Lucian had, these past few days, waited for Melina's rebirth with eyes nearly worn dry from longing.
It could be said that every single day, all Lucian thought about was Melina's return to life.
The current time had already far exceeded the estimate Ranni had previously given, and not by a small margin.
According to Ranni's calculations, Melina should have emerged several days ago.
Yet the reality was this: her body had already been fully reforged, but she had yet to emerge from the amber egg.
For some unknown reason, the process of rebirth had stalled, never reaching completion.
As a result, Lucian had been particularly anxious of late, constantly fearing that something might have gone wrong with Melina.
However, after examining the situation herself, Ranni told him to rest assured.
Although Melina had not completed her rebirth, there were no abnormalities whatsoever in either her soul or her physical body.
Even Ranni could not determine what exactly was happening. Unable to offer a proper explanation, she could only comfort Lucian and urge him to relax.
The general meaning of her words was: I know you're anxious, but being anxious won't help.
After all, Melina herself was still perfectly fine. Though something unusual had occurred, there was no real danger.
When Queen Rennala had discovered the seal upon Melina and attempted to undo it, Ranni had not been present.
Thus, Ranni could only speculate that Melina was extraordinarily special, and that the fusion of her soul and flesh required more time than usual.
Though deeply worried, Lucian knew that impatience would change nothing.
So he decided to take care of the matters still left unfinished.
The Drakeblood Knight Order had long since escorted the sorcerers of Sellia back to Stormveil Castle.
Thus, in accordance with his earlier agreement with Hakkan, Lucian allowed him to take leave to handle his own unfinished affairs.
For the time being, the Drakeblood Knight Order would not be mobilized. Instead, Lucian dispatched only the newly trained army to Liurnia of the Lakes.
As an aside, every soldier in this new force wore Knight Armor of superior make, while their commanders were clad in Black Knight armor.
Lucian had originally intended to search for traces of the spirit world, yet no reports had come from his subordinates.
Therefore, carrying his materials with him, he decided after a long absence, to visit the Roundtable Hold and seek Master Hewg's assistance in reforging his weapons.
The Crystal Staff in his possession still required strengthening, and he also intended to reforge a new Swordspear. Both tasks would require Hewg's expertise.
When it came to weapon smithing, there was no denying that Master Hewg's craftsmanship surpassed all others.
The Roundtable Hold was as prosperous as ever. In fact, it seemed even more populated than before.
Not long ago, the number of Tarnished present had dwindled considerably, as many had gone to serve under Lucian.
But later, they realized that the Roundtable Hold still had its own function and influence, so why not maintain both?
After all, neither Lucian nor Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, had issued any order forbidding activity in both places.
Moreover, new Tarnished continued to learn of this place and join its ranks.
It could even be said that the Roundtable Hold now flourished partly due to Lucian's influence, drawing in even more people.
Lucian appeared within the Hold and strolled about casually.
His strength now was nothing like it had once been; he no longer feared Gideon.
Even if Gideon and his followers were powerful, could they truly compare to the demigods Lucian had already defeated?
Looking back on his earlier maneuvering and subtle struggles with Gideon, Lucian almost felt amused.
Flip the table?
Now he could flip the entire house if he wished.
As for the Haligtree Medallion that Gideon had once fixated upon, ever since Lucian had taken control of the Academy, he had directly dispatched men to take over the Albinauric Village.
Within the Lake's interior region, the Academy's authority ensured complete control.
Under Lucian's orders, the Albinaurics there, as well as the second-generation Albinaurics dwelling in Liurnia's waters had gradually been resettled and stabilized.
Thus, the tragedy that once befell the Albinauric Village would likely never come to pass.
Arriving at Hewg's smithing chamber, Lucian raised a hand in greeting.
"Old Master, it's been a long time."
Upon seeing Lucian, Hewg did not immediately respond. Instead, he finished repairing the weapon in his hands before rising to his feet.
He drove the other Tarnished out of the room, shut the door securely, and only then turned to Lucian.
"Mm. It truly has been some time."
"In these past days, I've heard quite a bit about you."
"You defeated General Radahn, and you opened the Academy. Two mighty feats."
"You will surely become Elden Lord."
Hewg's usually stern expression softened slightly, and he pulled an awkward smile across his face.
"But the work that must be done still remains."
"Future Elden Lord, show me the weapons that require mending."
Lucian chuckled and handed over the Crystal Staff he had acquired not long ago.
"Haha. You can call me that once I've earned it."
"For now, I'll trouble you to strengthen this staff."
Hewg looked at Lucian with a trace of emotion in his eyes.
When Lucian had first arrived, he hadn't even possessed a proper set of armor.
He had worn standard Stormveil Knight armor, and when it required repairs, he hadn't even had a spare to change into.
And now, he was a warrior who had consecutively defeated demigods.
Hewg accepted the Crystal Staff and examined it carefully, surprise flickering across his face.
"What's the origin of this thing? It doesn't look like something forged by human hands."
Lucian replied,
"It's a staff belonging to the Crystalians. After speaking with them, they gifted it to me."
After making contact, Lucian had discovered that the Crystalians were, in truth, a rather amicable race.
So long as one did not oppose them, they generally would not resort to their crystalline spear techniques in retribution.
After successfully entering the realm of sorcery, Lucian's Intelligence had finally reached the threshold required to commune with the wisdom sealed within stone.
Thus, he had been able to converse with the Crystalians for a time.
Hewg turned the staff over in his hands repeatedly.
"A staff of the Crystalians? How astonishing."
He was indeed surprised, but considering it was Lucian, perhaps it wasn't so strange after all.
To gift him equipment upon first meeting, it seemed they quite favored him.
"Mm… this will require Somber Smithing Stones for reinforcement. I trust you've brought some."
Lucian nodded.
"Yes. And there's one more thing."
From his spatial disc, Lucian retrieved an enormous crystallized horn.
The horn was solid and razor-sharp, and its sheer length was astounding—so large that it nearly filled the entire smithing chamber.
He had taken this horn from the corpse of the massive Glintstone Dragon within the hidden cave accessed via the Four Belfries, leading toward the Consecrated Snowfield.
This dragon's horn had been far larger than that of Glintstone Dragon Adula. The portion Lucian had taken was not even half its full length.
Even had he wished to take more, Ranni's spatial disc simply could not contain it.
"I want to have this forged into a new Swordspear," Lucian said.
"Can you craft it for me?"
Hewg stared at the enormous horn before him, a troubled look crossing his face.
"After putting something like this in here," he said dryly, "do you think I'd still have space left to forge?"
Lucian silently stowed the massive horn away.
Truthfully, the moment he had set it down in Hewg's smithing chamber, he had already realized the problem. He had merely thought to have it forged while passing by—but clearly, that would not be possible.
No choice, then. He would have to leave it to War Counselor Iji instead. At least Iji's towering body was better suited to handling something of this scale.
Hewg had tapped the horn earlier, marveling at its absurd dimensions, and could not help nodding.
"This one's quality far surpasses the last," he remarked. "I truly wonder where you keep finding such things."
"But I'll warn you in advance, this horn isn't like the previous one. It can't be forged into an ordinary weapon."
"This dragon horn is thoroughly saturated with magic. It can only be made into a special armament, one that requires Somber Smithing Stones. It'll carry magical properties."
Lucian nodded, unconcerned by the detail.
The horn itself was of extraordinary quality. In any case, it was intended for potential aerial combat scenarios rather than serving as his primary weapon.
After all, his own flight speed was still far too slow. He certainly couldn't replicate something like General Radahn's Meteor Crash.
If he ever encountered a highly mobile airborne enemy, it would be far more practical to mount Selinsax and fight as a true dragon rider.
While Hewg worked on strengthening the Crystal Staff, Lucian stepped out for a brief walk and promptly ran into D.
The Twinned Armor D wore was marred by several deep gashes. It clearly required significant repairs.
Evidently, that was precisely why he had come to see Hewg.
"Oh? D."
"Lord Lucian? I didn't expect to see you at the Roundtable Hold. That's rare."
Lucian glanced at the damage to D's armor and asked,
"What happened?"
D looked down at his battered appearance and shook his head.
"I've temporarily partnered with Rogier. We've set out once more."
"We're searching for the Cursemark left behind when Lord Godwyn died."
At those words, Lucian's gaze sharpened.
In the game, D had a hidden questline.
It was one the player could not directly participate in, yet it progressed alongside the story.
D entrusted the player with hunting Those Who Live in Death and collecting Deathroot so that he himself could search for an item intimately tied to the Cursemark, the half-wheel wound of the centipede.
Much like the Black Knifeprint, it was believed to point toward the other half of the Cursemark of Death.
In the original events, D did indeed find that half—and as a result, he drew the attention of Fia, the Deathbed Companion.
After Fia slew him with her curse, she took the Cursemark. The half she held in the game was obtained in precisely that manner.
Lucian asked seriously,
"Have you made any progress?"
He certainly did not wish for D to die inexplicably at this point.
D shook his head, somewhat regretful.
"We found some traces, leading to followers of Lord Godwyn."
"After clearing one of their outposts, we didn't discover the mark itself. But we did manage to obtain a clue for our next step."
Lucian exhaled in relief. That was still manageable.
The mention of Godwyn's followers did not surprise him.
Wherever death lingered, their traces were rarely far behind.
"I see. I've also been tracking the movements of Godwyn's followers. If you find anything further, send word to me."
"Even if I'm unavailable, I'll dispatch people to assist you."
"Supplies, manpower, force—whatever you need, my people can provide."
D's eyes lit up with surprise. He had not expected to secure sponsorship so easily.
With Lucian's support, things would surely become much more convenient.
"That's excellent. I'm deeply grateful."
Suddenly, D recalled the "Beast Clergyman," Gurranq, whom he had mentioned to Lucian before.
Lucian still had three Deathroots in storage meant for him.
Who knew when they would next meet? It might as well be now.
D asked,
"Lord Lucian, are you free at the moment?"
"If so, I could take you to meet the friend I mentioned before—Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman."
Lucian considered it.
He had yet to visit that place. It would indeed be worthwhile to see him.
After all, this was Maliketh, the Black Blade, in disguise.
Moreover, keeping the Deathroots served no purpose. Giving them to Gurranq would yield valuable rewards.
The incantations he offered were highly practical, and among the exchange rewards was even an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
"Very well," Lucian agreed. "Take me to him."
With their decision made, D abandoned the idea of repairing his armor for now. The two of them teleported directly to the Third Church of Marika.
At that very moment, however, the envoy bearing the Two Fingers' will arrived belatedly.
Watching the pair vanish before his eyes, the messenger fell into contemplation.
They were gone. His mission could not be completed.
What was he supposed to do now?
—
The two arrived at the Third Church of Marika and used the concealed sending gate behind it, transporting themselves to the entrance of the Bestial Sanctum.
Yet upon arrival, both were stunned by the sight before them.
The Bestial Sanctum had been reduced to a state of ruin, as though it had suffered a brutal assault.
The Black Blade Kindred who once guarded the entrance now lay as a corpse, faintly exuding the stench of decay.
Its helmet had been crushed inward; its bones shattered and twisted into grotesque angles.
The body lay carelessly sprawled across the steps like some stray carcass abandoned by the roadside.
Yet in truth, a Black Blade Kindred was considered among the most formidable beings in the Lands Between.
Peering inside, they saw that the heavy iron doors had been smashed open, deep dents caved into their surfaces.
The gates stood wide, offering an unobstructed view of the interior.
The sanctum itself was in no better condition. Stone pillars had collapsed, statues shattered. Its former solemn and mysterious grandeur was gone.
A figure clad entirely in black robes crouched silently at the very center of the sanctum.
D let out a breath of relief.
At least Gurranq appeared unharmed.
Lucian surveyed the traces of destruction surrounding the sanctum. Something about them felt strangely familiar.
Could this have been Bernahl's doing?
He had mentioned unfinished business in Caelid before departing, and he had not even attended the victory celebration afterward.
The more Lucian examined the scene, the more plausible it seemed.
The strength required, the devastation left behind—it all matched.