Chapter 215: The Mountain Pass

Chapter 215: The Mountain Pass

Zack’s group had not gone far from Twofold Mountain when a team came forward to meet them. The arrivals were from the Niels Family, who had been waiting by the roadside for a long time.

The stubbornness of the Northlanders showed when the two groups joined up. Zack only asked the other party to lead the way in front and did not allow them to mix into his own ranks.

Having left their familiar surroundings, Zack grew alert. This was an instinct buried deep in the bloodline of the Northlanders, shaped by the perilous wilderness of the Northlands. The White Wolves trotted along, occasionally baring their fangs to warn any stranger or livestock that came too close.

Seeing this behavior from the Northlanders, Kaden and Bernard secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

…

A family might decline because of one person, or rise because of one person. The Niels Family was like that.

Having lost its Royal Family, the noble titles of the Green Kingdom also became worthless. But Niels was not affected by this. In the few letters exchanged between him and Bran, Bran still addressed him and his family using their noble title. Since the Great Wizard recognized his noble title, who would dare question its legitimacy?

After some back and forth, other nobles also hoped to take Bran’s path, but they received no response at all. Seeing this approach was blocked, the nobles thought of a roundabout method. They began to flirt with Niels, and for a time, an overwhelming flood of letters flew toward him.

This was a bare-faced transaction, so along with the letters came a large amount of wealth. Through these connections, his network gradually widened. No one would destroy their own fortress, so the prestige of the Niels Family slowly became distinguished.

Niels understood very clearly what was behind his family’s rising prominence, so Northland City became a key focus. There were always family members stationed there, and they would report back immediately at the slightest sign of trouble.

The only pity was that after his daughter’s Awakening, she forgot many things, basically cutting off contact with the family. But perhaps it was just as well. As long as his daughter was alive, no matter what changes happened outside, the family Bloodline would not die out. In this world, where could be safer than the current Northland City?

He hoped Zoya and Bran would have a result. If they could have descendants, then the family would be completely secure. But some not-so-good rumors came, saying that because he was too powerful, the Great Wizard might not be able to have children.

He had seen some Wizards marry and have children, so why couldn’t the Great Wizard? It was really puzzling. Wizard matters were always baffling. He hoped this was just a false rumor, and that Zoya would not become like Bran. If she wanted to pursue great power, she should consider it only after leaving behind a Bloodline.

The armed forces of Northland City had left home for the first time, which made the nobles of Green feel both nervous and excited. As Bran grew more powerful, such opportunities would become fewer and fewer.

Just like back then, Bran gave people a chance to choose, but unfortunately, those who dared to stake their claim early were always few. Even he had benefited thanks to Zoya.

Green was becoming increasingly chaotic. People urgently needed a strong leader to restore order and lead them in securing everything they had. Now Bran had clearly shown he did not want to bother with outside matters, but if he did not give his nod, who would dare step forward?

Some not-so-good signs had already appeared. Those White-robed Ones had received fiefdoms in their identity as Wizards. If this continued, the traditional Nobles of Green would have nowhere to go.

Whispers and gossip began to spread. Many people were mocked as—declining farmers.

Having no other choice, he was forcibly pushed forward by everyone. Their goal was simple: welcome this group into the city and settle them in the former guards’ barracks. After that, everything would follow naturally—announce to the outside that the place had been designated as the permanent station of Northland City. Once the banner of Northland City was raised in the Royal Capital, they did not plan to let it come down.

If they settled there properly when going, they would surely continue to use it when returning. If they used this station on their first trip, it would become a habit for the second and third times.

As long as they drew the forces of Northland City into the Royal Capital, people’s hearts would gradually stabilize, and certain matters could be slowly planned.

With anxiety, Niels secretly prayed: he hoped everything would go smoothly.

Zhuoma stayed by her father’s side. Seeing her troubled father, she felt somewhat puzzled. She could not understand why her father wanted to take the lead? Wouldn’t it be better to stay away from the chaotic whirlpool of the Royal Capital?

As her father gradually took control of the family’s power, he often brought her along with him. So she knew that while her father seemed to have been forced forward by others, it was actually a case of playing hard to get.

She thought of her younger sister, but her sister no longer contacted the family. At first, she had been happy, thinking it was a necessary sacrifice, a highly profitable exchange. But slowly she realized something was wrong. She began to feel it wasn’t worth it for her sister, because her father had changed. If the initial choice was out of helplessness, for the survival of the family, then what was all this for now?

Did they want to steal the Wizard’s Authority? What a daydream!

Her father said he would hand the family over to her, but she was no longer interested. Everything was a castle in the air. Her father took Bran’s politeness as a gesture of goodwill, but she knew—it was not!

She had contact with Bran and knew he was not really like a Northlander. Some politeness seemed more like habit. He would instinctively say “please,” say “thank you,” and even use respectful titles, but that did not mean he truly thought that way.

She had reminded her father, but clearly, he had not listened.

Recalling the bits and pieces of her time with Bran, she did not think her father would come to a good end. Bran had already given the family something in return because of her sister, and the family had not truly given anything.

The recent things Bran had done had spread throughout the Continent. She suddenly realized, if Bran wanted to seize something, who could stop him? When her sister went to Northland City back then, was it really an exchange? Now it seemed more like he took her in, letting her live freely, letting her become Zoya of the Northlands.

She patted her head and let out a long sigh. Her sister had not forgotten anything. She just did not want to bring it up again.