Dividing the Army into Three Paths

Brando's mind raced. He wished he had some kind of reconnaissance ability. Skills like Eagle Eye Technique, Momentary Omen, Vision of the Dead, or Detect. But thinking about reconnaissance, he suddenly thought of a possibility. That's right, it was that—

He couldn't help but clench and then release his hands to relax himself.

"Since Dagger Riverbank is practically undefended for us right now, with at most a squad of Undead stationed there, why shouldn't I break out in that direction?"

Everyone's first reaction was almost the same:

"What, is that true?"

"How is that possible!"

"How do you know?"

Brando raised his hand to quiet everyone down: "Of course I know. Brasen, do you remember the half-broken statue you found in Green Village?"

"The one that looked like a Demon, heavy and cumbersome." Brasen suddenly realized that thing was found by Zeta and Lyons under a collapsed Caridas Shrine. They heard they found traces of a Knight nearby and searched the area on the spot, which is how they found it.

Brando took a black ebony statue out of his pocket: "That's called a Gargoyle. You've probably heard of it. It's a basic war unit of Bucci, and Wizards control it through this object."

He placed it on his open palm so others could see it clearly. Most of the young men in the Guard Detachment had participated in the operation in Green Village, and they recognized the small thing as identical to the statue at a glance.

"Wait, are you saying you can control that thing?" someone asked.

"But can it move?"

"It has wings, can it fly?" the scout named Zeta asked from the back row, staring at Brando.

"Of course, it can fly, and it's no slower than a Dragon. You know our Dragon Knights, right? They hold a similar position to Dragon Knights in Bucci and are the best scouts on the battlefield. I'll use it to scout ahead, to avoid large Undead Armies."

"Yesterday morning, I noticed Madara's advance to the north encountered trouble. At least three of their companies were stuck in Webin and couldn't block the north bank of the Weishi River in time. And due to coordination issues between them, I don't think the two Undead Armies ahead of us yet know about the mistake their comrades made to the north."

"But unfortunately, during further reconnaissance, the Gargoyle was discovered by the stationed troops, attacked, and damaged. When I ordered it to return, it crashed in Green Village—"

As Brando spoke, Freya suddenly realized: "So that's what happened. Brando, you said you had personal matters to attend to back then. No wonder you could always lead us away from danger, no wonder you insisted on going to Green Village despite your severe injuries. You wanted to fix that thing—why didn't you tell us?"

Brando was about to explain, but the future Valkyrie had already lowered her head: "I'm sorry, Brando. It's my fault too. I was angry with you then, but I didn't know you were thinking of everyone."

Huh?

Brando felt like a genius, actually managing to come up with such a story on the spot. But for Freya to connect all the dots from beginning to end, it was hard to say if he was too smart or Freya was too foolish. Seeing her apologetic expression, Brando suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

However, with Freya saying that, those who had only half-believed him now believed him completely. Freya was the best Militia in this batch and had a good impression with Maden. She was also a Bucci person, so she wouldn't lie to them, right?

Even Brasen couldn't help but rub his brow and ask, "Can that thing move again?"

"It's hard to say. I'll try my best. I've already re-established contact with it. The rest is just letting it recover slowly." Brando spoke offhandedly, thinking to himself that if it could move, he wouldn't be wasting his breath here.

A level 23 Gargoyle, let alone a Wight, even Rosko himself would be in a mess.

Brasen wasn't satisfied with this answer: "You're truly incorrigibly stupid. Controlling a Gargoyle in the sky and still getting discovered. If we had a scout in the sky now, the situation would be much better."

"So, someone's skill is just shirking responsibility? Are you not going to fight without me?" Brando retorted sarcastically.

"Hmph—"

"Alright, stop arguing. The war still has to be fought. But kid, we believe what you said is true, but Madara's vanguard is still eyeing us greedily ahead. These hundreds of people moving are different from a few individuals. Do you really think we can escape?" Maden pondered for a moment and asked.

"That's your responsibility, Captain Maden."

"Well said—" The veteran of the November War couldn't help but give Brando a deep look. He found it strange, as if this kid knew exactly what he would think. Every time he spoke, it hit the exact spot he was thinking about. It was like wanting to sing opera and someone immediately setting up the stage for you. He couldn't help but think that if this kid switched careers to become the Emperor's jester, he would have a great future.

But who knew, Brando knew his personality like the back of his hand.

With these thoughts, Maden stood up and ordered in a deep voice: "I order the Bucci Guard Detachment to assemble here, ready to execute the breakout plan!"

The surroundings immediately straightened up, and then the members of the Guard Detachment stood up with a rustle.

Then Maden turned back: "Zeta, go tell the villagers to gather their men. It's time for the men of Eluin to protect their homes and loved ones—"

Zeta was stunned and turned back, "Captain?"

"What are you looking at? Are you scared and cowardly after all? I'm telling you—it's time for you to fulfill your promise. You lads of the Bucci Guard Detachment, before dawn, we will launch a breakout attack against Madara's vanguard. I predict that every one of you will not survive, but it's okay, because the villagers of Bucci will carry our bravery out and tell everyone in the outside world—we do not fear death and have fulfilled our duties."

In Brando's eyes, the veteran of the November War's gaze swept over everyone's faces, his expression solemn: "My former superior officers often told me that to die protecting others, without losing honor, is the destiny of a warrior. Now I give you this sentence unchanged, and I hope you will remember this honor—"

"So, go do what you need to do? Brasen, I want you to lead the remaining villagers to break out from Dagger Riverbank. There's only one requirement, do you understand?"

"I understand." A deep light flashed in Brasen's eyes, but he lowered his head and replied.

"Very good." Maden nodded: "Kid, and Freya, the two of you. I require you to immediately join the Bucci Guard Detachment as Militia. Do you have any objections?"

Freya immediately shook her head.

But Brando nodded under everyone's gaze: "I have an objection."

Maden was stunned: "Speak," he couldn't help but glance at Brando: "But if it's about being cowardly, you can get out of here directly. The Bucci Guard Detachment never accepts timid, spineless rats."

A burst of low laughter came from the surroundings, but surprisingly, Brasen, who was standing nearby, remained silent. Brando glanced back at that guy, somewhat surprised, but his gaze then fell on Romane, recalling what the merchant's daughter had told him earlier.

"I've never seen them. Ever since I can remember, my aunt has been by my side. Auntie said, Little Romanee, when you grow up, you have to repay your aunt well!"

"Is that why you want to be a merchant?"

"Mm."

"What a strange idea."

"It doesn't matter—"

Brando smiled faintly in his heart. He looked up. "Captain Maden, your decision is sound from the perspective of Bucci, but have you forgotten something?"

"What problem?" Maden was stunned again, his curiosity about this young man growing.

"As the buffer zone for Ridenburg's front line, the Bucci Guard Detachment has always served as Ridenburg's early warning outpost. If we choose to leave now, what kind of situation will Ridenburg, which receives no warning at all, fall into? If this can be considered us being dutiful, I doubt it."

Brando spoke eloquently, but the expressions of the others gradually changed. What he said was indeed true; if it were just this, they would not have fulfilled their responsibilities. If Madara were to miraculously break through Ridenburg's defenses, the Vanmir-Ridenburg defense system would likely become precarious.

This could lead to the entire Golan-Elson region falling under the shadow of the Undead Army. Thinking of the possibility of Madara's forces reaching Brags Castle one day, these young people fell silent.

But what could they do?

"We've done our best."

"Within the possible limits, that's all we can do."

"It's not that we abandoned Ridenburg, but that Ridenburg abandoned us!"

But Maden stared intently at Brando, knowing that since the young man was willing to speak up, it meant he must have a solution.

"Yes, I happen to know a path that can break through to Ridenburg. Although the chance is slim, it's better than nothing." Brando said this as if squeezing the air out of his chest, letting out a deep sigh.

He glanced back at Romane – the future Merchant's Daughter was lowering her head in thought, uncharacteristically nervously clutching her bag.

"Which path?"

"Xavier Mountain Pass."

Maden couldn't help but gasp. Although he searched his memory, he instinctively avoided that place. He felt compelled to warn Brando, to ask if the young man knew how dangerous it was – that mountain pass was south of Beledor Forest, crossing the Yusong River Valley, near the border of Eluin and the barbarian forests.

Just beyond that valley to the south lay the edge of civilization, an endless Wasteland. Since the Year of Howling (L.350), no one who entered that valley had ever returned alive.

They say there's a dragon in that valley—

He felt that attacking Madara at least offered a sliver of hope for survival, but sending people there was like a dog chasing a meat bun; he thought about it but couldn't shake the deeply ingrained idea from his mind.

"That's a dead end, young man." The old soldier couldn't help but shake his head.

"Dutifulness doesn't require success, only effort," Brando replied.

"But I can't send my young men to die there; that would be irresponsible. A warrior should die honorably, like a warrior."

"It's alright," Brando replied. "I'll go."

Silence descended.

"What, say that again?" Maden was dumbfounded.

"I'll go."

"Why? The Bucci Guard Detachment's responsibility has nothing to do with you, young man. If you're just trying to be brave, you might as well join us," the old soldier asked.

"No, I'm not trying to be brave." Brando turned to look at Romane, smiling slightly. "I have a reason I must go. Other reasons are just incidental. So, Little Romanee, are you willing to go with me—"

"Brando?"

Romane froze, looked up, and her face was filled with surprise.