Melina

"First, I need to deal with you..."

Lin Luo narrowed his eyes. Not far away, a rider and horse were clad in heavy golden armor. The rider held a Golden Halberd in his right hand and a massive golden shield in his left, completely wrapped in golden armor without the slightest opening.

"Tree Sentinel, the nightmare of the starting area."

Lin Luo licked his lips and raised the Staff of the Death Prince in his left hand.

"Heh, don't say this spell king is being unreasonable..."

"Comet Azur!"

A green laser nearly three meters wide appeared in the forest, instantly engulfing the Tree Sentinel. The overwhelming magic left the Tree Sentinel with no room to resist.

The Tree Sentinel could only let out a pained howl before dying on the spot beneath this "legendary sorcery."

Before long, only a massive Golden Halberd remained.

The poor starting-area tyrant had run into Lin Luo, an Elden tyrant. It was truly a case of a minor witch meeting a major demon.

"Sorry, Tree brother."

Lin Luo jumped down from the high rock, took out a cup of blue tears from his inventory pouch, and drank it. Then he stored the Golden Halberd in the pouch, which was essentially a spatial ring.

"Return to the embrace of the Erdtree."

After sorting out his equipment, he put on a set of high-poise armor so his casting would be less likely to be interrupted. After all, a man with the qualities of a king could not be easily executed by others.

Before long, Lin Luo arrived at the Church of Elleh, where a wandering merchant named Kale was staying.

Kale looked like a man nearing old age, wearing a large crimson robe much like Santa Claus's.

A black mask covered his face, while his eyes revealed a trace of vigilance and weariness.

"Ah... a Tarnished..."

Kale spoke in a hoarse voice. "You do not seem likely to harm me. So, what would you like to buy?"

"Hmm..." Lin Luo thought for a moment. "Please give me a Crafting Kit. I need it to make items."

"Oh... you have a good eye, customer."

Kale said, "A Crafting Kit is indeed something a Tarnished cannot do without in the wild."

"Here you go."

Lin Luo accepted the Crafting Kit and handed Kale five Golden Runes, worth five hundred runes in total.

"Oh... a pleasant transaction..."

Kale chuckled and lowered his head without another word.

"First, let's rest at a Site of Grace."

Lin Luo hung the Crafting Kit at his waist and sat cross-legged at the central Site of Grace in the Church of Elleh, skillfully drawing upon its guidance.

After activating the Site of Grace, Lin Luo did not linger and headed straight toward Stormveil Castle.

He skirted around Limgrave's soldiers all the way, making straight for where his wife was.

Of course, the occasional blind soldier still came over to provoke him. Lin Luo casually cut off certain parts of them, sending them fleeing in panic.

Before long, he arrived at the international weapon-testing ground—no, the entrance to Stormveil Castle.

Lin Luo skillfully activated the Site of Grace and sat cross-legged before it, a smile curling across his lips.

A gentle breeze swept past as specks of starlike white light gathered in the air, forming a woman dressed in a flax-colored cloak.

The woman removed her black hood, revealing a beautiful face. Beneath her cloak was lightly curled wine-red hair, and her fair features were calm yet alluring.

Her right eye held a pale golden pupil, tinged with doubt and curiosity. Her left eye was tightly shut, with a beast-claw-like tattoo beside it, giving her a distinctive charm.

"Hello, Tarnished who came through the fog."

The woman looked at Lin Luo.

"My name is Melina. I wish to make a deal with you."

Melina slowly crouched down and looked into Lin Luo's eyes.

"Do you know of Finger Maidens? They serve the Two Fingers, helping and guiding the Tarnished..."

"I can take the place of your maiden, guide you onward, and turn runes into your strength. In return, you must take me to the foot of the Erdtree..."

Melina's red lips parted gently, her voice so lovely that it sounded like the softest music.

"Will you always travel with me?..."

Lin Luo rested his chin on his hands and looked at Melina.

"..."

Melina fell silent for a moment before continuing, "You will eventually become a king. A king cannot have someone accompanying him throughout his growth."

Lin Luo listened to Melina's voice and let out a long sigh.

If you enjoy this book and do not want to lose it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.

"I accept your request, but... please wear this..."

Lin Luo took out a necklace. Many crystal mirrors hung from it in scattered pieces.

He had dismantled it from Iji's Mirrorhelm. It had originally been worn by those deemed "blasphemous," and could repel all interference—including that of the Greater Will.

"Oh?..."

Melina voiced her confusion. After hesitating for a moment, she still agreed.

"May I put it on for you? Though it does look rather ugly..."

Lin Luo scratched his head. He had painstakingly pried off and assembled every piece himself.

"Mm..."

Melina nodded with a smile.

Seeing that, Lin Luo did not stand on ceremony. He reached both hands around Melina's neck and fastened the necklace's clasp.

Their faces were very close, close enough to hear each other's breathing.

"It's... done."

Even Melina's calm tone rippled slightly, and a blush flashed across her fair face.

"It's done, it's done..."

Lin Luo smacked his lips and revealed a satisfied smile.

"It looks really good..."

It was impossible to tell whether he meant the necklace or Melina.

"Then... we have an agreement."

Melina spoke calmly, then handed him a ring.

"Take this ring. It can summon the spirit of a steed named Torrent."

"...Torrent chose you. I hope you will treat him well."

Melina smiled. "Please tell me your name, Tarnished. Then we may travel together from now on..."

"As for me... just call me Lin Luo."

Lin Luo slowly stood and blew the whistle in his hand. The spectral steed Torrent emerged beside him.

The white horse bore an exquisite saddle, with two curved black horns atop his head.

Torrent affectionately rubbed against Lin Luo's face, snorting as two streams of white mist puffed from his nostrils.

"Lin Luo, if you intend to seek the Elden Ring, you may first go to Stormveil Castle."

Melina said, "That place is ruled by the Grafted..."

"No..."

Lin Luo licked his lips. "We'll go to the Weeping Peninsula first."

Lin Luo's goal was clear: first obtain those "legendary armaments." Only by possessing and fusing those weapons would he have the strength to confront the Greater Will head-on.

"If that is your wish, then so be it..."

Melina gave Lin Luo a puzzled look. This Tarnished seemed very familiar with the Lands Between.

"Will you travel with me, Melina?"

Lin Luo looked at Melina and asked sincerely.

"I will always be here, Lin Luo..."

Melina replied softly.

"If you need help, you may summon me at a Site of Grace..."

"That would be rather dull..."

Lin Luo shrugged and extended his right hand. "May I travel as your companion, beautiful Miss Melina?"

Lin Luo deliberately stressed the words "travel as your companion." "If you refuse, I think I would be very sad..."

"..."

Melina froze. A faint golden light was about to enter her body.

At that moment, the Crystal Tear Necklace around Melina's neck flashed, and the golden light instantly dispersed.

"...You are very interesting."

Melina smiled. "Then... I would be honored."

Melina placed her right hand in Lin Luo's palm.

Lin Luo's lips curved upward.

"Mount up!"

"Set sail!"