Rennala was momentarily stunned by the news, but a cold glint soon flickered in her eyes.
While Rennala appeared composed, Rellana's reaction was far less restrained. She stormed over to the Carian soldier who had delivered the report, her presence imposing.
"Is what you say... the truth?!"
"Ye... yes, Princess Rellana."
"Hmph!"
Rellana let out a cold snort as her aura surged violently.
"Calm yourself! This is an outcome we already anticipated!" Rennala interjected, noticing her sister's reaction.
"But...!"
"War has always been this cruel. There is no such thing as a world where we are allowed to kill them, but they are not allowed to kill us."
At those words, Rellana lowered her head.
A flicker of sorrow passed through Rennala's eyes. Unlike the Golden Order, which possessed a vast number of heroic figures, every Carian Knight was forged through the immense effort and resources of the Carian Royal Family.
This was especially true for Rick, a knight she had personally raised from humble beginnings. She had a deep impression of him and hadn't expected him to perish so soon on the battlefield against the Erdtree.
Rick's death served as a grim wake-up call for Rennala: she could no longer afford to let this drag on.
The Erdtree's army was massive, capable of conducting multi-front warfare and exerting overwhelming pressure. If the Carians didn't want to surrender territory, they were forced to deploy their strongest generals, effectively spreading their forces thin. This played right into the Golden Order's hands, allowing them to pick off the Carian forces one by one.
Rather than waiting for the resentment to fester, it was better to engage in a decisive, large-scale battle to settle the matter once and for all—and to dictate the terms for both sides going forward.
As the mentor who had personally chosen Rick to be a Carian Knight, Rennala felt the sting of his loss. But as the Queen of Caria, she had to prioritize the needs of her kingdom and its people.
Therefore... her decision remained unchanged.
However... the Erdtree would have to give her a proper accounting later!
One might call it a double standard, but as the Queen of Caria, thinking of her kingdom first was her fundamental duty.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, arriving at the time Radagon and Rennala had agreed upon.
The main force of Caria officially deployed. They stood upon a vast, cleared plain where the howling wind whipped across the open ground.
On one side stood the massive Carian host in their silver and blue; on the other, the brilliant gold and red of the Erdtree. At a glance, it looked less like a negotiation and more like the opening of a final, decisive war.
"Lord Dylaner... this..."
"...Do not expose your positions. If things look wrong, abandon the mission."
Hearing his subordinate's hesitant tone, Dylaner couldn't help but feel a twitch in the corner of his mouth. The scale of the Carian deployment was simply too massive.
They had originally assumed Rennala would bring a sizeable escort, a few heroic figures, and her sister Rellana.
But looking at this... it seemed as though every soul in Caria had turned out, save for a small garrison left to hold the academy and the manor!
How were they supposed to carry out an assassination? How could they cross through these endless lines of soldiers to the center, only to strike at a Queen who stood at the absolute pinnacle of power in the Lands Between? To cross such a distance to kill Rennala, arguably the most powerful sorceress in existence?
What kind of joke was this?
"It seems Dylaner won't be making a move under these circumstances."
"Hmph. Expected. He can be reckless at times, but generally speaking, he's a man who values his own life."
"I can tell," Messmer agreed with a nod.
"After all, he isn't a shadow assassin raised from birth, but one who took up the craft later in life. Given his status... even if he dies, he wouldn't necessarily return to the Erdtree as a hero to be reborn. It's understandable that he's a bit afraid of death. However, he still deserves punishment for his failure."
"Naturally. You needn't doubt that. Now, let's see what move Rennala makes."
Meanwhile, within the Carian host.
"Liana, how are the preparations on your end?"
"Everything is ready. Horuv, Nibla, and the others are in position. They only await your command, my Lord, to join the fray."
"Good."
Mohg narrowed his eyes, a glint of satisfaction passing through them.
Before he could settle his thoughts, the Carian lines ahead began to part. The Knight of the Solitary Gaol, the Silver Moon Knights, the Carian Knights, the Royal Guard, Trolls, and glintstone sorcerers all took their places.
Once the ranks were set, Loretta, seated upon her steed at the center, slowly moved aside. The soldiers behind her followed suit, making way.
Soon, a wide, open path appeared through the heart of the Carian army.
The Erdtree forces adjusted in response. At the very front, the commander of the Tree Sentinels moved his horse to the side.
The second meeting between the leaders of the two factions was about to begin.
Dressed in her regal Carian Queen attire, noble and elegant, Rennala raised the Carian Regal Scepter and tapped it lightly. In an instant, she transformed into a brilliant full moon.
The next second, that luminous moon soared into the sky.
The intense surge of magical power set the nerves of both Radagon and Messmer on edge.
Radagon knew this was an intimidation tactic. The power Messmer currently wielded was clearly insufficient to counter such a display.
Radagon stepped forward and raised his right hand. The radiance of the Erdtree shone forth once more. A Minor Erdtree, far more brilliant and grander than the one he had used to heal Messmer in the woods, manifested upon the earth.
Seeing the warm light of the Minor Erdtree, the soldiers of the Golden Order gradually regained their composure.
Rennala let out a cold snort and slowly drifted to the front.
"Radagon, commander of the Erdtree's expedition. Since you invited me to speak, show me your sincerity."
"Of course, Moon Queen."
Radagon didn't take offense. Instead, he gave her a slight bow. Regardless of their conflict, her status was significantly higher than his own.
Naturally, some were dissatisfied with Radagon's show of respect—specifically the nobles of the Dane family and several Tree Sentinels. However, they kept their silence for the moment, burying their resentment deep within.
In their eyes, whether in terms of high-level combatants or raw numbers, the Erdtree held the absolute advantage. Why should a mere Caria be allowed to speak to them with such arrogance?
The Dane family had other grievances: Why didn't you show this kind of deference when speaking to us, Radagon?
A tent was soon erected between the two armies. From the Carian side, Rennala, Rellana, Moza, Robus, and Ilo walked toward the center, flanked by a small squad of Royal Guards and Silver Moon Knights.
From the Erdtree side came Radagon, Messmer, Ruze of the Dane family, a powerful hero known as "The Stag," a Tree Sentinel who had just dismounted, the commander of the Black Knights, and the commander of this particular Leyndell Knight regiment.
The sheer number of powerful individuals stepping forward from the Golden Order's side was enough to illustrate the disparity between the two factions.
And this was merely an expeditionary force. The true main army of the Golden Order was currently invading the Mountaintops of the Giants and guarding the Royal Capital.
Rennala felt a heavy weight in her heart as she looked at them, though she allowed none of it to show on her face.
As they arrived, the tent was quickly surrounded by guards. Only Radagon and Messmer from one side, and Rennala and Rellana from the other, actually stepped inside.
"Radagon, since it was you who requested this meeting the other day, show me your sincerity."
"And what is it that the Moon Queen desires?"
"I demand that Caria maintains its independent status. We can accept a partnership, but Caria will never accept subjugation!"
"...I believe you are being far too optimistic. I think you have already seen the gap between our forces."
As he spoke, Radagon interlaced his fingers on the table, staring intently at Rennala to exert pressure.
Faced with this, Rennala merely chuckled.
"I am aware. But that does not mean you can easily swallow us whole. Between Caria's grand magical arrays, our vast corps of sorcerers, the portals scattered throughout the lake district, and the fact that not a single one of you is my match..."
"Even so, we can still destroy you, just as we have destroyed other dynasties of old. It would simply require a greater price."
Rennala's expression turned icy.
"Then by all means, try. But remember this: the people of Caria will never forget the scars and the hatred you carve into them. The light of the stars and the moon will remind them forever!"
As her words fell, the atmosphere turned explosive. Beside them, Rellana and Messmer both gripped their weapons, eyeing each other with cold hostility.
"...Let us not be so hasty, Moon Queen. I assume that since you accepted this invitation, you truly wish to negotiate."
"Your attitude doesn't suggest a desire for negotiation."
"My apologies. I offer you my regrets. However, to expect us to simply withdraw and accept your independence based on words alone... that seems unlikely, does it not?"
Radagon offered Rennala an out, but simultaneously threw a new challenge onto the table.
"Hah, an apology? Since you wish to apologize and continue this talk, let me see some real sincerity first."
Rennala's tone shifted suddenly as she looked at Radagon with interest.
"If you are referring to your previous demand, I think—"
"No, I mean something else."
"Oh? Speak."
Radagon was taken aback, unable to imagine what else Rennala could want at this stage.
"The culprit who killed one of our Carian Knights. I do not require you to hand over everyone who surrounded him. I only require you to hand over the leader!"
Radagon's eyes narrowed instantly. This was far more than just handing over a single person.
This involved multiple layers of complication.
First was the identity of the person responsible: the third son of the four sons of the Dane family. He wasn't some ignored peripheral member; he was a noble with significant talent. If he grew to his full potential, he would become another powerful hero for the Erdtree.
Combined with his status as an heir to the Dane family... he was a highly sensitive figure.
Furthermore, his actions took place on a battlefield against an enemy. It followed every protocol and regulation of war. It was a feat of merit, not a crime.
If Radagon handed him over to Caria to appease Rennala's anger in exchange for peace... the public outcry would be unimaginable.
"Impossible. You are being unreasonable, Lady Rennala. If I asked you to hand over the Carian Knight who killed our commander 'The Rock,' would you agree?"
"It seems... there is nothing more to talk about then?" Rennala narrowed her eyes.
"I believe you never had any intention of negotiating, so how can we proceed?"
Rennala laughed at his response, and in the next heartbeat, her entire aura shifted. She shed the aggressive stance and returned to the poise of the noble Full Moon Queen.
"Lord Radagon, strength is the foundation of the negotiation table. It is the bargaining chip that determines the outcome."
Hearing this, Radagon looked directly into Rennala's eyes.
"What are you trying to say?"
"So, you've stopped using honorifics? And here I thought you truly lacked a forceful side." Rennala smirked. "What I mean is... let us let our steel do the talking. We shall negotiate after we have had a proper clash. I, too, wish to see exactly what kind of confidence your Golden Order truly possesses!"
As she finished, an incredibly powerful aura erupted from her. A surge of blue magical energy instantly tore through the newly erected tent.
Radagon and Messmer immediately channeled their own powers to resist the surge. Rellana was not to be outdone.
In an instant, the site was dyed in a clashing spectrum of gold, blue, and red.
At that moment of eruption, the accompanying guards on both sides immediately sought out their counterparts and engaged.
Bwaaaaa-thrum!
The next second, the long, heavy blast of war horns echoed through both armies.
Without waiting for orders from Radagon or Messmer, the various commanders—sensing the shift—immediately gave the order to charge.
In an instant, two tides of steel crossed the several hundred meters of distance between them and collided.
The sky-shaking roars of men and the clashing of metal erupted across the field. Blood and sweat, war cries and agonized screams.
The first great battle of the Liurnia campaign had begun!
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (Full)
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