Following the conclusion of the battle, the Redmane Knights, who had been waiting at the edge of the battlefield, mobilized quickly. They began the grim task of clearing the dunes, which were now choked with rotting corpses. On one side, they systematically put to the torch any remains still twitching with the Scarlet Rot; on the other, they gave a proper burial to the warriors who had fallen on this hallowed ground.
As for the General's remains, under Jerren's direction, they were transported to a prepared catacomb outside the Impassable Greatbridge, beneath the sword monument that commemorated the original Starscourge Conflict.
Gawain did not intrude upon the Redmane Knights' work. Instead, he summoned Lillian and, dragging his exhausted body, headed toward his quarters within the castle.
Along the way, soldiers and other participants of the combat festival alike stepped aside to pay their respects. Even Okina, the bloodthirsty swordsman, momentarily suppressed his dense killing intent. Regardless of personal agendas, the glory of this festival belonged solely to the most courageous of warriors.
News of General Radahn's fall spread throughout the Lands Between along with the shifting of the stars. Consequently, every faction involved needed time to calculate their next moves; beneath the surface of this newfound peace, a much greater storm was brewing.
Lillian helped Gawain to the edge of the bed and hurriedly began to assist him in removing his ruined armor. The larger plates were easy enough, but many smaller, molten fragments had fused with his skin. Looking at him, she found it hard to imagine just how brutal the climax of the duel had been.
"Um... are you truly alright? Should I call for a healer? Are you sure you want me to do this?"
"It's fine. Just use your dagger to gouge those bits out. I don't have the patience to pick them out one by one."
Gawain looked down at himself. His muscles were a map of ugly burn scars from the fire, punctuated by small shards embedded in the flesh—remnants of his own armor or perhaps fragments of gravity stones. He didn't have the energy to deal with it delicately. Sometimes, regenerating too quickly resulted in foreign objects being trapped inside his tissues; eventually, he'd have to exert the effort to dig them back out anyway.
Lillian steeled herself and began prying the shards from his body, casting occasional glances at his near-total lack of reaction. She couldn't help but admire his monstrous threshold for pain.
"Once I return, I will have my kin from Sellia prepare for the relocation to Stormveil," she murmured.
"Yeah, it's about time. I have a few things that will require the combined effort of many sorcerers and blacksmiths to replicate."
"Is it some kind of golem or automaton?"
Gawain nodded, prying a small bone fragment—likely from some unfortunate soul—out from under his arm. "Something like that. I'm not sure if they'll be ready for immediate use, though. We might need to integrate some of your ancestors' techniques to achieve the desired effect."
Lillian wasn't certain if the records they held would be of much use, but everything would remain speculation until they reached Stormveil. As she worked, she occasionally glanced toward the stars. As a Nightling with cold blood running through her veins, and having been raised as a cleric, she understood exactly what this celestial movement signified. She hoped she might one day have the chance to return to the homeland she had never seen.
By the time she finished the cleanup, she looked up to find that Gawain had already fallen asleep.
"He can sleep like this? Or did he just pass out from the pain? Well, the rest can wait until next time."
Lillian carefully moved him onto the bed. After a final check to ensure he was stable, she quietly closed the door and returned to her own room. Having witnessed the battle up close, she was now fully convinced that this man could truly be the protector of Sellia. Her choice to surrender and seek terms seemed to have been the right one.
The following night, after the aftermath of the festival had been settled, a celebratory banquet was held. Having rested, Gawain had recovered significantly. He had changed into common clothes brought from Stormveil, not wanting to miss such a lively occasion.
The feast wasn't just for the surviving warriors; the Redmane Knights joined in as well. Aside from a necessary skeleton crew for guard duty, almost everyone participated. However, the crowd in the plaza was noticeably smaller than it had been before the battle. Amidst the joyous atmosphere, there was a palpable undercurrent of mourning for the fallen heroes.
After several rounds of drinks, Blaidd saw his opportunity and approached Gawain .
"The seal on the stars is broken, and fate flows once more," the Half-Wolf began. "According to Master Sellen, the path to the Eternal City of Nokron should have appeared. During the celestial shift, I saw a massive meteor fall toward Limgrave. I believe that unique star represents the guidance of fate. Can I trouble you to have your people search for its exact location?"
"That won't be a problem. As long as it's in Limgrave, we'll find it quickly. Since I have an agreement with Ranni, this is my duty."
Blaidd felt a surge of confidence. To be honest, it wasn't until this combat festival that he truly grasped the Storm King's power. Ranni's decision to recruit such a powerhouse was undoubtedly correct.
"Then I am at ease. Mistress Ranni awaits you; you may depart whenever you are ready."
"Right. Wait for me at Stormveil for a bit. I'll come find you once I've made my preparations."
"Understood. I won't disturb you further."
Blaidd hurried away from the crowd as usual. He had come specifically for the festival, and now there was no reason to linger. Moreover, he knew he had to move quickly—while he still had control over himself.
"Freyja, I'm going to have a word with the Storm King. You stay here."
Leda held back her teammate, who was itching to issue a challenge for a spar. Throughout the day, Leda had investigated more about Gawain's deeds. Whether it was his style of governance or his public persona, she found him fascinating.
He seemed to be a figure who valued gentleness and inclusivity; after all, a man who accepted nomadic merchants and demi-humans as equals was remarkably similar to Miquella. Furthermore, his displayed strength was terrifying. To fight General Radahn so fiercely—even a waning General was stronger than many of the more pathetic demigods—was no small feat.
She felt it was best not to create friction with such a person. Cooperation was a far more viable path. To that end, she needed more contact.
Leda approached Gawainand offered a slight bow. "Lord Gawain, might I have a moment of your time?"
Gawain looked at Miquella's Needle Knight. To be honest, even though her move had somehow restored the General's sanity, it hadn't caused any negative side effects in the long run. Though she served Miquella, his interactions with her thus far hadn't revealed any major issues. She was elegant, well-mannered, and powerful—a model knight. She was hard to dislike, and he felt a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity with her, as if they had met somewhere before.
While he harbored some wariness toward the Empyrean Miquella, he saw no reason to be overly guarded against the man's subordinates.
Gawain nodded to Leda. "I believe your name is Leda? What can I do for you?"
"I am honored that you remember my name," Leda replied, her voice filled with genuine respect from beneath her helmet. "The strength you showed during this festival was truly breathtaking. As a knight, it was a privilege to fight alongside you on such a battlefield. I find myself wishing to know you better."
"No need for pleasantries. If there's something you need help with, just say it. If you hadn't suppressed the Scarlet Rot in the General, I don't know how much longer it would have taken me to win."
Leda took the opening. "Then I shall be direct. Lord Gawain, what is your opinion of Lord Miquella?"
"Miquella?" Gawain had expected this. As Miquella's most loyal knight, she was naturally probing the attitude of a powerful stranger. He thought for a moment before answering.
"I believe the Haligtree Miquella created represents his will to a certain extent. In terms of the ideals of inclusivity and equality, I agree with him. It is certainly an improvement over the Golden Order. However, I find some of his methods to be far too idealistic. They tend to shatter when they hit reality."
Leda was satisfied with the answer. He held no overt hostility toward Miquella and instead pointed out flaws she herself recognized. She suspected her master would not reject such a man. She moved to her second question—one that pertained to her immediate mission.
"I see. And tell me, are you aware of the existence of the Mohgwyn Dynasty?"
Gawain's expression soured at the mention of the Blood Lord. Ever since he arrived in the Lands Between, that faction had been popping up like a ghost in the most unexpected places to annoy him.
Is she asking because she wants to use my strength to rescue Miquella?
While he intended to visit the Blood Dynasty eventually to deal with Mohg and the Formless Mother, he felt he needed to understand Miquella better before acting. Who knew what that Empyrean was planning? The boy had somehow rescued a Redmane Knight during the War of Aeonia; considering what Ranni told him about the vow with Radahn, Gawain didn't want to be used as a pawn.
"I do have some grievances with the 'Dynasty' you mention. Why do you ask?"
Leda mused for a moment. "It is nothing too pressing. I simply wished to offer a warning. The Mohgwyn Dynasty is a faction to be wary of. Please remain vigilant, lest you suffer losses in unexpected places. But since you have already had contact with them, I believe you take my meaning."
Leda looked up at the night sky and gave a parting bow. "It is time for me to take my leave. This conversation has been most pleasant. I hope we meet again."
She turned away, having gained a general understanding of Gawain's views on Miquella and the Dynasty. If necessary, she would personally escalate the conflict between the two to ensure Miquella's plans proceeded smoothly.
"What are you all plotting? How strange," Gawain muttered, watching Leda disappear into the night.
He pushed the confusing thoughts aside and noticed Alexander nearby, rummaging through something. Curious, he walked over and saw shocking cracks running across the warrior jar's massive body. Sensing his approach, Alexander slowly stood up and turned around.
"Aha! If it isn't the hero of the festival! You were incredibly strong yesterday!" His admiration for powerful warriors was boundless. "Not only did you practically solo General Radahn, but you even wiped out those... what were they called? Oh, Jerren told me—those Astels. I can't imagine how you had the stamina for that after such a brutal duel."
Alexander sighed, tucking some leaking "contents" back into his shell.
"Yesterday, I stayed on the Wailing Dunes to find the remains of brave warriors to serve as my contents, so I have a bit too much leaking out. Sigh... compared to you, I'm just a useless jar. I didn't help much in the fight. After taking a few hits, I ended up in this state."
There was a hint of despondency in his voice. Perhaps the heavy injuries had dealt a blow to his spirits; such wounds wouldn't heal overnight. Realizing he had spoken too much, he prepared to leave.
"Forgive me. I've rambled. I shouldn't linger here looking like this."
Gawain reached out to stop him.
"Uh, what is it?" Alexander asked.
"You look like you're about to fall apart," Gawain said, pointing to the cracks. He remembered from the game that Alexander's injuries never truly healed on their own. Even bathing in the lava of Mt. Gelmir only granted him fire resistance; the General's strength was simply too overwhelming.
Alexander touched the fissures on his body. "Well, I might look a bit worse for wear, but I think I'll be fine. Hahaha..." As he laughed, the cracks seemed to widen slightly.
"Don't push it. Come to Stormveil in a few days. I'll find a way to reinforce you."
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash (181 chapter - Ongoing)
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