The entrance to the city gate was tall and wide, and not far in front of the gate, there was a long row of large ballistae.
Although the ballistae appeared to be simple medieval siege weapons, the prayer inscriptions carved on them and the faint golden light emanating from each bolt indicated that these weapons were extraordinary.
After all, this was a world where gods truly existed, and the City Lord was a demigod; it was impossible for them to truly use ordinary weapons like in the Middle Ages.
Perhaps the form they displayed was similar, but their essence was completely different.
"Hmm..."
Looking at the ballistae that occupied an area of at least four to five cubic meters, Xia Yu pondered for a moment before waving his hand and putting away the rows of ballistae.
Whether they were useful or not, he would collect them first.
Moments later, the ballistae that guarded the city gate and blocked large enemy assaults vanished completely.
Looking at the city gate area, which resembled a scene after a locust plague, Xia Yu nodded in satisfaction. It was much more open now, and he believed the fallen soldiers would certainly thank him.
After collecting all the usable weapons, Xia Yu stepped inside the city gate. Behind the gate was a wide passage, illuminated by torches set on the walls, providing some light.
This passage was the only way to the inner city. After walking for a few minutes, a site of grace emitting a faint golden stream of light appeared before Xia Yu.
Only the Tarnished could see the site of grace, but not all Tarnished could see them.
This was both a sanctuary where the Tarnished could rest safely and an anchor guiding their path forward.
Thinking about it, Xia Yu stepped forward and "lit" the site of grace, meaning he left his mark there. Speaking of which, it seemed he hadn't leveled up in a while.
He might as well take this opportunity to chat with Melina and build up some favorability.
As he thought this, he sat cross-legged near the site of grace. However, before he could call out for Melina, azure starlight appeared and condensed.
Melina materialized from the illusion and knelt beside Xia Yu.
"Do you need to turn Runes into your own strength again?" she asked, turning her head.
Although she didn't know much about Xia Yu, and he even carried secrets she couldn't fathom, a tacit understanding had developed between them.
"Of course."
Strengthening oneself in reality involved an extra step compared to the game: Melina would always manifest and hold hands to enhance him.
When leveling up in the game, one never saw Melina unless she happened to appear, in which case the leveling would happen hand-in-hand.
In any case, compared to the Fire Keeper from dark souls iii who also helped the protagonist level up, Melina lost completely.
However, on certain unspeakable websites, Melina won completely, with far more fan works than the most popular Ranni.
As the obscure and difficult-to-understand incantation began, the Runes accumulated within Xia Yu became active.
The next moment, the warm Runes merged into his body again, strengthening his physical constitution. The improvement in physique brought great boosts to strength, speed, and reaction time.
Magic power could be cultivated through other methods, but the Runes he obtained were best used to enhance his physique.
A moment later, the enhancement was complete. This time, Melina did not leave first, but looked steadily at Xia Yu and said:
"Are you going to challenge the first demigod? Although the City Lord of Stormveil is the weakest demigod, still be careful and do not be careless."
"Also, you have never traveled alone; I have always been with you."
Hearing this, Xia Yu was somewhat surprised. Melina's words just now... this didn't fit her wooden personality.
Noticing the surprise on Xia Yu's face, Melina felt bewildered. Had she said something strange?
"What are you wondering about?"
"Uh..." Hearing Melina's question, Xia Yu felt a bit awkward. How did he let his expression show?
"Nothing, I'm just a bit surprised that you actually care about me."
Hearing this answer, Melina frowned slightly in displeasure: "In your heart, am I someone who wouldn't care about her companion?"
"No..."
"Hmph, forget it. Since you think that way, then think that way."
Before Xia Yu could finish his explanation, Melina turned into azure starlight and departed.
Xia Yu stared blankly at this scene. This... this wasn't right, was it? He was clearly preparing to increase her favorability, but why did it seem like her favorability had actually dropped?
Besides, being tsundere doesn't suit you; that's Ranni's persona. Your persona is emotionless.
But Melina was already gone, and whatever he wanted to say, she probably wouldn't listen now.
At this moment, Xia Yu wished he could slap himself. Why couldn't he control his mouth just now?
"Melina? Melina?"
He called out twice, but Melina didn't respond. Xia Yu got a headache. What should he do? He had no experience comforting girls, especially since this girl wasn't ordinary—she was a girl possessing him.
Well... forget it, he would apologize the next time they met.
Confirming that Melina was truly ignoring him, Xia Yu stopped calling out. If he kept bothering her now, her favorability might drop even further.
After adapting to his increased physique, Xia Yu stood up from the site of grace, preparing to find the Grafted Scion to fight, and perhaps vent his frustration.
On the other side, Melina, possessing Xia Yu, was also feeling frustrated. She just didn't want Xia Yu to feel like he was alone.
But not only did the other party not understand her good intentions, but he also held deep prejudices against her—it was simply infuriating.
During the time she possessed Xia Yu, she could observe his condition, and although he didn't seem to have any mental issues.
However, she often noticed Xia Yu spacing out easily. In her observation, he not only frequently stared blankly with a foolish expression but occasionally emitted strange laughter neurotically.
If Xia Yu hadn't behaved normally otherwise, and acted normally while learning from the magic teacher, she would have suspected that Xia Yu had been alone for too long, causing his mind to become abnormal.
After all, he carried the mission of becoming king alone, without a companion maiden to share the pressure.
Although she could convert Runes into power, she wasn't Xia Yu's maiden, and she was still a special soul form. Therefore, she couldn't accompany him at all times and help him share the pressure of the journey.
Thinking of this, Melina felt that her actions just now were somewhat inappropriate. She had clearly prepared to have a good chat with him and comfort him, but she left in a huff because of one sentence.
She would apologize the next time they met... After leaving the site of grace, the end of the passage was the battlefield on the shattered cliff, which was the first line of defense for Stormveil Castle.
Only after passing through that defense line could one reach the gate of the true inner city.
In the game, one could summon Jerg help at the entrance of the cliff battlefield, referring to the sorcerer Rogier. Unfortunately, upon reaching the entrance, Xia Yu searched around but found no summoning sign.
He had no choice but to give up, take out the spirit calling bell, prepare the ashes of three wolves and one jellyfish, and step into the area with a determined stride.
Lately, I've been so busy my brain feels like it's drying up. These two chapters were forced out, sigh. Just as I was about to hit my serialization goal, I got busy, and my updates completely tanked. I don't want this either; my gums are also inflamed and painful.