Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

Chapter 219: Promises and Bonds - Part

Closer and closer...

There is still a day and a half left until the battle festival begins.

In the city lord's tower, Blaze, Jerion, and I discussed in detail the rescue strategy for General Latan:

As a demigod, with the growth of runes and strength in his body, the "Star Crusher" General Latan's physique has surpassed that of the burly mountain giant and is estimated to be eight or nine meters tall.

Although he was corroded by the scarlet corruption and turned into a monster, the fighting instinct was already engraved into his bones. Whether it was close combat or long-range magic and archery, Latan still used it in a methodical manner.

The good news is that before being corrupted, Latan did not undergo runeification, which means that he would also feel exhausted from fighting.

Therefore, all those involved in the battle were roughly divided into two groups.

The first group, to cure external corruption. I publicly prayed "Healing of Flame". Once General Ratan fell into fatigue or whenever there was an opportunity, the faded ones who had learned to turn to prayer would take the opportunity to set the general on fire and eliminate the external scarlet corruption on him.

The others mainly fought and contained the opponent, attracting firepower to consume Ratan's physical strength, and looking for opportunities to use the special extension of the Knox Fluid Hammer to completely suppress the opponent, so as to create more opportunities for the healing group.

Finally, the most agile "half-wolf" Blaze among all of us found an opportunity and stuffed the corrupting moss into Latan's mouth.

"This is roughly the plan. However, the situation on the battlefield is unpredictable, so we have to adapt to the circumstances when the time comes." Jie Lian summarized.

I repeatedly simulated the possible development of the battle in my mind, and then raised another point: "... In addition, we must pay attention to the meteor."

"meteor?"

"Well, isn't the legend of General Ratan's 'Shattered Star' because he used gravity magic to seal the falling stars from the sky and protect the magic town of Selia? During the battle, we must be careful in case he gets impatient and summons those meteors to smash down."

Blaze and Jerry looked at each other, and they seemed to have some doubts about what I said.

But I have deeply experienced this in the game!

——The meteorite falls from the sky when Ratan changes phases.

——Especially when I first saw this move, I summoned a large group of friends and finally killed Ratan halfway. The opponent flew up in a flash, causing everyone to lose their target.

——At this time, the computer's mentally retarded AI will gather around A-di and circle around him.

——And I was wondering at that time, why the Boss escaped before the health bar disappeared.

——A meteor will fall from the sky and wipe us all out, hehe~

In reality, the power of a fireball might be even greater, so we must be careful.

"In short, we should be careful to disperse, right? I will inform everyone about this." Jie Lian looked out the window. Unconsciously, the sky had darkened again. "Tomorrow is the time for the festival..."

He turned around and said to Blaze and me, "Thank you for your hard work. Tomorrow morning, before the ceremony begins, I will go over all the matters with you warriors. Tonight, you should go back to your room and rest early."

Since Jerry said so, Blaze and I walked out of the tower.

——However, is there anything else that needs attention?

I thought about it.

As I passed the square, my thoughts were interrupted by a burst of noisy cheering.

Pollyanna was seen fighting with a majestic fader.

She deftly used the fighting skill "broken steps" to make her opponent spin around, and then suddenly kicked her opponent in the knee with a low sweep, forcing the big man to sink his body and stagger.

Pollyanna took advantage of the victory and flashed in front of the opponent, then used a rising dragon push palm to knock the opponent back.

——Sure enough, as long as you master the fighting skills, you can use them even without weapons.

"Good!" The crowd burst into cheers.

——What a bunch of careless people. Tomorrow, the battle with the demigod will begin, and...

"Pollyanna, did she make holy blood wood sprouts today? She's still so energetic." I couldn't help but hold my forehead with my hand because of a sense of inexplicable helplessness and irritation.

"Zero!" Laya in the crowd saw me and ran over immediately.

"Master Zero, long time no see." Diaros' childhood sweetheart, Lenia, also came over to greet him. Sure enough, the Platinum Son was with her. "After seeing little Laya, I've been looking for you. But you seem to be quite busy."

"No, I just went to discuss how to rescue the general." I said honestly.

However, Lenya seemed to have misunderstood something and nodded with a smile: "I understand~ I understand~ As expected of Master Zero, no matter where you go, you are the center of attention~"

"Um... I didn't, don't talk nonsense!" My face turned red and I quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Lenya, I remember you said you came to Red Lion City to find companions, right? How are you doing?"

Speaking of this, Lenya's face, which had been shining brightly, dimmed, and Laya also became a little depressed.

——Look, it seems that the situation is not very good.

——After all, the Sons of Platinum are also a kind of enemy to us Faded Ones, and few people are willing to help their enemies.

"Well, let's not talk about this for now. The most important thing now is the general's festival, isn't it?" Lenia's face turned from gloomy to bright. "I haven't seen such a lively scene in a long time. Even the coward in my house seems to have been infected and decided to participate in the festival."

"Diaros? Hahaha, don't say that to him. If you want to talk about cowards, I used to be worse than him."

"Oh? Then Lord Ling, how did you become what you are now?" Lenya asked with great interest.

“Um… well…” I seemed to have dug a hole for myself, “How should I put it? Fighting constantly, it just happened naturally?”

——You can’t say, “For Meimei” or “For Lani” or something like that. It’s so embarrassing.

Lenia stared at me so hard that I couldn't help but look a little erratic. Then, as if she saw through something, she smiled and said, "I know that Master Zero actually has a firm belief, which is why he keeps fighting. Unfortunately, Diaros... Compared to you and Brother Yuno, he is still too immature."

"..."

"So, Master Zero, can I ask you a favor?"

"What's the matter?" I asked subconsciously.

"It's Diaros. He's full of passion now, but when he really goes to the battlefield, he won't have any say in what happens. I..."

I understood what Lenya meant: "You are worried about him, so you hope I can take care of him a little?"

"Hahaha, after all, he is my childhood sweetheart, and I don't want anything to happen to Diaros. And here, the only one I can ask for help from is you, Lord Zero." Lenya smiled embarrassedly.

——Ah, so that’s how it is.

Suddenly, I envied Diaros.

"Well, don't worry, nothing will happen." I said as calmly as possible, "City Lord Jie Lian's dispatch and arrangements are quite perfect, and with Brother Wolf here, no one will be in trouble."

"Ah?" Blaze, who was beside me, turned around in surprise when he was suddenly mentioned.

I quickly introduced him to you: "I forgot to introduce you, Lenia. This is Blaze, the Half-Wolf Knight of the Calia royal family. You may want to discuss the matter of Dujuan and the Son of Platinum with him."

Upon hearing this, Lenia's attention was completely attracted by Blaze: "Wow! The Royal Family of Kalia?! I heard that you are the real ruling faction in Lienia, right?"

A little further away, a cold and rustling voice came: "Zero - I found you!"

——It’s Pollyanna. Why did she suddenly come to me again?

Looking at the other person's slightly flushed face, I suddenly had an ominous premonition.

"Come to think of it, we haven't officially fought each other yet! Come and fight with me!" After saying that, the girl ran towards me amid the cheers of the crowd.

——Oh my god, I don’t want to get into trouble now! There are still many things to do!

My legs and feet were faster than my thoughts, so I ran away first. Fortunately, Pollyanna did not try to stop me in small steps, so I ran all the way back to the accommodation building lent to the Faded Ones.

But, I heard footsteps chasing me from behind. When I turned around, it turned out to be Laya.

I breathed a sigh of relief and looked back down the corridor: "Pollyanna, she didn't catch up with us, did she?"

"Zero." Laya suddenly called me, "Zero, this time, you can also win the battle like usual, right?"

"Huh? What happened suddenly?" Laya's question surprised me.

“······” Laya tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

I swallowed my saliva, smiled, reached out my hand, and touched Laya's little head: "Don't worry, you will win."

Laya listened, narrowed her eyes, and laughed: "Well, after all, Ling and I also have an agreement~ We will climb the Yatan Plateau and go to the Volcano Residence with me in the future."

——Yes, another promise.

My hand couldn't help but pause for a moment, and I laughed dryly and said, "I feel a little tired. I'll go back and rest first, Laya."

"Hmm~"

I sighed softly and walked towards my room.

Just as I was about to open the door, I turned back involuntarily: "······Laya, your room is next door~"

"Oh, I understand. Then, Zero, just have a good rest, and see you tomorrow." Laya said, bowed to me, and then walked towards her room.

After watching her leave, I opened the door.

And in the room, there was a figure waiting for my arrival.