In the silent room, Rhodes packed his luggage. Ever since the last attendant, Talinnam, disappeared, Rhodes had never recruited another attendant. Each attendant who stayed by his side could not live more than two years. In order to avoid
More young people died violently, and Rhodes no longer recruited any followers.
"Great Lord, are you planning to return to your country now?"
Brandio's deep voice came from behind.
"Well, let's leave today. As you said, you can't see hope in this place. We can't count on others for the future."
Rhodes lowered his voice and returned. Under the flickering candlelight, there were many shadows on the stone wall. Both of them were worried.
"Well, that's right..."
Brandio stammered——
"Before I leave, I want to see someone again. If possible, maybe he will go to Kislev with me."
"Yes. As long as they are not Chaos believers, you can bring anyone with you."
Rhodes said with a smile.
"Not a Chaos cultist. He's an old friend of mine."
Brandio said.
…
In the afternoon, when Rhodes and Brandio arrived at his old friend's home, the sight in front of them made Rhodes frown.
It should be said that this old friend of Brandio is really a strange person. He has a nice mansion and no castle, but he lives in a forest. The nest made of natural branches has become the residence of this strange mage. Yes.
, the old friend Brandio mentioned was a native-born imperial mage.
"Long time no see, old friend." A hoarse voice full of vicissitudes of time came out from the tangled branches. When the voice ended, a burly middle-aged man walked out from between the trees.
"You brought outsiders into my territory without my consent. Old friend, it seems you haven't kept your promise."
The middle-aged man walked straight over, but did not look at Rhodes once. So much so that Rhodes wondered if this guy was a foreigner from the north like other noble lords of the empire.
"Lord Rod Lawn, the great lord and grand duke of the northern territory of Kislev. He is not an outsider. In fact, I have decided to defect to him."
Brandio said. His voice was clean and crisp, full of affirmation. The hermit looked displeased.
"Have you decided? Didn't you tell me that you would never engage in anything related to politics in this life? Why, have you forgotten your original vow?"
The middle-aged man laughed.
"I haven't forgotten, but Lord Rhodes may be different."
"Mendelal, I have been thinking recently, maybe our previous passive avoidance was wrong. There is always hope, there are always some places that need people like us. The world is so big, we don't necessarily have to spend time in the empire.
To the end of our lives.”
Brandio spoke seriously. Only then did Rhodes learn the name of this middle-aged man. Before, Rhodes only knew that the person he wanted to visit was an imperial noble, lord, and mage.
"If we can't even save the empire, is there hope elsewhere?"
Wizard Mendelal sighed softly.
He casually cast a small spell, and in front of the three of them, a round table made of wood and vines and three small chairs suddenly rose from the ground and appeared in front of the three of them.
"Please sit down, Lord Rhodes."
The wizard greeted him politely. It could be seen that the old mage was not happy about the stranger's visit, but out of respect for his old friend, he still entertained Rhodes.
"Do you think there is hope? Lord Rhodes."
Wizard Mendelal suddenly turned around and asked Rhodes.
"There is no hope. But if you give up, you will have wasted the time and life given to you by the gods. You may fail, but if you work hard, you will have no regrets about coming to this world."
Although he was unprepared, Rhodes still expressed his opinion.
Mendelal smiled and said, "I thought so before." Soon, his voice became deeper again.
"Continue to be silent, or face it bravely. Sometimes it's just a thought."
Rhodes encouraged.
"Of course, silence becomes a habit after a long time. Sometimes, we just can't live without this habit."
Rhodes added. This actually made the old wizard cast a strange look. Apparently, he still listened to some of the words.
"So, have you made up your mind? Go to the land of ice and snow in the north to show off your skills again, and then break your head again. You work hard for a small official position that is not worth mentioning, and you will even lose it in the end.
Take your life?"
Mendelal turned to look at his old friend.
Brandio picked up the teacup and put it down again.
"What's the point of living if you can't have a big fight?"
"We are no longer young, old friend."
The wizard persuaded.
"For the rest of your life, spend the rest of your life running around in the flames of ice and fire, burning up your life, instead of wasting your life in a smelly and dirty mansion."
Brandio retorted. He was like a child who had been ravaged by time and still wanted to burn himself. On the other hand, the old mage in front of him was not very old, but he looked depressed. The years were merciless on his face.
It left a mark on the past that is indelible.
"I envy you very much, Brandio. Countless setbacks have failed to make you surrender, but when you get the chance, you immediately become radiant."
The two of them were talking to each other, and Rhodes could only get a glimpse of the empire's past between these two people from these few words. What can be felt is that the old wizard also has a mixture of love and hate for the empire, and is disappointed.
It seems that it is not only civilians who are defeated by reality...
"We are already over 50 years old this year, and we don't have much time. Maybe you still have it, but I don't. Do something while you still have some time, so that you won't regret it on the sickbed."
Brandio said deeply.
"Be brave like a lion for three seconds, or be cowardly like a sheep for a lifetime. That's the truth."
Rod added.
However, the two people's persuasion didn't seem to change the forest wizard's decision. His interest lay in planting flowers and grass. Rhodes could see that the castle didn't look like much from the outside, but when you walked in,
But it's like walking into a paradise. Every time you look at it, there is a scenery. This is probably the old wizard's only hobby for more than ten years, or even more than twenty years.
"I must remind you, Lord of the North, that I am not a coward. If you have not experienced our era and have not lived in this country, you do not understand the cruelty and difficulties involved. What makes you despair will always be greater than what you hope for.
Too many. Didn’t you see? Most people are addicted to pleasure, and those who indulge in carnivals are the real cowards. There are so many imperial nobles who raise dozens or hundreds of girls in their mansions. If they lose control, they will lose
Chastity and perseverance, losing loyalty. This is the real coward. You should really see more, learn more about this country, and come here to talk to me again."
Mendelal's eyes became very bright. At this time, Rhodes discovered that under this face full of vicissitudes of life, there was a brave and unyielding heart. Even though it was scarred, he was still unwilling to go along with the world. No wonder,
Over the years, the Emerald Lord can become Brandio's close friend. Yes, at least they haven't sunk yet...