Chapter 265: The Endless

Chapter 265: The Endless

Bran was just careless for a moment. If the Ancient Tree had not been wandering around, if his roots were still there, then even Sister would have had a hard time finding out under the protection of his entwined roots.

At that time, he walked to the Little Tree and gently stroked its trunk. “I should have let you sleep in his bed from the start.” But alas, it was too late for any words now.

First Danny, then Mary, and finally everyone from the Bran Family came to his side. The group stood in silence, their expressions solemn.

Unable to bear the serious mood, Bran urged, “What are you standing around for? Go and take some, take double portions.”

Mary glared. “You’re trying to trick me. Even if we take ten portions, it’s still our own stuff.”

For once, Danny did not hit her, which greatly disappointed Bran. Since they had already caught on, Bran saw no point in trying to persuade them further.

The group stood there, staring wide-eyed at the people coming and going from the Treasure Vault, while Mary muttered softly nearby, “Another box gone.”

Bran let out a long sigh. “Stop counting.”

Then he grinned. “Let me tell you a secret. The really good stuff is buried deep inside. They won’t be able to dig it out anytime soon.”

This statement finally had some effect, but Mary was still reluctant. “I’ll go keep an eye on things.”

“Come back! You’ll only make it easier to expose us if you go watch. Stay here, all of you. Let them carry it!”

After Bran’s Treasure Vault was exposed, the festive atmosphere reached a peak. Although most Northlanders couldn’t carry out box after box like the Bran Family, they could still grab a handful when they went in. Even some children would sneak in and take a few items.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Bran Family, led by Danny with Mary assisting, decided to seal the vault. But the seal was broken again and again. While everyone in the Bran Family was fierce and brave, their numbers were simply too few.

In Northland City, the Great Wizard’s treasure was now common knowledge. The mountain-like pile of treasures sparked people’s imaginations. Rumors spread that Wizard Bran would automatically produce hundreds of items every day…

While most people were dazzled by the treasure, Heavy Axe sought out Bran alone. Heavy Axe had no interest in trinkets and such; she only wanted a batch of weapons. She would follow the old rules and have a shipment of materials delivered.

Bran called Danny and Mary over and had them discuss the details of the delivery with Heavy Axe. It was this very negotiation that freed Bran from his awkward predicament.

Actually, Heavy Axe looked down on the performance of Danny and the others. Out of sympathy, she helped Bran. She reminded Danny and the others not to just guard the junk in the vault, but to keep a good eye on Bran himself. What difference did it make whether those things were there or not?

She had seen the things in the vault several times; with so many people taking stuff, it didn’t seem to be decreasing. Besides, this was the Northlands. Did they really think her fellow clansmen would just take their things for free?

Then, in a tone of an experienced person, she concluded: “You are all too young, and with no elders to watch over you, you’ve all become too rash. Since you can’t hide it anymore, be more generous. Send a box to each family.”

Mary instinctively said, “Mine…”

Heavy Axe glared. “Try talking back again. Believe me, I’ll crush you with my axe.”

Later that day, Danny found Bran and asked him what he was thinking.

Bran said, “I didn’t mean to hide it from anyone. It’s just that if there’s too much stuff, it won’t be valuable. Look, in the past, if I gave Mary a trinket or two occasionally, she’d be so happy she’d blow snot bubbles. And now?”

Danny felt somewhere between amusement and exasperation. “So you’ve been tricking us like this?”

“I had no choice,” Bran said with a sigh. “What am I going to use to trick you in the future? Before, I could just casually take a couple of items, and that would cover Mary and Zack’s wedding gifts. Now?

I don’t really care about the things in the vault. I’m just worried about how to get by in the future.”

Hearing Bran’s complaint, Danny angrily swatted him. Then she asked uncertainly, “Are the really good things really buried deepest inside?”

Hearing this, Bran laughed heartlessly. “You believe that? I was just fooling them. The stuff further out is actually better. I’m improving all the time, my Mana is constantly renewing, and the things are piled up layer by layer like that. And with such a huge pile, why would I bother digging out the old stuff to bury the new underneath?

You can tell from my sister and younger sister’s behavior. They only loot the outermost layer. Those are the best right now, things I made after touching the Sea of Magic.

My two foolish brothers don’t get it. They’re digging desperately towards the depths.”

Having said this, Bran had another idea. “Danny, I just thought of a good plan. Next time Mary acts up, we can tell her, ‘You can go to the depths of the vault and choose a real treasure.'”

Danny laughed and patted Bran’s shoulder in agreement.

…

Many people believed the vault was just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps in some corner of this city, there were other hidden treasures. This rumor was especially popular among the Northlands youth, who began searching the city in small groups. Even Xirui believed this fabricated rumor and specially went to Bran to verify it.

Bran, having lost his credibility, didn’t know how to answer his younger sister’s question. No matter what answer he gave, she would only half-believe him. So, Bran said in an uncertain tone, “Maybe? You know, my abilities might unintentionally affect the surroundings sometimes, leaving things behind.”

“Liar!” Xirui verbally denied it, but then turned around and began using her abilities to probe.

In this atmosphere, Mary began the most important ceremony of her life—her wedding.