After the sleeping Shamans were finally settled, Melina let out a long sigh of relief. This secret chamber had been stocked with a large quantity of gentle sleep-inducing herbs, and there were perfumers—once battlefield medics—specifically assigned to look after them. At least for the time being, she didn't have to worry.
Gawain caught a whiff of the thick, soporific scent of the incense in the air and couldn't help but ask Ranni, who was standing beside him.
"By the way, why does Castle Ensis have so many sleep aromatics prepared? Is it for the wounded, or..."
Ranni glanced back at Rellana, who was observing the situation from outside the door, and coughed twice before whispering.
"It likely serves the purpose you mentioned, but I remember Mother once telling me that when Auntie is under a lot of pressure, she enjoys using hypnosis to relax herself. It helps her fall into a deep slumber quickly. There's a high probability that's the reason."
"A lady knight using hypnosis on herself to relax? That... doesn't sound like the kind of 'relaxation' I was expecting."
Gawain muttered to himself, feeling as though the image of Rellana in his mind had undergone a slight shift. Well, to each their own. Everyone has their little quirks.
Melina stepped out of the chamber and approached Rellana. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to address her. Calling her "Sister-in-law" felt a bit premature.
"You may call me 'Sister,' Melina. I heard of you from Messmer long ago. Today, we finally meet formally."
Rellana took Melina's hand warmly, the gloom and exhaustion that usually clouded her face swept away. To her, Melina was the hope that could finally make Messmer pull himself together.
"Sister? Very well, Sister Rellana. I leave these Shamans in your care. At the very least, until we find a way to restore them, please ensure they aren't subjected to any further shock."
"That is only natural. In truth, the fact that their condition has improved at all is already a miracle. Messmer once rescued many Shamans shortly after they were placed in jars, but few survived the aftermath. I think if he knew you had saved so many, he would feel comforted."
"My brother... how is he faring now?"
Rellana hesitated for a long time before sighing and telling the truth.
"Since the rebellion of the Black Knights, he has locked himself in his chambers deep within the Shadow Keep. He hasn't come out for a long time. Even I haven't seen him in quite a while. However, I have already sent word to him regarding your arrival. If all goes well, I believe you will see him soon."
Melina nodded with a trace of worry. To be honest, her memory of her brother had become somewhat blurred. She hadn't quite decided what to say when they met—whether it was the current state of their mother or the matter of her traveling companion, it was all likely to provoke her brother's already fragile nerves.
Just then, a Black Knight who had participated in the transport rushed over from the corner, his excitement visible even through his helm.
"Stay calm. Has something happened outside?" Rellana frowned. She had intended to take Melina to her room to have a proper chat about Messmer, but now they were interrupted.
"Hah... Please, come out and see! It's Lord Messmer! He's about to arrive at Castle Ensis!"
"What did you say?!"
The small flicker of annoyance in her heart was instantly replaced by ecstasy. She took a deep breath of the nearby sleep incense just to steady her nerves. Turning to look at Gawain, she hesitated—should she let this Tarnished meet Messmer directly, or should she go out to greet him first?
"Messmer is coming? No matter. I'll come along to see. Don't worry, I know how to talk to him when the time comes."
"Sigh, fine. But follow my lead. I know you're strong, but at the very least, don't start a fight inside Castle Ensis."
Despite her misgivings, Rellana finally agreed. Everyone present followed her out to greet Messmer.
Soon, the group arrived at the Moongazing Grounds that led toward Scadu Altus, but there was still no sign of Messmer. Just as they were starting to wonder, a Black Knight nearby pointed upward.
"Look up. His Lordship is arriving."
"What in the world is..."
Gawain looked up, his eyes widening. A streak of flame was rapidly approaching from the horizon. The dark-red light was blinding, trailing a long tail of fire as it tore through the sky.
A massive spear with a blade designed with a flaming pattern plummeted from the sky first, burying itself deep into the ground. The fire followed, crashing into the earth and erupting into a violent wave of flame. Clouds of steam rose as the water in the surrounding ponds was instantly vaporized.
A tall, slender figure emerged from the flames and gripped the great spear. The true leader of the Crusade, Messmer the Impaler, had made his grand entrance!
That's quite a show, Gawain thought, mentally taking notes. I wonder if I should learn that move? It's a bit hard on the floorboards, though. This Moongazing Ground is going to need some repairs.
Seeing him in the flesh, Gawain couldn't help but nod. This entrance alone proved the man's strength—he was at least at the level of a top-tier demigod. Unfortunately, like most "beautiful, strong, and tragic" characters in the Souls-like genre, he appeared to have a hereditary physical disability—walking with a limp and missing his left eye.
As the tall figure emerged from the flames, Melina couldn't help but step forward. Memories associated with him began to resurface. Finally, she spoke to the silhouette.
"Brother, is it truly you?"
Hearing his sister's call, the cold and melancholy expression on Messmer's face softened into a rare smile. Even after such a long separation, the fact that she could still recognize him was enough.
Ignoring everyone else, he strode toward Melina with a smile.
"Melina. I never expected you to come here. I heard Miquella used his power to link the Lands Between and the Land of Shadow. I am truly happy to see you again. Ever since I was left here and you were taken by Mother, I have had no news of you."
Melina clenched her hands and walked toward him with her head bowed, speaking in a low voice.
"Mother had a mission for me, so I had to leave. After losing my body, even most of my own memories vanished. Fortunately, I still remember you."
A complex look flashed through Messmer's eye—the one with the false Grace fashioned by his mother. He couldn't help but sigh. A mission again. Both he and his sister were utterly shackled by their duties. Though they remained willing to serve even now, the frustration in their hearts was impossible to erase.
Soon, he turned his gaze toward those standing around Melina.
Was that Ranni behind Rellana? The difference in temperament and appearance was too vast; he couldn't reconcile the figure before him with the red-haired little girl he had seen only a few times in his memory.
Moving his gaze further, his eyes finally locked onto Gawain, who was staring directly at him with a look of appreciation. Those unblessed pupils... there was no mistake. This was the Tarnished.
Messmer's expression turned subtle, and the relaxed atmosphere grew tense once more. He took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to impale the man on the spot, and looked back at his sister.
"Melina, introduce your companion to me. Who exactly is he?"
Melina nodded, looking at Gawain. Her tone unconsciously shifted as she spoke.
"His name is Gawain. Guided by Torrent, he and I initially made a pact to be traveling companions. I serve as his Maiden to assist him in battle, and he will take me to the foot of the Erdtree. Many things have happened since then, allowing me to return to the Land of Shadow and see you again today."
Hearing Melina's words, Messmer's already pale face turned ashen. He looked at the look Melina couldn't hide in her eyes—how could he not see what it meant?
His gaze flicked back and forth between Melina and Gawain. Recalling the intel Rellana had sent him, he finally had to accept reality.
Messmer never thought he would see such a day. As a warrior who held firm to his faith in the Erdtree and revered his mother... one of his primary duties was to deliver death to those without Grace. He was meant to consume them with his flame until nothing remained.
But now, his own sister was telling him that she had become a Maiden to a Tarnished—and that she felt genuinely happy about it.
He let out a series of violent coughs. From the corner of his eye, he saw Rellana shrugging helplessly. He felt as though his already bowed back had finally snapped.
Seeing her brother's murderous glare, Melina naturally knew the cause. But at this point, she didn't want the two of them to break into a serious conflict.
"Gawain is no ordinary Tarnished. He is currently the most viable candidate for Lordship in all the Lands Between. By the time we entered the Land of Shadow, there were almost no rivals left who could compete with him. Neither demigods nor the remnants of gods could stop his path. I believe it won't be long before he becomes Elden Lord, repairs the Elden Ring, and brings a new age to the Lands Between."
She paused, then added: "This is also the outcome Mother Marika desires. Regardless of anything else, it is far better than the current state of affairs."
At the mention of Marika's will, Messmer finally lost his composure. He gripped his great spear and shouted:
"But... he is a Tarnished! A Lightless One! An enemy that the Golden Dynasty must eliminate!"
He raised his spear, walking toward Gawain step by step. Ever since Miquella's arrival, he had known this was his mother's decision. But why? On what grounds? It could have been anyone else—even a distant relative with the thinnest of bloodlines would have been acceptable. But why a Tarnished without Grace?!
Melina was startled by her brother's sudden emotional outburst and immediately moved to shield Gawain. Rellana moved to intervene as well, but was instantly stopped by Ranni.
"Leave it to him. Some things must be settled clearly today."
Gawain didn't retreat in the face of the aggressive Messmer. He reached out to pat Melina's shoulder, giving her a confident smile.
"It's alright. I'll convince him—my way."
Though worried, Melina eventually stepped aside. She knew her brother's internal conflict had to be vented before it could be resolved.
Gawain didn't even draw a weapon; he simply walked straight up to him.
A flash of hesitation crossed Messmer's eye. The spear that had been aimed at Gawain's heart suddenly shifted, thrusting toward his shoulder instead. However, before the tip could touch him, Gawain grabbed the shaft of the spear with a iron grip. No matter how much force Messmer applied, he couldn't pull it free.
"Insolent Tarnished! I will never recognize your claim to Lordship!"
A burst of dark-red flame erupted from the spear, but it wasn't the fierce explosion Messmer intended. His fire ignited for only a fraction of a second before vanishing, as if it had been forcibly stolen.
"Such a weak and powerless attack. What exactly do you expect to achieve with that? Is Queen Marika's decision truly so hard for you to accept?"
"What do you know? Mother gave me a supreme mission: to deliver punishment to all who are unblessed by Gold. The Crusade will not end, and my mission is eternal. I will give you one last chance. Leave this place, and never return."
Gawain let go of the spear. As expected of fire used by Messmer himself. The purity is incredible; absorbing it is a delight.
He looked at the Messmer who was still talking tough but had clearly lost his will to fight. He decided to add one more thing to the pile.
"A mission given to you by Queen Marika? Then do you know what has become of her?"
"Speak. Do not lie to me."
"I haven't reached the Altus Plateau yet, but the Finger Reader Crone in the Roundtable Hold told me the truth. Queen Marika was imprisoned within the Erdtree as punishment for a grave sin. Shortly after the Land of Shadow was severed, she was the one who shattered the Elden Ring. She was the one who delivered the final blow to the Golden Dynasty, which was already reeling after the Night of the Black Knives."
Messmer's face turned pale. He turned to look at his sister with a desperate, pleading gaze, hoping for a different answer. But the sadness in Melina's eyes proved it wasn't a lie. Their mother had personally renounced the Golden Order she had created.
"So, tell me... which is more important to you? The Golden Dynasty currently gasping its last breath, or Queen Marika herself? Think carefully. Only when you understand that can you see who the true enemy is."
Certain long-held beliefs in Messmer's heart seemed to collapse. To him, what mattered was never the Golden Order or Grace itself. Those things were his mother's life's work, which was the only reason they were important to him. If Mother herself had rejected them, why should he continue to hold on?
Gawain saw that Messmer was beginning to understand. He secretly celebrated; he had guessed correctly—Mother was indeed the most important thing to him.
He reached out and closed his hand into a fist before Messmer. Once the man looked up, Gawain spoke in a tone like a judge delivering a sentence:
"For the sake of Queen Marika, use your Flame Spear against the Golden Order!"
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash
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