"Hmm... up ahead is the great bridge leading to Limgrave. Beside it lie the mountains that serve as another path... This area is situated directly beneath Stormveil. One can reach Limgrave through here, though it does not come without risk."
Pilar narrowed his eyes as he organized the intelligence he had gathered. He then waved a hand, signaling the Blood Warriors behind him to fan out and begin searching for tracks.
The Cuckoo Knight squad wouldn't be able to take the main bridge; the side paths were being patrolled by Stormveil scout parties. To cross over, their only option was this particular mountain trail leading into Limgrave.
Having teleported via the Blood Pool and scouted the area, Pilar was certain they had arrived at this narrow path ahead of their targets. Now, all that remained was to wait for the squad to walk into the trap.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Pilar and his men spotted five figures cloaked in long robes, attempting to mask their identities as they entered the forest.
In a time when both major powers had established blockades, what kind of person would venture into a place like this?
At Pilar's command, several Blood Warriors who had been lying in wait sprang into action. They raised crossbows loaded with bolts crafted from Bloodroses and unleashed a volley at the five travelers.
Hearing the terrifying whistle of bolts cutting through the air, the lead Cuckoo Knight's pupils constricted. He threw off his robe and hoisted a medium shield from his back.
His original shield had been a tower shield with exceptional magic resistance, but the nature of this mission didn't allow for such heavy equipment. He had swapped it for a medium shield—and now was the moment it had to prove its worth.
Thwack!
In the next heartbeat, bolts shimmering with a crimson light slammed into the group.
The moment the sound hit his shield, the Cuckoo Knight knew something was wrong. That wasn't the sound of a bolt being deflected!
Sure enough, when he looked at his shield, the bolts had punched clean through the metal. Had they been aimed a few inches lower, they would have impaled his hand.
His subordinates were not so lucky.
The two knight-squires had been following closely, so the majority of the bolts intended for them were caught by the lead knight's shield. However, the two Cuckoo soldiers forced to accompany him were struck; the bolts buried themselves deep into their flesh.
The toxins of the Bloodrose immediately entered their systems, causing their wounds to bleed uncontrollably.
Whoosh!
Shadows blurred as several Blood Warriors closed the distance, surrounding the squad.
The two wounded Cuckoo soldiers ignored their pain, huddling with the knight to form a small, defensive formation, watching their attackers with intense vigilance.
As the two sides faced off, Pilar's massive silhouette slowly emerged from the trees.
Between the rock-like armor plating his body and the spear wreathed in blood-red flames, Pilar's towering presence made the Cuckoo Knight's heart tremble.
"Who are you? If it is Runes you want, I can give you everything I carry!"
Pilar and his warriors offered no reply.
With a sudden burst of movement, Pilar shattered the ground beneath his feet. His crimson spear flew from his hand like a ballista bolt, a thin, blood-red line trailing from its pommel to Pilar's hand.
The Cuckoo Knight had no intention of taking the hit head-on. He ditched his shield and threw himself backward.
Boom!
The moment the spear struck the earth, blood-red flames erupted from the ground like molten lava. The Cuckoo soldiers who failed to dodge the splash let out agonizing screams as blood began to seep from every pore of their bodies.
The other Blood Warriors seized the opening, moving in like ghosts. Daggers and longswords slid across the throats of the remaining Cuckoo soldiers.
In a matter of seconds, the only sound left in the clearing was the ragged, heavy breathing of the lone Cuckoo Knight. Pilar could see the overwhelming terror reflected in the man's eyes.
With a sharp tug on the blood-red line, Pilar recalled his spear. He lowered his stance, narrowing his eyes as he locked onto the knight.
The Cuckoo Knight took a deep breath, looking at the circle of Blood Warriors closing in around him. He struggled to his feet and gripped his greatsword with both hands.
"AAAAAH!"
Skill: War Cry! Skill: Stamp (Upward Cut)!
The Cuckoo Knight smashed a vial against his blade, coating the steel in a pale blue glintstone liquid. Then, like a released arrow, he charged straight at Pilar.
A flicker of surprise crossed Pilar's eyes. He had expected a man like a Cuckoo Knight to beg for mercy in his final moments, showing the ugliness of a coward. He hadn't expected the man to choose a dignified death.
"Hmph!"
Pilar let out a low grunt. A mist of crimson vapor hissed from the gaps in his stony armor. Then, his blood-flame spear began to spin like a drill, shrouded in surging red energy as it thrust toward the incoming knight.
Slash— Pshhh—
"Cough... argh!"
The Cuckoo Knight looked down at the spear that had transfixed his chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood. He glanced at his own greatsword, which had bitten deep into Pilar's shoulder, and slowly closed his eyes.
Pilar wrenched the spear free and flicked away the gore. He then pulled the greatsword out of the rock-like armor on his shoulder.
As for the damage to his body... in a sense, the blade had only broken his "defense" without truly wounding the flesh beneath.
"Clean up the traces."
With those words, Pilar leaned over and retrieved a knight's medal from the corpse, etched with the man's name.
"Duael? I shall remember this name. You are the first enemy to fall by my hand since I returned to the surface."
Pilar gave a slight nod and pocketed the medal as Mohg had instructed. Around him, the Blood Warriors moved with practiced efficiency, erasing every trace of the battle and disposing of the bodies.
Before long, the area was pristine. Pilar and his men departed, heading back toward the Blood Pool.
Not long after they left, another small squad arrived at the scene. Judging by the style of their armor, they were a scout party under the command of the Storm Lord.
"A battle took place here just moments ago."
"Mm. And a one-sided one at that. One faction intercepted and slaughtered another. To have wiped away all traces of the bodies in such a short time... this group is professionally trained."
"It's no great concern. The victors didn't head deeper into Limgrave. Report the incident, but do not go looking for trouble."
"Understood."
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (375 Chapters – Ongoing)
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