The Carian army had taken full control of Gatefront Town.
Banners flew high atop the towers, snapping in the wind as if proclaiming the splendor of victory to the world. The joy of triumph filled every corner of the town, soldiers cheering and celebrating this hard-won success.
Even amid her countless responsibilities, Ranni never forgot the distinguished merits Nolan had earned in battle. She was just about to send out another projection to offer her regards when a report arrived from outside the door.
...
The lake lay calm and unruffled, a gentle breeze drifting down from the north and carrying a faint chill with it.
A small boat moved slowly across the water. At the bow sat Nolan, chewing unhurriedly on a strip of dried meat.
He wore no armor and showed no sign of tension. Just ahead lay the lakeshore near the northern gate of the Magic Academy.
The Cuckoo forces stationed here were few. Even if his identity were exposed, he was confident he could carve a way out.
The real danger lay beyond, once he entered the Altus Plateau. The war there was in full swing, with lords from every direction converging and countless heroes clashing across the land.
Brutal battles raged everywhere. One wrong step, and it would be the end.
Yet with danger so close at hand, Nolan felt no panic.
He still had one last means of survival he hadn't used. Curious, he glanced at his spirit ring and drew out that mysterious object.
The exquisitely crafted, lifelike doll rested in his palm. This "Petite Ranni" was more than worthy of serving as his final trump card.
After all, Demigods truly stood above ordinary heroes. If the Lunar Princess's power could still be called upon, it would pose a threat even to other Demigods.
But what if Her Highness became displeased and rendered the doll useless?
From his previous, unintentional test, Nolan already understood that this doll was far more than a simple Glintstone artifact.
It clearly shared a deep connection with Her Highness, perhaps even linked directly to her consciousness.
Unfortunately, with Sellen constantly watching like a hawk, Nolan had been forced to worry endlessly about his master's safety.
But now, this rare moment of solitude was the perfect opportunity.
As a Dark Moon Knight standing on the edge of peril, chatting with Her Highness's doll to seek a bit of emotional comfort seemed like the most natural thing in the world.
Nolan let out a long sigh and spoke with deep remorse,
"Ah… I truly owe Her Highness an apology."
His gaze shifted to the unresponsive doll in his hand. Her Highness's silence did not discourage him, and he continued, unwilling to give up.
"Her Highness Ranni trusted me so completely, yet I'm leaving Liurnia without even seeing her one last time."
"But if I stay, I'd be betraying the knight's code, and Her Highness would surely despise me for it."
"As a Golden Needle Knight, I should be ready to give my life for the Haligtree. I must not drag Caria into this."
"Leaving like this will only make Her Highness worry, but I will never forget my promise to meet her again."
"It's just a shame… I've already found a lead on what Her Highness is searching for, yet I can't tell her in person."
She was still sending Blaidd out to search for and hunt down the Fingerslayer Blade. That meant she didn't even know where the real problem lay yet. Otherwise, she would have gone to Radahn for counsel, or found a way to kill him outright.
Honestly, this princess really was patient.
Nolan, who had long since confirmed that someone was secretly watching him, now turned into a merciless broken record, repeating himself again and again.
He talked about the lofty virtues a knight should uphold, then drifted into his deep, irrepressible feelings for Her Highness.
He went on endlessly, words pouring out without pause, until his throat grew dry. At that moment, the doll clenched tightly in his hand suddenly spoke, its voice tinged with helpless resignation.
"Since you've already made up your mind, then hurry back to your Haligtree. Honestly, I never thought you'd be this troublesome."
"Do you actually have a habit of chatting with dolls? Seems I failed to account for that. A miscalculation on my part."
At those words, Nolan's eyes flew wide open, his face twisting into an expression of utter "shock."
He stared down at his palm in disbelief.
The doll began to move, as if it had been given life. A glimmer of vivid awareness flickered in its eyes.
The small, delicate doll shifted slightly. Aside from its diminutive size, its bearing and presence were no different from Ranni herself.
"L-Lady Ranni!?" Nolan exclaimed, so "shocked" he could barely speak.
"Mmm."
The doll nodded. That simple motion only made its petite, exquisite body seem even more endearing, leaving almost none of its already limited authority intact.
"I never intended to let this form be seen… You've brought shame upon the witch, but in light of the great service you've rendered, I'll forgive you this once."
"It was only my duty. Everything in Gatefront Town has already been arranged. It won't cause you any trouble. Just send someone else to take over the garrison."
"You handle things well. I trust you. Leave it to Latenna."
A surge of delight welled up from deep within Nolan's heart, and the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
Making sure his trump card could actually be used was important, of course. But at the same time, being able to slightly embarrass the lofty Her Highness had its own kind of amusement.
The doll fell silent for a long while, simply staring at Nolan's face.
Clearly, Ranni had already been listening the moment he took out the small doll. From his heartfelt monologue directed at it, she had gleaned crucial information. She hadn't appeared merely because she couldn't stand his incessant chatter.
If what Nolan said was true, then she could reluctantly let the matter rest and allow him to retain his title as a Dark Moon Knight.
Ranni let out a soft sigh. A knight's loyalty and devotion were not something to be reproached.
With a trace of curiosity, she finally asked,
"The clue you mentioned… what exactly is it?"