"Alright, we have arrived."
"...Huh?"
Lucian blinked in surprise. One moment, he had been holding Melina's hand—and in just a couple of seconds, she was saying they'd arrived.
"Seriously? I didn't feel a thing."
Melina glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I do not make unfunny jokes."
"No, I mean—it's just too fast."
Lucian rose to his feet. The ethereal glow of Grace faded away, replaced by the crumbling ruins and familiar scent of the Church of Elleh. And standing a short distance away, the merchant Kale looked visibly startled.
Lucian turned back, but Melina had already vanished.
He stepped into the Grace again, dragging a large pack of looted equipment to Kale's stall.
"Uh, long time no see?"
Kale looked at him, mouth opening and closing in speechless shock.
Massive haul. Jackpot.
The Runes flowing into Lucian's body sent a pleasant warmth surging through him. He had kept only a Brass Shield and the Lordsworn's Greatsword, selling the rest of the weapons and armor for a tidy 1,600 Runes. Add to that the 500 he already had, and another 1,200 or so from killing and looting at the front gate, and he now held a total of 3,300 Runes.
No need to purchase anything at the moment—he could throw it all into leveling.
He even crushed the scattered Golden Runes he'd been carrying around, netting another 600. He'd forgotten to use those last time.
After bidding Kale farewell, Lucian sat before the Grace once more.
"Melina? Are you there?"
Her figure shimmered into view at the same spot she'd disappeared.
"You have already dealt with the equipment?"
"Yep. Big payday. I'll need your help turning these Runes into strength."
Melina nodded but didn't immediately reach for his hand. Instead, she looked around the ruined chapel and focused on the Grace before them.
"This tiny golden aura... is the grace of the Erdtree. This light once shone in the eyes of your Tarnished brethren. But now it is all that guides you. Or so I hear."
Her gaze turned serious.
"You can see them, can't you? The rays of grace, that guide you through your burden."
She paused.
"At CastleStormveil, on the cliffs, dwells a shardbearer— Godrick the Grafted. A demigod who inherited a fragment of the shattered Elden Ring. If the rays of grace signal the castle, then the Elden Ring beckons you."
"As an ally by pact, ...I pray that you are fit... To face the challenge presented by the Ring."
Melina was watching him carefully, as if seeking proof, seeking conviction.
Lucian met her gaze with unwavering determination.
"Of course. That's what I came here to do."
Then he added, "But not just yet. I want to head south first. I've heard there's a castle down there—its lord is a skilled warrior. I'd like to learn from him."
Melina frowned slightly.
"I have seen the full map before. There is a castle on a peninsula to the far south. But if I am not mistaken, it is under Godrick's control as well."
Lucian chuckled.
"Well, I've got the ashes of a Stormhawk—I'll just pretend we're family. If they don't take me in, I'll just make a run for it."
Of course, that was a joke.
His real plan was to earn the lord's favor by saving his daughter, Irina. Even if they didn't welcome him, at least Irina would be safe. That was enough.
But that wasn't something he could explain to Melina.
"Still…"Melina hesitated.
Yeah. Who would believe that kind of nonsense? From their perspective, he was just another Tarnished. They might cut him down on sight.
Melina thought all this quietly, unsure how to express her concern.
"Relax," Lucian grinned, full of confidence. "'Miracle' is practically my middle name. Once I've mastered the blade, I'll march right into Stormveil and turn Godrick the Grafted into Godrick the Amputated."
Melina stared at him, utterly speechless. She slowly reached out her hand.
Lucian galloped down the main road on Torrent, the wind whipping past.
All the Runes he'd earned went into leveling—2 points into Vigor, 1 into Strength. He'd even asked Kale to craft a water skin and picked up some simple dried meat. The total cost: 300 Runes. He had only 400 left—poorer than before.
But it was worth it. Power mattered more than pocket change.
Out of curiosity, he'd tried pouring a Crystal Tear into the water skin—but it slipped right through.
Melina explained: "The Flask of Wondrous Physick is modeled after the Golden Holy Chalice. Only it can contain the divine grace of the Erdtree."
In short, he'd need to collect more Golden Seeds. For now, with just one crimson and one cerulean flask, his supply was definitely lacking.
Torrent's hooves pounded the road as scenery blurred past.
Lucian sighed.
If the Elden Ring had never shattered, life in the Lands Between might've been pretty nice...
Well, except for the ever-present danger. What if some random pervert lurking in the fog decided to do something unspeakable?
But the scenery was beautiful. That had to count for something.
With a clear sky overhead and his path set before him, Lucian's journey to become Elden Lord had truly begun.