Amber Sword

One must understand that in the game, it is impossible to randomly set up a secret passage; there must be corresponding benefits inside. Thinking of this, Brand’s heart was set ablaze with anticipation. There were simply too few secrets yet to be discovered within the Land of Order in "Amber Sword."

Unexpectedly, he encountered one today.

He looked up and asked, "Barbara, if I remember correctly, the entrance to that underground passage should still be some distance from here, right?"

"Yes, Lord," Barbara replied respectfully, "The entrance should be to the east of Ding’s Mountain Manor."

"Who has a map?"

"I do," Count Otin immediately removed a wooden cylinder from his waist, opened the lid, and produced a waterproof parchment map. The accompanying knight then spread it out; the parchment map, when laid on the ground, was about half a person’s size, displaying a complete map of the area near Ampezel.

Such a high-precision map is not common in this era. It is a highly classified military secret, valued at least in ten thousand gold on the black market. Players back then did not have such advanced items; Brand did not expect Otin to carry something like this with him and couldn’t help but praise him: "I didn’t expect Count Otin to carry such a good thing with him, truly well-prepared."

Count Otin, however, looked a bit embarrassed and glanced at Princess Griffine: "The Princess asked the old minister to bring it."

Brand immediately cast a glance at the Half-Elf Girl beside him, but unfortunately, the Princess showed little expression and even furrowed her brows slightly. He couldn’t help but sigh, turning his gaze to the map. To the east of Ding’s Mountain Manor, there was a place called Silver Peak, and if he remembered correctly, the secret entrance to the ancient passage should be near there."

But before that, there was another issue.

"If I remember correctly, the secret entrance to the ancient passage should be sealed by Ancient Magic, right? Can you find a way to break that seal?" Brand looked up at Barbara.

"Naturally, the ones who sealed that ancient passage are the witches, Lord," Barbara replied with a bit of pride. She indeed had the right to be proud; the witches in Vaun have a long tradition, having once followed the Dark Dragon, mastering a lot of unknown Dark secrets and history. "Opening that secret door requires a ritual, and each time only twenty people can pass through. But once through that passage, whether heading north towards the hills north of Ampezel or south into the mountains of Anlek, is up to you, Lord."

"So, does that mean we must enter that ancient passage no matter what?" Princess Griffine asked.

"Pretty much, unless we’re willing to fight our way through, but that seems like a slim hope," Brand said. But Princess Griffine still frowned, "But they don’t know exactly what the situation is like under that ancient tunnel, whether there is any danger below, and that’s also an uncertain matter."

"In any case, it’s better than sitting and waiting for death," Brand stubbornly added: "Moreover, I actually know what’s below, at least I’m eighty percent sure. Please trust me, Your Highness."

The Princess gave him a look and finally nodded: "Okay, I trust you."

"There is one more thing," Count Otin suddenly said at this moment. Under everyone’s gaze, he walked up, pointed to a spot on the parchment map—which quickly became splattered with droplets—and said, "There is still some distance from here to that place, and just now, we saw from the mountain top at least more than one of Jogen Digan’s troops entering the forest, and if we go this way, we might run into them head-on."

Brand looked at the map, frowning deeply. He knew what Count Otin said was true; earlier on the mountain top, he saw with his own eyes the outskirts of Ampezel Port lit up with Starfire, which was likely the glow of lava and torches. Continuing northward, the chances of running into them were high, not to mention the countless Harpies overhead.

He pressed his lips together tightly, exchanged a glance with the Princess, and in each other’s eyes, they saw the same meaning:

"We need to request support—"

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)