The gently undulating hills were like a wrinkled carpet, and the last colors of summer had yet to fade. The grass and trees were a deep green, and there was a light drizzle. The slightly cold air seemed to have shrouded the entire battlefield in a thin layer of fog. On the hills next to the valley, many figures gradually appeared at the edge of the linden forest. They were soldiers, wearing heavy armor and pointed helmets. On their right shoulder was the head of a white lion. The lion lowered its eyelids, as if it was thinking at all times, outlining the calm aura of this army. The first officers to walk out of the forest mostly had embellishments of burning demon horns on their shoulder armor, indicating that they had participated in the Battle of Ampere Seale and had survived the bloody battle against the demons. The young man walking at the front had a pair of resolute eyes under the edge of his steel helmet. His name was Mars. Not only had he participated in the Battle of Ampere Seale, he had also experienced the Calamity of Wolves in the Loop of Trade Winds. There was a total of sixty young people from all over Tónigel with him, and half of them had died on the battlefield of Ampere Seale. However, he had survived and personally received a helmet with a long white mane from the Lord, becoming a platoon leader Knight of the White Lion Guards.
He turned his head and looked at another officer behind him. The other officer was also wearing a helmet with a metal mask, and only a pair of light brown eyes were shining with wisdom. He knew that this person was called Gasol. Although he did not participate in the Battle of Ampere Seale, he was one of the first officers to follow the Lord. Now, just like him, he was a core officer of the White Lion Guards. There were many people like him in Abies. Brando currently had two systems under his command. One was the original Red Bronze Dragon Mercenaries, the leader of which was the Red Bronze Dragon Retto. This veteran of many years of war had long been an important figure in Tónigel. Most of his subordinates were the first batch of people to follow Brando, and now this system had a faint aura of a veteran. However, Brando had always intended to downplay the role of non-professional soldiers in Tónigel. The Red Bronze Dragon Mercenaries were stationed in Abies, and now they were mainly responsible for local security in Tónigel. They were in the same position as the Subterrane Dwellers who were in charge of local defense. However, Retto himself was not ambitious, so he was comfortable with this arrangement.
Of course, Brando's arrangement was not for the sake of power, but only to emphasize the role of professional soldiers in Tónigel in the future. No one knew better than Brando how the private armies of the old nobles were full of drawbacks. The bloody experience of Viero's army today was a bloody lesson for those who did not understand Brando's arrangement. However, they did not understand that Brando saw far more than that. He knew better than anyone else what Erouine needed.
Brando's other system was the newly formed White Lion Legion and the Wind Archer Legion. This system was the future blood of Tónigel, but he did not stop his old subordinates from joining in. Many people could see that this was the true core of Brando's future. Those who were optimistic about the future of the White Lion Legion, including the mercenary commanders who were originally by Brando's side. Other than Cornelius who was now working in the logistics department, Jutta and Raban took the initiative to join the White Lion Legion and became the Knight Commanders of the Third and Fourth Platoons. These people, along with the locals of Tónigel and the youths of the Royal Faction who were transferred from the White Lion Legion, had become the three main factions in the new White Lion Legion. However, Brando hated the idea of factions, so these factions only existed on a geographical level.
Gaspard noticed his colleague's gaze and turned his head. At the edge of the forest, a dense group of White Lion Legion soldiers were slowly marching out. The youths had already unsheathed their swords, and the White Lion Legion's heavy swords glinted faintly in the misty rain. The flag bearers had yet to raise their flags, so it was impossible to see their formation. However, in the distance, there were a few figures standing on horseback.
"Are you nervous?" In such cold weather, Brando's breath was almost white. However, with his strength, he naturally did not need to wear a metal mask or heavy armor. He only wore a grey breastplate over his shirt, and the belt under the breastplate was tightly buckled to his waist. The emblem of a two-headed vulture was engraved on it, and it was his new spoil of war: the Crevice of Lonia. He said this to Freya, who was beside him. The future Goddess of War shook her head. "It's not my first time on the battlefield, Brando …" She thought to herself. However, she was so nervous in Ampere Seale that she almost couldn't hold her sword properly. After experiencing battle after battle, she gradually got used to it. She raised her head and looked forward. Her bright eyes seemed to be able to see through the haze a few miles away. "This really looks like Bucce. Uncle, Auntie, this time I'm going to drive those hateful invaders back!"
It was the same gentle hills of the Pine Mountain Range, and behind the rain and fog were the same enemies from that night. Freya's eyes burned with a firm belief, just like the fire that burned in Bucce that night. She unconsciously tightened her grip on the Lionheart Sword in her hand.
A group of figures walked out of the fog.
"Carglise!" Miss Priestess Meria, who was beside Brando, let out a cry of relief. She was no longer dressed as a man, but had returned to her youthful appearance. Her beautiful light blonde hair made her a famous beauty in the Abies, but it was all thanks to Carglise. Meria's father was a noble in the south of Ampere Seale. Her family had the bloodline of the Cruz people, and because of that, her father had inherited the arrogance of the Empire. He had always been against the relationship between his daughter and Carglise, a poor boy from a remote village. However, after Brando's sudden rise in the Kingdom, his snobbish father-in-law saw a bright future for Carglise, and tacitly agreed to the marriage. Because of this, Meria and Carglise were now dead set on Brando.
Carglise blushed as he looked at Meria. There were a few young people behind him, and Brando immediately saw Cohen behind them. "He actually came personally." Brando was slightly surprised, but he did not show it on his face. Instead, he raised his hand and threw a helmet with a long mane and wings to Carglise. Carglise caught the helmet and replied with a cheeky smile, "Carglise reports to you, my Lord. Please return to the team." He glanced at his Lord, who nodded approvingly, and could not help but look at Meria, and replied with a little embarrassment, "My Lord, why did you let her come too?"
"Miss Meria is the most outstanding priestess in the territory, and the head of my priestesses. Why can't she come?" Brando replied unhappily, and then looked at the guy with a teasing gaze, "Of course, in terms of personal matters, Meria belongs to you, kid. But you can't stop her from contributing her abilities to the territory, right? Carglise, you can't be too selfish. "
In fact, Meria was not Brando's number one priestess, but Hipamira was Hipamira's priestess. Under the rule of the Holy Cathedral of Fire, Erouine could only act alone, or else there would be a conflict between the churches. When Brando said this, he suddenly remembered that there was another priestess in the territory who was far superior to Meria in terms of teaching and status in the Holy Cathedral. That was the Nun Princess of Antoinette. However, Magadal had not fully recovered and was still recovering. Even if she was willing, Brando would not allow her to brave the harsh weather to go on an expedition to Randner. That would be too unreasonable.
When the priestess heard the second half of Brando's sentence, her face turned red. Even if Carglise's skin was as thick as a city wall, he could not help but feel a little overwhelmed. He often joked around with his lord, but the latter seemed to be above him in this aspect. It was a little unfathomable. Of course, he did not know that Brando received thousands of times more information than he did in his previous life. In terms of ability to ridicule, Brando was far better than him. The only reason he did not argue with him before was because he had not established his authority as a lord yet.
Perhaps even Carglise himself did not realize that he had unknowingly acknowledged this lord who was probably one or two years younger than him.
He quickly coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment. At this time, Brando was looking at Cohen who was behind him. The young man was thinner than when he first met him. His cheeks were deeply sunken, but his dark eyes were deeper and sharper, and his whole person was more tenacious. He was wearing a thick animal skin cloak, and his temperament was somewhat similar to Little Pero's. It had only been half a year since they last met, and he had grown a lot taller. He was still a teenager before, but now he had the demeanor of a master.
"It's been a long time, Count." Cohen was the first to speak. He was previously interested in the banter between Brando and his subordinates, but he was very surprised by the relationship between them. He was born in the mines under Randner's rule, and he was used to the exploitation of the lower class by the old nobles of Erouine. He hated the nobles and bureaucrats, and he had no good feelings for them. Like all those who had ambitions since they were young, Cohen dared to put his hatred into action. But in the end, it was difficult for the future King of Randner to see beyond this era. Although he yearned for equality and freedom, it was difficult for him to imagine a world that truly respected equality between people. Therefore, it was even more difficult for him to understand Brando, who was a freak among the nobles.
"It seems that this Count Tónigel is indeed a maverick like the rumors say. But I don't know if it's because of his personality, or if it's just a pretense? " In fact, he already had an answer in his heart. After all, Brando had once helped all of them in the underworld of Schafflund, and this lord had left a deep impression on him. He was different from the treacherous nobles, who valued promises and kept them. He had the demeanor of the ancient nobles. Cohen did not simply hate the nobles, but he hated the upper class of the kingdom that stood in the way of corruption. Every citizen of Erouine had a yearning for King Brando's beliefs, and Cohen was no exception. The appearance of a noble like Brando gave him a kind of inspiration.
Perhaps this was the person he was looking for.
The future King of Randner's thoughts were extremely complicated, but he did not show it on his face. He looked at Brando. Brando already had some guesses in his heart, but he still could not believe it. The future King of Randner's territory wanted to submit to him? He was almost overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. In Brando's view, someone like Cohen who was able to jump from being a refugee to the ruler of a territory was definitely one of those legendary people who were born with great ambitions. If it was not for the fact that Erouine's territory was too small, Cohen's future achievements would not be limited to this. If such a person was placed in the history of his homeland in his previous life, he would be the founder of a dynasty. Such a person actually wanted to submit to him?
Ever since Brando transmigrated to this world, this was the first time he felt that he was overflowing with the aura of a king. However, he quickly regained his composure. The current Cohen was not the future King of Randner. He was only a bandit leader and had not encountered many opportunities in history. Moreover, because of Brando's existence, it was very likely that he would not be able to encounter such opportunities in his lifetime. The reason why Cohen did not submit to him in Schafflund was because he was only a bandit leader at that time and did not attract Cohen's attention. Secondly, Cohen did not have as many thoughts as he did now. He was only a youth who wanted to go out of Schafflund and see the wider world.
But in just half a year, the youth's heart had changed greatly. It seemed that the wider world had indeed changed his life.
"Thank you very much for everything you've done for the Silman region in this war, Mister Cohen. Sometimes, birth does not mean everything. Nobles are never born with superiority. There are many capable people everywhere, and you happen to be the most outstanding one among them." Brando flatly praised: "There are some people whose starting line is far ahead of you. They were sheltered by their parents, but now they are far behind you. Mister Cohen, when the ancient nobles plowed the borders of this kingdom with their swords, their birth was never determined by the heavens. There are only two words — — faith and struggle. "
Cohen's eyes lit up. This was what he had been searching for all this time. Brando's words seemed to confirm the doubts in his heart. He almost suspected that Brando had some kind of ability to see through people's hearts. He looked at Brando with an incredulous gaze. In fact, the future King of Randner did not guess wrongly. Brando did indeed have some kind of ability that could see through his heart. In history, Cohen had always been pursuing the glory of the ancient nobles. This was also the dream that every citizen of Erouine yearned for. However, most people could only dream about it in their hearts, but Cohen dared to put it into action.
Brando knew what the King of Randner was thinking, so he naturally would not be wrong. However, he was still a little worried. After all, the person in front of him was different from the one in history. Perhaps his views on life and likes and dislikes had already changed? However, Cohen's expression allowed him to heave a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, even though Wohnde's history is in chaos, there are still some details that cannot be changed." He thought that he had managed to convince the other party.
"Silman is an important gateway to the kingdom's southern border. You've seen what it will become in the future. To the south of here is a dark kingdom. An empire is slowly rising there, and it will be the kingdom's most terrifying enemy in the future. Mister Cohen, the things that you can do today are far more than what you have done today. "
Cohen calmed himself down and shook his head. "I'm just a fugitive, Count. What I've done today is far from being as noble as you say it to be. I only did it to return your favor."
"Mister Cohen, there's no need to belittle yourself." Freya could also tell that there was something going on between the two of them. She wholeheartedly fought to protect the ideals of Bucce, and the other half of her heart was tied to Brando. She knew that Brando wanted to subdue the young man in front of her. She did not need to ask why Brando did what he did, and she had already spoken out to persuade him. However, Cohen only glanced at the female Knight in front of him and shook his head. He did not say anything.
Brando knew that the pompous words that Freya learned from the Royal Knight Academy were useless against this ambitious young man. Those words would only work on a simple-minded girl like Freya. He looked at Cohen and replied: "You and I are both fugitives. For the sake of the kingdom and the beliefs in our hearts, everything else is insignificant. Why do you care about those complicated formalities?"
Cohen thought for a moment, and did not refute. He nodded slightly and stood to the side. Brando knew that he was moved, so he did not pursue the matter. This person was a true hero, and his background was very similar to his own. If he chose to side with him, then he could only stand with him. Looking at the entire kingdom, other than him, no one would treat these people the same way. In fact, if it was not for the support of the princess and his identity as the grandson of Sword Saint Darius, he might not have been able to hold his own in the kingdom.
The rejection of the commoners by the nobles was deeply ingrained.
Brando ignored the drizzle and asked Carglise: "Tell me, what's the situation now? Is Count Jacques dead or alive? How many of Viero's soldiers are left?" Carglise's spirits were lifted and he immediately replied, "Tormo is a man. Although his retainer knights were a little stupid and almost killed the Viero people, Marsha above, I have never seen such a tragic defeat. That was just a joke. But my lord, it's a miracle that Uncle Tommo did not let his men escape. Madara is really scary … "
He could not help but shudder at the mention of Madara. Ever since the battle of Ampere Seale, everyone thought highly of the White Lion Guards and did not take Madara seriously. Although Brando had mentioned more than once how scary the Roman rose was, in Carglise's mind, the undead army was only scary in comparison to Erouine's old army. In his opinion, the undead army could easily sweep through the private armies of the nobles, but they were nothing in front of the White Lion Guards. The White Lion Guards had once faced the demon army head-on in the battle of Ampere Seale. No matter how scary the undead were, they were not as famous as the demons, who were widely recognized as the strongest in terms of individual combat power.
However, he couldn't help but feel refreshed by what he had seen today, and his reverence for his Lord deepened a little.
In fact, every general who encountered the Undead Army for the first time would have the same thought as Carglise. Individually, the Undead might not be as terrifying as the Demons, but once they were united into an army, they would be one of the most terrifying armies in the world. This was an army that was silent. They would not scream out of fear, nor would they run away because of injuries. They would not give up unless they suffered a hundred percent loss. They would not despair, nor would they be excited. They would only move forward and devour everything in their path.
As for their opponents, they would never be able to feel the so-called advantage of bravery from these skeletons, because even if they were imposing, it would be meaningless in the face of a group of wooden men. They would still have to kill each and every one of them one by one, crushing them into pieces, in order to obtain victory.
The winner of a battle with the undead would feel mentally and physically exhausted, while the loser would feel nothing because they had already become part of the black rose.
The Roman rose would never wither, as if it was eternal.
… …
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