Everyone at the Roundtable Hold

Nepheli Loux continued leading Lucian around the Roundtable Hold, introducing its history along the way.

"The Roundtable Hold was established long before we Tarnished were stripped of the blessing of gold. It was a gathering place for heroes."

"They say the Roundtable Hold was even more prosperous back then, with mighty knights favored by the Ancient Dragons."

"My adoptive father, Sir Gideon Ofnir, was one of the founders of the Roundtable Hold and is now its leader."

At the mention of her adoptive father, Nepheli Loux wore an expression of admiration.

"My father is different from me. He is a learned scholar who adopted me when I was young. He is the beacon that guides me forward."

"If he weren't occupied right now, I would definitely introduce you to him."

Lucian nodded. In the game, Gideon Ofnir would slaughter Albinauric Village, send people to seize the Haligtree Secret Medallion, and stop the player from becoming Elden Lord. He was a truly scheming bastard.

But when it came to being knowledgeable, there was really nothing to criticize.

Yet Lucian had always found one thing strange: why would Gideon Ofnir stop the player from becoming Elden Lord in the end?

Gideon Ofnir did not seek to become lord himself. What he had always pursued was knowledge.

Clearly, Queen Marika's guidance was for the Tarnished to become Elden Lord.

Yet before their battle, Gideon Ofnir, who had received that same guidance, said that Queen Marika wished for them to maintain the status quo and struggle without end.

Was that simply a lie Gideon Ofnir told because he did not want the Order completed, allowing him to live forever and indulge his selfish desire for knowledge?

Or had the guidance he received not come from Queen Marika at all?

Those matters were still far too distant. Lucian merely let his thoughts wander for a moment before he stopped dwelling on them.

There would be plenty of chances to investigate them later. For now, he should listen to Nepheli Loux's introduction.

The two continued through the corridors. Small rooms lined both sides, where one could rest by spending Runes.

From time to time, Tarnished had set up little stalls to sell or trade materials and items they had acquired.

Suddenly, someone called out to Nepheli Loux.

"Nepheli, are you showing another new compatriot around the Roundtable Hold today?"

Lucian looked toward the speaker and found a Maiden sitting at her stall, though there was nothing laid out in front of her.

Nepheli Loux seemed familiar with her. She greeted her as she led Lucian over.

"Yeah. The moment he arrived, he gave everyone around the Roundtable Hold quite a fright. I happened to be there, so I showed him around."

The Maiden carefully examined Lucian, and surprise gradually appeared on her face.

"You can tell just from the way he stands. This warrior is frighteningly strong."

"Right? You can tell at a glance."

Nepheli Loux casually patted Lucian's armor and introduced her to him.

"This is the Maiden Therolina. She has no warrior traveling with her, so she waits at the Roundtable Hold for a suitable companion. In the meantime, she helps warriors without Maidens convert Runes into strength. Of course, she charges a small fee."

Therolina rose to her feet and gave Lucian a slight bow.

"Lucian. Just an unknown nobody who has only just arrived."

Lucian was somewhat surprised. He remembered that name.

Therolina, a Maiden without a warrior at her side, who would ultimately be turned into a puppet by Seluvis.

He had not expected her to be offering leveling services at the Roundtable Hold now. He just hoped Seluvis would not find her again.

"Um, Mr. Lucian, I see that you do not have a Maiden by your side..."

"Hm?"

Lucian was puzzled as to why she had suddenly asked that.

Wait, does she want to become my Maiden?

Sure enough, Therolina spoke again.

"Though it may be presumptuous, if you do not have a Maiden, could I accompany you as one?"

"Uh, sorry to disappoint you, but I do have a Maiden. She just didn't come with me."

Lucian quickly refused her.

What a joke. If she came along, how was he supposed to travel happily with Melina?

Therolina looked disappointed.

"I see. I'm sorry, I was presumptuous..."

--

After leaving Therolina's stall, Nepheli Loux looked somewhat apologetic as she said to Lucian,

"Please don't mind Therolina's presumption. You are a powerful warrior, and she merely wished to fulfill her duty."

"It's fine. Since my Maiden isn't by my side, a misunderstanding was unavoidable."

Lucian happened to think of a question and asked Nepheli Loux,

"Come to think of it, are there many people in the Roundtable Hold accompanied by Maidens?"

Nepheli Loux shook her head.

"Though there are a few dozen, compared to the total number, very few have Maidens by their side."

"Take me, for example. I don't have a Maiden either. Therolina has helped me a great deal, and since we interact often, I suppose we can be called friends."

As they spoke, Nepheli Loux brought Lucian before a room. Scorching heat spilled through its door.

Lucian looked inside. The room contained an enormous furnace, an anvil, and all sorts of smithing tools.

A figure was hammering away at a weapon before the anvil.

It was the blacksmith Hewg.

Unlike in the game, Hewg now had a dedicated little room. That was not bad at all.

Nepheli Loux did not bring Lucian inside to disturb him. Instead, she introduced him from outside the door.

"That is old man Hewg. Don't underestimate his craftsmanship just because he is a Misbegotten. He is forging right now, so we won't disturb him. Come find him when you need to reinforce your weapons."

Lucian did not have anything he urgently needed to reinforce, so he continued on with Nepheli Loux.

Suddenly, panting came from a room nearby.

Nepheli Loux frowned. It was clear she did not like the room's owner very much.

"The owner of this room is a woman named Fia. She... how should I put it? She is not very respectable."

Without saying anything more, Nepheli Loux quickly led Lucian away.

After that, Nepheli Loux showed Lucian the place where commissions were posted and accepted, the Twin Maiden Husks who sold all sorts of items, and the kitchen that provided meals.

They also happened to meet Corhyn, who taught incantations; D, who marked crosses on maps; and Diallos, who was wandering around in search of his retainers.

They did not see Rogier. Lucian did not know whether he was already in Stormveil, or whether the panting from Fia's room earlier had been from the two of them.

Nepheli Loux also took Lucian past Gideon Ofnir's room, but its door was tightly shut. Only Ensha was posing outside, so Nepheli Loux gave up on the idea of introducing Gideon Ofnir to Lucian.

Lucian clicked his tongue in amazement. The current Roundtable Hold was much livelier than in the game, more like an adventurers' gathering from another story.

After making a full circuit, they returned to the Roundtable Hold.

Nepheli Loux pointed at the heavy door and introduced the most important place in the Roundtable Hold to Lucian.

"Beyond that door are the Two Fingers. But the Two Fingers' door is currently shut, and only special people may be summoned by them."

"Such as the Confessors who obey the Two Fingers, my adoptive father Sir Gideon Ofnir, and warriors who have obtained a Great Rune."

Nepheli Loux's expression turned solemn.

"But so far, we haven't defeated even a single demigod bearing a Great Rune."

Come join the group! Building the Roundtable Hold cannot wait! And please vote every day! ('')