Ranni

Leaving Caria Manor, Lin Luo could already imagine Loretta's furious expression.

But he was not worried. Once he activated the Sorcerer's Tower's Site of Grace, he would not need to pass through the manor again next time.

Still, he could imagine the scene when he ran into her again at the Haligtree.

But it was fine. Next time, he would just bring his wife Ranni along. He had even abducted the little princess of the Carian royal family; taking a sword as part of the dowry was not too much, was it...

Lin Luo thought to himself that if possible, he should spare Loretta's life and leave two survivors for the Carian royal family.

The journey continued, and before long, he arrived at Ranni's Sorcerer's Tower.

Lin Luo did not conceal his presence and strode openly into the tower.

At that moment... at the top of the Sorcerer's Tower.

Ranni naturally sensed Lin Luo's presence.

Ranni poked her small head out of the window, took a look, straightened the sorcerer's hat on her head, and sat upright, trying to make herself look more imposing.

However, Ranni's height was not exactly ideal, which meant that while sitting

in her chair, she had to raise her head to see Lin Luo's face.

Ranni's eyes darted around once, and she hurriedly brought over a stack of sorcery books from the side and placed them on the chair.

She sat on them, took in the broader view, and finally smiled in satisfaction.

Ranni adjusted her posture, placed her four little hands on her lap, pulled down the brim of her hat, and slowly closed her eyes, waiting for the Tarnished to arrive.

Upon entering the Sorcerer's Tower, Lin Luo could feel the temperature drop noticeably. Blue crystals and messy books were scattered all around.

It looked as though the place had not been tidied in a long time.

Lin Luo entered a room to the side and went up the stairs, looking quite familiar with the route.

He took the lift to the second floor, then followed the stairs winding around the tower to reach Ranni's room.

Ranni wore an enormous sorcerer's hat that concealed her head, making her look as though she were taking a nap.

But Lin Luo knew that the tsundere Ranni was only pretending.

Lin Luo did not expose her. He merely watched Ranni silently for a long while without saying a word.

That made Ranni, beside herself with anxiety. If she spoke first, everything she had set up would be ruined...

Seeing Ranni move slightly, Lin Luo could not help but smile...

Now Ranni finally had an excuse to wake up.

"Tarnished...?"

"A rather rare guest, aren't you?"

Ranni raised her head, but the wide brim of her hat allowed Lin Luo to see only her chin.

Yet even from that alone, he could tell that Ranni was beautiful.

"Have we met before? I don't believe I ever sent you an invitation."

Ranni asked.

"Hmm..."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Luo finally said, "We met before."

"Did we..."

Ranni froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Lin Luo to say that.

"I cannot find that memory..."

"Then... since you have come here, what business do you have?"

"I came to join you."

Lin Luo answered crisply and directly.

"If there is nothing else... Wait, what did you say?"

An incredulous look appeared on Ranni's pretty face. Well now, this Tarnished was not playing by the rules.

"Ahem..."

Ranni coughed twice to ease her embarrassment, then continued:

"That is quite interesting... Then our meeting here can be called fate pulling the strings..."

Ranni paused and looked at Lin Luo.

"Then, are you certain you wish to work for me?"

"I am Witch Ranni. I once stole Death, and now I seek the dark path of the Night."

"One day, I will betray everything and cast everything aside."

"...What do you think? It sounds quite interesting, does it not?"

"Hmm?"

Lin Luo tilted his head and looked at Ranni.

"What do you mean, betray everything..."

Lin Luo paused. "But I never set out to become a puppet lord of the Greater Will..."

Lin Luo slowly approached Ranni.

"I want to do..."

"Only one thing—kill the Greater Will..."

Ranni was stunned. If an ordinary person had spouted such nonsense before her, she would have thrown him directly from the top of the tower.

Yet when she saw the determination in Lin Luo's eyes... why did she find herself believing him for no reason?

In the end, Ranni spoke.

"Tarnished, you..."

"To kill the Greater Will is almost impossible..."

Ranni sighed. Even she could only rely on Godslayer's Greatsword to kill the Two Fingers, and while Godslayer's Greatsword might be able to harm the Greater Will, the damage would surely be limited.

And the Two Fingers were merely messengers of the Greater Will...

"Sooner or later, some creature of the earth must face the gods in the heavens... mustn't they?"

Lin Luo spoke slowly.

"If someone must do it, then that person can only be me."

"..."

Ranni fell silent.

"You are a very unusual Tarnished..."

"Hmm."

Lin Luo shrugged.

"My name is Lin Luo. I would be glad to help you."

Lin Luo extended his hand and held it out before Ranni.

However, Ranni showed no reaction at all.

Ranni looked at Lin Luo in confusion. She did not know what it meant.

Lin Luo awkwardly withdrew his hand.

"It is a custom from my homeland... I have not gotten used to changing it yet..."

"Is that so..."

"Then... I have a task for you right away."

"A half-wolf warrior named Blaidd is working for me."

"I need you to join forces with him and find the hidden treasure of Nokron, the Eternal City."

Ranni looked at Lin Luo, crossing her hands over her chest.

"I have already summoned Blaidd. He is downstairs now, so ask him for the details... Oh, and there is also Counselor Iji and Preceptor Seluvis. They should be here as well. They are rather independent-minded, so make use of them when necessary..."

"...Everyone takes what they need. They will not stand on ceremony either..."

"...It has been a long time since someone new joined us..."

"Are you looking for Godslayer's Greatsword?"

"?"

Ranni looked at Lin Luo in confusion. "How did you know?"

"If you want to kill the Fingers, I can help you..."

"I can help you do it now."

Lin Luo pursed his lips before continuing.

"But I still need to visit the Eternal City. There are things there that I need to take."

"So the seal of the Stars must be broken..."

"I must kill your brother..."

"Starscourage Radahn."

"Kill the Fingers?"

Ranni said in disbelief. Even after becoming a demigod for so many years, she had never been as shocked as she was today.

"The Death Rune was sealed away long ago. With those Death Runes stolen back then, it is nearly impossible to kill the Fingers."

"Now, aside from the supreme treasure within the Eternal City—Godslayer's Greatsword... nothing can harm them..."

"Well, you said so yourself..."

Lin Luo smiled and drew the Black Sword from his inventory.

"No time to waste. Let's go."

A dense aura of death rushed toward her. This was not merely a sword. Ranni instantly sensed that it contained Destined Death!

"Stop!"

For some reason, Ranni drew her staff, her eyes full of icy coldness.

"Who exactly are you?!"

This Tarnished before her was definitely not as simple as he appeared!

As a demigod, Ranni avoided the Death Rune at all costs. Maliketh guarded the Death Rune and possessed immense strength; even she might not be his match.

The origin of the Black Sword in Lin Luo's hand was truly worth pondering...