Before long, Gawain stepped out of the chamber of the Two Fingers. It had been the usual routine—the classic, useless "encouraging words" that amounted to nothing more than drawing a pie in the sky. To be honest, if Finger Reader Enia hadn't been in there, he wouldn't have even bothered entering.
However, he did manage to obtain a Talisman Pouch this time. Combined with the one he got after defeating Margit the Fell Omen, he could now manifest the effects of three talismans simultaneously. Although he hadn't acquired any talismans that were particularly game-changing for him yet, it was always good to have the slots ready.
While he was at it, he spent the Remembrances he had duplicated earlier at a Wandering Mausoleum. From Enia, he traded for the Starscourge Greatsword and the Lion Guardian Greatbow. If he ever needed to use gravity-based skills in the future, these two weapons would likely serve a purpose similar to the "Storm Ruler"—and that was enough for him.
"Finally out? Judging by your expression, the harvest was decent?"
"Let's just say it met expectations. The Two Fingers were a bit over-excited to see someone like me appear in the Lands Between who could claim two Great Runes. The only problem is they were too stingy to even give me a single Golden Rune [1]."
Gawain hadn't expected much from the tight-fisted Two Fingers anyway. His business at the Roundtable Hold was mostly concluded. Before leaving, he could pay a visit to Old Man Hewg and place an order to reinforce some weapons; after all, the one thing he didn't lack right now was Smithing Stones.
Turning into the familiar corridor with Nepheli, the first thing he saw was Roderika sitting against the wall. Before her were numerous books and spirit-tuning jars capable of housing souls. Under the glow of candlelight, she was focused intently on the texts before her.
Sensing someone watching, she slowly looked up. She saw the familiar Nepheli, and another figure she felt she had seen somewhere before. Suddenly, she remembered a figure she had glimpsed from a distance while squeezed into a crowd—someone radiating the powerful spiritual aura of a Stormhawk. There was no mistaking it.
"Are you... the Lord Storm King?"
"So you recognize me. I suppose I don't need to introduce myself then. Someone told me they found a survivor in Godrick's cages—a girl named Roderika. I assume that's you."
Roderika nodded. Although she had only seen Gawain from afar during that grand ceremony, she knew it was he who had rescued her from that prison, ensuring her companions' blessings weren't in vain. Thinking of this, she took a spirit-jar containing a soul from her bag and carefully handed it over.
"Would you take the soul of this child to travel with you? She is a spirit I found outside the castle. It would be too pitiable for her to stay with someone as cowardly as me. Besides, this child seems to like you very much; I think she would be happy."
"A Jellyfish spirit? Very well, thank you for the gift."
"But speaking of which, are you a Spirit Tuner? I've heard of the profession, but this is the first time I've met one."
Roderika looked toward the smithy not far away and acknowledged her new identity.
"Perhaps it is because I have felt close to souls since I was a child. Master Hewg saw potential in me and taught me what he knows of spirit tuning. So, right now, I am at most an apprentice Spirit Tuner."
Her gaze shifted to Nepheli, her tone filled with gratitude.
"During this time, Sister Nepheli has helped me immensely. Not only did she help me find a suitable place to stay, but she also brought many books on spirit tuning. Otherwise, relying solely on Master Hewg's instruction, I might not have even reached the threshold by now."
Nepheli felt a bit embarrassed by the sudden praise. She had simply heard that the blacksmith she frequently visited had taken an apprentice, so she had requested a few books and scrolls from her adoptive father's mountain of literature. However, she likely wouldn't be able to do such a thing again.
"But now that you mention it, do you two know each other? You seem to get along quite well. As expected, kind souls gravitate toward one another."
Exchanging a glance with Nepheli, Gawain smiled and nodded.
"Naturally. We've known each other for a while now, and our relationship is perhaps a bit closer than you might think. So, if you ever need help in the future, you can come to me just as easily. Perhaps I'll be commissioning you for spirit tuning quite often."
"Then I will certainly study hard to reach the level of a formal Spirit Tuner in Master Hewg's eyes as soon as possible."
After bidding farewell to Roderika, Gawain handed over his newly acquired Starscourge Greatsword and other preferred weapons for reinforcement, including Nepheli's slightly damaged axe for repair and upgrade.
It had to be said that while Master Iji was skilled, compared to Hewg, his massive troll stature was a disadvantage when it came to forging human-sized weapons. Iji's giant-smithing techniques were better suited for forging rugged, durable armaments.
Leaning against the corridor wall, the two stood in silence for a moment, neither knowing who should speak first. Too much had happened today, and they hadn't quite adjusted—neither to their future plans nor to the shift in their relationship.
"I can no longer follow my adoptive father. So... do you have any suggestions for what I should do next?"
"You were the one who helped me find my feet again, so I want to hear your opinion on this matter."
"That is indeed a question. Let me think."
Gawain pondered for a moment. Ultimately, he felt Stormveil Castle was the most suitable place for a warrior who commanded the storm like Nepheli. His army was still in its foundational stages and desperately needed another capable leader.
"The Storm Knights in the city are currently lacking a suitable leader. Althea has too much on her plate to step away. Would you be willing to lead those knights—to fight for me, and to sweep away the filth of the Lands Between?"
Nepheli was stunned. This position was far higher than she had imagined. She had expected to simply serve as a warrior on the front lines against the rot.
"You would truly give such an important position to me? Isn't that a bit hasty? My father never taught me how to lead an army. If a stranger like me suddenly takes command of those proud knights, will they truly accept me?"
"If you don't know how, then learn, just like Roderika. You were among the first warriors to fight your way into Stormveil with me. Few are more qualified, and I believe in your ability."
Nepheli sighed. She could tell he was serious; she would have to grit her teeth and do it.
"To be honest, being so arbitrary isn't exactly the trait of a wise king. I can only do my best to ensure you don't regret your decision."
Gawain laughed, reaching out to pat her shoulder in encouragement.
"Arbitrary? I suppose I am. Not only am I arbitrary, but I'm also guilty of nepotism. However, the people I choose have never let me down. I suspect you won't be the exception."
Nepheli took his hand, her face flushing. After her bold move earlier, facing his direct display of affection made her feel uncharacteristically shy. She could only nod silently before leaving the Roundtable Hold with him to return to Stormveil.
By the time they arrived back, night had fallen completely. However, the bustling city remained brightly lit. Groups of Tarnished were gathered, drinking and making merry. Occasionally, a couple of drunks would tackle each other to the ground, only to be promptly "awakened" by two thwacks from a patrolling guard's club.
Therolina sat bored on a chair, staring at the alleyway not far ahead. She had been off duty today with nothing to do. Her friend had said she'd be back before nightfall, yet there had been no sign of her. If she had known, she would have followed Lady Althea to the Caelid front instead of sitting here doing nothing.
Letting out a soft sigh, she felt the surrounding celebration was too loud. Just as she was about to return to her quarters to craft some Holy Water for fun, she saw two familiar figures emerge from the alley. Finally back.
Standing up and stretching, she hurried over to greet her friend. But as she drew closer, her pace slowed, and a look of confusion crossed her face.
"Nepheli, you're finally back! I've been waiting here forever. Hmm? Something's not right."
Seeing her friend's scrutinizing expression, Nepheli quickly wiped her face. There shouldn't be anything strange about me, right?
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Tell me the truth—who made you angry? Your eyes were so swollen from crying they haven't fully gone down yet."
"You're seeing things. That's not it at all."
"Hmph. Don't forget that a Finger Maiden like me knows a bit of medicine. You can't hide it from me."
"But it's strange... you don't look like you're still upset. In fact, you look quite... excited."
"Wait! Could it be—!"
Therolina struck an exaggerated pose, her eyes darting between Gawain and Nepheli. In the surrounding lamplight, she caught the unmistakable flush on her friend's face.
"Well, that explains it! That explains everything! Ahem, I just remembered—my Holy Water bottles are leaking at home. You two enjoy yourselves; I'll be going now!"
Gawain watched the retreating Therolina with amusement.
"Go after her if you want. Remember to find Irina tomorrow; she'll tell you how to officially take up your post."
Nepheli nodded, her fist clenching for a moment. She chased her friend down in two steps, catching her in a "headlock" and pulling her back.
"Don't even think about running. Didn't we agree you'd stay and drink with me tonight?"
After catching her breath, she looked at the now-submissive but still pouting Therolina and burst into laughter.
"Fine, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you off once. But here's some more good news: from today on, I'm officially living in Stormveil. So, you'd better treat me to a celebratory drink, you hear?"
"Huh? But I don't have enough Runes!"
"It's fine. I can lend you some."
Two days later, just as Nepheli was adjusting to her new identity after leaving her father, the first group of sorcerers relocating from the town of Sellia finally arrived.
The old town was no longer fit for habitation; it was now being taken over by Jerren's Redmane Army to be slowly transformed into a defensive fortress. Some sorcerers who refused to leave their home stayed behind to assist, dreaming of the day they could rebuild.
While they could do little until large-scale reinforcements arrived beyond monitoring the Aeonia Swamp for anomalies, they were performing necessary preparations for the eventual counter-attack.
Lillian, as the representative of Sellia, led the vast majority of the sorcerers to their new home. From now on, these mages would operate under Master Sellen's leadership—whether training more sorcerers or providing magical support in battle.
Lillian herself had another important task: accompanying the Storm King to the long-lost Eternal City underground. As one of the few remaining Nightfolk, she was eager to see her lost ancestral home, wondering what kind of life her kin who remained in the Eternal City were living.
At dawn, Gawain donned his full set of armor. While he hoped to avoid conflict with the Nox survivors, he had to prepare for the worst.
Furthermore, he didn't believe an item as critical as the Fingerslayer Blade would be sitting out in the open like in the game, just waiting for him to pick it up inside a chest. If he pushed the Nox people too far, their formidable teleporter technology could allow them to vanish with the blade before he could even give chase.
"Are you ready, Asimi? Don't think I didn't notice you secretly siphoning so much of my power over the past few days. Once we're down there, I'll need you to come out and fight. Otherwise, don't expect to get that 'Cup' of yours, understood?"
The still-globular Asimi writhed slightly to indicate she had heard. These past few days had been far more comfortable and safe than she had ever imagined; it had almost made her not want to leave.
Melina stroked Asimi's smooth surface, feeling a bit awkward herself. Since she was in a state of fused souls with Gawain, she occasionally drew power from him through their soul connection without even realizing it.
In her boredom over the past few days, she had been "feeding" the little Asimi. She realized only later that this might, to some extent, influence the Mimic Tear's mimicry process. She couldn't even imagine what the child would look like when summoned now.
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (201 chapter - Ongoing)
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