Amber Sword

However, in any case, it seems that the Princess is not planning to hold anyone accountable for that matter, which is good news. Brand also let out a big sigh of relief; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.

At around three in the morning, Brand finally met the Druid Master named Wojtek, who looked just as abstract as Brand remembered. The first impression he gave was like that of a raven-man, with a sharp and long face covered in black patterns. He wore a rain cloak that looked like raven feathers, and his arms and fingers were thin and dry, resembling claws.

If placed in the films and TV works familiar to Brand, this person would be a typical villain. However, quite the contrary, historically, he has been a character with a cold disposition but strictly neutral, an NPC image. Of course, most Druids have this demeanor.

Wojtek had rushed back from Ambeser, looking weary, but according to him, enduring another one or two low-intensity battles shouldn’t be a problem. Brand quickly let him rest, and with this Druid Master, he soon realized that his Mage Corps had reached an unprecedented luxurious lineup.

At least four Golden Rank Mages, including Great Druid Wojtek, Law Mage Grandmaster Char, Great Sea Demon Brigitte, and Dark Night Lord Anderliger. Then there was the twenty-member priest group from the Naga, a few Wandering Wizards under Count Otin, plus the sisters Furlo and Tia. Apart from lacking a pillar of Elemental Rank, this Mage Corps of over thirty, whose lowest ranks are all above Silver, could essentially crush any force of Erune.

Unfortunately, the number still seemed too small to Brand. These thirty or so spellcasters, scattered across a force of thousands, were barely sufficient. Unlike the future Great Demon Tide era’s wars, where an entire legion could gather a Mage Corps of over a hundred, capable not only of being dispersed within the army for defense but also of assembling several dozen into a dedicated Mage Corps for concentrated use, providing remote fire support.

Of course, this dream could only be imagined now. Without Silver Rank mages’ survivability on large-scale battlefields being extremely low, and yet Silver Rank and above mages being incredibly scarce, this was the reality of Vaun.

Four-thirty.

The Officer Cadets of the Royal Knights finished their break, and then the Naga and the Noble Private Soldiers were also awakened in turn. Brand took out the map he had organized overnight and directed them to set up defenses according to his requirements. This move caught everyone by surprise; they didn’t know that Brand was already familiar with the geographical landscape of this region and assumed that the Commander had personally taken people out to survey the terrain overnight to allow them better rest.

Although the young Officer Cadets didn’t voice it, they were deeply grateful. Only Princess Griffine vaguely guessed something, but she kept her suspicion to herself.

The terrain of Mar Highlands was a pleasant surprise for defenders; where offshoots of three mountain ranges converged, forming a vast valley. Mist shrouded the valleys on both sides, with rivers flowing unceasingly through it, creating a resonant water sound.

A lofty ridge spanned the northern side of the valley, appearing lead-grey and hazy in the pre-dawn gloom. This was the southern foothill of the Fama Mountain Range, known locally as Angerk Mountain, with the ancient mountain people’s language translating Angerk to ’Wall.’

Two streams converged at the foot of Angerk Mountain, forming a shallow mountain stream. The water scoured downward along the riverbank, over time creating a broad stretch of flat land. This terrain sloped down like a massive ramp, bordered by the forest-covered Machenko Mountain and Levico Mountain on its sides.

However, both Machenko Mountain and Levico Mountain were flat and gentle, far lower than the height of Angerk Mountain’s peak. This meant that if they set up positions atop Angerk Mountain, archers could attack the southern peaks from an elevated position.

For the Northern Alliance’s infantry and cavalry to launch an assault through the valley, securing the southern peaks first would be a nightmare. But approaching from below without controlling the southern peaks, the uphill assault would be beyond a mere nightmare.

This was practically a natural ambush position.

Unless the Black Blade Legion figured out a way to bypass the Fama Mountain Range and attack from behind Angerk Mountain. But that would take a long time, at least for half a month, they wouldn’t have to worry about enemies from the rear.