Crack—
A sound like a breaking eggshell echoed through the room as the blood cocoon enveloping Nebra slowly began to fracture.
As the cocoon lost its mystical luster, it dissolved into dark crimson fluid that flowed back into the pool. Standing at the center, Nebra slowly opened his eyes.
He looked significantly younger. His eyes had turned a vivid, striking red, and even his hair was now tinged with a faint crimson hue.
Ignoring these cosmetic changes for the moment, Nebra was consumed by a desperate urge to check his internal condition. With a heart full of trepidation, he slowly reached out to tap into the powers buried deep within his soul: the newly acquired power of blood and his original mastery of the storm.
BOOM!
A crimson storm suddenly erupted, sweeping through the surroundings. Violent gales left deep, jagged gouges in the stone walls.
Sensing that his strength was once again under his control—feeling that his body had returned to its peak, perhaps even surpassing it—Nebra burst into a thunderous laugh.
"Hahahaha! My body... it has returned!!!!"
"Congratulations, Lord Nebra!" Lange stepped forward, dropping to one knee to offer his jubilant respects.
"Rise, Lange." Nebra offered a slight nod before shifting his gaze to the Blood Warrior standing nearby.
"You should be able to contact your superior, yes? Take me to see him. I wish to understand the Sovereign's designs. Since the Sovereign has shown me such mercy, I shall repay him in kind!"
"...Understood."
The Blood Warrior hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding. After all, this man had been personally recognized by the Sovereign, and the power he now displayed likely eclipsed even Lord Horulf's. Perhaps... this was a significant opportunity.
Having withdrawn his consciousness from the statue, Mohg felt a corresponding surge in his own power. He had to admit, the ritual Nebra had performed was exceptionally effective.
However, more significant than the power gained from the ritual was the acquisition of this new subordinate—a Count under the Storm Lord.
Now that Nebra had returned to his peak, his strength was formidable. Coupled with the enhancement of the Cursed Blood... Mohg estimated that even he might not be a match for Nebra in his current form. He would likely need to return to his original body just to fight the man to a standstill.
By all accounts, Nebra—having shed his old injuries and regained his strength—was a Heroic-class entity, someone capable of leading armies and transcending the limits of elite knights. Mohg just wasn't sure exactly where Nebra ranked within that Heroic tier.
(In the game, different tiers of Heroes dropped different amounts of Runes, after all.)
Regardless, a powerhouse of this caliber was now under his command. However, loyalty was still a concern. This was currently a case of "repaying a debt of gratitude." To ensure absolute submission would take time.
Until he was certain he could actually defeat Nebra in a fight, Mohg had no intention of appearing before him in person. That would be an unwise risk.
Right... I need to inform Horulf first...
Mohg narrowed his eyes, thinking of Horulf. Horulf hadn't notified him about the Count earlier, likely because he hadn't realized Nebra would simply snatch a Blood Warrior and initiate a direct ritual rather than going through the proper channels.
Indeed, Horulf was utterly bewildered when he received the message from Mohg. Having heard nothing from Count Nebra, he had assumed the man was still considering the offer. He never expected Nebra to prepare the sacrificial materials, kidnap a Blood Warrior, and bypass him entirely to contact the higher-ups.
This left Horulf feeling more than a little annoyed. Regardless of the circumstances, he was technically the "senior" to this new recruit, and he was the Blood Knight responsible for managing this sector.
What was the Count's game? Fine, Nebra's influence and power far exceeded his own, but that was no excuse for such conduct.
Suddenly, Horulf sensed someone entering the cave. He narrowed his eyes and signaled his men to halt their construction work. The demi-humans, who had been dozing nearby, scrambled awake, baring their teeth as they looked toward the entrance.
Soon, a figure emerged—the Blood Warrior Nebra had "borrowed."
"Why did you not signal your approach?" Horulf stepped forward, his brow furrowed in a stern interrogation.
The warrior didn't answer. He simply stepped aside, clearing the path.
Nebra, clad in full armor, stepped out of the shadows, followed closely by Lange. Horulf's expression immediately turned cold and unfriendly.
"Count Nebra. I didn't expect to see you here so soon."
"Please, do not be agitated, Lord Horulf," Nebra replied. His tone was unexpectedly mild. He cast aside his noble airs and walked directly up to Horulf, even handing his sword to Lange to show he was unarmed. "We are both servants under the Sovereign now. I have heard of the contributions you have made for the Dynasty, and I have no intention of becoming your enemy. I have come today to offer my strength to the cause and to ease the Sovereign's burdens."
Horulf was taken aback. Seeing that Nebra truly harbored no ill intent, he relaxed slightly, his expression softening as he looked at the Count.
"Forgive my rudeness. And what exactly do you mean by 'offering your strength'?"
"As you can see, I am still a Lord under the Storm King. I can provide the Dynasty with weapons, armor, food, and manpower."
"Wait a moment," Horulf interrupted, raising a hand. "Before we discuss logistics, I am curious about one thing."
"Pray, tell." Nebra looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Horulf locked eyes with Nebra. "How exactly do you view the Storm Lord now?"
As the question hung in the air, everyone present held their breath. They hadn't expected Horulf to ask such a piercing, high-stakes question at their very first meeting.
"You wish to know if I will betray the Sovereign, don't you?" After a brief silence, Nebra cut straight to the heart of Horulf's concern.
Horulf remained silent, simply staring back at him.
"I gave everything for the King's cause—my family, my wife, and my own health," Nebra said, his voice level and devoid of emotion. "Had the Sovereign not appeared, I would have likely spent my last breath struggling for the King. But the Sovereign did appear."
"The Sovereign granted me a new life. Therefore, this new life belongs to the Sovereign. I have already repaid my debt to the King; now, I must repay the Sovereign."
As Nebra spoke, Horulf could feel the absolute, unshakable resolve behind the man's calm words.
────────────────────────────────────────
Support me here: https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (415 Chapters – Full)
Join the journey and become part of the story!
────────────────────────────────────────