Ranni harbored not the slightest doubt about the words of the Dark Moon Knight.
Over this past stretch of time, everything Nolan had done for Caria had been clearly seen by Her Highness. Through her conversations with him, as well as what she had heard from Raziel, Ranni had gained a detailed understanding of his character.
"Then should we refuse him?"
Ranni did not put on an aloof or overbearing air. Instead, she carried herself like a wise ruler should, showing an openness to advice and the grace to listen.
Nolan was mildly surprised. He had assumed Ranni would make the decision herself and hadn't expected her to ask for his opinion on such a matter.
After a brief moment of thought, Nolan replied,
"Seluvis harbors ill intent. He's a lingering threat, and keeping him by your side is out of the question."
"But since he's taken the initiative to contact us, we might as well make him serve another purpose."
He was only one step away from becoming a second-rate hero. Using his head as a stepping stone would be perfect, and it would also eliminate a future danger.
Power. Power. Wasn't that the main reason Nolan had thrown himself into this war in the first place?
"It seems you already know what to do," Ranni said. "I'll leave it to you. If you need anything, come straight to the Mage Tower."
"Yes."
"Oh, right," Ranni added. "You've been with this Witch the entire time. Is she truly worthy of your complete trust?"
Nolan quietly looked at Sellen, then nodded without hesitation and answered with complete seriousness,
"She is. If necessary, I would entrust my life to her."
Sellen, cradled in his arms, seemed to be lost in some pleasant dream. The corners of her lips curved upward in a faint, self-satisfied smile.
That expression was strikingly similar to the pride Nolan had once shown when he was honored as an outstanding student during the academy's commendation ceremony.
Ranni, however, regarded her with a trace of suspicion. She had long since heard various rumors about this Witch from Miriam.
Primeval Sorcerers were extremely dangerous to all sorcerers, and Ranni hadn't forgotten that Nolan himself was still a magic apprentice.
He was one of her most capable subordinates. She couldn't allow him to be ruined by a Primeval Sorcerer for no reason.
"Hm. Miquella really did cultivate an outstanding knight," Ranni murmured. "Blaidd was right. Talent like this should be actively sought after."
Out of habit, she interlaced her fingers and fell into deep thought.
There was no denying that Nolan's remarkable achievements for Caria could not be ignored. Every ounce of his glory had been built upon the corpses of countless enemies.
It was precisely because of such outstanding performance that he had managed to reverse Caria's dire situation, bringing new vitality and hope to the royal family.
What's more, the Carian army had only been stationed on Testu's Island for a few days, yet the locals were already praising him everywhere, and the soldiers spoke of him with deep admiration.
That alone spoke volumes about his ability and the support he enjoyed among the people. How many individuals like that could even be found in the Lands Between?
As a ruler with clear ideals and goals, Ranni had never sought to merely cling to a corner of the world and drift through life.
The road ahead was bound to be rough and fraught with danger. If Miquella did not want him, Ranni had no intention of letting such a knight be buried and forgotten.
"My knight."
"I'm here," Nolan replied at once when he heard her call, seeing that Ranni had finally come out of her contemplation.
Ranni looked at him apologetically and said slowly,
"This projection cannot last much longer, and I cannot easily leave this stronghold. I'm truly sorry, but it seems the many matters ahead will have to fall to you."
As she finished speaking, she let out a soft sigh, a hint of regret in her eyes. In truth, Nolan was cleaning up the aftermath of things she herself had set in motion.
"My time in Caria hasn't been without gain," she continued. "Being able to come here and see you in person already makes me very glad."
Nolan smiled and shook his head. This was exactly what he liked about Ranni. She was far better than those overly scheming, inscrutable, and perpetually unserious riddle-makers.
If the person standing before him had been the sort who used others and then discarded them without a second thought, he wouldn't have bothered sticking around at all. He would've turned around and left without hesitation.
"But I don't think this is enough."
Ranni studied the knight in front of her for a long moment. Then she slipped both hands into the wide sleeves of her robe, rummaged around briefly, and pulled out a small, exquisitely crafted blue object.
It was a miniature doll, identical in appearance to Ranni herself.
The craftsmanship was astonishing. Every strand of hair was carved in vivid detail, even the clothes were perfectly reproduced. It was, in every sense, a scaled-down version of the Lunar Princess.
Nolan couldn't help showing a hint of surprise.
"Little Ranni?"
Something came back to him. In the game, the small dolls could speak. That meant this one was very likely connected to Ranni's consciousness as well.
As Nolan was quietly mulling this over, Ranni noticed the strange look on his face. She pressed her lips together slightly, then explained in a calm voice,
"Don't let your thoughts wander. This doll is similar to Cuckoo Glintstone, except what's sealed inside is a fragment of my Dark Moon."
"Seluvis is, after all, a Preceptor. He's dangerous to you. This may be of use when it truly matters."
"Oh, and one more thing," Ranni added sternly. "There's no need to keep it stored away, but under no circumstances are you to use it for anything improper."
"Anything improper? I'm not quite sure what you mean by that," Nolan said, looking at her with a puzzled expression. Despite himself, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile, one that seemed oddly suggestive to the princess.
Seeing this, Ranni's beautiful eyes widened slightly, and what little authority she had managed to muster immediately weakened again.
"It's nothing! Just remember to take it out when you're in danger!"
"Also, Testu's Island will be placed under your management from now on. All spoils from this battle are yours to dispose of as you see fit."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
This knight really has no respect for my authority at all!
Ranni fumed inwardly. She glanced at the Witch lying in the knight's arms, smiling foolishly, and then her body began to scatter like starlight, drifting away on the wind.
Just before she vanished completely, however, her calm voice still reached Nolan's ears with perfect clarity.
"I'm looking forward to it, my knight. Continue walking your own path. I will remain at Caria Manor, waiting quietly for the day we meet again."
As her words faded, Ranni disappeared entirely, leaving only a soft echo lingering in the breeze.
"She's gone?" Sellen lifted her head, her blue eyes gleaming like stars.
"She's gone. Why were you pretending to sleep for just now?" Nolan asked, looking down at her.
Sellen snorted lightly and replied with indifference,
"No particular reason. I just didn't think there was anything worth talking about with her. I didn't feel like wasting time on something so boring."
With that, she didn't bother explaining further and reached straight for the doll in Nolan's hand.
Her movement was just a beat too slow. Nolan deftly avoided her grasp, leaving her hand closing on empty air.
There was no way he was letting his teacher play with this thing. Hadn't Ranni clearly said there was a fragment of the Dark Moon sealed inside?
If that magic detonated here, both master and apprentice would be done for.
"I thought there might be some tension between the two of you," Nolan said, pulling the doll closer to his chest.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but he could've sworn the tiny doll moved ever so slightly.