In the Star Mage’s month, the beginning of each year is called the Winter Zither Moon. Winter Lyra governs a person’s charm, thus January is the social month, with most of the kingdom’s banquets and winter hunting activities taking place.
June is called the Moon of Summer Haze, Haze meaning the moonlight of summer nights, marking the days of magic resurgence since the summer slumber of Vorn. Therefore, wizards’ activities usually become more frequent after this month—whether they are the wizards of the living or the dead.
And then comes July, the Flame River Month, days when the sun walks upon the ground. Sun God Perkin governs strength, making this month the month of strength, in the far East, the Beastmen hold their biggest celebration, the Flame Festival.
Similarly, for countries under the protection of the Flame Temple, this is also a crucial month. Erune’s annual grand ceremony, the Flame Festival’s celebration activities, should have started in this month much earlier, but in the Golan-Elsen Region, from farmers to high nobles, they have lost interest because of the continuous bad news of warfare since the end of May.
However, things seem to have improved, with rumors spreading in the countryside that the terrifying monster army in the South has stopped at Dragos, no longer advancing northward, and that the Silver Winged Cavalry won two battles on the front line, capturing many battle banners.
But there are also talks of defeats, in short, various conflicting news at the rear make it hard to tell truth from falsehood. Thank goodness, country folks are always willing to believe good things, and fortunately, Earl Najin of Bragsburg, wise and valiant, has managed to protect his region, earning widespread praise.
By the seventh day, the Instarlon army turned towards Jandener, bringing peace back to Golan-Elsen’s countryside.
It’s said people have witnessed the end of the war because July is the month the sun walks on the ground, the undead will burn upon contact, naturally leading the kingdom to a counteroffensive.
These rumors spread from unknown sources, yet in just a few days, they had widely circulated in this region.
Brand sat by an elmwood table, casually listening to the conversation among a few country farmers not far away. He and others had left Ankeze and traveled along the road towards Bragsburg for two days—the front line was gradually becoming less tense, and the undead were decreasing, at least the farmers were right about one thing—the war was nearing its end.
Madden brought Buqi’s villagers to Ankeze; the news of Buqi Region’s fall reached Fanmir Fortress, he naturally became a hero. The Guard Team and militia of Buqi also basked in the glow, Frey and Roman both made it onto the commendation list, though this was just the tip of the iceberg, Brand knew the real show was yet to come.
After the war, the kingdom needs to establish heroes, it’s an unparalleled way to inspire people, promoting the war always comes down to grand celebration, winning or losing doesn’t matter, as long as it blooms beautifully.
But when Madden’s group reached Ankeze, they were immediately sent to Bragsburg, the nobles eager to reap tangible benefits, the Guard Team and militia requiring substantial awards, whereas they only needed the reputation of effective command, which posed no conflict.
Although Brand knew early on that the title would ultimately fall upon White Mane Commander Count Pula, when detailed, the inside stories were nothing more than local nobles and local legions scheming against each other.
However, two pieces of news caught Brand by surprise.
First, Buqi’s Guard Team was not entirely wiped out, heard that Breson and his two deputies survived, just the thought of that annoying fellow made Brand feel utterly disgusted, like swallowing a fly.
Regardless, as comrades who endured hardships together, he felt a slight relief in his heart.
The other piece of news was more intriguing, ’Tiger’ Luc Besson was still alive. Confirming this news, Brand felt as if struck by lightning, neither worry nor relief, but rather an inexplicable, conflicted feeling.
Did history change because of him?
"Damn it, these idiots! It was Madara who merely changed the initial attack, what does it have to do with those cowardly nobles anyway? These people know absolutely nothing—Brand, who’s Earl Najin?"