Otaku Translation: The Amber Sword V3C116

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Chapter 116: The Border of the Black Forest, Part 3

Brandon understood Tama’s intentions.

The Black Forest was an untamed wilderness untouched by human hands, a place few dared to venture into. The laws of nature here were warped by Chaos, resetting unpredictably over time. The forest shimmered with bizarre phenomena, its surface hiding treasures beyond mortal imagination. Beneath the influence of the magic-energy-rich moon, the land teemed with monstrous creatures and thriving magical flora. In certain areas where magic energy pooled, entire fields of exposed crystal veins could be found—streams glittering with gemstones, fountains spitting golden coins. These weren’t just poetic fantasies; they were very real possibilities within the depths of the Black Forest.

While it was a forbidden zone for civilization, the Black Forest also represented an enigmatic treasure trove for humanity. After the Second Holy War, however, all the races on the continent had been drained of their strength through internal strife. The days when Frontier Knights flooded into these woods in search of glory were long gone. Yet, legends persisted—stories of rare materials that defied belief. Rivers said to flow with moonlight capable of reviving the dead. Veins of crimson earth rumored to hold the Sage’s Blood, which could transmute steel into gold. Ancient dragon burial grounds littered with bones more precious than diamonds. Leaves that, when burned, conjured visions akin to paradise itself.

For alchemists, these tales represented the ultimate prize. Possessing even one such material could create relics destined to immortalize their creator’s name. Every alchemist dreamed of entering the Black Forest—but most who dared perished at the claws or teeth of its beasts. This was another truth about the forest: it was home to some of the densest concentrations of monster lairs anywhere on the continent.

“Master Tama could have simply entrusted me directly,” Brandon muttered, shaking his head. “I suppose this is my oversight. I forgot that the Black Forest is every alchemist’s dream trove.”

“I think Master Tama had his own concerns,” Antietta interjected with a faint smile.

“What do you mean?”

“Ask Tia,” the noble girl replied cryptically, her lips curving upward in a rare moment of playful mystery.

Brandon turned to Fleur.

The elder wild elf sister gave her sibling a sharp look and called out, “Tia!”

“Sister?” The younger girl scurried back but immediately kept her distance upon noticing Fleur’s stern expression. Cautiously, she asked, “What is it, Sister?”

“The lord wishes to ask you something,” Fleur answered flatly.

“Lord?” Tia spun around, wide-eyed as she faced Brandon. But compared to her intimidating older sister, this lord seemed far less fearsome—in fact, she felt closer to him, remembering how he’d often told stories during their travels. By contrast, Fleur made for quite the lackluster sibling figure.

“Tia, why did Master Tama send you here?” Brandon inquired.

“To gather materials, My lord.”

That much was expected. Brandon glanced back at Antietta, who stifled a laugh behind her hand. She tilted her chin, urging him to press further.

Puzzled, Brandon paused before continuing. “What kinds of materials?”

“Well…” Tia began reciting from memory, rocking slightly on her heels. A fierce glare from Fleur quickly silenced her antics, and she pouted while obediently listing off items: “There should be plenty of lesser magic crystals scattered around—moon crystals, gold crystals…”

“Also magic-infused plants like blood-spotted roses and whip-tailed flowers…”

“For minerals, exposed mithril veins would be ideal, though sanctified silver and cold iron are acceptable too. There’s also nasar ore…”

“And there are rumors of fountains granting eternal youth, angelic feathers, dragon poetry, and hearts of gold…”

“Stop, stop!” Brandon interrupted hurriedly. The list started reasonably enough but grew increasingly absurd. Eternal youth fountains? Those belonged firmly in the realm of myth. As for angelic feathers, dragon poetry, and hearts of gold—these were artifacts of divine caliber. It seemed Tama truly viewed the Black Forest as a dwarf’s treasure vault, expecting them to waltz in and haul riches out without effort.

If it were so easy, humans would have overrun the forest centuries ago. Though the Black Forest brimmed with untold wealth, its dangers matched its rewards. Near the outskirts, threats were minimal and mysteries scarce, making valuable finds equally rare. Clearly, the latter half of Tama’s list bordered on fantasy. Still, Brandon sympathized with the man’s ambitions. Few dared enter the Black Forest and return alive, let alone bring back spoils. Survival alone was already a monumental challenge.

Not every ruler was willing to gamble their hard-earned forces on such a perilous venture. Brandon’s confidence stemmed from his familiarity with the region north of the Kalanja Mountains—a knowledge born of his past life as a player, unburdened by mortality. Players explored recklessly, driven by curiosity rather than caution.

But now, an idea sparked in Brandon’s mind. He’d been struggling to devise training plans for his young recruits. With Tama’s checklist in hand, the solution became clear. He decided to dedicate most of each day to travel, using the remaining time to hunt for materials based on the list. To make things interesting, he split his group into three teams: one led by himself, another by Cinnabar, and the third by Kulan. Each evening, they’d evaluate performance and discoveries, assigning scores accordingly. This setup fostered both inter-team competition and intra-team cooperation—an excellent approach overall.

Satisfied with his plan, Brandon prepared to inspect his recruits. Before he could move, however, a familiar voice rang out in surprise:

“Meria!”

Brandon recognized Karglis’ voice. Turning, he saw the young man dragging Mordain in red robes across the crowd, striding toward someone disembarking from a carriage.

“Karglis? You’re… here?” The newcomer appeared bewildered at first, then blinked in recognition.

Brandon observed the young man—a striking figure with flowing golden hair uncommon in the region and eyes as blue as the sea, more reminiscent of northern tribes. He wore a Cruze travel outfit similar to Brandon’s, though his sword had been confiscated. His slender frame and delicate features lent him an almost feminine air, like a noblewoman with cascading tresses.

“I see,” the young man murmured, realization dawning. “Your father was defeated, and you’ve joined them?”

“Hey,” Karglis chuckled nonchalantly.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” Meria said, worry creasing her brow. “Does this mean you’ve sided with them, Karglis?”

“Yes,” Karglis replied carelessly. “But what about you? Why are you here, Meria?”

“They captured me and my retinue while we passed nearby,” Meria admitted, blushing.

“You ran away, didn’t you?” Karglis smirked knowingly.

“No, I didn’t!”

“Enough excuses,” Karglis teased. “We all know your situation. Don’t worry—I’ll protect you. But honestly, aren’t you in over your head, my lady? You’re heading into the Black Forest. Are you ready for that?”

“Don’t call me that!” Meria snapped, glaring at him. Then, wide-eyed: “I’m going into the Black Forest?”

“Why else would you be here?” Karglis gestured to the surrounding woods. “Oh, right—I forgot to mention. This is the edge of the Black Forest.”

Meria paled, swaying on her feet. Karglis steadied her, whispering, “Relax. It’s just the Black Forest. Besides, I’m here, remember?” He discreetly motioned toward the mercenaries, signaling her to keep calm.

“How can I go into the Black Forest?” Meria whispered frantically. “Karglis, help me!”

“No, I think this is an opportunity,” Karglis countered, shaking his head.

“What kind of opportunity?”

“A chance to escape your wretched father,” Karglis grinned mischievously. “Our new lord isn’t likely to bow to your father’s authority. Trust me—it’s perfect.”

“But what can I possibly do here?” Meria protested. “And I don’t want to go into the Black Forest! There are monsters there—we’ll die!”

Karglis sighed, lowering his voice. “My lady, you’re a reserve priest. Surely you’re not that afraid?” He glanced around cautiously, leaning closer to murmur something inaudible to Meria. At first confused, she soon brightened, nodding emphatically.

Brandon watched the two retreat to converse quietly, their voices fading into whispers. He paid them little mind; once inside the Black Forest, any schemes they hatched would amount to nothing. Besides, he had ample time to uncover their secrets. What intrigued him, though, was the presence of nobility among his recruits.

He turned to Antietta, puzzled. “Who are they?”

“Nobles, apparently children of estate owners.”

“More than one?” Brandon frowned. This situation grew stranger by the moment. He disliked the idea of unknown elements infiltrating his guards. While the backgrounds of these estate heirs seemed relatively clean, he doubted the local gentry supported him openly—at least not yet.

Antietta nodded.

“How did they get here?”

“They sneaked out on their own, according to the mercenaries. Seems they came seeking fame, My lord. Your reputation has already travelled far.”

“Interesting,” Brandon mused, touching his cheek with mock modesty. “Am I really that famous?”

Antietta rolled her eyes, unimpressed.

…

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