The crime scene had already been cordoned off, with swarms of Leyndell Knights patrolling the perimeter. Families had shuttered their windows, peering through the cracks with anxious trepidation, desperate to know what had transpired.
"A single, fatal blow from the front," the General muttered, his brow furrowed. "He had no chance to resist."
"These four accompanying security members were also bisected in an instant. It seems they didn't even have time to react," a Tree Sentinel added. "Curse this flowing water; it leaves no clues behind."
A shallow stream, barely reaching ankle height, flowed down the gentle slope. Even now, the water was stained a sickly pink.
The mangled corpse of a Leyndell Knight lay sprawled in the water. His helm, along with the Erdtree crest, had been crushed into a warped iron disc. Three scorched claw marks had ripped through his breastplate, sinking deep into his chest; even his backplate bore three jagged protrusions where the force had nearly punched through.
"A savage claw strike, diagonal from the upper left to the lower right. I doubt the outcome would be any worse if an Ancient Dragon had swiped at him," the Tree Sentinel remarked. "I didn't expect such a dangerous enemy to be lurking in Deeproot."
"It looks like a lone wolf attack, but an organized resistance might already be forming," the General said. "We must take action."
"I have increased the patrol density of the Leyndell Knights. At least three to a squad. Upon encountering an enemy, they are to immediately fire warning signals. This won't happen again."
"I wasn't talking about that."
"Then what?"
"Post notices everywhere on how to identify Rot worshippers. Inform the people of Deeproot that fanatics have infiltrated their ranks. Encourage them to report and expose one another. Once we verify a report, we will reward the informant with a third of the heretic's wealth."
"Is it wise to keep turning up the pressure?" the Tree Sentinel asked dubiously. "Vicious attacks like this are already happening."
"It proves the pressure isn't high enough," the General countered. "Once the identification cards are distributed, begin rounding up anyone who refuses to accept one. Send them all to excavate the collapsed tunnels; don't give them enough free time to plot. And again—encourage them to inform on each other."
The Tree Sentinel nodded helplessly. "As you command, General."
"The Dynasty will not abandon us. However, the extent of the sewer collapse is still unclear. We must prepare for a war of attrition." The General stepped outside, glancing at the Erdtree roots that reached toward the cavern ceiling. "The Erdtree roots must remain under our control, whatever the cost."
On the surface, Troll slaves strained against massive winches, and the gates of the Royal Capital groaned as they were slowly hoisted.
Raven's group rode out of the city, descending the long stairs to the camp outside the walls. The outskirts were a cacophony of sound—auxiliary troops and wagons laden with supplies moved back and forth amidst clouds of dust and the stench of livestock.
However, there was a distinct boundary line separating the camp's outskirts from its core. The chaotic mess of wheel ruts and footprints stopped dead at this invisible threshold.
As they crossed that line, the air instantly turned cold and stagnant. Just a few steps further, and the clamor of the outer camp was left behind.
"Leyndell Knights, Cleanrot Knights, Haligtree Knights, Ancient Dragon Knights, Banished Knights..." Raven's gaze swept across the banners of various knightly orders. Within the perception of his Wild Strikes technique, brilliant points of light ignited one by one, each radiating a sharp, formidable aura.
The tents were all tightly closed, their banners hanging as straight and sharp as blades. On a nearby clearing, a row of tall gargoyles had folded their wings, their heads tucked against their chests in a state of slumber. The entire area exuded a deadly silence.
Rya quietly gripped the hems of Raven and Lansseax's clothes.
"What is it?" Raven asked.
Rya shook her head without speaking. She followed closely behind Lansseax, stealing glances at the hideous gargoyles.
A few birds flew into the area, landing on the head of an exceptionally tall gargoyle and chirping incessantly. Rya watched as one bird lifted its tail and dropped a streak of grayish droppings onto the gargoyle's head; she couldn't help but stifle a smile.
In the next instant, a crimson glow flared from the gargoyle's eyes. The birds took flight in a panic, but after rising only a few meters, they plummeted straight down, lying motionless on the ground.
Rya, like a startled squirrel, buried her face behind Lansseax's back.
"Rya?" Lansseax turned around to see what she was doing, and Rya rotated with her, her cheek still pressed tightly against Lansseax.
"Oh, is little Rya scared?" Lansseax giggled.
"I am not scared," Rya insisted stubbornly. She peeked out cautiously, but when she saw the gargoyle's black wings unfurl to reveal skeletal ribs soaked in corpse wax, she shrieked and pulled her head back.
"Here, take my hand." Lansseax grabbed Rya's small hand. "No need to fear. This is a Black Blade Kindred. Do you want to take a closer look? A future flowing water swordsman can't be this timid."
Still hiding behind Lansseax, Rya reached out her other hand.
Lansseax gave Raven's shin a light kick.
"What?" Raven looked back, smiled, and took two steps back to take Rya's hand.
With double the courage, Rya finally stepped forward. Standing between Lansseax and Raven, she looked up at the Black Blade Kindred.
"See? Not so scary when you look closely, right?" Lansseax said.
The Black Blade Kindred's bowed head slowly rose, and it lifted a withered leg.
Rya suddenly let go of Raven and Lansseax's hands and sprinted toward the creature. Lansseax was startled and prepared to chase after her, but Raven stopped her.
"Wait," Raven said, his knees slightly bent, ready to activate Bloodhound's Step to save Rya at a moment's notice.
Rya rushed beneath the gargoyle's feet, bent over to scoop up the stiff little birds, and ran back with them huddled in her arms.
Thump!
Only then did the corpse-wax-soaked foot stomp the ground, causing a minor tremor. Raven noticed that the Black Blade Kindred's step had actually paused in mid-air for a few seconds, waiting specifically for Rya to leave before descending.
Unaffected by the tremors, Rya scurried back and hid behind Raven and Lansseax. Her face was flushed as she held the birds in her palms, gently shaking them, yet they would not wake.
Lansseax cast an Urgent Heal incantation, but it had no effect; the birds' claws remained rigidly extended.
"Are they dead?" Rya pouted. "But they feel warm to the touch..."
"Let me see." Raven walked over and brushed his hand over them. The birds immediately flapped their wings and took flight.
"Amazing!" Rya cried, her small fists clenched to her chest, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Rya is very brave."
Ruffling Rya's hair, Raven looked toward the approaching Black Blade Kindred. It radiated a faint aura similar to Destined Death. It wasn't a fragment of the Rune of Death itself, but a power imbued by long service to Maliketh, the Black Blade. Even a sliver of that leaking aura was enough to strike birds into a catatonic state of terror.
Had Raven not used the Rune of Death to devour that aura, the birds would have remained frozen until their lives slowly ebbed away. And if a Black Blade Kindred were to land a direct hit, even the strongest warrior would likely share the birds' fate.
"She wishes to be a flowing water swordsman?" A voice with the timbre of a cello came from the side.
Malenia approached, looking down to study Rya.
"Exceptional flexibility and balance. She truly does have the talent to learn the way of the flowing water."
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(192 Chapter - Ongoing)
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