"I thought your identity might be complicated, but I never imagined it would be to this extent," Rellana said, her gaze fixed on Mohg with an incredibly complex expression.
"Call me Mohg. That is my true name, Princess Rellana," Mohg replied, looking directly into her eyes as he spoke slowly.
"Mohg, is it... Then what do you intend to do next? And what, exactly, is Caria in your heart?"
"...I will lay low. Caelid and Limgrave may be the areas where I operate in the future. As for Caria... in my heart, Caria will always be Caria. You are still my allies; that is a fact that has never changed."
Mohg answered her first question before addressing her directly with a solemn expression.
Rellana seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She stood frozen in place for a long moment, silent. Just as Mohg began to worry that he had said something wrong, she spoke again.
"Mohg, how about you take me away from here?"
"Huh... WHAT?!"
Mohg's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Rellana in disbelief.
It was true that he had intended to "abduct" the Twin Moon Princess of Caria eventually, but he didn't think he could do it right now. His plan had been to continue "boiling the frog" slowly, finding a way to officially whisk her away after the Golden Order and Caria formed their alliance.
He never expected Rellana to suggest it herself! This truly caught him off guard.
"What? Are you unwilling?"
Rellana walked slowly toward him. Since Mohg had activated the power of his Great Rune, he was now slightly taller than her, forcing her to look up at him slightly.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'm willing—no, I'm more than happy to. But what about Caria? And your sister...?"
"Don't worry about my sister. Because of you, the progress of our cooperation with the Golden Order will likely be faster than you can imagine. From here on out, there will only be minor frictions."
"What do you mean?" Mohg asked, sounding confused.
"Why do you think I was able to walk straight to you? Because I defeated Messmer? No. It's because Radagon was forced to reach a temporary agreement with my sister due to the strength you displayed. Apparently, the two of them are getting along quite well."
"I see..."
Mohg nodded slowly. He could guess the nature of the conversation between Radagon and Rennala—likely reducing the intensity of the war between the Golden Order and Caria, and perhaps forming a front against the Mohgwyn Dynasty.
Perhaps the two of them had even begun to cultivate some personal feelings for one another.
"So, take me away from here."
"...Are you serious?"
"Yes. I have stayed in Caria and Liurnia for far too long—so long that I've almost forgotten what the scenery looks like outside this lake. I've always wanted to see other places... and I want to follow the person I've chosen to follow."
As she spoke, Rellana flashed a smile at Mohg.
Mohg was stunned for a moment, then he lowered his head and let out a soft chuckle. "If you truly are willing, then the gates of the Mohgwyn Dynasty are always open to you."
"Then it's settled. After I finish handling all my affairs in Caria, I will come looking for you."
"In that case, take this. You can contact me directly through this, and I will lead you to the Dynasty's hidden location."
Mohg handed Rellana a medal—one that was distinctly different from those held by the other Pureblood Knights. Rellana glanced at it before tucking it into her robe.
"I will come for you as soon as I can."
"I'll be waiting."
Mohg nodded and gave her a smile before vanishing into the pool of blood. Rellana watched the spot where he disappeared for a moment, then turned back toward the direction of Rennala.
Shortly after Mohg and his followers departed, the Golden Order sounded the signal for retreat.
The Carian forces fell silent for a single heartbeat upon hearing the horn before erupting into thunderous cheers and celebrations.
Radagon, who was still with Rennala, watched the scene. His injuries had mostly healed, but he didn't choose to resume the fight or go to support other areas.
There was no longer any point. Fighting Rennala further wouldn't result in a victory, and casting more incantations wouldn't turn the tide of the war. The intervention of the Mohgwyn Dynasty had completely upended the situation.
The power known as Cursed Blood would now be remembered by every faction in the Lands Between.
This power was the ultimate weapon against those of flesh and blood. A force of only two or three thousand Blood Warriors had entered the battlefield for the first time and achieved a staggering victory against an enemy several times their size.
The Blood Lord had proven his might, and the Golden Order had inadvertently become the stepping stone for his rise.
"Lord Radagon, it seems you are about to face considerable trouble," Rennala remarked.
"...If you had chosen to lend a hand, Lady Rennala, the outcome would have been very different," Radagon replied, unable to stop himself from glancing at her.
Rennala chuckled softly. "If I had done that, I wouldn't be the Queen of Caria. The current situation is what best serves Caria's interests."
Radagon let out a long sigh. Now that Mohg had left and the influence of an Outer God was gone, he was able to regain his usual composure.
"So, my proposal... have you considered it, Lady Rennala?"
"I can accept it, but Caria only accepts..."
"That is fine with me. Someone needs to bear the consequences of this campaign, and this can be seen as an opportunity."
"To be honest, I am a bit surprised."
"Surprised by what?" Radagon asked curiously.
"That someone of your immense strength is actually willing to accept the condition of joining my household as a consort?"
"I love the people of the Erdtree dearly. My reputation and my future do not matter, so long as the prosperity of the Golden Dynasty and the safety of the Erdtree's people are guaranteed. It is worth it," Radagon said with a smile.
"...You've actually made me see you in a new light."
After saying this, Rennala dissolved into starlight and vanished. Radagon remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the space where she had been, before transforming into a streak of gold. He picked up the heavily injured Messmer and returned to the Golden Order camp.
Compared to the atmosphere of Caria and the Mohgwyn Dynasty, the mood within the Golden Order was heavy.
This campaign was a disaster. Tens of thousands of soldiers were dead, and dozens of heroic-tier combatants had fallen—including several top-tier heroes. Even though they could eventually return to the Lands Between through the blessing of the Erdtree, it would take a very long time.
"Radagon! You must answer for this campaign!"
Before Radagon could say a word in the camp, a man dressed as a heavy knight stepped forward with a group of followers, glaring at him.
Seeing this, one of Radagon's loyalists stepped forward, face flushed with anger. "What did you say?! How is this Lord Radagon's fault?! It was clearly—"
"That's enough!"
Radagon stepped forward, cutting off his subordinate. He looked at the gathered crowd and bowed deeply.
"Everyone, I will take full responsibility for this battle. My rash decisions have brought shame to the Erdtree and caused immense loss to the Dynasty's forces. I am resigning as the supreme commander of this campaign. Lord Messmer will take over."
Messmer, standing nearby, looked genuinely surprised. He clearly hadn't been prepared for this.
The heavy knight froze. He exchanged looks with his colleagues, and after a few nods, they retreated back into the ranks.
"Lord Radagon..." the loyalist whispered, looking frustrated.
Radagon reached out and patted the man's shoulder, signaling him not to worry.
The Golden Order forces then led their remaining troops to the vicinity of the Grand Lift, setting up a defensive perimeter to guard against any Carian counter-attack.
When the Cuckoo Knights saw the Golden Order returning in defeat, their expressions changed drastically. They had clearly never expected such an outcome. Before they could ask for details, they were immediately "conscripted" by the Golden Order.
Previously, the Golden Order had looked down on their combat power and worried they would disrupt military discipline. Now... necessity trumped all, and they no longer cared about such trifles.
However, Radagon was preoccupied with something far more important: the identity of the Blood Lord!
Without a doubt, the man was one of the Omen twins. This meant that one of the twins had escaped the sewers of the Capital and cast off their shackles!
He would hold the Capital's enforcement teams accountable and send men into the sewers for a thorough investigation. Most importantly... he had to let Godwyn know about this!!
Meanwhile, at the Mohgwyn Dynasty's base.
Mohg stood atop a massive rock, arms raised high, looking down at his followers. At the very front stood Liana, Lansseax, Nibla, Horuv, and Pilar.
Behind them were the Pureblood Knights he had personally blessed, and further back was the host of Blood Warriors.
"My friends, let us raise a cup to the birth of the Mohgwyn Dynasty!!!"
"WOOOOO!!!"
Exultant cheers echoed across the base. Every Blood Warrior raised a cup filled with deep red wine. Bonfires were lit, and great pots of food were prepared. A massive victory feast began.
Such a large commotion naturally drew the attention of the Dynasty's neighbors, but due to the distance, they weren't sure exactly what was happening.
Soon, after several rounds of drinks, Mohg leaned back lazily in a large throne the followers had hastily constructed for him. After today, the expansion of the Dynasty could finally begin in earnest.
He already had a rough idea: he would market his followers as a powerful, large-scale mercenary group.
Clients like the Storm Dynasty would be ideal, though the risk was high as they might have to face his "old man." Therefore, the best customers would actually be the various factions in Caelid. The situation there was chaotic, and conflict was constant.
"Hehehe, Lord Mohg~"
While Mohg was dreaming of the future, Liana approached him, her face flushed with wine. She managed to trip over her own feet and fell right into his lap.
Mohg scratched his head, a bit lost on how to react to the sudden development. However, Liana soon quieted down. She snuggled into his chest, found a comfortable position, and fell fast asleep with a satisfied snore.
"Yo, looks like you know how to enjoy yourself~"
Hearing that cynical female voice, Mohg knew exactly who it was. He shot her a flat look. "What do you want?"
"Just wanted to ask about your next plan."
Mohg shrugged and explained his thoughts to Lansseax.
Lansseax nodded in approval. She suggested establishing a public outpost in Caelid. That way, if any trouble arose, it could act as a decoy to further hide their true base of operations.
"But that's for later. We'll take it slow. We've been busy for a long time; I plan to rest for a bit. The Golden Order will likely be in a frenzy during this period, and I need to... handle some things."
Lansseax, remembering Mohg's true identity, started to say something but chose silence instead. She glanced at Liana in Mohg's arms, gave him a suggestive look, and then took her leave.
Mohg sighed. Given his current size compared to Liana... this seemed a bit inappropriate, didn't it?
"Have you made your decision?"
"Yes."
"No regrets?"
"This is my choice. I won't regret it."
Rellana shook her head as she spoke to Rennala.
"If that's the case, I won't say anything more... Just be careful. Following him will be dangerous."
"I know," Rellana replied with a nod.
"The Silver Moon Knights will leave with you."
"What? No, I can't take them—"
"It's decided. However, the Solitary Gaol Knights must stay behind."
"I understand... Then..."
"Wait until the matters between me and Radagon are fully settled before you leave. I will tell him that you have gone to travel the Lands Between."
"Sister..."
"Hmm? What is it?" Rennala asked, blinking at her.
"Thank you."
Rellana spoke with deep sincerity.
"What are you saying? I'm your sister," Rennala said, offering her a warm smile.
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