She seemed on the verge of losing control, lightly tapping her foot on the deck. Frost spread instantly, causing someone who was fast asleep to jump up.
"Is this how you treat the wounded?"
Throne shook his body with a wry smile, shedding a layer of thin ice onto the floor.
"Your wounds healed long ago, so stop pretending. Tell me, why did you reveal those secrets to her!"
Ah, do those things count as secrets? Throne was speechless for a moment. After thinking it over, he revealed a simple, honest smile: "My mother told me that I was never born with the ability to play dumb."
Damn it! Ranni raised her foot again, and Throne quickly stopped her: "No, no, no! We are still at sea. If you sink the ship, are we supposed to swim to Elphael?"
"Hmph, I was just helping you clear your head. You are my subject; why would you tell your liege's business to everyone?" Ranni said this, but lowered her foot gently.
"From now on, you must tell me her secrets too. That way, we'll be even. Otherwise, you are not allowed to tell her anything about me or my affairs."
"I don't mind, but when will you finally show me some alchemy?"
Melina maintained her blank expression. Both of them looked at her, and all their frustration turned into listlessness. Why get angry at a block of wood? Even if you slammed your head against a wall, the wood would still just stare blankly.
"Forget it. Throne, come out with me!"
Ranni turned and walked away. She had already suffered enough humiliation for one day and feared she would lose her composure even more if she stayed. However, after climbing the wooden ladder, she turned back:
"You are not allowed to follow."
"Why?"
Melina tilted her head.
"Because Throne and I need to discuss confidential matters."
"But I already know your secrets. What else is there to hide?"
Ranni didn't speak, only glared fiercely at Throne, signaling for him to handle it.
"Melina, you must be tired from seizing the ship earlier. You should take a rest."
"But I'm not sleepy."
Ah, this. Throne scratched his cheek, feeling a headache. Melina was a difficult woman who responded to kindness but not force. He couldn't exactly tell her that she wasn't smart enough and should stay out of it.
"How about this? Millicent is suffering from severe seasickness. Why don't you go watch over the sailors for her? None of us know how to sail a ship, so we can't let them trick us."
"Must it be me?"
"Yes, my old wounds haven't healed yet. Please."
Throne placed his hand on her thin shoulder, their eyes meeting. After a moment, Melina nodded.
"Only discuss business. Do not do anything else."
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Melina left, though she didn't forget to exchange a glance with Ranni as she climbed the wooden ladder; sparks seemed to fly in the air between them. Ranni breathed a sigh of relief. She would rather die than lose face in front of Melina. She crossed her arms: "Throne, you are quite the deceiver."
The remark was sarcastic, as if she were questioning whether he had ever deceived her.
"How could that be? You aren't as easily fooled as Melina; you have always been cool-headed and wise."
"That's more like it."
Ranni was immediately satisfied. It was a pity that the woman hadn't heard it, but she gestured with her other two hands.
"Let's go. Let's get some fresh air on the deck."
The technology in The Lands Between was terrible, and merchant ships like this were filled with a musty smell. It was truly uncomfortable to stay inside for too long. Throne followed with short steps and asked curiously: "Maintaining a projection requires energy, right? Why not return to your doll body?"
This question hit the nail on the head. Ranni was also taken aback. That's right, why did she insist on maintaining this form? Was it some sort of sense of crisis? Impossible, absolutely impossible.
"I feel like it. Is that any of your business?"
"It is not."
Throne shrugged and had to follow her up the foul-smelling staircase. Pushing open the hatch, a clear, moist sea breeze rushed into his nostrils.
The ship was divided into fore and aft sections by the mast, and the aft deck was quite high. His small braid fluttered in the sea breeze. Throne rested his hands on the railing and took a gentle breath. The sky was leaden, and the endless sea churned with waves. Ever since he went to Ashina, he hadn't been on a sea vessel.
Looking out now, despite the gloomy sky, the vast scenery as far as the eye could see was quite refreshing to the spirit.
"Do you like the ocean?"
Ranni stood right beside him. The advantage of having extra hands was on full display: two hands gripped the railing, one hand brushed through her hair, and another hand held down her hat.
"Yes. I always feel that there is no end to the horizon, which gives one a sense of infinite yearning."
Ranni looked out at the sea and wrinkled her nose. It was indeed the scent of freedom. The starry sky she yearned for was the same; it was precisely because she couldn't see the end that she could find the motivation to keep going.
"By the way, what is on the other side of the sea?"
She suddenly raised a hand, pointing toward the sea where the cold wind was biting. How would I know? I'm not a Tarnished. Throne had only read about it in books. Beyond the sea lay the frontiers, places where the Tarnished army had once campaigned. There were all sorts of kingdoms there, as well as heroes who stood tall between heaven and earth.
But The Lands Between was undoubtedly the center of this planet; otherwise, the Greater Will would not have chosen this place.
"I don't know. Perhaps after we finish all of this, and before we head toward the stars, we can go take a look?"
Ranni nodded happily: "That sounds good. Only by having the unknown to explore can a long life become interesting."
"Sometimes I feel like you are really a bit like the teacher."
"Nonsense. Who would be like that Primeval Sorceress?"
Ranni immediately became annoyed. Having spent these days playing a battle of wits with Ranni, he had forgotten there was another sorceress nearby. Throne gave an awkward smile. He had spoken too quickly and forgotten to think before he spoke. He looked at the forward deck.
Millicent hadn't gone to rest; she was whispering with Melina and occasionally looking over in their direction. The suspicious gaze grew more intense, so he gave a light cough. Ahem, let's talk business.
"We are heading north along the coastline. We should be able to reach Elphael within five days. I don't know if we'll make it in time."
Ranni thought for a moment and shook her head: "I'm afraid it will be difficult. The Golden Order Army doesn't rely on messengers to receive information. Once they get intelligence about The Shaded Castle, they will act immediately."
"They won't wait for Morgott's orders?"
"Nonsense. With such a big commotion at The Shaded Castle, a mere Count Hero cannot wash his hands of it. They will be even more afraid."
Throne rubbed his chin. What were the nobles afraid of? Naturally, they feared the Grace-Given King Morgott settling accounts after the fact. Fear was the best motivation. Rather than groveling, it was better to possess power that made others wary. As for methods, they were countless.
If the Leyndell Knights and the Cleanrot Knights started fighting, would the neutral Tree Sentinel stand by and watch?
"It doesn't matter. This will force Finlay to resist to the end, which is beneficial for our subsequent plans."
Throne faced the oncoming sea breeze and let out a breath of stale air. The hand he had placed on the railing had already squeezed out a few cracks.
"But there is only one thing about The Shaded Castle that worries me."
Ranni didn't speak, also sighing. The matter of The Shaded Castle had added a heavy stone to everyone's hearts. A stone named the First Elden Lord, Godfrey.
The First Elden Lord, Godfrey. For Throne and Ranni, this was a name that was both familiar and strange. As the founder of the Golden Order and Marika's former husband, he had left legends all over The Lands Between. Defeating the Ancient Dragon, exterminating the Giants, and battling the Storm King. He was the synonym for the 'might' of the Erdtree.
Leading his subordinates to sweep across the continent, he reached a level that was nearly 'invincible.' One could say that his exile was the beginning of everything. If Godfrey were still here, none of the factions in The Lands Between would dare to show their heads for ten thousand years. Whoever dared to oppose him would simply be cut down by an axe.
Throne even suspected that Radagon was not this man's match. After all, as Marika's projection, Radagon might possess stronger power, but his combat experience—especially the experience of bitter, bloody battles—was far from comparable to Godfrey's. From a mere barbarian to the throne, heaven knows how many corpses he left behind him.
And what an executioner fears most is not some arrogant demigod or greedy demon, but precisely another executioner.
"Although we have never met, it always gives me a feeling of wanting to try, as if my blood is about to boil."
Throne inadvertently crushed the railing into powder.
It was precisely because a worthy opponent was hard to find that he felt this boiling sensation; otherwise, only worry and fear would remain.
"You don't still have aftereffects from your madness, do you?" Ranni looked at him warily, then immediately smiled: "Just a joke. This isn't a matter of not finding an opponent. If he truly returns, we will be in big trouble."
"For example?"
"For example, he is both the former Elden Lord and the King of the Tarnished. Once he appears, it will be enough to turn The Lands Between upside down."
Actually, there was no need for Ranni to remind him; Throne had already thought of it, and had even thought about it on a deeper level. That's right.
As a collective term for those whose grace was taken and who were exiled, the Tarnished were indeed divided into several tiers. But the most formidable batch would always be the remnants of the ancient army—the very ones Marika had abandoned after using them. These people's faith in the Erdtree had wavered, yet they were powerful and naturally felt close to Godfrey.
Of course, it didn't matter if they didn't feel close; Godfrey would use his fists to make them think clearly. Becoming the Elden Lord would be more troublesome. Marika's purge plan back then was perfect; it had almost wiped out the group of elders who had founded the Golden Order.
Except for existences with transcendent status like the Tree Sentinel, the current Golden nobles were basically all promoted during the Radagon era. Even if there were still some ancient families, they had long forgotten about any King Godfrey. Even Ranni had never seen Godfrey, let alone these people.
They would not accept a barbarian, a powerful monarch known for his strength, standing over their heads. But setting aside political maneuvering, even if deposed and stripped of grace, he was still the former Elden Lord. The phrase 'the king returns' was no joke in any world.
As long as Radagon did not appear, Godfrey naturally possessed the right of succession to the throne, even more legitimate than the various demigods.
"His return is such a headache."
Throne rubbed his throbbing temples. He had resolved one hidden danger at The Shaded Castle, but it had disrupted his entire plan. He didn't know if he had gained or lost.
Just look at this Godfrey—why did he have to come out? He should have just stayed lying in his coffin, waiting for the outcome. But he knew that was impossible. The Lands Between was the chessboard, and when players were playing a match, you couldn't cheat to make the others stop. He had changed the world line, so of course, he had to pay the price.
"The Godskin Noble was Marika's contingency, and Godfrey is her insurance. As the journey deepens, these things are all starting to take effect."
Throne gazed at the churning sea, his mood calm. When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it with earth. You couldn't expect Marika's tactics to remain unchanged.
After all, he was going to Leyndell and wouldn't be like the Tarnished walking to the Erdtree alone. If Godfrey dared to come out and show off, he would be beaten to death by a mob. As long as Godfrey wasn't stupid, he would absolutely not wait until Throne's momentum was fully established before coming out.
"So, let's finish the business at the Haligtree quickly. If Morgott is determined enough, the next step will be to make a move on Caria."
A worried expression also appeared on Ranni's face.
"I understand. We'll be done soon. It's just that the way back is very troublesome; you'll have to hold them off for a while."
Throne struck his fists together, unable to wait to cause a scene. The legendary Golden Order Army, right? For every one more I can kill, I can weaken them by a fraction. Ranni nodded, of course knowing that going was 'easy' but returning was hard. No matter what kind of chaos happened at the Haligtree, wanting to pass under the Erdtree was a pipe dream. As for returning the same way by ship—
Did they really take the enemy for morons?
She moved her lips; she had actually thought of a way to return to Liurnia. Adula wasn't strong enough to traverse The Lands Between, but there was one dragon that could.
"You want to say Lansseax, right? That is also my contingency plan."
Throne saw what was on her mind. Mentioning that stinky dragon made Ranni's breathing erratic. Emotionally, she wished she could have Blaidd cut her down right now, but rationally speaking, that Ancient Dragon was very useful.
"Hmph, how do you know she's willing to let you ride her?"
"That question—or rather, she is dying for me to ride her." Throne laughed triumphantly, but in an instant, his smile froze.
Ranni immediately narrowed her eyes and said, word by word: "It sounds like you are very pleased with yourself?"
"Not at all. For the sake of the big picture, I can barely force myself to sacrifice."
Throne scratched his cheek and gave a dry laugh. I don't believe a word you say! Ranni got angry just thinking about Lansseax's appearance; from an aesthetic perspective, she was impeccable.
However, she also happened to recall something.
"I specifically checked. This Ancient Dragon seems to have always kept her distance from humans, and I've never heard of her having a partner."
"Doesn't she like to blend into the crowd?"
Throne was a bit surprised. In his impression, Gransax was quite the experienced seductress.
"If you were to blend into a flock of sheep, other than glancing at a particularly strong one, you might pet the wool of the others, but would you interact with the rest of them?"
Ranni gave a light hmph and then added with dissatisfaction: "So I am very curious why she is so interested in you, yet from my observations, it doesn't seem like a disguise."
Ranni's analogy was strange, but Throne understood it. He rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. Could it be that Lansseax is a fake seductress, and I was fooled by her? It was very possible. Every time he was teased into a corner and pushed to his limit, that fellow would always laugh it off.
Previously, he had thought this was some kind of unique play, but hearing Ranni put it this way, it seemed like an instinctive reaction. This is interesting. I'll find an opportunity to test it next time. Just as Throne was thinking, he saw a small face leaning in right in front of him, at a distance of almost only a few inches.
"Are you up to some bad idea? Let's get this straight: that stinky dragon is absolutely not allowed to appear in front of me."
Ranni stood with her four hands on her hips, leaning her body forward.
"This was my contingency plan to begin with."
"It is also the best plan."
Ranni pursed her lips, suddenly realizing that they were very close. But surprisingly, she did not retreat immediately, just staring straight at Throne's face.
Throne also realized they were very close and naturally did not pull away. He twitched his nose and caught a peculiar scent. Elegant and aloof, as if keeping everyone at a distance, yet underneath that, it was as passionate as fire. He watched Ranni close her eyes and slowly stretch out her neck. The howling sea breeze and the sound of the waves seemed to go silent.
Those few inches felt as if they would take ten years to cross, but just at that moment, there was a 'bang.'