"Wait till Torrent learns to walk on water. Even if Malenia showed up, she'd have to scram with this many people around."
Throne shrugged it off. The Lands Between crawled with monsters and freaks—he couldn't handle them all.
He glanced at Melina standing solemnly beside him and cracked a slow smile.
"What are you grinning at? It's disgusting." The wooden girl eyed him warily.
"I was just thinking about when to get you a new outfit. Your current one doesn't make much sense."
Throne had been itching to bring this up. She could shift between physical and ethereal forms, so why did her robe still get wrecked?
Melina looked down at her tattered, scarred robe and didn't argue. "Changing my attire won't affect my abilities. Tell me, how do you want to change it?"
"That'll take some preparation." Throne played coy.
Given Melina's persona, a maid outfit would suit her best. Maybe he'd prepare one for Ranni too, pass it off as a specially designed evening gown. She'd look majestic in it.
Relaxed now, he considered pulling a fast one and sneaked a glance at the second floor.
Ranni had gained some freedom, but her sleepiness lingered—the price of losing her physical body. She'd drift into deep slumber now and then, leaving her vulnerable. It'd be better to leave the Three Sisters area and head to Raya Lucaria.
The terrain there was treacherous, the path crawling with Fingercreepers, and a few Carian Knights stood guard. It should be foolproof.
"By the way, what did you talk to her about earlier?" Melina finally found a chance to ask. Throne had been busy handling the aftermath for days.
"Are you interested?"
"Well, it concerns me, after all." Melina feigned ignorance, glancing at Throne before turning her gaze to the lake. "Is the secret too big to tell me?"
"I'm not hiding anything. First, knowing too much won't do you any good. Second, it's too much trouble to explain."
Throne chose his words carefully and summed it up in one sentence: "Marika wants to break the Erdtree's shackles and is willing to sacrifice everything for it. Godwyn's life was meant to solve the Erdtree's fundamental rule."
The information hit Melina hard. It took her a long moment to process. The moonlight cast a cold gleam on her face.
"So, am I one of the sacrifices too?"
It didn't matter. If her mission ended the same way as Godwyn's, she'd accept it calmly, without a hint of sadness. But why this flicker of unwillingness? Was she wavering? Impossible. Had this deal been a mistake from the start?
Should she have kept her distance, formed no bonds, so she could focus solely on her mission? Melina's thoughts churned. Everything she'd seen, heard, and felt these past days clashed with her 'factory settings.'
Throne glanced at her, sensing the melancholic air of a literary young woman.
He didn't spout nonsense, just laughed and patted her shoulder. "Why overthink it? If I were like you, this blade would've been too dull to look at long ago. If they're a friend, treat them with your whole heart. If they're an enemy, slay them with all your might. Even at the moment of death, you'll close your eyes in peace."
"That sounds like something a fool would do." Melina stared at him, but there was no real disgust in her gaze.
She knew Throne carried more secrets than she did, deeper and more terrifying, yet he lived straightforwardly. Resourceful when sober, lazy when idle, and sharp when killing.
Throne blinked, startled. He hadn't expected to be called a fool one day. Scratching his head in a mix of embarrassment and irritation, he gave Melina a firm pat on the back.
Splash. The girl was caught off guard and immediately fell into the lake. Fortunately, it was summer, and the lake water was still warm. She popped her head out, no longer looking melancholic, but instead furious.
"What are you doing?!"
"Letting you sober up. You're thinking about meaningless things all day long. I said it before, things will work out in the end. When the time comes, I'll help."
Throne also jumped into the lake, only to realize he was wearing a brand-new set of Carian Knight armor and immediately began to sink.
"Hey, come pull me out!"
Melina didn't help, just watched the man splashing in the water, revealing a smile that was both schadenfreude and genuine.
"Serves you right!"
These two have been stable for two days, why are they fighting again?
Ranni watched quietly from the second-floor deck. She wasn't actually asleep; she had intentionally given them time alone, as if she had noticed Melina's hesitation these past few days. Of course, the proud Lunar Princess would never admit it.
She fixed her gaze on Melina's face and, seeing that smile, couldn't help but shake her head.
"Sigh, this guy loves to meddle. She wants to burn the tree, why stop her? At worst, just knock her out and tie her up. Why create extra trouble for himself?"
Complaints aside, the smile on her face never stopped. Perhaps it was this unique personality that attracted her.
Pah, who is attracted to him? I haven't settled the score for what happened before!
Ranni turned her head away. Footsteps approached her ear.
A knight wearing gray armor, carrying a curved sword, with a helmet featuring a pointed mouth like a dog's, walked over. Bloodhound Knight Darriwil knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, the Raya Lucaria Academy side is ready. Should we bring Lord Throne up?"
The knight was loyal and rushed back immediately after completing the connection with Nokstella.
Ranni glanced at him, then looked at the person splashing in the water, and waved her hand, her tone dignified yet cheerful.
"No rush. Let him drink a few more mouthfuls of water first."
......
Woo—
The sound of a slender copper horn rang out. On the long bridge in front of the Academy, Carian royal flags hung on both sides. Soldiers in bright armor held straight swords, standing solemnly on the side.
Led by Eira, hundreds of mages wearing brand-new robes bowed and placed their hands on their chests, performing the most solemn mage etiquette. This witch was quite the character. Upon learning of the deaths of Oritis and the others, she switched sides at lightning speed, while also helping the Carian Army maintain order.
The few remaining civilians stood on tiptoe, looking forward, wanting to catch a glimpse of the mysterious Princess. Unfortunately, a gorgeous carriage draped with thin gauze—it seemed to be a special item—made things blurry, and no matter how they looked, they couldn't see clearly.
Ranni was doing this for the Two Fingers to see, showing that she had no intention of burning bridges.
Throne rode a white warhorse in the lead, covered head to toe in Carian Knight armor. He held the reins in one hand and a long spear in the other, looking around with great interest.
Hmm, the welcome was very warm. The Liurnia people here weren't deaf; they had long been hoping for Ranni to come and save them. The army was also magnificent.
Except for Allen guarding the gatehouse, nearly three thousand Carian soldiers formed a rolling torrent of iron. The hall of knowledge in front had already been trampled by Carian boots. The arrogant mages lowered their heads obediently, and a whole row of heads was still hanging on the gatehouse.
The Cuckoo Knights, led by Matthews, finally entered the academy of their dreams, though it was a pity it was in this manner.
Throne raised his head, filled with the satisfaction of a conqueror. The entire Liurnia was basically settled. Next, it was time to rest and recuperate.
Roar—
A dragon's roar came from the sky.
The Glintstone Dragon's wings stretched wide, casting a shadow that made the crowd gasp. Merchants passing through Liurnia shook their heads in resignation. From this moment on, resistance against Caria was futile. But it wasn't all bad—Caria dismantled the Cuckoo checkpoints and distributed the spoils equally. Even the Albinaurics, their round bellies protruding, stood solemnly on the bridge. When interests aligned, no one was too full to resist.
"That stupid dragon knows how to show off."
Throne snorted, tugging the reins to halt his warhorse before the magic professor. The honor had been bestowed by Ranni, though Throne didn't need it. He straightened his posture, attempting to look dignified, and spoke in a deep, commanding voice.
"From today on, the rules of Raya Lucaria Academy will change. The Academic Committee is abolished. Princess Ranni will act as Dean, and the Carian Army will serve as guards. As the last remaining committee member, do you have any objections?"
It was him. Eira swallowed hard. She'd guessed this knight was the one who'd single-handedly conquered the academy that night. When had Caria produced such a formidable figure?
She lowered her head, offering a glintstone-forged key, her breath shaky.
"According to the authority granted by the 'Full Moon Charter,' I represent the Raya Lucaria Academic Committee and unanimously pass this reform."
It wasn't a conquest, just a reform. Sure, there had been... incidents. Unpleasantries on both sides. But these were Liurnia's internal affairs. No need for other lords to meddle.
Thops approached, clad in a magic professor's robe. The bald, rugged man couldn't hide his excitement as he held up another glintstone key.
"As the new Magic Professor of Raya Lucaria, I confirm that Ms. Eira's vote is valid."
The procedure was complete.
Throne winked at Thops, genuinely pleased for him. Thops returned the gesture with the most solemn mage etiquette. Without this man, he'd still be a frustrated nobody. He'd never dreamed of becoming a Magic Professor, one of the academy's elite. A stray dog returning home in glory.
That genius had finally been recognized, his life rewarded.
And me? Throne scanned the crowd. Years ago, he'd broken free, fought his way out, and fled this bridge with Sellen to begin his journey. Along the way, he'd seen the Haligtree Army's might, witnessed Godrick's tyranny, shared drinks and laughter with Radahn, and tangled with monsters and demons. Now, armored soldiers and horses surrounded him, everyone's eyes fixed on him. Just like back then.
He summoned Gravity Magic, lifting the two keys into his grasp. Pulling the reins, he made the white horse rear its front hooves, the midday sun gleaming off his golden armor. The knight raised his right arm.
"Army, heed my command. Enter the city!"
The entry ceremony was a military parade, a warning to any enemies. Spies from other factions lurked in the crowd, even noble agents from Leyndell. They had to admit: Caria was strong enough to step onto the stage of The Lands Between. Not something to be intimidated easily.
Three thousand soldiers armed to the teeth, including special units like Trolls, Albinaurics, and glintstone sorcerers, with a demigod overseeing the field, nearly ten hero-level experts, and the man on the white horse—rumored to be even more terrifying. He'd conquered Raya Lucaria single-handedly.
Even in the Golden Order's glory days, this kind of feat would've been bragged about for decades. His identity remained shrouded in mystery—no one knew where he'd come from, not even a whisper. With so little information, he felt like Caria's ultimate weapon.
This was Ranni's message, her display of power. Only strength could silence the chaos, not blind greed leading to death.
Thousands marched in unison, their boots thundering across the bridge. Raya Lucaria sprawled vast, large enough to hold tens of thousands. From this day on, it no longer belonged solely to the mages. Caria ruled here now.
Ranni's words were law, her majesty the face of authority. This battle would be remembered as—
"The Second Full Moon Conquest."
Its architect was the first to enter the city. He halted his warhorse in the plaza where he'd once faced judgment, dismounting lightly. Behind him, carriages and armies rolled inward, swiftly securing every key position.
"Throne, handle matters swiftly, then meet me in the Grand Library."
Her voice echoed in his mind, distant and commanding. She still refused to appear, cloaked in her regal mystery.
The Grand Library—would he see Mother there? Throne nodded, unbothered.
If Ranni could restore Rennala to her former glory, he'd march to Leyndell tomorrow and trade barbs with Morgott. He'd show them the truth, the rule.
Taking the academy was only the first step. The aftermath was a tangle of complications, but he didn't need to manage the minutiae. The army would follow the plan.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, surveying Raya Lucaria. On his first visit, he'd been a spy. On his second, an invader. Now, he was its master.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor, twisting paths until laughter turned to tears. When he'd infiltrated the academy, he never imagined he'd one day claim it.
This place wasn't just a hall of magic—it was a treasure trove. Not in gold or jewels, but in glintstone. The mages monopolized its craftsmanship, from lamps to staves, a monopoly that meant Runes—countless Runes. Runes to arm his army to the teeth.
Most people hadn't grasped that yet. Technology, not magic, was the true force. He had no intention of letting his former colleagues waste their minds on arcane theories. That would rot their brains and drain resources.
"Lord Throne."
Thops and Miriam approached, flanked by Carian Knights under Moongrum's command. They surrounded him, awaiting orders, poised like scribes with quills in hand.
Throne took a small step back, uneasy at the attention.
"Report government affairs to Princess Ranni."
"But Her Highness instructed us to find you or Lord Iji."
He glanced toward the Grand Library, silently cursing his enigmatic employer.
"Then find Lord Iji. I've only a few suggestions."
"Please share them."
"Specify research topics for those mages. Stop their inexplicable theories. Focus on fluid puppets and magic golems. When there's time, process glintstone. Iji has ways to sell it. The Tarnished demand is high. Use the recovered Runes to strengthen our armaments."
Throne spoke with precision. Fluid puppets lingered in his memory—mass-produced, knight-level machines.
Nokstella's alliance secured Caria's material supply. Strength wasn't just about raw power—hard training hit diminishing returns fast. What separated humans from beasts was the ability to wield tools, to compensate for talent with cleverness. Magic golems, for instance, were devastating corps-level weapons. Even now, he wouldn't dare face one head-on.
As for glintstone products, it's simple. Tarnished who killed for treasure or bought it with coin were no different.
"Replace the army's gear with the captured Cuckoo weapons," he ordered. "Dispose of the rest."
"No problem."
"As you command, my lord."