The gray gem, which looks dim and brilliant in the light, is so natural in this gem that it seems to be drawn to the heart at first sight, and anyone who sees it for the first time will know that it is something extraordinary. But the gray gem seemed so familiar to Brando that he opened the dimensional cave, took out another almost identical gray gem from it, held it in his hand, and then slowly opened his palm, Freya let out a soft exclamation.

"Brando, the gem in your hand is exactly the same as the one your grandfather left behind, is this what Lord Darus left for you?"

Brando glanced at the Valkyrie of Eruin and startled the latter, Freya had never seen him look so strange, and subconsciously thought that she had said something wrong.

Brando took a light breath, then put the gem back - in fact, he had another one. He had seen something similar twice. The first time was in the Ring of Trade Winds. The second time, under the glaciers of the Dead Frost Forest. In the Ring of Trade Winds, the Celebrant Amman and St. Osor, Queen of the Winds, call the gem the Stone of Seal, and beneath the glacier, in that strange dream, the Miner people worship it as a sacred relic. But in his heart he knew what it was—a fragment of the dark dragon's soul.

This grey gemstone has a strange brilliance because it is transparent inside, which proves that the heritage within the gemstone has been extracted.

And this gem --

It was a relic of his grandfather.

Sword Saint Daurus is the Dragon of Darkness? Brando himself was taken aback by the idea that popped up on him, which seemed to explain why Darus was judged by the Temple of Fire, exiled, and chose to leave the kingdom's center of power and live in seclusion; Why did the friendly forces suddenly turn against each other in the holy war that day? Because Sword Saint Daurus is the Dragon of Darkness, and because there is such a truth, it seems to make sense. He shook his head again, but that didn't explain why they were attacked from behind by the army of the undead of Madala during the third crusade in the game.

Besides, if his grandfather was a dark dragon. Then it is unlikely that the Flame Temple will just let him go, the Dark Dragon is the mortal enemy of the Four Great Temples after all.

And another suspicion comes from his grandfather's lifespan, in Brando's memory, his grandfather died of illness, but in fact, he also died of the gradual aging and decay of his physical functions, and his final lifespan can only be regarded as the longest-lived among ordinary people, but in terms of the strength of Sword Saint Darus, this is an untimely death. He had been suspicious of this for a long time, not to mention that after receiving the inheritance of the Dark Dragon, his lifespan would be greatly increased. He knew exactly what the Dark Dragon's legacy meant—it was the blood of the gods.

Brando curled his knuckles and tapped lightly on the top of his desk. Doubts were reborn in my heart, as if there was a faint line in my thoughts, but I couldn't grasp the thread for a while.

At this time, Freya suddenly spoke: "Brando, Antitina, look at this map. ”

Brando's mind had some vague guesses and conclusions at this moment, and he looked up at the rudimentary map, but it was fine not to look at it. At this glance, I was slightly stunned. For the papyrus map had only a few simple lines drawn with some kind of hard-to-fade pen, and then some notes were written crookedly. It was almost impossible to make out what was drawn on the whole map, but he suddenly felt as if he had seen the map there.

Is it in the game?

He immediately shook his head, there were very few secret maps in the game, and Sophie had touched a few, but most of them were clearer than this one. And in this life, he has even fewer secret maps to touch. Almost nothing—although he had an impression of the map in his head, he could not remember for a moment that he had seen it there.

Freya looked at him and Antitina, and said, "These notes are also secret texts, and they seem to have a place called Osopao. ”

"Osopao?" Antitina said, "There is no such place in Eruin. ”

"Cruz didn't either." Brando replied. He took a deep breath, "This is the name of the Miner people, who once had a great battle with the Cruz and the Wind Elves there. ”

He suddenly remembered. It was as if another image had subconsciously appeared in his mind, and this image naturally overlapped with this rudimentary map, and he suddenly remembered that he had seen this map here. Miner, Tumen, Tumen had hidden a map in his mind when he officially embarked on the path of the Traveling Mage, and that map occasionally came to his mind, but when he took the initiative to remember it, he couldn't remember it at all, and it was because of this that he had that feeling both familiar and strange before.

He had already figured it out, for the map given by Tumen contained only the lines of undulating mountains and rivers, and Antitina's father had marked it, and the place Freya was referring to was the plain of Osopao, which is today's Field of Clover, but there were still other places that Brando thought should also be the names of the Miners, corresponding to the names of today's places. It's just that there is still a large blank space on the map left by Antitina's father, although Brando doesn't know why Borg. Nematsu would have drawn such a map, but he also had a vague idea that the latter might be looking for something, and it had something to do with the war between the Minr and the people of Black Iron a thousand years ago.

I'm afraid it has something to do with his grandfather as well.

"Grandfather, who are you sacred?" Brando couldn't help but moan in his heart.

He looked at the three things on the desk, and the doubts in his heart became deeper for a while than when he didn't find these clues, as if after clearing the fog, he found that there were even more black clouds behind him, and he couldn't see his five fingers; He was puzzled in his heart, and finally couldn't help but open his heart, and said to Charles and Medisa on the other end: "Charles, Metisa, are you there, I have a question for you." ”

But I didn't expect that as soon as he spoke, Charles's voice came with some surprise: "Ha, lord, I was looking for you with something, but I didn't expect to hear your voice, we really have a good heart......

"Less nonsense," Brando interrupted his teasing in a bad way, "Charles." I ask you, do you know the two men who are afraid of Mead and Heppard? ”

The voice over there suddenly became excited: "Oh my God, my lord, what are you asking them for?" ”

"So you know each other?"

"Naturally, they were your grandfather's attendants. Pamid was born into the Anna family and was the second son of the Earl of Grey Mountain. Hillard was born into a small aristocratic family in Siphah, and he was a famous genius back then. ”

Charles paused and continued, "Brando, did you find them?" ”

Brando shook his head: "I just heard about it by chance. ”

"Is it your father who sued you," Charles sighed, "I've been looking for them too." ”

"So you don't know what they're doing?"

"My lord, after they received the order from Her Royal Highness the Princess, they left without saying goodbye. I knew they must know something, so I was looking for them. Charles replied.

Brando frowned and asked keenly, "Her Royal Highness the Princess?" ”

Charles's voice seemed hoarse, and then he said, "Ah, you heard me wrong, my lord. ”

"Charles, I've heard Tiger Sparrow say that the scenery of the Gem Plains is good, and I've thought for so long. It's time to give you a vacation, too. Brando silently threatened.

Charles's voice was on the verge of crying: "Okay, okay, Brando. Don't lock me up, listen to me...... Well, Her Royal Highness the Princess...... You know, your father almost became the betrothed of one of Princess Griffiin's aunts. ”

"Someone?"

"I can't give her name, I'll have to defend a lady's reputation, besides. She won't necessarily see you either. Charles said helplessly.

"What you say is true?"

"Absolutely." The young squire mage swore an oath.

Brando frowned, always feeling that this guy's words could not be trusted, but if it was true to what the other party said, the clue seemed to be broken again.

He shook his head, and suddenly remembered, "What are you looking for me?" ”

"Ahh Ah, don't you have something to ask Métisa," Charles was in a cold sweat, and he hurried to get away with it, but he heard Brando snort coldly, and hurriedly replied, "Well, I mean, if your matter over there is not very urgent, you'd better hear from me first." ”

"What's the news?" Brando was stunned.

"A magical message from one of the countess' men, and she passed it on to me."

"Dilferry?"

……

Her Royal Highness had a silver brooch in front of her, and she picked it up, admired it carefully, and then put it down silently.

She remembered that afternoon.

The afternoon sun seemed to contain some kind of harmonious taste, and the leaves rustled and swayed, except for the silent silence; She stood on tiptoe slightly, then slowly retracted, the cold flap of her lips touching away. Brando's eyes widened, looking at Her Royal Highness the Princess with some incomprehension.

"Brando, I'm really grateful to hear that you're still going down this path; However, I still hope that you will seriously consider our marriage engagement. ”

"Why?" Brando asked, frowning.

"Eruin is a small nation, and to resist a potential enemy, it is necessary to concentrate the power of the entire kingdom and even restore the ancient system." Griffiin took a few steps back and looked at him carefully with pale silver-gray, bright eyes: "But this ancient kingdom, which has been ruled by Siphah and my family for two generations, I know it too well - the nobles of my father's reign, all of them are different-minded, short-sighted, and idealistic, but few of them are not to be trusted. ”

As if to reinforce this sentence, she shook her head slightly: "The kingdom must recentralize power, re-establish the local tax system that has been interrupted since the Anson era, and weaken the military power of the nobles, but ......"

Brando suddenly understood the implicit meaning behind this 'but' - the southern realm already had the basis for the restoration of royal power, but the decision of the future of the entire southern realm fell on him, and if he unreservedly supported the princess, then whether the Duke of Lantonilán, the Duke of Viero, or the Duke of Golan-Elson opposed it or not, it would not be able to change the final result - the battle of autumn and twilight had already made people see that Tonygel had such a decisive military power.

But if he objected, or even simply maintained the status quo, the local nobility would be indifferent to him. That's true. The Duke of Viero was the maternal grandfather of the princess, the Duke of Lantoniland was at least nominally an ally of the princess, and the Knights of the Highlands were transcendent, but the local nobility was naturally antagonistic to the central royal family; The Duke of Vieiro would never risk losing power to support his granddaughter, and so did the Duke of Lantonilán, who was happy to see a royal family close to them. But it will not be allowed to override them.

This is a natural conflict between the idea of the princess and the core interests of the dukes.

But what was he going to do?

The kingdom must recentralize power, and Tonigel and Valhalla naturally cannot be detached, if not the first. Does Her Royal Highness want him to set an example, but can he trust this half-elf girl, Tonigel and Valhalla were built by him single-handedly, and they are where many people place their hopes and futures, the veterans of the November War in the Red Bronze Dragon Mercenary Regiment, the adventurers persecuted by Grudin, the residents of Green Village, and even Antitina and Caglis, their visions haunt him. This is the responsibility that comes with power, and can he transfer this responsibility to others?

He silently weighed this qiē in his heart, and emotionally he was willing to believe in this princess - she was able to stand up for her ideals, had a heart for mercy and justice, she was the eldest princess of Eruin, and her highness the princess of the Holy White who had impressed countless players throughout history. But after all, no one is perfect, and in this life, she will not be at the mercy of the aristocratic mentality in her nature and hesitate. compromise with the old forces - the fate of many is at stake; Reason tells Sù Brando, Her Royal Highness the princess has a weak side hidden in her nature. She's not really a reformer.

And this qiē depends on the softness of her nature.

History has already commented on it, and today it is up to him to make his choices. Brando is well aware of the difference between himself and Her Royal Highness, who has no roots in this world, and whose only concern is his parents, whom he has only been able to meet today, but Princess Griffiin has a constant connection with the old nobles, and she is not a ruthless silver queen.

Brando looked at Princess Griffiin in front of her. The princess was half a head shorter than him, her head held slightly high, and her pale silver-gray eyes did not shy away from looking at him; She pursed her lips, her curly silver hair falling down and glistening beautifully in the sun. Pointy ears peek out from under the long hair, revealing lineage from the elves' side. No one will doubt the beauty of Her Royal Highness the princess, which is not only mixed with the nobility of the royal family in the world, but also the nature and closeness of the forest and the breeze.

Of course, Brando will not forget that he still has the fragrance of a girl on his lips.

"I know what you're thinking, Brando," Princess Griffiin said, seeing that he understood, "but the person who can decide the future of a kingdom may not bode well for you or me if he is too naïve. ”

Brando heard what she was saying, so he asked, "Then what does Her Royal Highness think I should do?" ”

Princess Griffiin looked at Brando, who could actually follow the same path as Anlek, depose her and Haruzer, and set himself up as king. He's actually better, and he has the ability and time to do so. But if he did, he would lose the honor and legitimacy that had accompanied him, and if all he needed was a throne and supreme power, he could have chosen this path. But if he chooses the latter path, he has far more to lose than he gains.

Her Royal Highness's eyes lit up slightly, and she looked at this unusual nobleman, the Earl, and replied quietly, "Marry me." ”

"I am the elder sister of Haruzer, and it is not that I do not have the right to inherit the throne, and you, as my husband, can rightfully govern and rule the country according to the traditions of the kingdom. At that time, Tonigel and Valhalla were the royal domains, and it was only right that Vieiro, Lantoniland and even Golan-Elsen and Karasu submitted to you. She paused: "...... However, one day you will no longer have the heart to take the throne, and the only one who can inherit this position is Haruzer, or his descendants. ”

Isn't this An Lik, but the conditions are much harsher, Brando couldn't help but smile bitterly after listening to Her Royal Highness the Princess's words: "Your Royal Highness Princess, but this doesn't sound like I'm marrying you, but like I'm marrying you......"

Princess Griffiin smiled a little teasingly, and she could see that Brando didn't care about the power in his hands.

"But I already have a fiancée," Brando replied, "I'd better let this matter go for now." ”

"It's okay, then I'll wait for your reply." Princess Griffiin was not annoyed at all, but smiled slightly.

Brando had no choice but to flee.

Griffiin pressed her fingers to the brooch, as if she had come back to her senses from a memory, and she looked up at the twilight outside the window, the sunset was as red as fire, far hanging under the golden clouds.

At this time, there was a tuk tuk knock at the door, and she was slightly startled, and listened to the sound before saying, "Please come in, Mrs. Hill." When the door opened, it was her maid who appeared outside, a woman in her forties, who stood outside the door with a letter in her hand and said respectfully, "Your Royal Highness, Princess." ”

"It's so late, what's the matter?" Princess Griffiin asked, looking at her.

"There's a letter from Wallendenburg." Mrs. Hill replied.

"Is it for me?"

"Yes, a handwritten letter from Mr. Overwell."

Griffiin took the letter, opened the envelope, and then unfolded the letterhead, and read it carefully, her eyebrows furrowed slightly at first, and then her face changed.

'--I would like to inform Her Highness that the Silver Empress of the Cruz Empire has recently granted an exceptional title to a female count, and according to reliable information, this new count, who is from Eruin and has some kind of close relationship with Count Tonigel-'

…… (To be continued......)