"Lord Nibla!"
Nibla turned to face the Storm Knight who had just entered and knelt before him.
"Take a squad into the forest and investigate. I sensed an unfamiliar presence just now—it's highly likely that an unknown faction has infiltrated our borders."
"Understood! I shall depart at once!"
The Storm Knight bowed low, his armor clattering as he hurried out of the room.
Left alone, Nibla slowly approached his weapon rack, his hand trembling slightly as he brushed his fingers against the hilt of his sword.
"Cough... hack! Cough, cough... damn it..."
Nibla pressed a hand over his mouth as a violent fit of coughing wracked his body. A searing, burning pain radiated from his lungs, forcing him to double over in agony.
He leaned against the wall for a long time, waiting for the sensation to subside. When he finally stood straight, his eyes were clouded with a dark, bitter shadow.
Ever since he had sustained a lung injury during the ill-fated expedition to Caelid, his condition had withered day by day. Now, the once-valiant general was reduced to a shut-in, playing the part of an idle nobleman while his strength ebbed away.
For a warrior who had once wielded world-shaking power, this decline was unbearable. It was a unique form of torture to feel the vast reserves of vigor and strength still dwelling within his frame, yet find himself physically unable to unleash them. It was like sitting atop a mountain of gold with no way to spend a single coin.
Then, by pure chance during that same Caelid campaign—amidst the chaotic clashes between the Ancient Dragons and the local wyverns—he had encountered a severely wounded Beastman from Farum Azula.
An idea had taken root in his mind: the power of the Ancient Dragons. Their hearts were as hard as stone, and the ancient healing techniques of the Beastmen might be the only thing capable of mending his shattered body. Even if a cure was impossible, he was willing to cast aside his old oaths and convert his faith to the Ancient Dragons.
He sought their strength. He sought the ritual to become one of the Ancient Dragon-Men. To Nibla, that Beastman in the cave was his final lifeline.
"Lange!"
"I am here, General."
The door opened, and a man dressed differently from the standard Storm Knights entered, kneeling at the threshold. He wore a black hood and carried two uniquely fashioned daggers at his waist. His armor was light and supple, lacking the cumbersome weight of the heavy plate worn by the others.
"Take your men to the cave. If the Beastman is still there, ask him about the progress of our... transaction."
"As you command."
Lange nodded. He was well aware of the Beastman's presence, though, to be honest, he didn't share his general's optimism. Even if the ritual to become a Dragon-Man was successful... the price would surely be astronomical.
He had heard rumors that such a transformation claimed more than just the body; it claimed the soul. One would become a total thrall to the Ancient Dragons, a fanatic hunter of drakes and wyverns. Would the General still be the man they followed? Lange didn't know.
But he also knew that words were useless. No one truly understands the despair of losing their strength until it happens to them.
"Master Mohg."
"Rise. Our objective is that small island to the southwest. It is the most suitable location for our stronghold."
Mohg stood with his men on a high vantage point overlooking the coast, pointing toward the ruins of the Church of Dragon Communion.
Holuf and the others followed his gaze and nodded in silent agreement.
There were no signs of human activity there. Years of abandonment meant it wouldn't attract unwanted attention, provided they didn't make too much noise. The ruined church would serve as perfect surface-level camouflage while they constructed the actual base beneath it.
"There are two ways to get there," Mohg explained. "One is to fly across the water or take a boat. The other is to use a specific cave hidden along the shoreline. This area has been declared off-limits by the local lord, so we don't need to worry about being disturbed by the local peasantry."
"However, that also means we cannot use boats without being spotted. We must either fly or find that cave. I'm leaving that task to you—scour the coast and locate that tunnel."
"Understood!"
"Notify me once you've found it. Pilar has finished his assignment, and I need to return to the lake to check on things."
"Yes, Sire!"
Mohg gave Holuf an appreciative pat on the shoulder.
"I trust you to handle this. Once the stronghold is established, I shall grant you your blessing."
"We are honored by the Sovereign's grace!"
With the orders issued, Mohg found a secluded spot and opened a small blood pool, submerging himself to teleport back to the Liurnia Lake District. Meanwhile, Holuf and his team split up, fanning out toward the cliffs to begin their search.
Emerging from the blood pool in Liurnia, Mohg immediately saw Pilar waiting for him.
"Lord Sovereign, these are the items you requested."
Pilar held out the medal of a Cuckoo Knight with both hands, offering it to Mohg. He then stepped aside, revealing a pile of wealth and treasures the knight had plundered.
Mohg nodded, though a question lingered in his mind. Why would a Cuckoo Knight take such a massive risk for such a relatively small amount of loot, especially at a critical time like this? It didn't seem like the choice of a rational man.
However, with so little information to go on, Mohg couldn't reach a conclusion. He pushed the thought aside for now. After having Pilar arrange a horse for him, he set off toward the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
"Come to think of it, Rellana kicked me out without even providing a mount. Was that part of the 'test' too?"
Mohg was lost in thought when the rhythmic thumping of hooves snapped him back to reality.
He turned to see a group of warriors galloping toward him. They wore chainmail, silver helmets, and capes made from the furs of unknown beasts. They were the most infamous band of mercenaries in the Lands Between—the Kaiden Sellswords.
Seeing them closing in, Mohg slowed his pace until he came to a halt, turning his horse to face the group.
"May I ask why you are blocking my path?"
"You're a sorcerer from the Academy, aren't you?"
The lead mercenary asked, resting a heavy Dismounter blade across his shoulder while eyeing Mohg suspiciously.
"I am. What of it?"
"Good. The road ahead is treacherous. Bandits and highwaymen are crawling all over these parts. Why don't you hire us as your escort? We'll guarantee you reach the Gate Town in one piece."
"?"
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (383 Chapters – Ongoing)
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