Upon entering the sorcerers' quarters, Mohg didn't even have a chance to seek out Bonata before he ran into someone he wasn't particularly keen on seeing.
A man was circling a puppet stationed in the corridor, his eyes brimming with an obsessive, glazed fervor.
Naturally, that man was Seluvis.
Sensing another's presence, Seluvis suddenly turned his head. When he saw it was Mohg, he instinctively shrunk his neck back. On the journey here, Mohg's gaze had been anything but friendly.
"Lord... Lord Gwen, good day..."
"Mmm. Why aren't you in your room studying sorcery? What are you doing here?" Mohg nodded, narrowing his eyes as he asked a question he already knew the answer to.
"Err... well, to be honest... there are simply too many sorceries laid out before me. I can't possibly learn them all at once, yet I wish to understand and deconstruct every single one. Since that is unrealistic... I came out to soothe my frustrated heart."
Seluvis's face pulled into a bitter grimace. It seemed that faced with the vast Carian archives, even a mage like him was suffering from the "burden of choice." Especially for a wizard like Seluvis, who didn't harbor the typical academic prejudice against non-primeval sorceries, the Carian treasury was the ultimate trove of wonders.
However, in Mohg's view, what Seluvis truly wanted wasn't the sorceries—it was the methods used to create the puppets standing before him.
"Is your interest in puppets?"
"Yes! Aren't they beautiful? They possess an eternal beauty—they do not wither, they do not vanish. If you care for them enough, they can remain long after you are gone. Moreover, they never betray a secret, they follow every command without question, and they retain their original visage forever..."
As Seluvis grew more animated, Mohg quickly raised a hand to cut him off.
Realizing he had overstepped, Seluvis gave a sheepish laugh. "My apologies. Once I start on this topic, I find it hard to stop."
"Understandable. Every man has his passion."
"Right?!" Seluvis's eyes lit up as he looked at Mohg, as if he had finally found a kindred spirit. "Then, Lord Gwen, what is your view on puppets?"
"Me? They are a useful tool—an engine of war. Nothing more, nothing less." Mohg raised an eyebrow as he gave his answer.
Seluvis's disappointment was palpable. He had thought he'd met a fellow connoisseur, only to find another "uninspired" soul. Still, the fact that Mohg respected his hobby was a rare courtesy. His opinion of Mohg remained quite high.
"Lord Gwen, I wish to learn the art of puppet crafting. I wonder if you..."
"Apologies, but I don't have the time to assist you with that. I must seek out Professor Bonata to learn Carian Knight sorceries, and later, Lady Ranni to study frost magic. My hands are full."
"I understand..." Seluvis nodded, looking somewhat dejected.
As for Seluvis the man, Mohg genuinely disliked him. Yet, he had to admit that if Seluvis's puppet techniques were applied to combat, they would be formidable weapons. The problem was that Seluvis focused on "quality" rather than "quantity," and his later pursuit of "art" led to... questionable choices.
If Mohg brought this man into his fold, he seriously doubted whether Seluvis would eventually try to pull a fast one on him.
"Lord Mohg, please, drink this Amber Draught I specially prepared for you!"
He decided to see if he could reform the man first. If that failed... he would simply dispose of him. One must never provide assets to the enemy.
"Then continue your research here. I must find Professor Bonata."
Seluvis nodded. Relieved that the man didn't try to drag him into a long conversation, Mohg headed deeper into the quarters, asking for directions to the professor's lab along the way.
However, on his way there, Mohg failed to notice a gaze following him from behind.
Sellen watched Mohg until he reached the lab, then she slowly stepped out from her room and headed toward the exit. She needed to see Rennala, the Full Moon Queen. Partly because she had been summoned, and partly because she was done waiting.
The primary reason she had come to Caria was for the resources they possessed.
"Professor Bonata, it's me."
"Gwen? You're here already?" Bonata set down a scroll, looking at Mohg in surprise. He had expected the man to take at least a few days before seeking him out.
"Yes. My spar with Muun went a bit sideways. His injuries weren't light, and Commander Shuster seemed worried about the atmosphere, so he told me to go tend to my own business for now."
"And so you came to me?" Bonata stroked his beard with a smile.
"Mmm. You mentioned before that your primary role is teaching sorcery. I wish to learn from you."
"Haha! Excellent. I have always been lenient with talented students. Tell me, what sorceries do you wish to learn?"
Mohg listed the spells he was interested in. Most were fundamental Carian Knight sorceries, which Mohg was expected to learn anyway, so Bonata had no issue teaching them.
As for more advanced spells—like Carian Grandeur, Carian Sovereignty, or Starlight—those were restricted. They required higher authorization and couldn't be taught on a whim. Mohg understood the policy.
"While there are some spells I cannot teach you directly, there is one you might be able to learn from another," Bonata said.
"Oh? Which one?"
"Miriam. She is an exceptionally gifted sorceress serving the Royal Family. Though she isn't a professor yet, her strength is nearly at that level. She even modified the Starlight spell to create a version that suits her better, called Miriam's Vanishing."
Mohg's eyes lit up. He knew exactly who that was. He had once been driven to the brink of madness by that woman sniping him with a Greatbow. Now that he had a chance to meet her and learn her magic, he wasn't about to let it pass.
"But there's no rush. For now, let's start with the basics. I'll teach you the casting methods and magical principles behind Carian Slicer."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Your Majesty Rennala."
"Mmm. There is no need for excessive ceremony. This is our third meeting, is it not?" Rennala looked down at Sellen with a faint smile.
"It is, Your Majesty." Sellen maintained her calm demeanor, though her movements showed a clear respect for Rennala. This was the proper attitude for a mage facing perhaps the most powerful sorceress in the world—an elder who held vast knowledge and someone Sellen needed a favor from.
"May I ask why you have summoned me?"
"Don't overthink it. It is for the very thing you have been searching for." Rennala smiled at Sellen's probing and spoke plainly.
"...And what is the price? You wouldn't hand over those journals and scrolls for nothing."
"Correct. I need you to conduct research on Primal Glintstones and assist me in further perfecting the Primeval sorceries I possess. I believe your talent is up to the task. Until your potential is fully realized, the Carian Royal Family will protect you and your study of the Primeval Current."
"A fair offer. I see no reason to refuse." Sellen nodded.
"Naturally, we will keep your involvement confidential. But Sellen..." Rennala's voice dropped as she used Sellen's name again. Sellen looked up, meeting the Queen's eyes. "Do not do anything that would make things difficult for me."
As she spoke, a powerful aura of immense mana pressed down on Sellen. Facing the warning, Sellen hurriedly circulated her own mana to resist before slowly nodding. Satisfied with her compliance, Rennala withdrew the pressure.
"I hear you are on good terms with the new knight under my sister's command?"
"...You must be mistaken. He was merely an apprentice I encountered at the Academy."
"From your reaction, I doubt I am mistaken. In that case, he shall serve as your assistant during your idle hours."
Sellen snapped her head up to look at Rennala, but the Queen's expression remained unreadable. After a moment of internal struggle, Sellen chose silence.
"You may go. I will have my people move the promised materials to your room. For the time being, you need not worry about anything else. Focus entirely on your research."
"I understand." Sellen left the audience chamber with a heavy heart. Rennala's motive for assigning Mohg to her was transparent. They were to watch each other. It was a test for both of them; if anything went wrong, both would be held accountable. The only question was: who was the primary target of the test? Was it her, or...
"Phew... I'm exhausted..."
Back in his room, Mohg stretched his aching body. He wasn't physically tired, but his mental energy was drained. Learning sorcery was taxing, especially since he had insisted on Bonata teaching him several spells at once.
Still, the results were pleasing. He had mastered Glintstone Phalanx and several other basic Carian Knight spells, giving him a few more tools for his arsenal. Ligyes's techniques could now be fully utilized.
The Guerrilla Unit... I need to find a chance to take a mission outside. Liana and the others have established a base in the stone forest caves outside the Carian city-state. Once I get there, I can head straight for the Siofra River...
Mohg narrowed his eyes. He didn't want the Dynasty's progress to remain stagnant. Although "stagnant" wasn't quite right—thanks to Niebla, Horouf, Liana, and Pilar, the framework of the Mohgwyn Dynasty had been built. But in Mohg's eyes, until the primary stronghold was established, they were still in the phase of gathering strength.
The Hornsent-style mausoleums surely held secrets regarding spiritual power and Divine Bird rituals. With people like Pilar on his side, once they established a base there, the Mohgwyn Dynasty would enter a brand new era.
The only problem is my status in the Guerrilla Unit. As a newcomer, it'll be hard to get assigned to an outdoor mission...
When he met Rennala, he had clearly felt her wariness. He didn't know the source of it, but it would certainly complicate his movements. Unless... unless he could convince Rellana to give him a special assignment.
But the chances of that were slim. For now, it seemed he would have to stay in Caria for a while and wait for the right moment.
Looks like I'm back to the 'waiting out the old folks' phase... With a long sigh, Mohg lay on his bed and closed his eyes to rest.
CRACK-BOOM!
On a vast plain outside the towering walls of Leyndell, golden lightning and red dragon-bolt clashed in a blinding display.
A towering figure, radiant as the sun, held a golden spear high in the air. Opposite him, a massive Ancient Dragon roared at the heavens, its body wreathed in arcs of red lightning.
Below them, Beastmen and the armies of the Golden Order were locked in a savage melee, with other Ancient Dragons joining the fray.
Amidst the chaos, a man with a shock of red hair stood out. His powerful frame was encased in white-and-gold armor, and he swung a greatsword as tall as a man. With every movement, he unleashed devastating Golden Incantations to strike down his enemies. Whenever his allies were wounded, he instantly cast powerful healing miracles.
Surrounding him were the Erdtree Warriors he had trained—men with resolve as hard as iron. His prestige was soaring with every passing moment of this battle.
His name was Radagon!
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light bathed the battlefield. Everyone—friend and foe alike—looked up in awe. It was the ultimate incantation unleashed by Godwyn: The Golden Sun!
"ROAARRR!"
A piercing dragon cry echoed across the field. Like a tide, red lightning swept outward; even the mere dissipation of the dragon's power was enough to scorch the earth. In the next second, terrifying red lightning gathered in the dragon's claws, forming two blinding lightning spears.
With a powerful heave, Fortissax hurled them directly toward Godwyn's Golden Sun.
Below, the horrified Erdtree troops huddled together, casting Golden Lightning Fortification and Golden Vow in a desperate attempt to survive the coming impact.
BOOM—
────────────────────────────────────────
Support me here: https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (445 Chapters – Full)
Join the journey and become part of the story!
────────────────────────────────────────