International Trial Grounds

Lin Luo left this remark and bid farewell to Sorcerer Sellen.

Sellen felt bewildered for a moment, but upon careful consideration, she gradually sensed that things were not as simple as they seemed.

But that's a story for another time…

"Aren't you going to tell your teacher?"

After leaving the cave, Melina's form reappeared.

"No, it sounds like a fairy tale. If you and I weren't resonating with Runes, would you believe…?"

Lin Luo rubbed Melina's head and said.

"...Mm..."

Melina nodded in agreement. Indeed, such a thing was too outrageous. Who would have thought the Greater Will would pay such a price to cultivate a spokesperson forever under its control, mobilizing so much power to cycle the Lands Between over and over again.

"It's time to go to Stormveil Castle…"

Lin Luo climbed onto Torrent's back and extended his hand to Melina.

"…"

Melina didn't speak, lowered her head slightly, placed her hand in Lin Luo's, and slowly got on the horse…

[Torrent: "I require legal aid!"]

"Golden King, huh… I'll beat the shit out of you in a few days!"

Lin Luo scoffed inwardly. He had no good feelings towards Godrick.

Morgott, the Omen King, received no favor from this dynasty, yet he willingly protected it when the world collapsed—"not out of love seeking repayment, but purely out of a desire to love." This was the Shardbearer, the son of a god, the Omen who stood against any usurper. Compared to his ambitious younger brother, Mohgwyn, Morgott was practically a saint.

Queen Rennala of the Full Moon was merely a pitiful woman abandoned by her man, having lost her heart and often lapsing into delirium.

Starscourage needed no further explanation; he was the greatest man of this era, bar none.

And Godrick?

After his defeat, he fled the royal city amidst a crowd of women, fearing Radahn, and hid in the city, not daring to make a sound.

He underestimated Malenia and ended up utterly defeated, even kneeling to kiss her foot in submission.

Looking at how outstanding his brothers and sisters were, he instead became obsessed with the art of grafting, believing his strength insufficient and resorting to dark sorcery to connect the limbs of various creatures, sacrificing countless citizens' lives for experiments. These experiments were called Grafted Scions, second only to himself in status.

Unquestionably, Godrick was the most disgraceful Demigod, without exception.

If Godwyn knew that such a disgraceful being was born from him, he would have personally strangled this prodigal son to death.

Lin Luo shook his head, having already simulated Godrick's death a million times in his mind.

With that thought, Lin Luo pulled on Torrent's reins again, signaling to go faster.

"You seem very angry?"

Melina leaned closer to Lin Luo's back, sensing his subtle movements.

"You can sense that too?"

Lin Luo was taken aback. Were women really that perceptive? He looked at Melina and asked.

"What do you mean… We resonate with Runes…"

Melina said softly, "I sense you're a bit unsettled, a bit angry…"

"It's not anger, I just can't stand grafting…"

"Godrick?…"

Melina glanced at Lin Luo doubtfully, pursed her lips, and didn't continue.

"Aren't tyrants meant to be struck down by everyone…"

Lin Luo said patiently, "After all, you are the woman who is meant to become the Elden Lord."

"I…"

"I cannot become the Elden Lord…"

Melina was momentarily stunned, not understanding what Lin Luo meant.

"But you can become my woman…"

Lin Luo said with a half-smile. The Lands Between were incredibly boring; the only amusement was occasionally teasing this blockhead.

"You…"

Melina puffed out her cheeks, her face turning crimson. But she said nothing, just gave Lin Luo a knowing glance and disappeared from his back.

Feeling the softness behind him vanish, Lin Luo felt a hint of regret. Although he knew Melina was nearby, it wasn't as heartwarming as having her leaning against him…

Lin Luo directly blamed Godrick for everything, vowing to use twelve times the usual force when he fought him later. He was already using his full power; whether Godrick could withstand it was his problem.

Lin Luo's mood improved considerably… Before he knew it, they arrived in front of Stormveil Castle.

The area in front of Stormveil Castle was also called the "International Sword Testing Ground." The reason for this name was simple: almost all Tarnished, upon acquiring new spells and weapons, would come here to "friendly spar" with these Godrick soldiers.

But now, they would likely lose this honorable title. After all, times had changed; if they died now, they truly died.

Perhaps the Erdtree could revive them, but that would likely be a matter of centuries.

Lin Luo swaggered into Stormveil Castle on horseback, enraging the surrounding soldiers.

"Good heavens, I've never seen such an arrogant Tarnished in my life. Does he think we're invisible?"

A patrolling soldier immediately blew the horn in his hand, and the piercing sound filled the entire camp.

"Tarnished ahead! Dismount at once and surrender!"

The lead soldier shouted, holding his shield and spear, his eyes wary, as if to prevent the person before him from escaping.

Lin Luo wore no helmet, and his gray eyes marked him as a warrior of a clan untouched by grace, a Tarnished. This was why Godrick's soldiers immediately recognized Lin Luo as one.

"Hey... fellas, let me pass, I'm a very good citizen."

Lin Luo raised both hands, feigning innocence.

"Nonsense! Lord Godrick has decreed that all Tarnished shall be slain without mercy!"

"Oh? And after you kill me, you'll take my corpse to Lord Godrick? Then you'll graft my limbs onto him and live on with my will?"

"How did you... You're talking utter nonsense!"

The lead soldier slipped up but quickly recovered.

"To slander Lord Godrick is a crime punishable by death!"

"Brothers, cut him down!"

"Fine, you even want to slap a shit-pot on my head before killing me. Such civilized folk..."

Lin Luo shrugged helplessly and gave the reins a sharp tug.

Torrent nearly choked. Damn, just walking, why the strong pull? Doesn't he have any idea of his own strength?

Complaints aside, he had chosen his master, and he had to obey, even if it meant crying...

Torrent leaped high into the air, clearing the soldiers by three meters, soaring right over their heads.

This display left the soldiers stunned.

"Cloud-Stepping Ascent!"

Lin Luo shouted the name of the technique. Torrent understood and hopped into the air with his hind legs, breaking free from the soldiers' encirclement.

"Damn it! Chase him!"

The soldiers felt deeply insulted. Unfortunately, they had no cavalry or archers here, only swordsmen, shield-bearers, and spearmen.

The group chased Lin Luo for a while. Even the trolls within Stormveil Castle didn't have time to react, only managing to glimpse a large black rodent flying past.

Unwilling to admit defeat, the soldiers hurled their spears, hoping to knock him off his horse.

The result was obvious: none of them hit Lin Luo.

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