The Human–Elf Alliance finally numbered close to a thousand. Yet anyone daring to co into the Black Forest in search of opportunity—adventurer or rcenary—was a first‑rate fighter one in a hundred; among them, those at Black Iron Peak or even Silver Rank and above made up the overwhelming majority. It was much the sa on the Tree Elf side: anyone who had survived the Wolf Calamity possessed at least Silver Rank strength.
An army composed of nearly a thousand Silver Rank fighters and Black Iron Peak experts—combat power equivalent to the Officers and Knight Rank in a main battle legion—was a luxury line‑up that even Erune's very best legions could not boast. Just imagine such a force of shock troops suddenly appearing on a battlefield outside Count Rangdenier's expectations—what sort of expression would that Count wear on his face then?
But Brand still had not set out, for the Druids were working day and night to prepare war gear for this army. In the Pool of Nature of the Green Tower (the Druids' shared Mana Pool, a facility found in every large city), there were Great Druids on duty at every mont, and they used Magic to craft Ironwood Battle Armor. Though not as hard as true steel, it had the advantage of being Lightweight. The Centaurs' forging workshops blazed through the night; the clanging of hamr on tal could be heard from several miles away, and blades, spears, and halberds still glowing with Fire‑light poured out of the forges and into the hands of their future wielders.
Several factions still staying at the Green Tower also sent along their accompanying craftsn; the Envoy from the Chongshan Dwarves even volunteered to join the Centaurs' workshops to provide technical guidance. Thus you could often see such a bizarre scene: several Dwarves standing together with Centaurs and Elves, arguing until their faces flushed and necks bulged. Such a sight, in earlier tis, could only have been seen in the era of the Saint War.
Brand, however, understood that these factions either had no conflict of interest with Erune, or did not share a border with Erune at all, hence their envoys could so generously express their gratitude to him. Yet even the coldest of these forces voiced their support for Brand, stating that if he returned inside the kingdom, they could give him their backing within the Holy Temple.
This was goodwill coming from his colleagues on the side of the Fla Temple.
The Wind Elves went even further, asking whether they should simply dispatch troops in direct support. That elegant Elf Master of an envoy even jokingly brought up the precious friendship that had existed in history between the Wind Elves and their Forr King Ai Ke—but that was in fact no joke. Saint Ausor and Kruz crossed blades year after year; the Saint Ausor people worried only that they might miss a chance to send out troops, never that such action would drive their neighbors into a rage—those malicious Elves only wished the Empire's Emperor would hurry up and drop dead of anger.
Even so, Brand still politely refused their "kindness." If Saint Ausor were to intervene, it would beco a war between the Fla Temple and the Wind Queen Temple. Brand, first, did not wish to trigger a Holy War; second, he did not want to set himself against the entire Fla Temple. On this point, Otarais shared his view. Though Otarais was herself a Wind Elf, now that she stood at Brand's side she naturally had to consider matters from Brand's position as an Eruein. Her gaze had spanned over a thousand years; in political wisdom she could only surpass Brand, not fall short.
In the days that followed, Brand received an unimaginable guest—Count Oting. It turned out that the Erune Envoy on that day had not been completely annihilated: he, Roborun, and several other minor nobles had been saved by the passing Anderson. At this mont, Brand's prejudice toward the Erune Envoy had already dissipated. From the mont Count Oting led the others back to fight shoulder to shoulder with Centaur Elder Wad, he felt that at the very least, the descendants of Forr King Ai Ke were once more able to pick up on the battlefield that long‑lost banner.
Thus, the Will of the Lion Heart Sword could once more be inherited.
Even so, Count Oting's purpose still took Brand completely by surprise. After giving him a deep, asuring look, the Count told him that they would consider persuading the Princess to stand on his side. This was the first gesture of goodwill Brand had ever received from the high‑ranking nobles within the Kingdom; it was of imnse significance to him, because his ultimate desire had never been to stand in opposition to that Princess.
Yet even so, the change in Count Oting's attitude still astonished him. He knew that the power struggle among the nobles inside the Erune Kingdom would never change simply because he had saved their lives. Brand very frankly put this question to Count Oting. In history, this Count had first been a soldier and only then a noble; in his character, Brand still had confidence.
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