He deliberately emphasized the phrase 'Ogins will understand.'
Kulan snorted mockingly. He naturally knew why that clerk would understand. If he didn't, this young man would naturally use a knife and sword to make him understand—he wasn't a tough bone; Kulan could imagine that as long as Brand threatened even slightly, that spineless clerk would probably be teary-eyed and act as their gaphone.
The old man fell silent.
"It seems you have made up your mind. But how can I guarantee that I can leave in a month or six months?" he asked again.
"Why should I give you a guarantee?" Brand countered.
Kulan was montarily speechless, raising his silver-grey eyebrows angrily at him.
"However, since I'm sending you to Fir City, as long as you don't act recklessly, I won't bother doing anything else." Brand replied, "Don't make unnecessary sacrifices. You're a veteran of the November War, aren't you? Life is precious, and the winners of war are those who survive till the end."
The old man snorted, "You know very well. Are there remnants of that war among your elders?"
Brand didn't answer, just looked at him.
The old man's gaze swept over the ring on Brand's hand. After a mont of silence, he asked again, "Looking at your actions, it seems you're planning to stay here long-term. But let remind you, Count Denier will never tolerate a territory splitting from his control, even the poorest Tonyger. Are you prepared to face the thunderous wrath of a 'King'?"
Besides Kerkova Province, Erune is essentially controlled by thirteen 'Dukes.' These Dukes include six Dukes, two Marquises, and five Privileged Earls. Their strength is comparable to the Royal Family, thus they are mockingly called 'Kings under the Throne' by the people.
Among these 'Kings,' besides the three most powerful Dukes: Anlek, Viero, and Sipah, the strengths of the others are roughly similar. Although Count Denier is not the strongest, he is also not the weakest in this lineup.
To directly confront such power, in Kulan's view, Brand and the others were like tiny ants challenging giants, always at risk of being crushed.
But Brand smiled, shook his head, and said, "You're wrong about two things. First, I knew from the start what Count Denier would do; second, Tonyger is actually not the poorest."
Kulan gave him a deep look, "Confidence is good, but arrogance is not necessarily, young man."
"I agree," Brand replied.
"Alright, regardless of what you think," the old man, seeing persuasion failed, shook his head and did not ntion it again. He placed his hand on his sword once more, "I still need a guarantee that at least six months later, you will let leave."
"Do you guarantee not to return to Count Denier?"
"Sorry, I cannot guarantee that," Kulan sternly answered.
Brand glanced at him appreciatively but did not refuse this ti. Instead, he smiled and said, "Alright, I guarantee. It won't be six months, only three months."
The old man was slightly stunned, looking up at him in surprise.
Brand smiled without explanation.
After reaching an agreent, disha had finished resting. She felt her Soul Fire becoming active again, so a few of them continued on their way.
Brand glanced at the miner behind. In fact, upon learning that Brand and Qian were rebels rather than Mining District Guard Team mbers and intended to oppose Count Denier, this poor fellow was terrified, almost wanting to flee.
But he quickly cald down because, rather than considering future events, at least the monsters lurking in these mines would kill him imdiately now. Eventually, the man decided to follow along.
But he encountered Qian, who threatened him fiercely, the miner ultimately agreed reluctantly to bring his family to Fir City.
In the conversation, Brand learned besides mining, the man had also picked up so silversmithing skills. So Brand promised him a position as a blacksmith's apprentice. Comparatively, this job was safer than mining and paid better. Although the man remained anxious, he couldn't help but feel a bit expectant.
With such conflicting feelings, he saw the group suddenly stop ahead.
But this ti, they hadn't encountered any monsters or people; instead, the road ended—specifically, everyone saw a dark, heavy door in the mining tunnel not far ahead.
The tightly sealed door blocked the entire tunnel.
disha and Qian stopped, looking at Kulan. Although he had claid this path led to the lift, they now saw the seasoned Sword Master's face full of disbelief:
"What is this?" The old man was slightly stunned.
"Shouldn't you be answering that?" Qian frowned. Her voice was weak but filled with suspicion.
"No, no, what's going on?" Kulan couldn't help furrowing his brow, speaking to disha, "Little girl, can you help over to take a look?"
disha looked at Brand inquiringly, and the young man nodded. He had passed through here before and knew the old man wasn't lying; this door shouldn't exist here.
He had a suspicion but needed to confirm.
The Silver Elf Princess acted accordingly, helping the elderly Sword Master over. The latter touched the cold, heavy Great Gate, mumbling to himself, "How is this possible, how is this possible..." (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit qidian, more chapters available, support the authors, support legitimate reading!)
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