"Before we go any further, may I ask who you are? Are you like the others, here for the combat festival at Redmane Castle?"
Philia wanted to understand her savior's origins before explaining everything.
While hiding, she had watched him not only dispatch the rot-infested dragon but also systematically purge the Caelid highway with fire. Even now, the lingering embers made it impossible for the Scarlet Rot to reclaim the road. A man of such power might be the key to making her recent discovery truly effective.
Gawain didn't deny it. He simply nodded toward the horizon.
"I am indeed an invitee for the festival. I also happen to be interested in dealing with the Scarlet Rot. So, what exactly did you do to provoke that dragon? You didn't try to pluck its last healthy scale, did you?"
Philia shook her head vigorously. Those tattered scales were useless for perfumery.
"I'm not that foolish. I was searching for a specific material and got too close to its territory. I accidentally made some noise, it spotted me, and it chased me all the way from the Cathedral of Dragon Communion to here."
"And what material is worth such a risk?"
Philia hesitated, then decided to trust him. Researching alone was a slow, death-defying process; she had nearly lost her life just gathering samples. She gestured for him to follow her into the cave.
"Follow me. This has been my refuge for the past few days. I have something to show you."
Inside the cave, which remained untouched by the Rot, Philia let out a sigh of relief. The air was cool, and the walls were covered in green moss. The faint sound of running water suggested a branch of the Siofra River flowed nearby—likely the reason the corruption hadn't taken hold here.
In a cleared-out corner, various delicate tools were arranged. Stains and residues on the equipment indicated they were used for crafting aromatics.
"I found this by chance. If my research is correct, this substance can neutralize the Scarlet Rot and stop its spread."
Philia pulled several moldy mushrooms from her satchel. To prove her claim, she produced a small vial containing a trace of Scarlet Rot. She sprinkled a bit of powder derived from the mushrooms into the vial; the sickly scarlet and white ichor instantly faded, turning into something indistinguishable from ordinary soil.
"It's a highly toxic mushroom, yet it thrives in the heart of the corruption by suppressing it. Isn't the irony of life wonderful?"
Gawain leaned in to inspect the result. It was exactly as she described. He looked at the moldy fungi—Toximushrooms.
In the game, these were mere crafting materials for poison pots, but the lore descriptions hinted at their significance as a defense against the Rot. The ancient "Mushroom Kings" who served the Rot wore crowns made of these, likely as a means to survive their environment.
He hadn't realized their practical application until meeting this perfumer. It made sense; in the current Lands Between, wandering perfumers were the foremost experts on the properties of rare flora.
"Life always finds a way," Gawain mused, setting the mushroom down. He was genuinely interested in her. He was currently building his strength, and a talented perfumer was exactly what his "cabinet" lacked.
"I'm interested in your findings. However, this cave is no place for a laboratory. I'm heading to Redmane Castle, and you're coming with me. I will provide you with the best research environment possible. In exchange, you will provide me with results on how to combat the Rot. How does that sound?"
Philia pondered for a moment. She had been living in poverty for far too long. Forget Redmane Castle—even a minor lord in Limgrave was usually beyond her reach. Now, a powerful patron was offering her a golden opportunity.
"It's a deal. But my research consumes a vast amount of materials. That powder you saw is expensive to produce. Without specific neutralizing agents, the Toximushroom itself is a deadly poison. Can you truly meet my demands?"
Gawain offered a confident smirk. The perks of ruling a kingdom were many.
"The resources of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula should suffice. And if that's not enough, we'll eventually add Caelid to the list. If you need something specific or a bulk supply, just tell me. I'll make it happen. Pack your things; we're going."
Philia stared at him in disbelief. His confidence was infectious, and his display against the dragon backed it up. Thinking of the massive storm she had seen over Stormveil recently, she wondered if she had just stumbled upon the new King.
I've hit the jackpot, she thought. While being chased by a dragon was terrifying, if she could secure a position as a royal perfumer, her life would be as comfortable as those in the Capital. She scurried to pack her belongings.
"Wait just a moment! Let me get everything together, and we'll depart!"
Once Philia had gathered her gear, they left the cave. The sun was setting, painting the sky in a bruised orange and red. They were close to the Cathedral, and Gawain estimated they could reach Redmane Castle before nightfall.
His only regret was not seeing the Banished Knight of the Cathedral—he always thought that specific armor set looked particularly dashing.
He summoned Torrent and looked back at Philia, who was lugging a massive backpack and looking hesitant.
"Hop on. We're in a hurry. You know how dangerous Caelid gets at night."
"Right. Thank you, milord."
Gawain carved a path through any Pests that dared approach, riding straight for the Impassable Greatbridge. Redmane Castle sat perched on the cliffs ahead, looking somber and tragic against the darkening sky.
The fortress lacked the sheer architectural scale of Stormveil, but it was a titan of the Lands Between nonetheless. Gawain gazed at the battlements, thinking of the stories etched into its stones—of the Starscourge's triumph over the stars and the desperate, final stand of the Shattering. Now, it was like a dying patient, clinging to past glory while fighting a losing battle against the Rot.
As they approached, several siege engines on the walls swiveled to face them. Gawain's flashy arrival hadn't gone unnoticed.
At the bridgehead, soldiers were busy disposing of corpses—both of rotting beasts and of their own comrades who had lost their minds to the infection. If left untended, these bodies would simply become fuel for the Scarlet Rot, much like the Cleanrot Knights still wandering the swamps.
The Redmane army maintained its discipline. Every so often, a pustule-covered crow would try to fly over the walls, only to be shot down instantly.
Gawain didn't try to force his way in. He dismissed Torrent and waited. Shortly after, two fully armed Radahn Soldiers emerged from the bridgehead fortification.
"Halt! State your business!"
Gawain pointed to Philia, then produced the letter from Castellan Jerren.
"I am here at the invitation of your Castellan for the combat festival. Send word; he will confirm my identity. This perfumer is my companion."
Seeing the letter, the soldiers relaxed slightly. The pressure Gawain radiated was immense, and the last thing Redmane Castle needed was more trouble. One soldier took the letter and rode back to verify it, while the other escorted Gawain and Philia across the bridge to a temporary waiting area.
There was little conversation. Gawain observed the Radahn soldiers they passed; their faces were etched with numbness and exhaustion. Many showed the early signs of "hollowing"—the byproduct of a war that had dragged on far too long.
Once his identity was confirmed, a Redmane Knight came to receive him. The heavy portcullis of the main gate groaned open. This time, there was no need to climb ladders; they entered through the front door.
Philia, having been away from civilization for so long, looked around with excitement. But as they stepped inside, several Lion Guardians—similar to the ones in Stormveil—snarled and hissed at her. She shrank back, clutching her satchel. If she hadn't been out of Spark Aromatics, she might have tossed a bottle to scare them off.
The Redmane Knight barked a command, and the scarred beasts retracted their claws. Their bodies were covered in jagged wounds, silent witnesses to the carnage they had survived.
The interior of the castle was more active than expected. Aside from the army, Gawain saw various outsiders—from apprentice mages of Sellia to high-ranking sages. They were all here for the festival. It seemed the Redmane territory and the Town of Sorcery still maintained a tenuous connection despite the Rot.
Gawain scanned the crowd for familiar faces but saw none. Alexander the Jar was likely still lost in a tunnel somewhere.
The knight led them to their quarters—a high-spec guest suite with two bedrooms. It was far more spacious than the cramped barracks below.
"You'll stay here for now," Gawain told Philia. "If you can, prepare some practical aromatics for me. I don't need offensive ones; I want the kind that enhance my own strength."
"Understood," Philia replied. "I'll set up a temporary lab. I should be able to meet your needs before the festival begins. But... could you help me source some rare materials I'm missing?"
"Make a list. If I can find them, I'll bring them to you."
Gawain wasn't taking the upcoming fight with Radahn lightly. The man was the strongest of the Demigods; God only knew what he was truly capable of. Every advantage mattered.
Just as he was about to say more, the ground shuddered violently. A massive, crushing pressure washed over the castle. From the distance, an ear-splitting roar echoed—the unmistakable cry of General Radahn.
Gawain was stunned. Based on the map, they were still a long way from the desert where the General was sealed. In the game, you had to cross the central plaza—where the Misbegotten and Crucible Knight fight occurred—to reach Jerren's tower, and then travel even further into the dunes. To feel such power from here was staggering.
"What was that? An earthquake?" Philia steadied her backpack as it nearly slid off the table. She looked worried; Redmane Castle didn't seem as safe as she'd hoped.
"Don't worry," Gawain said, his eyes narrowing toward the desert. "You'll get used to it over the next few days. I'm going out for a bit."
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (127 chapter - Ongoing)
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