Following the coronation, Gawain took the time to meet with the various noble representatives who had come seeking aid. Their requests were straightforward enough: after witnessing the spectacular storm he had conjured, they were all pleading for Stormveil to dispatch forces to deal with the uprisings plagued by their respective lands.
The issues were laid bare: sieges by demi-humans and misbegotten, infestations of Rune Bears and Great Oracles, and knights driven mad by the curse of blood.
Currently, Limgrave—and indeed the entire Lands Between—exhibited a "vibrant" scene where everything was competing to thrive; yet the moment one left their settlement, every living thing seemed intent on killing one another.
Gawain naturally wouldn't let this descend into total chaos. While he didn't have the time to personally play firefighter everywhere, the creatures attacking humans were clearly brigands. He would eventually send out the castle's Banished Knights to blow those threats skyward with the storm. If the Banished Knights couldn't handle it, he'd send a Crucible Knight. At the very least, he needed to retake Fort Haight; he still had half of the Dectus Medallion to collect from there.
After dismissing the noisy crowd and leaving the administrative follow-up to Edgar, Gawain had finally finished most of the day's work.
As night fell, he sat in his study and stretched. The day's worth of red tape and etiquette had left him more drained than a fight with a demigod.
By now, the area of Limgrave, including the Weeping Peninsula, was largely free of major threats. The only concern remaining was the Tower of Return. Since that location could teleport one directly to the Royal Capital, there was a high probability that Godfrey would eventually make landfall on the coastline nearest to it. Gawain needed to station someone there—someone whom "Lord Hoarah Loux" wouldn't immediately try to flatten upon first sight.
The Banished Knights were definitely out of the question for that post, so a more suitable candidate came to mind.
He looked over the list of notable figures who had entered the city. Aside from the trio of Kalé, Boc, and Blaidd, and his mentor Sellen, the one who interested him most was the man known as "Old Knight" Istvan. This veteran Tarnished had been hiding out in Limgrave for some time. Gawain had a good impression of him; he was one of the few genuine "good guys" in the Lands Between. He hadn't run into him at the coastal cave earlier, so it seemed Istvan had come to Stormveil of his own accord, likely having heard that a large number of Tarnished were congregating here.
Just as Gawain was considering whether to pay the man a visit, a faint sound reached his ears, accompanied by a scent peculiar to a certain type of animal—not unlike a husky he had once owned. He set down his scrolls.
"There's no need to hide. Come in and say what you have to say. I smelled you a mile away."
"So you noticed? Then I won't bother with the shadows."
Blaidd, who had been waiting patiently outside, didn't feel like lurking anymore. He vaulted through the window and landed in the room.
Gawain looked Blaidd up and down. The half-wolf was two heads taller than him and far fluffier than he had imagined—essentially a giant husky. Of course, since Blaidd could wield the Royal Greatsword, he was clearly intelligent enough; his eyes didn't look that vacant.
Gawain walked to the window and peered down. At least eight stories high.
"Next time you want to see me, just have the guards announce you. There's no need to scale the walls."
"My apologies," Blaidd replied. "I'm used to operating in secret. Besides, if I had walked through the front door, it might have caused... unnecessary complications."
"I suppose that's true. I kept some time free for you specifically; you were a bit hard to miss in the crowd during the day."
Blaidd blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected the man to be waiting for him. Did he already know his identity? The new King's intelligence network was better than he had anticipated.
"Kalé told me much about you, but seeing you now, you are quite different from what I imagined. Regardless, it is an honor to meet the new King of Stormveil. That move you used to finish Godrick was truly impressive. You can call me Blaidd. I am here on the orders of the one I serve. She wishes for your assistance."
Gawain's eyes flickered toward the space beside Blaidd. Although it appeared empty, he felt a faint gaze observing him. He made his move.
"Assistance? If there is something she wants help with, let her ask for it herself. Isn't that the basis of trust between friends? Isn't that right, Lunar Princess of the Carian Royal Family—one of the Empyreans chosen by the Two Fingers?"
Blaidd's face filled with shock. He opened his mouth to speak, but after seemingly receiving a silent command, he stepped back. A blue silhouette manifested in the room.
Ranni chose to appear atop a tall cabinet in the corner of the room. It was the only spot that allowed her to maintain an elegant, "lofty" position while looking down at the other two—she certainly knew how to maintain her image in front of others.
"As I thought. You already knew who I was. In that case, I see no further reason for charades. Indeed, I am Ranni, the daughter of Rennala, the last Queen of Caria. Most call me the Witch Ranni."
"To be honest, you weren't exactly hiding it," Gawain said. "Anyone can recognize the Carian Royal crest on Blaidd's Greatsword. He clearly isn't one of Radahn's men, and certainly not Rykard's. The answer was obvious. Thank you for your help last time. As promised, I will do what I can to assist you."
Ranni didn't immediately state her request. Instead, she observed Gawain with curiosity. She had expected him to be at least somewhat guarded once she revealed her identity, but he seemed just as relaxed as their last meeting—perhaps even more so.
"Have you heard the tales of the Eternal City underground?"
"I've heard rumors. Built by the Nox in ancient times, fallen into ruin after a great calamity."
She nodded, satisfied. Since he knew of the Eternal City, the conversation would be easier.
"Excellent. I am here to make a proposal. Are you interested in exploring the Eternal City of Nokron? Blaidd will accompany you. You may keep whatever treasures you find, save for one item—that, I must have."
Gawain lowered his head, appearing to contemplate. He knew exactly what Ranni was after: the Fingerslayer Blade. But that item could only be reached after defeating General Radahn.
Even if he agreed, they would only be able to explore the Siofra River basin for now. The other exit from Siofra was in Caelid. Regardless, he needed to secure that route; it was vital for his future plans regarding the Scarlet Rot. He had to go there eventually.
"Very well. I'll help you. I have a few matters to attend to first, so let Blaidd stay in the city for now. I'll notify him once I'm ready."
"You agree so readily? You are a peculiar man. I assume you have heard the stories regarding me. Since you have been to the Roundtable Hold, are you truly comfortable cooperating with me so easily?"
Gawain knew she was referring to the Two Fingers. He couldn't care less about them. If the Roundtable Hold weren't useful to him, he wouldn't bother with them at all. He used the power of Grace as a tool, but he wasn't about to follow its "guidance" like a puppet.
"Your identity doesn't change anything for me. You helped me once, so I am repaying the debt. That is the promise I made to the Darkmoon. Promises are useless if they are just pretty words; they only matter when backed by action."
Ranni's expression softened slightly, perhaps reminded of a certain red-haired man who was better at pretty words than anyone else. She found Gawain's pragmatism acceptable.
"Well said. It seems Torrent truly found a worthy master. But are you not afraid of offending the Two Fingers?"
"The Two Fingers behind the locked door that I haven't even met yet? Why would I listen to them? You at least gave me a Spirit Calling Bell. What have they given me besides telling Tarnished to chase the light?"
"Hahaha. A refreshing perspective. The Two Fingers are indeed such things—they only wish for people to follow a predetermined fate. I refuse such an arrangement. I believe someone who speaks as you do can understand that."
Gawain smiled but didn't answer. While he understood her desire for autonomy, he couldn't entirely agree with her methods. She had gone through the trouble of faking her death only to get stuck at this stage. If he didn't help, Blaidd would likely go mad before they ever saw the Fingerslayer Blade.
Ranni didn't know his inner thoughts, but she was satisfied with the cooperation. With his help, the exploration should go smoothly, bringing her goals one step closer.
Although she had personally attached her projection to Blaidd to come here as a gesture of sincerity, remaining conscious in the puppet body was a significant strain. It was almost time for her to return to her slumber.
"Then our pact is made. Blaidd is at your disposal. It has been a long time since I encountered such a singular individual. I look forward to your future performance. Until then... new Storm Lord of Stormveil."
Ranni's figure slowly faded away as the power maintaining the projection returned to her true body.
"Then I'll stop disturbing you. Find me whenever you're ready," Blaidd said. Having completed his mission, he didn't linger. He vaulted back out the window and vanished into the night.
"Actually... there's a hidden staircase right next to this building. You don't have to jump," Gawain muttered.
Gawain doubted the wolf-man heard him. He sat back in his chair, contemplating his next moves while looking out the window toward Caelid. He could almost see the churning Scarlet Rot in the distance. Fine, let the Academy sorcerers play for a while longer. I need to prioritize neutralizing that biological bomb before it spreads further. But that was going to be a nightmare to handle.
Tomorrow, he would head back to the Roundtable Hold. Perhaps Gideon Ofnir had more intelligence on the state of Caelid.
And now that he possessed a Great Rune, the Two Fingers would likely open their doors. Not that he wanted to see the Fingers—it was the Finger Reader Enia he was truly interested in.
"Are you truly going to cooperate with her?"
Melina manifested by the window, a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"That's the plan. Do you object?"
She shook her head, her expression lost in memory. She was trying desperately to recall her own past, but found nothing.
"I will not oppose your decisions, but I see the shadow of betrayal in that one. I hope you will remain cautious."
"Betrayal requires a reason, and she has no reason to betray me yet. Besides, I need to go to the Eternal City myself. Having a traveling companion isn't a bad thing."
"If you are certain, then I am at ease."
Melina turned to fade away, but then stopped and smiled. "By the way... I am glad to see you as the new King of Stormveil. I hope to witness you ascending the highest throne one day."
"Yeah. That day will come."
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