"Wenger, you've arrived as well," Godfrey remarked, looking at the burly figure clad in magnificent vestments—the High Bishop of the Erdtree.
"Indeed, my King. The Golden Church will provide its full assistance to ensure your goals are met in this campaign," Wenger replied, his eyes slightly closed as he bowed.
"Mhm."
Godfrey merely gave a curt nod. He didn't show much of a reaction to the offer of help; in truth, even if he had forbidden them from going, they would have begged to join. After all, the Flame of Ruin possessed by the Giants was an utterly terrifying threat to the Erdtree. For the Church, any power or faction capable of threatening the Erdtree had to be brought under control or eradicated entirely.
Soon, the figures sitting at the very pinnacle of the Golden Dynasty began to file into the Fortified Manor. Two High Bishops of the Erdtree Church, a Pontiff of the Two Fingers, and the heads of several Great Noble families all gathered within the hall. Godfrey sat at the head of the table, eyes closed as he rested.
"My King, are we waiting for someone else?" Laru Migus asked, noticing that Godfrey hadn't yet moved to open the proceedings.
"Yes. Godwyn is on his way. We wait for him."
The assembly showed looks of immediate understanding. They settled into a quiet wait. Their tolerance for this "perfect heir" of the Golden Dynasty was remarkably high. Before long, footsteps echoed from the corridor, and Godwyn stepped into the Council Chamber.
"My deepest apologies. I am late," Godwyn said, bowing slightly to the gathered officials.
"Take your seat," Godfrey said plainly. Godwyn answered quickly and moved to his place.
As the heavy doors groaned shut, it signaled the formal beginning of the meeting.
"In this campaign, I require your absolute effort. Our opponent this time is unlike any we have faced before. There is no room for hesitation, and no room for mercy," Godfrey announced, his lion-like eyes sweeping across the room.
The two Bishops of the Erdtree Church closed their eyes and nodded slowly. "The Golden Church shall be your most steadfast pillar in this conquest."
Godfrey didn't give much of a response, merely nodding before turning his gaze toward the noble heads and the Pontiff of the Two Fingers.
"The Great Two Fingers have other arrangements for us. Therefore, we may be unable to commit our full strength to your aid. We ask for the King's understanding," Karo, the Pontiff of the Two Fingers, said as he rose and bowed in apology.
A dangerous glint flashed in Godfrey's eyes, but he refrained from speaking immediately.
"However, rest assured," Karo continued, "in terms of high-level combatants and resources, the Two Fingers will provide every bit of assistance we can. Regarding manpower, we must dispatch a portion of our followers to fulfill the tasks set by the Two Fingers, so..."
"Enough. I understand. Proceed as you have stated," Godfrey said, waving his hand to dismiss the explanation.
"We thank you for your generosity," Karo said, his tone sincere as he bowed again, completely ignoring the hostile glares coming from the two Erdtree Bishops.
Godfrey then turned to the remaining Great Nobles. While the Two Fingers Church had a god-like entity backing them, these nobles did not. After a brief moment of hesitation, the heads of the families agreed to Godfrey's demands. Satisfied, Godfrey nodded and looked toward three specific family heads.
"Laru, Haug, Daen. I need your three families to coordinate with Godwyn to guard the Royal Capital during the campaign. Can you do this?"
The three men nodded eagerly. They were more than happy to avoid such a brutal war. Little did they know that when the Ancient Dragon War eventually reached the city walls, they wouldn't be smiling so brightly.
"However, you must provide the supplies for the front lines. Is that clear?"
"Of course." The three exchanged glances and agreed.
"A portion of our followers from the Two Fingers Church will also remain in the Capital for our mission, so we can offer some assistance in defense as well," Karo added, seemingly trying to salvage his standing with Godfrey.
Godfrey remained noncommittal, simply watching Karo play his part. "Then, I leave the rest to you." He turned his gaze to Godwyn.
"Yes, Father," Godwyn nodded. He stood and looked at the assembly. "I have made my decision. Once the main army departs the Capital, Leyndell will enter a state of total lockdown. The Great Bridge shall be raised!"
"This thing... it isn't poisonous, is it?"
Morgott looked at the roasted fish over the campfire with extreme skepticism. He turned a suspicious eye toward Mohg.
"I have no idea," Mohg replied, looking back at Morgott with an expression of pure, innocent clarity.
Morgott's mouth twitched. "You aren't planning on making me the test-taster, are you?"
He waited for an answer, but was met with a long, telling silence.
"No. Absolutely not," Morgott said, shaking his head vigorously.
"Fair enough."
Mohg shrugged and immediately picked up the roasted fish, taking a large bite. Morgott stared at him, his face a mask of utter confusion.
"Actually... mhm... I already... ate some earlier... when I was down there..." Mohg said around a mouthful of fish, giving Morgott a thumbs-up. "The taste is great."
Unbelievable. This kid is playing me like a fool, Morgott thought, sighing.
"I've noticed a lot of people transporting goods through the city lately," Mohg said casually, wiping grease from the corner of his mouth. "And the soldiers are gathering in greater numbers."
"Mhm..." Morgott grunted an acknowledgment, but his gaze turned distant. It was clear he was worried.
"Do you think grave robbers ever make their way from the outside into the sewers?" Mohg asked.
"Why would you even think that?" Morgott looked puzzled. He didn't think there was anything in a sewer worth a grave robber's time.
"Because I read in a book once that the Leyndell Catacombs are actually beneath the sewers—or right next to them," Mohg said, leaning against the wall and gesturing with a fish bone.
"That shouldn't be our concern. Places like that are usually guarded by adult Omens. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to get in."
"I was thinking that, eventually, we might find a chance to go inside and take a look ourselves," Mohg said, his voice leading. "There might be secrets hidden there. Even if there aren't, once we have the strength, we could offer some extra security for the defense of the area."
Morgott's brow was furrowed in hesitation, but upon hearing that last part about "security," he changed his mind and gave a slow nod. "That... I suppose we could do that."
────────────────────────────────────────
My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (63 Chapters – Ongoing)
────────────────────────────────────────