Flying to the opposite shore of the lava lake, Lansseax scooped up the three first-generation Albinaurics resting by the serpent's sloughed skin—one in each claw—and soared toward the breach in the mountain wall. She picked up Okina, who was waiting there, and beat her wings to fly out of the mountain's hollow.
"We're going back to Volcano Manor!" Raven said, looking down at the landscape below.
The entire volcanic region was in a state of utter chaos. Riots seemed to have broken out in many small towns and villages, with plumes of black smoke rising everywhere. The psychological impact of the Erdtree's collapse was simply too massive; in a mere matter of moments, order had spiraled into oblivion.
Raven saw no sign of any military presence maintaining order. Likely, the army was in disarray as well. After all, Rykard had never publicly disclosed his ultimate goal of blasphemy; those who knew the full extent of the plan were few and far between. Most of the Gelmir soldiers were simply following orders, believing they were acting on behalf of the Golden Lineage. Now that the Erdtree had fallen, if any officers loyal to the Golden Order took the lead, many units might even mutiny on the spot.
Lansseax winged her way toward the manor. Even from a distance, Raven could see a massive pillar of smoke; half of the manor was already engulfed in flames.
Fifteen minutes earlier.
"Show 'em what you're made of! Stop holding back, goddammit! Make it quick and sack the manor before those snake-men catch up!"
A Kaiden sellsword barked orders, then turned toward the manor and roared, "Listen up inside! The blasphemous Praetor has been executed! If you don't want to be branded as rebels, lay down your arms! I command you to surrender in the name of the Golden Lineage!"
Around fifty guests were laying siege to the manor, having already shattered the outer defenses. The manor's garrison was small, and they had retreated into the main building to make a final stand. If not for several Abductor Virgins blocking the main entrance, the manor likely would have fallen already.
Additionally, there were the thirty-odd members of Raven's knightly order, who were drifting on the fringes of the battlefield, unsure of what to do.
"Have you seen our Commander?"
"Carian Raven?" the Kaiden sellsword scoffed. "He didn't make it out with us. He's either in the snake's belly or Rykard's got him. You'd be better off helping us take the manor. If we grab Rykard's wife as a hostage, we might be able to trade her for your boss."
The knights were skeptical, but ultimately, they did not make a move.
On the manor's balcony, Tanith gripped the railing, staring down at the battle below.
"Lady Tanith, the manor cannot hold!" A Gelmir Knight, covered in blood and filth, burst through the doors and rushed onto the balcony. "Please, come with me immediately! We must evacuate through the secret passage!"
"Is there still no word from Rykard? According to the plan, these guests should have been left in the cavern."
"The fact that they are here means it is highly likely something has happened to Lord Rykard. Please—"
"I will remain here to await the return of the man who became a serpent," Tanith said calmly. "When you leave, please close the door."
The knight seemed to want to say more, but in the end, he only managed: "Then, please take care, my Lady."
At the manor entrance, the Abductor Virgins were destroyed one by one. The Kaiden sellsword led the charge, screaming as he broke into the manor.
The first floor was lost quickly, with only a few loyal Volcano soldiers still resisting from room to room. The guests smashed through doors and tore down walls, looting valuables with abandon before beginning their assault on the second-floor defenses.
Tanith removed her mask and placed it on the railing along with her gloves. she began to hum a foreign folk song, her slender hands fluttering like graceful butterflies. Her toes tapped lightly against the floor, her snow-white skirt billowing with the rhythm of her dance.
An explosive Greatbolt slammed into the railing, blowing half of it apart and sending the mask and gloves flying into the air. Jagged stone fragments whistled in every direction; one grazed Tanith's cheek, and blood immediately began to seep out.
Tanith extended the tip of her tongue, licking the bead of blood that trickled past the corner of her mouth. A faint flush rose to her jade-like cheeks.
She brushed the black ash from her skirt, her dance never faltering, entirely indifferent to the clashing of blades and the sounds of slaughter drawing closer.
Boom!
The balcony door was kicked open. The Kaiden sellsword walked in warily, squinting as he surveyed the scene.
"What kind of 'Empty Fort Strategy' is this?" He chuckled. He watched Tanith's dance for a few moments, then strode forward, grabbed her by the hair, and yanked her toward him.
He ripped the necklace from Tanith's throat and pulled a ring off her middle finger. His movements were incredibly violent, tearing away a patch of skin from her finger.
Tanith's brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't make a sound.
"My Lady, where are the manor's riches hidden? You'd best talk straight. Rykard lured us here with talk of the Great Serpent's treasure, and we've got a lot of anger to work through!"
The Kaiden sellsword stared at her for a moment, then suddenly reached out and tore her bodice open, revealing a large expanse of pale skin.
"I quite like that look in your eyes. Did you have that same dead look when Rykard was taking you? I think I'll take you right here on this balcony for everyone to see."
The mercenary laughed and pinned Tanith face-down against the remaining section of the railing.
Tanith remained expressionless, letting the Kaiden mercenary have his way. Just as he prepared to tear more of her clothes away, his expression suddenly changed. He snatched the shield from his back and held it before him.
In the next heartbeat, the mercenary was sent flying like a bowling ball, crashing through half of the balcony before falling to the floor below.
Only then did the whistling sound of displaced air arrive.
A tall knight in gold-and-red heavy armor descended from the sky. A pair of wings, shimmering like molten gold, wrapped tenderly around Tanith.
The Kaiden sellsword coughed up blood, shoved aside the rubble pinning him down, and stuck his head out to roar, "This one's a tough nut! Everyone, together!"
"My Lady, are you injured?"
"Hotspur, why have you returned? After the Erdtree was sabotaged, you were supposed to lead the troops to purge the officers."
"Protecting your safety is of greater importance." Hotspur suddenly raised his Horned Shield, blocking an explosive Greatbolt. His frame shook slightly from the impact.
On the second floor of the manor, a group of murderous guests slowly closed in. Below, an Outcast Sorcerer began to channel a spell.
"I didn't expect to find a Crucible Knight here. However, even if one of the two chief Crucible Knights were here, they couldn't deal with this many experts at once."
Hotspur held his sword across his Horned Shield. "What has become of Lord Rykard?"
"We're standing here, isn't that answer enough?"
Tanith pushed aside Hotspur's wings. "Why waste breath on empty threats? The Serpent King is eternal; he will not fall to such lowlifes. Are you prepared to face the King's wrath?"
The guests ignored her, continuing their slow advance.
"There's nothing of value in the manor," someone spoke up. "Where are the real riches? Did you move the Great Serpent's treasure beforehand?"
"There is no 'Great Serpent's Treasure,'" Tanith said coldly. "It was all a lie."
"In that case, we'll just have to capture you and hand you over to the Capital. We were involved in your plot to destroy the Minor Erdtree; we don't want the Capital hunting us for the rest of our lives. We'll use you to atone for our crimes!"
"With the likes of you?" Hotspur scoffed. His wings unfurled to their full extent, intending to carry Tanith into the air and escape, but he suddenly froze.
Without anyone noticing, a thick layer of crystal had begun to creep up from Tanith's feet, already threatening to encase her waist.
Below the balcony, the Outcast Sorcerer thrust his staff into the ground, a cold, dark smile on his face.
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(161 Chapter - Ongoing)
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