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The Abyss(7)

Dark clouds converged in the north, plunging Ampere Seale’s Port in dreary darkness. However, beyond the port was a starburst of fire, like lava flowing across the ground, which was the trademark of the scorched land of demons. The portals connected the Sulfur River to Aouine, overlapping and appearing on both sides.

On the scorched ground, the transformed portal emitted a scarlet hue that was clearly visible from every direction, like onyx scattered across a shaggy black carpet.

That scene was like the end of days, everyone could not help but hold their breath. Brendel was thinking of a countermeasure with his head lowered after hearing the princess’ question. It was at this moment when the ‘dark clouds’ in the sky suddenly changed direction. The princess slightly trembled and felt something had gone wrong, the knights exchanged looks and then subconsciously cast their gaze on Brendel.

After all, none of them had actually seen the creatures of Jorgendy Ridge, and the one who seemed to be most knowledgeable here was undoubtedly the lord who came from Trentheim.

It was only then Brendel came back to his senses, as he raised his head and noticed the changes in the sky, his expression suddenly changed and he shouted, “Quick, cover all the reflective things on your body with your cloak!”

The Eagle Demons had extremely wide visions and were sensitive to light. They have a similarity with their winged counterparts which was collecting trinkets to decorate their nests. And for the same reason, they were able to detect faint reflections from dozens of miles away easily, which made them excellent scouts. Apparently someone’s armor had caught their attention by reflecting the lightning bolts. It was also his mistake that he forgot to mention it to the others.

It seemed like the reason for the momentary lapse of his mind was because of Jorgendy Ridge’s large army.

The crowd scrambled to wrap their cloaks around their armor, then bolted the laces of their collars. But it seemed a little late as they raised their heads and saw the few ‘dark clouds’ in the northern sky moved southward, and the swarms of strange creatures with pairs of wings scattered, the sky was filled with them in a blink of an eye.

Brendel turned back to see the crowds’ faces drain of all color. Princess Gryphine was with no exception. There were only seventeen of them altogether, while there thousands of Eagle Demons.

Even a knight subconsciously tried to draw his longsword, Brendel was startled and rushed over to press his hands. “Nobody move!” They haven’t discovered us yet!” He shouted as he was in fear that someone might pull their sword out in panic. At that point it would be too late as the blade would reflect light, revealing their positions.

“Quick. Find a place to hide!”

Brendel was well aware of the habits of the Eagle Demons, these cautious creatures must have come to inspect after they caught their attention, they liked to move in clusters but did not necessarily spot them. After all, this place was still a good ten miles away and it was not as if the Eagle Demons would definitely be able to spot the slightest movement underneath the forest.

But the knights had long lost their minds, and Brendel’s words became their only hope. They retreated behind the black pine forest to hide. Brendel pulled the princess along with him to hide under a huge boulder, this grayish-white boulder was sprawled across the summit and was covered with damp moss.

Brendel settled the princess down first then only proceeded to guard the entrance of the cave. He raised his head and found Count Audine, who happened to be hiding behind a rock opposite himself, and was shouting at him, “Horse!”

It was only then that Brendel remembered that the group’s horses were still at the foot of the hill, he did not know what to do at that moment but he knew it was not practical to rush down the hill now. He could only hope that Marsha would keep the Eagle Demons from discovering the horses.

However, in just a few minutes, the Eagle Demons had already arrived.

The sound of fluttering wings passed overhead, making it clear that the feathered creatures were close at hand. Brendel’s heart was pounding but he did not dare reach out to look, he turned and saw Princess Gryphine who was sitting at the side looking at him. Although there was some tension in her expression, there was a sense of calmness in her eyes when she looked at him.

“Don’t worry.” Brendel gestured to her with his lips.

Princess Gryphine nodded slightly with one of her hands pressing against the hilt of her sword.

He lifted his head again, Count Audine who was on the opposite side was also pale, the two men could not help but laugh bitterly at each other. He dared to deal with William because he had a Kelsie deck, but now it was seventeen men facing thousands of Eagle Demons, and ten times that number somewhere in the distance which could drown him to death easily.

But it was a good thing that although the Eagle Demons were extremely sensitive to light, their own eyesight was just average. Not to mention that they are very cautious creatures and would certainly not descend below the canopy to inspect.

Brendel who knew this was slightly more relieved.

However, it was at this moment that he felt his heart tremble, as if someone had found out his secret.

The others were fine, but the experienced Brendel realized at once what it was. Magic! Discovery Magic! He was sure that a pair of malicious eyes were examining the place through a crystal ball, and the demon in a blood-red robe beneath the Sulfur River was the best at it.

The princess’s face turned pale and her tender body started to tremble, as if she had sensed something. Brendel sensed that something was wrong and immediately reminded her, “Quick, don’t think about anything that worries you! Think of what you want to have for dinner tonight, that pesky carrot stew or oatmeal porridge!”

The silver eyes of the elf girl looked at him with bewilderment.

“It’s a demonic spell, the Black Magic Spell which affects your mind by seeing through your soul to get the answer it wants. The more you fear and the more negative emotions you have, the more it can see what you fear most right now. And that would expose our location!”

“But I don’t hate eating carrot stew.” Princess Gryphine replied.

“This is impossible.” Brendel was dumbfounded.

But whether it was possible or not, a scream was heard from a distance in the rain just as the two were slightly relaxed. Someone had been spotted, Brendel’s heart sank. I should have hidden everyone together, as I’m the only one here with experience in circumventing the Discovery Magic.

“Mr.Brendel.” The princess shouted in a low voice.

Brendel’s hand clenched tightly to the hilt of the Halran Gaia. Should we charge out now? The Eagle Demons were just magical creatures of the upper reaches of silver, and the knights he brought with him were all at the level of Silver Peak, so it might not be too late to rush out now to save someone’s life.

But what about the princess? If I take action now, will I be able to lead these people to kill their ways out through thousands of Eagle Demons?

Brendel was unsure.

But he instantly felt cold fingers pressing against the back of his hand. “Mr.Brendel, I see where you’re coming from. Thank you.” Princess Gryphine said softly, “But anyhow, please don’t go against our ideals and pursuits. They are what make our existence valuable.”

She nodded at him.

Brendel’s heart shook slightly.

He suddenly understood why when Orthlyss told him to be careful of the princess he would not have thought so. Princess Gryphine had never changed, and if she had chosen to compromise, she would not have broken off with the Royal Faction in the first place. Whether it was idealistic or in reality, she had always been that pure princess to him. Brendel had never seen a person who had a combination of both wisdom and conviction.

The players in Aouine had never seen it before either.

He made up his mind at once. He raised his sword and charged out, an Eagle Demon immediately lunged at him from above. Her blood-red eyes on her beautiful face were glowing with resentful aura, she spread out her sharp claws like knives to scrap at him.

Brendel did not panic, he pressed his lips together hard and took a step back, he pulled out his Halran Gaia and slashed it at her, cutting off one pair of her claws. The Eagle Demon who had lost her balance screamed and fell backwards, crashing headfirst into the trunk of a black pine tree, her head bursting in the resulting crash.

Brendel then saw the knight who had been taken out was in an unpromising situation, he was being besieged by the Seven-Headed Demon Eagle. Without even thinking about it, he blasted a Wind Bomb in that direction, the Wind Bomb swirled and grazed past the treetops and hit two Eagle Demons which shredded their wings, and blood spilled everywhere.

The sudden attack startled the Eagle Demons, who all scattered in all directions with strange cries. That knight finally found a chance to respite, he turned back and looked gratefully at Brendel.

“You should not have come out, my Lord.” He laughed.

“I don’t want to be like those timid Northern people. Are you from the Royal Faction?” Brendel could tell that the other guy was one of Anthony’s men.

“Exactly.”

Brendel nodded and shouted, “I’ve heard that the Royal Faction never leaves any comrades behind. And with that being the case, everyone, why don’t you all take my orders and face the enemy? Today we shall carve a path out in blood, and these monsters can’t stop us!”

His rallying cry roused the knights who replied with mighty roars. They drew their longswords and gathered quickly.

This time everyone was exposed in the Eagle Demons’ sight, who croaked and screamed overhead. But the power of Brendel’s Wind Bomb made these cautious creatures afraid to make a second attempt.

It was only then Brendel reached out to help the princess, he thought that this strong princess would have stood up by herself, but this time Princess Gryphine put her hand in his and gave him a polite smile before she stood up with his help.

“Thank you, Mr.Brendel.” She said gently.

Brendel sensed the unreserved trust she had towards him in these words.