Brand put down his sword.
"It's too dark. Choosing this time to come out for a walk doesn't seem like a good idea." He smiled, glanced at the people, and walked through the middle of over twenty people as if no one was there, under everyone's watch.
The young members of the Guard Team instinctively made way, Breson tightly held his sword, gloomily staring at Brand. However, he also restrained himself because he knew that if he acted, he wouldn't be able to cover up the commotion here. Someone next to him wanted to rush forward but was stopped by his hand.
The tension in the small forest was palpable.
But Brand kept walking to the other side of the forest, stopped, and said, "Breson, is this what you learned in the Guard Team, to defy military orders? And your plan is so bad. You should know Captain Madden's temper. Are you actually thinking of coercing him to agree to your demands? If it were me, I would just take my people and sneak out, only needing to leave one person to inform him——"
Everyone held their breath.
Breson's hand on the sword hilt moved, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes as he couldn't help but wonder what this guy was up to, what his intentions were.
"Speak up, when are you planning to attack, so I can decide when to set off."
"Before dawn."
The young vice-captain of the Guard Team thought for a moment. Although he was somewhat suspicious of Brand's motives, the plan indeed sounded quite tempting, and its feasibility was higher than their original one.
"Then you'd better hide in the Fox Forest area, which should be the safest place closest to the Madara Undead Army. I'll also leave a note for Madden so he knows you'll launch the attack around the time the Red Star disappears, right?"
"..."
"Also, when fighting Corpse Witches, focus your concentration. Their spells only affect those with weak willpower!"
"Brand, what are you up to? How did you discover Zeta and the others, and where did you learn your swordsmanship?" Breson put down his hand from the sword, his face somber as water, and asked.
"Alright, after this farewell, I might not see you, and you might not see me. Whether we're mortal enemies or can't stand each other, it might all become memories. Ultimately, we're all citizens of Erune. Good luck."
Brand waved his hand, indicating that his intentions were of no importance.
Breson stayed silent.
...
Not to mention Breson's presumptuous actions that made Madden furious, over there Frey had already gathered the militia squad, only to find she had no place to go. Helpless, that veteran of the November War had to regroup some villagers into a self-defense team and then prepare to break out towards the Dagger River Beach to the north.
Meanwhile, Josen, with one hand broken, and Little Phenix were sending off Brand and Romantic. Little Phenix, being too young, was ordered by Frey to leave the militia squad, feeling very dissatisfied. But after Brand praised him a bit, he got lively again, clamoring to adventure in Ridenburg with them.
Of course, this couldn't be agreed to. Otherwise, when they reached Anzek, Frey might run him through with her sword. Although Brand did need someone to help, Little Phenix was too young and not suitable.
He patted this naive young man's head.
Meanwhile, Josen, standing aside, was a bit hesitant to speak, feeling deeply ashamed as he looked at Brand. He knew it was thanks to this young man that he survived. Of course, it wasn't anyone else's fault but his own cowardice at the time.
"I'm… sorry, Brand, thank you… for saving me then."
"It's alright. Everyone has moments of confusion. Josen, everyone is willing to take you out because they believe you can return among them. Now, cheer up and don't let others look down on you."
"Thank you."
Brand nodded. He glanced at the sky—the stars were fading, indicating the arrival of dawn. However, the loss of the light of the Star and Moon made this the darkest time for the Earth. But it didn't matter, for dawn was already on the other side of the distant mountains.
Retracting his gaze from the dark mountain silhouette, he and Romantic lit their torches. Although lighting torches in the dark wasn't very wise, they were heading away from the control area of the Madara army. Even if there were occasional beasts, Brand thought the greatest threat in the Belredo Forest was nothing more than wolves, at most three to five, which he could easily handle.