Days turned into weeks, and after roughly three months of intense preparation, the mobilization for the conquest was complete.
The men who had once looked like a ragtag assembly of mercenaries were now clad in unified armor. Every piece was forged by the Golden Dynasty using local ores, customized to meet the specific needs and combat styles of the foreign warriors.
During these three months, they had undergone strict militarized management and training. Godfrey had spent nearly every moment with them, using his overwhelming charisma and undeniable strength to win their absolute loyalty. By the time they were ready to march, these warriors had essentially become Godfrey's personal vanguard.
"Prince, the King and his host are about to depart," Kaisen whispered, unable to stop himself from interrupting Godwyn, who was still buried under a mountain of administrative work.
"I am aware."
Godwyn nodded calmly, his eyes never leaving the documents on his desk.
"Do you not intend to see them off?"
"There is no need. Father gave me his final instructions before he left. Any further display would be redundant. Our task is to ensure the Royal Capital remains secure in his absence."
Godwyn paused, finally looking up at Kaisen with a solemn expression.
"That is the greatest blessing I can offer for my father's conquest."
"I understand," Kaisen replied, bowing his head.
"Also... in two days—no, tonight—I will pay one last visit to the sewers. After that, arrange for a final delivery of supplies to be dropped down there, and then seal it off. Lockdown the entire sub-surface level."
Kaisen blinked in surprise but nodded. "Understood, Prince. Shall we leave a route open for the Perfumers?"
Godwyn hesitated for a moment, thinking of the sector where Mohg and Morgott were currently living.
"No. Seal every route. Just... allocate extra supplies to that specific area before you close the gates."
"Phew..."
In the dark of the pipes, Mohg exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes. The feeling of power steadily surging through his veins was intoxicating. He clenched his fist, feeling the tension in his muscles.
"I feel like I could shatter the earth with a single punch, yeah!"
He muttered a classic boast, then wiped his knuckles with his tattered hemp clothes.
"Nah, I'm just getting cocky. It's just the 'power-up' illusion," he grumbled to himself, blowing on his fist.
Regardless of his self-deprecation, his growth had been significant. By consciously absorbing the energy Godwyn had left within them, he was now strong enough to trade blows with the "Lobster-bro" that had once hunted them—provided he didn't get pinned by its claws or sniped by its high-pressure water jet.
Suddenly, Mohg remembered that giant rat from before.
Just wait until I get down there again. I'm definitely roasting that thing to see how it tastes...
"What are you muttering about now?" Morgott asked, looking at Mohg with a look of utter confusion as he caught him whispering to the wall.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about going back and slaughtering that rat that chased us. Payback time." Mohg waved it off.
Morgott sighed but didn't argue. He certainly didn't have any objections to getting rid of that particular nuisance.
Compared to Mohg's physical transformation, Morgott's growth was even more pronounced, though not in raw muscle. He had focused on the Incantations of the Erdtree. At this point, Morgott could already manifest a few spells. Though they weren't top-tier powers yet, they added a dangerous level of unpredictability to his combat style.
The two spells Morgott had mastered were [Golden Light] and [Golden Blessing]. Mohg didn't recognize these from his past life—they seemed to be early versions or lost variations of Golden Order fundamentalism. Golden Blessing was likely a precursor to various Erdtree buffs, while Golden Light allowed Morgott to condense golden energy into projectiles.
Mohg watched his brother practice and felt a chill. The way Morgott moved—the slight, deliberate delays in his gestures—reminded him of a very painful gaming experience.
It's you! My teacher of the "Fast and Slow Blades"!
Whoosh—!
Almost simultaneously, both brothers whipped their heads toward the sewer entrance. A familiar, powerful aura was approaching.
With no outsiders present, Godwyn shed his black robe the moment he reached them.
"Big Brother!" they shouted in unison.
"Mhm." Godwyn reached out and ruffled their hair, though his expression was heavier than usual.
"Big Brother, did something happen?" Mohg asked, looking up.
"Yes. Father's conquest has begun. The Royal Capital is moving into a state of total lockdown. All sewer entrances and exits will be sealed. I know there will still be scavengers and those with ill intent who will try to sneak in to profit from the chaos... so I've come to give you something."
Godwyn reached into his tunic and produced a prayer book and two daggers that shimmered with a cold, golden luster. The blades hummed with a dangerous, latent energy.
"I won't be able to visit you for a very long time. You must be careful."
Godwyn pulled them into a firm embrace. He placed his hands on their chests, and a massive surge of energy flowed into them—reaching the very limit of what their young bodies could contain. Godwyn's own face paled slightly from the exertion.
"These two daggers contain a power known as an Ash of War. It consumes a great deal of energy, but you can use the power I've left in you to trigger it. Do not use it unless you are truly desperate," Godwyn warned.
The brothers nodded solemnly. As Mohg gripped his dagger, the weapon seemed to whisper the name of the skill into his mind: [Golden Retribution].
"The book contains some low-level Incantations I've modified, as well as basic prayers from the Erdtree Church. They will be useful for you to study..."
Godwyn spoke for a long time, as if trying to say everything he wouldn't be able to say in the coming months. Finally, he stopped and gave their hair one last ruffle.
"Stay safe... my brothers."
With that, Godwyn donned his black robe and walked toward the exit without looking back. A rare silence fell between Mohg and Morgott.
"Well... I guess it's just us now."
"We are brothers," Mohg said, breaking the tension with a grin. "As long as we stand together, who in this world could possibly stand against us?"
"...?" Morgott stared at him.
"Don't look at me like that, you'll make me blush."
The somber mood shattered under Mohg's typical antics. But as he looked down at the golden dagger in his hand, Mohg's eyes were filled with a cold, focused resolve.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (115 Chapters – Ongoing)
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