Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

Chapter 220: Promises and Constraints (Part )

In the dim room, the golden eyes light up the darkness like a candle, making people feel a sense of warmth and security.

"Melina." I called softly and walked forward quickly. "Long time no see. By the way, after defeating veteran O'Neill last time, I should have received a large amount of runes. Can you help me convert it into power?"

"Of course, Master Zero." Melina reached out her hand and touched my palm. "What kind of enhancement do you need to obtain using Rune?"

"Let's focus all our points on physical strength this time." I said to her without hesitation, "General Ratan is a typical strong man. I'm a little worried that I might not be strong enough to withstand a single blow from his opponent... Besides, it's said that you need to increase your health to 40 points before you start playing soul-based games. My current strength has only increased by 20 points, right? It's still far from enough. In addition..."

"Master Zero." Melina interrupted me, "The strengthening of Rune's power has been completed."

Having said that, she was about to withdraw her hand.

"Wait a minute." I blurted out subconsciously.

A strange look flashed across Melina's brows, and then she lowered her eyes.

Ah, I unconsciously held her hand tightly, like a child who was unwilling to let go.

——Even I was surprised by this. Could it be that such an intimate action made Meimei feel uncomfortable?

I was so scared that I quickly ran away: "Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Melina, I..."

"Lord Ling, are you nervous?" She raised her head and asked with concern.

In Melina's eyes, my face also revealed anxiety and a hint of uneasiness without me noticing at some point. Why?

"Is it because we are going to fight a demigod again, Master Zero?"

"I... I can't really explain it." I didn't have to force myself to say nice things to Melina, but told her exactly how I felt. "It's just that this feeling is a bit like the college entrance examination in the past. Even though I had done enough homework, I still couldn't sleep the night before. I was always worried about which knowledge points I had missed and which types of questions I didn't understand, and whether I would be unable to solve them in the college entrance examination."

"College entrance exam?"

"Ah, um. How should I put it..." It's really hard to explain to Melina what the college entrance examination is. I looked up, thought for a moment, and said carefully, "It's a crucial test, even related to a person's future and destiny. If you succeed, you can get into a good school, and then find a good job, and your life will be easier and more stable; but if you fail... well, it can't be said that your future is ruined, anyway, it will be very uncomfortable, either you take the test again, or maybe you have to accept the fate... In short, the college entrance examination is a watershed related to the future, at least that's what I thought at the time."

"What happened next?"

"Forehead······"

——To be honest, my college entrance examination score was above average, but my life did not become easy and stable because of it. I struggled hard with the blessing of 996, and even came to this dangerous world by accident.

“······Actually, I know, Lord Zero, your anxiety and nervousness are not entirely because of the battle with the demigods, but because of the agreement with them.” Melina said softly, and every word was like the sound of knocking on the door, knocking on my heart.

"Appointment?"

She nodded.

"...Can I ask you a favor, Zero?"

“…And here, the only one I can ask for help from is you, Master Zero.”

"······After all, Zero and I also have a promise~"

······

If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight.

Just like in Stoneville, before launching the surprise attack against Greg's tyranny, the expectations accumulated on one person made me feel a little breathless.

Therefore, I urgently need more power to ensure the fulfillment of the agreement.

After all, this is not like the college entrance examination. If you do poorly on the test, you can still repeat the exam.

Here, if you fail, you might really lose everything...

But that night with Stonewell, things progressed so quickly that I tightened my concentration and put in all my effort, just getting it done right away.

But now, starting from discussing the whole plan with Lani to rescue Latan, step by step, I finally made enough preparations. Too much time would make me more confused:

In case I missed something;

In case I do something wrong;

What if my guess doesn't work, and too many people are sacrificed because of this plan with a low success rate?

just in case······

Too much too much.

As soon as I stop, my messy thoughts are like chains extending from my shadow, binding me.

"It's okay, Master Zero, just be yourself, that's enough." Melina's words were like a breeze, caressing my face.

She held my hand with both of hers and said slowly, "We have already walked through most of the border area, Master Ling. I know exactly what kind of person you are... So, don't be anxious or worry about what will happen if you fail. No matter what, Queen Marika will support you, as long as you follow your heart, Master Ling."

Looking at her, I couldn't help but ask softly: "······So, what about you?"

"Me?" Melina raised her head.

In our eyes, we reflect each other's faces.

"I will naturally accompany Lord Zero to the end, no matter what choice you make, and... no matter what my final fate is, I will continue to travel with you, Lord Zero." Perhaps because she was shy, Melina glanced away after she finished speaking.

"······Thank you. Then we must make it clear." I couldn't help but hold Melina's hand tightly. For some reason, I subconsciously said with some stuttering, "······By the way, Melina. If we can really go to the royal city of Rodel, then I will tell you about your fate······and my thoughts on how to change it. We have an appointment."

"But won't this promise become a bondage to you, Master Zero?"

I shook my head: "No, if it's for you, I will try every possible way to keep myself alive."

"······Thank you." Melina avoided my gaze again.

But the moment she turned her face, I saw the corners of Melina's mouth seemed to rise slightly.

And tomorrow would be the battle festival for the decisive battle against the demigod, "Star Crusher" General Ratan.