Meanwhile, not long after he stepped out of the small room, Melina's figure reappeared at his side, silent as falling snow.
"…Do you truly intend to bring that girl with you to challenge Godrick?"
"Yes. Of course."
He bent down, picked up a splintered plank, and shook the snow from it.
Melina's concern did not surprise him in the slightest.
No matter how powerful one might be, bringing a liability into battle against a demigod was reckless. At any moment, that weakness could be exploited.
"…Your strength is beyond doubt," Melina said quietly. "Among all the Tarnished I have encountered, you are the strongest. But Godrick is still a demigod. Bringing her… is it not too dangerous?"
"Well," he replied lightly, "a promise made must be kept. Since I agreed to Roderika's request, I will see it through."
He turned to face Melina fully, his expression serious beneath the helm.
"You wouldn't want me to be someone who breaks his word."
"..."
Melina fell silent.
It was true. She did not want him to be that sort of person.
If he were, she would have to seek out another Tarnished.
Yet it had been a very long time since any Tarnished had appeared before him. Judging by the state of the world, he might well be the last to have crossed the fog.
And deep within her heart, she truly hoped he would become Elden Lord.
She was certain of one thing: if he ascended, the coming age would be gentle, and whole.
After a long pause, she asked softly,
"…Is this truly what you desire?"
"Yes. If I say I will do something, I will."
If worst came to worst, he could simply leave Nepheli out of this fight.
"…Very well. I will abide by your will."
Melina relented.
What other choice did she have? Stop him by force?
Besides, judging by his strength—and especially after witnessing his Dragon Communion incantations—Godrick posed no real threat to him.
Just as she was about to withdraw, he suddenly caught her wrist.
"…Tarnished? Is there something else?"
Her face remained calm, but that strange feeling returned.
Especially when she saw him standing beside Roderika, something inside her tightened—an uncomfortable, indescribable ache.
She had only recently managed to quiet that feeling, returning to her usual emptiness.
Even emptiness was preferable to that ache.
"I do have something to ask of you, Melina."
He looked at her beautiful face, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"…I understand. You require me to convert your runes into strength?"
"No."
He shook his head gently.
"I was hoping… that before I go to slay Godrick, you would grant me a blessing."
"A blessing?"
"A hug."
It had been far too long since he had embraced his first wife. He missed it more than he cared to admit.
"…If that is your wish."
This time, Melina accepted without hesitation.
Not only that—she stepped forward first and wrapped her arms around him.
Even he, whose face had grown thick from countless cycles, felt a flash of genuine surprise.
So proactive?
That was unexpected.
A step forward indeed.
For Melina, it was no different.
She did not understand why she had done it—why she had chosen to embrace him first.
But as she felt the warmth of his body, there was no discomfort.
Only warmth.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks.
And so they stood together in the snow, holding one another in silence.
"Melina," he murmured, resting his cheek lightly against her shoulder, brushing through her soft hair. "Will you travel with me?"
"…I do not know why you ask such a thing," she replied gently, "but I have always been at your side."
"That's not what I mean."
He shifted slightly, the fragrance of her hair drifting into his senses.
"I mean travel with me openly. Ride Torrent with me. Witness the Lands Between together. Stand beside me and watch the moment I become Elden Lord."
"..."
Her body trembled faintly.
After a long silence, she answered,
"…I will give your proposal serious thought."
"Alright."
Though she had not agreed, he could clearly sense her hesitation.
Perhaps next time… she might say yes.
He tightened his arms slightly, as if trying to draw her into himself.
Her embrace was warm.
Very warm.
After a long while, they slowly separated.
And just as he expected, Melina vanished in an instant, dissolving into drifting blue motes of light.
He watched the fading glow, savoring the lingering warmth.
"…Maybe next time, I should try kissing her."
It was only a thought.
If he truly tried something so brazen, the next thing touching him would likely be the edge of her blade.
And whatever affection he had just gained would vanish in an instant.
No—this had to be taken slowly.
Step by step.
He looked forward to the day she would don a corporeal body once more.
As for Ranni…
He paused.
With Ranni's proud, tsundere disposition and Melina's calm, reserved nature…
They wouldn't fight, right?
…Probably.
In all his cycles, he had never tried bringing the two of them together.
Because, frankly—
He was afraid.
If those two produced some catastrophic reaction, he would be the one suffering.
But judging by how things were progressing, their meeting seemed inevitable.
All he could do now was—
Take it one step at a time.
If it truly came to that, he could always summon the Mimic Tear to distract one of them while he handled the other.
He casually picked up a few pieces of firewood and returned to the small room.
Before he even entered, he heard Roderika's voice.
"Yes, it's true. The Tarnished is incredibly strong."
"Is that so?" Nepheli Lou replied. "If he truly is that powerful, then I must bring him to the Roundtable Hold to meet my foster father."
They seemed to be getting along quite well.
Though…
"Why is the topic entirely about me?"
He lingered at the doorway for a moment before stepping inside with the firewood.
"Sounds like you two were having a good conversation."
"Nepheli is a very good person," Roderika said softly, smiling faintly.
The shadow that had once clouded her expression seemed almost entirely gone.
He felt genuinely glad for her.
Though he would never see that sorrowful little girl again, perhaps this version was better.
"Roderika has told me of your strength," Nepheli said, standing. Her gaze met his directly. "It seems my assistance may not be required for what lies ahead."
She extended her hand toward him.
"Before I depart, allow me to ask—would you care to travel to the Roundtable Hold with me?"
"There, many Tarnished gather. Comrades of like mind. And my foster father would surely be pleased to meet you."
He blinked in surprise.
Wasn't Melina supposed to guide him there?
Since when did the guide change to Nepheli?
And she hadn't even planned to fight Godrick?
Still… in the end, it made little difference.
A faint smile formed beneath his helm as he clasped her hand.
"Of course. I would very much like to speak with Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing. Once Godrick is defeated, I will pay him a visit."
"Thank you. May the storm watch over you."