"Lord Tarnished, I believe you know of the Finger Maidens."
"Um..."
"They serve the Two Fingers, helping and guiding the Tarnished."
"Just like the Maiden beside you. She is excellent, and I can also fulfill the duties of a Maiden."
"The difference is that I am stronger in combat and healing, so I wish to serve by your side and become your Maiden."
"I can convert Runes into power for you. As long as you seek the Elden Ring, I will assist you wholeheartedly."
"I just need you to take me to the foot of the Erdtree."
"You may have doubts, but I promise I will not harm you. In fact, I can be of great help to you!"
Melina fell silent after saying this, her brown right eye filled with expectation.
While searching the world for a suitable Tarnished, she had happened upon Kaito.
She sensed the powerful divine power hidden within Kaito. His normal strength was certainly very weak, but now? Having reached level 40, Kaito had easily eliminated the Tree Sentinels and countless other monsters on his journey.
She valued Kaito's potential and formidable strength.
If Kaito agreed, she truly had a great chance of following him to the foot of the Erdtree and accomplishing what she needed to do.
"So, you want to follow me? Will you obey any command I give?"
"...Most of them, as long as I become your Maiden."
Melina hesitated, then answered seriously.
"Alright then. One more Maiden is fine, but I need you to stay by my side often. Can you do that?"
"...Yes. Although you can summon me at any time since I am a special kind of Maiden, if you insist, Lord Tarnished, I will comply."
'Good!'
'Seems she was open to negotiation.'
Kaito couldn't have her popping in and out mysteriously all the time!
Always absent, only to be summoned when needed?
"I accept you. From now on, you are my Maiden, Melina!"
"...Yes, my Lord."
Melina bowed her head and pledged her loyalty to Kaito.
Then, she took a ring from her robe and placed it before Kaito.
"This is a spectral ring that can summon a steed. His name is Torrent. He can serve as your mount."
"Also... he chose you. I hope you will treat him well. Even as a spectral being, he has life."
Kaito accepted the ring without ceremony and put it on his left index finger.
Suddenly, a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
"Does this count as a wedding ring you're giving me?"
Melina paused blankly and did not answer.
Well, she was a true wooden block.
She probably had a reaction, but her face showed nothing.
Finding it dull, Kaito sighed.
As he stood up, Melina rose as well, but this time she didn't disappear. Instead, she silently followed beside him.
Trying the ring and calling its name, a magnificent black horse materialized from a coalescence of light.
Just by its appearance, one could tell this horse was extraordinary.
Since it was quite large, not only could the Fire Keeper sit in front, but Melina could also sit behind and hold onto him!
Wonderful, wonderful!
"Release my Maiden from the abnormal state."
"Yes, my apologies, my Lord."
Melina bowed slightly in apology. Clasping her hands together and murmuring a prayer, a golden formation appeared.
The Fire Keeper, who had been sleeping in the tent, gradually awoke. She hurriedly jumped out.
She was always the first to wake and then call Kaito.
Now that Kaito was gone, how could she not panic!?
But when she saw Melina standing behind Kaito, she froze.
'Who was this person?'
'She looked like a Maiden, yet not quite?'
"Fire Keeper, her name is Melina. From now on, she will also be my Maiden, like you. She will assist me wholeheartedly in collecting the Elden Ring and making me the Elden Lord."
"My Lord, is this acceptable?"
The Fire Keeper did not trust Melina. After all, a Maiden could only have one Lord. If the Lord died, the Maiden would also perish; she would not live on.
A Maiden could die, but the Tarnished absolutely could not!
After hearing the circumstances of Melina's arrival, the Fire Keeper still did not fully accept her. Only because Kaito had spoken did she reluctantly agree.
From now on, the two of them would have to serve Kaito well.
Hmm...
She alone had indeed been struggling, especially as Kaito's level rose. Now with another Maiden, it would benefit her too; she could take over when she faltered in her duties.
Yes.
Since it was still night,
Kaito invited Melina into the tent to rest.
Even though Melina said she could stay outside, Kaito wasn't about to let her have her way.
He simply pulled her into the tent.
He slept in the middle, Melina on the left, and the Fire Keeper always on the right.
Fortunately, the tent wasn't too small; three people could fit with a little room to move.
After covering up, Kaito fell asleep with one arm around each.
The Fire Keeper quickly fell asleep as well. Only Melina kept her right eye open, her emotions extremely complex.
'Had I boarded a pirate ship?'
But Kaito was the Lord she had chosen, and she had to obey his commands. What could she do?
Silently sighing, Melina slowly closed her right eye and slept.
…
In the morning, Kaito stretched luxuriously.
He had initially planned to head to Stormveil Castle again, but this time he turned back.
Not to find Alexander the Iron Fist; he hadn't seen him when he came through.
He wasn't very interested in Alexander's quest line either. Even if the reward was a friendly pot, it wouldn't be much use to Kaito.
Well...
The purpose of turning back was naturally to meet Ranni~!
As for who was primary or secondary, it didn't matter.
In Kaito's heart, Baal held the largest place.
Two days later, using Torrent, the magnificent horse, they traveled around, fighting monsters and Tree Sentinels in Limgrave.
The Fire Keeper was already used to it. Melina had also observed many times and grown accustomed.
Seeing Kaito's terrifying combat prowess, she felt more and more that her choice was right!
Kaito truly had immense potential to become the Elden Lord!
On the fourth day, at night, the group of three arrived at the Church of Elleh. There was no merchant here, nor any sign of one.
They set up the tent in their usual corner, ate, and went to sleep early.
Kaito also slept early, but woke halfway, sensing something.
"Here already? That was fast."
Kaito had thought Ranni might come later, but she arrived just as he reached the Church of Elleh.
Sometimes Kaito wondered if Ranni would meet him, or somewhere else.
He slowly stood up. The Fire Keeper and Melina both stirred. Hearing that Kaito was just going to relieve himself, they went back to sleep.
If he was just nearby, they didn't need to worry.
No point worrying anyway. Kaito was strong enough; if danger arose nearby, he could handle it.
If it was something he couldn't handle, they'd all be fleeing together.
"O Tarnished, come here."
"Shall we talk for a while?"
Outside the Church of Elleh, sitting on the ruins of a structure, Ranni called to Kaito shortly after he emerged.
It was the position and height she was sitting at...
Understood, it was about 'dignity'!
Conveniently, going inside would disturb the Fire Keeper and Melina. Sitting out here was fine. And from her height, she looked down upon Kaito with full dignity.
"Hello. My name is Kaito. What can I do for you?"
"Heh... First meeting, Tarnished named Kaito. I am the witch, Renna."
Ranni wore a large, furry robe and a big, white witch's hat.
Her face was beautiful, even as a doll, it was lifelike.
One slightly unnerving thing was the spectral face beside her physical one.
Clearly, that spectral face was the real Ranni.
"I heard a Tarnished was riding a spectral steed. I spent some time looking..."
"Now, I believe it must be you."
"That spectral steed named Torrent, you summoned him, correct? Only you can summon him now."
If he hadn't summoned it, Ranni might not have sensed it.
She had sensed Torrent's summoning and came from Ranni's Rise? With her strength as a demigod, even one who could kill her Two Fingers, it wasn't strange for her to arrive here in this time.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"...Mm, you are honest. A good answer."
Ranni, with her hands clasped, fingertips together, seemed pleased that Kaito answered truthfully.
"It's just a sensation. I also have something to pass on to you."
"It was entrusted to me by Torrent's former master."
"It's called the Spirit Calling Bell. It can gather the ashes of those who did not return to the Erdtree and summon their spirits to fight for you, just like Torrent."
"Those spirits will temporarily recognize you as their master and fight as they did in life."
"...In short, use it as you see fit."
"Tarnished named Kaito, I have troubled you tonight."
"I don't imagine we shall meet again. Savor the experience of the Lands Between."
"I am curious... how long will you Tarnished obey the Two Fingers?"
With that, Ranni's form dissolved into blue light, not giving Kaito a chance to ask more.
Well, she said that because her enemy was the Two Fingers.
She likely saw any Tarnished as a piece on the board.
Pieces of the Two Fingers.
As a Tarnished, Kaito was one of the Two Fingers' many pieces, used to see who could ultimately become the Elden Lord.
"Hehe, leaving so soon? If possible, I'd really like to discuss the Age of Stars ending with you."
Well, he didn't yet know how to achieve that specific ending.
Well...
Kaito absolutely would not let Melina immolate herself to burn the Erdtree.
…
Morning—
The Fire Keeper called Kaito awake. Melina, as usual, packed up the tent and other items after Kaito came out. After breakfast, the two Maidens asked again about their destination.
This time, Kaito's answer was clear.
"Let's go to Stormveil Castle to find Godrick the Grafted!"
"He has a Great Rune, doesn't he?"
Hearing this, the two Maidens grew excited.
'Finally, were we truly beginning the main path to becoming Lord?'
Given Kaito's current strength and situation, challenging Godrick the Grafted was the best choice.
"Go! Hyah!"
Melina in front, the Fire Keeper behind, Kaito in the middle urged Torrent to full speed towards Stormveil Castle.
This time, Kaito didn't dawdle. He ignored any enemies encountered along the way.
He rode until he reached the ruined town before the Stormgate.
This town, once prosperous, was now in ruins.
As Kaito slowed Torrent, patrolling soldiers appeared.
They ignored ordinary people.
But if it was a Tarnished, sorry, they were enemies!
They were the enemies of their king, Godrick the Grafted!!
Any Tarnished trying to enter Stormveil Castle must die outside the walls; they were not allowed to simply walk in.