Otaku Translation: The Amber Sword V3C4

Please support the translation by reading the translation and commenting on otakutl official site.

Thank you.

Everyone from Otaku Translation

Chapter 4: The Letter, Part 4

"Wait a moment," Andrew interrupted Brandon's discourse. "Lord Brandon, what do you mean when you say Valhalla has always existed within this forest?"

"Just as the words imply," Brandon replied coolly.

The druid elder shook his head firmly. "Impossible. If Valhalla were in the forest, we would have noticed something—” He paused suddenly, suspicion creeping into his tone. Had he inadvertently revealed too much? Their original mission was only to retrieve Funiya, yet here they were divulging details tied to Nyia’s prophecy. Cutting himself off, he said tersely, "Let us return to the matter at hand."

But Brandon shook his head. "We are discussing the matter at hand," he countered. "Since Funiya has entrusted me with the final decision, you will not take her from this territory unless you can convince me otherwise." Seeing Andrew’s eyebrows rise as if to protest, Brandon cut him off sharply. "Save your words. My understanding of your kind runs deeper than you might think. Whether it’s Stone Melding or Forest Trace, I have ways to track you down. You’re welcome to test me."

When Brandon named those two spells, Andrew abandoned any thought of forcibly taking Funiya. Mortals rarely understood druids, but this young man clearly did. If he could call out such specifics, it wasn’t mere bluffing. After a moment’s hesitation, Andrew replied, "Then what is your proposal, Lord Brandon? We’ve been clear about our intentions. Surely you can trust us, even on Lady Nyia’s name—we mean no harm to Funiya. We merely wish to bring her to complete the necessary rites for becoming a druid."

"Do you not seek to ignite Valhalla’s ember?" Brandon asked.

All three druids stiffened.

"What exactly are you implying, Lord Brandon?" Red, the younger druid behind Andrew, finally spoke up, his voice eager. "Of course we wish to ignite Valhalla’s ember. It is one of our primary goals to monitor magic energy’s impact on the natural boundaries within the Black Forest. Druids revere Lady Marsha as well, and this aligns with the ancient pacts we uphold." He hesitated. "Forgive me, Lord Brandon, but I fail to see your meaning."

"My meaning is simple," Brandon said, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed air. His eyes flicked to Funiya, and realization dawned. "Ah, I see now. There seems to be a misunderstanding. When I speak of the Maiden of the Woods ‘unlocking’ Valhalla, I don’t mean igniting the ember. I mean unlocking a portion of Valhalla’s latent power." He crossed his fingers, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Let’s strike a deal."

"What deal?"

"You help me find Valhalla, and I’ll ignite the ember for you," Brandon declared, enunciating each word carefully.

"So you’ll claim Valhalla as its natural lord under the guise of a Frontier Knight?" Andrew eyed the young man shrewdly, beginning to grasp his true intentions. "This proposal isn’t entirely without merit. Druids have no desire for power. However—" He paused, his tone hardening. "I must repeat myself: Valhalla does not exist within the forest. It is merely a legend."

Brandon shook his head. "Very well, let me rephrase. Forget finding Valhalla. Instead, venture deep into the forest and locate a certain ruin for me."

"A ruin?"

Is there truly a ruin in the forest?

Red murmured softly, "Elder, remember that time we discovered that ruin near the outer ring of Wind Circlet?"

Andrew’s eyes widened as comprehension struck. Fixing Brandon with a piercing gaze, he challenged, "You believe that ruin is Valhalla? But I’ve seen it myself—it’s nothing more than a shattered remnant. Humans have ventured into the Black Forest countless times, leaving behind the ruins of settlements. We thoroughly searched the area around that ruin and found nothing related to the ember."

Brandon processed this information mentally. "The Wind Circlet you mentioned—is it the monsoon corridor encircling the Kalanja Mountains?"

The druid elder hesitated, then nodded.

"Then there’s no mistake," Brandon affirmed confidently. The Valhalla he knew lay precisely along the monsoon corridor of the Kalanja Mountains, where abundant rains from the Dead Moon Inland Sea nourished crops during the summer months. But this wasn’t the critical point. Suppressing his excitement, Brandon asked, "How long ago did you discover that ruin?"

Andrew, sensing Brandon’s earnestness, grew serious. "About three years ago."

"Are you able to locate it now?"

"It’s hard to say," Andrew admitted. "That discovery was accidental. At the time, we were exploring deep into the Black Forest near the Kalanja Mountains to study the ecosystem. To find it again, we’d need to send another expedition. But with a general direction, it shouldn’t take long." He looked up. "Will you join us, Lord Brandon?"

Brandon shook his head. "No, I don’t have the time," he replied. "Here’s how this deal works: you send someone to locate the site. Once you have concrete information, notify me immediately." He locked eyes with the three druids. This arrangement was heavily skewed in his favor, but Brandon knew druids didn’t think in terms of profit. These denizens of the Black Forest cared little for fame or wealth. To negotiate with them, one had to understand what truly interested them.

And the ember of Valhalla was an offer they couldn’t refuse.

True to his prediction, Andrew and the two younger druids nodded. From their perspective, Brandon’s proposal posed no risks and offered significant rewards.

Antietta, who had been listening silently all along, finally found her opening. Once Andrew agreed to Brandon’s terms, she interjected, "You’re taking Funiya, but her family remains in the Baron of Cold Fir’s territory. Earl Jandel’s retaliation could strike at any moment. Have you considered this?"

Andrew glanced at the noblewoman, her alarmist tone causing him to frown slightly. "Rest assured, Lord Brandon. Upon returning to the council, we will extend our aid to protect your interests here. However, as we stated earlier, we have one condition."

Brandon turned to Funiya, who nodded. "Go ahead," he prompted.

"Our obligation extends only to safeguarding your influence in the Baron of Cold Fir’s domain," Andrew clarified, his gaze probing Brandon’s ambitions. He suspected the young man’s plans went far beyond mere defense. Unwilling to tie the druids to Brandon’s cause, he added sternly, "Beyond that, we will provide no further assistance."

He expected haggling, but to his surprise, Brandon simply nodded. "Druids are neutral by nature. I’m satisfied with this arrangement. Agreed." After a pause, he added, "With one amendment: the protection extends to Valhalla as well."

Andrew hesitated, then nodded. "Naturally."

Internally, Brandon chuckled. These forest-dwellers may have lived too long among the trees, dulling their wits. Though their insight into human nature surpassed that of men like Grudin, they still underestimated broader ambitions. Like the current state of Tonygel—Earl Jandel wouldn’t let matters rest. War was inevitable. Even if peace prevailed temporarily, other nobles would surely covet a legendary domain like Valhalla. Greed knew no bounds, and once Brandon bound their interests together, dragging them onto his chariot was only a matter of time.

Brandon knew full well that saving Eruin from impending doom required countering the immense inertia of history. To do so, he needed allies. The druids of Tonygel were an opportunity—a calculated part of his plan. This step forward, however small, would forever alter the course of history.

Still, he paused, turning to Funiya. "Funiya, becoming a druid isn’t a simple path. Though you are Nyia’s chosen, fate ultimately rests in your own hands. You could learn much staying here." His voice softened. "So tell me, do you still wish to leave with Andrew and the others?"

His words drew astonished looks from everyone, especially the druids, who had assumed Brandon shared the same self-serving motives as other Eruin nobles. For a moment, their perception shifted slightly.

Funiya hesitated but eventually nodded. "I want to go, Brandon."

"Why?" Fleur shot a suspicious glance at the druids. Unlike Brandon, she didn’t fully understand their ways and resented his willingness to let Funiya go. Bound by her position, however, she couldn’t openly object. "Isn’t it better here, Funiya? Why venture into the forest?"

Funiya lifted her small face to look at Antietta. "Because of what Antietta said," she answered earnestly.

"Me?" Antietta blinked in surprise.

"Antietta told Father that relying on others isn’t enough," the girl explained brightly. "Brandon has been very kind to me, but I can’t accept it without doing something in return. Uncle Andrew said that once I become a druid, I’ll gain abilities like theirs." She paused, catching her breath. "When that happens, I’ll be able to protect the villagers."

Brandon’s expression softened.

"Well said," he murmured approvingly.

...

Please vote for this novel at

https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-amber-sword/

If you would like to support this translation, you may choose any one of the options below.