The sheer power of the magic and martial prowess was so great that it was hard for her to equate him with the sorcerer from over a decade ago. Hesitating for a moment, she placed her hand on her sword and tapped her chest, performing a knightly salute.
"Thank you for your assistance. Your strength has left a deep impression on me."
"It is nothing. As a Carian Knight, I do not wish to see the Leyndell Army expand rapidly. As a student of Master Sellen, I would come even if it meant facing a mountain of blades and a sea of fire."
Throne's tone was indifferent, but he made his position clear. He was not a chivalrous hero like Millicent who would unsheathe a blade to help others without expectation; every time he acted, he required a return.
Finlay nodded. She had actually anticipated this and was quite satisfied with Throne's candor, so she replied, "With you here, I intend to hold this bridgehead at Ordina."
"Do not count on me."
"Are you leaving?"
Finlay's mouth opened slightly. That wasn't right; if this person left, was he not afraid that the Haligtree Army would surrender immediately?
"I am not leaving, but I cannot help you hold this place. Two Tree Sentinels are not worth mentioning, but five—no, four Crucible Knights—are opponents I cannot defeat."
Throne was unusually honest today, bluntly stating, "So, retreat to Elphael. This ruin cannot be held, no matter what."
Four Crucible Knights? Finlay gasped.
With her intelligence, she certainly understood what Throne meant, and she knew even better that every single Crucible Knight possessed formidable strength. She offered a bitter smile.
"It seems that while we were recovering our strength, The Lands Between has undergone another drastic change. And you, coming to Elphael, have quite a few objectives."
"Do not get the wrong idea; I have no intention of using others to do my dirty work."
Throne bent down to pick up the head of the Draconic Tree Sentinel, slowly turned around, and tossed out another indifferent remark, "I simply happened to disrupt their plans, and fighting Godfrey was just a side event. None of it was within my expectations."
So that was it; it was an accidental situation caused by bad luck. Finlay believed this explanation, but she quickly looked up in shock. With whom!? Throne paid no mind to the shock of the Cleanrot Knight commander. He walked along the shattered long street, watching the Haligtree Army clearing the battlefield on both sides.
The wounded wailed, corpses covered in white sheets were neatly laid out, and some soldiers sat huddled in corners, their blood-stained hands trembling slightly. The air was filled with the scent of blood. He had seen similar scenes many times before. As far as war was concerned, regardless of victory or defeat, all that remained was pain and hatred.
What was even more despairing was that he would likely see such scenes many more times. Walking to the end of the long street, Throne's footsteps paused slightly. He saw a familiar figure being carefully taken down from the wall by a Cleanrot Knight.
"Ivan is dead too?"
Throne recognized him.
Back when he was fleeing in a panic from Liurnia, this man had helped him integrate into the Haligtree Army. He was definitely a friend. He still remembered that stormy night, the warriors launching a fearless charge against Godrick as he quietly fled. The momentum of those clashing weapons and armored cavalry overcoming the storm still lingered in his mind.
"Yes, he stabbed that giant's horse, which saved me once."
Sellen's expression was solemn. She did not care about the gazes of others, but that did not mean she lacked emotion.
"Did he die like a warrior? Then I am relieved."
Throne walked up calmly and waved the auxiliary soldiers away. He straightened the knight's helmet, wiped away the bloodstains, and placed the long halberd in his arms.
The man's face bore a long, narrow scar, but his expression was peaceful, as though he'd been granted a moment of rest between battles. Sellen crouched beside him. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Does this grieve you, student?"
"No."
Throne's voice was steady.
"Had he fallen to a stray arrow, I might mourn. But to face a demigod's power head-on, to strike a blow—such valor fills me with pride."
Sellen frowned.
"You're not what I expected from the records. The texts speak of hearts turned to ice from witnessing too much death. Yet you've never been the cold executioner they describe."
"That's the cowardice of the weak," Throne said, his tone sharp. "The strong find pride in a comrade's death. We carve their valor into our hearts and march forward, unflinching."
He finished arranging Ivan's body, placing the head carefully on the stretcher. Using Ivan's hand, he secured it, as though preparing a trophy. Throne glanced at Sellen.
"And you, Master? Does his death sadden you?"
"A little," she admitted quietly. "He cared for me, over the years."
Her voice trailed off, her gaze distant.
"That proves you still have a heart," Throne said. "You'll never be a true Primeval Sorcerer."
He stood, extending a hand to her.
"Let's go. Elphael awaits."
Sellen took his hand, still dazed, and together they stepped through the portal. Behind them, Finlay and the Cleanrot Knights paused in their hurried retreat. They turned as one, offering a synchronized salute. In these Lands Between, life was fleeting, as cheap as grass. Pride was the only tribute a knight could give.
Finlay's gaze lingered on the stretcher, its white sheet hiding the face beneath. She masked her sorrow, her expression hardening.
"Gather all supplies. We retreat now!"
---
The world blurred as space shifted. Throne opened his eyes to find himself standing on a dense branch, its surface wide enough for two to walk abreast. Above, a canopy of leaves blotted out the sky. Behind him stretched the ocean, its waves shimmering white, while cliffs loomed in the distance, scraping the heavens.
This was only a shortcut. The true path lay through the great canyon of Castle Sol, the route the Haligtree Army had taken. Moving thousands of troops along branches was folly—they'd be crushed, tumbling into the abyss below.
Ordina's winding paths could manage an orderly retreat for a thousand, but an assault was madness. Throne scanned the trees. Albinauric archers perched among the branches, their longbows ready. Even he wouldn't survive their concentrated fire. But if Finlay had truly opened the path, they wouldn't shoot.
The situation was different now. Both sides were bloodied, and those arrows and incantations would rain down on the Erdtree Army without hesitation. Throne stood still, unmoving, until the air rippled beside him. Finlay appeared, her presence immediate and commanding.
The Albinauric archers lowered their bows.
"This is the Carian Knight, an ally who has come to provide support."
Finlay's voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
"Stop gawking! The wounded will arrive soon—move!"
Leaves rustled as hundreds emerged from the shadows, clearly prepared for this moment. Finlay turned to Throne.
"My lord, follow me."
Finlay gestured toward the path. Only then did Throne step forward along the gnarled branches.
"Do you wish to ask why I wanted to hold Ordina?"
The female knight's voice cut through the rustling leaves as they walked.
"I don't. The answer's obvious. Without Ordina, Leyndell's army would march straight up the frozen river and lay siege to Castle Sol."
Throne's boots scraped bark.
"Even if they didn't, you couldn't stop them planting ballistae to hurl fire at the Haligtree. A city built in trees fears flames."
Finlay stiffened, then exhaled.
"I didn't expect such strategic insight from you."
"I've no interest in leading armies. That doesn't mean I'm just a sword-arm."
"Why the disinterest?"
"One order decides thousands of lives. Less satisfying than cutting them down myself."
Finlay's breath hitched.
"You're insufferable."
Strength granted that privilege. She'd seen him butcher Leyndell's forces until they broke ranks. No one could deny his right to arrogance.
Throne lifted his gaze. Past the tangled boughs, structures emerged—a vast platform ringed by intricate murals, dotted with statues frozen mid-motion. The Haligtree's great stage. Come if you dare.
At last, he stood before the legends. A knight astride a steed dominated the platform's center, her armored bulk blocking the town's entrance like a cliffside. Royal Knight Loretta, once Caria's own. Though they'd never met, the connection thrummed between them, same as with Jerren. Throne leapt down.
"Greetings, mighty Carian knight. Forgive the mounted salute."
Loretta inclined her head, pride and respect woven through her tone.
"Knight Loretta. Lady Ranni sends her regards."
Throne returned the gesture. Another living legend.
"Yes… It's been years since I last saw the princess."
Her voice softened.
"Knowing Caria still breeds warriors like you eases my heart."
Guilt crept in.
"For the Albinaurics' sake, forgive my absence at her side."
Loretta wasn't a traitor. Throne had benefited from her influence when he first joined the Haligtree's forces.
"I understand. If the Albinaurics need aid, name it."
"Then you have my thanks."
Her salute carried the weight of gratitude for this stranger who shared her cause.
Albinaurics were honest folk. The others watching from the branches? Less so.
Throne's gaze slid upward. Commander O'Neil, the Lord of the Shaded Castle—Marais. Faces from a decade past, now outmatched. Top-tier heroes, all. He'd carved through a dozen such "greats."
No ties to Caria bound them. Their stares prickled with suspicion. Reports of the battle had reached them—this knight's impossible strength, his sudden arrival in Elphael's tangled politics. What did he want? The Haligtree's power?
Throne met their scrutiny without concession.
He gave a nod of acknowledgment and then turned his head away, leaving them slack-jawed in his wake.
"Lady Finlay, I'll stay awhile. That won't be an issue?"
"Of course not."
No hesitation. Even without his strength, she'd never dismiss someone who'd fought for them.
Besides, the Leyndell Army had not yet retreated.
"Then call me if you need anything. I will go and rest with my Master first."
Throne pulled Sellen and left. Finlay opened her mouth, wanting to call him back, but ultimately did not speak. She really wanted the two of them to take a look at the condition of the Lady, and she also wanted to ask how they should respond next.
With a few soft sounds, the people on the trees descended. O'Neil couldn't help but pout toward the retreating figures, "The situation at the Haligtree is very complicated right now. Why let him in?"
"Without him, Ordina would have already fallen."
"From a military perspective, we shouldn't have defended it in the first place. We just need to retreat to the core area and wait for the Lady to wake up. Then all problems will be solved."
"Who dares to guarantee that it is the Lady who will wake up?" Finlay interrupted coldly, leaving the others speechless. The current Malenia was like a vegetable, having only moved her fingers. When she would wake up and what state she would be in were completely unknown.
If the one who emerged was the Goddess of Rot, then everyone would die. Seeing the atmosphere stiffen, Marais wanted to smooth things over, but then he heard chaotic footsteps. He turned his head and saw large groups of wounded soldiers walking along the branches.
"Remember, we can give everything for the Lady, but they are protecting this city and the loved ones within it. Without Elphael, it is meaningless for just us few and the knights, and we would be failing the two Ladies." Finlay sighed.
"You think that there is only a monarch because there are people?"
"Is it not? This Haligtree and all of you were built inch by inch by Lord Miquella. Lady Malenia was also a participant. If we lose this foundation, what face would we have to see them?"
"But what does this have to do with that Carian Knight? Is there any difference between handing this foundation over to Caria or Leyndell?"
"You are overthinking it, Commander O'Neil. That person does not care about it at all. As long as we do not stand on the side of the Erdtree, he is not an enemy."
Finlay steadied herself with her lance and sighed, "And now, can we still stand on the side of the Erdtree?"
Everyone fell silent. The answer to this question was obvious. With so many people dead on both sides, this fire of hatred had already been ignited. Whether to ally with Caria for revenge required a decision from the monarch, but the Erdtree was clearly the enemy.
---
"Are you not going to try to sweet-talk them?"
Sellen and Throne were walking along the road, surrounded by soldiers and civilians running forward. They were carrying stretchers, their expressions hurried, making the two of them walking in the opposite direction seem out of place.
"Why would smart people need sweet-talking? Isn't it better to wait for them to come and beg us?"
Throne said with a faint smile. Elphael was so strategically vital that the Leyndell Army would at most blockade the perimeter, and he could leave anytime after Melina arrived. But when that time comes, who will clean up this mess?
"Hmph, you are still as insidious as ever, using your clever brain on these trivial matters."
"Master, are you not just as much of a genius? I really cannot figure out how you were able to make Malenia awaken."
"Don't talk nonsense; I only managed to get her to show some signs of movement."
"But that is also inconceivable."
"Want to know? Then walk faster!"
Sellen overtook Throne and walked ahead excitedly, just like ten years ago; whenever the topic turned to research, she became full of energy. Throne also followed.
They hadn't gone far when they saw a house under a tree. It was quite large and didn't look shabby. When the door was pushed open, a foul odor mixed with the smell of herbs rushed into his nostrils. Looking around, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Apart from a bed, a wardrobe, and a round table, no other daily necessities could be seen in the room.
Instead, countless pieces of glintstone, medicine bottles, and reagents were piled up haphazardly everywhere. This chaotic state was something even Throne, who had traveled for years, couldn't get used to, and he couldn't help but start tidying up for her.
"You are still as untidy as ever."
"It's a waste of time. I remember clearly where everything is anyway."
Sellen pulled a thick stack of notes out from the cupboard. The dense data on them made Throne feel dizzy, as if he had returned to the era of being tortured by various projects and papers at the Raya Lucaria Academy.
"How about you just explain it directly? I won't understand it anyway."
"You have even implanted primeval glintstone; you mean to tell me you can't understand this little bit of information?"
This little bit? Throne looked at the pile of notes at least a meter thick and shrugged, "I only care about application, pondering how to improve destructive power. As for theoretical research, I haven't improved at all."
"Heretical path, not loving to study, you deserve a beating!"
Sellen knocked Throne on the head. The man touched his head and felt a bit strange. With countless honors upon him and countless corpses beneath his sword, perhaps in the entire The Lands Between, only Sellen would hit him on the head—oh, and Melina, who only occasionally got brave.
He was dazed for a moment, then came back to his senses, only to see that Sellen was not explaining anything but was instead rushing excitedly to close the door.
"Those annoying matters from earlier had me stifled for so long; I finally found an opportunity!"
Sellen walked over slowly with her hands behind her back and picked up a pair of glintstone spectacles from the table, placing them on the bridge of her nose.
"Master, what are you doing??"
Throne had a very ominous premonition. Sellen, with a face full of smiles, leaned in close to Throne, "Student, hurry up and take off this armor. Let your Master take a good look."
"Ah, this, that won't be necessary."
"Meaningless sense of shame."
Sellen's face suddenly darkened. She took off her glasses and emphasized her tone, "Be obedient, let me see!"
Outside, the scene was still one of war and chaos, but inside the laboratory, it was incomparably silent.
After hesitating for a long time, Throne finally took off his heavy armor, revealing his well-proportioned muscles and his body covered in scars. He just stood there quietly, as if he didn't know what expression to make.