When the mechanical chariot thundered back once more, Rudy was nowhere to be seen. This was expected, and the group didn't panic at first. However, as the chariot made a second, then a third empty pass, a ripple of unease began to spread through the crowd.
"Perhaps he failed," someone whispered.
"No," Raven said, his eyes fixed on the far end of the tunnel. "This isn't how his story ends."
One minute passed, then two, then three... Finally, the mechanical chariot emerged once more from the darkness at the end of the passage.
Atop the chariot sat a small silver speck—the unmistakable frog-like head of the Albinauric.
"He actually did it!" a sharp-eyed warrior cried. "I see him holding a long-handled weapon—that has to be the Serpent-Hunter!"
Raven narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the figure. His expression shifted. "Something's wrong. He's injured."
"You're right, and it looks serious. He probably can't jump off the chariot on his own," Floh, the Bloodhound Knight, added gravely. "I can try to intercept him, but the chariot is a bit too high."
Raven had seen the Bloodhound Knight's prowess during the battle with the Magma Wyrm; Floh was undoubtedly among the strongest of the invited experts. More importantly, he specialized in a unique combat art. At this moment, he was likely the only one capable of performing a mid-air rescue.
"I'll help. Bishop Baroque, can you assist us?" Raven quickly outlined his plan.
"Count me in," Knight Leonard said. He and the Albinauric had truly become friends after their initial scuffle.
Before long, the group was ready.
Bishop Baroque held his Prelate's Inferno Crozier at a steep upward angle. Crowded onto the broad, flat head of the massive hammer were Raven, Leonard, and Floh.
"One, two, three—jump!"
Raven braced his left arm, manifesting a glintstone shield, and leaped alongside Leonard, who raised his own physical shield. The Bloodhound Knight jumped a fraction of a second later, but his speed was peerless. In a blur of motion, he appeared above Raven and Leonard, planting a firm kick onto their raised shields to propel himself even faster toward the top of the chariot.
"Bloodhound's Step," Rykard remarked, watching Floh's afterimage in the air. "The reputation of the Bloodhound Knights is well-earned."
Like a ghost, the Bloodhound Knight flickered into existence at a height level with the top of the chariot, only two or three meters away from Rudy. Rudy strained to thrust the Serpent-Hunter forward, just far enough for Floh to seize the tip of the spear.
With a sharp grunt, Floh executed another Bloodhound's Step in mid-air, dragging both the Serpent-Hunter and Rudy along with him in a spatial flicker. Without a solid surface to push off from and burdened by the extra weight, he only managed to teleport seven or eight meters before his form solidified. He plummeted toward the ground at an awkward angle, but they were finally clear of the chariot's grinding blades.
Rudy hit the ground hard, a splash of white, milk-like blood staining the stone. It was only then that everyone realized Rudy's legs were gone.
"Something went wrong... when I was dropping onto the chariot with the spear," Rudy's silver frog-head seemed to pale as he spoke. "I got caught... by the blade-wheels."
"Don't talk," Raven said, immediately casting an Urgent Heal on him, while Lansi nearby began preparing a Great Heal incantation.
After some frantic first aid, Rudy's condition stabilized, and the bleeding stopped. A warrior from Aeonia produced clean bandages and wrapped the stumps of his legs. Rudy didn't let out a single whimper throughout the entire process; he only sat there, his shoulders being patted by the warrior in silent support.
"Well, looks like I'm carrying you back again!" Knight Leonard laughed, lifting Rudy with one hand. But when he saw the look on Rudy's face, his laughter died in his throat. "Uh... did I hurt you?"
Rudy didn't answer. He simply closed his eyes, large tears rolling down his cheeks.
"You won't grow tired of my horse, will you? Haha," Leonard chuckled weakly, trying to cheer him up. "Hey, does anyone want to trade horses with me?"
"No... It's just... I can't be a hero anymore," Rudy said, looking down at his empty lap with profound sadness. "How can a cripple without legs be a hero?"
"Nonsense! If anyone dares say you're not a hero, I'll smash their head in," a Kaiden Sellsword barked with a grin.
"I know someone," Raven said seriously. "She is also unable to use her legs, yet she is the finest knight I've ever met."
"Thank you, but you don't have to comfort me." Rudy gave a weak, tired smile and touched the bandages on his legs. "I just... I'd like to be alone for a while."
Raven remained silent for a moment, then nodded and walked away.
Rykard stood apart from the rest, holding the Serpent-Hunter. He scrutinized the weapon, his fingers tracing the dull, dark edge of the spearhead.
The tip nicked his finger, and a bead of blood welled up. Even after countless ages, the Serpent-Hunter remained as sharp as ever.
Rykard put his finger in his mouth, licking away the blood, then looked at the approaching Raven. "Raven, with this spear, our plan to slay the Great Serpent is half-complete."
"Congratulations," Raven said with a slight smile.
"Now, everyone, prepare to head back!" Rykard announced loudly. "We return to Volcano Manor. After a short rest, we will head to the base of the crater to slay the serpent god hiding deep within the volcanic vents!"
The group cheered in unison. They returned to the surface via the lift and reunited with the companions who had been guarding the horses outside the tomb.
Knight Leonard mounted his horse and placed Rudy behind him. "Hold on tight, friend. We're heading back the way we came!"
Rudy patted Leonard's back in response.
The return journey was uneventful. The high spirits of the group led to constant chatter and laughter, and they moved much faster than they had on the way there. Within a few days, the silhouette of Volcano Manor appeared on the horizon.
During the trip, Rudy's spirits seemed to improve. He finally moved past the initial shock of losing his legs, and the smile returned to his face more frequently. During their breaks, he would even use two wooden sticks as crutches to move around the camp.
"It looks like I won't be able to join the final hunt for the Serpent," Rudy said with a chuckle.
"You stay at the Manor and recover. Just wait for our good news," Floh replied.
"What are your plans once you've healed?" Raven asked. "I'll likely be returning to my territory on the Altus Plateau afterward. I'm very short on manpower. Rudy, would you be interested in coming with me? You'd be a great asset there."
"There's no need," Rudy said, waving a hand with a smile. "But thank you for the offer."
"I'm serious," Raven added, worried Rudy might think it was an offer out of pity. "You know how to craft Cracked Pot items, you're skilled at mixing greases, and you can identify raw materials in the wild while making and disarming traps. Any team would be lucky to have a talent like you."
"He's right, Rudy," Leonard added, looking back from his saddle. "Even if we had to assign someone specifically to carry you, any adventuring party would jump at the chance to have a veteran like you. Don't lose heart!"
"Actually," Rudy said softly, "I think I want to go home."
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(135 Chapter - Ongoing)
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