Brando's thoughts raced. If only I had some reconnaissance abilities. Skills like Eagle Eye Technique, Momentary Premonition, Vision of the Dead, or Detection would have been useful. But when he thought of reconnaissance, a possibility suddenly occurred to him. That's right, that one—
He couldn't help clenching and unclenching his fists to calm himself down.
"Since Dagger Riverbank is practically undefended against us right now, with at most a single detachment of undead stationed there, why don't we break through in that direction?"
Everyone's first reaction was almost identical:
"What? Is that true?"
"How is that possible?"
"How do you know?"
Brando raised a hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. "Of course I know. Bresen, do you remember that half-destroyed statue you found in Green Village?"
"The one that looked like a demon, and was heavy as hell." Bresen suddenly realized it. Zeta and Lyons had found that thing beneath a collapsed temple of Caridas. They had apparently discovered traces of a knight nearby and searched the area, only to find it.
Brando pulled an ebony carving from his pocket. "That's called a gargoyle. Surely you've heard of them. It's a basic war unit of Bucha. The wizards control them through this."
He placed it on his open palm so the others could see it clearly. Most of the young men in the Guard Detachment had taken part in the operation at Green Village, and they recognized at a glance that this little thing was identical to the statue.
"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 stared at Brando from the back row.
"Of course it can fly, and it's no slower than a dragon. You know our Dragon Knights. In Bucha, these are similar in status to Dragon Knights. They're the best scouts on the battlefield. I'll use it to scout the way and avoid the main body of the Undead Army."
"Yesterday morning, I noticed that Madara's advance to the north had run into trouble. At least three companies of theirs were stranded in Webin and hadn't managed to seal off the northern bank of the Weishi River in time. And because their coordination had broken down, I suspect the two Undead Armies ahead of us still don't know about their comrades' mistake in the north."
"Unfortunately, while I was conducting further reconnaissance, the stationed troops discovered the gargoyle. It was attacked and damaged. When I ordered it to return, it crashed in Green Village—"
When Brando reached this point, Freya suddenly understood. "So that's how it was, Brando. Back then, you said you had personal business to take care of. No wonder you could always lead us around danger. No wonder you insisted on going to Green Village despite your serious injuries. You wanted to repair 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. I was wrong too. I was angry with you then, but I didn't know you were doing it for everyone's sake."
Huh?
Brando felt he was a genius. He had actually managed to improvise such a story on the spot. But Freya had connected everything from beginning to end. It was hard to say whether he was too clever or Freya was too stupid. Seeing her apologetic expression, Brando suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
But after Freya put it that way, the people who had originally believed him eighty percent now believed him completely. Freya was the best Militia member of this generation, had left an excellent impression on Maden, and was one of the Buchi people. Surely she couldn't be trying to deceive them?
Even Bresen couldn't help rubbing his brow as he asked, "Can that thing move again?"
"Hard to say. I'll do my best to try. I've already reestablished contact with it. The rest is up to it to recover slowly." Brando spouted nonsense. If it could move again, would I still be standing here wasting my breath with you?
A level-23 gargoyle—not to mention the Lich, even Rosko himself would have had his hands full if he came here now.
Bresen was not entirely satisfied with that answer. "You're hopelessly stupid. You let a gargoyle flying in the sky get discovered. If we had a scout in the sky right now, things would be much better."
"So someone's talent is shifting the blame? Would you stop fighting if I weren't here?" Brando retorted sharply.
"Hmph—"
"All right, stop arguing. We'll have to fight this battle ourselves. But, boy, let's assume what you said is true. Madara's vanguard is still watching us from ahead, and moving several hundred people is very different from moving a few. Do you really think we can get away?" Maden pondered for a moment before asking.
"That's your responsibility, Captain Maden."
"Well said—" The veteran of the November War couldn't help looking deeply at Brando. He found it strange, as if the boy knew exactly what he was thinking. Every time he spoke, he struck precisely where it itched. It was as if, whenever you wanted to put on a show, someone immediately built you a stage. He couldn't help thinking that if this boy changed careers and became the emperor's jester, he would have a very promising future.
But heaven knew that Brando understood his personality inside and out.
As he thought about this, Maden rose and ordered in a deep voice, "I order the Buchi Guard Detachment to assemble here and prepare to execute the breakout plan!"
The surrounding atmosphere instantly turned solemn, and the members of the Guard Detachment rose in unison with a rustle.
Then Maden turned around. "Zeta, go tell the villagers to send their men out to assemble. It's time for the men of Eluin to protect their homeland and families—"
Zeta froze and turned back. "Captain?"
"What are you looking at? Have you grown cowardly and afraid to die at the last moment? I'm telling you—it's time to fulfill your promise, boys of the Buchi Guard Detachment. Before dawn, we'll launch a breakout attack against Madara's vanguard. I expect that not one of you will survive, but it doesn't matter, because the villagers of Buchi will carry our bravery out into the world and tell everyone— that we didn't fear death, and that we fulfilled our duty."
In Brando's eyes, the veteran of the November War swept his gaze over every face, his expression solemn. "My former commander often told me that dying to protect others without losing one's honor was a warrior's fate. Now I'm passing those words on to you exactly as I heard them. I hope you will remember this honor—"
"So, go do whatever needs doing. Bresen, I want you to lead the remaining villagers in a breakout from Dagger Riverbank. There's only one requirement. Do you understand?"
"I understand." A heavy light flashed in Bresen's eyes, but he lowered his head as he answered.
"Good." Maden nodded. "Boy, and Freya, you two. I want you to immediately join the Buchi Guard Detachment as members of the Militia. Do you have any objections?"
Freya immediately shook her head.
But under everyone's gaze, Brando nodded. "I have an objection."
Maden froze. "Speak." He couldn't help glancing at Brando. "But if it's something cowardly or afraid-of-death nonsense, you can roll out of here right now. The Buchi Guard Detachment has never accepted spineless cowards."
A wave of quiet laughter came from the surroundings, but oddly, Bresen remained silent. Brando glanced back at him in surprise, but then his gaze fell on Roman, reminding him of what the Merchant's Daughter had told him before.
"I've never seen them. Ever since I could remember, it was my aunt who stayed by my side. Auntie said, 'Little Roman, when you grow up, you must repay your aunt properly, all right?'"
"So that's why you want to become a merchant?"
"Mm."
"What a strange idea."
"It's all right—"
Brando smiled faintly to himself and lifted his head. "Captain Maden, your decision makes sense from Bucha's perspective, but haven't you forgotten one problem?"
"What problem?" Maden froze again, growing even more curious about the boy.
"The three towns of Bucha serve as a buffer zone for Ridenburg's front line, and the Buchi Guard Detachment has always served as Ridenburg's warning outpost. If we simply leave, what kind of situation will Ridenburg fall into without receiving any warning? If we can still call that fulfilling our duty, then I doubt it."
Brando spoke at length, but the expressions of the others gradually changed. He was right. If they did only this, they truly would not have fulfilled their responsibility. If Madara happened to break through Ridenburg's defenses, the Vanmir-Ridenburg defensive system could very well become precarious.
That could leave the entire Golan-Elson region exposed to the edge of the Undead Army. When they imagined Madara's forces one day reaching the walls of Brags Castle, the young men fell silent.
But what could they do?
"We've already done everything we can."
"Under the circumstances, that's all we can manage."
"It's not that we abandoned Ridenburg. It's that Ridenburg abandoned us!"
But Maden stared intently at Brando. He knew that if the young man had brought it up, he must have a solution.
"Yes. I happen to know a route we can use to break through to Ridenburg. The chances are slim, but it's better than nothing." When Brando said this, it was as if he had squeezed the air from his chest. He let out a heavy breath.
He turned back and glanced at Roman again—the future Merchant's Daughter was lowering her head, apparently lost in thought, and nervously clutching her bag, an unusual sight.
"Which route?"
"Xavier Mountain Pass."
Maden couldn't help sucking in a cold breath. Though he searched through his memories, he had still instinctively avoided that place. He wanted to warn Brando and ask whether the young man knew how dangerous it was. The pass lay south of Beledor Forest, crossed Yusong River Valley, and approached the border between Eluin and the barbarian forests.
Once they crossed the valley and headed south, they would reach the edge of civilization—a boundless wilderness stretching as far as the eye could see. Since the Year of Howling (L.350), no one who had entered that valley had ever come out alive.
They said there was a dragon in that valley—
He felt that attacking Madara at least carried a sliver of hope for surviving certain death. Sending people there, however, would be like throwing meat buns at a dog. He thought about it, but still couldn't cast that deeply rooted notion from his mind.
"That's a dead end, boy." The veteran couldn't help shaking his head.
"Fulfilling one's duty doesn't require succeeding. It only requires trying," Brando replied.
"But I can't send my men there to die. That would be irresponsible. A warrior should die honorably, like a warrior."
"It's all right." Brando replied, "I'll go."
Dead silence fell.
"What? Say that again?" Maden stared in astonishment.
"I'll go."
"Why? The Buchi Guard Detachment's responsibility has nothing to do with you, boy. If you're only trying to show off, you might as well join us." The veteran couldn't help asking.
"No, I'm not showing off." Brando turned back to Roman and smiled faintly. "I have a reason I must go. As for the other reasons, they're only incidental. So, Little Roman, are you willing to go with me—"
"Brando?"
Roman froze and raised her head, her face filled with delighted surprise.
I'm sorry for the trouble. This is all for today. My collection count still isn't high enough, so if you thought this was good, please help spread the word. Thank you!! -v-/;.
That's all for today. I have to go home at noon.
Before you continue