Chapter 104: Hustle and Bustle

Chapter 104: Hustle and Bustle

Looking at the enthusiastic Dragon Rider Father, Bran could only respond politely. At the same time, he shifted his gaze past Hall and looked disapprovingly at this group of over thirty people. A very unpleasant feeling. Such a small team actually had over ten Wizards, over half of whom were perception types. These few were constantly probing using different methods.

A Wizard had reminded Hall, so he stopped at the edge of the Magic Field. Bran looked at the Dragon Rider before him. Two strands of Mana suddenly extended from the Magic Field, wrapping around them. Under the fearful gazes of the opposing Wizards, the Mana slowly infused into them, completely covering them.

These perception-type Wizards lost all ability to sense anything. They were like insects trapped in amber, cut off from the outside World. Then, countless Mana tentacles scraped over them. A terrible feeling, a warning in return.

Bran turned his gaze back to Hall, a questioning look in his eyes.

“Eileen asked me to deliver a gift to you on my way.”

Mentioning Eileen, a slight smile appeared on Bran’s face as he asked, “Is she well?”

“Very well. She and Aiman are preparing to complete the inheritance Trial.”

“Oh! Is there any danger?” Bran was somewhat surprised. How old was Eileen?

“There’s no danger. Our Trials are different from yours. The process is quite long and can be interrupted and exited at any time, it just affects strength a bit.”

Hall said this while gesturing for an attendant to lead over a newly adult raptor. Then he took the reins and walked over to Bran’s side.

“Eileen said you don’t have a mount, so she helped choose one for you. Also, she knows you’re interested in Dragon Gold, so she collected some.” He gestured to the two bags on the raptor’s back.

“Thank you.”

“Also, let them go. They were just curious for a moment.” Hall lifted his chin towards his family’s Wizards.

“Just this once.” As Bran spoke, he withdrew his Mana.

“This little one is very wild. Spend more time getting familiar with it. I hope to see you riding it soon.” Hall seemed to offer this reminder kindly.

Bran ignored the subtle provocation and nodded at him, appearing humble.

Hall looked at Bran, waiting for the following invitation. But Bran was clearly playing dumb, just not bringing it up. Hall had no choice but to thicken his face and say, “Let’s talk inside.”

Bran refused decisively: “Apologies, please set up your Camp here for now.”

Hall was left somewhat speechless by this conversation that didn’t follow the usual script and added, “I have important matters to discuss with your father.”

“Good, I will notify him right away and inform you as soon as there’s a reply.”

Faced with Bran who was impervious to all persuasion, Hall, after his efforts came to nothing, had just turned to leave when he heard Bran’s voice: “Kill it!”

Hall was startled. Before he could react, Danny’s blade flashed, severing the raptor’s neck in front of the horse. At the same time, a strong fluctuation formed within Bran’s Magic Field, lashing out like a whip towards a Wizard, coiling around him and giving a sharp shake. That Wizard’s face instantly turned pale. He pointed at Bran, opened his mouth, and finally lowered his hand weakly.

Bran then commanded, “Zack, take our gift back.”

On the way back, Danny asked, “What happened?”

“That Wizard had already controlled this raptor earlier. I thought he would know to restrain himself after one warning. But after releasing them, he actually dared to continue his actions.”

Mary, wearing a look of intense curiosity, leaned over. “What happened to him?”

“His ability is gone.”

“How did you do it?”

Bran motioned for Mary to extend her hand, then grasped it and gave it a shake. “Just like this, if your power is strong enough.”

Bran had encountered similar abilities before, like the Caravan Wizard he once captured who could control rats. As Bran’s own abilities grew, he finally found a way to deal with them. He just needed to fully entangle his Mana with the opponent’s and give it a good shake. The abilities of novice Wizards were only simply attached to themselves. As long as they extended beyond the protection of the Wizard’s own body, and as long as that Wizard was within the range of his Magic Field, Bran was confident he could handle them.

…

Hall was somewhat annoyed with this Wizard. Why didn’t he know to restrain himself after being discovered? But he was even more annoyed with Bran, who showed no mercy. That clean, sharp strike meant no communication for the short term. He could only try to mend the relationship first.

Several Wizards sat together, exchanging the limited information they had just gained. The results were frustrating. They couldn’t piece together anything valuable. Some saw constantly flickering Starlight, some saw a huge void, and some felt it was a vortex. Different abilities, different perception methods, led to completely different results. But one thing was the same: they could not perceive anything in that area through their abilities.

Through constant speculation, they gradually understood that Bran’s use of Mana had surpassed their imagination. This conclusion made them even more fanatical. They decided to urge Hall to reach an agreement with the Northlands as soon as possible. They just overlooked one thing: what did they have to offer the Northlands?

…

Back at the Camp, Bran decided to ignore the Dragon Riders. Someone reminded him to relay the Dragon Riders’ intentions back. Bran retorted, “Is it more important than what we’re doing now?”

With so many Wizards arriving, Bran had already guessed the Dragon Riders’ intentions, so the matter ended there. He would regularly compile and send back various messages, but he would never disrupt his own plans for the important matters of others. After that earlier strike, it was impossible for Hall to try playing the friendship card and pestering him anymore. Hall needed to resolve matters concerning Northland City first.

Just as Bran began to have a headache over the affairs of his own Territory again, Danny told him that a group of people, flying the banner of the Royal Capital, was approaching from another direction. The tree may crave calm, but the wind will not stop. Bran sighed with feeling.

Learning that people from the Royal Capital were coming, Bran felt some regret over his recent action. He couldn’t fight this new group. Bran did not want to offend everyone at once. If time could be reversed, he would have preferred to make an example out of the Royal Capital delegation. You always pick the soft persimmon to pinch, and besides, Bran hadn’t forgotten the incident with the previous Delegation. He had no goodwill towards these people, so he had them stopped at the border without further contact.

…

Sophie’s spirits were low. The accompanying personnel for this Delegation were also few; one could say everything was simplified. The official reason given was to inform the Northlands of the handling results of the last Delegation. The original plan was to rest after crossing the river, but they were stopped right at the border.

Sophie didn’t want any mishaps. She wanted to enter the Northlands as soon as possible. So she very rudely barged into the Northlanders’ Camp and was brought before Bran.

She stood before Bran, looking down at him with surprise. “We wish to see the Duke as soon as possible.”

Bran looked at the young girl before him and asked, “You are?”

“Sophie, the third daughter of King Warren.”

Bran blinked and asked curiously, “Are you the head of this Delegation?”

Sophie was taken aback and replied, “No.”

“Deputy head?”

“No.”

“Then what are you?”

Sophie’s face flushed crimson, and she was at a loss. She didn’t even know how she got back, feeling deeply ashamed and angry at her own impulsive behavior.