Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

Chapter 506 Communication from the Distant Dark Night

"La, Lani?!" I couldn't help but look at the petite figure in front of me in surprise.

She had been in the blessing backpack, but she ran out at some point and insisted on finding a stone taller than her doll and sitting on it so that she could be on the same level as me.

Petite Lani continued to ask, "So, during the time I was away to explore the law, what happened in the border area? What happened to the golden witch? Why did you sigh like this?"

"...Melina has been kidnapped." Facing Lani, I naturally had nothing to hide, so I told her the truth and briefly recounted how we set foot in the snowy area, ignited the giant's fire cauldron, and burned the golden tree. Of course, I also told Lani that I was going to Fam Azra to meet Mad Flame, but was defeated by Mungot.

After hearing this, Lani did not doubt my choice at all. Instead, her brows were full of doubts: "If that's the case, isn't the answer very simple? Just keep thinking of ways to save her, Melina."

"But is it too late?" I sighed. "I have nothing now. I have to prepare everything from scratch. Besides, the guys I will face are all Marika's direct descendants, the demigods of the borderland."

"So, you're scared?"

"Ok?"

Lani stared at me and asked again: "So, Zero, are you scared? You are about to face those powerful opponents."

“…That…is not entirely true. It’s just a matter of time…”

"If that's the case, then why should we stop here? Why not just give it a try?" My hesitant answer was interrupted by Lani with a rather disapproving tone, "Not having enough time is just an excuse people make for themselves after missing out on an opportunity. If you haven't tried your best, how can you say it's too late?"

Lani's words made my heart tremble.

Swallowing my saliva, I tried to refute, "But, even if you think about it simply, re-equipping weapons, challenging the current King of Blessing, and then going to the Holy Snowfield to find Marennia, each of these things cannot be solved in a day or two. In that time, Bernal and the others don't know how many things they can do. By that time, they may have obtained the power of destined death and returned to Rodel, ready to enter the Golden Tree to modify the laws!"

"So, are you afraid that you can't defeat them? Zero?" Lani asked again.

"I······"

"Even if the Mad Fire One has gained the power of destined death, if you still have the courage to challenge them in your final answer, then there is no need to be timid now."

"You...you don't understand what I mean, Lani." I sighed.

But Lani shook her head, and said with a hint of reproach: "You didn't understand what I meant... You underestimated others, Zero."

"Me? Looking down on others?" Lani's words made me even more confused.

The other party did not keep the secret and spoke frankly: "Indeed, Zero, you have more intelligence than anyone else in the border area. At the same time, you also have outstanding strength and the courage to challenge and realize yourself. These advantages have enabled you to defeat many powerful enemies and solve many problems, supporting you to this day. Our Kalia royal family has also benefited a lot from your help... But those victories seem to have brought you a kind of arrogance. Therefore, now that you have suffered a setback and the situation has deviated from your plan, you will fall into confusion."

"I, I didn't." Although I said this, deep down, even I seemed to agree with Lani's words, which were quite to the point, so there was no confidence in my voice at all.

And Lani did not stop talking because of my insignificant protest: "Of course, this is just my intuitive feeling after listening to you... Let's not talk about the time when the golden witch was kidnapped, the battle with Monget, Zero, did you underestimate the king's faith and lose that battle?"

"I······"

"And now, it's the same. You still look down on those of us who were born in the border area. At this critical moment, all you think about is that you need to save and handle everything here by yourself, so you are worried, sighing, and hesitant." Lani paused, giving me some time to think, and then asked softly, "Zero, you have always put the witch in the position of being protected, but have you ever really faced her?"

"..."

Perhaps it was my slightly doubtful look that made Lani sigh: "She is also the offspring of the 'Eternal Queen' Queen Marika... Although she may not be willing, she has the strong will to use her spirit to accomplish her mission even if her body perishes. Moreover, she has the power of the goddess with midnight eyes. Maybe she does need your help, but do you think that the golden witch will really sit and wait for your rescue after being abducted?"

"Melina..."

What Lani said was right. Although she looked weak, she was determined to serve the fire for Atai, and she did not hesitate to sacrifice her destined death to the Mad Fire King after he destroyed the world. Melina never backed down from her mission.

She is not just a pitiful girl who can only cry for help, but a reliable companion who is willing to stand beside the Fader and challenge the "Evil Omen King" Mungot together.

——Although this is the plot in the game, the same is true for my Melina.

She had worried time and again that my plans would go wrong, so she was always prepared to burn the tree.

"Also... Zero, have you ever thought about why Mungert didn't kill you and said those words to you?" As if she was afraid that I would forget, Lani repeated, "As long as I am alive, I will never allow you to touch the Mad Fire, Zero. I will protect Rodel in my own way and not let the Mad Fire get close to the Golden Tree."

I frowned slightly.

——Those were the last words Monggot said to me before I passed out. How did Lani know it so clearly?

——I don’t think I told her about this just now.

"Although it contains my over-interpretation, the implication of this statement is that you don't have to worry about Rodel's situation. He will do his best to stop the Fire Madman from invading, and you just need to make sufficient preparations? For example, prepare the golden needle of Marennia first." Lani explained Mongert's words.

This... I really haven't thought about it at all, but when I think about it carefully, after I told Mongget about the golden needle, he didn't seem to doubt it, but questioned me how to deal with Marlenya.

——Perhaps Lani’s interpretation is not far-fetched?

"In short, instead of spending time here feeling sorry for myself and being confused, I think it's better to take action first. If a person really can't do anything, then go find someone to help." Petite Lani stood up and turned around. "Okay, it's time to end the small talk. I won't allow you to break our agreement because of this, Zero."

"······I understand, Lani." I couldn't help but smile.

After all, the princess has come here so earnestly to enlighten me and give me guidance. It would be tactless for me to continue to worry endlessly about flowers, trees, sky, breeze, and clouds.

"Thank you, Ranie, I know what to do now."

“······Yeah.” The petite Lani turned her back to me and responded simply.

After a moment of silence, she continued, "Oh, there is one more thing. Originally, I came back to the border to tell you this. After all, exploring the starry sky is not as simple as I thought."

"Ok?"

"Ahem." She cleared her throat. "It seems that your magic teacher, Selene, has returned to Lienia with Master Azrael and Master Lusert of the School of Origin. They should be back to Rhea Lukalia in a few days... She asked me to tell you."

...In other words, Teacher Se Lian is going to fight with the Lord of Red Lion City, Jie Lian, to completely settle their feud?

——You really should have said this earlier! My dear lady!