Some do not fear so-called failure or death, but if someone stabs them in the back, causing them to veer off their intended course, that is another matter entirely. To sever one's future is a profound hatred, an enmity that cannot coexist under the same sky.
To those who help and believe in her, she will be honest and hold them in her heart; but those who turn against her and betray her will be flayed, their sinews torn, their bones crushed, and their ashes scattered... And it was with such an emotion that Sellen set out to find a certain someone.
"Caria Manor has fallen into such ruin... well, I suppose this is the inherent flaw of a monarchy." A monarch, much like a Law, invites a sense of dependence; a brood cannot be without a leader precisely because of people's extreme reliance on a superior figure.
However, these are stages that human culture cannot avoid, and Sellen did not intend to deny them. Nevertheless, she hoped for more extraordinary talents—individuals capable of turning the tide and inheriting the mantle of leadership.
"Mmh~ my dear apprentice fits perfectly," Sellen laughed crisply, her expression full of doting affection. "As good as my apprentice is... I cannot rely on him too much. This time is about making a final break with the past... so that my thoughts can truly become transparent..."
Upon entering the manor, she encountered many sorcerers belonging to Caria. They were full of hostility toward Sellen for trespassing, especially since she was the notorious Graven-Mass Witch.
Currently, Sellen had discarded her former glintstone crown. Her dignified yet somewhat indifferent face was revealed to all without reservation. Her portrait had long circulated among sorcerers; whether wearing the glintstone mask or the true face beneath it, she was well-known.
Sellen was naturally unsociable. A person's growth is inseparable from the environment of their youth; a displaced and lonely Sellen naturally considered matters from the perspective of her own greatest interest. However, humans are creatures capable of learning, and learning means restraining and suppressing instinct to reveal a new self.
Thus, Sellen suppressed her egoistic nature and did not deal a fatal blow to the sorcerers before her. She merely used her magic to knock them unconscious. Looking at the crowd of sorcerers collapsed on the ground, Sellen smiled meaningfully. "In the future, Caria might become my apprentice's domain... better leave a margin of mercy."
Sellen, having received a body reshaped by a Larval Tear and possessing her natural magical talent from her youth, had become terrifyingly powerful. Even the Carian Knights—the trump card of Caria—could not obstruct her path.
These Carian warriors did not understand. They didn't understand why Sellen would raid Caria. Was it pure revenge? But if it was revenge, why hadn't she killed them? In the end, they could only watch Sellen's retreating back powerlessly, their minds filled with questions.
"Ah... my poor puppets are damaged again. But it matters not, I can have as many bodies as I wish... we must always be family." On the second floor of a building, a hunched, small man draped in a black cloak was busy tinkering with something. He was so utterly engrossed that he didn't notice the danger approaching from behind...
"Old man, you truly are devoted," a voice suddenly reached the old man's ears. It was a female voice, so cold it made his courage shatter and his hair stand on end. He turned his head in panic, his eyes bulging as if they were about to burst from their sockets...
"Sel... Sellen!! No... no, how are you here..." The old man's foot slipped, his back hit a puppet, and his feet kept frantically scrambling backward. "No, stay back!! I... I am a servant of Caria!"
"Seluvis... no, perhaps I should call you Pidia, shouldn't I... old man?" Within Sellen's brilliant, starry eyes flashed a terrifying emotion. From the perspective of one with a weak mind, that gaze was no different from the fear of staring directly into a galactic explosion.
Looking at the constantly shrieking Pidia, Sellen felt nothing but loathing. After giving him a harsh, cutting glare, she said, "Old man, how about we play a game? If you can endure it, I'll spare your life."
Sellen looked down at Pidia. Had the Erdtree not forbidden the existence of filth, he likely would have lost control of his bowels by now out of sheer terror...
Hearing there was a way to live, Pidia scrambled to kneel and beg for mercy, his voice trembling violently: "Yes, yes, yes... I'll play, I'll play! Spare my life, spare my life... I'll never do it again, never again..."
Seeing his lowly, fearful state, Sellen felt refreshed. Releasing one's true nature once in a while wasn't bad... Then, Sellen revealed a meaningful smile and said, "This game requires your 'dear children' to join in."
With those words, Sellen gave a simple, crisp snap of her fingers. Those puppets, which had been motionless as if dead, stood up with a clack-clack. Their soulless eyes stared directly at Pidia. Pidia panicked instantly: "You... what are you going to do!?"
"What am I doing? Playing a game. Alright, from now on, the game officially begins. What you must do is keep your body whole under the 'affectionate' behavior of your dear children. Have a pleasant game." Sellen covered her mouth and laughed softly. The sound was crisp, but to Pidia's ears, it was like a demon's whisper.
Pidia struggled in terror, screaming and howling incessantly: "No! You can't do this to me...! Have you forgotten the happy times we lived together...? I treated you like my children. No... NO!"
The group of puppets swarmed forward, surrounding Pidia so tightly that even Sellen on the outside could no longer see him. But this was exactly the effect she wanted... And within those normally emotionless, dim eyes, a hint of frenzy appeared... it seemed to be the original resentment of the owners of those bodies...
They hated this man... hated this man who used potions to control them and turn them into puppets. Soon, Pidia went silent. The puppets dispersed, leaving only a patch of blood on the ground. Pidia was gone, not even a bone remained...
After killing Pidia, the puppets looked back stiffly at Sellen and then exploded where they stood. The aftershock of the explosion blew a brown hat out, which fell into Sellen's hand. Sellen remained silent... this was perhaps the best end for these puppet-thralls who had been poisoned by Seluvis—or rather, Pidia...
Pidia was dead. The uncomfortable stone blocking Sellen's chest had completely shattered. Now, she could devote herself entirely to the exploration of the Primeval Current and the career of teaching her beloved apprentice.
"Oh my, oh my... that is..." Sellen walked out of the building and fixed her gaze into the distance. "Is that not my dear apprentice... that place is the ancient ruins? It seems his journey has reached the Altus Plateau..."
"Apprentice... may you have a bright future and achieve your ideals... However," Sellen rested her chin on her hand and smiled, "even if you do not become King, it matters not... your master will take you in... and then, we master and student shall explore the profound, vast stars together..."
Staring downward, the Tarnished spotted a familiar figure. He noticed the Blackguard (Big Boggart) quietly and stealthily climbing a ladder. His movements were indeed agile, worthy of a former thief. After exchanging a look with Millicent, the Tarnished grabbed her and took a shortcut again—using the Aspects of the Crucible: Tail to propel himself...
"What was that noise?!" Something slammed into the ground, causing a slight tremor. Though the shake was minor, the Blackguard, who was already highly tense, felt as if the world were collapsing. He lost his grip and fell thud onto his backside. "What is it, what is it! Scared the life out of me!"
"Didn't expect to see you here, old man who sells prawns," a voice with a teasing laugh reached the Blackguard's ears, instantly annoying him.
"You shameless fellow again... and you've got a little beauty with you..." As soon as the Blackguard finished speaking, he saw Millicent standing nearby with a dark expression, ready to draw her blade. "Wait, wait, wait! Lady... warrior lady! Stop, it's my big mouth, don't cut me!"
Seeing the Blackguard immediately surrender, Millicent couldn't help but laugh: "First time meeting you. My name is Millicent. I'm sorry for scaring you." Millicent had been observing the Tarnished's attitude. Through her time with him, she knew he wasn't the type to have "fair-weather friends." Anyone he could talk to must have their own unique spark.
The Blackguard nodded nervously, not even daring to reach out his hand. The elders at home were right: the more beautiful the flower, the more poisonous it is... and the prettier the woman, the harder she fights...
Thus, the three of them began small talk. Since their destination was the same, they formed a temporary three-person party. The Blackguard didn't have a proper weapon; he used a pair of iron ball-fists he carried with him. His boxing style was savage—classic thief-thug brawling techniques.
However, in his line of work, if your legs aren't fast, you won't last long. Therefore, he had mastered a set of escape techniques—the so-called "if you can't win, run!"
"How is he just like Patches?" The Tarnished's eyebrows furrowed. The more he got to know this rogue, the more similarities he found with Patches. It was understandable, though the Tarnished wondered if he also had a habit of kicking people in the rear.
Hearing the name Patches, the Blackguard paused for a moment and then said, "Oh, you know Patches too? That's our grandmaster-level figure, the most famous scavenger-king in the Lands Between." There was a hint of admiration in the Blackguard's tone.
Listening from the side, Millicent couldn't help but pinch the bridge of her nose. Scavenger King? More like the forefather of thieves...
Ending the trivial chatter, the three climbed the stairs. Just as they turned a corner, the Tarnished heard Millicent let out a stifled, tiny squeal. The Blackguard's attention was elsewhere, so only the Tarnished caught the sound. He quickly darted to Millicent's side and found a group of Land Octopuses writhing on the ground...
"Tarnished... these things are so..." Millicent instinctively pressed closer to the Tarnished, and he cooperatively shielded her. In the past, the Tarnished had heard a rumor: mollusks seemed to have a strange "bloodline suppression" over women... especially noble female warriors like Millicent.
Why was this? The Tarnished didn't know; he only knew it was a popular folk rumor...
After comforting Millicent, the Tarnished kicked a cluster of octopuses down the cliff. Their texture was soft and slimy, so it was no wonder some found them loathsome.
"What fell down...? Oh, oh, oh! Such a big cluster of octopus! Stewing that would definitely be a top-tier delicacy!" Peering over the wooden platform, the Blackguard's appetite was instantly whetted. This remark made Millicent, beside the Tarnished, shudder.
"Don't be afraid, don't look, don't listen..." The Tarnished smoothed Millicent's back like he was comforting a kitten. This allowed him to see a new side of her; she was normally fearless and unyielding, but she actually had things she feared.
Feeling the gentle comfort of the Tarnished's large hand, Millicent's face turned slightly red, but she didn't refuse, merely giving a soft response.
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