Free Web NovelChapter 558: Nubines [1]
Hearing the report, Brandon’s gaze trembled in anger.
Camille, Lisette and Scylla shivered in fear, feeling the murder intent oozing out of Brandon.
Even the battle-hardened Scylla felt a chill run down her spine. Her grip on her axe tightened as she sensed the sheer bloodlust radiating from Brandon.
Camille and Lisette took an instinctive half-step back, their bodies reacting to the primal danger emanating from their Master.
Camille’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him ’Nubines... they really managed to anger the one being they should fear the most...’
’I feel nothing but pity for them.’
But Brandon controlled his emotions and let out a deep breath "...Nubines."
He turned to the three women "Scylla. Camille. Lisette."
The three straightened instantly and their bodies tensed under the weight of his killing intent.
"Prepare for war."
Scylla grinned upon hearing this "Finally."
Camille and Lisette bowed deeply, "As you command, Master."
He tried to avoid unnecessary war, but they crossed the line.
Now, the gloves are coming off.
---
Sitting in the bed, Amelia spoke "And I sharpened the ether into a blade just like you taught me and sliced her hand off."
Brandon’s gaze softened as he looked at her and a proud smile touched his lips.
"You did well, Amelia."
Amelia blushed slightly but nodded, clearly still shaken by the event.
Brandon turned his full attention to Freya, who was lying propped up against several pillows.
"Good to see that you are safe," He said softly, walking around the bed to sit on the edge beside her.
He took her hand carefully, gently stroking his thumb against the back of it. "Both of you."
Freya squeezed his hand weakly.
Brandon reached out with his free hand and gently brushed Amelia’s hair back, "You both did well. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there. If I had been..."
Freya shook her head, cutting him off gently "Don’t blame yourself. You can’t be everywhere at once. This attack... it was clearly planned. They waited until you were away dealing with the Nubines’ situation."
Brandon’s expression darkened for a moment "I’ll deal with them. They’ve crossed the line one too many times." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
---
The study room was dimly lit by a few glowing lanterns and the soft light of the setting sun filtering through the tall windows.
Brandon was sitting alone on a chair with the silver blade of Rheanne, which she gave him before departure.
He ran a whetstone along the edge with slow, deliberate strokes.
Shing... Shing...
Each pass sharpened the already deadly blade further.
At that moment, the door opened without a knock.
Camille stepped inside and closed the door behind her before kneeling on one knee in front of him with her head bowed in deep respect.
"Master. The assassin they captured... after some thorough interrogation, she revealed everything."
"She was indeed sent by the Nubines Empire. Her orders were clear to kill Lady Freya."
Brandon’s hand paused mid-stroke on the blade as the whetstone hovered motionless above the silver edge.
Camille continued, keeping her head lowered.
"I have already sent messages to our allied forces of the Holy Land, ordering them to prepare for war. Supply lines are being secured, awakened units are on standby, and-"
"No."
Camille lifted her head in confusion "Master?"
"When I said ’prepare for war,’ I just meant the four of us."
Eh?
Camille blinked in genuine surprise, "Just... the four of us? Against an Empire?"
"I know that with Master’s power, you can easily trample the entire Empire but I am sure you wouldn’t want to reveal that you can use ether to the world."
"So, how are we going to fight an Empire, master?"
Brandon set the whetstone down on the table and held the silver blade up, turning it slowly so the light caught its razor edge.
"For some reason, I feel like this is all a huge setup."
Camille’s gaze condensed in thought "A setup?"
Brandon nodded slowly, his fingers tracing the hilt of Rheanne’s sword.
"They know very well that trying to kill Freya will anger me. They also know doing it inside the Holy Land would provoke a massive response."
"It’s as if the Nubines want to anger me. They want to cause a war on a massive scale... they want chaos."
"But I’m not sure for what reason."
"They tried the same tactic the last time too."
Camille remained kneeling, processing his words.
After a moment, she spoke "If they’re deliberately provoking you... then perhaps they’re hoping you’ll overreact."
"Or maybe they want the Holy Land distracted while they achieve something else."
Brandon hummed under his breath looking at the sword "Brand the Nubines Empire as heretics and opposers of Goddess Rheanne."
"Emphasize this... The Goddess gave the gift of ether to women so they could protect this world from monsters and towers. Instead of using that power for its intended purpose, Nubines ais twisting it into a weapon for greed and conquest."
"They are using the Goddess’s blessing to wage war against her own chosen land and her family."
Camille’s eyes gleamed with understanding "Understood. We’ll paint them as ungrateful traitors who have rejected the Goddess’s will."
"I’ll have our people spread the message in every city and village. Within days, the common people will turn against them."
Brandon nodded, "Make it known that any nation or group that supports Nubines will also be considered enemies of the Holy Land and the Goddess’s will. At the same time, quietly reassure our allies that we are not seeking total war."
"Also, leak information that the Nubines Empire has been experimenting on awakened women, trying to steal the Goddess’s gift for men. That should turn even more public opinion against them."
Camille’s lips curved into a ruthless smile "Brilliant, Master. They will be isolated and hated. And when we strike... the world will see it as justice, not aggression."
"I will begin immediately, Master. The messages will spread by tonight. By tomorrow morning, the narrative will be everywhere."
As she turned to leave, Brandon spoke one last time "And Camille... make sure Freya and Amelia are never left unprotected again. Double the guard. Triple it if necessary."
"Understood, Master."
