Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

Chapter 579: Interlude: Bernard II

(This article is narrated from Bernal's first-person perspective)

Unexpectedly, the man named Zero actually defeated the Golden King, "reattached" Greg, and obtained the demigod Great Rune.

This piece of news was enough to shock most of the border area, and it also caused a group of people who had gathered in my shabby house since I didn't know when, to get very excited and make a lot of noise around him.

——However, this man can indeed be called a hero.

My instinct told me this.

He possesses a unique power, a power that attracts people to him.

Even Roderica, a simple and timid girl, was attracted by the radiance in him and regained her courage, hoping to embark on a journey to find her own mission.

Speaking of which, everyone in my room is gathered here more or less because of this man.

Roderica was saved by him; Ishtopia also seemed to have a close relationship with him; the two Kaidan mercenaries, Kate and Bain, were also given a break by that guy and were later influenced by Roderica; not to mention the swordsman named Roger and the Crucible Knight named Hertok who followed behind him, they were companions who fought against Greg's tyranny together with Zero.

······How should I put it? It makes people a little envious.

After Roderica left, Zero came to me again alone and asked me how to truly use the combat skills.

During our time together, I found that this man was quite frank and friendly, and he always had a vitality that was rare in this dull and chaotic world... These points were somewhat similar to Cecilia. After all, in the past trips, I always seemed to be the silent one.

Moreover, Zero's fighting acumen was quite good, and he had the motivation to persevere. It only took him one night to basically master his own original moves.

——On the road to becoming the King of Elden, this guy should become a strong rival.

This thought came to my mind involuntarily, and at the same time, I couldn't help but laugh.

——So, deep down in my heart, I still have such thoughts? I already know that it's all a scam and it's impossible to achieve...

——But if it were you, what choice would you make, Zero?

——Can you save Cecilia?

Such thoughts sprouted in my mind, but of course, there was no answer.

Gradually, people left and the tea became cold, and I left Nimgfu, intending to return to the Yatan Plateau to take a look. I was invited to the Volcano Residence, where they accepted the Faded Ones and planned to rebel against the Golden Dynasty and reshape the law.

I joined them because I was somewhat interested.

And in that official residence, many secrets were unexpectedly discovered:

[Death] was sealed, and the border area became [eternal]. It was hidden at the end of the distant sky, in the floating land called Fam Azra.

And that power will be the key to becoming the King of Elden!

Only [Death] can truly kill God!

······

Not long after, I heard that Zero had also joined the Volcano Mansion...Is that man actually going against the Golden Rule and joining this rebellious camp? I was quite surprised.

But when we met, I realized that the man in front of me was not him!

The girl who brought him here had a strange fragrance on her body. Although it was very faint, it was probably because she had been used with the enchanting branch and was mistaken for a person.

And that man had an extremely dangerous aura, his eyes were filled with blazing flames, and the wails of countless wronged souls came from him.

He said, "You must be Bernal, right? The man known as the 'Master of Combat Techniques'! I didn't expect to meet you here... By the way, I want to ask, Bernal, what do you think of this world full of lies?"

I can't remember my answer at that time.

However, from just a few words, I can sense that this man seems to have a twisted paranoia about the real Zero... After all, even his appearance is imitated exactly.

His heart is toward fire, hoping that fire can melt everything!

Hatred, fighting, curses... everything will be purified by the flames, and the whole world will eventually become one huge whole, returning to its original appearance.

He also told me that the only one who could truly guide the flame in the cauldron on the giant's snowy top was the witch Zero, and only by turning her into a spark of fire could she lead to Fam Azra.

My heart was shocked.

The question that occasionally popped up in my mind before came up again:

——Zero, if it were you, what would you have done?

Unexpectedly, this time, it was really his turn.

I couldn't help but become more concerned about Zero's situation, and took the opportunity to unite with the Mad Fire Man who looked similar to him.

Of course, the closer you get, the more you can feel the danger of that man.

His purpose has never been to return everything to its original state, but simply to destroy, simply to burn the entire world!

After defeating the "Big Snake" Lacard, he even planned to drag Zero, whom he called "half body", into our camp, claiming:

In this way, everything that belongs to Marika will be completely destroyed, and the world will burn in raging flames once again.

······

"Again? Did that man really say that?" The woman I kidnapped was quite confused.

"Yeah." I just nodded. Of course, it's up to her to believe it or not.

The witch named Melina was silent for a while, then asked, "But since Lord Bernard, you did not completely accept the Mad Fire voluntarily, why don't you work with Lord Ling to find a way to deal with him? Why do you have to use this method..."

——This method means that I kidnapped her.

“······Maybe it’s because of jealousy?” I murmured.

"Lord Bernal?" The other party asked suspiciously and with fear.

"I'm just kidding." Even I found such an idea ridiculous, so I told him the truth. "That Mad Fire Man seems to have been confident that he can drag your king to our side. I only know that his trump card is in the Royal City of Rodel, but he never told me what it is... So, I want to use you to force the Mad Fire Man to use his last resort."

"..."

"I believe you also know that this flame is the power to destroy everything, and it is a power that will never be allowed to exist in this world. If your king is really given the Mad Fire under a last resort... then, I will kill him in Fam Azra, and then die at the hands of Malycus. In this way, the Mad Fire will have no trump card at all, and no one will be able to set foot in Fam Azra again!" I stated my plan lightly.

Silence lingered among us for a long time.

The witch sighed and asked in confusion, "But why did you do this, Lord Bernard?"

I thought about it again and again, and there was only one answer in my mind: "······After all, this is the world where she existed, witch."

······

"Master Bernard! Master Bernard!"

Someone's call rang in my ears again, but it was so far away that I couldn't make it out.

My strength is slipping away and my body is getting colder. I'm probably going to die... This is really happy, Zero.

As expected of you, you found a unique way to come to Fam Azra without having to harm your own witch or be blessed with insanity... If it was you who was in front of the cauldron, she would have survived.

In a world as dark as the abyss, snow seemed to be falling again.

Cecilia, I seemed to see her smile again.

······

——From now on, I can only ask you to protect the world where she existed, Zero.

——And you never disappoint anyone, do you?