The manor was later surrounded by a forest of trees, with a small hunter's cabin beside it. When the small boat had previously set off from the shallow water, the cabin had already been more than half destroyed, and materials had been taken to reinforce the outer walls. The remaining remnants above still bore the delicate figure of a young woman.
She wore a wide-brimmed witch's hat, draped in a heavy cloak, and her white dress traced the graceful curves of her figure. Her short blue hair appeared slightly messy, adding a wild aesthetic to her otherwise calm demeanor.
Her skin was a shade of dusky blue, her exquisitely crafted face resembling a work of art, with mesmerizing eyes. Her right eye was closed in a lazy half-sleep, while her left blue eye stared calmly at the still waters of the lake, its pupil seeming to glimmer like stars and the full moon's glow.
"Blaidd, why are you interested in a mere Magic scholar?"
Her voice was pure, yet held an undertone of authority. If not for the way her legs swayed gently beneath her long skirt, one might mistake her for the Carian Queen herself.
The Half-Wolf warrior stood by the remains of the cabin, his posture straight as he constantly scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes, as if on guard against something.
Upon hearing the question, Blaidd bared his teeth, thinking to himself that she seemed intrigued, but he had simply been narrating the process, pointing out a few suspicious details.
Having grown up with Ranni, he knew her well. Blaidd cleared his throat lightly, then answered seriously:
"Although the battle pressure is intense, Kaelith Light's speed upon entering combat is so fast that it feels almost like—"
"Like what?" Ranni tilted her head slightly.
"A battle-hardened warrior, one who has slain countless enemies with his own hands."
Such a high praise?
The young woman's eyes widened in surprise. She, who had always been cold and ruthless, never understanding the concept of flattery, couldn't help but ask: "Is he really that strong?"
"Not necessarily. His strength is no different from veterans like Vira," Blaidd paused, as if searching for the right words. After a moment, he added: "But his heart is different from that of ordinary people. If there's no issue with his speech, then it must be due to his exceptional natural talent."
"A natural-born warrior?"
Blaidd nodded gravely, his mouth opening as if he were bloodthirstily smiling: "Yes, some are just born suited for the battlefield."
"He sounds like a talent," Ranni's curiosity grew, her gaze shifting towards the person approaching from the manor. She stopped swinging her legs, becoming even more dignified than before.
"Indeed, someone worth meeting."
Kaelith approached the manor, where there were no walls to block the sudden outburst of battle… the Carian royal family had converted the manor into a one-way stronghold, which made it impractical to build a full city.
"Kaelith, you should go to meet Her Highness the Princess," the knight stopped at the entrance, holding his sword and scanning the surroundings vigilantly. His stance was as if facing a great enemy, making Kaelith pause for a moment, then realize.
After all, Ranni was one of the "Night of Black Knives" participants, the one who initiated the Demigod death, erasing the "death" Golden Order bug, which ultimately caused the world-shaking upheaval of the Erdtree.
Without the Night of Black Knives, there would be no shattered Elden Ring, no The Shattering sweeping across the continent.
The looming crisis began to stir the waves, and many sought to influence the fate of the world with their own powers.
"No wonder the Carian royal family is considered the true ruler, she has never fought on the frontlines," Kaelith nodded in acknowledgment, understanding that these gods and demigods were not something a common soldier could grasp.
Following the stone path ahead, he could soon spot the Half-Wolf warrior… and the small, delicate figure seated on the remnants of the cabin, her wide witch's hat obscuring her features.
Kaelith's expression grew more serious. It wasn't out of fear of power, nor territory or soldier numbers—Moon Princess was no match for Ashina Ichiro in strength. But the oppressive atmosphere she radiated made it seem as if the girl sitting there wasn't just an ordinary young woman.
"Is this the power of the Demigods in The Lands Between?"
While in the eyes of the public in The Lands Between, Ranni's father Radagon had abandoned his wife, the Queen of the Full Moon Rennala, and joined with the goddess Marika to become the new Elden Lord, their three siblings had earned the title of Demigod.
But Kaelith knew better, as gods played their own games. Radagon wasn't just a "king" but also the incarnation of both a "god" and a "goddess," the dual soul that bound him to Marika, the Erdtree.
The so-called ability to be both man and woman, both ruler and servant—this explained why their child was a true-born Demigod.
"Are you Kaelith Light?"
At the moment when Kaelith was lost in thought, a soft yet authoritative voice rang out beside him, snapping him back to attention.
"Yes, Your Highness, I am the Magic scholar Kaelith Light." He gave a knight's salute, slightly raising his head to meet her delicate face.
She was commanding, yet was she willing to speak with him?
Ranni, unaware of Kaelith's internal musings, simply responded, her fingers still poised delicately, slowly speaking:
"Greetings. Forgive me for not being able to fight alongside you, but under the full moon's light, we are all in the fight to live, albeit in different battlefields."
Her tone was polite and cultured, acknowledging her difficult position… Had the enemy not been even more terrifying, normal soldiers would have easily supported her, cheering her on as she conquered the battlefield.
"You are the commander; you shouldn't be on the frontlines. As long as you remain alive, your enemies will fear breaking their own vessels to crush a mouse." Kaelith responded casually, clearly understanding that Ranni's enemies were not ordinary soldiers.
"Your words bring me joy." Ranni nodded slightly. She had observed this Magic scholar and found nothing unusual about him. Changing the topic, she then asked: "Could you answer me one thing?"
"Ask, Your Highness."
"Why stay in Carian and fight?"
Kaelith had long anticipated this question and answered without hesitation: "Because of hatred and vengeance, of course, mixed with a bit of gratitude. Carian took me in, so I repay them with loyalty."
The first part of his response was based on the fact that this body originated here, and he logically explained the mutual relationship of honor and shame. The Cuckoo Knight group, though known for their strict military discipline, was also notorious for their debauchery and pillaging; there was no room for surrender in their world.
The latter part of his answer spoke of the futility of lives lived aimlessly, something learned in the desolate fields where such people didn't live long.
Kaelith Light had lived this life for so long, and if Carian military law had been even slightly harsher, he would have raised the flag of betrayal long ago. But now...
Ranni's gaze shifted slightly. Compared to the pragmatic benefits of alliances, she favored the latter part of Kaelith's words.
"To be honest and return favor, huh? Blaidd, I told you not to rush. The soldiers are not mindless."
The cold, wolf-like Blaidd appeared somewhat awkward, but after a moment, he simply nodded and moved on.
Ranni didn't hold it against him, continuing: "You speak well. I've always respected those soldiers who willingly fight for Carian. If the full moon ever falls into darkness, I will accept it calmly."
Kaelith didn't speak; he knew that Ranni was contemplating a complex situation, one where even an old fox like her had already made morally dubious decisions but was still better than Ichiro in temperament.
Seeing his silence, Ranni gave a small smile: "No need to be formal. You have earned your place. What reward do you seek?"
A ruler with power always rewards those who serve, and Ryan knew this was the moment for action.
"I have two requests."
"Speak."
"Uh, I want to know how far The Shattering has progressed." Kaelith paused, knowing this was crucial. Knowing the timeline would give him more certainty about the future.
Ranni was surprised. She had thought Kaelith would ask for treasure, rank, or even a transfer to a safer city, but instead, his request was simply for information.
"You're interested in what's happening outside?"
"Short-sighted people, living their short lives."
His directness actually made Ranni more favorably inclined. She didn't like deceitful people, and those who bowed down to her without genuine interest were of no value.
"Your question is straightforward; you are sincere, good. I'll tell you." Ranni hesitated for a moment, then responded slowly: "The second battle for the Royal City has ended. Not long ago, 'Valkyrie' Malenia led her army south, swearing allegiance before setting off. The goal is unclear... but I suspect she intends to face Radahn, the 'Starscourge General' in Caelid. You must know these two names."
Kaelith nodded. Among the Demigods, Radahn was famous—Ranni's elder brother, often called "Big Uncle" by the players. He was the lord of the Caelid Plateau.
Malenia, on the other hand, was the product of Marika and Radagon's "self-intercourse," occupying the northernmost Haligtree. She was a powerful force in her own right.
"It seems that The Shattering is heading toward a final battle between Malenia and Radahn. They will likely destroy each other, and many will be infected by the Scarlet Rot. Afterward, the Demigods will be abandoned by the Greater Will. The first generation of Tarnished will return."
"What are you thinking?" Ranni asked, noticing Kaelith's silence, her voice curious.
Kaelith snapped out of his reverie. Now, he finally had a clearer understanding of the timeline and felt more confident about what lay ahead.
"I want to know when The Lands Between will have peace again. When will life return to normal?" He spoke bitterly.
Under the laws and chains, suffering is eternal.
Ranni's mind quickly provided the answer. The dice had been cast. Even if the Demigods resolved their battles and fixed the Elden Ring, it would only be a cycle of torment.
This was far too distant for a mere sorcerer to understand; voicing it would only bring trouble. So, she gently chose to brush it aside.
"The future is filled with possibilities. Just remember, The Lands Between doesn't offer free lunches. Everything that is a reward is also a curse."
Her words had a hint of a riddle, and Kaelith, still glancing at the great Erdtree, responded: "Are you implying that the Elden Ring's shattering will lead to madness?"
"You're quite perceptive for a sorcerer." Ranni was impressed, just as she was about to delve deeper into this subject, Blaidd cleared his throat.
"Your Highness, the dawn is approaching."
It seemed like some kind of signal. Kaelith almost thought he saw a fleeting hint of dissatisfaction on Ranni's face. But as he looked closely, her exquisitely crafted expression remained full of majesty.
"Speak, what is your second request?"
Kaelith patted the side of his sword, smiling wryly: "This sword doesn't suit me. Please allow me to exchange it for a different one."
This request was far simpler than the previous discussion, and Ranni, accustomed to the mystical workings of this person, immediately directed Alain the knight to take Kaelith to the armory to select a new weapon.
"Your Highness, the dawn is coming." Blaidd reminded again, his words filled with urgency.
"What's the rush?" Ranni's voice lacked some of its usual authority, but quickly returned to her original tone. "Kaelith Light, may the full moon remain with you. I also look forward to seeing what you can accomplish..."
As soon as she finished speaking, the moonlight scattered into the sky, and Kaelith didn't even have time to react before Moon Princess vanished without a trace. Only the shining stardust remained to prove she had been there.
No doubt, she was a Demigod—her departure was as swift and mysterious as her arrival.
Kaelith felt an odd sense of admiration, reflecting on their conversation, especially the little gestures she had let slip. He couldn't help but smile slightly.
Ranni... truly intriguing.