Ever since the Holy Gun Sky recognized Qian as its master, more than a month has passed, and the weather south of Ambeser has grown hotter with each passing day. After the battle at Ambeser, the Princess’s forces have smoothly carried out every overt and covert action at the port, although the ultimate fate of the Sky Blue Spear turned out to be somewhat unexpected.
The Bujia people suddenly decided not to take away the Sky Dome, and according to William’s original words, they believed that this legendary holy relic might be more suited to stay in Erune. However, Tanaya also mentioned that the Bujia people would likely send one or two Wizards to the Kingdom to study the power of the Sky Blue Spear.
Although the thoughts of the Bujia people remain unclear, these are all matters for later as far as Brand is concerned; with time pressing, it’s unlikely he’ll wait in Ambeser for the new envoys of the Wizards to arrive. After sending William off, he directly left the port with the Princess, passing through the Royal Knight Academy, heading straight for Tongier Domain.
The Princess is eager to meet her close friend Magdal, and he himself must start preparing for the future of Erune.
After a week’s journey, the carriage finally approached the Glass River Beach.
Arriving here essentially means returning home for Brand. During this half-day, he has met several old members of the Red Copper Dragon Mercenary Group, and Su finally gets to see her father—Red Copper Dragon Reto, Brand for the first time sees the tears streaming down the face of the strong bar owner’s daughter.
Meeting between Kagris and his father is naturally another scene; since Brand has gained formal recognition, thus Sir Min Tai naturally escapes the awkwardness of being imprisoned. However, this rigid noble clearly does not endorse his son’s actions, harshly scolding the first Commander of Brand’s White Lion Legion.
This naturally became a laughable matter among those young people from Tonyger.
However, regardless of everything, being able to return home is still a spirit-lifting affair for everyone. Yet none will forget those heroic souls who remain forever in Ambeser.
Brand thought silently about these trivial things, until the Princess gently spoke before him. The Half-Elf Girl looked up at the young man opposite her, mottled sunlight from outside the curtain fell upon her face, dividing it into flickering fragments of gold, seemingly adding a natural veil of mystery to her already comely features.
But Princess Griffith’s expression was very calm; she considered for a moment before quietly asking, "Mr. Brand, the Royal Family’s spies have news that Jandener seems to have met with Anlek, just as you predicted. To counter us, they will likely form an alliance. Though Duke Lantoniyan and the Highland Knights have promised to join the battle, I’m still somewhat worried..."
"Worried about what?"
"I worry about Anlek, Mr. Brand. My father knows him well; the Anlek Family has been operating on their stable plateau for generations, only to undermine the Kingdom. Today’s Duke Anliek is undoubtedly the most cunning of their family’s successive inheritors." The Princess lightly responded, "Wood Main Priest told me there’s evidence proving Anlek’s collusion with the All Things Return to One, but during the entire war, he only revealed the Eagle Knight De Jia’er at the very end—"
"As soon as the war ended, he hurriedly left Ambeser before the Holy Temple could catch any evidence against him, but instead of returning to his Territory, he went to Majitan to ally with Count Denier."
"He never fights battles without certainty, hence I suspect he’s plotting something."
Brand nodded; this, too, was his concern. In fact, before the Princess received the news, Wood had already written to inform him about the circumstances surrounding Anlek’s escape, but he keenly sensed the Holy Temple seemed to be hiding some key information, one critically important point—Brand knows that a Knight Order from Kruz has secretly entered Erune, yet he doesn’t know the exact designation of the group.
This Knight Order obviously is not meant to deal with him, nor with the Crown Prince in the north, so the remaining possibility must point to Anlek.
But how does Anlek warrant such attention from the Holy Temple? Even collusion with cultists is but a joke, to be honest, how many of Erune’s nobles do not collude with cultists?
While there are few like Duke Anliek who directly associate with the Unity of All Things, many large noble families have somewhat dubious figures hidden within.
If the Holy Temple uses this excuse to equivocate, Brand doesn’t have the mood to even listen.
Anlek must have some conspiracy, but the question is, what exactly is the conspiracy. Jandener’s primary target certainly is him and the Princess, a war between the two sides is unavoidable, though the Flame Temple is seeking trouble with Anlek, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smooth path for him and the Princess.
The Kruz people were heavily defeated at Ambeser, perhaps they will seize the opportunity to retaliate, and the core issue is the north-south situation has become stable, thereby the Flame Temple might not welcome a swift unification of the Southern Territory by the Princess.
Besides, Wood hinted in his letter that the Empire’s high ranks have a strong desire for the Sky Blue Spear, if it is confirmed that this holy relic remains in Erune, it could pose a big problem.
That is the real big problem.
He pondered for a moment, feeling that the urgent task should be to first dismantle the alliance of Anlek and Jandener. However, attempting to uproot the Anlek Family’s influence on the Anlek Plateau in a short time is evidently unrealistic, whereas Count Denier himself is the weak link in this evil alliance.
Yet, it alone is not enough with just him and the Princess.
...
(PS: The powerful God of War is back! It’s three Chapters and ten thousand again, you know what that means! Lastly, I also like you, dear Niko~~) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)