Blaidd took Bagralim back to report to Ranni.
They left the head where it was. There was no need to bring it along.
Ranni knew Blaidd would never lie to her, so she needed no such proof.
Her trust in him was quite high.
After hearing Blaidd's report, Ranni asked Bagralim, "Did you fight him for a long time?"
"No. I cut his head off with one stroke." Bagralim offered no further description.
"Then why did it take so long?" Ranni was simply making conversation, asking whatever came to mind because she had nothing to ask.
"The forest. The roads were difficult, and we couldn't alert the target." Bagralim gave a brief explanation.
Ranni had never been to the Abundance Forest and knew little about conditions there.
So she had to take Bagralim at his word. She had no way to verify it.
She glanced at Blaidd, hoping he could offer an opinion.
"Bagralim is indeed quite capable," Blaidd said.
Merely quite capable?
Bagralim showed no reaction. He neither argued nor elaborated, simply waiting quietly for Ranni's decision.
Ranni considered for a moment, then asked, "What do you want from me?"
Bagralim had no choice but to repeat to Ranni what he had told Blaidd.
"You want to become my shadow?" Ranni was very surprised.
For a human to harbor such a "grand ambition" was truly unusual.
"But I already have Blaidd," Ranni said. "There is no place for you."
"That's all right. As long as I can serve an Empyrean, that's enough." Bagralim remained insistent.
Ranni glanced at Blaidd again.
Blaidd sighed. "Princess, Bagralim can help."
What he meant was: Princess, stop being so picky. We're lucky anyone came at all, much less someone so skilled. Take him in.
"Fine. As long as you can kill Godwyn and Miquella's