"Messmer the Impaler, an unknown red-haired general, and personal guards from the House of Daen..."
Rennala lowered her head, murmuring in contemplation. "Can we find a way to investigate the identity of that red-haired general?"
"Uh, about that..."
Schister, standing before her, hesitated, looking as if he were holding something back.
"Is it that difficult?" Rennala frowned.
"No, it's not that... In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's incredibly simple. This general selected by the Golden Order has no intention of hiding his identity at all. On his first day in Liurnia, he ordered the traitorous Cuckoos to spread word of his name and his deeds in every direction."
"Oh? That is quite peculiar... A general leading a campaign usually prioritizes establishing defenses or launching an offensive. Instead, he focuses on publicizing his name? What else has he done?"
"Well... he has strictly regulated the conduct of the Cuckoo Knights. All their actions and military discipline must now align with the standards of the Capital's troops. While the punishments are slightly less severe than the iron laws of Leyndell, they are still far beyond what the original Cuckoos find tolerable..."
"Heh, how interesting. Do the Cuckoos have no objections?"
"Many objections, but they only dare to nurse their resentment in their hearts. They wouldn't dare voice them." Schister chuckled, though it was unclear if he was mocking the Cuckoos or the situation itself.
"Hmm... It seems this general either has great ambition... or this is simply his nature. Anything else?"
"Yes. He has ordered the propagation of the doctrines of both the Erdtree Church and the Church of the Two Fingers. He has already overseen the construction of a small chapel on Cuckoo-controlled land."
"Hmm?"
Rennala's brow furrowed. She didn't believe for a second that the purpose of building a chapel in such a time was merely to spread faith. In fact, if that were truly the case, she would be much more at ease.
In a world where gods truly existed, Marika had the ability to manifest her power and will through statues and clerics. To Rennala, the opponent's goal was likely to establish a link to Marika, thereby augmenting the strength of the army and the commander himself. After all, the force he brought included a significant number of high-ranking clerics, none of whom were to be taken lightly.
"Do we need to take action?" Schister stepped forward, awaiting orders.
"Hmm... Lead your men to harass the Golden Order's main force. As for those spreading the Erdtree's word... do not disturb them."
"Pardon?"
Schister was stunned. The order didn't click in his mind immediately. They had just been discussing the threat posed by those clerics, and yet Rennala was telling him to leave them alone.
"Just do as I say. Remember, for the time being, do not interfere significantly with the missionary personnel."
"...I understand." Schister nodded, taking his leave.
Once he was gone, Rennala massaged her temples. "How do you plan to face such a formidable Golden army?"
"Ambushes, diversions, harassment, thinning their ranks with traps, and then a frontal assault. We use whatever tools we have," the Snow Witch said, appearing before her.
Rennala looked at Renna. "True. So, which target have you chosen?"
"Their commander."
"Oh? I thought you would have chosen Messmer," Renna said, sounding slightly surprised.
"Impossible. Setting aside Messmer's status, his personality alone makes him unsuitable for that role. As for this new general... I suspect the Golden Order chose him to lead this campaign with a specific intention in mind."
Rennala turned to look out the window. "A man of sufficient strength, with no noble backing, a loyalist to the Erdtree, yet possessing a relatively moderate style..."
Rennala shook her head. "He is the most suitable candidate the Golden Order could put forward to face me."
"Are you saying they are also pushing for the Union of Gold and Moon?" Renna asked, startled.
"Exactly. It aligns perfectly with the Golden Order's current interests, doesn't it? They can pass through Liurnia without expending too many troops, gain a powerful ally, and we get what we desire in return."
"I see." Renna nodded, then vanished into a flurry of starlight without another word.
"Lyanna."
"Master Mohg!"
Seeing Lyanna running toward him, Mohg smiled and gave her a brief hug.
"My Lord, weren't you responsible for monitoring the Golden Order's troops at the Grand Lift? Is it really alright for you to be here?" Lyanna asked, her eyes filled with concern.
"Don't worry. I'm currently acting independently. The teammate who was with me has been sent on a separate solo mission."
"I see... Then, do you have instructions for us?" Lyanna straightened her posture, looking up at him.
"Indeed. I have a mission for you all."
Lyanna's expression turned solemn. She stepped back and dropped to one knee. "The Sovereign's word is law."
"The Sovereign's word is law!" the surrounding blood warriors echoed, kneeling in unison.
"Good. I need you to head to the border regions of Caria, both east and west of the Grand Lift. Find suitable locations to begin establishing blood pools. You are authorized to kill any enemies you encounter along the way. Except... for these few individuals. Though it is unlikely you will run into them."
Mohg paused, waving his hand to manifest several portraits made of blood for them to memorize. Lyanna stared intently at one of the faces.
"Once the blood pools are completed, wait for the arrival of reinforcements through the teleporters. At that time, begin converging on this location."
The blood in Mohg's hand shifted again, forming a rough map of Liurnia with a specific point marked.
"We shall not fail your expectations!"
Mohg nodded in satisfaction. He turned to step into a blood pool; he needed to visit the Dynasty's base.
As he moved, Lyanna reached out timidly, catching the edge of his sleeve. Mohg paused, hesitating for a moment before turning back.
"Master Mohg, please... be careful."
"I will. Compared to me, Lyanna, your strength is not yet at its peak. If necessary, abandon the mission and escape. You are far more important than any blood pool."
Mohg reached out and gently stroked Lyanna's cheek.
"Master Mohg..."
"Alright. I'm leaving the rest to you."
With that, Mohg's silhouette vanished into the blood pool. When he opened his eyes again, he was standing beneath a sky of eternal night.
"My Lord!"
Mohg nodded to Nibla. Glancing around, he saw that the construction here was starting to take real shape.
"Our war with the Golden Order is about to begin. Nibla... are you prepared?"
Nibla looked up, his gaze resolute. "I am. I have already made my peace. In fact... I have long yearned to clash with the powerhouses of the Golden Order!"
"Excellent resolve. Go and prepare. Distribute rewards and a feast for the men. In the days to come... casualties will not be light."
Mohg looked at Nibla with approval and gave his instructions.
"Yes, My Lord. I understand."
Nibla retreated to begin the process of gathering the men. For a general who had once fought alongside the Storm Lord, managing morale and rewards was second nature.
Seeing that Nibla had everything under control, Mohg made his way toward Pilar's station. He had already notified Horuf earlier, who was currently organizing the personnel and affairs in Limgrave.
Once the Liurnia War commenced, all other Blood Dynasty outposts would enter a state of dormancy. After the conflict, any remaining personnel from other regions, along with the survivors of this battle, would be transferred entirely to the Dynasty base within the Eternal City.
At that point, the Blood Dynasty would enter a brief period of seclusion, likely only operating in Caelid and Limgrave.
Mohg shook his head; it was a bit early to be thinking of that. He didn't even know how the Liurnia campaign would change with his interference. He planned to pour all the faith-power he had accumulated into that battlefield. He estimated that, in that moment, he might briefly touch the power of a demigod.
Of course, that was just a theory. The truth would only be revealed when the time came.
"Pilar."
"My Lord?!"
Pilar, who had been engrossed in murals and scrolls, jumped at the sound of Mohg's voice. He scrambled to his feet and knelt.
"Please forgive me, Sovereign! I did not sense your arrival."
"There is no need. This is the task I gave you. Your dedication pleases me. Have you found anything new?"
"Yes... some things. I've found references to 'spirit-calling rituals.' They might be used to harness power from spiritual faith. I've also found books from the ancient dynasty that seem to deal with the side effects of such rituals... but I'm not certain yet."
"You've done well, Pilar. I will record this merit for you. For the upcoming battle, you are not to participate. Continue your research on the Uhl Dynasty's legacy here."
"But... how can I? My Lord, I wish to fight for you!" Pilar stood up, sounding anxious.
"No. Your value here is far greater than your value on the battlefield. That is an order, Pilar."
"I... I obey." Pilar saw the non-negotiable look in Mohg's eyes and eventually nodded.
"By the way, are you facing any difficulties in your research?"
"Yes... I am short on hands. Only a few of my kin have managed to retain their sanity; none have been as fortunate as I. As a result, I have to decipher the ancient scripts alone. There are many symbols even I don't recognize; I have to learn from scratch..."
"Hmm... that is an issue. I will have others keep an eye out for suitable assistants to help you. As for the simpler tasks... you are authorized to recruit help for the manual labor."
"I thank the Sovereign." Pilar bowed deeply.
"Very well. I must go see Lansseax. Keep up the hard work."
"We see you off, My Lord."
After leaving Pilar, Mohg headed straight for the mausoleum at the highest point. Lansseax was there, fast asleep.
The moment Mohg stepped inside, Lansseax opened her eyes. Sensing his aura, she closed them again.
"Lansseax, I need your help."
"What is it?"
"The war with the Golden Order is about to begin."
With a sudden gust of wind, Lansseax's figure appeared before him in an instant.
"Are you serious?" she asked, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she looked at him.
Standing so close, Mohg could feel her hot breath, but he didn't let his mind wander. He simply nodded.
"Yes. On the day Caria and the Golden Order engage in their final, decisive battle, that is when we shall take the stage. I will need your help then."
A slight smirk played on Lansseax's lips. "Fine. I'll step in to help you manage the pressure when the time comes. By the way, you can also have that little dragon you brought back help us out."
"Little dragon? Oh, you mean Abelar. Of course. I'll be dragging her onto the battlefield with us. She's been absorbing the power of the blood pool and eating my supplies for long enough; it's time she earned her keep."
Mohg nodded in agreement.
"Come. Nibla is preparing a feast for the men. You should join the banquet."
"A banquet? Well, I certainly can't miss that."
Lansseax nodded, spread her wings, and dived toward the lower levels.
Mohg shook his head, his body dissolving into a pool of blood as he followed her down.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (Full)
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