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 Grace of Gold. It was a gathering place for heroes."
"They say the Roundtable Hold was even more prosperous back then. It even had powerful knights favored by the Ancient Dragons."
"My adoptive father, Sir Gideon Ofnir, was one of the Roundtable Hold's founders and is now its leader."
At the mention of her adoptive father, Nepheli Loux wore an admiring expression.
"My father is different from me. He is a learned scholar. He took me in when I was young and has been a guiding light before me."
"If he weren't busy right now, I would definitely introduce him to you."
Lucian nodded. In the game, Gideon Ofnir had massacred Albinauric Village, sent people to seize the Haligtree Secret Medallion, and tried to stop the player from becoming Elden Lord. He was a complete scheming bastard.
But when it came to being knowledgeable, there really was nothing to criticize.
Still, Lucian had always found it strange. Why had Gideon Ofnir tried to stop the player from becoming Elden Lord in the end?
Gideon Ofnir had never wanted to become a lord himself. What he had always pursued was knowledge.
Clearly, Queen Marika's guidance was for the Tarnished to become Elden Lord.
Yet before the battle, Gideon Ofnir, who had also received guidance, said, "Queen Marika wishes for us to maintain the status quo and struggle without end."
Had Gideon Ofnir lied because he did not want the Order to be completed, allowing him to live forever and satisfy his selfish desire for knowledge?
Or had the guidance he received not been Queen Marika's guidance at all?
Those matters were still too far away. Lucian merely let his thoughts wander for a moment before no longer dwelling on them.
There would be plenty of opportunities 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.
Then a voice suddenly called out to Nepheli Loux.
"Nepheli, you're showing another new compatriot around the Roundtable Hold today?"
Lucian looked toward the speaker and found that it was a Finger Maiden sitting at her stall, though nothing had been placed before her.
Nepheli Loux seemed familiar with her. She greeted her while leading Lucian over.
"Yeah. The moment he arrived, he scared everyone around the Roundtable half to death. I happened to be there, so I came to guide him."
The Maiden carefully examined Lucian, and surprise gradually appeared on her face.
"You can tell just from his stance. This warrior is terrifyingly strong."
"Right? You can tell at a glance."
Nepheli Loux casually patted Lucian's armor and introduced her to him.
"This is Maiden Therolina. Since she does not have a warrior traveling with her, she simply waits at the Roundtable Hold for a suitable companion. She also helps warriors without a Maiden 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 companion 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. Hopefully, Seluvis would not get his hands on her again.
"Um, Mr. Lucian, I see that you do not have a Maiden by your side..."
"Hm?"
Lucian was a little puzzled as to why she had suddenly asked that.
Wait, does she want to become my Maiden?
Sure enough, Therolina spoke again.
"Though it is somewhat difficult to say, 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 did not come with me."
Lucian hurriedly refused her.
What a joke. If you came along, how could Melina and I travel happily together?
Therolina revealed a disappointed expression.
"I see. I apologize. I was presumptuous..."
--
After leaving Therolina's stall, Nepheli Loux looked somewhat apologetic as she said to Lucian, "Please do not mind Therolina's presumption. You are a powerful warrior, so she merely wished to fulfill her duty."
"It's fine. Since my Maiden is not 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 who have a Maiden accompanying them?"
Nepheli Loux shook her head.
"Though there are several dozen, compared to the total number of people, those accompanied by a Maiden are still very few."
"Take me, for instance. I do not have a Maiden either. Therolina has helped me a great deal, and since we interact often, we can be considered friends."
As they spoke, Nepheli Loux led Lucian to a room. Scorching heat seeped through its door.
Lucian looked inside. The room held an enormous furnace, an anvil, and all manner of smithing tools.
A figure was hammering a weapon before the anvil.
It was the blacksmith Hewg.
Unlike in the game, Hewg now had a small room dedicated to him. That was not bad.
Nepheli Loux did not take Lucian inside to disturb him. Instead, she introduced him from outside the door.
"That is old man Hewg. Do not underestimate his craftsmanship just because he is a Misbegotten. He is forging right now, so we should not disturb him. Just come find him when you need to reinforce a weapon."
Lucian had nothing he urgently needed to reinforce for the moment, so he followed Nepheli Loux onward.
Suddenly, panting came from a nearby room.
Nepheli Loux frowned. It was clear that she did not like the owner of that room very much.
"The owner of this room is a woman named Fia. She... how should I put it? She is not very proper."
Without offering any further introduction, 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 was marking crosses on a map; and Diallos, who was wandering about in search of his servant.
They did not see Rogier. Lucian did not know whether he was already at Stormveil, or whether the panting from Fia's room earlier had come from the two of them.
Nepheli Loux also took Lucian past Gideon Ofnir's room, but its door was tightly shut. Only Ensha stood at the entrance striking a pose, so Nepheli Loux gave up on the idea of introducing Gideon Ofnir to Lucian.
Lucian clicked his tongue in wonder. The Roundtable Hold was much livelier now than it had been in the game, more like an adventurers' guild from another story.
After making a full circuit, they returned to the Roundtable.
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 closed now. 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 have not even defeated a single demigod holding a Great Rune."
Come join the group! Building the Roundtable Hold cannot wait! And then, please vote daily! ('')
Before you continue