"You should represent the Deeproot and have an open, honest talk with the Golden Dynasty to secure terms that both sides can accept," Raven suggested. "For instance, the Deeproot accepts the rule of the Golden Dynasty, but you serve as the Lord of the Deeproot."
"I am an Omen."
"So what?"
"An Omen serving as a Lord—you truly understand nothing!"
"You are the son of Marika and Godfrey. That identity will never be publicly acknowledged, but in the eyes of the Dynasty's high command, you are different from a commoner. The leaders of the Dynasty are well aware of the origins of the Aspects of the Crucible. Secretly appointing you as a Lord is not beyond the realm of possibility, provided the existence of the Deeproot and yourself remains hidden from the public. I believe this is a goal worth pursuing."
"I told you," Morgott hissed through gritted teeth, "I do not want others to know of my parentage."
"Because it is a stain on the Golden Lineage? Because you don't want the Golden Order to be questioned because of it?"
Morgott remained silent.
"However, the fact that Queen Marika and Godfrey sired Omen children is no secret among the Dynasty's upper echelons," Raven countered. "As for the commoners—they won't find out anyway, will they?"
Morgott looked as though he wanted to punch Raven, but in the end, he only muttered gloomily, "You are right."
"So you agree?"
"No, I cannot do it," Morgott said. "I cannot show my face in the Royal Capital."
"If you don't go, do you intend to let Machno be the representative?" Raven asked.
Morgott gave no answer.
Raven shook his head helplessly. Then, his eyes fell upon a stout figure lingering far behind them.
"There is indeed another candidate."
"Who?" Tricia asked.
Raven walked up to Mohg. "Mohg, would you be willing to serve as the representative for the delegation and come to the surface with me?"
Mohg looked up in shock, his mouth hanging open.
"Mohg cannot do it," Morgott interjected. "He cannot handle such a heavy responsibility."
"I... I am slow-witted. I'm afraid I won't speak well."
"That isn't a major issue; I can prepare a script for you," Raven said. "The key lies in your identity. You are both a demigod of the Golden Lineage and the brother of the Deeproot's leader. With such a status, the other side will believe you have the authority to make decisions."
"Can I... can I really help you?"
"It's not for me," Raven said with a thin smile. "It's for everyone in the Deeproot. Of course, my exploration of the Eternal City also requires the help of the Deeproot's residents."
Mohg finally made up his mind.
"Fine. I will go with you."
Morgott opened his mouth as if to protest, but in the end, he said nothing.
"Then, get ready. We'll set off shortly, if that's alright?"
"What do I need to prepare?" Mohg wrung the hem of his robe, squeezing out a few droplets of water as if he could dry his clothes that way. "Clothes? Luggage? I don't have any clothes fit for the surface..."
"Those clothes are fine. I'll help you dry them," Raven said. He reached out and tapped Mohg on the waist.
"Ah!" Mohg cried out, stumbling back several steps. He felt a warm fire rise from within him, and in moments, his clothes were steamed dry.
"What are you screaming for?" Raven said irritably, having nearly thought his fire incantation had malfunctioned and burned Mohg. "There's no need to bring anything you can buy. Just take the essentials, like your preferred weapon."
Watching Mohg run off, Morgott let out a heavy sigh.
"Very well. Perhaps it isn't a bad thing for Mohg to go to the surface with you. Please, look after him." Morgott paused. "Given his personality, he wouldn't have agreed. It was likely my attempt to stop him that triggered a streak of defiance."
"Did something happen between you two?"
Morgott's foot scuffed against the ground, appearing hesitant about whether to tell Raven.
"He has a habit of self-harm."
"What?"
"In the beginning, it was just scratching the backs of his hands. Later, he began cutting his wrists to bleed himself. Eventually, it escalated to stabbing himself with sharp objects. I tried everything to stop him, but he still did it behind my back. A few days ago, I finally lost my temper and beat him—very severely. Throughout it all, he never fought back."
Morgott's voice grew lower and lower until he stopped. After a long silence, he added, "I regret it deeply."
"Why does he harm himself?"
Tricia tugged on Raven's sleeve, signaling him not to pry further.
"We are tainted by the Crucible, our blood is cursed, and we became Omen. The Erdtree refuses to grant us its grace, and our parents cast us into the sewers... If draining my blood could turn me back into a normal person, I suppose I would do the same."
"I'm sorry," Raven said.
"It's fine. I am glad you do not discriminate against us." Morgott offered a flat smile. "I don't know how to face Marika. I fear I would lose my composure in public, falling to my knees to beg her not to abandon me. That is why I dare not return to the surface. But Mohg..."
"I will make sure not to put too much pressure on him," Raven said. "No one stays happy after being away from the sun for too long in the dark. Perhaps seeing the sky on the surface and interacting more with people will improve his state of mind."
"I thought the same when we moved to the Deeproot, thinking that leaving the oppressive environment of the sewers would make him normal again. He went a long time without harming himself, and I thought he was cured. That is why I lost control so badly when he relapsed a few weeks ago."
Morgott paused. "I have said too much. I hope you won't hold a prejudice against Mohg because of this. He has never harmed anyone. He..."
Seeing Mohg approaching, Morgott shook his head and fell silent.
Mohg brought no luggage. On his back was a long fishing spear—it seemed this was the item he had gone back for.
"Is that your weapon?" Raven looked at the three sharp tines of the spear. "It looks like a trident."
"I've only ever used it to catch fish," Mohg said sheepishly.
"It doesn't matter. Carrying a weapon is just for 'just in case,'" Raven said. He turned to Morgott. "Then, we shall head back. During this time, please conduct the census and consolidate the people's opinions. Any personnel sent later can come directly to my manor."
"What about the ruins of the Eternal City? Aren't you going to look?" Tricia asked.
"There is a real Eternal City waiting to be explored beneath the waterfall," Raven laughed.
"Once this matter is settled, I will personally organize an expedition to accompany you to the Eternal City," Morgott promised. "The entire Deeproot will provide its full support."
After parting with Morgott, the group returned the way they came. As dawn broke, they climbed out of a manhole into the Royal Capital. The cold wind of early winter swept through the streets.
Raven conjured a ball of fire and tapped it against himself, burning away the filth from the sewers. He did the same for the others. "Go back to the manor first. Okina, have the manor prepare a carriage and send it here. Mohg and I will wait."
Raven had already anticipated that an Omen appearing in the Capital would cause a stir, so he intentionally avoided letting Mohg walk through the streets. But even as they waited in a secluded corner of the civilian district, several passersby screamed and recoiled upon seeing them, pointing from a safe distance.
Before the manor's carriage arrived, a squad of the Leyndell City Watch arrived, likely having received reports from citizens.
"Get back to the sewers, Omen!" the captain shouted sternly. He remained on his horse, pointing his sword at Mohg. "I'm only warning you once!"
Raven shook his head, walked over, and pushed the blade aside. "Lower your swords."
"My Lord," seeing Raven's attire, the captain dared not be disrespectful. "Is this Omen threatening you? Please, get behind us—Ah, you are Raven of Caria!"
"Yes. And you are...?" Raven couldn't recall meeting him.
"I am Leon, third son of Baron Cade. I saw you from a distance at General Connaught's mansion." Leon quickly dismounted. "Please, forgive my intrusion."
"It's fine," Raven said. "If you aren't busy, could you seal off the surrounding area? Don't let any pedestrians through."
"It would be an honor to serve Your Highness." Leon bowed and turned to order his soldiers to disperse.
"Captain, we saw the Omen's face. We won't be cursed with bad luck, will we?" Raven heard a soldier ask uneasily in the distance.
"Yeah, Captain, I heard the elders say the Omen's sickness is contagious."
"Fools and their hearsay," Leon waved his hand impatiently. "They are cursed by the Crucible, inferior beings without the Erdtree's grace. But it isn't a contagious disease. You won't get bad luck just by looking at them. Now, stand your posts!"
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(161 Chapter - Ongoing)
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