mountains on the west coast of Lake Vallenden. The setting sun dyed the entire world in a hazy golden red. Under the twilight, a caravan consisting of only a single carriage was leaving Shallow Water Town's northern gate. Brando rode his warhorse at the front of the convoy, moving along the crescent-shaped beach by the lake. His shadow was dragged long by the setting sun, as if he was a silhouette of the gloomy Northanserra Forest ahead.
Brando raised his head and looked at the forest buried in the shadows of the mountains. The dark canopy of the trees was like countless nails arranged together, stretching all the way to the gray background of the Goldfinch Mountains. It was a vast cedar forest.
A series of hooves sounded behind him.
Brando turned his head to the side and saw a bright purple. The Shire's long robe fluttered slightly in the evening wind. He was riding a chestnut-colored warhorse, catching up from behind. Compared to the other wizards, the Highland wizards had some experience as Knight's apprentices, so they more or less knew some riding skills. This young wizard was undoubtedly one of the best.
"Hey, Sir Overlord." The Shire's snow-white hand held the reins while his other hand held his cane. He made a special greeting. "I just got something interesting. You must want to see it."
Brando was too lazy to look at this grinning guy. In his vision, the sunset glow in the eastern sky faded slightly and was replaced by a transparent light blue. A few white stars dotted the blue night sky, faintly discernible. A cool breeze blew across the surface of the lake, and the floating golden light rippled on the waves, like a few light ribbons.
Bathing in the evening breeze, he snorted softly. "What is it?"
He was very clear about the temperament of this guy who had followed him for a long time. If he showed too much interest, this guy might become complacent and keep him in suspense.
The Shire laughed dryly. "Then the bill for the hotel …"
Brando thought that Baldy had secretly tampered with the bill again. He couldn't help but sigh — it was one thing to tamper with the bill, but to be caught red-handed — this was really disappointing. "He's just a profiteer. There's no need to bother with him."
"No, no, no." The Shire shook his head. "I don't think he's that stupid. Did any of us replenish our supplies at the hotel?"
Brando was slightly startled. "Replenish our supplies? Of course not, but you can ask Mr. and Mrs. Laurenna. Maybe they bought something. "
"I've already asked. They don't know either, Sir Overlord."
Brando turned around with a suspicious look in his eyes. The convoy had made the last replenishment at Fort Kurkel. After that, there was no need to replenish their supplies at all. He became alert. "What's going on?"
"I've asked the waiter —"
"— The Shire, get to the point. If you keep me in suspense, I'll kick you into the lake. "Brando replied impatiently.
"Okay, okay, okay." The Shire quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Sir Overlord, the waiter said so. The little girl who was with us asked him to buy these things."
"And then he blamed it on us?" Brando was slightly puzzled. "Does he think we're in cahoots with the little girl?"
"Yes, we're in cahoots. But that's what the little girl said herself, if the waiter wasn't lying." The Shire spread his hands on the horse's back.
"Wait!" Brando suddenly reacted. "You said she left the bill to us?"
"I'm afraid so, Sir Overlord." The Shire laughed. "She successfully conspired to take over Graudin's position and forced the legitimate nobles to acknowledge him. Count Trentheim, who had never suffered a loss, who had protected all his confidence and hope, who had saved the Loop of Trade Winds, who had gone to Ampere Seifer alone to defeat Duke Seifer and the Holy Cathedral of Fire, who had never thought that he would be defeated by a little girl today. No one would believe this. "
Brando raised his head and straightened his body. He faced the direction of the forest and urged his horse to run faster. He squinted his eyes in the wind and replied. "You're right. This is really bad."
The Shire saw his Overlord's smug expression and was slightly startled. Naturally, he could not catch up with Brando and could only shout from behind. "… My Lord, why do I feel like you've succeeded in your scheme?"
Brendel smiled faintly but did not reply. He was not just in a good mood, he was in a very good mood. Mikaya Evrei was a famous name in history. The Witch of Arucher, the rebel, the Witch of Gold, the Merchant of Equality and Sophistry. But the most famous of them all was –
She was undoubtedly the ruler of the Bunosson, the Overlord of the Winter Kingdom, and the Witch Queen.
She was the ruler of space and time, the successor of the Witch of Nothingness, Euphorbia. She was known as the most unique witch among the twelve branches of witches. Because she was a witch but also pursued the path of rebellion to break free from the witch's fate, she was once called a 'rebel' by the witches.
But it was such a rebel who finally gained the recognition of the Crown of Winter and became the first Witch Queen to unify the twelve branches of witches after a thousand years.
Mikaya was from Erouine, but before the Third War of the Black Roses, she left Erouine with her teacher and went to Cruz. Before that, the Witch Queen had been living in Arucher, Lantonilan, so she was also known as the witch of Arucher.
After that, Mikaya experienced nearly thirty years of wandering life. When she became the Witch Queen, Erouine was long gone. Therefore, Brando did not have much interaction with the Witch Queen. Her name was like one of the many stars floating in the bright starry sky of Wohnde. Although brilliant, it was only a wave in the long river of history.
But now the significance was slightly different.
Mikaya was still a little girl, but her talent could not be doubted. Brando now doubted whether the 'parents' she spoke of really existed, because she looked more like an orphan. Although it was a little rude to think so, it was really good news for Brando.
Compared to persuading a noble couple to give their child to him to teach, it was much easier to lure an isolated and helpless little girl with a stable and good environment. From Mikaya's behavior, it could be seen that she must have no food or clothing, maybe she was separated from her parents.
But Brando did not turn his horse around, because he remembered that Mikaya would officially become a witch around March next year. Before that, he still had a lot of time. In any case, he had already asked the owner of the Carriage House to keep an eye out for him. Although he did not think that the little girl would continue to stay in Shallow Water Town after committing the crime with her calm and intelligence.
But it didn't matter, there was still time.
Brando and his horse galloped together in the wind, and he could not help but let out a sigh of relief in his heart. The three heroes of Erouine, the Valkyrie, Amandina, Bosley, Tamar, and Carglise were all outstanding young people. If the Witch Queen from the other side of history was added, more and more outstanding talents were gathered on this ship sailing out of the storm.
Perhaps the history of the Erouine would really change because of this.
From evening to the dawn of the night, everyone in the caravan saw the young lord's figure galloping wildly under the moonlight. He ran a big circle around the edge of the forest and circled back to the starting point, seeming to be particularly high-spirited.
However, very few people knew what the Count was thinking. Only a slightly cold gaze was silently watching the silhouette under the moonlight.
Nightfall in summer always came especially late. Although the full moon had already rushed over the gray mountains, the fiery sunset was still unwilling to retract its last ray of light. It was only after eight o 'clock that the forest by the lake was completely dark. If this was the Tónigel region, the forest would already be filled with the sound of insects chirping, but the cedar forest was especially cold.
The rustling of the temperature and the frost on the pine trees seemed to be incompatible with the season.
But Brando did not slow down the caravan. Instead, he returned to the side of the carriage and urged everyone to maintain the same speed. From here onwards, they would enter the Northern Anserra Forest and enter the Foy Fork. This place was still far from the Falling Needle Hills. The Frost Demons that lived in the cedar forest were magical creatures that were over level 20. Even experienced hunters could easily subdue them.
Of course, they had to rely on traps and cooperation.
But Brando was looking for a more beautiful creature, and the first night in the forest was especially important for him.
He tightened the reins and slowed the warhorse down. He bypassed the carriage full of supplies and carefully checked the condition of the shafts and wheels. Traveling on the uneven road in the forest in cold weather was especially taxing on the loaded carriage, so he had to be more careful.
Brando had experienced many adventures and naturally had the relevant experience.
But when he reached the other end, he saw a familiar face. The female Knight was sitting on a pitch-black warhorse, holding the reins with both hands. She looked at him calmly, as if she had been waiting for him for a long time.
"The first night is very important, isn't it?"
Her voice was calm and cold.
After the night fell, the cold wind began to carry a hint of coldness, as if it was sweeping through the forest. Brando shivered. He held the reins with one hand and looked at the female Knight.
"Who are you?"
"That's not important. Let the others set up camp." Maynild tucked her black sandalwood hair behind her ears and glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. "Come with me. Bring your three attendants."
As she spoke, she turned the horse around and left him with a suave view of her back.
"Wait …" Brando was stunned.
"Idiot," Maynild replied with her back turned. "Don't ask so many meaningless questions. Isn't your mission to catch the Crystal Deer? I know where it is."
It was as if a bolt of lightning had descended from the sky and landed on Brando, causing him to freeze completely.
…
(PS: After obtaining Lady Nicole's permission, you Baboons are resting today. The main thing is to stabilize the quality and continue to explode with 10,000 copies tomorrow. Also, someone asked me about the update plan for next month around the new year. We'll see when the time comes. I'm going out on the 2nd. If I can rush out the chapters before then, I'll maintain 10,000 new updates.) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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