"The Nox are a powerful race, deeply entwined with Caria in countless ways. I'm pleased to see the descendants of the Eternal City emerge during the twilight of the Golden Order. Together, we can face a common enemy."
The words were measured, deliberate, each syllable heavy with implication. A single sentence, yet it set the foundation for their alliance.
Not just powerful — capable. That eased my mind. Annelina gave a subtle nod.
"Nokstella shares the same view. As you've said, though the Erdtree remains strong, its dominance is no longer absolute. The time has come to break these chains."
Her voice carried an edge, like the grinding of teeth.
Caria had played its part, reaping some benefits, while the ancient powers of the Nox had suffered far worse — driven underground, their future stripped away. Without Throne's intervention, they might have been erased entirely. Yes, that hatred was perfect.
Throne allowed himself a faint smile. He had his reasons for choosing the Nox.
Though weakened now, their ancestors had thrived. It was like buying a horse's bones at a high price — good for appearances. And Caria was rebuilding; he couldn't align with an ally too strong, or the balance of power would shift.
He listened as both sides exchanged formalities, reminiscing about the glories of the ancient era. His gaze flicked to Melina. She stood as vacant as ever. Given her identity, her presence in this "rebel alliance" was… peculiar. What would Marika think if she knew?
'I'm not the Tarnished. Not only do I have to fix the wood, but I also have to drag her into a rebellion.'
Throne's grin turned wicked, and Melina shuddered, turning away. She must have lost her mind to get tangled in this mess.
After endless pleasantries, the conversation finally reached its point.
"Your Highness," the Night Maiden's voice was low, "does Caria intend to replace the Erdtree and forge a new Golden Order?"
The question cut to the heart of the Nox's interests. There was no need for secrecy. Ranni straightened, her posture regal.
"I have no intention of allowing the chaos of the ancient era to return. With order as the foundation, I aim to create a new age where all races coexist — free from oppression, free from the need for Grace."
She said little, yet revealed much. Before the Golden Order, it was the age of stars and moon, but there had been no single ruler like the Erdtree. The gods warred endlessly, each holding their own territories. In a way, the Golden conquest had brought unity — a period of peace and prosperity.
Caria seeks to replace the Erdtree, but without shackling The Lands Between with a new Golden Order. Will all races find their place within this framework, free from extermination over differing beliefs?
Melina might not grasp it, but the Night Maiden did. This demigod sought the power of the Elden Lord, but her vision was different — a new dynasty with freedom of belief for all races, no inheritance of the Erdtree's oppressive system.
Perhaps the goal itself was flawed. The Erdtree's influence was vast. Belief, life, death — all returned to the tree. Even the exalted Elden Lord, stripped of Grace, would become a stray dog.
Annelina exchanged a glance with her sister. This outcome was, at least, expected.
Caria had raised the banner of rebellion — they wanted the biggest slice of the pie, and it tasted less greedy than expected.
"Just a King, no Gods? The Eternal City can live with that."
The Night Maiden's voice carried reluctant acceptance. Sharing the world with Caria would've been sweeter, but freedom alone was victory at their current strength.
Ranni tilted her chin. The air thickened.
"The Nox agreeing means nothing. Others won't be so accommodating. Consider this a courtesy."
"Let them try."
Ice threaded Ranni's words.
"The new order grants peace to those who kneel. Those who resist get the sword. Power has a way of... settling disagreements."
She hadn't slaughtered the Erdtree just to abandon the wreckage. No chaotic free-for-all under the pretty lie of "endless possibilities."
The golden order would die — but order itself would remain. Absolute freedom was chaos wearing freedom's skin.
"The Lands Between won't bow to an untouchable golden order again."
Ranni's gaze slid to Throne.
"Law will maintain balance now."
Two different words, two different worlds. The golden order had been a supreme will dictating reality — defining life, death, the spin of stars, the flow of energy.
Every breath, every death, preordained. That was the Nox's fear. Swap golden order for dark moon, and you'd just get another God and King in fancy dress. So what were laws?
The Nox didn't grasp it yet, but the concept smelled less like incense and more like ink — simple lines drawn around what couldn't be done, with everything else left wild.
It sounded free. The Nox, veterans of dancing with death, knew better. The Lunar Princess would still forbid certain acts — the kind that could shatter the world.
Melina didn't understand but trembled.
Throne nodded. To him, the golden order was code.
Those Who Live in Death? The Dung Eater? Just hackers tweaking the program. Impressive, but surface-level. The golden order wasn't evil. Without it, The Lands Between would be carrion, and every faction a vulture.
The difference was this: the land needed order. Its people didn't need chains. He and Ranni shared one vision — the divine order would leave, becoming only a shield. Secular laws would bind the races, maintain balance, break the shackles.
This was the — severance of heaven and earth.
......
The Nox departed, satisfied. With their current strength, demanding more would be suicide. They weren't all reckless fanatics — like the Primeval Sorcerer, many desperate acts had been survival, not madness. An agreement made future cooperation simple.
Both sides would soon establish a two-way magical portal between the Academy and the Eternal City, hidden from the Two Fingers' gaze. Caria's strength grew by the hour — the longer they stayed in shadow, the better.
Throne nursed a darker hope: gathering every dissident to give the Two Fingers one grand, bloody surprise.
"Finally," he murmured. "It's over."
Throne removed his helmet and unbuckled his breastplate, twisting his waist. His feet had gone numb from standing so long.
"Ranni, don't call me for this kind of occasion next time. It's truly unbearable."
He complained, his voice tinged with irritation. As a free-spirited person, forcing himself to speak in flowery diplomatic jargon was a real hassle.
Hmph, such low aspirations.
Ranni gave him an unsatisfied look and pointed at Melina, who stood solemnly not far away.
"There will be many more occasions like this. You should learn from her."
It was meant as a compliment, yet Melina still frowned slightly, silent. 'You're giving this piece of wood too much credit. Her latency is just too long; her mind is still stuck on the previous topic.'
Besides, when it comes to spacing out, few in The Lands Between could beat her. Throne grumbled internally and teased, "Next time, just switch the person on guard duty. It's all the same anyway."
"That's not the same."
Ranni answered instantly, then, catching the amusement in Throne's eyes, turned her head slightly away.
"You are now the Chief Knight of Caria; you ought to be guarding my side."
"A promotion so soon?"
"Hmph, are you unwilling?" Ranni said with a hint of petulance.
"Willing, willing. At least I'll get a raise."
Throne picked up the ornate silver water jug on the table and moistened his throat.
"By the way, didn't you ask me to explain things to the Nox? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
They were respectful from the start, so explain what? If I had, wouldn't I have embarrassed myself abroad? Thinking of this, Ranni gritted her teeth in frustration. At first, it was just her own personal humiliation, then even War Counselor Iji and Adula became a bit disobedient, and now even the Nox were getting dragged into it — where was her dignity!
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
Ranni waved her hand gloomily and simply skipped the topic.
"What do you think of the Nox?"
"Firm in their stance, infinite potential, but they're of no use for the time being." Throne answered without hesitation, swirling his cup.
"But their joining is of great significance. At the very least, the Uhl people will join as well. These strange races each have their own strengths."
What do you mean 'joining'? This is a sacred covenant. Ranni covered her forehead, thinking to herself that Throne really had the style of a mountain bandit; it was truly unrefined.
"That's why the demands you proposed are very practical; you didn't overestimate their power."
The content of the first cooperation was simple: Caria would allow the Nox to go to the surface, provide living and military supplies, and send troops to assist in the defense of Nokstella. The requirements were for both sides to share technology, carry out multi-field cooperation including mirror helmets, and send a team to search for the lost Nokron.
"They can fulfill all my requirements. If we can achieve our goal through a roundabout way, that would be best. Even if we can't kill Radahn, we must find that god-slaying blade. Even if the starry sky and fate are shackled, the connection between the two Eternal Cities is stronger than ours."
Throne was calculating again. As long as he could find the exact location of Nokron, he could break through fate physically.
This had its benefits; otherwise, if Radahn were to truly fall, the Erdtree side would get anxious.
"Handle this matter as you see fit. In any case, before the starry sky moves again, Caria cannot reach Nokron." Ranni answered indifferently. This was a monster that could even devour a great rune; surely, fate could not imprison him.
"In that case, you should be setting off, right?"
"Books are fine and all, but it's time to put them to work."
Throne stretched, grinning without a care. Departures never weighed him down.
"We'll split the tasks, coordinate. I'm not leaving you behind."
Shameless. Who'd want to tag along? Ranni scoffed softly, yet her hand opened to reveal a silver mask.
The thing bore a faint resemblance to Varré's, but its surface shimmered with intricate cyan runes. The little rich girl's handing out gifts again. Throne's eyes lit up, and he was at her side in an instant. Too familiar now, he reached for it outright.
Smack.
"Patience," Ranni slapped his hand away.
No trace of offense crossed her face — or maybe she hadn't noticed.
"This is a Phantom Mask. I altered it from a trinket Marika brought out of Leyndell. Its magic casts illusions, disrupts perceptions… Hey, are you even listening?"
Throne's mind had wandered to Marika's penchant for flashy gadgets, but he snapped back.
"I'm listening."
Ranni rolled her eyes.
"Right. It cloaks you in illusion, disguises you. As long as you don't pick fights with the strong, it's nearly foolproof. Satisfied?"
Her tone brooked no argument — she'd been preparing this since his return.
"Absolutely. This is exactly what I need."
Throne's eyes gleamed. What he craved most was silent wealth. But the stronger he grew, the more trails he left. Lately, he'd held back. Not raw power, but subtle tools like this — that's what he needed.
He took the mask, his gaze softening as he stepped closer.
"Thank you. You've been working hard, haven't you?"
"Helping you helps me," Ranni muttered, turning her head away.
As Throne moved closer, she twisted sharply.
"Don't read into it. That fool's still here."
What's that mean? It'd be fine if Melina wasn't? Throne glanced back. The 'Melina-wood,' lost in thought, stared directly at them. Guilt prickled him.
"Why the stare?"
Melina tilted her head, sensing the odd tension.
"Nothing. Just wondering — what's the difference between the Golden Order and the Law?"
Gods, I overestimated her. Throne chuckled at her delayed response.
"Go cool off somewhere. I'll explain later."
Ranni shot Melina a displeased look, biting her lip before a cryptic smile spread.
"Don't celebrate yet. I've got the gift we agreed on."
She extended both hands. One held an exquisite doll, nearly identical to the one she'd given Throne a decade ago. The other was a brown-haired figure in black and white — Melina?
You actually made it. Throne's jaw dropped. He'd thought she was joking. But Ranni had gone all in, crafting a soul doll — a treasure so rare it bordered on divinity. And that stubborn girl had agreed to it.
Damn it, now I've got a thing for dolls. Even Sellen's crossed my mind.
Just as Throne was speechless, Melina had already walked over slowly, lifted her chin, and without showing any weakness, said: "Letting me inhabit it is no problem, but let's get one thing straight: this is between me and Throne. You're irrelevant."
"Hmph. You're a complete soul. I'm just fragments. You're the one benefiting," Ranni shot back.
Ranni's voice cut like ice.
"Then inhabit it completely yourself. I don't mind."
"You!"
Ranni clenched her fists. If I leave, who will oversee the broader scheme? She tried to stand, only to realize Melina loomed half a head taller. Defiant, she settled back into her seat, her expression cool.
"Apologies, but as a demigod, I'm not as frail as you. This mere doll can't contain my entire soul."
Melina's face betrayed no emotion.
"That's just poor skill on your part."
"My skills are poor?"
Ranni stiffened, her head turning slowly. Her gaze sharpened, a storm brewing beneath the surface.
"Enough!"
Throne interjected, his voice urgent. If this continued, Ranni would spiral into fury. Some things never changed — the princess who subdued the Nox always faltered before Melina's bluntness, and Throne inevitably bore the brunt of her ire.
"Melina, think before you speak. Ranni, where's the dignity befitting a demigod?"
"I'm not stupid!"
"She was mocking my dignity!"
Their retorts overlapped, sharp and synchronized. They glared, then turned away in unison. Some fates were written in conflict — theirs was inevitable.
Throne shifted uncomfortably. He'd faced countless dangers, but nothing compared to this tension. The Roundtable Hold's pursuits paled in comparison.
He cleared his throat.
"Does this doll have a blocking function? Say, isolating anyone but the person I'm speaking to from the outside world?"
"Of course. I prefer uninterrupted conversations."
Ranni cast a sidelong glance at Melina, who opened her mouth but held her tongue. For once, she conceded, her honesty outweighing her pride.
Throne felt a flicker of relief. He picked up the two dolls, nodding for Melina to enter. She dissolved into particles reluctantly, leaving him alone with Ranni.
He extended his palm.
"What are you doing?" Ranni frowned, perplexed.
"A farewell gesture." Throne smiled softly.
Ranni hesitated, then extended her hand, turning her face away. Her meaning was clear. Throne grasped her slender fingers, bending to press a light kiss to the back of her hand. Her skin was cold, trembling faintly beneath his lips. It was a knight's courtesy, yet the witch didn't pull away.
The kiss ended, and for a long while, there was silence. Throne said nothing more, his gaze lingering on Ranni's flushed cheeks.
With a flick of his cloak, he turned decisively.
"I'm leaving."