Freya's eyes were still a little red. She went to see Aunt Syl and Uncle Syl's graveyard. This graveyard was in an open space in the forest, filled with simple wooden tombstones. Most of the tombstones did not have a real owner, and were only there to comfort the souls of those who died in the war. In the square, the patrolling cavalry squatted there obediently, being looked after by the Bucce lads. However, no one made things difficult for them, and even the injured were taken care of.
Brando and Marden stood together and were talking. The old man had also heard the news and rushed over, but he did not expect to meet him and Freya. This veteran of the November War, the old captain of the Bucce garrison, was very pleased with Brando and Freya's growth, especially with Brando and Freya's current status and position, which made him see hope for the people of Bucce. In fact, this old soldier had a good understanding of Erouine's noble nature. To change the situation of the people of Bucce was not a problem for the current Freya. She did not even need to trouble Brando to use his identity as Count Tónigel. Even if she was the captain of the Knight Regiment of the Royal Knight, Count Nagin would not be willing to offend her over a forest.
This might sound a little sad, but to the people of Bucce, this was a matter of life and death. However, to Count Nagin, this was just a matter of face. As a noble, he was not willing to be bullied by a group of refugees. However, if these refugees had the support of a close vassal by the princess' side, then it would be a different story. Freya did not even need to personally remind him. As long as the Goddess of War, whose reputation was rising day by day, revealed her background in Bucce, Count Nagin would automatically withdraw his proposal in the Parliament of Nobles.
The news of the fight between the patrolling cavalry and the people of Bucce quickly spread.
This was not a small matter. The people of Bucce knew that this represented the views of the nobles in the city of Braggs towards them. Many people came over worriedly after hearing the news. They did not know what had happened. Had the Parliament of Nobles come to a conclusion and decided to chase them away? The crowd quickly gathered and spread all kinds of rumors. Most of the people were generally sad and angry. No one opened their mouths or shouted. The scene was very oppressive because no one knew what to do next. They could only silently accumulate their anger. The patrolling cavalry on the open ground looked at this scene with fear. Only then did they realize how much trouble they had caused.
Fortunately, Freya personally came out to mediate the situation. Just like what Brando said, she was the daughter of a Bucce citizen, and had once led the refugees from Fortress Riedon with Brando. Many people recognized her, and when they knew that the daughter of a Bucce citizen had made a name for herself, even though they were still doubtful, at least they were slightly relieved and did not seem to be restless anymore.
Brando looked at this scene and let out a sigh of relief. In history, during the Month of Frost in the Year of the Swift, the conflict between the nobles of Braggs and the refugees had intensified for three years. When the nobles began to chase the refugees away, the people of Bucce could not take it anymore and exploded in one night. What followed was a riot that engulfed the entire Braggs region. Many people died in the disaster, and after that, the situation of the Bucce citizens worsened under the pressure of the nobles and the locals. Grinoires also suffered a great loss because of this, but the more serious disaster was that a cold suspicion was planted in the region, causing the kingdom to completely lose its prestige in the region.
But today, it seemed that this disaster would not repeat itself.
However, when Freya returned to Brando's side, she seemed a little depressed. "Brando, this is a little different from what I imagined." She replied softly.
"Do you still remember what I told you? One day, you can rely on your own strength to protect Bucce, and let the people of Bucce control their own destiny, and not be at the mercy of the nobles." Brando seemed to understand what she was thinking and comforted her, "Today you have done this, and all this proves that your efforts were not in vain. You have set a goal for yourself, and in the end, you have fulfilled your promise."
"But …"
"But what?"
"But I can't help but think, if I didn't have the status I have today, what would have happened? Brando, I really want the people of Bucce to be able to control their own destiny, but the power to decide everyone's destiny has only been transferred from the nobles to my hands. They may be able to live a peaceful life from now on, but even they don't realize this. If one day I want to push them into the fire pit, everything will repeat itself. "Freya replied faintly.
"My child, but you won't do that after all, right?" Marden replied.
"I know, but …"
The old man seemed to know what Freya wanted to say, and interrupted her, "This is the rule of the nobles. You are one of them, so you have to abide by this rule. You have already done enough, my child."
Freya pursed her lips tightly. She wanted to refute, but she didn't know what to say. She felt that there was a problem somewhere, but she didn't know what the problem was. Uncle Marden didn't seem to be wrong, but she felt very sullen in her heart. It was as if after all her hard work, she didn't get the result she wanted. However, she had a faint feeling that if there was someone here who could answer her doubts, that person would be Brando.
Just like every time she felt puzzled, she still looked at Brando first.
"Captain Marden is right, Freya," Brando replied calmly as if this question was never a problem to him, "Under the rules of our era, this is the best way."
Brando's words were like a flame that illuminated the darkness and haze in Freya's heart. She immediately reacted and raised her head, asking, "Brando, do you mean that the rules … can be changed?"
Brando smiled at her, "Isn't this what we have been doing all along? Me, you, Her Highness, and everyone else have been looking for a way forward."
Freya opened her mouth slightly.
Marden seemed to have understood something as well. He couldn't help but look at the young man whom he had only met twice during the War of the Black Rose. He felt that he could see more of the young man each time, but he was also surprised every time.
Brando replied softly, "So Freya, you mustn't belittle yourself. You have to know that what you are doing is far more glorious and glorious than you can imagine. Your background, your talent, in front of this ideal and belief, is like a grain of sand, not worth mentioning at all. Those who ridicule you, those who laugh at you, do not understand what you're thinking, because they cannot imagine the glory of Aouine's ancestors. This is the great work of ordinary people, just like the oath that the late King made before his sword. "
"Young man," Marden listened for a long time before he spoke, "Do you believe in this?"
Brando nodded, "I believe without a doubt, because I know that many people have sacrificed everything for this. Until now, there are still many people who have overcome obstacles for this belief and ideal. I don't dare to say whether it will succeed or fail, but at least I know that I won't let it stop halfway."
He turned back and said to Freya, "Freya, do you still remember what you said before? You made an oath to fight for the destiny of independence for the people of Bucce, so that everyone who pursues happiness and beauty will one day not be manipulated by others. Do you still remember what I said to you that day?"
"I remember," Freya nodded vigorously, as if the haze that troubled her heart was just a thin layer of mist that would disappear with a gentle blow. She replied as if she was making an oath, "Brando, I understand. I will continue to persevere. Even if there is a day when I bleed to death, I will not regret it. Brando, do you believe in me? I will do it. "
"You have done it, silly girl." Brando heard Freya say that even if she bleeds to death, she will not give up. In the history of Erouine, this Valkyrie had indeed shed her last drop of blood for this ancient kingdom.
Erouine's ancient glory was a scene described in legends. Marden did not dare to imagine it, but he would not easily criticize the hot-bloodedness and impulsiveness of young people. No matter what, as long as the people of Bucce could live better than today, he would be satisfied. He had seen too many of those illusory things. He gradually grew old, and did not easily believe in the so-called beautiful vision, thinking that it was just a kind of illusion. But at least he understood that Freya was a good girl, and would not push the people of Bucce into the fire pit. That was enough.
Bucce, who had been through so much war and pain, only wished to return to the peaceful life of the past.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but the patrolling cavalrymen did not dare to act rashly. After a while, these young people finally figured out the identity of the two people in front of them. So they did not dare to act rashly, but each and every one of them cursed their bad luck in their hearts. Braggs had just experienced a war, and it was the allied forces of Tónigel, Lantonilan, and Viero that saved them from despair. However, in this war, the prestige of Count Tónigel and the Valkyrie beside Her Royal Highness was like the sun at noon. These people who were related to the army and the nobles would have heard of these two people's names. When they found out that these two people were actually from Bucce, they suddenly felt as if they had kicked an iron plate in their hearts.
They did not have time to sigh for Count Nagin, because compared to Count Nagin, it could be said that he was innocent because he did not know, but they had bumped into someone else. If the Count wanted to punish them, they were afraid that no one would dare to stand up for them.
The patrolling cavalrymen were uneasy, but they did not expect that Brando and Freya had long forgotten about them. After all, Brando was not so petty. Moreover, he was very clear about the customs of Grinoires and even Karsuk. It was very common for hot-blooded young people to fight and even duel with each other. Both sides were relatively well-behaved. Although some people were injured, basically no one killed them, and Brando was not in the mood to be harsh on them. As for the fact that these patrolling cavalrymen came to make a quick buck, it was indeed the custom, and he could not stop them even if he wanted to. Besides, he believed that with this lesson and his and Freya's background here, the patrolling cavalrymen would not make such a mistake in the future. There was no need to offend people for no reason. After all, the people of Bucce still had to live here. These young patrolling cavalrymen were mostly the descendants of the local gentry and nobles. If they really made enemies, he and Freya could not always take care of them.
On the other hand, Freya did not have the intention to do so. It was rare for her to return to her hometown, and all she saw were the familiar faces, especially Petit-finis who used to be in the militia. They crowded around her and insisted that she tell them the story of her and the 'Count of Tónigel'. However, she and Brando did not have that many stories to tell. Freya blushed and stammered for a long time without saying anything. How could she still remember the patrolling cavalrymen?
The patrolling cavalryman captain, Eugene, waited there for a long time in fear and worry, but no one came to announce the death sentence or pardon. At first, he thought that the count deliberately left them there, but after waiting for a while, he finally felt that it was not the case. It was not easy for him to find an opportunity to ask a young man from the militia. The young man's sword was taken away by Brando before, and he was very polite with his swordsmanship. That was why he came to ask Brando how to deal with these people. It was not until now that Brando remembered that there was a group of people waiting for him to deal with them.
When Eugene appeared in front of him in fear and trepidation, Brando could not help but laugh. He knew these people very well. Whether it was in his previous life as a player or later in Fortress Riedon, he had seen these arrogant and domineering cavalrymen with his own eyes. In the early years, the patrolling cavalrymen were a part of the kingdom's professional army that was responsible for security and defense. However, after the establishment of the garrison, the patrolling cavalrymen became the place where the nobles placed their trusted aides and arranged for their children to go out. The aristocratization of the army inevitably led to lax discipline and corruption. After the Year of Summer and Summer Leaves, the patrolling cavalrymen were basically a dispensable organization in many cities. In a border city like Braggs, the patrolling cavalrymen could still maintain basic combat strength, but in the cities that were deep within the borders, they were just a group of pure vermin.
In fact, the reason why he had forgotten about these fellows was that he had subconsciously thought that these fellows had already escaped. However, he had forgotten that in front of a Count with real power, it seemed that these patrolling cavalrymen would not dare to leave without asking him, no matter how bold they were.
When Eugene first saw Brando, he was a little surprised. He probably did not expect the legendary Count to be so young. However, he thought of other rumors about this Count Tónigel. For example, he was the grandson of Sword Saint Darius, and some rumors about him and the princess. He felt relieved. Besides, people often said that this Count was Erouine's rare young genius. Only someone like him deserved the title of a young genius. He quickly coughed and straightened his posture. He lowered his head and bowed. "Count, today's matter … is actually, actually a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Brando was still thinking about how this guy would apologize, but he did not expect it to be such a boring old trick. He could not help but yawn and ask, "What misunderstanding?"
"It's like this, my Lord," Eugene quickly said, "… Everyone thinks that we are here to help Count Nakin drive them out of here. This is actually a pure rumor. Let's not talk about driving everyone out of the forest. This is just a rumor. Besides, even if it's true, this is not within the scope of our duties. In fact, my Lord, we are here for other official business. "
"Other official business?"
"My Lord, earlier we heard a report that a group of vicious criminals appeared in Braggs. These guys left the city around evening. Later, our spies found them in the vicinity, so I followed them all the way here."
"Let me guess. Then, you bumped into little Fenix and the others, so you fought on the way, right?"
Eugene nodded embarrassedly. Of course, he could shirk all responsibility, but he knew that he might not be able to deceive the young count. He might as well tell the truth to avoid offending him. Brando nodded. He roughly understood the cause and effect of the matter. These people searched all the way here and then encountered Petit-finis and his men. There was already a grudge between the two sides, so the patrolling cavalry wanted to seize the opportunity to take revenge in one fell swoop. This was a more reasonable explanation. Brando was very clear that the so-called mission was nothing to these descendants of nobles. As for the so-called vicious criminals, it would be considered a merit if they caught them. If they couldn't catch them, then so be it. After all, they didn't lack the so-called merit.
However, he was a little curious about the existence of the so-called vicious criminals. In theory, there were already a lot of criminals in Braggs. In order to attract the attention of the patrolling cavalry, there were at least two conditions. First, they must not be local. The local criminals were mostly related to the Thieves Brotherhood or other gray organizations. These organizations were usually inextricably linked to the local nobles. Therefore, the patrolling cavalry generally wouldn't find trouble with their own people. Although Brando couldn't explain why the patrolling cavalry and the criminals were on the same side, this could be considered as the scenery of Erouine in this era. Second, there must be a certain number of criminals. One or two criminals wouldn't attract the attention of the patrolling cavalry. It wasn't that they didn't want to care, but with their efficiency, they probably wouldn't notice the existence of one or two criminals.
And the current situation clearly indicated that a large group of criminals had sneaked into the city, so much so that even the patrolling cavalry was alerted. No matter how Brando thought about it, he felt that it was a little like the way the cultists did things.
But when he asked about this matter, Petit-finis seemed to have heard something. He ran over and said, "Brother Brando, I think I know these guys."
"You know?"
Brando looked at him curiously.
…
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