The Tree Sentinel Is Here!

I stepped through the doorway into a gentle, balmy breeze, a faint floral fragrance lingering in the air.

As far as I could see, the world was lush and green.

Beneath the distant horizon, cliffs towered high, and I could just make out a black castle standing majestically atop them.

That was Stormveil Castle-Stormveil, the final boss stronghold of Limgrave.

A little closer, another glimmer of grace shone... Sure enough, the "bank manager," White Mask, was there too.

He was a member of the Bloody Finger, a bunch particularly fond of stirring up trouble. In the game, he initially played more of a crestfallen character who discouraged players from continuing and didn't give people too much trouble. But here, in this real land, there was no telling what surprises might arise.

Besides, I don't have a single weapon right now. Better steer clear of him.

With that in mind, I quickly bent down, ready to sneak away.

Uh, don't tell me he's spotted me? He even looks like he's smiling... No, no, I must be imagining it. Varre's wearing a mask. How could he have an expression...?

Uh...

Sure enough, he'd spotted me. He even waved me over.

Left with no choice, I sighed and walked toward him.

I might as well activate the site of grace at his feet while I was there.

"Oh, you're Tarnished, are you? You came to these Lands Between seeking the Elden Ring. I know all about it. That must be the case." Varre produced a handkerchief from somewhere and gently wiped the smiling eyebrows off his mask.

Huh? Those were painted on!?

Whatever, forget that for now-

"But sadly, tragically, I have no Finger Maiden by my side." I beat him to it, delivering his discouraging line myself.

Varre froze for a moment, a hint of surprise passing behind his mask.

That was only natural. I'd played the game over and over, memorizing most of the dialogue without even meaning to. When I was going for the Frenzied Flame ending, I'd even cut him down right after stepping outside. Of course I knew him inside out.

Then Varre's foxlike eyes sized me up again, and he said with a smile, "Very good, very good. Since you already know, why set foot in this land at all? ...Without a Finger Maiden, you cannot know where guidance lies, nor gain the power of runes. An invitation to the Roundtable Hold is even further beyond your reach. You'll only die in obscurity."

"Mm-hmm, you're right about all that." I couldn't help interrupting him. "But I can see the guidance."

"Hmm?"

I reached out and touched the grace beside me. Its light gathered, tracing an arc through the air toward the castle on the cliff.

"All I have to do is touch grace, and it shows me the way forward," I said calmly.

"Oh-ho!" Varre clapped his hands, clearly quite interested in me. "It seems that even after your exile to the Wilderness, the Queen has not forsaken you. You still enjoy the blessings of grace."

"Hmm... In that case, I must offer you a warning." Varre turned to look toward Stormveil Castle. "Perhaps you still remember Stormveil, the castle atop that lofty cliff... But Stormveil Castle has long since changed hands. That ugly old demigod, Godrick the Grafted, is scouring this land for capable Tarnished like yourself, seeking to make them part of his strength."

"Uh, thanks for the warning." Whether I was capable was another matter, but Varre was probably acting out of goodwill for now, so I thanked him sincerely.

A little more delight appeared in his eyes, before he sighed again. "Such a pity that you truly have no Finger Maiden accompanying you, and cannot obtain the power of runes..."

As he spoke, he stole a few glances at me.

"If you're willing, I, Varre, do have an idea."

Ah, so he's trying to recruit me into the bank! Thanks, but no thanks. I already have my little wooden doll, Melina! I don't want you as my Finger Maiden!

So I cut Varre off without hesitation. "Ah... Well, ahem, I'd still like to wander around and have some fun. You can tell me your brilliant idea next time we meet. Until then, we'll meet again!"

With that, I patted Varre on the shoulder and dashed off to the side.

Varre's shout followed me. "Wait, that way is..."

Heh-heh, he's probably standing there completely bewildered.

After all, everyone in this world must crave power. Pacifists like me are probably pretty rare~

Neigh-

At the ringing whinny, a powerful, frame-rate-killing soundtrack automatically started playing in my head.

H-h-holy crap! The Tree Sentinel!

The knight in golden armor drove his steed straight at me like a charging war chariot. Beneath the Erdtree's radiance, his halberd gleamed as it swept toward me in a deadly arc.

I hurriedly threw myself sideways into a roll.

The sharp blade skimmed so close to my scalp that I felt a cold rush of air.

I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead! The second first-encounter deathtrap boss, also known as Elden Ring's refund killer! The overpowered starter-area monster that's trampled countless players!

How could I forget? He hunts Tarnished on the grass right beside the starting guidance point!

I don't have any weapons. I'd better run!

I put every ounce of strength into sprinting toward the mountain path on the other side of the grass. If I could just get up there, I'd reach the ruined Church of Elleh. Touching the site of grace inside should end the fight!

Oh, I can already see the church entrance...

The pounding hooves rapidly closed in. I turned my head, only to see the halberd's blade sweeping straight toward my face.

Frightened, I quickly ducked, dodging another attack.

To my surprise, the Tree Sentinel immediately hauled on the reins, twisting himself and his horse into an incredibly bizarre posture. He raised the enormous shield in his left hand and brought it crashing down like a falling mountain.

That's the move! It always hits me for a massive chunk of damage when I sneak up behind his ass!

I dodged with roll after roll, looking for all the world like a pill bug.

Fortunately, that move also left him stuck in recovery for quite a while. Once I got up, I hurried into the church.

The golden grace was right before my eyes.

At the other end of the ruined church, the Wandering Merchant, dressed like Santa Claus in his red hat and cloak, had clearly noticed me too. He put down his bowed instrument and greeted me. "Oh, a customer..."

Crash!

But the very next second, the already half-ruined wall at the side of the church was kicked apart.

Hey, hey, hey! This isn't right!

I've already touched the grace! Shouldn't the Tree Sentinel return to his starting patrol position and act like nothing happened? Why won't this guy leave me alone!?

The Wandering Merchant was clearly stunned by the sight as well, his dull yellow eyes widening.

"Let me borrow this!" Without another word, I vaulted onto the scrawny horse-donkey beside the Wandering Merchant.

The old merchant stamped his feet in alarm. "Y-you! What are you doing!?"

Can't you tell? Running for my life, obviously!

"You're coming too!" I grabbed the merchant by his clothes and hauled him onto the horse's back. At the same time, I squeezed hard with both legs, urging the mount beneath me to flee, narrowly avoiding the Tree Sentinel's leaping slash.

"Hyah!"

Holy crap, he's still chasing us!

With no other choice, I took the old merchant along on his scrawny horse-donkey and charged straight toward the woods a little way beyond the church.