Traveling is usually tedious and boring, especially when the journey is long.
Although Limgrave doesn't look large on the map, The Lands Between actually only has six regions in total: Caelid, Weeping Peninsula, Limgrave, Liurnia, Leyndell, Royal Capital, and Mountaintops of the Giants.
Of course, this does not include Miquella's Haligtree Grand Stage and the gradually collapsing Crumbling Farum Azula. Although these two places are within the scope of The Lands Between, they are floating areas outside the landmass.
Therefore, it is easy to imagine just how large this area of Limgrave, ruled by Godrick, truly is.
After leaving the Sealed Prison, the three first traveled along the main road of Limgrave from the south of Lake Agheel, passing through the entirety of Lake Agheel during the journey.
Along the way, Xia Yu also made a detour to the Waypoint Ruins Cellar. His teacher, Sellen, was still there, researching her Primeval Sorcery as usual.
However, with Blaidd joining them this trip, the three exchanged knowledge and had a good discussion based on their respective understanding of sorcery.
Blaidd grew up in the Carian Royal Family and is Ranni's sworn brother, so he also possesses considerable knowledge of sorcery.
After exchanging ideas for a long time, all three were satisfied, except for Darryl, who maintained a foolish expression. He was a brainless warrior who knew neither sorcery nor Incantations.
Before leaving, Xia Yu once again left behind a scroll of Soul Sorcery, hoping Sellen could successfully decipher it. Sellen sighed helplessly but accepted the scroll; after all, it was her apprentice's request, and she, the teacher, had to help her foolish apprentice.
After bidding farewell to Sellen, Darryl's eyes finally regained their luster. Having stayed in the cellar for so long, he felt his body was rusting.
Forget about learning sorcery on the side; given his learning ability, he knew his limits. Being a strong, fit warrior was enough.
However, for some unknown reason, Xia Yu told him that his physique was the best for learning sorcery, and that a true sorcerer should smash enemies to death with a staff.
Darryl was speechless about this. Although he was a brainless warrior, he wasn't completely devoid of intelligence.
What mage kills enemies by smashing them with a staff? If such a mage existed, why be a mage? Wouldn't it be better to be a warrior?
Xia Yu shook his head and said profoundly, "You still lack experience. The secret of the mage is to wave the staff, pretend to cast a spell, and then, when the enemy is distracted, strike them hard with the staff."
"The so-called mage is a profession that kills enemies by smashing them with a staff!"
Darryl: ("▔□▔)
I feel like you're lying to me, but I have no proof... After traveling for a long time, the three finally reached the gatehouse in front of Stormveil Castle. To prepare for the upcoming battle, they unanimously decided to take a temporary rest.
Then it was Xia Yu's time to shine again. This time, he caught a few wild deer, and under the bewildered gaze of the other two, he pulled out a large pot from behind him.
"Where did this pot... come from?" Blaidd asked blankly.
Darryl, standing nearby, didn't speak, but his eyes were bursting with curiosity that was about to overflow. He also wanted to know where this pot came from.
Was it sorcery again?
"I naturally pulled it out of my pocket," Xia Yu said, giving them a strange look. "Can't you tell something so simple?"
...
They truly couldn't tell. Also, that large pot was nearly taller than you. How did you fit it in your pocket?
Seeing Blaidd and Darryl looking intensely curious but holding back their questions, Xia Yu said with a chuckle, "Consider yourselves lucky. I haven't taken out the matching cooking utensils yet. Watch closely."
Hearing this, Darryl quickly moved closer. Blaidd, constrained by pride, didn't approach but still widened his eyes to watch.
"First, extend your hand, and then put your hand into your pocket."
Xia Yu raised his hand and shook it, gesturing, and then slowly put it into the small pocket hanging on his lower back.
"This step is very important. If your hand doesn't go in the right spot, you won't be able to pull anything out."
Then, under the confused gaze of the two, Xia Yu pulled out a whole series of matching cooking utensils, complete with various knives and seasonings stuck into them.
With a clang, the row of cooking utensils crashed onto the ground. This time was even more outrageous than pulling out the large pot, because the pot was at least a single object, but this was a whole clattering series of utensils.
"Did you understand? It's that simple: put your hand in your pocket, and then take it out," Xia Yu said, clapping his hands and pointing at the utensils on the ground.
...
Seeing the two men looking utterly dumbfounded, Xia Yu sighed and shook his head. Why couldn't they understand something so simple? Time to cook.
The two men, stunned by Xia Yu, only snapped back to reality when the aroma of food drifted over.
Taking a deep breath, the two immediately tossed aside what had just happened. Who cares about that? Eating was the most important thing.
Following a whirlwind of eating, the large pot of hot stew was quickly devoured.
Blaidd lay contentedly on the ground digesting, while Darryl held a bowl of hot soup, sighing as he drank.
"It's truly been a long time since I've eaten such delicious food. I will remember this day forever."
"Alright, alright." Seeing that both were satisfied, Xia Yu clapped his hands, drawing their attention. "The next objective is the underground of Stormveil Castle. I have something to take care of there, so I'll need your help."
"The underground of Stormveil Castle?" Blaidd asked, confused. "Aren't we supposed to deal with Godrick the Grafted? Why go underground?"
"There is something I want there. In fact, my original goal was to go underground first, and then go find Godrick." Xia Yu glanced at the two. "If you don't want to come, that's fine. Just wait for me in Stormveil Castle."
"No!" Darryl shook his head and said seriously, "You helped me, so I will help you no matter what. The underground, right? I'll go."
Blaidd also nodded seriously: "Me too!"
Hearing their commitment, Xia Yu chuckled lightly: "Then I won't waste time on thanks. Let's go."
"Mhm!"
After confirming their objective, the three set off again. Returning to Stormveil Castle this time, Xia Yu didn't take the shortcut through the nearby hole; instead, he walked directly through the main gate.
The Exile Soldiers wielding bows and crossbows had virtually no power to resist them. The only slightly troublesome enemies were the Godrick Knights and the Banished Knights.
But there weren't many of these two types of knights, and they barely caused any trouble.
The trio's complete disregard for concealing their destructive actions meant Godrick quickly learned of them. By the time Godrick personally led soldiers to confront the three, the trio had long since vanished.
Unable to find the arrogant trio, Godrick could only return to his throne in exasperation. He had a feeling those three would definitely encounter him here.
At this very moment, the trio had arrived in the underground area of Stormveil Castle.