Elden Ring: With God Mode Enabled

Chapter 339: Millicent Is Such a Resilient Girl

After being found by Slude, the Black Knife Assassins had taken time to rest and recuperate in Stormveil.

They had hidden for years in various catacombs and dungeons, with no opportunity to maintain their armor, much of which had fallen into disrepair.

For the sake of secrecy, they certainly couldn’t have it restored by an ordinary blacksmith.

Besides, those blacksmiths lacked the necessary skill.

Fortunately, Master Iji, who knew the whole truth of what had happened and was absolutely loyal to Ranni, was also in Stormveil.

Thanks to him, the Black Knife Assassins could entrust their equipment to him for repairs without any reservations.

Now, the assassins were at their peak, full of vigor.

And so, four imposing, cloaked figures stood at attention, awaiting Bai Shi’s command.

Their tall statures and resolute gazes were enough to know they were the finest of the Black Knife Assassins.

Bai Shi looked at the assassins before him and issued his first order:

“Slude, you will remain in Stormveil. As for the rest of you, I have a mission for you.”

“I want you to investigate a person for me, as well as the forces under his command.”

“Sir Gideon Ofnir.”

“This is not an assassination. Just gather intelligence and ensure your own safety.”

The four newly arrived Black Knife Assassins bowed their heads in unison, committing the target to memory.

Then, their forms vanished once more as they departed on their mission.

As for Slude, the strongest among the Black Knife Assassins, Bai Shi had her remain in Stormveil as an insurance policy.

At present, there was no urgent need for the assassins in Stormveil; Slude’s single black knife was more than enough.

Therefore, Bai Shi decided to send the others to gather some intelligence.

Bai Shi was no longer concerned about the potential threat Gideon posed.

Back when he was still developing his strength, he had been quite wary of that old schemer, always plotting something in the shadows.

But now... he could call on his patrons for all it mattered.

Even if Gideon mobilized every force at his disposal, it was doubtful whether he could withstand a single blow from Bai Shi.

When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

However, Bai Shi had no intention of eliminating him.

What Bai Shi was curious about was Gideon’s whole story.

What sort of guidance was he following, and what were his ultimate goals?

If he could understand these things, he would grasp their true relationship of interests and where Gideon stood.

If their interests aligned, Bai Shi wouldn’t even be opposed to a truce.

After all, the two of them never had any deep-seated grudge.

And Gideon’s wisdom was the real deal.

This was also why Bai Shi had only instructed the Black Knife Assassins to gather intelligence.

——

Bai Shi stood up and projected his consciousness into the storm above Stormveil.

As he did, everything happening in the castle gradually appeared in his mind.

All traces of the chaos the Morgott brothers had caused had vanished completely, and the city had returned to its usual tranquility.

Bai Shi could see many people who looked like physicians gathering, while various supplies were continuously being requisitioned from storerooms.

The personnel for the expedition to the Land of Shadow were not yet ready.

The order had only been given that morning, after all, and mobilizing people and resources still required some time.

This delay was unavoidable, and there was no point in rushing it.

It wouldn't take long, though—a day or two at most to prepare everything.

In any case, Bai Shi didn’t need to personally oversee the logistics, so waiting a little while was no issue.

After some thought, Bai Shi decided not to waste this time.

He would head to Caelid first and bring Hilbert back.

Using a Site of Grace, Bai Shi teleported directly into Redmane Castle.

He opened his eyes to find a completely unfamiliar Redmane Castle before him.

The castle had been utterly transformed.

Thanks to the neutralizing incense specifically designed to combat the Scarlet Rot, the corruption that had taken root in Redmane Castle had been completely purged.

Bai Shi walked to the castle walls and looked out over Caelid.

On the island where Redmane Castle stood, the Scarlet Rot had been entirely driven out.

And on the other side of the Greatbridge, an even more formidable wall of fire had been erected.

Within the area enclosed by the flames, patches of green were gradually appearing on the land as normal plants began to grow anew.

Though the progress was minuscule compared to the vastness of Caelid, it was still a noticeable step forward.

Seeing these results, the Redmane soldiers had regained their fighting spirit and thrown themselves into the battle against the rot with renewed vigor.

Bai Shi observed the ever-expanding wall of fire and nodded.

Although he now knew that sunlight could return the rot to a state of abundance, he didn’t plan to use that power yet.

A place as large as Caelid would drain him completely and still not be resolved.

Until he found a more suitable method, he would leave things as they were.

Since he hadn't yet fully understood the rot, Bai Shi had no intention of interfering with their operations.

Even if it was only treating the symptoms and not the root cause, it was better than nothing.

The resources needed to produce the incense were negligible anyway, and giving these warriors something to hope for was well worth the cost.

Bai Shi found Hilbert in the same laboratory as before.

He was currently examining some plants.

The materials in Hilbert’s hands were the very first plants to have sprouted from the newly purified soil outside.

As plants that had started growing again so quickly, they might possess some unique properties.

Seeing Bai Shi, Hilbert looked up in surprise and set down the experimental materials in his hands.

“Well, look at you. It’s rare for you to have time to visit.”

“Are you here for the test we didn't finish last time?”

Hilbert was, of course, referring to the effect of sunlight on creatures afflicted with Scarlet Rot.

Bai Shi shook his head.

“I’ve seen the progress you’ve made in cleansing the rot outside. You’ve contributed a great deal.”

“But I didn’t come here about Caelid this time.”

“There are some wounded who need treatment, and I need you to come with me.”

Hilbert nodded.

“Things here in Caelid have plateaued for now. It can proceed step-by-step without me.”

“But before we go to this place you mentioned, I plan to gather some materials.”

“I’ve been in Caelid for so long that I've just about run out of common ingredients.”

Although Stormveil sent a steady supply of ingredients for the neutralizing incense, other materials not on the list were rarely included.

Since this trip was for healing, he needed to prepare as many general-purpose materials as possible.

After being used up bit by bit in Redmane Castle, many common ingredients were running low.

Hilbert suddenly remembered he now had Stormveil's logistics supporting him and corrected himself:

“Or perhaps I could procure some from Stormveil?”

“They’re all rather common materials. Stormveil should have plenty, right?”

As Hilbert listed off a series of items, Bai Shi nodded without hesitation.

“Of course.”

“It’s all just herbs and flowers. We have piles of them in Stormveil.”

Suddenly, Bai Shi thought of Jarburg.

Speaking of places to gather herbs and flowers back in the game, Jarburg was second to none.

Though he no longer needed to go there to farm for materials, he still had to bring the jars of Jarburg with him.

He had already agreed with Alexander to have him communicate with the other jars and arrange for their move to Stormveil. In Stormveil, the Living Jars wouldn't have to worry about poachers.

Bai Shi looked at Hilbert and asked:

“Speaking of which, where is Alexander?”

Hilbert thought for a moment before replying:

“Alexander has already left, not long after his injuries healed.”

“I believe he went to Stormveil, but maybe you didn’t run into him.”

Bai Shi shrugged.

It couldn’t be helped. He spent most of his time running all over the Lands Between; his time in the castle was comparatively short.

However, if Alexander had gone to Stormveil looking for him, someone should have informed him.

That being the case, it was also possible that Alexander got lost.

Considering the time that had passed, Alexander had probably already reached Liurnia by now.

Well, if need be, he could just go to Jarburg and speak with them himself.

The jars were very wary of outsiders, but it shouldn’t be a major issue.

Thinking of Alexander, Bai Shi couldn’t help but smile.

He wondered if Alexander would get himself stuck in another hole in Liurnia.

——

On a plateau in eastern Liurnia.

‘Iron Fist’ Alexander, who had been walking along the road, suddenly stopped and scratched his lid.

“Hmm... Huh?”

The red-haired young woman walking ahead of him noticed her companion’s odd behavior and turned around to ask:

“Alexander, why did you stop all of a sudden?”

If Bai Shi were here, he would have been incredibly surprised.

The young woman traveling with Alexander was none other than Millicent, who had set out alone on the path to the Haligtree.

After departing from Caelid, she had traveled through Limgrave and stopped for a time in Stormveil.

Leaving Stormveil, Millicent resumed her journey and arrived in Liurnia.

It was there, in a ruin, that Millicent encountered a group of specters.

Having lost her dominant hand, she struggled to fight them off and was on the verge of being overwhelmed.

Just then, Alexander, who had gotten lost and wandered nearby, heard the sounds of battle and rushed in to save her.

With the crisis resolved, Alexander and Millicent became acquainted.

It was impossible for anyone to dislike a friendly and enthusiastic warrior jar like Alexander.

Their bond deepened when they discovered they both knew Bai Shi and had received his kindness.

Since their destinations were both far away, they decided to travel together, seeking a way up to the Altus Plateau.

Hearing Millicent’s question, Alexander snapped back to his senses.

“Oh, oh, I’m fine.”

“It’s just... why do I feel like someone is thinking about me?”

Millicent glanced down the road ahead.

“Ah, are we getting close to that hometown you mentioned?”

“Perhaps your kin are thinking of you.”

Alexander tilted his body, considering the possibility.

“Haha, now that you mention it, that’s very likely.”

Letting his imagination wander, Alexander couldn’t help but think of the home he had never returned to.

At this moment, even the image of his home was blurry; only the figures of his kin remained vivid in his memory.

Home...

Home was so beautiful, so peaceful, a stark contrast to the blood and fire that filled the Lands Between.

Remembering his home in a cruel land like this, he couldn’t help but immerse himself in its warmth.

One day, he would be influenced by those gentle memories and halt his steps.

A warrior needed to press ever forward, to hold fast to his convictions.

But still...

“...Well, since I’m already in the area, I might as well take a look at my hometown from a distance later.”

“Ahem, just passing by, just passing by...”

Seeing Alexander reaching up to rub his lid, Millicent smiled faintly.

“If we were human, you would probably sneeze when someone was thinking about you.”

Alexander burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha, it seems humans do that sometimes.”

“Ah, it’s strange. Jars can talk, but why can’t we sneeze?”

“We can feel hot and cold, but... ugh, never mind. No point thinking about something I can’t figure out.”

Alexander crossed his arms over his chest and suddenly remembered something.

“Hmm, speaking of home...”

“I think Bai Shi mentioned something to me before, about moving the jars to live in Stormveil.”

“Oh, my. I was planning on visiting him in Stormveil.”

“Unfortunately, by the time I realized it, I had already gone past Stormveil. I didn't even see the main gate.”

“I wonder if I’ll get another chance to meet him.”

Hearing Alexander mention Bai Shi, a nostalgic expression crossed Millicent’s face.

“Master Bai Shi... yes, it has been a long time since I’ve seen him.”

“I would also like to see him again.”

“I still haven’t repaid his kindness.”

“But... as I am now, there is nothing I can do...”

Millicent reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

The stump of her arm, where the rot had eaten away at her, still ached faintly.

The golden needle had only suppressed the Scarlet Rot, but she could still clearly feel it coiled within her body.

And what use was a swordswoman who had lost her arm?

Now, no matter what enemy she faced, it was a struggle.

Seeing Millicent like this, Alexander sighed inwardly.

For a warrior, losing the means to fight was an unbearable blow.

If he lost his proud fists, he would probably be so devastated he would have to end his life as a warrior.

He had almost been shattered completely himself during the festival of combat.

It was only with the help of Bai Shi and Hilbert that he managed to hold on to his identity as a warrior.

After applying the binding agent, his body was finally repaired.

Even so, a decrease in his strength was inevitable, and he would need more time to reach greater heights.

Therefore, Alexander completely understood Millicent’s pain.

Millicent was such a resilient girl.

Thankfully, he could travel alongside her for this next part of the journey and offer her some protection.

Noticing the atmosphere had grown a little heavy, Alexander quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, if we have to wade through water up ahead, Millicent, you should sit on my head.”

“Here in Liurnia, if your clothes get wet, you’ll be even colder.”

Millicent realized her mood seemed to have put Alexander in a difficult spot and nodded with some apology in her eyes.

“Yes, thank you.”

Alexander’s body wobbled, as if nodding.

“It’s nothing. We’re in the same boat; we should help each other out.”