Amber Sword

Chapter 1166: Chapter 292: The True Beginning of Change (Part 2)

"Brand!"

Brand heard a voice calling him, and he thought it was Otarais—earlier on, he had been discussing the situation in Erune with the Wind Elf Lady who resembled his mentor—but when Brand turned back, he saw Delphire standing within Lockshebi Palace, the Earl of Yan Castle dressed in formal wear, with the Female Knight Nia standing behind her, seemingly ready to attend the meeting.

But now she had stopped, glaring at Brand with some anger: "The meeting is about to start, what are you doing?"

Brand was taken aback, since he had already decided to start the war, his participation or not in this meeting didn’t actually matter. In fact, today he had infiltrated the venue just to meet Princess Griffine; he had no interest in this nobles’ nitpicking meeting. Besides, wasn’t it agreed with this lady to split up once entering the venue? What’s the meaning of this?

Brand couldn’t help but look at Delphire in confusion.

The Countess bit her lip, "You’re my house servant, and if you don’t attend the meeting with me, do you want me to become a laughing stock?"

Frey on the side was watching Brand suspiciously, her eyes meaning ’didn’t you say you coerced this lady to bring you into the venue?’ Brand certainly noticed this ’innocent and simple’ gaze, but he was greatly distressed, thinking who knows why this lady is acting crazy? But now is not the time to explain this, since Delphire has already said that, remaining indifferent would make people doubt his identity—and he still needs to stay in Ambeser for a few days, and does not intend to expose himself so early to everyone.

Thinking of this, Brand had no choice but to shake his head and walk over. He looked at Miss Delphire irritably, and asked: "Miss, what’s going on? Aren’t you afraid of being associated with me, a ’cultist’?"

Delphire rolled her eyes at him, a hint of blush appearing on her snow-white cheek: "You’ve caused me so much trouble, I’m asking you to attend the meeting with me, and you want to refuse? To be honest, you owe me a personal debt, you shouldn’t have the right to refuse my request, right?"

"Are you stage fright?" Brand saw Delphire’s shy appearance and suddenly asked oddly.

"So what?" The Countess lightly snorted: "You’re at least a Sword Saint, having you by my side makes me feel a bit more at ease."

Brand sighed, suddenly thinking that participating in this meeting might not be so bad. Anlek and the Holy Temple’s attitude towards the Royalists has subtly changed from historical records, he faintly predicted that something beyond his original control might occur in this meeting, this premonition calmed his mind.

The Ambeser meeting is one of the famous events in Erune’s history, because it took place early in the game, only a few players witnessed this nobles’ meeting. Brand was not one of the witnesses; he had never thought he’d have the chance to personally participate in this historical event—

The meeting was held in a round hall, around the large circular table sat elite figures from the entire kingdom. There was no lighting in the hall, only a beam of natural light hanging down from the dome, where dust floated up and down in the soft light, contrasting sharply with the surrounding darkness, so much so that it was even hard to see the faces of the attendees at first.

Brand and Delphire sat together at the lower southern position, while the Female Knight Nia, as a guard, had no seat. It took him a while to adapt to the lighting here, barely able to see the faces of the nobles in the darkness; at the northern end, opposite him, were the Royalists and the Princess, Brand noticed that Princess Griffine was also paying attention to him, making his heart slightly stir.

On the other side, was Duke Anlek with his entourage, looking indifferent; this old fox with a military background had a profound shrewdness, Brand couldn’t discern any useful expression from the chiseled features of his face; seated below Duke Anlek was Marquis Balta, looking somewhat uneasy and tense.

Further down, was a stern middle-aged man, clearly the type with a righteous face, rather break than bend character. Brand recognized this man—Count Yanilasu, Commander of the Royal Fleet and also the captain of the flagship Flon Ta. He should be one of the rare staunch loyalists to the Royal Family, but not part of the Royalists. He didn’t attend in the morning, probably delayed by others.