Sudden Change

Although Godrick's royal soldiers were numerous, they had a very obvious weakness.

This weakness was that most of the soldiers had lost their consciousness, which was also a consequence of the shattered Elden Ring.

Those soldiers who still possessed self-awareness held important positions to varying degrees.

Therefore, Lin Luo and Melina easily entered the city.

Stormveil Castle's defenses were indeed tight, not only due to the sheer number of guards but also, more troublingly, the numerous ballista emplacements.

Behind each ballista stood a soldier, and any enemy who dared to advance would be instantly riddled with bolts.

The soldiers patrolled the castle, and even rats that occasionally climbed up from below were ruthlessly slain, demonstrating the strength of Stormveil Castle's defenses.

Lin Luo and Melina successfully bypassed the first wave of defenses and arrived at a small room around a second-floor corner.

There was a Site of Grace here. Lighting it now would allow them to reach Stormveil Castle directly later.

Godrick should be not far behind the second line of defense at the entrance.

After lighting the Site of Grace, Lin Luo reapplied magic to himself and Melina, as the magic's duration was limited.

However, just as Lin Luo was about to bypass the second line of defense, he found soldiers approaching from both the front and the rear.

Surprisingly, in broad daylight, each squad had lit their torches.

This should have been amusing, but Lin Luo's expression turned serious.

At the same time, he felt a pang of regret, and even more so, anger.

He regretted not killing Gostoc directly back then. He was angry that not only was he being schemed against, but this move was clearly intended to kill both him and Melina here. They didn't know what they had used, but he could no longer feel the call of the Site of Grace.

"Melina, go back to the Site of Grace first..."

Lin Luo stepped forward, shielding Melina, and said.

"Hm?"

Melina asked in confusion, "What's wrong...?"

"Those should be... Sentinel's Torches..."

Lin Luo frowned slightly. Damn, is Godrick really that rich, to equip so many Sentinel's Torches?

But why light them in the morning for no reason?

Lin Luo thought of Gostoc's appearance...

"I should have just killed him! Damn it, I'm never being merciful again!"

Lin Luo slapped himself hard, startling Melina beside him.

"What's wrong!"

Melina quickly ran over, grabbed Lin Luo's hand, and looked at him.

"It's nothing..."

Lin Luo blinked, looked at Melina, and suddenly smiled.

"Those Sentinel's Torches can find us; they're specifically designed to counter invisibility,"

Lin Luo said, "I suspect that good deed was done by Gostoc!"

"Is that why you told me to return to the Site of Grace?"

Melina puffed out her cheeks, sounding a little upset. "I... I'm not a damsel in distress..."

This was the first time Lin Luo had heard Melina speak with such a tone, and he was momentarily captivated.

Wow, is she acting cute? No, no, no, she looks so adorable though...

Lin Luo thought, and tears of weakness streamed from the corner of his mouth.

"It seems the infiltration failed..."

Melina didn't notice Lin Luo's change in expression and lowered her head, thinking for a moment.

"No!"

Lin Luo placed a hand in front of Melina.

"The infiltration hasn't failed yet."

"But they have Sentinels..."

"If we kill them all, won't no one know someone infiltrated?"

Lin Luo revealed a wicked smile, but seeing it gave Melina an immense sense of security...

"What sounds like a fantasy, but when spoken by Lin Luo, is so convincing..."

Melina murmured involuntarily.

"Let's test the sharpness of this sword..."

Lin Luo took out Malenia's Prosthetic Blade from his storage pouch.

"Be good, go back to the Site of Grace. Remember what I said before: as long as a man is alive, he will never let the one he loves stand in front of him!"

Lin Luo gave a light chuckle, his invisibility slowly fading.

Melina wanted to say something more, but seeing Lin Luo's resolute gaze, she obediently nodded.

"You just have to be beautiful and stay behind me..."

Lin Luo leaned close to Melina's face and kissed her gently.

"From now on... leave it to me, as Melina's blade!!"

Melina's face flushed, and her form slowly dissipated.

"Then... let the slaughter begin!"

His eyes slowly turned the color of dead, silent twilight blue, the aura of the God-Slaying Queen.

Lin Luo walked slowly out of the room and stood directly before everyone.

The patrolling soldiers immediately spotted Lin Luo ahead. What nerve, walking out so boldly. Does he not even consider us here?!

The leading soldier felt immensely insulted. He directly drew the horn hanging from his waist, and its clear sound immediately echoed throughout Stormveil Castle.

All the soldiers instantly became vigilant. Leaving one or two soldiers behind, everyone rushed towards the direction of the horn's blast.

The leading soldier didn't rush to attack. First, he ordered a few small squads of soldiers to surround the area, just in case Lin Luo tried to escape.

Lin Luo's expression was blank. He jumped straight down from the stairs and slowly put on his helmet with his left hand. The reason was simple: blood splatter, it was dirty.

Not long after, most of Stormveil Castle's forces had surrounded them. Counting roughly, there were several hundred people.

Lin Luo stood amidst the crowd, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Kill this lowly Tarnished! Hand him over to Lord Godrick, graft him! We're sure to be rewarded!"

It was unclear which soldier's leader spoke.

It had to be said, this single sentence instantly ignited their morale.

The soldiers swarmed forward. This isn't an enemy, it's just mobile merit!

Unfortunately...

The person before them was named Lin Luo...

Perhaps they didn't know that from today onwards, this name would become the nightmare of Stormveil Castle.

Lin Luo, in the center of the crowd, adjusted his helmet. The longsword in his right hand emitted a bloodthirsty craving.

"Then... I shall sharpen my blade on you all!"

Lin Luo held his sword horizontally and floated into the air.

"Waterfowl... Dance!"

"The sky has gotten so strange..."

On Stormveil Hill, Little Red Riding Hood looked towards Stormveil Castle. The sky had turned blood red.

"Is it because the evil of grafting has angered the heavens..."

Little Red Riding Hood crossed her arms and prayed silently.

Melina, within the Site of Grace, also heard the terrifying screams from outside and worried about Lin Luo's safety.

But she didn't go out. Lin Luo had told her not to, so she wouldn't.

Lin Luo was facing countless enemies outside, and she really wanted to help, but she knew that going out might just make her a burden...

"Heh heh... Now you know... the consequences of offending me, you lowly Tarnished..."

As Melina worried about Lin Luo, a familiar voice came from behind her.

Melina frowned slightly and turned to look. It was Gostoc.

"Then... as his enchantress, you shall accompany him to death!"

Gostoc held a dagger in his hand, a pathological smile on his face.

"..."

Clever as she was, she immediately understood what was happening.

"I knew it... I should have killed you long ago!"

Melina's expression turned grim, the first time she had ever said something like this.

"Regret is too late! You... die!"