"...The ancient evil god has awakened from the depths of Mt. Gelmir. That Immortal Serpent is the very source of the volcanic upheavals in recent years.
"I, Praetor Rykard, have resolved to subjugate the Great Serpent, ensuring this ancient god can never again bring calamity to the Lands Between! Your heroic figures in this battle shall be frozen in legend for thousands of years to come!"
Rykard drained a large goblet of wine and gestured to the four corners of the room. Only after the cheers of the crowd had gradually subsided did he return to his seat at the head of the table.
In the Manor's main hall, over a dozen large round tables were packed to capacity. Attendants hurried back and forth, delivering frothing mugs of ale to the tables in a steady stream.
Smoked ham, salted beef, honeyed lamb chops, sausages, cheese, turnips, pickled beans, trout and mussels sealed in salt, onions steeped in congealed butter... the fare was perhaps not refined, but it was served in massive quantities that hit the spot for the rugged warriors.
"My younger brother, forgive the display. If it were our elder brother, the Starscourge, he would surely have delivered a far more magnificent speech. He is a natural warrior with a presence on the battlefield that no one can match. A single call from him can rally the world's heroes to his side," Rykard said. "Though I try my best to emulate him, I fear I only invite laughter."
Compared to their last meeting, the Praetor appeared increasingly aged. His cheeks were pale and gaunt, his eye sockets sunken, yet his gaze was sharper and colder than ever, glinting with a strange intensity as if a fire burned behind his irises. Only when facing Raven did his granite-like features soften slightly, revealing a hint of warmth.
"I have never met Brother Radahn. But I imagine the heroes gathered in the Redmane Army's camp are no more numerous than those in Volcano Manor today."
Raven sat beside Rykard, watching as Lansang turned an empty ale cask upside down to prove she had drained it. The warrior who had been competing with her in a drinking match slowly slid off his chair, collapsing onto the two previous losers.
Among the onlookers, cheers and jeers erupted simultaneously. Those who had lost their bets placed Golden Runes on the table, noisily urging the next challenger to step up.
"It is the first time so many champions have gathered in my halls," Rykard said, taking a sip of mead. "And likely the last. After all, they have only come for wealth, and Volcano Manor lacks the treasury to invite them a second time."
"As long as the subjugation of the Serpent is successful, Volcano Manor's name will be known throughout the world. When that time comes, will you really need to worry about heroes not seeking you out of their own accord?" Raven asked.
Rykard did not answer immediately, silently downing one cup of mead after another.
"Mother said that even as a child, I had a somber temperament, like a stone." He set down his cup. "I never let emotion cloud my reason. I handle affairs with impartiality and justice. And yet, everyone fears and distances themselves from me. Even the one who shares my bed feels no affection for me."
Hearing the last sentence, Raven felt a flicker of awkwardness and stole a glance at Tanith, who sat poised at Rykard's right hand. The foreign dancer wore her Consort's Mask, appearing entirely unaffected by Rykard's words.
"Perhaps it is simply because they do not understand what is in your heart," Raven said. "People prefer the company of those of flesh and blood, not cold machines. You are not a stone; you have simply spent your life using a suit of rational armor to suppress and protect yourself. If you were to release the emotions within, perhaps things would be better."
For the first time, Rykard offered a faint smile.
"You are right. I do need to change." He looked at the wine cup in his hand. "Before, I never touched a drop of wine, unwilling to let alcohol impair my judgment. Tonight is the first time in my life I have drunk, and I find the taste is not half bad."
"For a first-timer, you certainly hold your liquor well," Raven joked. "Come, cheers!"
The two men drained their cups. Tanith silently picked up the wine flagon and refilled Rykard's glass.
"I received the letter you wrote. Those followers of the Frenzied Flame have been settled in the subterranean dungeons, correct?" Rykard asked.
"Yes, they—"
"According to the law, most of them should be executed. I can pardon the ignorant children, but the adults should be held responsible for their own choices."
Raven's hand, pouring wine, froze mid-air. "They are all pitiable people. The grain they grew was entirely confiscated, leaving them with nothing to eat but animal fodder. It is only natural they hold resentment toward the Golden Dynasty. Furthermore—"
"I know," Rykard said. "Perhaps I have drunk too much wine, but tonight, I am willing to make an exception. I can declare them innocent and grant them a pardon—"
"Thank you, truly."
"But you must do one thing for me," Rykard interrupted. "Everything has a price; all must follow the law of equivalent exchange. Even if you are my brother, I cannot break my own principles for you."
Raven nodded. "Name it."
"I want you to join the campaign to slay the Great Serpent. Tomorrow, we shall head to the Gelmir Hero's Grave. Hidden there is a weapon used in ancient times for hunting the Immortal Serpent: the Serpent-Hunter. You are to assist me in retrieving it."
"It's a deal."
"Excellent. Then, enjoy the banquet to your heart's content." Rykard pushed a plate of lamb leg toward Raven. "I did not expect you to arrive at this moment. Though we have only met once before, you are my family, bound by blood."
Rykard paused. "I am glad that on the final night before the operation, I can be with family."
"Once this matter is concluded, Brother, you should go to Caria to visit Mother."
"Visit Mother... Fate is a cruel joke. Mother's favorite eldest son is obsessed with chasing Radagon's shadow, and he has even arrested the stars, halting the flow of the Carian Royal Family's fate." Rykard let out a soft sigh. "I imagine I have broken Mother's heart as well. But..."
He suddenly stopped speaking and stood up, goblet in hand.
"Friends! Tonight, let us celebrate life to the fullest! Cheer! Drink! Even if the path ahead is uncertain, we shall forge ahead with all our might!"
The banquet continued deep into the night. People gradually took their leave to rest, and drunken guests were hauled away by their companions, leaving the hall a mess of discarded plates and spilled wine.
Raven dragged a tipsy Lansang up from the table.
"Hehehe... Commander, why do you have four heads? Are you a Dragonlord too?" she muttered with bleary eyes, resting her head on a small mountain of Golden Runes. "Come... drink with me."
"No more drinking. You've already put down nearly a dozen people." Raven glanced at the winnings Lansang had gathered from her drinking bouts, wrapped them in a tablecloth to form a small bundle, and tucked it into her hand.
"My money... all mine." Lansang couldn't even stand, yet she gripped the bundle of Golden Runes with a death grip. "Commander... if the knightly order ever goes bankrupt and you have nowhere to turn... I'll be the one to look after you."
"I'd rather return to the Erdtree on the spot." Raven's face darkened as he scooped Lansang up in his arms. He carried her into the guest room Rykard had specially arranged for him, made short work of pulling off her boots, and unceremoniously dumped her onto the bed.
After tucking in the blanket for Lansang, who was smacking her lips in her sleep, Raven sighed and sat down at the foot of the bed. He began his daily routine, entering a stargazer's meditative state, until he was startled awake by the midnight bell.
He snapped his eyes open. His keen perception allowed him to faintly hear a subtle, indistinct noise hidden beneath the ringing of the bell.
A faint, scuttling sound reached his ears, like rats moving within the walls.
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(114 Chapter - Ongoing)
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