Chapter 295
The cavalry wore black armor over dark blue shirts . White collars stuck out from their armor, held together by bronze buttons . They wore helmets - ones that reminded Brendel of the Spanish ones back in his old world . This was the standard uniform of the Aouine cavalry, which meant that they were part of the official army, not some random group of mercenaries or private guards . They did not bear any spears or halberds, but instead, longswords hung from the scabbards at their hips and crossbows were slung across their saddles .
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This group of twenty men took up the whole street . Everyone else nearby stood at the side, as they did not dare to cross the soldiers, and even carriages had to stop to let them conclude their business .
Brendel quickly understood the situation . These soldiers had shot down their horses simply because the carriage did not bear the insignia of a noble, and the driver had not stopped the carriage fast enough . Brendel’s heart burned with frustration . He had refrained himself from insulting the likes of Duke Arreck and Duke Seifer during the conference, yet here he was being trampled on by a few lowly soldiers .
“They’re the cavalry unit of the Black Blade Squad . ” Amandina squeezed his arm, alarmed at the situation .
Brendel had already identified the trash . The Black Blade Squad was originally the king’s Royal Guard, underneath the lead of Count Vitokin . And although Gryphine’s mother had done the Count lots of favors, the traitor still defected to House Seifer along with the eldest prince . To make matters worse, the Black Blade Squad had decided to follow him like a bunch of headless chickens . Even though they too had been treated well by House Covardo . Unfortunately for King Oberg the Seventh, he had raised a group of traitorous turncoats .
When Brendel saw the purple plume on the opposing group’s helmets, he knew that they were The Rangers, the elites of the Black Blade Squad . In fact, one could already tell by the Earth Drakes that they were riding on, that they were a prestigious Squad . These men must be the personal guard of Count Vitokin . Brendel narrowed his eyes, searching relentlessly for that bastard .
“You have gone too far!” Magadal helped the wounded driver to his feet while staring at the soldiers with rage .
“Too far?” The soldiers laughed at Magadal’s response . There were even a few of them who looked at both Magadal and Amandina lecherously . They did not dare to do anything reckless in front of the Holy Cathedral, but Brendel knew that these soldiers might employ any sort of underhanded methods . “Missy, we were just teaching him some manners,” replied one of the soldiers .
“You…! Very well-” Magadal’s face was flushed with anger . She was going to announce who she was, but Brendel acted . After determining that Count Vitokin was not present, he did not want to waste any more time talking to the trash in front of him . He rapped Halran Gaia against the ground, and the earth started to ripple . These ripples traveled through the earth towards The Rangers, growing larger with each passing inch .
Before The Rangers could react, the waves had already reached the ground beneath the Earth Drakes, causing them to lose balance . The riders soon collapsed along with their Earth Drakes . Some of them were even crushed beneath their massive mounts, resulting in broken limbs .
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Earth Drakes were extremely precious to Aouine’s army . There were only three hundred of them in the entire Black Blade Squad . To The Rangers, the Earth Drakes were undoubtedly their most precious and valuable companion . Not one among them had imagined that their mounts would have fallen before a battle had started, at the hands of a random stranger no less . The Rangers were extremely enraged, preparing to gang up on Brendel to teach him a lesson .
Brendel looked on calmly as the soldiers unsheathed their swords . While he did not wish to take a life so easily, he told himself that he would not hesitate if they attacked . Just before the battle erupted, a voice cut through the air, “Everyone stop!”
The soldiers snapped out of their enraged stupor . Their swords were already out of their scabbards and their bodies poised to rush forward, yet that voice managed to make the soldiers sheath their swords . Brendel was surprised at the scene . He could tell that the voice belonged to that of a young man, so he knew it wasn’t Count Vitokin . To be able to command this group of soldiers so well… I’m afraid even Count Vitokin’s son wouldn’t be able to do it . Brendel thought to himself, commending whoever’s voice it was who held such authority .
Brendel knew that of the famous war heroes of Aouine in the future, most of them would start appearing at this time . Knowing that this person probably held great power in the army, if Brendel could remember that he would be a threat in the future, then he would get rid of him right this instant .
Steeling his resolve, Brendel looked up to see the approaching figure . The sea of soldiers parted to reveal, just as Brendel had guessed, a young man . Brendel found that the only way to describe him was beautiful . Since when did this generation’s genes become so superior? Brendel was slightly envious of this person . While he thought that his own looks were still serviceable, just looking at the newcomer’s features made him feel inferior .
The young man gave his soldiers a look before approaching Magadal . He bowed and said, “Princess Magadal, please forgive my subordinates' reckless behavior . They only acted as they did because there was no noble’s insignia on the carriage, so they thought you were commoners . Please accept my apologies . ”
Brendel felt even more pissed off at his apology . So you’re telling me that it would have been fine as long as we were commoners?! However, Magadal was not fuming in rage like he was . She replied curtly, “Please tighten the leash on your soldiers . That is your duty . Do not bring shame to the name of Aouine, Viscount Von Dougning . ”
After hearing her words, Viscount Von Dougning’s expression immediately darkened . He gave Brendel a hateful stare . “Then how should we deal with this problem right now? This man just injured my troops and my Earth Drakes . To attack the Earth Drakes of the Royal Guards is no light matter, princess . Would you care to explain?”
Magadal frowned, any slight goodwill that she had for this person immediately evaporated . She had thought he was a reasonable person, but apparently he was also a hot-headed and stubborn man . Brendel was her guest, so she would not hand him over . In fact, she was so kind that she would gladly do this even for a stranger .
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Before she could form a reply, Brendel had already spoken with his eyes glinting . “Good sir, it seems that you won’t be letting this go easily . So, would you like to settle things privately or publicly?”
He had already identified who the newcomer was . Viscount Von Dougning was one of the nobles underneath Count Vitokin’s tutelage and a well-known genius in history who had found his fame during the war with the Lion Beastmen . He had risen to fame earlier than Brendel, and the Royal Faction had high hopes for him . Even Princess Gryphine had taken an interest in his feats . However, he had followed Vitokin and the eldest prince when they defected to House Seifer . This shining star of the future had instead become a weapon against the Royal Faction .
Freya had once told Brendel that the three most outstanding youngsters in Princess Gryphine’s Royal Cavalry Academy were Bennett, Rouka, and Enrique . The latter two would have been known as heroes alongside Freya . Freya would be known as the War Goddess, Rouka as Aouine’s Master Strategist, and Enrique, who would become a Sword Saint in the future, would become Gryphine’s personal guard as well . However, Enrique still had a long way to go before claiming that title .
Brendel did not expect for Bennett to be among the top talents within the academy . His war tactics were more mediocre than Rouka’s, just like his swordplay was compared to Enrique’s, yet his final score was better than the both of them . If Brendel hadn’t changed history, then Bennett would have died at Bucce . Such a talented genius perishing at the hands of Madara, it would have been such a shame .
However, what was even more pitiful was the relationship between Brendel and Bennett . Brendel knew that Bennett had feelings for Freya, but anyone could see that Freya only had eyes for Brendel . This had spurred Bennett to look at Brendel as his rival . What a pain in the ass…
However, those three geniuses would take time to grow, and as of right now, none of them could compare to Viscount Von Dougning . He already had a few years of battle experience underneath his belt, while Bennett and the others were always in the academy . Freya had once heard Maynild say that if there was a real fight, even she herself would barely be able to hold him off .
Brendel suppressed his killing intent . He knew that soon a mere country bumpkin would defeat ‘The Kingdom’s Greatest Genius’, and that would be the beginning of The Legend of Aouine’s War Goddess . This person would serve as Freya’s first stepping stone .
Brendel had no plans to get rid of the ignorant fool today .
“Oh?” Von Dougning paused for a moment . “What do you mean by that?”
“It means what it means . Didn’t you just say that I attacked the Royal Family’s Royal Guards? Perhaps I did, but I’d like to ask which of you down there are from that private army? If you can prove your identity, then I will willingly pay for the damages,” Brendel smiled as he replied .
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Viscount Von Dougning’s mind went blank . Who is the true monarch right now? Unfortunately, this matter is supposed to be settled at the conference, and not by them . Though even if the monarch had been selected, the war would have started, so the Black Blade Squad’s hands would have been too full to deal with Brendel .
“ . . . Perhaps we could settle this privately . ” Viscount Von Dougning replied hastily, not wanting to offend his might-be rulers .
“Is that so?” Brendel took off his white gloves calmly, holding it out towards Viscount Von Dougning . “That would not be a problem either . However, your underlings wrecked my carriage, and I injured your Earth Drakes . For both our pride’s sake, let’s duel like most nobles do . ”
“Ah?” Viscount Von Dougning’s expression turned sour immediately . He was only planning to make Brendel suffer a little bit by using the Black Blade Squad’s name . He never thought that Brendel would actually challenge him to a duel .
The Nun Princess could not refrain from laughing at Brendel’s antics . Brendel had already surpassed Gold Rank, and he was an Elemental Awakened swordsman . While other spectators might not have known about his true prowess, his skill with the sword was widely recognized . Viscount Von Dougning had definitely heard of him before . This was also the reason Brendel chose to challenge him to a duel, in order to show that he was not to be messed with .
Magadal could not think of Brendel as being arrogant, rather she thought that this Highland Knight’s methods were interesting . She was eagerly waiting for the scene to unfold before her .
Amandina, on the other hand, shook her head . Are these idiots really trying to pick a fight with Brendel? Brendel has never once taken an insult lying down .
Viscount Von Dougning’s reaction was as expected by Brendel . While he was considered a genius for his age, it was impossible for him, a Silver Ranker, to defeat Brendel . He would only be courting death if he accepted the challenge .
Yet he could not reject the challenge . To decline a duel in this manner would bring shame upon his name, and to make things worse, Von Dougning had also dragged the Black Blade Squad’s name into the matter . Viscount Von Dougning started panicking .
Brendel leaned on the Halran Gaia, looking at the poor fool leisurely . Those are some interesting expressions . The way his face changes color is just like that of a chameleon .
Magadal decided it was time to intervene . She knew that Brendel merely wanted to toy with Von Dougning, he wasn’t that serious about the duel . She looked at Von Dougning and sighed . You reap what you sow .
“Let it go, Brendel . This place is Saint Pino Plaza, the Archbishop of the Anderla Cathedral ordered the construction of this plaza to commemorate the peace between Aouine and Kirrlutz . No fighting is allowed here,” she reminded him .
“Exactly!” Von Dougning suddenly thought that the princess’s voice was extremely melodious . “Because of that, our duel cannot take place . ”
“There’s such a rule?” Brendel looked back at Magadal, only to see her wink at him . Brendel chuckled to himself . So this princess isn’t so dull after all . “So be it . Since we can’t settle our feud now, we should take this matter elsewhere . ”
Viscount Von Dougning went pale again, replying hastily, “Then let it be after the conference has ended . ” He knew that the Conference of Ampere Seale would still take a very long time to conclude, so he could only drag this matter out for as long as possible . Furthermore, once the conference has concluded, the war would begin . He would not have to deal with Brendel once he had been sent to the army .
Knowing this, he dared not tally any longer . After finishing his sentence, he immediately ran away with his tail between his legs .
Brendel shook his head . “Youngsters…”
Amandina was rolling her eyes to the side . The auction house manager, who had arrived prior, finally walked up to Brendel . When he saw Brendel and Princess Magadal facing off against the Black Blade Squad, he did not dare to lightly step in between them . He knew that it was not right of him to stand by idly, after all both Brendel and Magadal were his esteemed guests . Therefore, he walked up to them and said guiltily, “Are the both of you fine? That person has always been arrogant, please don’t mind him too much . The VIP room has been prepared, would both of you like to enter now?”
Magadal understood his situation and didn’t want to burden him, so she looked towards Brendel . He nodded his head .