Chapter 214 – Preparation for war (3)

In the end, the combined army of the various races was less than a thousand, but the adventurers and mercenaries who sought for opportunities in the Dark Forest were all skilled fighters, each who could only be found in one out of a hundred men.

They were made up of powerful Iron-rankers and some were even Silver-rankers. The Tree Elves were roughly the same caliber; Silver-rankers who survived the Calamity of Wolves.

A mixed force of Iron-rankers and Silver-rankers was the equivalent as having an army that was entirely made up of knights. Even the strongest army under Aouine’s generals did not have a luxurious formation.

Brendel wondered what Count Randner’s face would be like when this army suddenly appeared in the battlefield. It was definitely outside one’s expectations.

However, the youth delayed his departure instead of leaving immediately. The Druids rushed overnight to prepare equipment for this army, which was done at the Mana Pool that was naturally formed in the Green Tower. It was a common structure that was found in major cities, but rarely found in smaller cities.

There was always an Elder Druid overseeing operations as the others forged steel equipment with Mana. Even though they were not as sturdy as metal that was genuinely forged, the equipment had the advantage of being lightweight.

The Centaurs’ workshops were also lit all night long. There were banging of steel that rang all night that sounded throughout the market area, extending beyond several miles. The various weapons were quenched in water and immediately delivered to the army.

The various factions staying in the Green Tower sent out their craftsmen as well. The Mountain Dwarves volunteered to join in the Centuars’ workshops and oversaw operations. It was a peculiar sight to see several Dwarves, Centaurs, and Elves standing together, competing with each other to increase production. This scene happened before in the past, but it was only during the War of the Holy Saints.

The other factions sent out messengers to thank Brendel generously. The youth knew that most of them did not have any discord with Aouine or were distant from the kingdom, but even the coldest faction verbally supported Brendel by promising to boost his credibility to the Holy Cathedral of Flames.

The few Wind Elves ambassadors in the city asked the youth if he required reinforcements. These elegant Elves even made a joke about their ancestors having a close relationship with King Erik, though Brendel could hardly perceive it as one. The Wind Elves were aggressive to the Kirrlutz Empire and actively sought a chance to make Aouine’s neighbor fret—

Brendel rejected their ‘kindness’ gently.

The Wind Elves wanted to trouble the Kirrlutz Emperor and wished for his early death, but if they got involved in Aouine’s civil war, then it could escalate into a Holy War between the Holy Cathedral of Flames and the Divine Pantheon of Wind. He also did not want to face the wrath of the Holy Cathedral of Flames.

Orthlyss also gave her input and told Brendel to reject the Wind Elves’ aid, even if she was one herself. It was likely to end up as a political issue, and her insight into politics was far better than Brendel given her vast experience.

Brendel saw a few unexpected guests a few days later— Count Austin.

Apparently, Mephisto slew the majority of the wolves at the blockade before he approached Brendel for the first time, allowing the remaining nobles and Centaurs to escape to safety. Andellu then found and led them to safety after Brendel lit the Fire Seed.

The youth had dispelled his prejudice against this group. These descendants of King Erik picked up the flags that were left lying on the battlefield once again, carrying the will of the Lionheart.

[Though I must admit it’s a shock that he survived.]

Brendel stared at Austin who also did the same thing to the youth.

“We will consider persuading the princess to stand on your side.” Count Austin finally said.

“I’m surprised. Surely it’s not because I lit the Fire Seed or kept you safe during the Calamity of Wolves?” Brendel said.

But Austin’s reply was simple.

“We had experienced life and death when we charged against the wolves on that fateful day. It felt like the flags of our Ancestral King were flying brilliantly once again. Aouine’s flags have not been raised for too long, and we cried on that day when the battle was over. Not because we feared the wolves, but because of regret. We regret losing our glorious past, and we feel ashamed to face our ancestors.”

Brendel trusted his words because Austin was firstly a general before a noble, thus his character could be trusted. This was the first time that a noble had shown so much deference to Brendel. It was extremely important to the youth because his final wish was not to stand against the princess.

“The only request I have is for you to always stand on Aouine’s side, to always stand on King Erik’s and the other ancestors’ path.” Austin continued.

He had not felt the passion to earnestly seek the path of a knight for many years, not knowing who was capable of picking King Erik’s white swallowtail flag and placed hope in the Corvados, but on that fateful day, he saw something completely different in Brendel.

Makarov and Buga also saw the same thing in Brendel during that particular encounter, when the youth swore an oath that many people from Aouine had forgotten, making one recall the gleaming Lionheart and the belief of an Aouine that was free from corruption and greed.

Austin and the other nobles left after Brendel nodded. It was the first promise won from Aouine’s nobility, and it bound them together on the same battleline in history.

The preparations of the alliance continued day after day.

Brendel originally planned to extend his stop for two weeks, but he received news from his Summons that Madara was joining in the battle. There was evidence that the commanding officer was Incirsta’s adjutant— The One-eyed Dragon, Tarkas.

It was definitely bad news. The current Madara was like a sharp blade to Brendel’s neck, and he had to bring forward his plan and return in a few days.

Brendel did not idle during his return to the Green Tower. He peeled off the XP off the grimoire’s remnants. It was like a treasure vault. He only took in a small strand from it in the Loop of Trade Winds and he got over twenty thousand XP and raising the Mercenary level from 27 to 28 required only 130,000+ XP.

When Veronica was beside him, Brendel did not dare to increase his level since she was interested in him. She was still considered an enemy behind the scenes, and increasing his capability every second would make her suspicious.

Then there were many things to do after the return to the Green Tower. He had to set up the alliance army and oversee the operations until everything was running smoothly before he found the time to extract the XP.

He got Quinn to prepare a quiet room for him and started working his Element Power on the grimoire’s remnants. It only took two minutes to get the required XP to level up.

The youth was flabbergasted to see the system’s notification. It was like he fired a nuclear missile in this place and wiped out a bunch of monsters, reaching sci-fi levels of incredulity.

He suppressed the agitation and shock in his mind. The rise of the XP bar was making him feel so great that he wanted to break out in a dance. Still, it was not the first time he experienced something crazy, so he quickly calmed down after taking a deep breath and continued to channel the stripped power into the Laws of his Element Power.

Five minutes later, he reached level 29 after adding 170,000 XP.

Ten minutes later, level 30 after adding 220,000 XP. It only took thirty minutes to raise three levels. It was illogical. Brendel stared at the three glowing black orbs. After stripping close to 500,000 XP, the shape hardly changed. This meant that the XP within these orbs were far greater than he thought. His body trembled uncontrollably a few times after realizing that fact.

He did not rush to increase his levels after reaching level 30, and he instead ran to a Grandmaster Warrior profession staying in the Centaurs’ district to inquire about a combat technique. There was a core technique that he could learn as long as his related Warrior profession reached level 30.

These core techniques were usually learned at level 30, 40 and 60. Anything beyond that was a different concept, involving Element Powers and Shaped Physiques as a chain quest. The youth did not bother to think about them.

Since he had visited the Green Tower in the past and knew about the NPCs after the Calamity of Wolves, he searched for a Centaur Warrior called Manehoof. The latter’s appearance was no different from the typical Centaur, but half of his bloodline was a Devil from the River of Scorching Heat. He was not the most prominent Grandmaster Warrior NPCs in the continent, but Brendel knew that Manehoof taught two powerful skills.

The first was Piercing Strikes. It was one of the strongest low-tier techniques a Warrior could use, and even bested some of the mid-tier techniques. It had the chance to do double critical damage, and was one of the essential techniques for a Warrior to learn in the early stages of the game.

The second technique was a strange one. It could only be used once and did not put itself in the list of techniques. It was called Bloodline Awakening, a talent that a Devil could have.

This ability was actually used to reset TP and technique slots, and the only alternative to Mediation Incense which was not obtainable in the early game.

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