Upon reaching the bottom of the tower, a large apparition appeared before Kaito.
They had been summoned by Ranni, using their abilities to project themselves here; in reality, their bodies were elsewhere.
Kaito knew this magic. It was a type of remote projection magic. By setting up a projection magic circle here, one could connect their consciousness here when needed.
This kind of magic was frequently used in the Academy.
When mages were away, or when the Academy's senior management couldn't return in time, they would hold meetings or discussions this way.
Like a 'video conference' in the real world.
This was one of the wonders of magic.
"Hello. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iji. I am the blacksmith serving the Carian royal family, and also Lady Ranni's strategist."
"Summoned by Ranni, I have come here to meet with you."
"Ah, and I am also very grateful for your assistance to Queen Rennala. If not for you, she would never have left that castle."
The giant Iji, holding a giant wooden hammer in his right hand and a giant book in his left, put down the book and greeted Kaito as he descended the stairs.
"Hello, Iji! You may already know my name, but I should still introduce myself. I am Kaito, a Tarnished. These are my two Maidens, one called the Fire Keeper, and the other, Melina. Nice to meet you!"
"...Likewise. Though I am curious as to why you agreed to help Lady Ranni, the fact that we are now allies and partners is enough."
"Well said. So, what should I do next?"
"That we do have, things we wish to do but truly lack the ability to accomplish."
Iji let out a long sigh, as if lamenting his own weakness.
"Lord Kaito, next you will cooperate with our other partner, Blaidd, to search for the path to Nokron... I will do my best to offer advice. Please, you must succeed. This is very important to Lady Ranni."
"I'm counting on you, Lord Kaito. As the strongest Tarnished, I have high expectations of you."
"As we work together from now on, I look forward to your continued guidance."
Iji said, bowing slightly to Kaito. His attitude towards Kaito was sincere, and he also expressed guilt for some of his earlier words.
After all, he said 'you must succeed', not 'I hope you can succeed.'
That meant making Kaito accomplish the task no matter what, which truly troubled Iji's conscience.
Well, if an ordinary person heard this, they would certainly be displeased.
Including Kaito.
Because it carried a tone of implicit command.
But Kaito had played the game, knew the story, and understood Ranni's precarious situation, and the fact that they were truly powerless to complete it and needed external help, and that success was absolutely necessary. So, that was the only way they could phrase it.
"Alright, I understand. I look forward to your continued guidance as well."
This blacksmith certainly had skill.
After Kaito became Elden Lord, he might even invite him to the Royal Capital to forge weapons.
He wouldn't need them himself, but having him craft weapons for the ladies wouldn't be bad.
"Heh, thank you for your understanding, Lord Kaito! Go on down now; my other partners are waiting for you."
"Mm."
Watching Iji's apparition fade, Kaito turned and continued down the stairs.
Soon, he met Half-Wolf Blaidd.
Regarding him, Kaito had a strong impression. In this world, this was their first meeting, though in the game, the player met him earlier on.
"Hello, Lord Kaito. I am Blaidd."
"First, welcome to our cause. I don't know why you're willing to help Lady Ranni, but considering you previously helped Lady Ranni's mother leave that castle and retake control of the Carian Kingdom, that's enough."
"I believe you are not only a powerful figure but also a good person."
Kaito smiled and nodded. This Wolf Brother... could only be described as a tragic existence.
[For Ranni, I would give up everything, even become a wolf!]
Or rather, he came, and he was destined to never have Ranni.
In short, he was tragic.
In the story and setting, he was initially Ranni's enemy.
After the Princess of the Moon, Ranni, was chosen by the Two Fingers (Greater Will) as one of the three candidates to succeed Queen Marika as the Eternal God of a new age, Blaidd was also chosen by the Greater Will to become the Two Fingers' representative.
Or rather, he was originally a shadow beast created by the Two Fingers, existing as Ranni's special attendant.
Besides protecting Ranni and handling her affairs, his most important function was to monitor her.
It could be said that he should not, and could not, betray the Two Fingers, betray the Greater Will, to serve and be loyal to Ranni!
Handling normal affairs was fine, but Ranni's mad plan undoubtedly put her on a collision course with the Two Fingers and the Greater Will.
And him?
He followed in betrayal as well!
Unfortunately, because of his betrayal, Blaidd didn't know that the Two Fingers had long ago implanted a fail-safe within him, unbeknownst to him.
This fail-safe's purpose was that if Ranni, with a greater will, negated and resisted her own fate, he would become a threat to Ranni, even attack her, gradually descending into madness!
But, this hadn't happened yet.
At least, under Ranni's manipulations, this fail-safe hadn't been fully activated.
It could also be said that Ranni's methods were strong. Ranni knew about Blaidd's issues, so she concealed parts of her plan from him.
Even if Blaidd found out later, he couldn't change it.
At this point, Ranni still had a 'way back'.
The Two Fingers still hoped this Princess of the Moon, Ranni, would have a change of heart and stop cursing them every day.
It still had high hopes for her.
Precisely because it favored her so much, it was somewhat 'permissive' with Ranni, yet also somewhat wary.
Unfortunately, in the end, Blaidd still went mad.
But even when he was mad, even when he was compelled to attack and kill Ranni, before that, he still killed several Black Knife Assassins who came to the Rise to assassinate Ranni!
Just like his iconic line—
"I would never betray Ranni. Never!!"
He swore to fight for Ranni, even if it meant defying the Two Fingers' orders!
This was no longer just about loyalty; it was also about his love for Ranni.
And the power of love is great!
Of course, if Blaidd didn't love Ranni, but still only had loyalty, Kaito would respect him even more, and wouldn't want him to meet the same end as in the game.
But...
Kaito couldn't do it. If it were after clearing the game, when his strength had fully recovered, Kaito could change this outcome.
But at this time... it was simply beyond his power.
Well, regardless, whether it was love for Ranni or utter devotion to her, Kaito felt goodwill towards him.
Unfortunately, Blaidd was currently an apparition, so he couldn't shake hands.
"Hello, Blaidd. I've heard you are a very loyal and upright person. I'm glad to meet you!"
"Is that so... I look forward to working with you from now on."
"Haha, that's great. I look forward to working with you too, Blaidd."
Blaidd was surprised, not expecting Kaito to be so friendly towards him.
But he also showed a look of joy.
After all, Kaito was the strongest Tarnished! Having his help couldn't be better!
"So, Lord Kaito, without further ado, let's get straight to the point regarding our next task. I am currently in Limgrave. Since the 'Eternal City' Nokron is deep underground in this region, I plan to descend the well in the Mistwood and find the path to Nokron. I will await you there. I look forward to your arrival."
"Alright, I'll get there as soon as I can. If you arrive first, please wait for me. Sorry for the trouble."
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry for troubling you. If I were alone, I wouldn't dare venture deep inside myself."
"Haha, you're exaggerating."
"No. As the strongest Tarnished, you possess that qualification."
The wolfman Blaidd nodded deeply. He was also full of respect for Kaito.
Although he hadn't witnessed Kaito's immense power firsthand, he knew that Kaito had cleared the Academy's challenge and finally defeated Rennala.
Not to mention that Kaito now possessed two Great Runes!
"I'm setting off now, Lord Kaito."
"Alright, be careful on the road!"
"Thank you!"
Wolfman Blaidd's apparition faded, and Kaito waved goodbye.
He certainly felt sorry for him, but it couldn't be helped.
In the game, Ranni is his wife.
In reality, Ranni is still his wife.
And the one Blaidd is loyal to is Ranni.
After seeing him leave, Kaito continued down the stairs with Melina and the Fire Keeper. Taking the elevator down, then continuing down the stairs to the first floor of the Rise, the final apparition was standing near the entrance.
He seemed somewhat hesitant, not daring to step too far inside.
When he noticed Kaito descending, he came forward to greet him.
If this were the game, you'd probably see messages left by players — Beware of dog!
And another one — Don't listen to him, or the wife (Ranni) will kill you!
Yeah, something like that, but only in online mode.
"Hello. Summoned by Ranni, you must be Lord Kaito, the one who came to help Ranni?"
"I know of your deeds. I am also very interested in you, in every aspect."
"Let me introduce myself. I am Seluvis, a magic professor."
As he said this, Seluvis's eyes seemed a bit off.
He seemed to be thinking something, but also seemed to be wary of something...
Anyway, he certainly wasn't up to any good!
If this were the game, meeting the player Tarnished, he would only be arrogant and would never come to greet Kaito first.
In his original dialogue, he even dared to say this to the Tarnished: "I don't know what that girl Ranni sees in such an unsophisticated Tarnished. What a shame we serve the same master. Try to be of some use."
Yes, that's what he says in the game.
As arrogant as can be, looking down on the Tarnished, yet wanting to use them for his own purposes.
Even his tone showed no respect for Ranni.
He even called her by name directly, without any honorific.
But now, this wasn't a game.
And Kaito wasn't some ordinary, nameless Tarnished.
On the contrary, he was the strongest of all Tarnished.
Even though Kaito hadn't left many footprints in this world, spending long periods in a few places instead of adventuring everywhere and building a reputation like other Tarnished,
Yet, they were simply incomparable to Kaito.
Kaito had not only become the Lord of Stormveil Castle but had also implemented major reforms, making the people of Stormveil and the surrounding areas deeply revere him.
Then he came to Caria, to Raya Lucaria Academy, and after a fair challenge, he succeeded in all of them.
From ordinary mages to the Deputy Headmaster of Raya Lucaria, and finally Headmaster Rennala herself!
He emerged victorious against all of them.
Plus, possessing two Great Runes was something beyond the reach of a so-called magic professor like Seluvis!