Indeed it’s not very easy, Brand is also aware that this noble council is less a peace negotiation and more a last resort for both sides to gain leverage; every participant is the pinnacle of power in Erune. Anlek, Sipah, Kerkova, Viero, Karasu, Golan-Elsen, the six Dukes, two Marquises—Lord of Sword Castle, White Lion Legion Commander Marquis Balta, and the King’s cousin Marquis Youxi, as well as five Privileged Earls, plus two Chief Priests of the Holy Temple and numerous business leaders from Ambeser; trying to mingle among these people would be difficult without sky-high skills.

Nevertheless, this isn’t a one-time matter; the nobles intend to delay until next week to start a new round of negotiations, thus Brand has time. He delegated this task to Su, because he has more important matters to attend to. After settling the young men of the White Lion Legion, he traveled lightly and swiftly with Antitina and Qian, rented a carriage, and headed directly to the Inner City.

The carriage’s destination was the Ande Fulei Grand Temple within the city. This temple was founded in the year 227 of the First Epoch, more than a hundred years ago. The temple was funded by the city’s merchants and completed by the architectural Master Rogning. It’s Ambeser’s most famous artistic treasure. The main hall is elliptical with numerous pillars extending from the wings, and the pointed arch doorway symbolizes the majesty and supremacy of divine power. Pilgrims ascend the 120-step staircase slowly, greeted by the grand fountain square ahead, forming a natural majesty.

The plaza in front of the temple forbids carriage travel. When Antitina and the three of them alighted from the carriage, they were left speechless by the grandeur of this temple—anyone who came from the south, often called bumpkins by locals of Ambeser, would be dumbstruck upon seeing this temple—whether noble or civilian. This is the only place in Erune where one can transition to being a Holy Temple Knight. There are two knight ranks in Erune’s Flame Temple, Temple Knight is a title granted to those who transcend the Elemental Wall, while Holy Temple Knight is a true profession. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Originally, Holy Temple Knights were monk soldiers of the temple, but later, it was opened to the aristocratic children; players need to meet two conditions to advance to this profession: one, a clean background; two, a deep reverence for the Golden Fire that symbolizes the spirit of the King of Flames. The latter is simple; with religious knowledge (Kruz) at Level 10, one can achieve it, but the former is more troublesome, requiring an introduction letter from a prominent noble.

The letter in Brand’s hand was issued in the name of Erune’s Academic Master Turaman. After the Wolf Calamity battle, asking Turaman to write an introduction letter for him was an easy task for Brand, especially since he had long intended to take on the role of a Holy Temple Knight, naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Speaking of which, this was the second introduction letter Turaman had written for him; the old man laughingly called Brand a sly little fox whenever he looked him up with a sign of trouble, obviously reminding him he hadn’t forgotten that minor trick last time.

To this, Brand could only smile indifferently; at that time, he had no choice, especially since, truth be told, he hadn’t entirely lied. It’s just that Brand did not wish to prematurely trigger the Stone Tablet War to disrupt history, hence this matter was left unsaid.

Brand handed the introduction letter to the guard at the temple entrance—those who serve as Guard Knights outside the main entrance of the Ande Fulei Grand Temple are no simple people. Most of these individuals hail from noble backgrounds with substantial heritage. Hence, the guard recognized the extraordinary origination of the silver letter in Brand’s hand at a glance. He dared not neglect, and after inquiring Brand’s intentions, immediately led him into the back hall, the resting place for the priests.

If it were an ordinary person, naturally, this Holy Temple Guard wouldn’t be so accommodating, but Brand accompanied by a red-haired, ponytail-wearing warrior girl Qian in martial attire and a noble girl Antitina in a black formal gown. The high-level warrior aura from the former cannot be disguised, and the latter’s demeanor is undoubtedly the type only those high-ranking nobles can afford to cultivate. In addition, Brand’s current mental presence is not lacking, paired with the golden rank aura, naturally invokes an illusion of high status.

This is the reason Brand only brought Qian and Antitina along; the Holy Temple Guard mistook Brand at first glance as a descendant of high-ranking nobles, psychologically believing him by three parts, plus the dazzling private emblem on that silver letter naturally dared not question.