After seeing Nepheli Lou off, he set out once more with Roderika to continue the march toward Godrick.
His boots pressed heavily into the snow, carving a narrow path through the white expanse. Step by step, they ascended the long stairway, and with each rise, his expression grew more solemn.
Roderika noticed.
She did not dare disturb him. To her, this silence felt like the stillness before a storm.
What she did not know was that this gravity had nothing to do with Godrick's strength.
In his eyes, Godrick was nothing more than a walking shard of the Elden Ring.
No—his heaviness came from someone else.
From the Finger Maiden who had died before they ever truly met… and who, even in death, had believed with unwavering conviction that he would become Elden Lord.
If his original Finger Maiden had not died…
If she were still alive…
If—
But those were only ifs.
All he could do now was avenge her, and then grant her a proper burial.
That was something he did in every cycle.
And there were only two primary suspects for her death.
Godrick, who sat upon the throne of Stormveil Castle.
And White Mask Varré, who lingered near the entrance of the Stranded Graveyard, as if waiting for his arrival.
Perhaps Mohg, Lord of Blood, who lurked beneath the earth and founded the Mohgwyn Dynasty, deserved a place on that list as well.
By his reasoning, only these few had the strongest motives.
The Grafted Scion lurking in the Chapel of Anticipation… and Varré's involvement in orchestrating the murder of Finger Maidens.
With grief and fury weighing on his heart, he finally arrived at the corridor leading to the throne.
But instead of stepping through immediately, he opened the chat group interface.
He had promised a livestream.
And he kept his promises.
Assuming, of course, that the others would not be traumatized by Godrick's grotesque appearance.
Yet the moment he opened the group, he found it unusually lively.
Fujiwara Chika: "Sigh… What am I supposed to do about this?"
The Oldest King: "Hmph. I have little experience in romance. If it were me, I would conquer her with strength! Hahahahaha!"
Aizen: "My apologies. I am uncertain how to advise on this matter."
Forever Seventeen: "Oh my, I agree with Gilgamesh. We youkai prefer conquest. None of this dithering nonsense."
NorthNorthNorth: "I'm still just a child.jpg"
Otto Apocalypse: "I shall refrain from offering suggestions on this topic."
Otto had his beloved Kallen, after all—but they had been childhood companions.
As for Li Sushang…
Well.
He had nudged things along a little. And time did the rest.
Not to mention Li Sushang was quite appearance-focused. And… somewhat innocent.
Fujiwara Chika: "Eh? Why is everyone like this…"
Sitting alone in the student council room, Fujiwara Chika deflated like a punctured balloon.
The romantic stalemate between her dear friend Kaguya and the student council president was driving her mad.
Admittedly, it was entertaining.
But those two were far too stubborn.
What was the phrase again?
Right.
Too proud to confess, too stubborn to yield.
Fujiwara Chika: "Fine. I'll think of something else…"
I Want to Save My Wife's Tarnished: "Emmmm… What are you all discussing? Did I arrive at a bad time?"
Fujiwara Chika: "Eh?! Tarnished! Perfect timing! There's hope!"
Her eyes lit up.
If no one else could solve this—
Surely he could!
After all, he had wives.
Fujiwara Chika: "Tarnished, I have a romantic dilemma. May I ask your advice?"
I Want to Save My Wife's Tarnished: "A romantic dilemma? Let's hear it."
He was not exactly a master of romance.
But considering how many times he had won over Ranni…
This should be easy, right?
Fujiwara Chika proceeded to summarize the complicated emotional tug-of-war between Shinomiya Kaguya and Shirogane Miyuki.
When he finished reading, he was baffled.
There were actually people in the world this awkward?
This was just two tsunderes colliding head-on.
No matter.
He had a solution.
Without hesitation, he sent over two items: a Bewitching Branch and a jar of Sleep Grease.
Fujiwara Chika: "What is this… (⊙▽⊙)?"
After claiming the gift, she stared at the delicate branch and the jar of sticky purple grease.
For some reason, both seemed… oddly alluring.
I Want to Save My Wife's Tarnished: "The branch is called a Bewitching Branch. Once ignited, it releases a scent that enthralls the mind. The jar is Sleep Grease. Extremely potent. You can coat the branch with it and use both together—or dissolve it into water. It is colorless and odorless. Nearly impossible to detect."
To him, romance was simple.
If you like someone, confess.
If confession fails, use a little assistance.
If that fails—
Well.
He had only ever gone as far as step two.
After all, a forced melon might quench thirst, but it would never taste sweet.
And he was not thirsty.
Fujiwara Chika: "Eh?! (っ°Д°;)っ"
I Want to Save My Wife's Tarnished: "Didn't you say they're both too stubborn to confess? This solves the issue."
Forever Seventeen: "Oh my. That is quite an interesting suggestion. (smile)"
NorthNorthNorth: "I am a pure child.jpg"
The Oldest King: "Hahahahaha! Excellent! Fujiwara girl, listen to him! @Fujiwara Chika"
Fujiwara Chika: "Σ(°△°|||)︴Eh?!!!"
She had no idea how to respond.
Still…
She looked at the items in her hand.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
She stopped thinking.
Fujiwara Chika: "By the way, Tarnished, did you appear for a reason?"
From experience, he never chatted aimlessly.
I Want to Save My Wife's Tarnished: "Yes. I promised to livestream. I'd like your help researching certain matters about the Lands Between. I'm about to challenge Godrick the Golden. Thought I'd inform you all before I begin."
Fujiwara Chika: "Really?! That's amazing!"
The Oldest King: "Oh? A golden lord? Then I shall observe closely."
When it came to love of gold, if Gilgamesh claimed second place, no one would dare claim first.
His treasury overflowed with golden treasures. Even his armor gleamed in gold.
It was the color of wealth itself.
Aizen: "Very well. I shall analyze carefully."
Forever Seventeen: "Oh my, something interesting to watch. I was growing