Clang, clang, clang—
The sound of the bell cut through Thorne's thoughts. Time for the guard shift change. The main camp of the Cuckoo a mile distant still showed no reaction, even though they were transporting large amounts of armaments daily. Blaidd sent men to harass them from time to time, leaving the enemy exhausted and frazzled. "It should be soon," Thorne muttered. Now clad in a chainmail vest, he descended the stone steps. The look—chainmail over a sorcerer's robe—was certainly eye-catching, but Thorne didn't care. Could tradition or looking cool stop a bullet?
If he hadn't taken the agility route, he would have loved to stack ten layers of heavy armor and just hide in the back, going pew-pew-pew. He walked down the stone steps and picked up a tray for food. Since Arnold was stationed at the lakeshore today, Thorne was happy for the peace and quiet.
The cook placed two pieces of black bread and a bowl of vegetable soup onto the tray, causing Thorne to frown. The rations were even worse than a few days ago.
The Carian Royal Family's territory was built against the mountains, so there wasn't much land for farming, and the fish and crabs near the lakeshore had been mostly eaten. 'No wonder Blaidd wants to take the initiative,' Thorne thought. He said nothing. He took a piece of fruit from the side and sat down in a corner with his tray. He wasn't antisocial; it was just that this body's social relationships were so poor that he didn't bother making friends. He had only finished half of his bread when the sound of metal friction reached his ears.
Thorne looked up and saw a blonde man in blue-gray armor approaching. His spaulders were studded with gems, looking extremely magnificent. "Lord Allen," Thorne said, putting down his tray and standing to pay his respects to the manor's commander, the peerless Carian Knight.
The handsome blonde knight waved him back down. "Thorne Wright, I've seen all your contributions during this time." Allen didn't seem as cold as Blaidd, offering a very approachable smile. "Caria's fate is in everyone's hands. I'm fortunate to have such a capable subordinate."
Although he looked down on those mediocre Cuckoo Knights, a Magic Apprentice who had slain one could not be treated as an ordinary soldier. "Thank you for the praise, my lord," Thorne said, nodding modestly. He had fought his way up from the ranks before, so he naturally knew how to maintain good relations with superiors. "It's what you deserve. However, why didn't you attend yesterday's reward ceremony?" Yesterday, the manor had held a 'bonfire party,' and those with outstanding merit received a portion of meat.
Thorne thought for a moment and replied cautiously:
"I think low-profile people always live longer."
A strange look flashed through Allen's eyes, swiftly followed by an appreciative nod. He had seen many brave warriors, but calm ones were rare. He could only conclude that this youth, being a Magic Apprentice, indeed possessed a sharper mind.
"The things Blaidd is doing won't change the big picture. Do you know why Caria is at a disadvantage?"
"Because of the lack of troops and the Raya Lucaria Academy's shameless sneak attack," Thorne answered without hesitation. Even the Queen of the Full Moon was under house arrest; one would have to be incredibly thick-skinned to claim 'the advantage is ours.'
"Exactly. Caria conquered the descendants of those Astrologers, but then lost the power to suppress them." Allen gave a bitter smile, a look of nostalgia appearing on his face as he spoke in a storytelling tone: "A long time ago, Caria was also flourishing. There were as many as twenty knights like me, enough to rule all of Liurnia!"
Twenty Carian Knights might not seem like many, but they weren't few either. Even in a high-magic world, such hero-class units were very rare.
"And then the Royal Capital's Army came?" Thorne interjected.
"Yes, it's no secret. During the expansion of the Erdtree, the Golden Army struck down the Ancient Dragons and exterminated the giants. Their spearhead was aimed straight at Liurnia. It was the Queen who led us in the counterattack. Two major battles resulted in Rivers of Blood, and it finally ended with the 'Golden Hero' Radagon marrying into the family." The knight gripped his sword and straightened his chest, as if the epic had happened only yesterday. Within that calm tone, Thorne seemed to see a tapestry of war. Knights clashing, countless spells and incantations tearing through the fields. Caria was ultimately no match for the Erdtree; the latter found a graceful exit, and Caria took it. "Too many towns were razed to the ground, too many warriors lost their lives, and the result was that we also accepted the Grace," Allen said, pointing to the golden light in his brown eyes.
This was the brand left by conquest; two Minor Erdtrees were rooted right in the soil of Liurnia. 'It sounds like these warriors are quite resentful.' Thorne felt a sense of empathy. Aside from the ending, this was no different from the Interior Ministry attacking Ashina. "Since both sides suffered losses, why didn't Raya Lucaria Academy rebel back then?"
"Would they dare?!" Allen laughed mockingly, pointing at the massive building across the lake. "With the protection of the Erdtree, they didn't even dare to make a sound—until that man betrayed us!"
The knight clenched his fists, his words full of loathing, barely holding back the insults. But Thorne already knew what happened next. Radagon packed up and left, causing Queen Rennala to lose her mind. When The Shattering began, the Erdtree forces slaughtered each other for elden ring shards, and Raya Lucaria Academy immediately rebelled. The Carian Royal Family hadn't yet recovered from the two great wars and was leaderless. It was lucky they hadn't been exterminated. "Justice lives in the hearts of the people. As long as Princess Ranni is here, Caria will never perish."
Thorne said softly, every word filled with conviction. If Caria were to fall, where would he go? "Yes, at least we still have Princess Ranni." Allen smiled freely and looked at Thorne with appreciation. "The only knights left now are me and that idiot Bolls. For Caria to endure, we'll have to rely on you all in the future. Come with me; someone wants to see you."
Thorne had just come to hear a story, so he was taken aback. "Who wants to see me?"
The knight stood up and winked at him with a smile: "Our liege, Princess Ranni!"
Behind the manor was a forest. At the edge of the forest stood a hunter's shack, facing the shallows where the small boat had originally departed. Most of the shack had already been dismantled, its materials used to reinforce the outer walls. On the remaining ruins sat a petite figure.
She wore a wide-brimmed Witch's Hat and a heavy cloak. A cream-colored dress outlined her slender figure, though her short blue hair was slightly messy, adding a touch of wild beauty to her serene appearance.
Her skin was a ghostly blue, and her face was as exquisite as a work of art. Her right eye, etched with magical runes, was closed, while her blue left eye looked out over the calm lake. That pupil seemed to shimmer with the radiance of the stars and the full moon. "Blaidd, why are you interested in a Magic Apprentice?"
Her voice was clear yet carried a hint of authority. If not for her legs swinging gently beneath her long dress, one might have mistaken her for the Queen of Caria. The half-wolf warrior stood by the ruins.
He stood straight, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the surroundings as if on guard against something. Hearing the question, Blaidd moved his toothy maw, thinking to himself that she was the one who was interested; he had only described the process truthfully and raised a few points of suspicion.
Having grown up with Ranni and knowing her personality well, Blaidd cleared his throat and answered seriously, "Even with the pressure of war, Thorne Wright entered his'state' too quickly. He gave me the feeling of…"
"Like what?" Ranni tilted her head slightly.
"A battle-hardened warrior, a Manslayer who has personally cut down countless enemies."
The young girl's eyes widened slightly. She understood her 'Shadow'; he was cold, harsh, and never knew how to 'flatter'. She blurted out, "Is he very strong?"
"Not particularly. His strength isn't much different from a veteran like Vera." Blaidd paused, as if choosing his words. After a moment, he replied, "But that heart of his is unlike an ordinary person's. If there are no issues, he can only be seen as exceptionally gifted."
"A natural-born warrior?"
Blaidd nodded heavily, a bloodthirsty smile spreading across his face. "Yes, some people are born for the slaughterhouse."
"Sounds like a talent." Ranni became even more interested. Seeing the person walking out of the manor, she stopped her slightly swinging legs and became more dignified. "Indeed, I should meet him."
Thorne walked out of the manor. No walls obscured the back; the war had broken out so suddenly that the Carian Royal Family was lucky to have converted a manor into a one-way fortress, let alone have time to build a city.
"Thorne, go and have an audience with Her Highness the Princess." The knight stopped at the door, clutching the greatsword at his waist as he surveyed the surroundings warily. This look of being on high alert made Thorne pause for a moment, but he quickly understood. Ranni was, after all, one of the participants in the "Night of the Black Knives," which triggered the beginning of the demigods' deaths. This caused a bug to appear in the golden order that had erased "Death," thereby shaking the Erdtree that was supposed to rule for eternity.
It could be said that without the Night of the Black Knives, there would be no subsequent shattering of the elden ring, nor The Shattering that swept across the continent. Ripples had been stirred in the stagnant water, and there were more than a few factions who wanted the life of the person who had disturbed it. 'No wonder as the de facto ruler of Caria, she has never fought on the front lines.' Thorne nodded to show he understood; the entanglements of these gods and demigods were not for a mere soldier to pry into. Walking along the stone path, he could see the Wolfman from afar.
Sitting upon the ruins was a petite figure, her wide Witch's Hat obscuring her face. Thorne's expression grew increasingly grave.
This was not out of awe for power—in terms of territory and troop numbers, the Princess of the Moon was no stronger than Scummy Genichiro Ashina—but rather because of that underlying, fierce aura, as if what sat there was not a young girl's doll. 'Is this the power of a demigod of The Lands Between?'
Although in the eyes of the people of The Lands Between, Ranni's biological father, Radagon, abandoned his wife, Queen of the Full Moon Rennala, to unite with the Goddess Marika and become the new Elden Lord, the three siblings gained the title of demigods as relatives by marriage.
Thorne knew, however, that because the gods were quite unconventional, Radagon wasn't just a "King." He and the Erdtree's chosen "Goddess," Marika, were two souls in one body—capable of being male or female, dominant or submissive. Therefore, the children born were naturally genuine demigods.
"You are Thorne Wright?"
Just as Thorne's thoughts were wandering, a gentle yet dignified voice sounded in his ear, causing him to snap back to his senses.
"Yes, Your Highness. I am the Magic Apprentice Thorne Wright."
He imitated the knight by giving a fist-to-chest salute and slightly raised his head to look at that exquisite face. Very dignified, but could you come down and talk to me? Ranni hadn't expected this Magic Apprentice to be complaining in his heart. With her fingertips still pressed together, she said slowly, "Greetings. Please forgive me for not being able to fight alongside you all. But under the radiance of the Full Moon, we are all fighting for survival, just on slightly different battlefields." Very polite and cultured. She explained her difficulties right at the start.
If Ranni's enemies weren't even more terrifying, ordinary soldiers could have just been a cheerleading squad while watching her sweep through thousands.
"You are the commander; you shouldn't be on the front lines. As long as you are alive, the enemy will be wary of taking action."
Thorne replied frankly, clearly understanding that Ranni's enemies were not something ordinary soldiers could handle.
"Your words please me."
Ranni nodded slightly. She had already observed him; this Magic Apprentice showed nothing unusual. Then she changed the subject.
"Then, can you answer a question for me?"
"Please ask."
"Why stay and fight for Caria?"
Thorne had long expected this question and replied without hesitation, "Because of hatred and interest. Of course, there's also a bit of a desire to repay a debt. Caria has treated me with sincerity, so I shall repay it with loyalty." His words were airtight. The first half was based on this body's origins and rationally explained the relationship where they shared both honor and loss. The Cuckoo Knight Order couldn't be called disciplined; they were known for pillaging and raping, so there was no such thing as surrendering.
The latter half was something he had learned in the Land of Reeds: heartless and ungrateful people generally don't live long. Thorne Wright had been a useless eater for so long. If the Carian Army's laws had been even slightly harsher, he would have been sacrificed to the flag long ago. So, this favor had to be returned.
Ranni's gaze shifted slightly. Compared to cold, interest-based relationships, she actually preferred the latter half of his statement.
"Treating with sincerity and repaying with loyalty? Blaidd, I told you not to be so impatient; the soldiers are not heartless people."
The cold Wolfman felt a bit awkward and could only turn his head away.
Ranni didn't continue to tease him. "You said it well. I have always valued soldiers who volunteer to fight for Caria. If the Full Moon eventually falls into the night, I will accept it calmly."
Thorne said nothing. He knew Ranni had inherited a mess. A slightly scummier boss would have turned to devious means long ago; at least her mindset was better than Genichiro's.
Seeing him remain silent, Ranni quietly revealed a smile. "Don't be so formal. You are a person of merit. What reward do you desire?"
A qualified ruler always rewards merit. Rayne knew the main event had arrived and immediately became alert. "I have two requests."
"Speak."
"Uh, I want to know what stage The Shattering is currently in," Thorne replied after a moment of deliberation. This was very important to him as it would allow him to determine the timeline.
Ranni was surprised. She thought this man would want some treasure or a title, or at least apply for a transfer to a safe manor. She didn't expect the first request to be for a piece of information. "You are interested in the outside world?"
"Short-sighted people generally don't live long." The words were quite blunt, which actually earned him some favor from Ranni. She didn't like hypocrites, nor was she interested in those who would bow down in worship.
"Every word is about survival; you are quite genuine. Fine, I will tell you." Ranni thought for a moment and then answered eloquently:
"The Second Defense of the Royal Capital has ended. Not long ago, the 'Valkyrie' Malenia was leading her legion south to swear an oath.
Her purpose is unclear, but I estimate she is going to Caelid to settle the score with 'General Radahn.' You should know who these two are."
Thorne nodded. Among the demigods, these two were legendary. Radahn was Ranni's elder brother, the "Big Brother-in-Law" in the mouths of countless players, and currently the lord of the Caelid wilds. And Malenia, that brother-con, was even more bizarre; she herself was the product of Marika and Radagon's "self-fertilization," occupying the Haligtree in the far north as a powerful force. 'It seems The Shattering is entering its late stages.
Next will be the decisive battle between Malenia and Radahn. Both sides will be severely wounded, countless lives will be contaminated by Scarlet Rot, and then the demigods who failed to reach a conclusion will be abandoned by the Greater Will. The first generation of Tarnished will return.'
"What are you thinking about?" Ranni asked with interest, seeing Thorne silent. Thorne emerged from his contemplation. He had finally confirmed the timeline and felt more confident about the future. "I was thinking that there is no place of peace in The Lands Between.
"When will we ever be able to live a stable life?"
He wore a bitter look. Under the Order's shackles, suffering persisted endlessly. An answer flashed through Ranni's mind. The die was cast. Even if a demigod emerged victorious and repaired the Elden Ring, it would simply be another cycle of pain. This matter was far beyond a Magic Apprentice's station. Speaking of it would only bring trouble, so she gently chose to skip over it. "The future is full of countless possibilities. You only need to remember that there's no such thing as a free lunch in The Lands Between. Some things are rewards, but also curses."
These words sounded like a riddle, but Thorne glanced at the massive Erdtree and asked in return, "Are you referring to the dementia after the Elden Ring was shattered?"
"As expected of a sorcerer, you are quite capable of making connections." Ranni was surprised and about to delve deeper when Blaidd, beside her, gave a light cough. "Your Highness, dawn is approaching." It seemed like a secret signal. Perhaps it was Thorne's imagination, but he thought he saw the Princess curl her lip in dissatisfaction. Looking closer, that exquisite face was still full of dignity. "Tell me, what is your second request?" Thorne patted the straight sword at his waist and said with a bitter smile, "I'm not comfortable using this sword. I'm applying for a replacement." This request was even simpler. After their conversation, Ranni wasn't surprised by this person's strange way of thinking. She immediately stated that Knight Allen would take Thorne to the armory to pick whatever he wanted.
Blaidd reminded her again, his voice full of the urgency of a powerful enemy's arrival. "What's the rush?" Ranni's voice was significantly less dignified, but she quickly regained her previous tone: "Thorne Wright, may the Full Moon be with you. I look forward to your performance..."