"No, we didn't feel our spell being dismantled. Rather than saying that... it's more like it's been cut off," an apprentice replied.

Blocking spiritual power, it should be mind ability. Brand immediately concluded that the most famous mind-related spells are spiritual energy, and secondly, holy words and witchcraft also involve a part of it. In Amber Sword, ghosts are known for using mind power to create illusion techniques, twisting people's minds, amplifying fear a thousand times—when you feel their icy fingertips passing through your chest, you have already turned to ice—not because of cold, but because your heart has fallen into eternal darkness.

Thus, indeed there could be a ghost lord inside the Stone Coffin, so Brand thought for a moment and released the White Deer Statue from his pocket. Everyone saw a luminescent white deer appear in the tomb. Initially, the accompanying mercenaries were startled, but when they realized it was their Lord's summon, they were relieved, though the look they cast towards Brand inexplicably carried more reverence.

In the legends of Erune, the White Deer is a Holy Spirit, and those favored by it often become legendary heroes. This saying particularly holds sway among the Southern mountain people because occasionally someone might sight a White Stag in the forest.

After the white deer appeared, it actually retreated slightly, uneasily pawing the ground. This behavior made Brand frown; the Holy White Deer is a bane to all evil beings, yet the boss-level monster in the stone coffin could actually unsettle it, making Brand alert immediately. All sorts of details confirmed that his initial intuition wasn't wrong; there was definitely something strange in this tomb.

He couldn't help but exchange a glance with Char; when they dismantled the seal outside earlier, they had actually realized something was off.

"Should we... retrieve those things, my Lord?" a Wizard Apprentice standing by asked somewhat nervously as they observed Brand's expression.

Everyone could see that there might be something strange inside the burial chamber, and who knows what dangers might be encountered inside. Adventuring in underground tombs is inherently extremely dangerous, with terrifying evil creatures and deadly curses that have claimed countless adventurers' lives. But Brand's reputation in the Lengshan Domain is unparalleled at the moment, so if he gave the order, most of the wizards and adventurers present would probably follow blindly. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

However, Brand shook his head. Although he is now a lord, and in name or in the heart of that Princess of the North, he could be considered an outstanding noble. If Antitina were here, she would surely admonish him that risking himself is not the conduct of a good superior. But essentially, he is still that simple-minded player and the rustic young man from the countryside of Brags. Regardless of the excuse, sending people to die or walk into a trap is not something even a normal player would do to an NPC with intelligence and thought.

Moreover, without much thought, if it were so easy to take out the spoils of war, the Stone Coffin wouldn't still be here. As things stand, it seems only by slaying the Boss inside the coffin could they have a chance at obtaining the 'treasure' here. This is the most basic setup of a game; although Vorn is no longer merely a game, after all, it originated from Amber Sword, and up until now, Brand hasn't seen this world deviate too much from the original one.

"You all step back; this is not a fight you can meddle in." He turned back, pointing his Longsword at others to give the order, simultaneously giving Char a look, signaling for them to approach from left and right. He decided to open the Stone Coffin first and see what exactly this monster is.

But this command left everyone present stunned; they had never seen a lord who would first confront danger himself. Most felt strange since Brand's actions were, in the traditional views of this world, somewhat unconventional—or to be blunt, not like a lord or a noble. However, no one openly criticized; there was only silence, at least everyone understood the righteousness contained in this order.

Though everyone knew that in the struggles among nobles, only those with hearts hard as iron truly reach high positions. But in reality, no one wants to follow someone who is cold and heartless to those around them.

The young mage Lei Lian watched this scene, unable to help but hold his breath. He came from a noble family; to him, his father was a small noble busy with scheming and connections daily. He had also seen those deep-minded, unsmiling great nobles, and Brand, as he knew, completely defied all the noble images he had ever seen.

In fact, the mercenaries around him, even the wizards, firmly believed Brand was a genuine noble—yes, because that lord was knowledgeable and seemed to understand everything. Only a noble could have such a profound heritage. However, for Lei Lian, it was not so; with his meticulousness and keen sense, it wasn't hard to spot those aspects of his Lord that didn't fit with being a noble, causing him to suspect at one time that Brand was not a noble. Of course, such suspicions couldn't explain Brand's knowledge and poised confidence, nor would it shake his loyalty to this lord, though it did frequently leave him puzzled.

But now, he was certain.

From the moment Brand turned back, using the Longsword to give them orders, he suddenly noticed on that Longsword the gleam of a true noble. It wasn't a demeanor that the current Erune nobles could possess; it was the flair of ancient nobles, where the king's and nobles' swords always led ahead of their people. They held high the banner, leading the ancients through the darkness, carving out a path toward Order and Light.

In the darkness, what flowed was the blood of the noble.

That was the path of the ancient sages.

Lei Lian, watching the backs of Brand and Char, couldn't help but instinctively step forward. Yet at this moment, Brand and Char were already one on the left and one on the right, placing their hands on the Stone Coffin. At this very moment, the temperature in the tomb plummeted, everyone felt a layer of white frost growing visibly on the tomb's walls, and in an instant became thick and snow-white.

In just a few moments, everyone present started chattering their teeth.

"What the hell is this ghost thing!"

Brand's exclamation shattered the lofty image that Lei Lian had just formed in his heart, and the noble demeanor dissipated into thin air, turning back into that lord who was easily startled. Of course, Lei Lian didn't know that this image is called a player; he would never know. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)