"Don't run around, it's still very dangerous here," Allen said from the front.
As soon as he spoke, Thorne's footsteps stopped.
His eyes twitched as he saw two giant palms crawling down from the wall. Their dense fingers were as swift as spider legs, and their pale skin was covered in pustules—one look was enough to make one's Sanity value plummet. He watched as these hand monsters crawled in front of him, stopping a meter away. They stretched out fingers as thick as human thighs to stroke his body, like a pet dog sniffing for something.
Damn!
Covered in goosebumps, Thorne almost drew his blade. Fortunately, these hand monsters quickly scurried away after a few strokes, climbing back onto the wall and curling into a ball to continue waiting for prey.
"These Fingercreepers are quite cute, aren't they?" The knight's joking voice came through.
Thorne rolled his eyes; how could these creepy things be considered cute? They continued in silence. Caria Manor was indeed as complex as in his memories, and the heavy mist made it easy to get lost.
Once you took a wrong turn, those Fingercreepers buried in the soil would jump out and "lift you high."
"Are you curious? The manor is so fortified, yet we still have to let you bleed and die outside?"
Allen wouldn't get lost, of course. He led Thorne onto the ramparts, heading towards the Inner City.
"Not curious." Thorne looked outside the wall, thinking that placing a squad of crossbowmen here could turn the enemies in the garden below into hedgehogs.
"Why?"
"Because being trapped in a lone city is despair. This fortress can't support too many soldiers. Rather than being trapped inside and starving to death, it's better to fight bravely."
Thorne licked his lips and explained calmly: "Most of Caria's supplies come from Liurnia of the Lakes, and that open space below the manor can be completely converted into fields. That would be enough to support a Carian Army of a thousand. Fortified defenses are never as reliable as courage. If the siege lasts too long and people resort to cannibalism, loyalty is worthless in the face of despair."
The knight turned back and blinked: "You're more clear-headed than I am. I only thought about how retreating from a remnant army to a defeated one would affect morale."
"I read it all in books." Thorne nodded with a smile. Wasn't he himself from a defeated army?
The two boarded a lift. To the sound of grinding gears, they ascended into the Inner City area. Thorne then passed through sturdy walls, a wide vestibule, an exquisite garden, and hundreds of stone steps. Anyone with poor physical fitness would have dropped dead halfway.
"This manor is too big." Thorne stood on the stone steps and looked back. Most of Liurnia was in full view.
He wondered what those Cuckoos were thinking. Capturing this manor was an impossible task.
He walked from the afternoon until the Full Moon rose, and there was still some distance to Ranni's Magic Tower.
"Keep it up, we're almost there." Allen wiped the sweat from his forehead and led Thorne up the second flight of stairs.
Ahead, a Troll sat cross-legged on the ground. It wore a strange helmet made of countless lenses and held a giant book, flipping through it. Sensing someone approaching, it steadily closed the book.
"Lord Iji, by order of Her Highness, I have brought Thorne Wright for an audience."
"Yes, I've heard." Iji's voice wasn't as tyrannical as an ordinary Troll's; instead, it held a unique wisdom. He leaned down, bringing his head close to Thorne, and nodded after a long look.
"Not bad. Calm in the face of change, Qi as deep as the sea. Truly a Genius."
"Lord Iji is too kind," Thorne replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. He knew this person was Caria's strategist, even though the giant club behind him could crush a Cuckoo Knight into paste.
Iji nodded again but didn't move away from the doorway behind him. Allen was slightly confused when he heard the Troll ask, "Let me ask you something. The Cuckoo Knight Order clearly still has the strength to attack. Why did they retreat to their camp to hold their ground?"
Is this a test? Thorne raised an eyebrow. He hated riddle-makers. As they were in the same boat, there was no need to hold back too much. He thought for a moment before answering, "There are three powers in Liurnia: the Raya Lucaria Academy, the Cuckoo Knights, and the Carian Royal Family. This balance..."
"Wait, the Cuckoo Knights are the loyal dogs of those rebels at the Academy."
Thorne showed a mocking expression. Of course, he couldn't say he already knew the inside story, so he phrased it differently, "If they were loyal dogs, the Academy wouldn't have stood by since the war began. If sorcerers had participated last night, we wouldn't have been able to hold out no matter what. This proves both sides are wary of each other."
Iji certainly knew the reason, so he nodded. "Good, continue."
"The three forces have formed a balance. After realizing there's no hope of capturing the manor, the Cuckoos would have to be out of their minds to continue the attack. Instead, they now need a seemingly powerful Caria so that the Academy won't dare close its gates. The Cuckoos can't get in, but we have our ways." Thorne spoke eloquently, essentially about preserving the enemy to ensure one's own importance—though this 'enemy' couldn't be too weak. A small battle at a manor, like a butterfly flapping its wings, had changed many things.
The Academy's prerequisite for closing its gates required both Caria and the Cuckoos to be severely weakened. Only then could they remain aloof, letting the two sides fight to the death. "So, with a Caria capable of counterattacking, the Academy doesn't dare abandon the Cuckoos. Now that The Lands Between are engulfed in war, the Cuckoo Knights can find work anywhere, but those sorcerers have nowhere to go. If Caria recovers its lost territory, what right do they have to stop our reforged military might!"
"Well said!"
Iji clapped his hands, the sound like two giant boulders colliding with startling force. This situation wasn't necessarily good or bad, but this judgment—
"Brave and resourceful. You're much better than this idiot Allen."
"Hey, why bring me into this?" the knight protested, raising his hand. He only half-understood what was being said.
Iji ignored him and continued, "Strength can be improved through training. Caria does not lack strong warriors, but judgment and wisdom must come from experience. I've seen your records. I can only say that 'Geniuses' always exist."
Thorne remained silent. He was indeed showing his brilliance, but a great man acts openly. Why pretend to be weak when others aren't fools?
"Go in. Princess Ranni is waiting for you."
Iji slowly stood, revealing the doorway behind him. Thorne paused, thinking there was still some distance to the Magic Tower. He straightened his messy armor and stepped in first. Beyond the doorway, the view suddenly opened up. In front was a shallow pool surrounded by a circle of high-backed chairs. The light of the Full Moon fell into the pool, reflecting another moon.
The surface of the pool was like a mirror, the moon serene. The radiance bathed a young girl. She sat on the high-backed chair directly opposite the doorway, her head slightly lowered so her face wasn't clear, appearing exceptionally serene and mysterious. This scene was etched into Thorne's eyes, calming his heart and carving this beautiful picture deep into his mind. A girl under the moon, peerless and graceful.
Cold moonlight spilled down, and the pool swayed slightly, giving a sense of haziness. This vast place was lonely.
Thorne stood before the doorway, staring blankly at everything before him. The girl didn't react, as if she were a figure in a painting.
Cough, cough.
A low cough broke the silence. Blaidd, standing beside Ranni, couldn't help himself. His coughing seemed to accelerate the paused time, and the girl sitting on the high-backed chair reacted instantly. Her Witch's Hat lifted slightly. Her deep blue eyes weren't sharp but rather a bit dazed. She was startled to see Thorne standing in the distance and gave an elegant smile. "Good evening, my brave and loyal warrior."
Before Thorne could react, Allen, who had walked in with him, was already on one knee, calling out "Your Highness." Thorne followed suit, also kneeling on one knee and striking his chest with his right hand. "Princess Ranni, I am honored by this audience." His face was as calm as a still pond, serious as a steel warrior, but in his heart, he had already begun to complain. Did the princess just fall asleep? And why does her high-backed chair feel higher than the others? Is there something padded underneath? Complaining aside, Thorne remained serious on the surface.
That petite body contained power enough to split mountains and sever rivers. "No need for formality. Please, sit." Ranni raised two hands and pointed opposite her. Thorne wasn't formal and sat firmly on the high-backed chair, feeling nothing except that it was hard enough to hurt his backside. Speaking of which, the Carian Royal Family is quite unconventional. If one had achieved great merit in Ashina, they would surely be served fine wine and meat, but here, they run off to a desolate place to gaze at the moon. "Don't worry, the celebration banquet hasn't been canceled.
I am never stingy and will bring out treasures, wine, and meat to entertain all the warriors who fought hard. It's just that my status makes it inconvenient for me to appear in person; I will have Blaidd participate on my behalf." Ranni spoke softly, as if seeing through Thorne's thoughts, raising her hand to stop his explanation. "And as you have achieved the greatest merit, and out of personal interest, I must meet with you alone." Thorne nodded. Aside from being elusive, Ranni was a capable monarch, and he had come prepared for this. However, Ranni didn't get straight to the point.
She spread her four arms, her tone ethereal: "What do you think of this place?" Thorne glanced around. Having lacked much literary cultivation in both his past and present lives, he pondered for a moment before answering: "The moon in the water and the flower in the mirror are indeed beautiful, but this beauty carries a hint of loneliness and illusion." In the vast Moongazing Pool, there were only a few people. Those empty high-backed chairs did indeed evoke a sense of loneliness. "It wasn't always like this. Many members of the royal family, led by my Mother Queen, used to view this Full Moon.
But as you said, the past has become an illusion. So, I ask you, how can one escape the loneliness brought by illusion?" "Naturally, by looking toward the future, for the fulfillment found on the journey can make one forget loneliness," Thorne answered without thinking. As a transmigrator, memories of the past likewise brought falsehood and pain. Living for the future, fighting for a goal? A hint of appreciation flickered in Ranni's eyes as she asked with interest: "Then where does your goal lie?" "To live—to live without being threatened by anything. No one shall control my destiny."
Thorne's pupils gradually sharpened. He asked in return, "Your Highness, do you find this goal laughable?"
To speak of destiny under the golden order was indeed laughable. Had the elden ring not been shattered, even life and death here would have been clearly arranged by others.
Ranni's expression turned solemn as she shook her head slightly. "No. Wanting to master one's own destiny seems the most simple, yet it is the most difficult to achieve. Even the high and mighty Demigods cannot do it. Your path may be even harder than mine."
She leaned back slightly against the chair, suddenly losing some of her majesty and looking like a lazy young girl. Seeing the confusion in Thorne's eyes, she sat up straight again. "I too wish to control my own destiny, but under the Order, freedom is impossible to obtain."
"Are you referring to the Erdtree?"
"No, any Order is the same. Acting according to someone else's rules is simply too boring," Ranni answered seriously. Since Thorne wasn't some Tarnished who had barged in, she didn't need to go through the extra step of having others do her work for her.
"So our goals lead to the same end. I am glad to have a reliable companion on the road to exploring the future."
Thorne's merit was something he had truly carved out with his blade; this was beyond anyone's doubt. "Indeed, I am also willing to contribute my strength."
Thorne nodded once more. Setting aside Ranni's vision, he himself was a warrior of Caria. "As for rewards, gold and silver treasures are useless to me. I would like to make two requests."
"Speak." After the events of the past few days, Ranni was actually quite curious. "First, this curved sword is awkward to use. I heard that Master War Counselor Iji is a master blacksmith, and I wish to have him forge a glintstone tachi. Second, I wish to learn Carian sorcery."
The two requests were indeed a bit strange.
Ranni covered her mouth as if laughing. "I had forgotten you were a Magic Apprentice. Very well, I will have Iji forge it with care. The royal Magic Towers are also open to you; how much you can learn depends on your own fortune. If you encounter difficulties, you may also consult the Professor of Sorcery, Miriam."
Miriam? Shouldn't it be that foul-mouthed Seluvis?
Thorne was momentarily confused and searched his memory again. Only then did he realize that Seluvis was still a professor at the Academy. The chief sorcerer serving the royal family was named Miriam—the one who would blast people away in the Carian Study Hall. "Thank you, Your Highness." He didn't think much more of it; anyone was better than that foul-mouthed guy anyway.
"Hm, I shall add a third reward for you then." Ranni suddenly floated up from her chair, landing softly in the pool with a few ripples. Her expression was solemn as she extended her arms and beckoned.
"Thorne Wright, please step forward."
The swordsman rose immediately and walked forward across the pool water. The ripples he created caused the reflection of the Full Moon to fluctuate. He stopped half a meter in front of Ranni.
Not knowing what to do, he watched as her two arms turned gracefully and pressed down gently. He knelt on one knee in the pool water.
"Forgive me, as my Mother Queen still lives, I am not the Queen of Caria and cannot bestow too much honor upon you," Ranni explained softly, then assumed a majestic expression and opened her hands. "Blaidd, the sword."
The half-wolf warrior, who had been standing silently nearby, stepped into the pool holding a box. With slow and heavy movements, he opened the box and took out a straight sword. A golden hilt and a blade like a work of art — this was the secret treasure of Caria, the legendary 'Sword of Night and Flame'.
Ranni took it steadily, turned to look at the kneeling Thorne, and tapped the sword once on each of his shoulders, murmuring: "Witnessed by the Full Moon and the stars, in the name of Ranni, Princess of the Moon and direct descendant of the Carian Royal Family, I dub Thorne Wright a Knight of Carian Honor. May courage and glory remain with you always."
The process was brief. By the time Thorne raised his head, only dissipating azure particles remained before him. Ranni had left decisively for some reason, and he blinked, not quite understanding the situation.
Clap, clap. Crisp applause rang out from the surroundings. It turned out to be Allen clapping incessantly.
The other one, Blaidd, hesitated for a moment before also clapping in encouragement, baring his teeth as he said, "Knight Thorne, from now on, you are Princess Ranni's personal guard."
"And that's not all. It's been so many years, and this is the first time Her Highness has dubbed a knight. Don't worry, once we rescue Her Majesty Rennala, you'll be made a formal knight immediately," Allen said, practically cheering.
"Then why did Lady Ranni run off right after the dubbing?" "Uh, maybe she didn't know what to do next. She might have gone back to check her books," Allen joked.
Catching a glimpse of the werewolf staring at him with Killing Intent, he quickly shut his mouth.
Thorne didn't actually care about promotions or raises. If his strength wasn't enough, even if he became the King of Caria, he would still be cut down. Standing in the pool, bathed in moonlight, he thought of Allen's words and slowly revealed a smile.
Is that so? Then I really am quite honored.
He turned sideways and casually called out to the departing Blaidd, "Don't go! This is a happy occasion, let me buy you a drink."
The werewolf continued walking away, merely waving a hand. "Alcohol affects my judgment, so I never drink." He left just like that.
Thorne, having been rebuffed, threw up his hands and laughed. "That bastard really is quite arrogant," he cursed.
"Don't be angry, he's just like that. He's cold to everyone except Princess Ranni." Allen put his arm around Thorne's shoulder and dragged him away. "Come, come, I have wine at my place. Let's drink to our heart's content today!"
The Full Moon was bright, lengthening the shadows of the men walking in opposite directions, as if firmly carving Thorne into this land...
Bounty Notice! Content is being manually typed. Please re-enter to read in 10-30 minutes. If the content is still not normal, please click the feedback button in the upper right corner, and we will handle it immediately!
In the following days, the war was as calm as the waters of Liurnia of the Lakes.
The Cuckoo seemed to have no intention of attacking; they didn't even bother to continue firing the trebuchets, simply watching coldly as the Carians repaired their fortifications, piling the walls thicker and thicker.
The two sides seemed to have reached a sort of tacit understanding. Caria sent no one to harass them, and they simply stared at each other across a distance of a thousand meters.
Thorne leaned against the city wall and looked south; the transport team's wagons came and went incessantly, and the Cuckoo had no intention of withdrawing either.