Chapter 419: 127 Acts of Strength and Responsibility (Part 2) (First Update)_2

Brand’s words were like sharp swords piercing the hearts of everyone present. Macaro and Li Wuze’s faces turned pale. For a moment, they subconsciously forgot to breathe, only having time to guess who this mysterious young man was.

The young man had already outlined their entire plan. They believed this to be a sacred and desperate move. All sacrifices were worth it, and if necessary, they could even give their lives for it. Political confrontations had turned into a frenzied belief. Just as Brand said, there was only one chance, as long as it was seized, the dawn would certainly sweep away all darkness.

This legendary story had a legendary ending. But they never thought the plan would fall into the eyes of a stranger, not missing a single detail. The plan was set ten years ago, and even some current participants were unaware of the truths. So who exactly was this young man calling himself Brand—

Who was he?

What were his intentions?

But Brand grew angrier as he spoke. He stood straight like a blade, his voice as cold as the harsh winter: “—You think you can represent the justice of that royal family behind you, that your swords fight for the future of this country! Unfortunately, your stupidity keeps you from seeing a fact: If you fail, can you still send others to their deaths with peace of mind?”

“Wait,” Li Wuze frowned slightly, a bit annoyed. Although this young man held something very important to them, their plan could not be desecrated—it represented the honor of the royal family.

“What do you want to say, Master Li Wuze?” Brand asked coldly.

“What you said is all based on an assumption…”

“Do you want to know the truth?”

Brand sneered, lifting his head, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

At that moment, it was as if another soul stood within him, the young man’s gaze seemed to see through the shackles of the world, and Sophie’s words echoed in his soul—as if time and space crumbled in front of him—but after all had calmed, what he saw was everything past. The palaces and cities burning in flames, the kingdom overturned, everything familiar now disappearing.

The hopes of the Princess.

The Valkyrie’s oath.

This kingdom seemed to be reborn from the flames, as every player poured their full heart and soul into fighting for it. However, faced with Madara’s Undead and the players’ black tide-like invasion, they all failed pathetically. It was a predestined failure and a tragic ending. Yet these nobles still sat high here, controlling the destiny of this country, as if they could see the final outcome—they determined as victory. Then, like a cold Death God holding the life they commanded, they threw it into this frenzied sacrifice.

Anonymous lives flowed out like the cold blood in their bodies.

Perished.

Exchanged for a cold ending.

No one would be responsible for it.

The players remembered that dark humor, but these high-ranking nobles? They merely changed the chessboard and continued their game. Each time they were sacred, representing light or darkness, justice or kindness, this belief could not be desecrated, like the noble blood flowing in their veins, indisputable—superficial indisputability.

“How do I tell you this truth…” Brand sighed tiredly, waving his hand: “Just like this Golden Apple in my hand. Of course, I understand its significance to you because its existence makes your game more glamorous. It’s a shining weight that tilts the scale in your favor—that’s what you think.”

“But unfortunately, it’s not to hit you. No matter what, your failure is destined.” He replied.

“What did you say?” This time even Bujia couldn’t help but frown.

“Young man, not everyone can be a Star Seer.” Li Wuze shook his head.

“Yet those witches who bewitched people with rumors were all tied to the stake—” Macaro gave Brand a cold look and added.

Brand smiled.

Indeed, but he was precisely the one who could foresee—not foresee but see their failure. But he wouldn’t say it like that, he just asked: “Don’t you believe?”

“Why?” Bujia asked simply.

“I remember, in the most glorious era of Erune. The knights of Erune held horns and fluttering swallowtail banners—when the horn sounded, the Sword of the Kingdom charged forward. I remember the battlefield was a sea of flags, embroidered with the golden Emblem of Kerkova, Golan-Elsen’s emblem, and the Emblem of Anlek. I remember the nobles of that era still kept their oaths—” Brand smiled: “Do you still remember that oath?”

Everyone was taken aback.

“Don’t remember?” Brand’s eyes were full of sarcasm: “No matter, I can recite it for you.”

“Under this sword, I swear the oath of the Saint! I swear to lead my people—lead them away from strife and slaughter, away from the arrogance and greed of the Imperial Nobles; I swear to not repeat the cold-blooded mistakes of history, I will make the nobles of this newborn kingdom adhere to the spirit of the knights—fair and strict, upright and heroic, merciful and generous, I swear this oath, and will uphold it with all my life!”

Brand read these words vigorously, then looked at the speechless group.

“Do you remember who made this oath?” he asked softly.

Li Wuze, Macaro, and Bujia looked at each other, their faces blushing slightly, of course, they knew, how could they not. They just forgot.

“Yes,” Brand nodded: “This is the source of all your beliefs, the root of the Erune Nobles’ spirit. Your Ancestor King and the wise and merciful ruler, the first King of the Kingdom, the Merciful Ek made under the Lion Heart Sword. Do you remember what he said? If one day, the Erune Nobles forget their duties, then this sword will return to where it came from and no longer protect this country.”

“Do you remember?”

“You don’t remember anymore—”

“That’s too bad.”

Brand sighed lightly, his gaze directed towards the forest.

The afternoon sun penetrated through the woods. At this moment, the forest in the Southern Territory seemed so peaceful and serene for the first time—

…

(PS. Regarding some readers’ concerns about the plot being dragging, I will pay attention and speed it up.)(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support original reading!)