Chapter 1074: Chapter 257: A War Without Smoke (Part 2)
Ambeser was shrouded in ominous clouds, and far south in Tonyger, the atmosphere was equally suffused with the tension of preparing for battle.
After returning to the territory, Brand immediately convened an emergency meeting. The venue for the meeting was chosen in a forest not far from New Valhalla — where the Tree Elves had planted a square surrounded by ten ancient banyan trees. Brand was quite fond of that place, thus commandeering it temporarily as a gathering spot — because of prior notice, almost all the core members assembled, including those who had followed him from the very beginning in Ridenburg.
Yulier, Votarong, Mano, Reto, Batom were mostly former members of the Red Copper Dragon Mercenary Group; although Yulier was the Security Cavalry Captain of Ridenburg, he joined the collective from the start in Ridenburg. Only Votarong was somewhat unique; he was originally a Sergeant of the White-Maned Infantry, and due to various reasons, he became part of this band — a rebel in the eyes of the world.
Brand stood beneath an ancient banyan tree, looking at these people, unable to stop a wave of emotions from rising in his heart.
A few familiar faces from the Red Copper Dragon Mercenary Group could no longer be seen; some of the elders passed away due to illness during the long migration. A significant portion of those who remained perished in the second Tonyger War. However, it seemed the will of the departed extended onto the living, as the remnant grew more resolute and steadfast.
This change was evident —
Yulier, once a lapdog to the oppressive nobles of Ridenburg, first appeared to Brand as a quintessentially timid yet arrogant young man. However, now, due to years of activity outdoors, his skin had turned a shade darker; his face and arms bore the testament of war — scars. Though he appeared more rugged, he also seemed more mature and steady; from the refugees who migrated from Ridenburg — this batch was not large, as not everyone was willing to leave their homeland — most who originally knew this Security Cavalry Captain harbored mixed feelings of hate and fear for him. But now, more and more would deliberately stop on the road to call him Captain Yulier.
Yet, what mattered more was strength; within a short year, he transitioned from a fringe, mediocre role at the edge of Black Iron to Black Iron Upper Rank, not limited to Yulier. Most of those who emerged from Ridenburg were similar — Votarong, gambler Mano, Red Beard Batom, and Reto were nearly the same, showing signs of breaking through Black Iron Peak to enter the Silver Rank in just a few months.
The Sea of Magic’s disturbances were altering the entire world, but only those who have braved life-and-death trials can clearly perceive this change.
Brand’s gaze moved past the cohort from Ridenburg to another group — the Gray Wolf Mercenary Group. These individuals discarded by Macaro and later taken in by Brand hadn’t joined the group for long, but many among them showed improvements in strength, including Sanfde, who, after the distribution of Dragon Blood Potion, elevated his ability to Black Iron Upper.
Regarding the distribution sequence of the Dragon Blood Potion, Antitina advocated for Ridenburg’s elders to have priority, with others assessed based on circumstance. Nonetheless, Brand felt it unnecessary; those who followed him through two wars were deemed loyal and trustworthy. In this age, opposing the nobles required courage; had it not been for Macaro and Gruding forcing these mercenaries to a dead-end, they would not have come this far with him.
Though the production of Dragon Blood Potion was limited, distributing based on merit and contribution was evidently more convincing than seniority. Moreover, among those who first followed him, most were profoundly loyal and contributive to the collective. Brand’s reasoning won over Antitina and consequently garnered widespread support — although proportionally, the Red Copper Dragon Mercenary Group was allocated the most Dragon Blood Potion, others could at least see that everyone had equal opportunities within the group. Even newcomers had the chance to surpass the veterans of the collective.
As long as effort yielded corresponding rewards, people were filled with enthusiasm. Brand’s actions aimed to maintain the group’s vitality. Having been the Squad Leader for a period in the Amber Sword, he held certain understanding of the modern organizational systems, and his insight was naturally far ahead compared to the nobles of this era.
In the eyes of this noble lady from Brags, the Lord’s proposal had an astounding effect she hadn’t foreseen. Morale became more stable and cohesive — a predicted change — but she hazily felt as if something additional emerged within the group, akin to a soul; everyone became more energetic, with newcomers striving hard and veterans sensing crisis. Even she herself was invigorated by this atmosphere, becoming significantly more vibrant at work during the day.
