They just won't leave me alone.
Nolan lay on the soft, spacious bed, staring blankly at the moonlight spilling through the window like water.
When he sensed someone watching during the fight, he hadn't felt the slightest tension. It wasn't the first time, and it certainly wasn't the first day.
So who had he offended recently?
It couldn't be the Limgrave army. Most of their lords were dead, no one was even paying wages anymore. Who would come all the way here just to die?
Leyndell likely didn't even know a Golden Needle Knight like him existed. A knight who'd appeared out of nowhere wouldn't attract that kind of attention.
That left only one possibility. The Dynasty of Blood.
The one spying on him was no weakling. The sense of danger was unmistakable. Mohg himself might even appear tonight. Those people definitely weren't here for sightseeing.
Their reaction had been far too fast. How many days had it even been?
He took a slow breath. There were no incompetent conspirators in the Lands Between.
The petite Ranni resting against his chest was unconsciously pulled a little tighter as he sank into thought.
"Should I just wipe them out? No… One of them is extremely dangerous, and there are too many. If I get dragged into a drawn-out fight, who knows how much time I'll waste."
The idea surfaced and was immediately dismissed.
If the one who came was the veteran Ansbach…
Nolan had a certain fondness for the character, but that didn't mean he would hesitate. If he blocked the way, he would be killed.
Letting him die in loyalty to his lord would be the greatest respect.
Still, that Pureblood Knight was no ordinary opponent. If they fought, a fierce battle would be unavoidable.
A trace of harsh resolve flickered in Nolan's eyes. Every time he tried to move forward, someone stepped in his path. Was the world's theme really nothing but slaughter and torment?
The Pureblood Knights might serve under a dangerous fanatic, but they were meticulous by nature.
With even a little comparison of gathered intelligence, they would quickly spot the inconsistencies and trace them back to him.
Just as Nolan was thinking through his options, something small shifted restlessly in his arms, breaking his train of thought.
He opened his eyes and looked down. The petite doll was lying against his chest.
Outside, the sky had begun to pale. Dawn's first light was spreading across the land.
Nolan rose at once. He gently set Ranni on the bed, then swiftly removed his loose robe and put on his solid, heavy armor.
There was still time.
He glanced at the brightening sky, then sat down by the bedside and looked directly at the newly awakened doll, recounting the events of the previous night in concise terms.
"So you're saying that the mysterious Dynasty of Blood has been secretly observing us all along? And judging from the current information, they're very likely to try to stop you from returning to the Haligtree?"
After listening to him, Ranni's voice remained composed as ever.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, thoughts racing as she considered possible developments and countermeasures.
"Yes, that's my conclusion as well. What do you think?"
"There is a strong possibility. This war is indeed a rare opportunity for them."
"If you're not mistaken, their plan must have been prepared long ago. Your sudden appearance simply forced them to act ahead of schedule."
So now the blame falls on me? Doesn't my sister-in-law bear any responsibility?
Nolan frowned, but after thinking it through carefully, he had to admit there was some logic to it.
The Dynasty of Blood had been quietly growing in the shadows for a long time.
Even in the era when the Tarnished returned, very few knew of its true existence.
A force that cautious, that determined to hide itself, would not expose its hand lightly.
The Blood conspiracy had caused some disruption to the Royal Allied Army, but far from enough to throw them into panic.
Even if the Haligtree chose to withdraw unilaterally, Radahn and Rykard working together would still have the strength to challenge Leyndell.
The decisive battle among the top Demigods had yet to arrive. The outcome was still uncertain.
To put it another way, even if Mohg still harbored a trace of brotherly attachment deep in his heart, the moment he chose to turn his back on the Golden Order, they were no longer walking the same road.
If Morgott managed to hold the line, that would naturally be for the best. But even if it ended in both sides grievously wounded, or even mutual destruction, it would likely be a result Mohg could accept.
To be even harsher, such an outcome might suit his interests better.
"You Demigods really are something," Nolan thought. "Every one of you is ruthless and cold-blooded. Truly, extraordinary people act in extraordinary ways. Not like me, a mere knight. If I were in that position, my heart would probably have softened long ago."
He scratched his head with a faint, self-mocking smile. Emotion was something he had never been willing to cast aside.
If Mohg's plan succeeded, the Haligtree might retain part of its strength, but several powerful enemies could be weakened or even eliminated in one stroke.
For a rising force, that would open up enormous room for growth.
After all, in the original timeline, there had been no true victor.
If one had to name a winner, Leyndell barely counted as half of one. Though it failed to reclaim lost territories, it at least held onto the Royal Capital.
It was in that turbulent era that Morgott rose swiftly through sheer ability and resolve.
From an abandoned Omen child, hiding in the sewers beneath the capital, he transformed into a Golden noble and Grace-Given King who ruled over his domain.
Ranni's cool, clear voice sounded again, steady but carrying a hint of gravity.
"Nolan, forgive my bluntness."
"If the enemy you're about to face truly is a powerful hero whose strength is no less than mine…"
"Then with your current abilities, defeating him is nearly impossible."
The original plan to spirit Miquella away had been manageable. But once a Demigod-level figure became involved, the risks had surged.
Just what kind of background did those brothers have, to both be so formidable?
The Lunar Princess pondered this, unable to make sense of it. In most families, producing a single hero would be cause for celebration. Yet this one had given rise to two monsters.
"Are you worried about me?"
Far away, atop the towering sorcerer's rise by the sea, the princess dropped her usual stubborn front and nodded frankly.
"Yes. I respect your choice. But I don't want you to throw your life away."
"Believe it or not, even now, far from my peak, you're still no match for me."