Chapter 129: The Scholar and the Dead

Chapter 129: The Scholar and the Dead

Before Kurt went as a messenger to request an audience with Bran, the Scholars had already met with Bran. It was a proper but not friendly meeting. As a long-established power , Scholars naturally carried a sense of arrogance. Even if this was unintentionally revealed, it was enough for Bran to return it with contempt.

The one who met with Bran was the leader of this Scholar delegation—Jonah. He hoped to exchange the secret of the Dead for mediating the conflict between Bran and the Anya People, but Bran firmly refused. Although Bran himself did not understand the cause, it did not stop him from using it as leverage. Bran wanted a more reasonable exchange—knowledge. He wanted to obtain books on geography, history, and such subjects.

To persuade Bran, Jonah clearly stated that the Anya People’s coming this time was not just about revenge. At first, some indeed came to help a friend get revenge, but as things developed, their purpose was no longer so simple. They were more attracted by the Wizard’s secret, which was why so many “allies” came rushing upon hearing the news.

Such a mixed group with many factions was something any opponent needed to think twice about. They not only had Knights skilled with swords and archers who never missed, but also many Wizards. Through this confrontation, they would make you Northlanders understand the seriousness and ultimately force you to hand over this secret.

Facing Jonah’s expression of pretending to do what’s best for him, Bran saw things clearly. Scholars were no different from the Anya People; both were good at schemes. One used the name of revenge to pressure with force; the other used the name of help to go with the flow. But all their schemes were based on past experiences. Now, Bran no longer wanted to dwell on this matter. This kind of arrogant delusion could only be defeated by facts. Rising would always require some sacrifices. He would let the world know that a new era had arrived.

So Bran shifted the conversation to a direction he was more interested in. He raised his own question: “What makes you so urgent?”

Jonah did not hide it. “Knowledge needs accumulation. Every old Scholar is extremely precious. But people eventually die. The appearance of the Dead gave me hope.”

Bran keenly caught the problem in this. “Me? This is your personal decision?”

“For now, yes. But I believe they will support my idea.”

“No one would choose Death, even if he is about to die?” Bran whispered.

Jonah looked down at Bran, speaking from a superior position. “We are Scholars!”

With these words, a faint bloody smell actually emanated from Jonah, making Bran narrow his eyes slightly.

Bran looked up and began to take the person before him seriously. From these words, he heard a sense of recklessness. Just like when he said this was the Northlands. Bran took a deep breath. He liked this smell; it had been too long since he felt this way after returning from the Trial. Obsession? For the pursuit, for some kind of recognition.

“Most of your companions won’t agree,” Bran reminded him. “But I will support you. If they disappoint you, you can come back to me.”

After the meeting ended, Jonah and the others were arranged to stay in the city. Bran said he would give them a surprise, a huge surprise.

…

Sandstone City had never been quiet. After Bran made contact with the Dead, the Dead found a way to reach him. Various voices kept coming from that direction. Although Bran remained silent, the Dead did not give up. A few days ago, cheers came from the direction of Sandstone City; new Dead had joined them.

Some unseen force had brought all this about. Even though Bran didn’t want to think about it or admit it, he could feel that he was like a virus. His ability constantly assimilated and corrupted everything around him. After his Mana fully gained vitality, the assimilation began to become uncontrollable. The difference between intentional and unintentional was only in the speed of corruption.

Sandstone? A completely unremarkable stone, the main building material of Sandstone City. Who would have thought, who could have imagined? After being corrupted by his Mana, it underwent unknown changes.

Everything seemed to have been arranged. He became a Wizard, met a Fairy, came here, entered Sandstone City, and finally the Dead appeared.

What am I, then? Bran couldn’t help but feel confused. Am I among the living, or the Dead? What is my relationship with this body? He thought he was a complete Northlander, at least he had once made himself believe that. But with the appearance of the Dead, he hesitated.

A mirror appeared in Bran’s hand. The person in the mirror felt somewhat unfamiliar. Who am I? This question, which hadn’t appeared for a long time, surfaced again in Bran’s mind.

The sandstone in Sandstone City was definitely not ordinary; it must have its special properties. But under the control of fear, Bran chose to stay away from there. This time, he was truly scared. Yet he couldn’t help being curious, so he decided to investigate this secret through someone else’s hands.

The Scholar—Jonah—came just in time. He completely overturned Bran’s impression of Scholars. This was nothing like the cold, learned, detached beings Sean had described. In Jonah, he sensed depression, resentment, and cold-bloodedness. How many such people were there in the City of Wisdom? Experiments on life and Death—there wouldn’t be few deaths. Such a person was just right.

…

Jonah and the others did not have to wait long. The surprise came very quickly. Rows of corpses stripped of their armor hung on both sides of the road, lined up far, far into the distance, as if without end…

Bran’s calm tone seemed to still echo in their ears: “I’ll see you off here. I believe you will find your way back.”

They had misjudged! They had made a huge joke; the bargaining chips they wanted to exchange were easily wiped away. And they were given a warning, a very stern warning.

…

The night owl once again brought new news to the City of Wisdom, news that could change the future—the Dead!

At first, it was exactly as Bran had guessed: “No one would choose Death, even if he is about to die.”

This wasn’t Bran’s imagination, because he had seen too many choices made by the dying—choices that spared no cost for life. Even if some choices seemed undignified to him and came with great pain.

The Scholars argued, shouted, and the entire City of Wisdom seemed somewhat chaotic. Until someone uttered a word with strange, magical power—Immortality.