Kaiden Mercenaries

Lucian gripped his halberd tightly in his right hand, his left resting on the sword hilt, ready to draw at any moment.

Though Kaiden Mercenaries were not especially strong in the game, they were no pushover like ordinary roadside soldiers.

Moreover, Kaiden Mercenaries often traveled in groups.

If there were other Kaiden Mercenaries nearby, Lucian did not think he could handle them easily.

The Kaiden Mercenary beside the campfire stood up and casually slung his large curved sword over his shoulder, watching Lucian warily.

The White Wolf also slowly padded over to the Kaiden Mercenary's side.

The two sides were at a standoff, yet neither made the first move.

Lucian had no intention of attacking first. He knew his own limits.

It was this body that was strong, not him. If they truly fought, victory was not guaranteed to come easily.

Besides, he wanted to know whether people here could communicate. In the game, every enemy charged at the protagonist like a rabid dog upon seeing them. This one was different.

He noticed me, but he doesn't seem to mean to attack. I wonder if we can communicate.

Or is he waiting for someone?

Lucian pondered.

I should speak first and test whether he means harm.

"I mean no harm. I drifted here from the sea, and when I saw the firelight, I came to take a look."

"If there is no need for it, I do not wish to engage in meaningless conflict."

The Kaiden Mercenary continued staring at Lucian, giving him a headache.

Damn it, don't tell me there's a language barrier. That would be awful.

After thinking it over, Lucian decided to communicate in a more primitive way.

His right hand still gripped the halberd tightly, while his left moved away from the sword hilt. He opened his palm and slowly showed that he was holding nothing.

Then he reached into the small pouch at his side and pulled out a glittering golden necklace, one of the Grafted Scion's relics.

Lucian threw it toward the Kaiden Mercenary with all his strength.

The Kaiden Mercenary caught the necklace in one hand, looking from it to Lucian and back again.

Lucian did not dare relax. Though he had continually taken the initiative to show goodwill, he remained ready to fight at any moment.

After the Elden Ring shattered, even this land had begun to go mad. These were chaotic times.

Fortunately, the Kaiden Mercenary was the first to toss his large curved sword onto the ground. He then whistled, and the White Wolf retreated at the sound, though it remained alert.

"Tarnished... My last assignment was to hunt Tarnished."

"But you are lucky. I have no employer now."

Lucian let out a sigh of relief. The other man could communicate, and they even spoke the same language. That was wonderful.

"That is great. I am a peace-loving person, but—"

Lucian changed his tone.

"If we really fought, you might not necessarily beat me."

The Kaiden Mercenary laughed outright at that.

"Heh heh, as descendants of warriors, the Tarnished have fought countless battles. I admit you have some skill, but you claim to love peace?"

"The power is mine. I can choose whether to use it. If words can resolve something, I would rather not resort to violence."

"..."

Hakan gave Lucian a long look. He was not particularly educated, but even he knew that peace was a distant word in the Lands Between.

"You are very different from the Tarnished I have killed."

Lucian smiled. Compulsory education was no joke.

"You are also different from the Kaiden Mercenaries I have heard about."

"Oh? You know of the Kaiden Mercenaries? How am I different?"

"I do not know your name yet. Tell me, and I will tell you."

"Heh. Before asking another person's name, should you not give your own first?"

Lucian thought about it. He had nothing to hide, so he told him openly.

"Lucian. As you can see, I am a Tarnished who came in pursuit of the throne of Elden Lord."

"...Hakan."

Lucian nodded.

"Then we know each other now."

Hakan frowned.

"Enough nonsense. Tell me. What is different?"

"All right, all right. What an impatient fellow."

Lucian looked around before speaking.

"The Kaiden Mercenaries I heard of rode warhorses and traveled the battlefield in groups with wolves at their sides. Yet you are alone on this beach. And earlier, it was the wolf's howl that alerted you to my presence. I guessed that if I had not drifted here, this beach should have been completely empty. That is why you were so relaxed by the fire. If strangers were around, a warrior would not let his guard down."

"A warrior... I am merely a wanderer without a homeland now. I cannot be called a warrior."

Hakan spoke with some sadness.

Lucian's eyes lit up. Did this guy actually have some kind of story? Sure enough, this was completely different from the game.

"What do you mean, without a homeland? I heard that Kaiden Mercenaries came from the vast snowy mountains in the north. Can't you return?"

Hakan shot Lucian a glare.

"That is none of your business. We are not close enough for that, are we?"

"Haha, all right. Then for the sake of that necklace, can you tell me how to leave this place?"

Seeing that the other man had no intention of continuing, Lucian did not press the matter.

This was what it was like when your favorability was too low to advance the side quest. Lucian was all too familiar with it.

Hakan was not stingy when it came to this question.

"I rowed here along the coast in a small boat. This is an isolated beach, and the cliffs around it are too steep to climb up or down."

"Oh! Then can I hitch a ride on your boat and leave with you? I am willing to give you more jewelry as payment."

"What a fine deal. Unfortunately, my boat struck a reef by the shore and was damaged a few days ago. My companions and I were fortunate enough to escape without injury."

Hakan pointed at the warhorse and the White Wolf beside him.

"To be honest, I have also been looking for a way out. Today, I found a cave. I was planning to rest up and enter it tomorrow to search for an exit, but then I ran into you."

Hearing that there was a chance to leave, Lucian could not help but feel happy.

When he had heard that the boat was damaged, he had thought he would be trapped here.

He had finally escaped that isolated island of the Chapel of Anticipation. If he ended up imprisoned somewhere else instead, he would break down.

"Haha, what a coincidence. Then shall we explore it together tomorrow?"

But unexpectedly, Hakan rejected Lucian's proposal.

"It is a fine suggestion, is it not? But I refuse."