To Roundtable Hold

Everyone was surprised by Melina's sudden appearance, and Melina had not expected to find herself facing so many people either.

She froze for a moment, then slowly withdrew behind Tarnished, hiding in his shadow as she pulled her hood over her head.

Huh?!

Tarnished had discovered a whole new world.

Was Melu actually an introvert? How cute.

"Is she... a Finger Maiden?" Kenneth Haight asked the question on everyone's mind.

"No."

"Then how can she take you to Roundtable Hold?"

"As I said, breaking the rules has always been the privilege of those who make them."

Now everyone understood. Their eyes turned toward Melina, who was hiding behind Tarnished.

The rules of Roundtable Hold had been laid down by the Two Fingers. As the divine envoy, they wielded divine power. If this girl could break those rules, that meant she possessed divine power on the same level.

An incarnation of some unknown deity? Or perhaps an unrecorded daughter of the Goddess... a Demigod?

Everyone had their own suspicions. Melina had expected an interrogation, but they merely nodded to her, with no intention of prying further.

Melina: ?

"Don't worry," Tarnished reassured her with a smile. "Everyone here is a good person. As for who Melu really is, she can tell us whenever she feels ready."

Melina looked around. Indeed, nobody was demanding that she reveal her identity, which put her considerably more at ease.

Kenneth Haight bowed and began, "Me... er."

"Melina. Her name is Melina."

"Oh, Miss Melina, thank you for lending Stormveil your aid. May I ask whether you truly can take people to Roundtable Hold?"

"I can, but only Tarnished," Melina answered quietly.

"One person? Can't you take a few more? At least take us along!" Laurendi said urgently.

Melina glanced at the two Crucible Knights and shook her head. "No. The power of the Two Fingers ensures that Roundtable Hold admits only Tarnished. Besides, my own power is limited. I can only guide the person I inhabit."

At that, both Crucible Knights gave up completely.

"As Melina said, I'll go alone." Tarnished rose.

Rogier also staggered to his feet. "I'll go with you."

"No need, Roger. You're weak right now. You'd only be a burden," Tarnished said frankly.

"It's my fault for being careless," Rogier said regretfully. "If I'd been more vigilant, I wouldn't have..."

"Don't take all the blame yourself. The ones at fault are those who hurt others, not the people they hurt." Tarnished looked around at everyone. "Don't worry. I'll bring Nepheli back..."

Before he could finish, Bernahl pushed open the door and entered. "Gideon Ofnir won't allow it. That man is arrogance incarnate, and nothing matters more to him than his authority."

"So I should give up just because he won't allow it?" Tarnished countered. "Who does he think he is? The Greater Will?"

Bernahl sighed. "Tarnished, don't act on impulse. Gideon Ofnir may not be particularly likable, but his strength is beyond question. As his name suggests, he possesses extraordinary wisdom and is adept at all kinds of magic. He was also one of the founders of the original Roundtable Hold, giving him immense standing. His spies are scattered throughout the Lands Between, providing him with countless pieces of intelligence and secrets. Offending a man like him would bring Stormveil nothing but harm as it stands now. Aren't you always saying we need to unite everyone's strength? You should be winning him over, not defying him."

"I never intended to defy him," Tarnished said. "I just want to bring Nepheli back and get a little revenge for Roger while I'm there. Stormveil will create a new age in which everyone can be happy. But before we accomplish that great undertaking, we'll also keep our feet on the ground and protect every one of our people. The fellow who hurt Roger is called Ensha, right? Wherever he hides, however far he runs, I'll make him pay!"

Bernahl shook his head. "Ensha is Gideon Ofnir's attendant. Do you think he'll just watch you deal with Ensha? You'd be slapping him in the face, and in Roundtable Hold, his own territory, no less. He'll certainly intervene!"

"Then let him try."

"Of course he will! I know you're talented, but you're no match for Gideon Ofnir right now. You can't beat him!"

That was true. Tarnished had been busy developing production and had hardly spent any time "killing monsters to level up." Whatever runes he had managed to scrape together by clearing out roaming enemies had all gone toward buying supplies from Kale. Even now, he was still level 31, just as he had been when he fought Godrick.

Bernahl's words surprised everyone. Was Gideon Ofnir really that formidable?

"Is he that strong?" Kenneth Haight asked curiously. "Tarnished defeated Godrick, a Shardbearer."

"Godrick isn't worth a damn! He was only called a Shardbearer because of his bloodline, not his strength. I could take someone like him down with one hand, and so could Gideon Ofnir!"

Indeed, Gideon Ofnir was the third-to-last main-story boss, while Godrick was only the first. The difference in their stats was easy enough to imagine.

"This gentleman is right," Rogier said with a sigh. "Against Godrick, I'd have some confidence in holding my own. But Sir Gideon Ofnir could probably kill me with a single spell."

Everyone drew in a sharp breath. Was this the strength of a founder of Roundtable Hold?

They looked at Tarnished with concern.

"All right." Tarnished quickly compromised. "Then revenge for Roger can wait. I'll just bring Nepheli back."

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

Tarnished continued, "We can't ignore the Village of the Albinaurics either. Edgar."

"Here!"

"Take our army and head out at once to reinforce the Village of the Albinaurics."

"Yes!" Edgar accepted the order, then hesitated. "But the Village of the Albinaurics belongs to Liurnia. Sending Stormveil's army in would mean crossing the border. I'm afraid the Academy might take issue with it."

"Leave that to me," Kenneth Haight volunteered. "I'm fairly good at diplomatic language. I'll handle negotiations with the Academy."

"Ahem. Take this weapon with you." Sellen's projection suddenly emerged amid a shimmer of starlight and handed Kenneth Haight a golden dagger with an undulating blade.

"Glintstone Snickers?" Tarnished read out the golden dagger's name, earning himself a knock on the head from Sellen's staff.

"What do you mean, Glintstone Snickers? It's the Glintstone Kris!"

[Glintstone Kris]: A treasured blade created by Raya Lucaria Academy to celebrate its peaceful coexistence with the Royal Capital of Leyndell. Fashioned from rare glintstone and ornamented in the style of the Erdtree, its curved blade symbolizes an ancient ritual.

"Those fellows at the Academy have always wanted this dagger as proof of their legitimacy. Unfortunately for them, it has remained in the keeping of the sorcerers of the Primeval Current," Sellen said. "Give it to them as a gift, and they won't have any complaints about Stormveil crossing the border."

Kenneth Haight accepted it with both hands and asked cautiously, "Are you truly willing to give away something so precious?"

"No matter how precious it is, it's still just an object. A lousy dagger can't prove whether someone is legitimate." A mischievous note entered Sellen's voice. "I'll give it away today and steal it back tomorrow. Problem solved."

Everyone was speechless. What could Kenneth Haight possibly say? All he could manage was, "Thank you."

The two Crucible Knights were equally obliging. "We'll help you steal it back."

Edgar nodded repeatedly as well.

Tarnished took Sellen's hand and asked, "Teacher, has your body recovered?"

"Of course not." Sellen pinched the back of his hand, exasperated with her hopeless pupil. "But when my foolish apprentice runs into trouble, how could his teacher keep sleeping?"

Tarnished laughed and gave Sellen a warm embrace, declaring without the slightest reserve, "I love you most, Teacher!"

"W-what are you saying, you wretched apprentice? Let go of your teacher! With strength like that, are you a Rune Bear?"

Tarnished released his beloved teacher, looked around at everyone, and continued assigning duties. "Stormveil will reinforce the Village of the Albinaurics. Edgar will command, with the Crucible Knights Laurendi and Rodini leading the vanguard. Meanwhile, we mustn't neglect Stormveil's defenses. Spread the word: halt all work outside, and have the elderly and children take shelter in Stormveil Castle. Issue weapons to the young men and women, and have Alexander the Warrior Jar lead them on patrol. Put Mako and the Demi-Humans in charge of defending the walls. Also, Roger, make a trip to Mistwood. Blaidd should be underground there. Find him and bring him back to help bolster our defenses."

"No problem." Rogier hesitated, then asked, "Will Blaidd agree?"

"He will," Tarnished said with a smile. "Tell him that if he helps, Stormveil will treat him to a month's worth of lamb hot pot."

Everyone laughed. Inviting a powerful warrior with a little food would have been terribly disrespectful, but it was just right for inviting a friend.

Blaidd was a friend, so lamb hot pot was enough.

Tarnished finished his orders. "Everyone, get moving!"

"Yes!"

Everyone rose together and set about their respective duties.

"Wait!" Bernahl, who had been ignored, shouted. "Did any of you actually listen to me? Stormveil shouldn't be opposing Gideon Ofnir right now! Tarnished is young and hotheaded. It's bad enough that you won't dissuade him, but why are you joining him in this madness?"

Kenneth Haight sighed. "I'd like to dissuade him too, but I know it wouldn't work. All I can do is fill in the gaps in his plan as best I can."

"Hahaha!" Edgar laughed heartily. "That's just how Tarnished is."

"There's no curing an impulsive fool," Laurendi said, as sharp-tongued as ever.

"He is impulsive," Rodini said, repeating his usual refrain. "But not unlikable."

"No!" Bernahl was on the verge of losing his mind. "You're going to gamble everything for this Nepheli? Didn't you work yourselves to the bone to build what you have now? Who even is this Nepheli, anyway? Tarnished's woman?"

"Nepheli isn't my woman. She's a companion who fought alongside us. Stormveil will never abandon a companion, and neither will I." Tarnished bowed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Bernahl. Please forgive us for neglecting you during this time!"

With that, he picked up his sword and shield and looked at Melina. She offered her hand, he took it, and the two vanished amid a shimmer of starlight.

Everyone else immediately went to work. Before long, Bernahl was the only one left in the office.

Bernahl looked down at his hands. Though he had washed them countless times, the smell of blood on them only grew stronger.

"Did that get under your skin?"

Hearing his old friend's voice, Bernahl turned. It was Istvan, the old knight.

"He won't abandon a single companion," Istvan said wistfully. "Don't you think Tarnished is a lot like you used to be?"

"But now I'm just a bastard with his companions' blood all over his hands." Bernahl regained his composure and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Because Tarnished said Stormveil's gates would always be open to me."

"Hmph. He certainly treats you well."

"He does. Tarnished treats me very well. You could even call it respect, though I don't know where that respect comes from."

"So you intend to help him defend the castle?"

Istvan smiled.

That smile made Bernahl shudder. Another possibility suddenly occurred to him. "Hey, you're only going to help defend the castle, right? Right?"

Istvan kept smiling. His smile was incredibly warm, and he had already made up his mind about something.

After a brief spell of dizziness, Tarnished felt solid ground beneath his feet again. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was an enormous round table bristling with all manner of weapons, like a burial mound built of swords. At its summit shone an enormous Site of Grace, like a sun without the glare, radiating gentle light.

Sites of Grace in the outside world were only the size of a palm, but this one stood more than twice a person's height.

The Sites of Grace outside were gifts from Goddess Marika, while the grace here was the mercy of the Two Fingers.

Though their function was the same, judging by size, the Two Fingers had the upper hand. This also indirectly suggested that their power might be no less than Goddess Marika's.

"Oh, a new Tarnished has come to Roundtable Hold. It's been a very long time since the last newcomer." A hoarse, aged voice rang out. Tarnished looked toward it and saw a slightly stooped figure in light armor standing by a nearby wall, with a scepter planted on the ground.

The man continued, "Very good. As a senior member of Roundtable Hold, I welcome you, young newcomer. It's safe here, so make yourself comfortable. But as your senior, I would first offer a word of advice. All you have earned at present is permission to enter Roundtable Hold. In other words, you're merely a visitor. Keep that firmly in mind, and don't overstep your bounds. Do you understand?"

Well, damn. Starting with the mind games straight away?

Tarnished had already been through this once and felt absolutely nothing. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I am Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing." Having introduced himself, Gideon gave a cold snort. "What, displeased at being called a visitor? No matter. Frankly, I've had enough of your kind-those who treat Roundtable Hold as a refuge for Tarnished, abandoning their mission and fearing battle. Those fallen so low they can no longer even see grace aren't worth wasting my breath on. If you wish to prove yourself, recall the words you heard when you received grace. Defeat a Shardbearer and obtain a Great Rune. Then another door in Roundtable Hold will open to you. Beyond it dwells the divine envoy. Yes, precisely as you imagine. Only after hearing the teachings of the Two Fingers will you become a true member of Roundtable Hold."

"First, out of courtesy, I'll introduce myself too. My name is Tarnished, as in the Tarnished. Second, I didn't come here to become a member of Roundtable Hold. I only want to bring Nepheli back." Tarnished stated his purpose.

"You're Tarnished?" Gideon Ofnir looked him up and down and made his decision. "Nepheli is my daughter. What right do you have to take her away?"

"Because her father's attendant stabbed her viciously. Is that reason enough?" Tarnished remained unwavering. "I have no wish to be your enemy, Sir Gideon Ofnir, so let's settle this peacefully. As long as you let Nepheli go, I'm willing to accept any condition."

"Any condition?" Gideon Ofnir asked. "If I demand the Great Rune you hold, would you give it to me?"

"No problem."

As he spoke, Tarnished took out Godrick's Great Rune—the central and most important fragment of the Elden Ring, its anchor rune, the Center of the Elden Ring.

Gideon Ofnir's gaze was immediately drawn to it. A moment later, he asked in bewilderment, "What is your relationship with Nepheli?"

"Comrades who fought side by side? And friends who get along well in everyday life," Tarnished answered honestly.

"Comrades? Friends?" Gideon Ofnir asked incredulously. "For that alone, you're willing to exchange a Great Rune for her?"

"That's right."

"Are you mad?"

"Have you considered the possibility," Tarnished countered, "that you're the mad one?"

Gideon Ofnir stared at Tarnished, and Tarnished stared back.

Suddenly, Gideon Ofnir reached for the Great Rune, but Tarnished withdrew his hand in time and put it back in his pocket.

"I want to see Nepheli first," Tarnished said.

Gideon Ofnir fell silent for a few seconds, then said, "Follow me."