Leaning back against Loretta, Raven sat atop the horse, watching the scenery on either side of the street blur past.
"Loretta, the city of Raya Lucaria is protected by enchantments that cover the entire perimeter. There has never been a recorded instance of an enemy infiltration." Raven was still clutching an ancient tome from the Eternal City, looking somewhat exasperated. "I know Mother told you to protect me closely, but is all this gravity really necessary?"
"I hope that, in hindsight, this proves to be an overreaction. However, the Carian Study Hall had never been threatened before either, yet it faced an unexpected assault tonight," Loretta replied. "I would prefer if Your Highness rested in the royal chambers tonight. There are Royal Guards stationed there; it is safer than the library, and I will stand watch outside your door. Do you agree to this arrangement?"
Hearing Loretta's response, Raven perked up instead, patting the ancient book in his arms.
"No problem. It actually gives me a chance to tell you about my big discovery. The origin of the Albinaurics likely lies within the lost Eternal Cities. The Nox people who lived underground once tried to create their own lord using Silver Tears. 'Albinauric'—or 'White-Platinum'—is actually a term the Nox used for silver. The Albinaurics might very well be a byproduct of that research."
"You've been researching this all these days?" Loretta's tone was one of surprise. "But the Eternal Cities vanished long ago..."
"After I graduate, I plan to organize an expedition to go deep underground and find the ruins of the Eternal City. The Nox possessed supreme magical techniques and a glorious civilization. If I can uncover their remains, it would propel Carian development into a new era."
"That is madness! The underground is fraught with peril. How could Your Highness take such a risk..."
"I know," Raven interrupted her. "But I must fulfill our promise and find a way to mend the defects of the Albinaurics. I cannot do this alone, Loretta. Would you be willing to accompany me on this journey and witness the beauty of the Eternal City for yourself?"
Loretta fell silent.
"Since Your Highness has put it that way, what choice do I have?" She responded with feigned helplessness, but Raven could detect the faint spark of joy hidden beneath her voice. "I will go with you, even to the ends of the world."
"Excellent," Raven said with a smile. "I'll convince Mother to support the plan. By the way, where is Mother now? Is she in the Cuckoo Hall directing the troop movements?"
Loretta didn't answer. Instead, she abruptly slowed their pace until the horse came to a complete halt.
"Loretta?"
"Your Highness, please stay close to me from this moment on," Loretta said. She took a long, deep breath, and a massive, shimmering azure bow manifested in her hands.
Vaguely sensing the source of the danger, Raven looked up at the sky.
At the very center of the firmament, it looked as if dark purple ink had been dripped onto a black shroud. At first, Raven didn't understand what he was seeing, until the dark stain rapidly expanded and a terrifying surge of magical energy reached them from afar.
Raven had witnessed the Glintstone Masters of the Academy cast spells; the magical fluctuations were often enough to make the surrounding apprentices faint. But compared to the source appearing in the night sky, a Master's power was trivial. His perception of magic was far more acute than an ordinary person's; he felt as though the very air around him was solidifying, making it impossible to breathe. His hammering heart felt like it might burst from his chest at any moment.
A star. A falling star that was much dimmer, yet far more dangerous, than the meteor from earlier.
Loretta's bow was drawn to its limit. A giant arrow, thicker than a spear, was leveled at the heavens.
Exhale. Release.
A bolt of lightning erupted from her hands toward the sky. Compared to the arrow that had slain the giant crab days ago, the power of this shot was several times greater!
The electrical discharge spanned the night sky, striking the dark purple falling star in total silence.
Raven closed his eyes before the arrow hit. Even so, he felt a sudden, blinding flash through his eyelids. The surroundings were eerily quiet; he could only hear the distant cries of people further down the street. He knew this was because the falling star was so far away that the sound of the impact had not yet reached them.
Raven opened his eyes. The star still hung in the sky, seemingly unchanged.
Loretta's breathing beneath her visor had become ragged.
She inhaled again and drew the bow. This time, two giant arrows manifested simultaneously upon the bowstring.
"Hah!"
She released the string. The two bolts of lightning were separate at first but then merged into a single pillar of light. Raven could feel that the power was far more than just one plus one.
The second bolt struck the star. When Raven looked up again, the falling star had grown even larger, its trajectory seemingly unaltered.
Without a word, Loretta drew her bow for the third time. This time, the number of giant arrows appearing reached four!
The draw was agonizingly slow.
Halfway through, her arms began to tremble violently. Finally, her entire suit of armor began to clatter and shake. Raven could feel her thighs tightening around him, yet her lower legs hung limply on either side of the horse.
Raven turned around gently and silently reached out to steady her arms, pressing his body against hers to provide support.
The trembling stopped.
Four arrows left the string.
In the next heartbeat, night was suddenly transformed into day!
An impossibly thick pillar of lightning spanned half the starry sky, crashing into the approaching dark star. The intense light of that moment not only illuminated the entire night sky but completely overwhelmed the dark star!
By the time day turned back into night, the thunder finally rolled in, shaking the heavens and the earth. Beneath the roar of the thunder, Raven thought he could faintly hear a shrill, furious screech.
The dark star's trajectory was deflected. It plummeted toward the southeast of Raya Lucaria, slamming into the earth just outside the city walls. An all-consuming purple light ignited on the horizon.
A translucent barrier manifested out of thin air, shielding the entire city. it struggled against the purple light before finally vanishing almost simultaneously with the glow.
Shockwaves rolled in like a tidal wave. Loretta's horse shifted its hooves, struggling to maintain its balance. Raven had just managed to catch his breath when he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. Loretta leaned her entire body against him before sliding powerlessly to the side.
"Loretta!" Raven scrambled to catch her, preventing her from falling off the horse. Her head was bowed; she seemed to have lost consciousness.
Now Raven was truly terrified. He fumbled frantically to unfasten Loretta's helmet. Her eyes were tightly shut, her platinum-blonde hair was matted with sweat against her forehead, and silver blood seeped from her nose and the corners of her mouth. When Raven reached out a finger to check, he couldn't feel her breathing.
The street was deserted; there was no one to ask for help. Raven bit his lower lip, hoisted Loretta off the horse, and laid her flat on the ground.
He knelt down, took a deep breath, and pressed his lips to hers. After forcing all the air from his lungs into her, he slammed his hands against her chest. The sensation was rock-hard; he realized then that she was still in her plate armor, and he couldn't compress it at all.
He paused, then desperately tried to unfasten her armor. But how could a full suit of plate armor be so easily removed? When he put on or took off his own armor, he usually kept his eyes closed while two knight-squires worked on him for several minutes. Loretta's armor was constructed entirely differently from his. The more he panicked, the more confused he became. Finally, he knelt there on the ground, nearly overcome with despair.
He touched Loretta's cold cheek, preparing for one last attempt—to perform artificial respiration without chest compressions. Just as he lowered his head, Loretta opened her eyes.
"Did I... just lose consciousness?" She sat up, appearing still a bit dazed. "I didn't delay us for long, did I, Your Highness—are you crying?"
"No, no," Raven said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve and forcing a smile. "You only blacked out for a few seconds. It was really scary. I'm just glad you're okay."
Another shockwave arrived, though it was much milder than the first. The entire city seemed to have been jolted awake; shouts and cries were everywhere. Raven could even hear the continuous sound of artillery and explosions in the distance.
"The royal chambers aren't safe either. I must take you to the bunker immediately." Loretta assessed the situation quickly and whistled before Raven could speak. Her horse trotted over and knelt obediently beside her.
She pushed off the ground, and despite having no sensation below her knees, she nimbly flipped herself back into the saddle. The horse neighed and rose to its feet.
"Your Highness, there is no time to waste. Get on." Loretta reached out to the somewhat stunned Raven. "Oh, you're still holding my helmet."
Raven gave a wry smile as he handed her the helmet and hopped onto the horse. Loretta pulled the helmet on with one hand, gripped the reins with the other, and galloped down the street.
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(21 Chapter - Ongoing)
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