Amber Sword

Chapter 1162: Chapter 291: First Round Clash (Part 2)

"You’re correct, Mr. Brand. Indeed, my brother’s army enters the South from the North, with only two paths available—if we secure the support of the Holy Temple and the Guild—or at least ensure their neutrality, then the Northern nobles will have no choice but to pass through the mountains of Anlek—"

"So, you aim to ally with Anlek by marriage, thus forcing the Northern nobles—no matter how aggressive—to face reality. In mountain battles, they are no match for Anlek. In this way, the South and North attack and defend in reverse, making Viero, Golan-Elsen, and Karasu secure and naturally aligning with the Royalist—if not the Anlek alliance. Advance to attack, retreat to defend, and over time, the Kerkova Royal Family will certainly rise to prominence."

Brand raised his head, not a trace of joy in his eyes. "Then, in advance, congratulations to the Princess."

"Do you think there’s something wrong?" Griffith’s face paled slightly. Brand’s strength seemed insignificant in the eyes of the Royalists, yet carried great weight in her mind. She vaguely felt Brand might understand the true her, the goal she had adhered to since childhood—even against the Royalist faction—but only one person in Erune understood her. That person was now before her.

She originally thought he could comprehend her sacrifice.

And compared to this understanding, everything else was insignificant—

She saw that kind of shining light in Brand, like seeing another guiding light in a storm, the joy of discovering a companion in the dark, desolate wilderness was indescribable. It wasn’t hard to see from his letters, or his actions, that he shared the same resolve with her, yet now this person looked at her coldly.

The Princess took a faint breath. "Can you tell me the reason?" Her tone was gentle, but beneath her furrowed brows lay a hint of displeasure. Brand had better give her a satisfactory answer, or he’d surely face this Princess’s disappointment.

Just as arrogant as the rumors say. Brand thought. But without such character, one could hardly persevere to this point.

"There are several issues." He replied.

Ou Fuwei’er slightly raised his head, not entirely in support of this plan. However, Liwu and Macaro were in favor. Liwu’s influence within the Royalists was significant, being the only Elemental Rank powerful figure on their side. Meanwhile, Macaro represented the allies’ opinion, leaving no room for opposition.

"Firstly, the Flame Temple and Earth Temple are on the brink of war, and the Cruz people might not be pleased to see Erune complicate matters at this time. Although the Eruein have not been under the Cruz thumb since gaining independence, we must admit, we’re also members of the Flame Temple." Brand answered. "At this time, while the Temple might not overtly interfere in kingdom politics, they can still facilitate matters for the Northern nobles. To outsiders, the Northern forces are far stronger than the South, and ending the war as quickly as possible would be best achieved by allowing the North to gain victory swiftly—"

"This aspect surely hasn’t escaped our consideration, young man," Liwu finally spoke, and Brand’s questioning had eroded his recently built goodwill. "But once Duke Anlek and the Royalists join forces, victory for the Northern Men won’t come easily. If the Temple recklessly intervenes, it will only spark larger civil conflict; moreover, at this point in time, the Tuokui Lion-men have yet to prepare their provisions, and talk of war between the Flame Temple and Earth Temple is even more unfounded."

Brand remained silent, knowing this was history. It’s how the Royalists turned the tide historically, but he had a real reason he couldn’t openly state. Could he claim Anlek had ill intentions? The fact was the Royalists were no fools; they naturally knew Anlek held such intentions. The Princess was trying to grasp the burning walnuts, believing she could succeed.

But history proved she failed.

Yet Brand couldn’t articulate this failure, he couldn’t simply say I’m from the future, I’m a Godman, could he?

He paused, and disappointment on Griffith’s face grew. She subtly clenched her fist, even wishing for Brand to prove her wrong for just a moment. This seventeen-year-old Princess had hardly slept a full night these past weeks, knowing she was walking a tightrope but convincing herself she had no choice.