Amber Sword

Chapter 1158: Chapter 290: Meeting

Marquis Youxi stood in the shadow, bewildered as he watched Brand and Frey leave the inner courtyard. "Who is that woman?" "She seems to be Her Highness the Princess’s Guard Knight, my lord." "So Yan Castle intends to draw closer to the Royalist faction, or is this a hidden move of theirs?" Marquis frowned, convinced that Brand was truly the Earl of Yan Castle, and this unexpected move posed a small threat.

"It’s just Yan Castle, not worth mentioning, Marquis." At this moment, a gruff voice came from behind. Marquis Youxi turned around and saw a bearded military officer, whom he recognized as Count Vitojin, who had not shown up at the meeting. He was the Black Blade Legion’s commander, of military origin, and a staunch supporter of Duke Sifah.

"Marquis Youxi." Beside Count Vitojin stood a young man with fair skin and bright red lips, who slightly bowed to the King’s brother. Marquis Youxi only then noticed this young man, who exuded the fierce sharpness typical of young soldiers, his eyes shining startlingly bright, like a fledgling eagle about to spread its wings.

Marquis Youxi raised an eyebrow, seemingly recognizing the person.

However, he did not intend to answer the question about the Black Blade Legion’s commander. Yan Castle was naturally not to be worried about, but Wood High Priest standing behind it was another matter. Yet Marquis Youxi sneered internally, not planning to reveal this information to the uncouth country bumpkin. Instead, he feigned surprise and greeted: "Cecil? I thought you wouldn’t come, the hunting grounds of the Grey Mountain, I can hardly forget such a beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, much better than Your Majesty’s royal hunting grounds. So, would you welcome me if I visit again?"

Count Vitojin frowned. Cecil was his personal name, but among the nobles, only enemies and close friends would call each other by their names. Clearly, Marquis Youxi was not his close friend, yet calling him an enemy was even more inappropriate. He also knew of the Marquis’s reputation, but when the Marquis mentioned the hunting grounds of Grey Mountain, he couldn’t help but twitch his mouth and change his expression.

It involved a matter of family shame; the last time Oberg the Seventh visited Vitokin Territory, this notorious Marquis had violated his sister. Of course, this wasn’t considered a major issue, but the trouble was that her fiancé was also in the castle at the time. Naturally, he couldn’t let Your Majesty bear the shame, so his sister had to take the blame. The poor woman has been a nun in the monastery ever since; the thought made Count Vitojin inevitably angry.

Fortunately, he knew it was pointless to vent his anger at Marquis Youxi — a person accustomed to indulgence. Count Vitojin knew about the King’s brother’s vindictiveness and narrow-mindedness, and nobody wished to offend such an individual. Especially now, when powerful figures backed him. "Marquis, you jest," Count Vitojin forced a smile, "How could it compare to Your Majesty’s hunting grounds... But that young man just now, surely he was the one the Marquis met a few days ago."

Marquis Youxi feigned a change in expression, internally cursing the old man’s ability to stay informed. "Which one?" he pretended to be puzzled.

"Marquis need not hide it; the young man is a rare genius, being defeated by him is not a disgrace." Count Vitojin laughed, touching his chin, indifferent to the stubble, "But youthful arrogance is not a good thing. As the Elves say, ’the mightiest beast often becomes the hunter’s prey.’"

Marquis Youxi’s face turned like Qing Tie at this veiled and pointed consolation, cursing inwardly the ill intentions. But then he turned his eyes suddenly towards the young man beside Count Vitojin and feigned anger: "What rotten luck, I initially thought he was some country bumpkin who somehow gained the favor of the Chief Priest. In a decade or two, he would undoubtedly become one of the finest in Erune."

Upon hearing these words, both Count Vitojin and the young man changed their expressions. They were aware of its implications, the current Black Blade Legion commander—Count Vitojin himself—was once blessed by the previous Chief Priest, leading to his current status. However, he knew too well that his own ability was far inferior to Brand’s. This realization made them aware that Brand’s future achievements would surely surpass his own.