Free Web NovelChapter 1183: Chapter 297: News from the North (Part 3)
Why should they give so much for the rise and fall of the Royal Family, to change the Destiny of a Princess, even at the cost of Life? Unlike the deep-rooted prejudices held by Royalists and nobles, Brand believed there was no real hierarchy among people, and even the Life of a Princess was not necessarily nobler than that of a beggar.
In his heart, Princess Griffine had more weight not because she would become the Regent King’s elder princess of this Kingdom, but because he could not forget precious memories of the past—the days of fighting alongside companions, Valkyrie, and countless others who shared the same beliefs. But to others, these memories did not exist, not even to Frey.
His goal was somewhat selfish from the start, but there were things he had to do because he knew the outcome.
"Su, do you trust me?" Brand suddenly asked.
The dark-skinned girl looked up at him quizzically.
"What we are doing now might not necessarily succeed, but it is certainly the right thing. If we act, we might fail, but if we don’t act, we will surely not succeed. The nobles cannot save Erune, but living in seclusion won’t bring peace either." Brand recalled the Second Black Rose War that would inevitably happen in the future, how the Kingdom would blaze in war, and how half-hearted reforms could not save Erune.
If he didn’t act boldly, history would inevitably repeat itself.
Su lowered her eyelids: "I don’t understand, but Miss Freya chose to trust you, Lord. Burying our heads in the sand only fools ourselves, that’s what you meant to say, right?" She smiled: "Actually, it doesn’t matter much, my father’s opinion is my opinion, he chose to trust you—Lord—not because of any grand reasoning, but because you have never failed so far."
"If we fail, everything ends here; if we succeed, we can continue on—does it mean that?" Indeed it seemed so; he had only one chance and could not choose. If he could not succeed, then at least he had to fail spectacularly. Because even if he did nothing, it was still a failure.
He nodded and felt at ease.
He turned around: "Sani’er, please go according to the prearranged plan and help us attack the port. I will provide you with the location and defenses of the Ambeser naval storehouses and the warehouses in the dock area, and the plundered goods can all be your spoils of war... but if possible, please try to minimize Civilian casualties."
"We are not bloodthirsty fiends." Sani’er grunted with displeasure: "With detailed defenses, we will try to avoid civilians. But is the map you gave us reliable? Isn’t the layout and defenses of Ambeser controlled by the Flame Temple? Can you get hold of it?"
Brand smiled mysteriously. Of course, he couldn’t get it, nor did he need to. His decades of experience from another history made him thoroughly familiar with Ambeser’s layout and defensive works. "Rest assured, there won’t be too many navies left at the docks that day; I will create the conditions for you." Besides a few warships of the Port Authority, Ambeser’s navy mainly consisted of Monk Soldiers from the Holy Temple. Brand was at least confident of luring those Monk Soldiers away.
Moreover, a storm at sea was approaching; the Holy Temple would not expect an attack to come from the sea under any circumstances.
"By the way," he suddenly remembered something: "Could you please deploy the Sea Demon Whale one more time?" He mostly wanted to use the Sea Demon Whale to cover the retreat, as there were still several warships in the Port Authority, and the Sea Demon Whale had special effects in suppressing storms. When they retreated from the sea, they would have to pass through storm-ridden waters. Brand didn’t want to escape Ambeser only to end up as fish fodder.
Sani’er hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded. Brand had favored the Flash Scale tribe a lot, so this time they considered it settling a debt of gratitude. Also, the Flash Scale Naga had suffered significant losses in the West Sea War. Brand’s proposal to give them a chance to raid the Ambeser naval and commercial warehouses was an offer they couldn’t refuse. Ambeser was the largest trading port in Erune and the entire Southern Territory. If they could strike at the Ambeser navy this time, the Flash Scale Naga could almost replenish all their losses in this war.
"Thank you very much." Brand was genuinely delighted now. The relationship with the Flash Scale Naga had been an unintentional move during this trip to Ambeser, and it had unexpectedly become a critical factor in the success of this journey to Ambeser.
"Mutual benefit, that’s all." Sani’er, as stoic as ever, dismissed Brand’s debt with a simple phrase. If the clever Queen Hanlu found out, she would certainly send him to the Abyss of the Deep Sea for labor reform.
Next, Brand decided to see that Half-Elf Girl once more.
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
