"Letting the kingdom inherit Count Brando's ideals means making those ideals a plan for all of Eluin, rather than a struggle waged alone by Tonigell or any territory ruled by a single noble. You should understand how short-sighted those people are. Only the kingdom can take the long view. We cannot hope for everyone to be like Count Brando, but every Eluinian can understand what strength and dignity mean."
An incredulous light appeared in Rolint's eyes. He had never heard such an argument before, and it made him feel as though he were meeting the other man for the first time—the elder brother of the classmate he had once looked down on. He fell silent almost instinctively.
"But Count Brando is gone."
"That doesn't matter. His will remains, and we still have His Highness the Prince. I believe Prince Haruze surely understands Count Brando's ambitions."
"What are you trying to do?"
"The Royalist Faction is a thing of the past, but Eluin does need a new faith. Rolint, we have plenty of like-minded people. Why should we continue to wallow in the past?" A bright light flickered in Hainf's eyes, as if a flame were burning within them.
The light of countless stars spilled across the pitch-black forest.
The darkness seemed to let Brando's perception expand in every direction. The Eye of the Mind watched over the entire forest: fallen leaves, the chirping of insects, the light flutter of a night owl's wings, whispered conversations, and every tiny detail in the dark corners—all of it was reflected in his heart.
He stopped and stood in the forest, as if he himself were part of this silent, tranquil nature. Although he had been gravely wounded and nearly died during his battle against the Realm of Stagnation and Akentu, ever since Lady