The Three Sisters.
In the game's map.
Behind Caria Manor, on the gentle slopes? No, in a ruined town.
Those living in the manor were undoubtedly soldiers, combatants, or logistics personnel.
But those living here were ordinary residents.
Looking at the scattered ruins of many houses, and the three tall rises towering on the higher slopes, Kaito said nothing.
First, he went directly to Renna's Rise, the one he was most concerned about.
Unsurprisingly, he was blocked by a barrier.
To open this Rise in the game, you needed to complete side quests before finally entering.
But here, Kaito could simply break the barrier by force.
Even if the barrier surrounded the tower in layers.
Of course, doing so would surely incur Ranni's great displeasure.
Anyway, this Rise wasn't Rennala's; it was Renna's.
That distinction needed to be made.
Although, when he first played, Kaito himself got it wrong...
Ahem, can you blame him? Who names them Rennala and Renna, just two letter apart?
Besides, most people don't pay close attention to the story early in the game!!
"My Lord, danger..."
Thump, thump, thump, thump...
As Kaito left Renna's Rise and headed towards Ranni's Rise,
Melina and the Fire Keeper suddenly sensed danger and immediately stood in front of Kaito, adopting defensive stances.
"...No need to worry. We're still far enough away. Besides, I noticed it long ago."
Kaito smiled, reaching out to pat both women's shoulders.
He had naturally sensed the other party's presence long ago.
'The 'Glintstone Dragon Adula' from the game was also here.'
'Though why it was here was unknown.'
'Perhaps it was imprisoned here?'
'Maybe it was Ranni's pet, or perhaps she set it as a checkpoint; only by defeating Glintstone Dragon Adula could one enter?'
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly.
Thing was, if the player cut this dragon down to half health, it would still flee, which was quite peculiar.
Conveniently, he was out of juice back then, so he let it go temporarily. But later, after taking Ranni's side quest, he killed it anyway.
That's the situation.
As he moved further up the slope, Kaito saw the colossal Glintstone Dragon Adula.
The magic it used was also Glintstone magic; otherwise, it wouldn't be called a Glintstone Dragon.
Compared to other dragons encountered, it was indeed special.
After finding an entrance to a cellar nearby, Kaito entered without a second thought.
Unsurprisingly, Sorceress Sellen wasn't inside.
Those inside were Seluvis's puppets.
The nearby Rise was Seluvis's Rise.
As for this character...
No need to think too much or ask too many questions; Kaito would kill him.
When, exactly, would depend on the situation.
If he was still useful, he could wait a bit. If useless, kill him immediately.
Anyway, Ranni wouldn't say much.
Besides, did Ranni truly not know about his deeds?
It's just that Ranni still needed his help to accomplish some things, so she turned a blind eye.
But in the game, if the player agreed to help Seluvis and took his potion to Ranni, you would utterly enrage her, and then snap – you'd be dead.
Glintstone Dragon Adula also noticed Kaito's presence.
But it didn't attack, just glanced over and continued playing by itself on the ground...
Yes, playing by itself on the ground!
Confirmed, it's probably a dragon kept as a pet here!
Catch it and take it for a walk later?
He wondered if this dragon was male or female. Seeing it leisurely on the ground, Kaito felt a strange shift in atmosphere.
"Lord Kaito, please be careful..."
The Fire Keeper was still worried, fearing Adula might suddenly attack.
This place wasn't safe.
"Don't worry. It noticed us but didn't attack; instead, it's playing in the mud. That means it's not hostile to us for now."
Kaito shook his head and continued up the slope.
Until the rise before him grew closer, and the door of the towering rise automatically opened its barrier, sensing Kaito's arrival.
Ranni's Rise (X)
Wife's Tower (V)
At this moment, Ranni was busy moving books.jpg
Maintaining her dignity.
Quick question: How many books was Ranni sitting on?
Given Kaito's height, maybe she needed to stack a few more books on her chair to maintain her 'dignity'?
Anyway, she wouldn't allow Kaito to look down on her.
With this thought, Kaito walked in, the corners of his mouth turned up.
This tower was large, very tall.
Inside, it was equally spacious.
Glintstone fragments were scattered everywhere, along with numerous magic books.
Obviously, this place hadn't been well-maintained for a long time.
Walking up step by step, he saw no one. He stood in the elevator, pulled the lever, and the elevator rose automatically.
Exiting the elevator, he came to a stairway and corridor without railings.
Kaito took a deep breath.
If Ranni, or any mage, lived here, walking this path every day... one wrong step and they'd definitely fall to their death!
Behind here was an abyssal cliff.
In front, by the main entrance, was a drop of at least a hundred meters.
This Rise was even taller and more magnificent than in the game.
Living here alone was unimaginable; unless hundreds of people lived here, you couldn't comprehend it.
But thinking about the library scenes in the game, Kaito fell silent again.
Were there really this many magic books?
He had read some magic books, but most were various mages' insights, experiences with certain spells, and research on magic.
Quality was inconsistent, some good, some bad.
You never knew if what they said was necessarily correct.
Anyway, the number of magic books was absurdly, ridiculously high. Whether there were duplicates was unknown.
Finally climbing the stairs to the top, he found a sky castle-like structure, with only one room.
Entering, it was a circular room, about 300 square meters, with a 15-meter-high ceiling.
On the floor and bookshelves were piles of magic books, each one looking like a 'deluxe edition'. The books placed lower down were the standard editions.
There wasn't much furniture in the room either, just some magical items and piles of Glintstone fragments.
And Ranni, whom Kaito longed for, was indeed sitting on a dignified-looking wooden chair, her bottom propped up on several thick books stacked beneath her.
Illuminated by the wall-mounted candles and the thin snowy scenery outside the windows, Ranni simply sat there, head bowed in slumber.
For a moment, the scene was utterly beautiful.
Kaito didn't disturb her. Melina and the Fire Keeper stood quietly behind him, looking around...
No, the Fire Keeper was the one looking around; Melina was staring intently at Ranni.
They were senior and junior apprentice sisters.
Melina was Ranni's senior!
The clothes Ranni wore were exactly the robes of the Snow Witch set – the hat, robe, etc., that the Snow Witch usually wore.
Kaito watched Ranni continue to sleep. Even standing at the door didn't disturb her. So, he began to walk forward step by step.
He kept walking until he stood about three meters in front of Ranni, and only then did Ranni react.
She slowly raised her head, as if just waking up, blinking her eyes slightly.
Seeing that the visitor was Kaito, whom she had met that night, Ranni brought her upper two hands together, fingers forming a triangle, while her lower two hands rested quietly on her lap.
'Sigh...'
'Four hands are truly terrifying!'
'That's quadruple the happiness!!'
"...Long time no see, Tarnished."
"I recall I called myself Renna back then. I apologize for using a false name; it was actually my teacher's name."
"That spectral steed, Torrent, is also my teacher's keepsake. I am glad he is doing well. Similarly, I am very grateful for your assistance to my mother, getting her out of that castle in the Academy, and that you did not harm her greatly."
"Thank you."
Ranni spoke in her characteristic slow, archaic language.
Her gaze towards Kaito was full of curiosity, especially on her translucent half-face, which even showed a smile towards Kaito.
Amazing, truly amazing.
But this was surely Ranni's soul?
"Meeting you for the first time, my mother receiving your help, and us meeting again here. Although it was I who sent you the invitation, one could say fate has been the matchmaker."
"Especially, the one behind you, Melina."
Ranni's gaze fell upon Melina, a complex emotion appearing in her eyes.
Ranni and she were similar.
She later learned one thing: that Melina was her senior apprentice sister!
When she encountered the Snow Witch Renna, Melina had already been taken as an apprentice by her.
But as for the specific reasons, Ranni had an idea, yet also some confusion, but also some understanding.
Because these two paths were very difficult to walk.
Melina didn't speak, just nodded.
They had never met face to face, merely knowing of each other's existence.
Ranni said nothing more, turning her head back to look at Kaito.
Kaito, the strongest among all Tarnished!
"You know my name, but there are things you may not know."
"My past..."
"I once stole Death, and now seek the path deeper into darkness."
"One day, I will betray everything, and I will abandon everything."
"But for now, I need your help."
"I wish to borrow your strength. Of course, I will provide commensurate compensation."
What that compensation was, Ranni didn't specify.
Ranni was also a bit of a riddler; she maintained a certain skepticism.
After all, what she wanted to do was no small matter.
And it differed from the path he would take to become the rightful Elden Lord.
Of course, in the end, Kaito could still become Elden Lord, but there would be some changes.
"What exactly is it you want to do?"
"That, I cannot reveal to you for now. I have my own reasons, I'm sorry. But I guarantee, you will still become Elden Lord, and I will even assist you."
Ranni answered Kaito's question.
"I see..."
"It's hard for me to just help you without knowing why..."
"However, you are very interesting. I even see a hint of madness in your eyes."
"I am very curious to see what you will do next. So, I agree to help you."
"But the payment I want might conflict somewhat with the payment you intend to give, perhaps."
"Don't worry. For now, you and I are allies. Matters of the future can be discussed later."
"After you have accomplished what you need to do, then we can consider matters between you and me."
Kaito said with a smile. Ranni was slightly surprised by his words.
Had Kaito sensed something about her?
She didn't know.
Perhaps it was also because of Melina?
Ranni's mind began to work.
But Kaito's willingness to help was ultimately a good thing.
"Mm... you may leave for now. My three subordinates will inform you of what needs to be done."
"Alright. You go back to sleep then."
Ranni was silent. Indeed, she needed to continue sleeping.
Because she needed to conserve 'strength', enough strength to kill her Two Fingers.
Then, she tilted her head – no, she lowered her head – and closed her eyes, resuming her slumber.
Kaito didn't disturb her further, chuckled, and left very gracefully.
The Fire Keeper naturally followed closely behind. Only Melina kept her eyes on Ranni, only turning to leave after Kaito and the Fire Keeper had gone.
But at that moment, she still looked back at Ranni one more time, and Ranni also slowly opened her eyes, watching the departing Melina.
For a moment, both women had their own thoughts.
Both women had their own missions, their own choices of fate, guided by the Snow Witch Renna.
Which path Kaito would ultimately choose, neither Melina nor Ranni knew.
After all, the paths they walked were in conflict.
But neither could be certain that their own path was the correct one.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be like this, and the Snow Witch Renna wouldn't have acted this way.
Or perhaps...
Queen Marika wouldn't have acted this way, wouldn't have brought the world to this state.
"..."
Ranni softly murmured Kaito's name, thought about some things, then slowly closed her eyes again, once more entering slumber.
She looked forward to seeing what would happen the next time she woke and they met.