Chapter 120: Trouble

Chapter 120: Trouble

After Earl left, Bran quickly climbed onto a large branch of the Ancient Tree while no one was watching, and then leaped off. Mana responded to him, and a pair of bat wings full of holes spread out behind him. As he fell, they flapped wildly, until he made close contact with the ground. The entire pair of wings still flapped a few more times before disappearing with a puff, dissolving back into the Magic Field.

Bran landed solidly on the ground, lying there spread-eagled, not moving for a long time. The entire canopy of the Ancient Tree began to shake, making rustling sounds. Black Cat Huahua carefully reached out a paw to poke him. Finding no problem, it jumped onto his back and imitated his falling motion, leaping up and then slapping down, causing serious secondary damage to Bran’s spirit.

Reality told him that having little wings didn’t mean he could fly. Initially, his Mana could diffuse out of his body, like a chaotic Mist. Occasionally, it was even used like tentacles to actively probe his surroundings. Later, it was woven into a net. Now, the Mana around him was more like a field, similar to the magnetic field produced by magnetism. He had never considered “flying”! Although Mana could respond to his will and change into various shapes he desired, the actual abilities it displayed were still limited to those few types.

Realizing it later, Bran concluded there were still differences! Although Earl’s abilities had changed, moving somewhat closer to the direction he described, there were still significant differences. That kind of gliding, floating down, seemed more like an inherent part of her ability itself. Otherwise, how could a living person float down relying on an intangible Mana cloak?

He felt somewhat envious of Earl because she only needed to believe. Everything about her was built on the foundation of belief. She was like a fledgling bird; imitating how to fly was just instinct, an instinct her ability gave her.

I can do it too. Slow floating down is just influenced by air resistance. What does that have to do with wings? Wings are just for show. As long as my Mana interacts with the air. Actually, it doesn’t have much to do with the air either; this is just the result of the interaction of “forces”. Thinking this, Bran bounced up from the ground without moving his hands or feet and floated back down.

Another good experience. Bran seemed very excited. This mood lasted for several days, until Pachu brought him some not-so-good news.

…

Pachu was currently looking around the City Manor. Compared to his last visit, the changes here could be described as earth-shaking. The style was also something he had never seen before, very exotic.

Bran was also curious. Was the old man really that bold? He actually came alone. Although the news he brought wasn’t good and felt somewhat like bad luck, thanks still needed to be given. Currently, the way to show gratitude, both reasonably and appropriately, could only be to take him in. So, Pachu got his wish and stayed.

However, Bran was quite annoyed by the news he brought. He hated this kind of thing that offered no benefit and was boring. He decided that this time, he would do something even harsher to make everyone truly afraid for a while, and then there would be peace.

Pachu was now very curious about how Bran planned to deal with the Delegation. After truthfully telling Bran the news, Bran showed no obvious reaction and didn’t even ask many questions. He just thanked him and arranged for his stay.

Two days later, Pachu finally couldn’t help but approach Bran and ask, “Great Wizard, please forgive my rudeness. May I ask how you plan to deal with the Delegation that has come again?”

“Kill them. This time, leave none. I will hang their corpses on both sides of the road.”

This answer startled Pachu. He instinctively said, “You can’t.”

“Why can’t I?”

“First, not all of these people are your enemies. Second, they have come openly for a contest. They will issue challenges according to common methods or your own methods.”

Bran laughed. “The Northlanders’ way? The Northlands way is: kill everyone who dares to pick up a weapon, everyone who dares to stand before you when the fight begins.”

“They are only here to challenge.”

“As long as we consider it a fight, then it is. There won’t be any shouting from the mouth, nor any fairness, any judgment, because the fight has started. Don’t think about making excuses. If you have the courage to join in, then you should have the courage to bear the consequences.”

“There are at least a thousand of them. How could you possibly kill them all?”

“We are Wizards.”

“Wizards probably can’t either.”

“Pachu, what is your power? Your eyes? I’ve noticed them. They not only let you see more but are also your weapons. People who meet your gaze have their eyes hurt, right? But what is the range of your influence? When used as a weapon, your Mana can only extend a few meters. What if your Mana could cover the entire battlefield?

This World is changing. It is time for Wizards to show their power. Some powers are no longer something that numbers can match. For Wizards, the biggest threats in this World are only each other, other Wizards. If you can live a few more years, you will see many changes brought about by Wizards. For example, in war, Wizards will become the decisive force. We can even determine the outcome of a war.

What are a mere thousand people?”

On the same day the conversation ended, Pachu said goodbye and left. He was worried the White-robed Ones would follow. He didn’t want these people to get hurt. When he left, Bran asked Pachu to take a message to the Delegation: “He will not accept any damned challenge. Those who enter without permission are responsible for their own life and death!”

…

Danny witnessed the conversation between the two. After Pachu left, she suggested, “You could accept the challenge. We can handle it.”

Bran snorted coldly. “Why should I accept? They are not really challenging; they are testing our limits, causing trouble. During the fight at the city gate, the Dragon Riders charged in from behind. At least half of the unprepared Anya People were killed by them. But now the news says everyone is coming to settle accounts with me.

Why? It’s because back then, the Dragon Riders defended the Green Kingdom and had large-scale conflicts with Anya. They know the Dragon Riders are not to be trifled with.

What about us? Without several large-scale conflicts, these people probably still won’t realize how formidable we are. It seems there are many idle people in the Anya Kingdom. A hundred or eighty deaths mean nothing to them. Well, this time I’ll let them die a few more, a thousand or eight hundred.

If that’s still not enough, I don’t mind going to the Anya Kingdom to seriously settle accounts with them.”

Danny smiled. “Your real reason is that you’re worried about us, isn’t it? Don’t worry too much. We do not fear Death. Every Northlander here does not care about life and death.”

Bran sighed. “None of us care about our own life and death. I just hope I can watch you all have children and raise families. So, don’t think about challenges, traditions, or things like that. So many people constantly challenging us is annoying enough to kill.”

…

Bran had no intention of playing house with this bunch of idle, annoying fools. If they wanted to die, he would grant their wish. Just thinking about it gave him a headache—a group of people flooding into the still chaotic Northland City, causing more trouble?

This was the Northlands, his home. A group of self-righteous people, actually entering his home under the banner of a fair challenge, disrupting his life. Fair!? Go to hell!

No one knew when the Anya People would come to their deaths. But his Caravan sent back news, very bad news. In Sandstone City, the Caravan first suffered constant thefts, then was charged high taxes every day, and now their goods were even detained.

After getting this news, Bran let out a long sigh. He needed to go to Sandstone City to take a look.