"Who exactly are you?" the beastman asked, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he watched the two Ancient Dragons slowly descend. "Why are you helping these dragons?"
"I am the son of Rennala and Radagon," Raven said, leaping down from Lansseax and walking toward the group of predatory beastmen. "Lansseax is a member of my knightly order, and I am her—"
Noticing that the beastman wasn't looking at him, but rather at something above his head, Raven looked up in confusion.
Slender Dragonbolt had woven themselves into a line of words above his head, glowing like the gaudy, paid-for titles of a character in a trashy mobile game: The Blade of Lansseax.
Raven slowly turned his head and locked eyes with Lansseax.
Lansseax gave him a cheerful little wave with her claw.
He took a deep breath, turned back, and continued as if nothing had happened. "I represent the Royalist faction, and I declare myself responsible for Lansseax's safety."
"Ha! Another Godwyn," the beastman snarled, baring his teeth. "You Golden scions—"
"This expedition was authorized by Queen Marika herself," Raven interrupted. "If you insist on causing trouble, please leave now. Rest assured, everyone at the Roundtable Hold will know exactly who is to blame."
The beastman's lips twisted into a grotesque grin. He leaned in close to Raven, his breath reeking with a feverish, sickly stench.
"I am Serunzo, son of Chancellor Serosh, and the most loyal follower of Lord Maliketh. Mark my words: though the rebels of the Dynasty dig through the earth, the hand of my Lord Maliketh shall pluck them out; though they climb up to heaven, my Lord shall bring them down. None shall escape, none shall flee. The Black Blade shall hang forever over their heads, bringing calamity, not blessing."
"Does anyone here look like a rebel against the Erdtree to you?" Raven asked casually.
"With a face like yours, you look exactly like a rebel!"
"Is that so? Well then, for the rest of the journey, let us try to get along," Raven said.
The beastman reached out to grab Raven's collar, but a Leyndell Knight wearing a general's cloak stepped between them, separating the two. "Priest Serunzo, as the overseer appointed by Queen Marika, I must remind you to mind your behavior."
Serunzo let out a sharp snort and led the beastmen toward the outskirts of the camp.
"Prince Raven, I also hope you maintain restraint," the overseer said.
"I will keep that in mind."
"Good. I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me, Prince Raven." The overseer nodded and hurried away. The state of this expeditionary force was clearly enough to leave even him exhausted.
Raven watched the beastmen's retreating backs, noting that they didn't set up tents. Instead, they stopped at a rocky outcrop not far from the camp, leaning against the stones to rest—behaving exactly like wild animals.
Heavy footsteps thundered closer and stopped beside him. A gust of hot wind blew past. Unlike the crisp, ionized air that Lansseax's scales emitted, this scent was more like sun-scorched rock and metal.
"Thank you." Fortissax lowered her massive frame somewhat clumsily. A tiny spark of Dragonbolt flickered from her claw; she wasn't nearly as graceful on the ground as she was in the sky.
"Don't thank me; thank Lansseax." Raven looked up at her. "Where are your Ancient Dragon Knights? Why didn't they come to help you?"
"If they were to join the fight, it would lead to a total confrontation between the Black Blade and Prince Godwyn. If that happened..."
"They don't actually worship you, and they don't follow your orders, do they?" Raven cut her off.
"That's not true!" Fortissax said urgently, trying to explain further, but the words caught in her throat.
Raven shook his head, remembering Rykard's assessment of those Ancient Dragon Knights back when they killed the Magma Wyrm.
"They are just a pack of hyenas coveting the power of the Ancient Dragons, no different from those who partake in Dragon Communion. Fortissax, you should stay away from them."
Fortissax exhaled a puff of scorching breath.
"They serve Godwyn, just as I do. That is enough. As long as Godwyn is here, they wouldn't dare be disrespectful to me. Besides, there are heroes among them, like Kristoff. It's just that he stayed in the Capital this time to protect Godwyn and didn't join the expedition."
"What I really meant was, the one you should stay away from is—" Raven paused. "Regardless, you are Lansseax's sister. If you ever run into trouble, you can always turn to Lansseax and me for help."
He patted Fortissax's front claw and looked back at the sprawling tents. Queen Marika hadn't appointed a commander-in-chief for the expedition, likely hoping they would reach an agreement themselves. However, with such a violent conflict erupting on the very first day, Raven could see a heavy shadow already looming over the crusade.
After Godwyn was heavily wounded and fell into a coma, the internal conflicts within the Golden Dynasty were becoming harder to hide, and Queen Marika seemed to be making no effort to bridge the gaps.
"Everyone has their own agenda." Raven sighed. Inside his coat pocket, Ranni's doll felt as cold as ice, a reminder of what he had to do during this journey.
In this atmosphere of mutual suspicion, the expeditionary force moved along the Altus Highway toward the Grand Lift of Dectus.
Before the First Liurnian War, the Golden Dynasty had secretly constructed this lift, powered by the roots of the Erdtree, to transport large armies for the invasion of the Carian Kingdom. After the war, Caria permitted the lift's existence but stationed an elite force at the bottom to monitor it. That was why, during Radagon's last invasion, he had been forced to take the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
This time, because Raven had written ahead to mediate, the Carian Kingdom agreed to temporarily open the border. After many years of gathering dust, the Grand Lift was finally activated once more.
The overseer stood in the center of the lift platform, joined the two halves of the medallion together, and held them high above his head. At the center of the medallion, a point of golden light gradually ignited.
On either side of the platform stood two massive Tree Sentinel statues, their eyes also glowing with gold. The ground groaned and shook as the entire platform, along with hundreds of soldiers, began its slow descent.
"Do not get distracted." Malenia tapped the back of her blade against Rya's head. "Continue."
Rya, her eyes welling with tears, stood on one foot, mimicking Malenia's stance. She wobbled unsteadily under the weight of the many sandbags strapped to her body.
"Forget your breath. Forget your opponent. Imagine yourself as a stream of flowing water. What matters is your heart and your blade, not the enemy's moves."
"But Sister Raven said that a swordsman's gaze must always remain on the enemy, and that distance is a swordsman's life."
"Is that so? What else did he teach you?"
"About how to control the rhythm of battle, anticipating the enemy's moves, and using the principle of leverage to parry the weak part of an enemy's blade with the strong part of mine..." Rya stole a glance at Malenia's expression.
"Prince Raven, would you care to step forward and spar with me to give Rya a demonstration?" Malenia turned toward Raven, who was watching from the sidelines.
"A match! A match!" Rya immediately dropped her foot and started jumping excitedly, waving her small fists. "Rya wants to see!"
"I don't think that's necessary," Raven said, trying to change the subject. "By the way, Princess Malenia, you hold the highest status in this expedition. It's only right that you be the one to liaise with the Carian Kingdom. I think—"
"The only thing I know is how to swing a blade. I know nothing of diplomacy or politics." Malenia flicked her prosthetic blade, her cello-like voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Are you ready, Prince Raven?"
"I just remembered I have things to do," Raven began to back away. "I won't disturb—Wait!"
He saw a surging river of steel rushing toward him, the snow-white sword-glints like spray and foam upon the water. Raven drew both sword and staff, unleashing a massive burst of flame before retreating rapidly, twelve cerulean glintblades manifesting behind his back.
The brilliant fire vanished in an instant, and the sword-energy swallowed Raven without pause. To an outsider, Raven's figure appeared blurred, as if obstructed by a layer of turbulent water, shifting shapes as he dashed left and right while azure light flashed repeatedly beneath the surface.
The blue light grew dimmer and dimmer, nearly extinguished, before flaring up one last time in a final burst of effort. In the next moment, Raven appeared over ten meters away, stumbling as he landed. Only two and a half of the glintblades remained floating behind him.
With a sound like rushing water, the blade-aura dissipated into a scattered breeze. Malenia stepped out of the wind. "Bloodhound's Step?"
"Stop, stop!" Seeing the prosthetic blade rise again, Raven hurriedly raised his hands to call for a ceasefire. As he did, his sleeve fell right off, revealing his pale forearm. A long tear had opened along the side of his robe, and the hem was shredded into tatters—he looked utterly pathetic.
"Precise and powerful swordsmanship. However, you are hiding your true strength, aren't you?" Malenia said. "At this level, you wouldn't be able to defeat a Black Blade Kindred."
"In terms of pure swordplay, I've held nothing back." Raven sheathed his sword and shrugged with a smile. "You truly are the Blade of Miquella. In all the Lands Between, I doubt anyone could match you in a duel of blades."
"It ended too fast!" Rya, who had just sneaked off her sandbags to slack off, cried out when she saw the duel was over. "Round two! Round two!"
"There is no round two," Raven said, pursing his lips and pretending to be angry as he pinched Rya's cheeks. "Not taking your sword lessons seriously and even fanning the flames? Do you know your mistake?"
Rya mumbled incoherently, her eyes suddenly widening as she pointed behind Raven.
"That trick only works on Lansseax. Don't think you can fool me," Raven said, but the expeditionary soldiers around him began to clamor.
He turned around and saw a Glintstone Dragon rising from beneath the Grand Lift, trailing cerulean stardust as it landed on the ground.
"Ranni?" Seeing the figure on the dragon's back, he was startled, but he quickly realized it wasn't Ranni's dragon. It was Smarag, the Glintstone Dragon subdued by the Full Moon Queen. When Astel attacked Raya Lucaria, Smarag had hidden and refused to fight; being used as a mount now was likely its punishment.
Not wanting to be recognized by the Carians, Raven hurried toward the crowd, but a cry of surprise—in a very familiar voice—rang out from behind him.
"Raven? Is that you?"
A sorceress from the Academy jumped down from the dragon's back, wearing an elegant and beautiful glintstone crown modeled after a female face. Only students who had been recognized on the path of discovery were granted a crown representing their classroom upon graduation, but Raven had never seen this particular style before. Clearly, during the six months he had been gone, someone at the Academy had established a new classroom.
In such a short time, it was impossible for a student of a new classroom to graduate, and since the newcomer was qualified to ride a Glintstone Dragon, they were undoubtedly the founder of this new classroom.
"Greetings. May I ask who you are—" Raven tried to recall which professors or masters were on the verge of a breakthrough before he left, but he couldn't match any of them to this pleasant voice.
"You don't recognize me after such a short time? Not only is your eyesight poor, but your memory is also quite concerning. Oh? Your clothes... were you just in a fight?"
Hearing that familiar, arrogant tone, Raven's expression turned peculiar.
"Sellen? Is that your personal crown?"
"As you can see." Sellen drew her staff and looked around. "You aren't hurt, are you? Did these Lordsworn soldiers kidnap you? Was that letter written under duress?"
"No," Raven said, seeing a group of expeditionary soldiers surrounding them. "Let's speak off to the side."
"Where do you think you're going?" A Leyndell Knight holding a greatsword blocked his path warily.
"Just catching up with an old friend from Caria," Raven raised an eyebrow. "Did Great Scholar Zeno not teach you manners, or did he authorize you to restrict my freedom?"
"No offense intended, Prince Raven," the knight's attitude softened slightly. "But at a time like this, it would be best if you didn't do anything that might invite suspicion."
"He can go anywhere he likes. Do not obstruct him." Malenia walked over, her prosthetic blade pressing the greatsword down toward the ground.
"But if he intends to flee back to Caria—"
"If he wanted to leave, you couldn't keep him trapped forever," Malenia said, turning to Raven. "Raven, my brother told me that you are the key to the success or failure of this expedition. No one is more important than you."
"That is likely just a bit of hyperbole," Raven said, though his heart skipped a beat.
The expedition was filled with masters. Given the strength he had displayed, he was far from being the deciding factor. If he had any irreplaceable role, it was because he possessed the Rune of Death. Aside from Maliketh the Black Blade, he was the only one who could truly put the Goddess of Rot to death.
Does Miquella know even that? How did he find out, and what else does he know?
"I know this crusade has nothing to do with you," Malenia said, shaking her head slightly. "This is my war. But if you are willing to lend a hand—"
"So you're teaching Rya swordsmanship in exchange?"
"No, she truly is talented." Beneath the winged helm, a faint, pale smile ghosted across her lips, like weak sunlight hitting winter snow. "Swordsmanship is my only pride. If I do not survive this battle, I at least hope there is someone to inherit my blade."
Even with the winged helm in the way, Raven could still faintly see the scars left by the rot on the side of her face—identical to the rot patients waiting for death in the Capital's camps.
The Goddess of Rot eroded all things equally. Whether it was the Golden Dynasty or the Carian Kingdom, demigods or mortals—all were the same before the tide of rot.
"This isn't just your war, Malenia," Raven said. "I will do my best."
He gave Malenia a small nod and pulled Sellen toward a secluded area, using his Wild Strikes technique to confirm no one was eavesdropping.
"Sellen, could I ask you not to let my mother know I'm here?"
"You truly intend to go and fight the Goddess of Rot? Is the Golden Dynasty threatening you?" Sellen asked. Her expression was hidden behind the crown. "You can come with me. We can take the Glintstone Dragon back to the Academy right now.
"Caria has been making great strides in military reform lately; we aren't afraid of going to war. Those masters were clearly worrying too much about the Greater Will. I don't see any Astels leveling Mt. Gelmir."
"Ranni received a prophecy in the underground world. I have to go to confirm a few things," Raven said. "Now isn't the best time for a war. I have a feeling the Golden Dynasty will face internal strife in the future; we just need to wait and see. By the way, what kind of military reform is Caria doing?"
"New military courses are now mandatory at the Academy. We're promoting the 'Battlemage' model and strengthening combined-casting drills... simply put, sorcerers are going to have to serve in the military from now on."
Raven frowned. "Won't that meet with fierce opposition?"
"The Karolos and Olivinus Conspectuses tried to go on strike, but the Queen's word is absolute. Besides, both Master Azur and Master Lusat are on the Queen's side."
"A strike... I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to handle the Student Union alone," Raven chuckled.
"This isn't something the Student Union can solve. Those glintstone masters are supporting the Queen's decision on the surface, but they're pulling strings behind the scenes to get the students to protest. But thanks to that, the Queen has started supporting the Primeval Glintstone school as a counterweight. She expedited the approval for my new classroom and even lent me this dragon for the time being. By next year, I'll truly have a classroom of my own."
"Congratulations." Raven joked, "If I ever return to the Academy and join your classroom, please have mercy and let me graduate for the sake of our years of friendship."
"Our 'years of friendship' must have been established in your dreams," Sellen said. Raven could imagine the smirk beneath her crown. "Fine. I'm willing to take you as an apprentice. But I am a strict teacher; I don't go in for that 'gentle guidance' nonsense. Don't regret it when the time comes."
The two looked at each other for a moment and burst into laughter.
"Phew, that feels much better." Sellen removed her crown and tucked her slightly messy black hair behind her ear. "Fine. I won't breathe a word about you being in the expedition. In return, if you find any knowledge related to Primeval Glintstone magic underground, remember to make a copy for me."
"No problem," Raven agreed readily. "Also, there's one more thing, regarding Rykard—"
He stopped and waved a hand. "Rya."
There was no response.
"Come out; I know you're there."
From behind a supply wagon not far away, Rya poked her head out and walked over reluctantly. With all the sandbags strapped to her, she looked like a little bear preparing for winter, wobbling as she walked, yet her footsteps were completely silent.
"There was someone right there?" Sellen seemed genuinely surprised.
Raven knew why she was so shocked. While Rya was hiding behind the wagon, her body temperature was identical to the environment, and her heart rate and breathing were incredibly slow—she was a natural-born assassin. Had Raven not been constantly using Wild Strikes to sense his surroundings, he wouldn't have noticed her either.
"Sister Raven, can you not send Rya to Caria? Rya really wants to go on an adventure underground with everyone." Clutching the shredded hem of Raven's robe, Rya looked up.
"'Sister Raven'?" Sellen asked playfully.
Raven gave a dry cough and knelt down, placing a hand on Rya's shoulder.
"If you can learn Malenia's secret technique, the Waterfowl Dance, then I'll agree."
"Okay! Rya can definitely do it." Rya held out her hand. "It's a promise!"
Raven also held out his hand, slapping her palm, then the back of her hand, and finishing with a fist bump.
"She is the daughter of my brother Rykard. I brought her back from Mt. Gelmir." Watching Rya leave happily, Raven stood up. "Before we go underground, please take her to my mother to be looked after... I imagine the Waterfowl Dance won't be that easy to master."
"You went to the volcano? Some say the Praetor launched a rebellion, others say he was swallowed by a great serpent. The rumors are all over the place," Sellen said. "The Full Moon Queen is very concerned about this. Knight Moongrum has already been ordered to the volcano to gather information. What exactly is going on?"
"It's a long story," Raven was silent for a moment. "After I return from the underground, I will tell Mother what happened at the volcano."
The Grand Lift was activated over and over. Raven changed into an inconspicuous robe and mixed with the crowd to board the lift.
Stepping onto Carian soil once more, Raven took a deep breath.
A pleasant breeze blew in from the south, brushing against his face, carrying the faint scent of water from Lake Liurnia. The sky, uncovered by the Erdtree, was vast and high, and everything was draped in the quiet hues of dusk.
A derelict stone highway stretched into the distance, much of the road already overgrown with weeds. On both sides of the road, the statues built to celebrate the marriage of Radagon and Rennala had fallen into disrepair, their surfaces weathered and peeling, with birds nesting among them. From time to time, birds would flap their wings and take flight, circling to observe the marching army with crisp chirps.
On one side of the highway was a Carian military camp, the silhouettes of banners bearing the star and moon swaying in the evening breeze. At the entrance to the camp, representatives of the two armies were negotiating, and the atmosphere didn't seem too tense.
"This is the agreed military passage fee." The Royalist overseer took out a key and opened the rear door of a wagon drawn by Trolls. He ordered soldiers to carry out two heavy chests and flipped open the lids.
For an instant, even from a distance, Raven's eyes were dazzled by the brilliant golden light emanating from the chests.
"Do you wish to count the amount now?" the overseer asked.
"No need," the Carian Knight said contemptuously. "These Golden Runes were all scavenged from corpses, weren't they? Heh. Using human lives and souls as currency... no matter how magnificent the buildings and statues you erect, you can never hide your savage nature."
"This is not souls, but the lingering residue of grace," the overseer corrected. "Granted by the Erdtree at birth and reclaimed by the Erdtree at death—this is the eternal Regression and equilibrium."
"Spare us the preaching of the Golden Order! Close the chests!" The knight waved a hand. "If it weren't for Prince Raven being in Leyndell, Caria would never have allowed you passage for a mere two chests of Golden Runes."
"I heard Caria is gradually abandoning Golden Runes and returning to Glintstone as currency," the overseer narrowed his eyes. "It seems the rumors are true."
"That is none of your business, old man." The knight vaulted onto his horse and turned its head. "Remember: you are only to follow the prescribed route. This land does not welcome you, and neither do its people."
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(192 Chapter - Ongoing)
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