Amber Sword

By the time they reached the Mar Highlands, it was almost midnight, with the Silver Moon hanging high in the sky, casting down a veil-like moonlight upon the mountains and fields. The forest was silent and enveloped the mountains on both sides, but where the river flowed between the foothills, it widened into a plain.

The officer cadets from the Royal Knight Academy planned to conduct a night reconnaissance of the terrain, but Brand stopped them. Brand ordered everyone to rest on the spot and set up defenses at dawn. The noble private soldiers were relieved, having trudged all night and were already worn out, so Brand’s order was a welcome relief for them. However, the young officer cadets could not help but have some complaints—how could they set up defenses without knowing the terrain? Even the simplest of defenses needed to be adapted to the landscape, as clearly written in the infantry manual. What exactly was Commander thinking? Nevertheless, orders are orders, and everyone was destined to fall asleep with suspicions lingering in their minds.

The mountain forest was particularly cold at night during the season when the winter snow first melts. Due to lack of preparation, the officer cadets only had a thin blanket over them, which was inadequate at such temperatures. Brand saw many young people with faces turning blue from the cold, but Count Oting’s noble army also didn’t have tents, leaving no other choice but to patrol around and see if there was anything else he could help with.

Count Oting’s noble private soldiers, the Naga, the officer cadets from the Royal Knight Academy, and the Southern Army’s Flying Dragon Riders were not mixed together. The discipline of the noble private soldiers was not as good as expected, and considering there were many girls among the officer cadets, Count Oting personally restrained his subordinates to prevent any incidents. The Flying Dragon Riders had to care for their mounts, and naturally, it was advisable for strangers not to intrude. The Grey Fin Naga from the Sea of Shining were accustomed to the cold climate but felt uncomfortable on the dry land, and they all rested curled up under the riverbed.

For Brand, sleep became less necessary after his physique reached the Golden Domain. His metabolic system automatically adapted, making it normal for him not to sleep for several days and nights. He slowly walked along the edge of the Black Pine Forest, with stars scattered across the sky. It was hard to see such beauty in another world, causing Brand to pause and admire the view.

However, cold winds began to blow from the southern mountain pass, signaling the regrouping of the storm over Ambeser Outer Sea, inevitably casting a shadow over the impending battle. Brand suddenly heard the sound of crushed bushes at the back of his head; he drew his longsword and turned around to see a figure dressed in bright colors. Erune’s Half-Elf Princess was clad in silvery armor, modified with a skirt underneath, standing in the woods looking noble and striking.

"Mr. Brand."

"Your Highness." Brand was slightly surprised, not expecting the princess to be awake, let alone seeking him out. He wouldn’t think this was a mere coincidence, nor was the princess wandering through the woods at this time. He smiled somewhat awkwardly: "What brings Your Highness here?"

Princess Griffine’s expression was somewhat forlorn. She knew she shouldn’t have come here but found herself unable to sleep after leaving Ambeser that evening. After Brand had treated her so rudely, she was disgusted and practically wanted to kill him with a sword at that moment.

Yet for Erune’s sake, she ultimately forced herself to calm down and endure humiliation. She told herself that there were more heinous faces in this kingdom, and even faced with Viscount Begning’s betrayal, she managed to suppress her emotions. However, the scene was like a nightmare, leaving a shadow on her soul that she couldn’t forget.

If this person behaved more poorly, it would be better, but he happened to be so exceptional.

Princess Griffine’s silver eyes reflected Brand’s figure, filled with complex emotions inside. She had never seen unprovoked love and hate from childhood. The events of that night convinced her that unconditional assistance never existed in this world—but how could he act as if asking for nothing when his true colors had already been exposed, right?

Moreover, Brand’s identity as a descendant of Darus filled her with deep concern. If he aimed for things beyond, what could she do? But this was her last chance, and she hoped to get a direct answer; even if more had to be sacrificed, she would persevere just to safeguard Erune and rescue Haruz.