Amber Sword

After meeting all the requirements, Brand naturally agreed in principle to return all the Flame Temple prisoners he held – which included seven Templar Knights, White Winged Knights, and other prisoners from the Knoelia Fleet.

After all, these people were to play their roles in the upcoming war, serving as Brand’s labor force. Although the Cruz people might not necessarily see it that way.

Meanwhile, to exchange for a second, more important agreement, Brand also made concessions on the original technology transfer agreement, changing the transfer of the latest magic transmission device to blueprints that were no more than ten years outdated, and altering battleship manufacturing technology to escort ship manufacturing technology.

Even so, Brand still left a trap. His original target was the Cruz Empire’s new escort ship design; Cruz’s battleships, with their emphasis on firepower and armor, were cumbersome and disliked. He preferred the new model battleships of the Wind Elf. However, the Cruz’s new escort ship design, stolen from their rivals the Hazellians, was extremely clever, considering the Hazellians are among the top magic masters in the Vorn World.

Unfortunately, though Wood was a highly respected Great Priest and one of the most capable senior members of the Flame Temple, he was not a technical bureaucrat. Most nobles accompanying the Flame Temple in the army also did not likely bring along craftsman of a master level. Hence, with everyone unaware of the trap, Brand naturally and neatly took advantage of them.

Finally, both sides exchanged prisoners, reaching a preliminary reconciliation. Brand did not intend for the two armies, which were just killing each other a few hours ago, to merge and fight against the demons. That would certainly be a fantastical idea. Therefore, he had the Northern Alliance stop around Bunoan, while the Princess’s troops and the Lantoniyan army directly stationed in the Mar Highlands.

This proposal was agreed upon by everyone, as the Northern nobles were not necessarily willing to stand in the same trench with the Princess.

Subsequently, Brand sealed off the news of the demon invasion, preventing any rumors from spreading among the ordinary soldiers, only telling them that a foreign army from Jogen Digan might have invaded Ambeser. Although it was discouraging to throw back into battle before having a chance to celebrate a hard-won victory, it was better than immediately creating a large number of deserters.

He had witnessed similar scenes during the second and third Black Rose Wars, which were prevalent. Both Count Otin and the Royalist nobles agreed with this, being well aware of the nature of their subordinates.

Although the Royalist party had earlier parted ways with the Princess, the Princess had expressed her willingness to let bygones be bygones, and both sides temporarily returned to the same chariot. Due to the presence of Brand and Ecco, Princess Griffith’s status greatly improved.

However, the soldiers’ morale remained an issue, and Brand assigned this problem to the Cruz people, having Wood persuade the Northern Alliance nobles to gather supplies from around Bunoan, at least allowing the troops under the command of Lantoniyan and Count Otin to properly celebrate a victory.

"As long as there is steaming broth, even in this terrible weather, the ordinary soldiers can be satisfied." By evening, Brand had already begun dispatching scouts to the periphery to gather intelligence near the port, to determine whether the port had fallen into the hands of demons, and the number of demons.

But given the residents of the Surface World’s scant knowledge of the Underground World, Brand decided to personally venture to explore around Ambeser. His adventurous action was naturally strongly opposed by Antitina, and even Princess Griffith did not quite agree, but he insisted on proceeding despite opposition.

Unexpectedly, the Princess could not stop him from taking the risk, and she was determined to accompany him. She ordered Ou Fuwei’er to stay behind to appease the soldiers, then donned her knight armor, mounted her warhorse, and joined his entourage, with Count Otin accompanying her.

The Princess’s intentions were naturally beyond Brand’s control. Fortunately, he didn’t intend to engage the demons, only to scout the situation at the front lines, so he let her do as she pleased.

Brand naturally did not flatter himself into thinking the Princess was particularly concerned about him; perhaps there was some truth to it. However, several times he caught a glimpse of the Half-Elf Girl with her rain-reflecting, shining silver eyes, silently thinking that she surely must be dissatisfied with her identity as a woman.