Amber Sword

Chapter 1180: Chapter 296: The Plan Begins_3

"No, you are wrong, Princess Antobro. I have never supported the Royalists, including their propositions, nor do I agree with the propositions of even the Princess," Brand couldn’t help but frown at the mention of the Royalists.

"Ah!" Magdalene was taken aback: "How... is it possible? Could it be that everything you’ve done in Tonyger was merely for your own interests?"

Brand shook his head, for the sake of interests, he wouldn’t need to do all that. With his capabilities, in Kruz, in Greythius, and even in the Empire Saint Ausor of the Wind Elves, he could gain the status that common people dream of, completely unnecessary to start from scratch in such a desolate place as Tonyger.

"I admit, I have a fondness for Princess Griffine. But it’s not because of her current propositions, nor is it because of chasing the lost glory of the Kingdom. First and foremost, I am not a knight, Princess Magdalene. I care about something more important; I just want to protect the people I wish to protect, I only want tragedies not to repeat again," he calmly asked, "Do you understand what I mean, Princess Magdalene?"

Princess Magdalene stared blankly at him, looking bewildered: "Sorry, Mr. Brand... I don’t quite understand. Do you mean to say... you like Griffine?"

Brand almost choked, the grand princess had a too vivid imagination. He quickly coughed twice, sighed and said, "Think what you will, but what I want to say is, I will not join this political struggle because of supporting either the Royalists or the Princess’s propositions. I am neither a player nor a pawn. Princess Magdalene, if you truly want me to intervene, everything must be done my way."

At that moment, Ramona Darkglow’s painting from the First Era of Glory—which is Brand’s lot—was placed on the auction platform. It was the fourth item; the Wind Elves of Saint Ausor were highly esteemed in the arts and Princess Dark Brilliance was hailed as a rare genius. This painting from her golden period is a treasure, thus the auction started with a small climax. The starting bid of one million Thor caught Antitina’s attention.

Outside, the noise was deafening, but it didn’t suppress Magdalene’s soft voice within the box: "Mr. Brand’s way?"

"Before answering that, Princess Magdalene, I want to ask how you wish me to help the elder princess."

The Nun Princess was stunned, frowned and replied, "Of course, I hope Griffine can leave this dangerous place, Ambeser is not safe, Mr. Brand..."

Originally, she didn’t think this way. She initially did not believe Brand could change anything, just hoped to persuade him to join the Royalists, so the strength around Griffine becomes more solid, making her appear safer in Ambeser. But for some reason, Brand’s words unwittingly shook her original thoughts.

Brand replied, "But you must understand, if Princess Griffine chooses to leave Ambeser, she will forever lose the chance to gain the Holy Temple’s support, and even the existing power balance cannot be maintained. The Royalists will be at an absolute disadvantage, failure is almost imminent, everything the Princess and the Royalists advocate will become a mere illusion."

Princess Magdalene was slightly startled, but she immediately replied, "I only care about Griffine; she is my friend."

"Then my answer to you is, I am too," Brand replied gently lowering his eyelids.

"I understand," Magdalene took a light breath, "But Mr. Brand, why do you dislike the Royalists so much? Your actions in Tonyger resemble a true knight, the Royalists’ philosophy, isn’t it the path you’re pursuing? Why don’t you choose to unite with them, to advance and retreat together? There are very few upright people like you in Erune now, why not unite, instead of letting the old nobles of the North claim victory? Mr. Brand also deeply loves this ancient country, doesn’t he?"

Brand shook his head, answering aloofly, "The Lion Heart Sword in Frey’s hand currently promises to protect the people, not to become proof of the continuation of legitimacy—Princess, Valkyrie, and residents of Buqi, if those watching over it can’t protect them, what meaning does the title of a country hold?"

"Ah, a country, after all, is composed of people, knights fighting on the frontline to protect, not to sacrifice the people they wish to protect, do you understand? Solely relying on the legitimacy of bloodline and clinging to outdated glory, the Royalists’ so-called perseverance is nothing more than the nobles’ clinging to decay, ultimately a mirage. Princess, have you ever been to Buqi?"

"Buqi?"

"Then you certainly don’t understand what Erune truly needs. Former King Ai Ke’s sword is the sword that protects everyone, the Royalists’ sword? I fear it wouldn’t be directed at the nobles, would it?"

The Nun Princess was silent, she didn’t quite grasp Brand’s and Griffine’s, or even the Royalists’ thinking but merely privately felt perhaps Brand hadn’t said anything wrong. "Mr. Brand has a temperament similar to Griffine, yet Griffine doesn’t see as clearly as he does. We’ve all got it wrong, the Royalists never chose the correct path from the start," Magdalene nodded.

She raised her head, "Can I help you, Mr. Brand?"

"I want to see the contents of that letter to verify the true attitude of the Holy Temple. If it’s indeed as you, Princess Magdalene, said, then I must forcibly take the princess away," Brand replied.

"Okay. But in exchange, I hope Mr. Brand won’t call me princess anymore, just call me Magdalene," said the princess earnestly.

"Is that alright?" Brand couldn’t help but turn back. At this moment, Princess Darkglow’s painting was won at the high price of three hundred and thirty thousand Thor, after deducting the auction fee, there was still more than three hundred thousand of income, Antitina couldn’t help but let out a low ’ah’ and then turned back to look at her Lord. But Brand was watching Magdalene and asked, "Miss Magdalene is a follower of the Holy Temple, right?"

"The King of Flames’ teaching warns people to be upright and noble, loyal to friendship. While I revere the Holy Temple, I revere the truth in my heart more. I think even Lord Wood would support my decision," Magdalene replied, "For this, I am willing to pay any price, so please rest assured, Mr. Brand."

Brand lightly uttered, "This princess truly lives up to her reputation of kindness and integrity." Generally keeping a distance from devout followers, at this moment, he couldn’t help but admire. He thought for a moment and suddenly thought of this princess’s future fate, couldn’t help but advise, "Miss Magdalene, have you ever thought about striving to control your own destiny?"

The Nun Princess widened her eyes, the words strive to control one’s destiny deeply moved her, she didn’t know why Brand could see through her inner struggle and couldn’t help but look at him in utter amazement.

"I mean no harm."

Magdalene hesitated, but ultimately shook her head. The Holy Temple had given her too much, she lacked the courage to resist—just like Griffine, although knowing she’d be trapped in her own cocoon, still had to move forward. Seeing Magdalene unwilling to leave the Holy Temple, Brand could only sigh, knowing it’s unlikely as the Nun Princess also represents her country. People are never truly free, he only asked casually.

The auctioneer knocked the third time with the gavel, signaling the end of the auction.

"I’ll wait for your good news," Brand replied, "Please be careful."

"Hmm," Princess Magdalene nodded.

... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)