"A figure suspected to be Malenia has appeared in Shaded City. Could she be abandoning the Haligtree Army to return to the Haligtree?"
On a desolate cliff where few ever ventured, a group of masked knights stood peering into the distance below.
Their silhouettes swayed in the wind. At their head, a knight in a black cloak stood motionless, hands clasped behind his back, as if lost in thought.
"Ansbach, my loyal and valiant knight, what matter brings you to seek an audience?"
Ansbach turned at the sound.
A pool of crimson blood spread across the ground without warning, blooming like a scarlet flower in the dark.
The blood rippled. From it slowly emerged a middle-aged man with a grotesque face, twisted curved horns covering his features.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, clearly bearing the towering build of the Golden Lineage. His sheer size pressed down on those around him.
But a closer look revealed something wrong. His features and limbs were distorted, unnatural.
He looked less like a man and more like a savage beast that fed on raw flesh and blood, radiating a vicious aura that made others instinctively recoil.
The surrounding knights all stepped back half a pace. Ansbach glanced at them and led the group in kneeling on one knee in salute, rising again only at the creature's command.
"Lord Mohg, it is my honor to behold you here in Shaded City."
Ansbach lowered his head slightly, addressing the Omen before him with the utmost respect.
"We have discovered a figure suspected to be the Valkyrie within Shaded City. This development may require adjustments to our original plan. It may be wise to temporarily suspend our efforts to expand our forces."
The atmosphere atop the cliff instantly tightened.
The beast-like figure called Mohg narrowed his eyes and studied Ansbach for a long moment.
In recent days, he had been sending his subordinates far and wide to capture physicians and knights, forcing Accursed Blood into their bodies.
The Accursed Blood originated from Mohg himself, transformed into power through the existence of The Formless Mother—a deity that yearned for wounds.
The Accursed Blood could twist the minds of those infused with it, while also granting them tremendous Strength.
Yet thus far, only a single physician named Varré had survived the process. All the others had perished, unable to endure that power.
Ansbach had always despised such cruel and despicable methods. But loyalty drove him to stain his hands with blood. He understood clearly that what he served was not justice.
"The one suspected to be Malenia… intends to return to the Haligtree?" Mohg muttered, his brow furrowing deeply.
This turn of events lay completely outside his carefully laid plans.
He had considered easing the burden on the brother guarding the city, while expanding his magnificent Dynasty and spreading "Mother's" boundless love to the world.
The only one who could draw Malenia's attention enough for her to disregard the dangers of war was Miquella. But how had she learned that he had set his sights on that Empyrean?
The Pureblood Knights were absolutely loyal. Betrayal was out of the question. So where had the flaw crept in?
Mohg searched his thoughts again and again, never imagining that within the Haligtree there was a transmigrator who knew the broad strokes of the story.
Ansbach guided his lord's gaze downward.
"Below is the place where she sparred with a Golden Needle Knight. The strength she displayed differed somewhat from expectations."
"But that face—and that skill with the blade—it must be Lady Malenia."
"Far too weak," Mohg said quietly. Hearing Ansbach's account only deepened his unease.
Judging by the traces of battle, neither side possessed strength comparable to any Demigod other than Godrick.
Still, if it was merely a sparring match, holding back would be understandable. And under the current circumstances, there was no way to confront her directly to confirm the truth.
Compared to the other factions, the Dynasty of Blood's only real advantage was that others moved in the open, while he remained in the shadows—buying him the time and opportunity to grow his power slowly.
That cherished Demigod could stand toe to toe with her brother on the battlefield, and with a single long blade she made tens of thousands tremble.
If the person Ansbach mentioned truly was Malenia, Mohg had no confidence he could defeat her head-on.
Exposing the Dynasty's existence now would only bring more harm than good. There was more than one Empyrean in this world, but he had only one life.
Snatching people left and right had already offended the Royal Allied Army. Worshiping The Formless Mother had put him at odds with the Golden Order.
If matters escalated that far, even Morgott might not stand with him. By then, he would be alone against the world.
And if besieged by every faction at once, this fledgling Dynasty—with fewer than a hundred members and barely out of its infancy—would have no strength to resist.
"They will depart tomorrow, Lord Mohg. Please decide at once," Ansbach said with a slight bow, unable to hide his concern.
"The Valkyrie's edge is too fierce, impossible to withstand. Perhaps we should temporarily abandon the pursuit of that Empyrean?"
Where would I ever find a second Empyrean so easy to seize?
The Omen's expression turned cold as he pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Miquella's tolerance aligns perfectly with the Dynasty's pursuit. To grant love to the world—he is the most suitable choice."
Ansbach nodded solemnly at his side, fully understanding his lord's persistence.
Love. Such a beautiful and lofty word. Lord Mohg's heart was also filled with love, and it was for that love that the blood-named knights offered their loyalty.
"Ansbach," Mohg suddenly asked, "what do you make of the knight who sparred with Malenia?"
"Hm?" The Pureblood Knight froze, momentarily unable to keep up with his lord's shifting thoughts.
But he quickly composed himself, stroking his chin as he considered.
"Judging from Lady Malenia's attitude, he must be a trusted retainer valued by both Empyreans."
"And though he is young, his performance was outstanding. He cannot be overlooked."
"Why does my lord ask? Have you taken an interest in him?"
Mohg gave a silent shake of his head.
He had only found it strange that Malenia would indulge a knight in such a bout. Yet after hearing Ansbach's assessment, an inexplicable sense of unease surfaced.
It was faint, but it lingered like a strand of spider silk in his mind, refusing to disperse.
Unable to see how a Golden Needle Knight of that level could truly threaten him, the Omen's thoughts returned to the matter at hand.
"You said they leave tomorrow?"
"Yes. The intelligence was sent back by our informants. It is absolutely reliable." Ansbach gave a small nod, his gaze unconsciously flicking to the crimson Pureblood Knight medal hanging at his chest.
The power of The Formless Mother could cross the barriers of space itself, granting them considerable convenience in gathering information.
Mohg lifted his head, his eyes sharp as he gazed toward the radiant Erdtree on the distant horizon. After a brief moment of thought, he issued his command without hesitation.
"Ansbach, send the order at once. Recall all knights operating outside. Find a way to slow the advance of those Haligtree Knights."
"Yes, my lord."
Absolute obedience. Even if ordered to stand before a Demigod, he would not utter a single word of refusal. The Pureblood Knight bowed deeply once more.