Two crimson sword energies burst forth before Lin Luo. In the shape of an "X," they pierced straight through the Lion Guardian's body, the tremendous impact halting it in midair.
The Lion Guardian was fast, but Lin Luo swung his sword even faster!
After slashing twice, Lin Luo spun around and immediately unleashed another two X-shaped sword energies.
Before the Lion Guardian could even scream, Lin Luo flew forward and kicked it.
No one knew how much force that kick contained, but the Lion Guardian was sent flying back onto the boulder again.
But... this time, Lin Luo would not give it another chance to attack.
Lin Luo stomped his right foot fiercely against the ground, launching the Grafted Blade Greatsword more than a meter into the air. He caught it in his left hand and hurled it along the Lion Guardian's trajectory...
"Riiip..."
The Grafted Blade Greatsword was so sharp that it plunged into the Lion Guardian's body as easily as cutting through tofu...
Black-red blood erupted, instantly splattering the yellow-black islet with the Lion Guardian's blood.
The greatsword passed through the Lion Guardian's body and lodged in the boulder, conveniently piercing into a crack in the stone.
The battle was decided. The Lion Guardian, nailed to the boulder, still struggled briefly, but the stabbing pain in its chest and its gradually fading consciousness made it clear...
At last, the Lion Guardian's raised claw fell. Its mouth hung half-open as it tried to roar, yet no sound came out. Its massive head drooped to one side, and it stopped moving.
Lin Luo's expression gradually calmed, and his breathing began to steady...
"Looks like... this strength is still far too weak..."
Lin Luo looked at the Lion Guardian, which had already lost its breath, and could not help feeling slightly disappointed. He licked his lips, still not quite satisfied.
"A small fry is still a small fry..."
Lin Luo shook his head, kneaded his aching shoulder, and stored Corpse Mountain Blood Sea in his inventory.
"Then I'll gladly take this sword..."
Lin Luo slowly stepped forward and stopped before the boulder.
"A weapon gathered at Castle Morne... a sword of vengeance burdened with countless laments and rage... one of the legendary weapons!"
Lin Luo murmured as his right hand closed around the hilt.
Only now did he truly get a feel for this sword.
In an instant, wails, rage, sorrow... all kinds of negative emotions wrapped around Lin Luo.
Countless voices rang out in his heart... Kill... kill them...
Though he did not know who "they" were, one thing was clear: this was an ominous sword, a sword born for vengeance.
"Success because of this sword, ruin because of this sword..."
Lin Luo sighed. Castle Morne had risen because of this sword, and it had also been destroyed because of it.
"Then let it end with me!"
Lin Luo suddenly exerted force with the hand gripping the hilt. The negative whispers emanating from the Grafted Blade Greatsword instantly dissipated. Sure enough, before absolute strength, every difficulty was merely a paper tiger.
The greatsword came free, its barbed blade covered in the Lion Guardian's blood and shredded flesh.
Black-red blood splashed across Lin Luo's face, but he paid it no mind.
"Hmph!"
Lin Luo snorted coldly and swung the greatsword through the air.
No one knew how powerful that swing was, but the blood on the sword was flung straight into the air.
Only a long streak of blood remained on the blade, while droplets scattered across the boulder—blood that had originally clung to the sword.
The greatsword had slaughtered who knew how many living beings. A foul stench wafted from it, sending a chill through Lin Luo.
"I'll reforge you with runes right now!"
Lin Luo planted the greatsword before him, and golden light began to surge around the hand holding its hilt.
What Lin Luo intended to do was simple: transform the power within the Grafted Blade Greatsword into pure power. Then, he could use its Combat Art without relying on the weapon itself.
The principle was the same as transforming Ashes of War. Lin Luo could likewise use an Ash of War directly without a weapon.
It sounded easy, but it was not so simple in practice. Ashes of War were one thing, but this was the complete form—"one of the legendary greatswords."
Who knew how many negative emotions it contained?
He did it without hesitation. It was not as if this were his first or second time. They said practice made perfect, and Lin Luo had done it hundreds of times.
Some swords did not need reforging, because their Combat Arts suited them best when used with the sword itself.
But that clearly did not apply to the Grafted Blade Greatsword's buff-type skill.
Runes surged. Though Lin Luo was a Tarnished and did not receive the Erdtree's blessing, his power was not to be underestimated.
The runes within him overflowed through Lin Luo's eyes. Golden energy enveloped the Grafted Blade Greatsword and slowly seeped into it...
Meanwhile... outside the city, Edgar saw Irena and Melina, and he was overwhelmed with joy.
"Irena!"
Edgar hurried over, the armor on his body clinking crisply as it collided.
"Fa... Father?"
Hearing her father's voice, the cloth covering Irena's eyes was soaked through with tears...
Irena staggered, released the hand she had been using to hold onto Torrent, and hurried forward.
Seeing this, Melina patted Torrent as well.
Torrent understood. He quickened his pace slightly, ran to Irena's side, and supported her to keep her from falling.
Edgar quickly stepped forward and caught Irena, casting Melina a grateful look.
Irena embraced Edgar. Neither of them spoke; they simply held each other. Tears welled in Edgar's eyes while Irena sobbed softly. At that moment, silence spoke louder than words.
Father and daughter had finally reunited, and Melina smiled as well.
"Sure enough, Lin Luo is no ordinary Tarnished..."
Melina recalled a message then—one left behind by a corpse in the Royal Capital Erdtree Chapel...
"Even if the guidance has been shattered, please, you must become the Elden Lord!"
"Perhaps... he will..."
Melina clasped her hands together, holding the necklace at her chest in her palms. Her eyes closed slightly, as if she were praying for something...
"Excuse me... are you?"
Edgar came back to his senses and looked at Melina in confusion.
"Yes, I am..."
Melina nodded lightly, never expecting his next words to break through her composure.
"Oh, it really is you. I could tell at once. You and Lord Lin Luo are such a perfect match, just one look and..."
"Wait..."
Melina suddenly sensed something was wrong. "What are you talking about...?"
"Didn't you say you were Lord Lin Luo's wife?"
Edgar looked confused.
"Lord Lin Luo said just now that his wife would bring Irena to the city gate later, and that I was to receive you."
"..."
Melina fell silent. A faint blush appeared on her face, but it quickly faded...
She forced herself to remain calm. "I am his maiden..."
"Huh?"
Edgar froze, then immediately understood. "I'm sorry... I was presumptuous..."
Edgar bowed slightly to show his apology.
"It's nothing..."
Melina replied evenly, indicating that she did not mind...
"Then... where is Lin Luo?"
"He's behind Castle Morne... cleaning things up. I should go with him and fight that Lion Guardian..."
Edgar's tone gradually became resolute. Though he was not strong... at the very least, he could... at the very least, serve as a meat shield!
"Mm..."
Melina was unusually silent. Was Edgar really this dense...?
"Actually... there's no need..."
Melina parted her red lips slightly. "He... should have already dealt with it..."
Melina slowly pulled up her hood, and her slender figure gradually walked into the city...
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