This last remark sent a shock through Brianâs heart.
"You...?"
His eyes widened, his shock now even more intense than before as he stared into Reigerâs eyes.
"Yes," Reiger nodded, very calmly, "That night, I encountered the vampire in the forest and fought with her."
"Itâs just, I didnât expect you to be there and, because of that battle, to end up like you are now."
"So, if we must speak of it, am I partly to blame for your current state?"
Despite his words, there was not a hint of apology on Reigerâs face.
It was to be expected.
"Who asked you to be a thief at that time? Consider it karma, perhaps?"
Reiger curled his lips into a smile and said this to Brian.
"Itâs fine to want to become stronger, but you must think carefully about how to do it, or else this is what happens."
Leaving those words behind, Reiger turned and no longer paid attention to Brian.
"This is as far as I go, the rest is up to you," Reiger said to Gejiev, "No problems, right?"
"Yes, yes," Gejiev instantly reacted and repeated, "Thatâs plenty, thank you, sir."
"Then Iâll head back to the hotel now," Reiger nodded and said, "If thereâs anything, come find me at the hotel."
"Yes," Gejiev bowed to Reiger and said, "Have a safe journey."
Reiger smiled, nodded to the others, and then finally left the courtyard, leaving the place.
Brian remained standing there, still dazed, long unable to respond.
Only at that moment did everyone present finally come back to their senses, and involuntarily started moving toward Gejiev.
Gejiev approached Brian, who still stood there dumbfounded, a look of concern spreading across his face.
"Brian Angelos," Gejiev gently called out, "Are you alright?"
The others also looked at Brian, worried about his state.
Under everyoneâs gaze, Brian lowered his head, his shoulders beginning to tremble.
Just when everyone thought Brian was overwhelmed and had completely lost his composure, Brian, who had lowered his head, suddenly started to laugh.
It started small and grew to a loud, echoing laughter.
"Hahaha...hahahaha...!"
Brian laughed as if he were mad, his laughter unusually joyous, unusually merry.
"So it was you, one of the monsters from that time...it was you...!"
Brian was happy and laughed heartily because of this.
"Lord Brian Angelos? Whatâs with you?"
Clemâs voice quivered, apparently frightened by Brianâs demeanor.
Only Gejiev and the others vaguely understood why Brian suddenly laughed so heartily.
The reason was actually very simple.
"Such a level of monster, not being a different race but a human!"
"Humans can become this strong!"
"Is this the potential, the ultimate destiny of humanity?"
"I really have been ignorant!"
Brian laughed and laughed, and even started dancing with joy.
"Yes, only someone as strong as him deserves to judge all humanity; Iâm far from his level!"
"Itâs not that humans canât be that strong, itâs just that I havenât become that strong yet!"
"Itâs my efforts that arenât enough yet!"
Despite talking about his own shortcomings, Brian didnât feel discouraged at all; instead, he grew happier and more delighted as he spoke.
"My efforts have definitely not been in vain, right? If I continue striving, I will definitely become stronger and stronger, perhaps even as strong as him!"
Speaking such words, Brianâs eyes became fiercely passionate, and the previous ash of death and despair had completely disappeared.
Seeing Brian like this, whether it was Gejiev or Gegran, they finally felt relieved.
"Iâm glad you could come to realize it, Angelos,"
Gejiev was the first to bless Brian and sincerely showed a smile.
Not bad, you finally seem a bit like the Brian Angelos I remember,"
Gegran also showed a satisfied expression.
"Strogonov."
Brian was awakened from his excitement, and upon seeing Gejiev, who was genuinely happy for him, he suddenly calmed down.
After calming down, Brian showed Gejiev a grateful expression.
"Was that person the one you specifically requested for me?" Brian thanked Gejiev and said, "Thank you for your concern for me."
"It was just a small effort," Gejiev shook his head and said, "Such a man as you, if defeated, would have been too much of a pity. I just harbored this thought and tried it."
"But you saved me, saved my life, saved my existence," Brian looked at his fierce rival he had once dreamed of defeating and solemnly said, "Thanks to you, I was able to pick up the sword again. This kindness, I, Brian Angelos, will remember."
Seeing the unprecedented solemnity on Brianâs face, Gejiev suddenly smiled.
"If thatâs the case, let me see your sword once again," Gejiev spoke to Brian with a warriorâs expression, "I have always regarded you as a rival. Having seen that sword strike just now, I can hardly wait to experience it for myself."
"Youâre referring to âTigerâs Fall,â right?" Brianâs words made him smile bitterly, humbly saying, "Had it been before, I would have been overjoyed by your words, right?"
"That sword was created to defeat you,"
"But now, I already know that there are people beyond me, and compared to that personâs sword, my âTigerâs Fallâ is merely childâs play,"
Such self-deprecating words left those present unable to utter a single word in rebuttal.
Recalling that dazzling slash of lightning, people couldnât help but agree with Brian subconsciously.
Indeed, Brianâs sword was quick and strong, but compared to that one, it truly fell short significantly.
"...I can understand your feelings."
Gejiev also started to smile bitterly immediately.
It couldnât be helped.
"My âSix-Light Continuous Slashâ was also easily dissolved by Lord Brillhaut, and at that time, he didnât even have to use the same strike you just described," Gejiev sighed and said, "Had it not been for you, I wouldnât have known that he had such proficiency in swordsmanship."
Everyone was immediately stunned.
"You didnât know?" Gegran said in surprise, "Didnât you already know that person was strong?"
"I havenât denied that," Gejiev hesitated, then finally added, "But, I always thought his real skill was in magic, and he only had a slight involvement with the sword."
"Only today did I realize how terribly wrong I was,"
The deeper meaning of these words was clear to everyone.
The ever-silent Ivey spoke in an incredulous tone and said,
"Do you mean heâs actually a Magic Singer proficient in magic?"
The response that came was unimaginably affirmative.
"Although I donât know how profound his attainment is, I can confirm that Lord Brillhaut can use fifth-tier magic,"
"So, he is indeed a Magic Singer proficient in magic,
"And, he has already stepped into the Heroic Domain."
The words of Gejiev clearly echoed in the courtyard.
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"Such an impressive person..."
Clemâs murmuring voice began to carry an undeniable admiration.
Brian felt the same, his eyes filled with longing.
Gegran and Ivey exchanged glances as if they had a thousand words to share.
Reiger Brillhaut, this name was deeply engraved in the hearts of everyone present, making it unforgettable.