Although the Holy Temple has made concessions multiple times on the matter of Erune, today is clearly the ultimate showdown. If the Princess can resolve the northern issues in one fell swoop, then the unification or even the revitalization of Erune would only be a matter of time.
The Cruz people are not pleased to see a revitalized Erune, but there is no core conflict between them. Compared to the Empire of the Eagle, Erune is merely a small Kingdom enjoying its peace. For Wood, it is the same; compared to the Cruz people, he is first and foremost a faithful adherent to the Golden Flame Path, hence he has long advocated the Holy Temple’s neutral stance.
Though, until this stance can no longer be maintained, he will support every measure taken by the Flame Temple. It turned out that those measures were all wrong. But the former Great Priest of Ambeser now needs to consider how to mend the damage caused by these errors, rather than questioning the Holy Temple’s action plan.
He pondered for a moment, yet before opening his mouth, Brand replied: "Lord of Priest, Erune is nonetheless a follower of the Flame Doctrine. With the Holy War impending, surely the Holy Temple doesn’t wish to see its ally fall into chaos. If there is Erune, then the lurking threat of the Earth Temple and Madara to the Cruz people will not be a problem."
Wood was startled.
His gaze immediately fell on Brand. This was his fourth encounter with this young man, who had brought great trouble to the Flame Temple. Yet Wood harbors no animosity towards Brand; rather, he harbors some admiration.
"You mention the Earth Temple and Madara?" He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Mr. Brand, I heard you were among the first to escape Buqi, having witnessed that war. Do you not think this statement arises from a bias against Bradamant’s Black Rose?"
Brand inwardly chuckled. It was impossible for Madara’s transformation to hide from everyone. Especially with Saint Ausor and Cruz, both neighboring Empires, the Flame Temple surely held intelligence on Madara’s restless ambitions early on. Otherwise, during the first Black Rose War, why would they respond so quickly, immediately ordering a retreat?
Still, what was infuriating was the Cruz people deliberately indulging that bunch of bone skeletons. Erune was but an important chess piece in their eyes, yet not indispensable. Judging from events in another historical timeline, Cruz’s bottom line must have been for Erune to at least retain parts north of Ambeser. That is why Madara progressed smoothly in the second Black Rose War.
The Cruz people were keen to use Madara to distract Saint Ausor’s attention, only realizing their mistake after the third Black Rose War when Madara fully expanded. But by then, it was already too late, leading to the prolonged subsequent war.
Brand suddenly recalled the war in the Alkash Mountain Range. He shook his head, but also saw through Wood’s facade. He replied: "If it were merely bias, I wouldn’t have mentioned the Bradamant’s Black Rose. Are Erune’s enemies few?"
He paused, speaking bluntly: "If Erune blocks Madara’s route northward and westward, that bunch of bone skeletons would have to look east for an outlet."
Wood immediately fell silent.
The old man clearly understood the young man before him had seen through everything, including Madara’s plans, Cruz’s plans. He deeply glanced at Brand, "Madara has reclaimed the Mercury Wand, its rise is inevitable. As I know, their Emperor has gained significant prestige in this war, the time to consolidate this ancient nation is probably imminent, at most a few years, when the opportunity for the Undead to move north and west will mature."
"And by that time, will Erune have completed its unification and have the capability to resist Madara’s invasion?" He glanced at Brand, answering thusly. Wood didn’t offer any more pretense, knowing it would merely waste both their time in front of Brand.
Yet before Brand spoke, he reminded: "Don’t forget, in the north, Erune faces another war. The Earth Temple has already started the Holy Sword conflict ahead of schedule because of the Sword in Mr. Brand’s possession."
Princess Griffine quietly listened beside them. Antitina frowned as well. They had all heard Brand speak of the threat of Madara, and the Princess herself recognized this, but none expected the timing to be so urgent.