Amber Sword

This is the tragedy of this Princess, where the course of history often does not unfold as expected.

She had to repeatedly go against her ideals, striving to make amends but ultimately finding it impossible to salvage. When she finally resolved to let go of the past and move forward, those new nobles she had nurtured and the Royalists who supported her immediately abandoned her.

Perhaps from the beginning, she should have broken free from this obsolete mindset to gain the support of those who truly should have aided her. Yet, after all, she was a Princess raised in the Royal Family, deeply fearful of the entrenched strength of the nobles.

But finally, there was someone who stood behind her.

Brand silently thought, maybe this is a change. To help her understand that what she can rely on is not just the nobles of the Kingdom, this ancient Kingdom has more people yearning for change, like Frey, like Antitina, and even descendants of nobles like Caglis, only they are unable to speak out, unable to see through the fog of history.

But he, however, could see through everything in the future at a glance. He didn’t even need to guess, history and the future were within his reach. Brand understood what was right and what was wrong.

The Northern nobles are immersed in the power of the past, all their efforts merely seeking to prolong the current state. But ultimately there will be those determined to eradicate past maladies, understanding that this ancient Kingdom must be reborn from its ruins.

He turned back and saw Caglis lying on a makeshift stretcher, winking at him from not far away. Antitina smiled and nodded at him, as if she was relieved.

Princess Griffine also took a deep breath.

Her gaze inadvertently went past Brand’s shoulder, her silver eyes reflecting the scene of Adgar rampaging among the Northern Alliance in the valley, letting out a light sigh.

"Thank you, Mr. Brand."

"Although the Eruein still inevitably slaughter each other, having lost half of the Black Blade Legion, the Northern nobles will reconsider their stance. If the Flame Temple does not wish Eruein to fall into a prolonged civil war, it might turn to compromise with us."

"The Kingdom must undergo the pains of rebirth, but it is better than slow bleeding, Ambeser achieved everything in one battle. Mr. Brand single-handedly changed the future of Eruein, saving more Eruein from the fires of war, I thank you on behalf of this ancient Kingdom."

This remark was truly heartfelt, Ambeser’s crisis seemed perilous but also pregnant with opportunity. The Royalists, the Northern nobles, including herself were all seeking the key to break the deadlock. However, the Northern nobles took the lead, and the unexpected involvement of the Flame Temple made her and the Royalists unprepared, as the situation was seemingly irretrievable.

Yet it was at this moment that Brand changed the entire situation with his own strength.

She had met many people, but the young man before her was like an anomaly. He possessed power, possessed strength, but displayed none of the habitual sophistication and deceit of the Kingdom’s nobles. Even she herself couldn’t avoid bearing such an imprint, hence she could remain unfazed while viewing herself or others as political pawns.

But Brand lacked this; even in their brief interaction, she could understand this point. She couldn’t comprehend that freedom, that unrestrained yet firm temperament, which seemed childish and laughable to the nobles, but perhaps it is precisely such people who can change history.

The Princess seemed much more at ease.

However, Brand shook his head, having to dampen her slightly improved spirits: "Princess, I’m afraid it’s not that simple. You’re underestimating the Flame Temple."

He was not being alarmist but had witnessed firsthand the greed and arrogance of those fellows. The Eruein had lost their honor, and how could the descendants of the King of Flames be any different? Just that the Cruz Empire has deep resources, whereas Erune is storm-tossed.

Princess Griffine slightly furrowed her brow: "Mr. Brand, are you saying that the Flame Temple will tear up the sacred covenant and intervene in Eruein’s civil war? This... impossible, right?"

Indeed, this was unheard of for millennia.

But today is different from the past.

Brand knows the Great Demon Tide is right at the doorstep, many prophecies have hinted at this immense transformation. The Flame Temple has a long heritage, impossible not to be prepared for it; in fact, the upcoming Holy War is just one ring in the series of chain reactions brought by this transformation.