Chapter 134 – Brendel’s advisors

The Druids were interrogating the Lionmane Beastmen prisoners. The attack from the Beastmen made them furious. The Blackthorn council members did not think that there would be anyone who dared to cause trouble in the frontlines, especially when Brendel was considered to be their ally.

The two-legged cats from Toquinin were wasting their time, and time was the rough equivalent of life at this critical juncture.

On the other hand, the Beastmen felt wronged. The scouts heard that Brendel had only brought a group of men who were not highly skilled, and the ambassadors from Aouine only brought a small number of Silver-ranked guards. Their dead commanders thought that it would not require much time to effort to steal Halran Gaia, or to kill them if it were necessary.

The people from Kirrlutz did not inform them of Brendel’s true strength, and they caused them to get wiped out instead.

But the truth was the Kirrlutz Empire was unaware of how strong Brendel was. Even Rono and Faena were greatly shocked to find out Brendel’s true strength. Just like the Beastmen, they did not think that a few Gold-rankers would be the match for the Beastmen’s hundred-odd Silver-rankers.

Even though these Beastmen did not have any strong swordsmanship or similar techniques, they were able to enter a state of rage to boost their strength and were incredibly aggressive. A typical Silver-ranked human would not be a match for a Lionmane Beastman even when they are classified as the same rank.

While the Druids discussed amongst themselves what they should do with the Beastmen, Brendel summoned his Wind Spirit Spiders and secretly had them scout the area.

Carglise stretched and yawned as he sat down beside Brendel.

“I feel that someone made this event happen.” He said.

“Oh?” Brendel tilted his head.

“It can’t be a coincidence that the ambassadors and the Catmen from Toquinin picked a fight with us,” the youth lowered his voice, “if the ambassadors are pressured by the people from Kirrlutz, then it’s hard to say that the catmen are not influenced by Kirrlutz.”

“Toquinin belongs to the faction of the Hallowed Temple of Earth. It’s certainly a disaster for Aouine if the people from Kirrlutz worked with Toquinin to suppress Aouine, but the Holy Cathedral of Fire will never agree to this. While Kirrlutz holds a great number of seats in the Holy Cathedral of Fire, it is a violation of their teachings and Kirrlutz will pay a big price for helping Toquinin fight our kingdom.” Brendel rubbed his forehead.

“Although we have no direct proof of their involvement, it’s very likely that they leaked the information of the civil war to the Catmen. Do you remember what they said? The civil war in the northern regions. It’s too specific. Even our own ambassadors don’t seem to know where it’s going to happen. Do you think the Catmen’s magic is more advanced than Aouine’s?”

“True.” Brendel nodded. Only the Kirrlutz’s Empire could spend an enormous amount of resources to cast a long-range communication spell.

[Ah. Correction, the wizards from Galbu are capable of doing the same feat, but these people have the Silver Bloodline in them. They wouldn’t interfere with us. Even if these crafty old men wanted to cause trouble for Kirrlutz, they wouldn’t find a troubled kingdom. Wonderful, son of Macsen. It’s easy for me to guess that Kirrlutz has a hand in this shitty mess since I know how history is going to play out. But for you to make such a good analysis with a little bit of information so quickly, especially after having a ‘terrifying’ fight where the opponents supposedly outnumber us. It makes me wonder if you already formed an opinion the moment you saw the Beastmen appeared.]

Brendel believed it was a wise decision to recruit Carglise. Even though his father was an ordinary man, his son was certainly not.

[Hmm, how is it that you’re not famous in my past life? Someone like you should be someone prominent. Or did you somehow get killed during your way to the princess? Hmm, hmm, I saved your life, young man. You should repay me.]

He patted Carglise’s shoulders without saying anything. Revealing his thoughts carelessly would probably invite unwanted rumors. What if the Holy Cathedral of Fire sent a bunch of people to arrest and set him on fire?

“But why did the Catmen come all the way to pick a fight with us? Did they really come all the way to simply steal your sword? I understand that Halran Gaia is a legendary weapon, but those stupid cats are actual ambassadors, right? Ambassadors becoming bandits, this is such a loss of reputation.” Carglise said a little puzzledly as he scratched his head: “Or did they have such a tradition from the ancient times? I can’t understand their motive at all—”

Count Austin and the female scholar were eavesdropping on them, and both of them coughed with strange expressions on their faces. If the Lionmane Beastmen knew that this young man turned Toquinin into a kingdom of thieves with his remark, there might be a war for that insult.

But Amandina came over to answer the question: “Halran Gaia is considered as the holy relic of the Hallowed Temple of Earth. Its value is how a citizen of Aouine would regard the Lionheart. An example would be this, if our lord possesses one of Kirrlutz’s national treasure, they would rush over to pry it from our lord’s hands.”

“I see. Then it’s still likely to be Kirrlutz’s handiwork. The people who witnessed the fight between our lord and the people from Kirrlutz are mostly natives, and they aren’t likely to spread rumors about him having Halran Gaia.”

[Backstab me after failing to win in a direct confrontation? This isn’t Veronica’s style.]

Brendel nodded again to agree with the assessment. He had already figured out the culprits behind the scene as soon as he saw the Lionmane Beastmen, but the people from Kirrlutz were indeed recurring villains who came back again and again.

Amandina pondered for a moment: “But it’s strange. Why would the famous Veronica scheme behind our backs in this manner? We are no match for her.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t want to have a fall out with the Druids?” Carglise suggested.

“But the Druids are no fools.”

Carglise laughed as he turned his head back: “Wait, I think I get it. Count Austin, out of curiosity, is there someone important amongst the ambassadors from Kirrlutz?”

As a high-ranking general and aristocrat, Austin did not have to answer the youth in front of him. However, he did cooperate with Brendel and was also dissatisfied with Kirrlutz’s actions to use them.

“Yes, and it’s someone I recognize. The daughter of Kirrlutz’s prime minister.”

“Ah. So it’s indeed the people from Kirrlutz, but Veronica has no idea about it.”

Brendel nodded. But he was unable to go to her and point fingers, because she might actually pretend that the order was from her to protect the empire’s dignity. Even if she were to teach her subordinates a lesson, it was unlikely that she would let the people from Aouine off since the move had already been made.

“In any case, the people from Kirrlutz don’t intend to let us off,” Brendel said in a flat tone. Dealing with the Calamity of Wolves and the schemes behind his back at the same time made him furious.

“My lord, we should act now,” Carglise suddenly came over to him and whispered: “I’m sure they are trying to look at our trump cards if they planned for the ambassadors and the Catmen to attack us.”

“Indeed, my lord,” Amandina was close enough to hear Carglise’s words and also agreed, “Carglise is saying that the people from Kirrlutz are watching us.”

But Brendel quickly replied: “Stop. Move back a little and continue to discuss what they are going to do next.”

Carglise was momentarily surprised, but he quickly understood that his lord had already made a move. His eyes were full of shadowy laughter as though he could not wait for the world to be engulfed in chaos, but he took a moment to think it through: “Well, in order to find out where our limits are, they have to raise the quality of their cards….. Which means they are going to find a stronger force.”

“The Holy Cathedral of Fire,” Amandina continued, “because the Kirrlutz Empire wields the authority to speak for them. If they got our ambassadors and the Beastmen from Toquinin to come after us, they are likely to consider the Holy Cathedral of Fire in their plans.”

Count Austin and the female scholar paled. The latter was thankful for Brendel’s assistance back then and joined in the discussion with a frown: “But even if the people from Kirrlutz made a request to them to get back at you, they would need a legitimate reason for the Bishops to act on this matter.”

[Reason?]

Brendel felt his eyelids twitch as he thought about the Holy Swords magic that he displayed, which was similar to the Sacred Church of Light’s magic. He could not help but took in a deep breath and prayed that his suspicions would not come true.

It would be a disaster if they did.

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