Millicent kept nodding off like a chick pecking at rice, clearly exhausted to the limit. However, her red ponytail was caught in the door crack, so every time she was about to fall asleep, she would regain a bit of alertness.
"Seriously? Is this really necessary?"
Throne clicked his tongue. Millicent was too stubborn; she was truly a paranoid person full of dignity.
She was an extreme person, seemingly no better than Melina and the others, but he hadn't even finished patching up the wood, so he really had no energy left for psychological counseling.
"Ahem."
With a light cough, Millicent startled awake as if electrocuted. She stood up instantly, only to squat down and cover her head in pain because her hair was being pulled.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Throne hurried over, discovering that Millicent had a bit of a dorky, cute side.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. This actually helps me stay awake."
The young girl looked up, her golden eyes brimming with tears, yet not a single one fell. Hey, hey, hey, there's no need to be so hard on yourself at a time like this. Throne didn't know what to say, so he just asked casually, "What time is it now?"
"Less than ten minutes until sunset. It will still be a while before the full moon rises."
So, it's just evening, then? Throne was not used to Millicent's serious demeanor. He thought this was likely due to Alexander's influence, as the one who raised her in this timeline wasn't some stinky bug, but a hot-blooded warrior. He pushed open the window, and the last few rays of the setting sun shone in.
He saw the chaotic scene outside; Sellia was mobilizing the Tarnished. Clearly, everyone was in the same boat—they couldn't run, and they couldn't surrender. The Kindred of Rot, the flying dragons, and the Bloody Finger were all notorious and known for their cruelty.
"There's still one to two days before the attack. You should get some rest," Throne said, turning his head.
"Yes, Master."
Millicent didn't waste words; she immediately lay down on the canvas. Before long, soft snoring could be heard, and she seemed very much at ease. She was efficient and didn't make people worry. Throne smiled. Seeing a few particles appear, Melina stood nearby, watching Millicent with a thoughtful expression.
"What do you think of her?"
"We get along quite well."
Melina's answer was somewhat unexpected, so she added an explanation: "She's neither arrogant nor cold-blooded, and there's no awkwardness either. I like this kind of serious person."
Throne was choked up. Upon reflection, he somewhat agreed. Honest people naturally like serious people, but why did he always feel like she was implying something about Ranni?
"Don't lead Millicent astray."
Melina immediately turned her head, glared fiercely at him, took a deep breath, and finally calmed down. Having battled wits with Throne for so long, she had gained experience. Anyway, it was best just to ignore his provocations.
"What's next?"
"Wait for them to attack. The trap is already set," Throne said, spreading his hands.
"Go find Lansseax. That dragoness is definitely hiding somewhere. While you're at it, get some dinner; chewing on raw meat for days is pretty disgusting."
Why are you trying to boss me around again? Melina frowned and didn't move. She had just learned something from Millicent and wouldn't be ordered around by Throne.
"Don't want to go?"
Throne didn't waste time and pulled out the exquisite doll.
"Then let's have a chat with Ranni together."
"I'll be back soon."
Melina opened the door and left without another word. Compared to running errands, she hated meeting the Lunar Princess even more. Heh heh, trying to fight me. Throne gave a cheeky smile, licked his lips, sat up straight, and connected his consciousness. It was a bit like a video call. Throne confirmed the connection, but heard no one speaking for a long time.
After what happened last time, the atmosphere was bound to be awkward, so Throne only contacted Ranni once he had a reason. Idle chatter would be shameful, but now that he had serious business, it should be perfectly justified.
"Ranni?" Throne called out tentatively. He waited a few more seconds before hearing a response.
"What do you want?"
It was cold and resentful; it seemed their favorability had hit rock bottom. But Throne knew Ranni was just being tsundere, and she was probably even more nervous than he was. Bringing up last time would be very bad, so he calmly skipped over it, acting as if nothing had happened. He focused on a serious report.
"I have arrived in Sellia. There are some things I would like to discuss with you."
A thousand miles away, in the Grand Library, Ranni tossed her book aside. Her eyes darted around, lively. In truth, she was quite curious about why Throne had revisited this place. No, I must teach him a lesson. Pfft, who told him to chat with me for no reason. Ranni spat, steadied her mind, and asked with continued indifference: "Throne, have you been calling Melina lately without consulting me?"
Uh, wasn't that just to avoid embarrassing you? As expected, she installed a backdoor! Throne was terrified. Fortunately, he was prepared. If he didn't have a valid reason, he definitely wouldn't have escaped this time.
"The situation was too urgent. I needed Melina's power; I didn't even have time to consult with you." Ranni was no foolish ruler who believed whatever anyone said.
She took another step forward: "What kind of matter leaves no time for discussion?"
'Heh heh, no matter how you answer, I can use it as an excuse. I must hold onto some leverage; that's the only way to win back a point. Wait, why am I bickering with him?' 'Hmph, trying to dig a pit for me to jump into? Sorry, I already anticipated your anticipation.' These two geniuses, if not exactly matching wits, were certainly each harboring their own schemes, with a series of follow-up responses ready. It was as if whoever broke the ice first would lose.
"It's like this: the flying dragon Greyoll, the Kings of Rot, and the Bloody Finger have been hunting me for three days and three nights. I broke through the encirclement with someone and just arrived in Sellia, and they have already surrounded the place. They could attack at any moment."
Greyoll? The Kings of Rot? The Bloody Finger? Ranni was stunned. She hadn't expected Throne to cause such big trouble. She also noticed the sleeping Millicent. But upon sensing her aura, she jumped straight off her high-backed chair.
"Malenia's clone? The Kings of Rot came for her?!"
"Correct."
"What about Greyoll and the Bloody Finger?"
"Lansseax is also by my side. The flying dragon is likely looking for trouble with her. As for the Bloody Finger, I suspect they are just hitching a ride."
A Valkyrie clone, an Ancient Dragon...
"Throne, are you an idiot? Why go and provoke such trouble? Do you want to die out there that badly!?"
Ranni was angry—very, very angry. When he set off, she had warned him not to meddle in other people's business. Yet, first there was the Deathbed Companion, and now he had provoked even bigger trouble. The Kindred of Rot, the flying dragons, and the Bloody Finger were not pushovers; others would avoid them if they could.
Hearing this reprimand, Throne actually smiled, because this scolding had absolutely no sense of authority; instead, it was filled with deep concern. Given the situation, the previous awkwardness became insignificant.
"Are you injured or infected with rot? Why not use the power of the Dark Moon?"
"Thanks for your concern. Aside from some minor injuries, I managed to make it through."
"Who's concerned about you? I—I'm just worried that the Dark Moon Greatsword will be left out there and can't be retrieved."
Ranni refused to admit it to her death, her voice becoming increasingly urgent: "Wait there, I'll notify Blaidd immediately to have him assist you in breaking out."
"There's no need. This was my intentional arrangement. Letting these monsters and freaks stay in Caelid is never reassuring," Throne replied confidently. After not hearing a response for a long while, he asked with some trepidation: "Ranni? Princess Ranni?"
"Did you think I would praise you?"
The Princess was completely helpless; she really couldn't handle this man. If he were more cruel, shouldn't he have dragged them along to take down Radahn?
If he were colder, shouldn't he have ignored everything?
"Sigh, I really don't know which side you're actually on. You're so willful."
"Of course, I'm on your side."
"But you ignore every order I issue."
"You just need to look at the results. When have I ever disappointed you?"
Ranni was left speechless.
In terms of courting death, no matter how urgent the situation in Caelid was now, it couldn't compare to ten years ago. She made up her mind that after this, she would never let Throne come to Caelid again.
"Fine, I'll leave everything to your judgment. Tell me if you need any help."
Ranni knew this wasn't the time to battle wits with Throne. As a smart person, she knew how to gauge the situation.
"Greyoll's life should be coming to an end. Among the Kings of Rot, there is a red one you need to be careful of. I don't know much about the Bloody Finger, but the power behind them shouldn't be weak."
"I've already encountered the red noble. What is it called?"
"Those insects don't need names, but in ancient books, they are called Red Wave."
Throne thought about the red giant wave that had chased him and felt the adjective was quite apt. He added, "I know what is behind the Bloody Finger."
"Which deity's agent?"
"The Formless Mother. The agent's name is Mohg."
As the words fell, the Grand Library fell into silence. Unknowingly, Ranni had crushed the armrest of her high-backed chair.
"The Formless Mother? That deity hiding in the cracks of space? The name Mohg sounds so familiar; I seem to have heard it somewhere."
"The cursed child of Marika and Godfrey. He was once sealed in the sewers of the capital. His older brother is Morgott, the Omen King—so—"
"So he is a demigod!"
Ranni's heart, which had just steadied, began to beat violently again, and her voice became sharp.
"Tell me, what benefits did Radahn give you to make you take the heat for him?!"
The 'Mother of Dragons' Greyoll was not inferior to a demigod; the Kindred of Rot were slightly weaker, but the Red Wave was also a top-tier powerhouse and possessed troublesome toxins. Not to mention, Mohg was a true demigod.
Three demigods along with a bunch of heroes—instead of abandoning everything to flee for his life, he actually dared to stay in Sellia, taking it easy.
"I'm not weak either. Millicent cannot be returned to them; that would cause major problems."
Throne remained calm, every step calculated.
"You still care about such things?"
"High risk, high reward. Isn't that the kind of person I am? Don't worry, a thirty percent chance is enough."
Throne and Ranni had a special tacit understanding. He didn't need the Lunar Princess to come over. He explained his upcoming plans and finally added a reminder.
"Help me tell Blaidd: if he gets lost this time, I won't let him off even as a ghost!"
Creak—
The wooden door creaked. Melina returned carrying a bunch of things. Seeing the man's back by the window, she breathed a slight sigh of relief. If she could help it, she really didn't want to meet the Lunar Princess. It never ended well anyway. On the contrary, she felt more affinity with the sleeping Millicent.
"I've bought the things. Eat while it's hot."
Throne didn't turn around and said in a deep voice, "Any movement in Sellia?"
"They are mobilizing the Tarnished guards, wanting to open up a path to contact the outside world. By the way, aren't you looking right at it? Why ask me?"
Can't you read the atmosphere, woman? Throne's blood pressure had a tendency to rise.
There were Night Sorcerers peeping outside, and he still wanted to maintain the image of a mysterious expert. He closed the window and turned around to see Melina crouching in front of Millicent, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Are you interested in her?"
"I don't know why, but I feel a sense of closeness."
In terms of bloodline, Melina was closest to the siblings Miquella and Malenia.
After all, they were all products of Marika, without any other genes mixed in. The more Throne thought about it, the more awkward he felt. Just as he was about to speak, Melina spoke first.
"I feel she has no vigilance. I'm already right beside her, and she's still sleeping."
"It must be because she feels very safe with me around."
"You?"
"Isn't that so? Don't you also feel full of security?"
The honest Melina wouldn't deny it like Ranni, so she simply shut her mouth.
"Also, regardless of what she obtained from Malenia, she's only ten years old. Don't overestimate her."
Throne walked to the door and took out the food from his pocket. It was a type of smoked beef. The taste wasn't great, and the texture was extremely dry. He had to drink several gulps of water to swallow it.
"By the way, where did Lansseax go?"
"I don't know. I didn't detect her aura within the town."
Throne couldn't help but frown. Had that smelly dragon run off? Right, there were two rot dragons at the time; one was slain by him, so where did the other one go? After thinking for a moment, that fun-loving dragon wasn't very reliable, but she definitely wasn't a dragon that spouted nonsense.
Since the flying dragons were still circling nearby, she was likely hiding nearby. It wasn't hard to figure out our information; the Kindred of Rot would definitely drag them onto their war chariot.