A gentle breeze blew through the treetops, and the leaves rustled like an afternoon tune.
"It all started during your grandfather's era," the princess's soft voice seemed to be responding to the tune, "It was almost sixty years ago, when Anson XI was still on the throne, and the kingdom still had Darius, the Sword Saint, and Tulman, the Master of the Mithril Fortress. It was the Year of Thunder, and Erouine had just issued the militia training decree, and the construction of Fortress Riedon — the Vermeer Defense Line had just begun. It was the most glorious period of the ancient kingdom since the Seifer Dynasty, and your grandfather was one of the most dazzling names in that era."
Brando was silent, and he looked in the direction of the fields. The clouds were floating above the Stag Forest, and the faint shadows of the mountains in the south were the mountains of Usong.
Darius, the Sword Saint, was indeed a legend of that era. He was the strongest Sword Saint in the history of the Kingdom of Erouine, and the only general of the kingdom who served as the marshal of the Holy Cathedral of Fire.
However, the light of this star did not last long. Not long after the end of the Holy War, he mysteriously disappeared from history. Some people said that he was dead, some said that he was just missing, and there were even rumors that when the kingdom was once again in danger, the Sword Saint would return to this land and save Erouine from danger. But Brando understood that it was just a beautiful dream. In another period of history, these legends were buried under the dust with the fall of the kingdom, and perhaps thousands of years later, no one would remember it.
If he didn't have this experience, he wouldn't have known that Darius had never left the kingdom. He was born in this land and died in this land. Until the last moment of his life, he was still hiding his identity in this border city of the kingdom.
No one would have thought that outside of the city of Braggs, in this humble mill by the Bucce River, there lived and was buried a former hero of the kingdom.
"Princess Gryphine," Brando said. These things had nothing to do with his current situation, but he vaguely felt that there might be some kind of connection. "You want to tell me what happened to my grandfather in the end, what prompted him to leave the center of the royal power and live in seclusion here. I know that this must be related to the Highland Knight Commander Bunide and the others. Maybe it is also related to the Erouine Royal Family. This is the reason why you are here now, right? "
"You've always had an unusual sensitivity to the development of things, Mr. Knight. You seem to be able to see the past and the future. I've always admired you, and I still do today," Gryphine whispered, but she shook her head. "But I've never lied to you. I really don't know what happened to your grandfather. I only know that after that, the royal power declined, and the kingdom became weaker day by day. The glory of the Erouine Royal Family seemed to be gone forever. After my father died, my brother and I trekked in the wilderness of darkness and despair until you appeared in front of us, Mr. Knight. "
Brando seemed to be able to hear the sound of his own heartbeat. He did not understand why the princess would suddenly tell him this. He looked at Princess Gryphine. At this time, the afternoon breeze blew across the fields, gently blowing the half-elf girl's silver hair. Her skirt also swayed with the wind. Gryphine's slender hands pressed on the hilt of her sword, standing in the wind. There was no expression on her face, as if she was just casually mentioning this. No one could guess what she was thinking.
But Brando pursed his lips. He knew that Gryphine had sent a letter to invite him here, and even avoided the eyes of the royal faction and her grandfather. She must have something to tell him. He was not in a hurry, so he calmed down and waited.
Sure enough, after a moment, Gryphine continued, "But you can rest assured. I can at least assure you that in the turmoil back then, the one who was at fault was not your grandfather. In fact, it wasn't even anyone in your family. Your grandfather took on the responsibility for certain reasons and chose to live in seclusion with your family until now. Although I don't know the details of what happened at that time, the royal family has its own secrets passed down from generation to generation. My father told me one thing, and that is that the House of Corvado will always owe the House of Cardiloso a favor. "
She looked at Brando with her silver eyes. "Of course, maybe it's two now …"
Brendel was stunned by her words.
But this didn't stop his thoughts from spinning quickly. The information revealed by Her Highness the Princess quickly assembled in his mind, gradually piecing together a rough outline. This meant that everything that happened in the Alkash Mountains that day, his grandfather, the Sacred Swordsman Darius, was not at fault. It could even be said that he took on the responsibility for someone or every force. A line of thought gradually became clear in his mind. No wonder the Holy Cathedral of Fire did not continue to pursue the matter after his grandfather went into seclusion. It seemed that the Holy Cathedral of Fire was very likely aware of the inside story at that time. Everything that happened after was probably just a statement made by the Holy Cathedral of Fire.
But he was still a little confused about who his grandfather took on the responsibility for. From the princess' words, it seemed that his grandfather took on the responsibility for the Erouine Royal Family. But this did not make sense because the Erouine Royal Family did not participate in the holy war at that time, and it was impossible for them to have anything to do with the battle in the Alkash Mountains. But if it was someone else, it seemed that the Covardo Royal Family did not have to owe the Cardiloso Family a favor. Who or what force could make his grandfather and the Covardo Royal Family make such a big sacrifice?
Brando knew very well that if his grandfather did not leave the center of the royal power at noon, the Erouine Royal Family would not have declined so quickly. Of course, this ancient kingdom would fall one day, but it would not have started in the Year of Flowers and Summer Leaves.
Was it for the Holy Cathedral of Fire?
He shook his head. Then the Holy Cathedral of Fire's attitude would not be the same as it was later.
"Your Highness, do you really not know anything about everything that happened at that time?"
"Mr. Knight, when I was born, it was already history. What I know is only a few words that my father and my history teacher told me. I am as curious about the history of that era as you are."
"No," Gryphine gently shook her head: "I'm actually even more unwilling than you are. I don't understand why the late King Ansen would make such a choice. If not for that, the kingdom would not be as weak as it is today, and at the mercy of others."
Brendel saw the light in the princess's eyes and his heart softened. Wasn't this also his question? Wasn't this also his wish?
May the Black Pine be evergreen, may the Erouine live forever; may the faith shine as bright as before, may the sword be as sharp as ever.
The ancient songs of the kingdom were the hope of everyone who longed for this homeland.
But he stopped, suddenly thinking of the real purpose of the princess. She invited him here and left him alone for a private meeting. Was it just to tell him this? She said that the Covardo Family would forever owe the Cardiloso Family a favor, but she did not have to tell him this. If she still cared about the relationship between the Covardo Family and the Cardiloso Family, then the relationship between the royal family and Tónigel would not be the same as it was today. But Brando knew in his heart that the princess had never trusted him wholeheartedly.
She had always been careful to maintain the relationship between him and her brother, even though she always knew in her heart that he was the grandson of the Sword Saint, Darius.
"Sir Knight, I still remember that you described the future of the kingdom to me in your letter. The ideal Erouine that shone with a different light was once the hope in my heart," Princess Gryphine suddenly changed the topic and said softly, "Now that Count Randner is defeated and Arreck is dead, there are no more enemies in the south to stop you. Now, can you tell me the story of the future that you described?"
Brando was slightly startled.
He looked at the delicate half-elf girl. She stood there with both hands on her sword. Her body was as straight and sharp as a treasured sword. She laid all her cards on the table as if she was asking him if he had eaten lunch. It was such a simple question.
Brando was silent for a moment.
"What does Your Highness think?" He asked.
Gryphine did not speak, but she felt a little uneasy in her heart. She used to think that there were many trustworthy people around her who would fight for the same ideals until they completely changed the face of this ancient kingdom. However, she soon realized that this was just her wishful thinking. This kingdom might have many different futures, but the one she wanted was only one of them.
She looked at Brando, her silver eyes were almost emotionless. She only wanted to see through this person.
"A while ago, my royal brother wrote me a letter. He wants to betroth his sister to you." Princess Gryphine said quietly.
Brendel felt as if he had received a heavy blow.
At that moment, he understood the princess's thoughts.
Tónigel was now fully fledged. In the battle against Madara and Radner, the army from Valhalla had displayed a terrifying strength. Anrek and Radner had fallen, and there seemed to be no army in the south that could stop this new count. The Lantonilans were his best allies, and the Viero army was weak. The Highland Knight of Karsuk would only stand by his side. Princess Gryphine looked around and suddenly realized that there was no reliable force around her that could stop Brando.
She tossed and turned in bed every night, as if she suddenly found another Anrek by her side.
Although Brando had promised her that he would give her an ideal Erouine, how could she trust him? Perhaps the Knight really did have such thoughts, but people change. Just like Grandmaster Fleetwood and Makarov, when a person was in a high position, their thoughts would gradually deviate from their original intentions. She was born in the royal family and experienced the betrayal of the Royal Faction. She knew everything too well.
She only had one way now, and that was to tie Brando to her chariot.
She lowered her head, and a faint blush appeared on her neck: "In order to repay the debt owed by the House of Covardo, the late King Anson wanted to marry Princess Gloria to your father. But at that time, Mister Scott was already engaged to your mother. After Anson the Great, his brother Oberg the Sixth succeeded the throne, and this matter was put aside. But the House of Covardo and the House of Cardiloso still had a marriage contract until my father, Oberg the Seventh's era. Every descendant of the Highland Knight was betrothed to a noble lady from Cardiloso. But do you know why you didn't, Brando? "
This was the first time Gryphine called out Brando's name. She whispered: "Because your fiancee is me. Commander Bunide already knew this."
Brando took a deep breath.
His mind was in a mess, but his heart was very clear. It was impossible to say that he did not have the slightest bit of longing for the princess. But what he liked was the strong, independent princess who would never give up, not Princess Gryphine, who would easily promise to marry him just to repay a favor, or to tie him to her chariot. What did she take him for? What did she take the Roman for?
He stared at the silver eyes of the princess, as if he wanted to find some clues.
But in the end, he was disappointed.
"I'm not Arreck, Your Highness."
Gryphine's face turned red, as if she had been greatly insulted. She clenched her fists in anger and looked up at him: "Mr. Knight, I never thought of it that way."
"But you did. You already knew that there was a marriage contract between you and me, but why did you only say it today? Because you understand that it is not until to-day that this contract of marriage has its value, and that before that it is but an insignificant verbal agreement, is it not? " Brando's heart was cold. He felt as if his beliefs had collapsed. He replied angrily: "You disappoint me too much, Your Highness. You should understand that everything I did for you before was not for such a superficial purpose."
He took a deep breath and replied incoherently, "Alright, I admit that I once longed for you, but what I longed for was the princess who had the same ideals and beliefs as me, and not a woman who would compromise for the sake of the general interest. Do you remember the ideal kingdom I described in the letter I wrote to you, Your Highness? What you're doing now is shaming it. "
Princess Gryphine's face was pale. She almost swayed slightly and looked at Brando in disbelief.
"But you said it so righteously," Tears burst from the half-elf girl's eyes. She clenched her fists and almost cried: "But what you did to me in Ampere Seale that day, do you still remember, Mr. Knight?"
Brando felt as if a sharp sword had pierced through his heart.
He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but he couldn't say a word.
He finally understood why Princess Gryphine trusted him so much before Ampere Seale, but after that, she carefully built a strong wall. He always thought that she was guarding against his growing wings and endangering Erouine's future royal power. But at this moment, he finally understood that his irrational behavior at that time had planted a deep shadow in the heart of this seventeen-year-old girl.
Brando wanted to slap himself. What did he do? He stood there, his face as red as a soldering iron.
"I'm sorry …"
"Your Highness."
"I'm sorry."
For a moment, it seemed that he could only find such a sentence to express his feelings.
Princess Gryphine bit her lower lip and looked at him with tears on her face. She was so angry that she almost trembled, but finally calmed down. Princess Royal Highness wiped her tears and turned her head away, as if she was talking about something irrelevant. "… Then, can I still trust you, Mr. Knight?"
Brando also calmed down.
The two stood in the courtyard, still with the breeze blowing through the clouds. Only the faint sound of insects could be heard in the countryside. In Brando's eyes, a few elk were jumping through the forest in the direction of the Stag Forest.
There seemed to be a moment of silence.
He finally nodded.
"You said before that everything you did for Erouine was not for such a superficial purpose. You are still moving towards that ideal, right, Mr. Knight?" Princess Gryphine also looked in the direction of the forest. Her face was a little red, and her voice was pitifully small.
Brando nodded.
Princess Gryphine opened her mouth, as if this affirmative answer made her feel a little suffocated: "I'm sorry, I wronged you, Mr. Knight."
Brando replied very embarrassedly: "I should be the one saying sorry, Your Highness."
Gryphine turned around and saw the awkward expression on the Countess' face. She couldn't help but laugh through her tears. The smile on her face was exactly the same as that day when she sat by the arched window and listened to Oberwei tell her the story of the young knight under the warm and beautiful afternoon sun. The smile on her face was exactly the same as that day when she sat by the arched window and listened to Oberwei tell her the story of the young knight. Because in that story, the flag was so dazzling, it was as if they had returned to the ancient kingdom.
"Mr. Brando, do you still remember the story of your grandfather that I told you just now?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you really want to know the truth?"
Brando was slightly startled, and he looked at the princess doubtfully. But Gryphine shook her head: "Don't look at me like that, Mr. Knight, I'm not lying to you. But I know, about everything that happened in the battle of Alkash Mountain, there are still a few people who are related to it alive. "
"Who?" Brando's heart skipped a beat, as if he had grasped a glimmer of light in the darkness.
"The Silver Queen, the King of the Wind Elves, and the Pope of Fanzin."
… …
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