Nebra sat at his desk, his fingers tracing the texture of the scroll that detailed how to contact Mohg and the Formless Mother. When a sudden knock echoed from the door, he jolted, nearly dropping the parchment.
He composed himself quickly, his expression returning to its usual stern mask before he spoke.
"Who is it?"
"It is I, My Lord," came the familiar voice of his butler.
Nebra relaxed slightly. He tucked the scroll away securely before granting him entry. "What is it? Has something else happened?"
"Yes, My Lord. The King has sent an envoy..."
Nebra's pupils dilated. After a tense silence, he asked in a raspy voice, "On what business?"
"The messenger refused to say. He claims it is a direct order from the King and wishes to meet with you in private." The butler lowered his head, relaying the situation with meticulous care.
"......... Very well. Bring him in."
"Yes, sir."
A few moments later, another knock sounded.
"Enter," Nebra commanded, his voice regaining its customary authority.
As the door opened, Nebra sat tall, projecting the image of the indomitable commander the world knew him to be. There was no trace of the weary, broken man from moments prior. However, the envoy was well-informed; he knew this was merely the Count clinging to his pride.
"Count Nebra, the King sends his greetings," the envoy said, bowing respectfully and speaking with genuine sincerity.
"Mm. I have received His Majesty's greetings. Now, what are the King's instructions this time?" Nebra looked at the messenger with feigned curiosity.
"The King intends to launch another expedition into Caelid. He plans to deal with the nobles in that region who have defected to the Golden Dynasty and ensure that the prestige of Stormveil once again rises over those lands. For this, My Lord, he requires your support."
Hearing the envoy's words, Nebra's gaze momentarily turned distant. Once upon a time, he had been among the foremost of those who campaigned in Caelid.
Internally, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had worried that his dealings with the Mohgwyn Dynasty had been exposed. It seemed his paranoia was getting the better of him; as he had told himself, he was old, and his legendary sharpness and decisiveness were failing him.
"Lord Nebra?"
The voice snapped Nebra back to the present. He offered a slight, apologetic nod.
"Ah, I was lost in thought for a moment. Since it is the King's request, I shall not refuse. My knights and my men are the King's to command."
"Stormveil thanks you for your service, My Lord," the envoy said, bowing deeply. This time, there was no artifice in his gesture; he felt a profound respect for the knight who had dedicated nearly his entire life to the service of the Storm.
"Is there anything else?"
"No, sir. However, the King did say... if you wish, you may spend the coming days near the Minor Erdtree in the Mistwood. While it cannot heal your injuries, it may at least ease your suffering..."
"There is no need. Convey my thanks to the King for his kindness," Nebra replied, shaking his head.
He had been there before. The light of the Minor Erdtree was gentle, and any creature that approached could receive a fraction of its bounty, suppressing internal wounds and dulling chronic pain. But to Nebra, it felt no different from a lie. He had no desire to finish his life relying on such a "mercy."
"I understand. Again, thank you for your service, Lord Nebra... no, Lord Livid Wind."
Nebra flinched slightly at the mention of his old title, but he quickly recovered, waving a hand to dismiss the messenger. The envoy, taking the hint, bowed one last time and exited the room.
Once alone, Nebra took a deep breath and pulled the scroll out once more. His eyes were now calm, devoid of the previous mania or desperation. He had made his choice.
"Lange!"
"Are you truly not planning to take me as your master? I can teach you many powerful sorceries, you know~"
"Lady Renna, please stop teasing me."
Mohg shot a helpless look at the Snow Witch standing beside him. Every time he practiced his glintstone sorcery, Renna would appear out of nowhere to watch his progress. At first, it had been unnerving, but he was fast becoming used to it.
"I'm not joking," Renna said, resting her chin in her palm as she considered him. "I didn't quite believe Rellius when he told me, but it seems he wasn't lying. Your talent for sorcery is truly rare. If I had to compare, it's likely on par with that sorceress Sellen inside the Academy—perhaps even a bit better."
"And compared to Her Majesty, the Queen?"
"Uh, you really are something..." Renna blinked, then shook her head with a light laugh. "Rennala is not some ordinary person you find on the street. In the thousands of years of Caria's history, someone like her appears only once in an age. While your talent is high, it doesn't quite reach the Queen's level. However, I suspect you could hold your own against the likes of Azur and his lot."
"Then the matter is settled. There is no need for me to expend too much energy on sorcery," Mohg remarked with a shrug.
Renna looked stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. "I didn't realize you were such an arrogant fellow! It seems you are quite confident in your talent as a warrior."
"I am simply stating a fact."
Mohg didn't argue further, continuing to practice his spells even as he answered her.
Renna watched his movements with renewed interest. She wasn't entirely sure of his age, but he appeared remarkably young. This meant that if he successfully combined the paths of magic and martial prowess, he could truly become the strongest among the Carian Knights—perhaps even reaching the level of elite protectors like Loretta.
She couldn't help but marvel at Rellana's luck. To pick up a random boy of unknown origin only to find he possessed the potential of a top-tier hero or even a demigod... it was extraordinary.
However, this also meant they needed to keep a closer eye on him to ensure he wasn't a spy from some rival power—though she now felt that was increasingly unlikely. A talent of this caliber was a treasure; any faction would have nurtured him in secret until he reached his full potential rather than risking him as an expendable spy. If such a genius were to fall prematurely, their masters would have nowhere to go to weep for the loss.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (415 Chapters – Ongoing)
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