On the afternoon the Fingerslayer Blade was brought back to Liurnia, an unusual, almost uncanny stillness settled over Caria Manor.
On the top floor of Ranni's Magic Tower, moonlight fell through stained glass in dappled patterns. When Tarnished placed the dark, curved weapon in her hands, two of Ranni's four hands trembled-a rare sight indeed.
"So this is..." Her voice was soft, as though she feared disturbing something.
"The Fingerslayer Blade, the genuine article." Tarnished grinned. "It's not quite as impressive as the legends claim, but killing a Finger shouldn't be a problem."
Ranni did not answer immediately. With all four hands, she carefully traced the spiral patterns on the blade, her fingertips brushing over its ancient inscriptions before finally closing around the hilt. At that moment, she shut her eyes and drew a deep breath. When she opened them again, her blue eyes shone with something Tarnished had never seen before.
It was not the usual coldness and detachment of Ranni the witch. It looked more like... excitement?
"Good." There was a barely restrained eagerness in Ranni's voice. "Very good. With this, the final obstacle can be removed."
Tarnished could scarcely believe his eyes. The corners of Ranni's mouth had actually lifted a little. It was gone in an instant, but it had definitely been a smile. For that moment, she looked less like a witch plotting to overthrow the Order and more like a Carian princess who had just received her favorite toy-vibrant, lively, and touched with a young girl's playfulness.
"When are you planning to act?" Bernahl asked, leaning against the wall. With his own heart set on god-slaying, he was eager to see what came next. "Now that you have the blade, the next step is killing the Two Fingers controlling you, right?"
Ranni nodded and