But before reaching the Castle of the Storm Veil, one still had to get there. I'd never been there before, so even opening a portal was out of the question. My journey had to start from the ruins occupied by Godric's soldiers. And, I must admit, there were fewer soldiers this time. Some of those I had slain never rose again. Still, I didn't waste time on them. Mounting my spectral steed, I pressed onward up the slope, passing through a massive stone arch.
And there, a defensive outpost awaited me.
It was the only path from this part of the Graveyard to Stormveil. No wonder it was so heavily guarded. For me, though, it was no obstacle. I didn't ignore the free runes either, attacking the soldiers with magic along the way. In this manner, I quickly broke through the blocked road and left the empty outpost far behind.
"Hah… another seed, unexpectedly," I muttered.
As soon as I passed between the rocks and reached the plain, I spotted an illusory tree. Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure I needed that golden seed, but my spare pockets weren't burdened, so I decided to take it. Only, the seed didn't return to the sand world. I still hadn't figured out the little tree that had started growing in my realm. So, for now, I stashed the seed in the pouch attached to the Flow's saddle. Conveniently, anything in these pouches vanished when the horse returned to its incorporeal form—and reappeared when it became material again. Quite handy. Anyone without a personal golden desert would find it invaluable.
After covering some more ground, I noticed a troll wandering the plain.
It didn't particularly interest me. I merely watched as a vagrant crept toward the troll. Clearly, another extinguished savior of Elden. The man approached from behind, ready to strike with his axe, when the troll, suddenly weary, decided to rest. The creature crushed the unfortunate extinguished soul beneath it.
"Well… not everyone's lucky with cheat-like abilities," I shook my head. "Onward, girl."
"Prrr…"
We passed a small forested rise on the hills and returned to the road, gradually ascending. Stormveil rested atop Stormhill, a peak that could easily qualify as a small mountain. My terrible sense of direction was no issue here—I could see the castle clearly. It stood as a landmark on its own, guiding the way.
I first reached a crossroads marked by a pair of dilapidated houses.
Here, I also discovered another grace site. Though their significance had somewhat diminished for me, I chose to activate it. Perhaps it was more like introducing a new branch of grace, weaving itself into the entire Midrealm.
"Chrono…" Melina called.
"Yes?"
"I've prepared something for you."
Appearing before me, she handed a small bag tied with a cord.
"Um… what is this?" I asked, puzzled.
"While you were training with that girl, I tried to learn more about talismans," she explained. "To function, they need to be placed in a certain way."
"Ah… talismans?"
"You found the talisman of the fire dragon, remember?"
I frowned, trying to recall.
"Oh, right…"
A small sand funnel formed above my hand, dropping a tiny stone shield engraved with a red dragon.
"This what you mean?"
"Yes!" she nodded joyfully. "Hide it in the pouch… you can wear it on your neck or belt."
"Alright… but how does it work?"
"It's a talisman pouch, crafted in a special way… I made it myself. Unfortunately, I could only make one. To use more talismans, you'll need to find others."
"I see… doesn't look too complicated," I muttered thoughtfully. "How are they made?"
"Well… sorry, I don't want to talk about it now. Maybe later… but you won't be able to make one yourself. Only demigods can have these."
That gave me food for thought regarding Melina's origins. Indeed, I was curious who she was and where she came from, yet she wasn't ready to share—at least, not yet.
"Alright, and thanks for the gift."
"You're welcome. I'll do anything to help you," she smiled.
"Really?" I smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes!" she nodded seriously.
"Hmm… and what if your touch could help me?" I moved closer.
"Um… I…" My companion stepped back awkwardly.
I took her hand. I expected her to vanish in silver mist, but instead, she merely smirked.
"Seems like you hit on every girl you meet, huh?"
"Of course not," I shook my head. "Only the beautiful ones."
Interesting.
Pulling her close, I embraced Melina by the waist.
"So… what's your answer?"
"If it motivates you…" she leaned toward me.
Our faces were inches apart. I could feel her warm breath on my lips. Almost—almost a kiss.
"I… I can… if you wish, I'll let you touch me… but only once you prove you can get me to the Leyndell tree," she whispered.
She wasn't entirely sincere when she said she'd wait until I gathered the strength to pursue the great runes and the Erd tree.
"So you do have doubts?" I chuckled.
"With your power… you can do it," she frowned lightly. "I don't ask you to gather the great runes. It's enough if you simply get me to the tree's base."
"And then our deal is fulfilled?"
"Yes…"
Easier than restoring the ring. Though there was a minor complication.
"Who will help me grow stronger then? I have no finger maidens, only you…"
Melina raised an apologetic eyebrow.
"But…" I sighed. "Don't worry, I'll still do my best to keep our promise. You've already helped me a lot, and I want to return the favor. As for the strengthening… maybe I'll find another finger maiden?"
Melina took my hand and rested her head against my shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered.
I was being rushed already.
"Stormveil is only the beginning. To reach the tree's base, we must cross Liurnia and traverse the Altus Plateau. Even with your power, I doubt we'll part ways anytime soon."
She stepped back, smiling kindly.
And with that, she finally faded into mist. The conversation had a few awkward moments, but it somehow drew us closer. I didn't redo it. Instead, it was time to look around.
Of course, I could have continued onward, but something bright red caught my eye. Even when Melina disappeared, I had noticed the spot. Now, I could see it clearly: a young girl's red cloak, half-sitting against the wall of a ruined hut.
Approaching, I noticed she was asleep.
A blonde, shoulder-length hair, wearing a white silk shirt and light gray pants. Leather boots and gloves completed the outfit. Over it, a red hooded cloak adorned with decorative patterns. She seemed more than ordinary. Yet here, in that pose, she looked rather sad, even asleep.
"Do you want to lay your hands on her too?" Melina sighed, sensing me approaching.
Her voice, though not material, carried clearly.
"Perhaps… I just want to know who she is and what she's doing here," I replied.
Melina didn't answer, though faint displeasure lingered in her tone.
At least I could be honest with myself. In this world, only two things drew me: magic and beautiful girls. Magic meaning not just classical schools, but any mystical force I could wield. As for girls… my passion rivaled my love of magic. Perhaps I think with my lower brain. Beautiful women inspired not just lust, but admiration, like a masterpiece. And I was greedy enough to want to possess that beauty.
Not much time had passed, yet I felt entirely different. Especially now.
Perhaps oddly, but putting on new clothes felt like shedding my former self and gaining confidence. I saw myself on par with the local demigods. The sands of time felt like my own power, inseparable from me. At first, I felt like a man bestowed with incredible ability. Now, each use strengthened my bond with it—my soul intertwined with this force.
And it made me more commanding. It felt as if the entire world could fit in my hand.
I had to be careful with this feeling.
Meanwhile…
The girl stirred at my footsteps, opening sleepy blue eyes.
"Mmm… Prince?" she murmured.
Ah yes, attire can truly transform a person. I was no longer a ragged vagrant, but a "prince." Delightful.
"My name is Chrono, a mere apprentice mage," I bowed. "May I know your name?"
"Me? Oh, I'm Roderica," she smiled faintly.
"Pleased to meet you. If it's not a secret… what is a sweet girl like you doing here, all alone?"
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. Amused, at least briefly, by my address. But then her expression darkened.
"Oh… I just… can't go on. We were heading to Stormveil, but… I was terrified… and my people… they were taken. They were grafted… all of them with me…"
Her voice trembled.
"They took their arms, legs, even their heads… and grafted them to that monstrous spider. Ha… funny, in a horrible way. If you're attached to the spider, you become a puppet…"
Her voice shook, laughter edged with despair.
"And you…" she looked at me again. "Traveling alone to Stormveil? Did the man in the white mask persuade you too? Do you wish to become part of the spider?"
It felt like a challenge. Meeting an offspring meant either dying or becoming another graft. It seemed Varre had faced the same—he had advised me to follow the vision of grace toward the Castle of the Storm Veil. The White-Masked One likely gave her the same counsel.
"Don't worry about me," I sighed. "I've faced grafted offspring before. I can handle them."
"Oh… sorry," Roderica lowered her eyes. "You're so strong… so brave. If I had even a fraction of your courage, I'd have joined my knights. Maybe I'd be part of the spider too? But I'm such a coward…"
I didn't know all the details. Her friends—or subordinates—had become part of the spider, and she clearly cared for them.
"You're extinguished?" I asked.
"Yes… I come from an extinguished lineage, but I haven't received visions of grace," she admitted, disappointed.
I glanced at a nearby glowing flame.
"You found this place yourself?"
"No… it was terrifying… a goddess… they brought me here, told me to wait until they overthrew the demigod…"
Roderica buried her face in her hands, quietly sobbing.
"But I saw… the hunters of the extinguished… they took them all… and I couldn't do anything. I'm completely useless… powerless… just a coward."
"Hey…" I placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. "There's no shame in being afraid. It's horrifying. Anyone who could continue facing such a nightmare is already abnormal."
"Abnormal?" she smiled faintly.
"Yes. Definitely a little insane…" I muttered. "Even if you're extinguished, it doesn't mean you alone must defeat all demigods and become Elden Lord."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"And… perhaps you shouldn't stay here. I recommend heading to the Round Table Fortress. It's definitely safer there."
Though, after the phantom's invasion, I couldn't claim any fortress was entirely safe.
"But I… I must join my knights…"
"I insist—it's better for you to stay safe," I frowned. Pausing, I briefly stopped time to consider my words. I didn't want to say anything foolish.
"Your knights left you here, near the grace site, to fight for you. They didn't intend for you to suffer."
"Yes… they protected me…"
"Then honor their efforts. If you die, their sacrifice is wasted."
"But…" She could no longer hold back tears. Leaning toward me, she clutched my cloak, burying her face in my chest.
"What should I do?" she asked, voice strained.
I felt my clothing dampen with her tears.
"I think I can bring you to the Round Table Fortress, where you can rest and reflect."
"Please… I… alright…" Roderica sighed.
It seemed I couldn't ignore a girl in distress. Even with Irina, it had gone awkwardly, but I would still help her. Leaving a defenseless girl on the roadside in this world is a terrible idea. And now, I found another unfortunate soul.
Though Roderica didn't ask outright for help; I had to persuade her to accept it.
"Take my hand," I said.
When she did, I pulled her up and embraced her by the waist. Then I opened a portal—though it wasn't a true portal. A golden sand vortex swirled around us, and in the next instant, we were standing in a hall with a remarkable table.
"Oh… thank you," she looked around.
"You're welcome. There are too few sane people left in this world. We should help each other as we can."
"And you… you're heading to Stormveil?" she asked timidly.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Then please, if you find my knights, tell them… that I… apologize for not being able to help… I… love them…"
I didn't clarify what kind of love. The girl seemed on the edge of tears. Her tone made clear it wasn't romantic—she simply cared deeply for her friends.
"It's alright," I sighed, placing my hand on her head.
Offering the same deal as I had with Irina felt inappropriate here. Perhaps I was just settling into the role of a gallant prince who helps fair ladies. After all, I had already made an effort to make a good impression, and I didn't want to ruin it.
"You can rest here. If I find your knights, I'll relay your message."
"Thank you…"
I lingered a while longer until Roderica released me herself. A friendly embrace to offer support—it seemed she needed it. Fia had taught me the importance of such gestures. Even a perverted man can be calmed by gentle embraces. Temporarily.
Eventually, I left her in the hall and returned to the crossroads to continue toward Stormhill.
Passing near a massive bridge leading to a tall tower, I turned toward the fortress gates. Another defensive outpost awaited, but it wasn't difficult to get through. I didn't clear everything; no point in wasting time. I tore through the barricades like a hurricane, sending magical blades flying. Some soldiers were too far to reach, and I didn't veer off course for a few extra runes.
"Hah… the castle," I exhaled, passing through a tunnel beneath the gates.
A defensive measure, of course. The massive gates ahead were closed, which could have posed a problem, requiring a way through the walls. With magic, it was possible. Yet the solution was obvious. Many walls of Stormveil were riddled with holes, some structures even partially collapsed. Finding a detour was feasible.
"You're close now," Melina's sweet voice appeared.
"Only to the first demigod," I smirked. "You know I'm not challenging him yet."
"Yes… but I'm glad you're progressing. I feel… you have enough runes to grow stronger."
"Hmm… then will you help?"
"Of course."
We clasped hands again.
"Enhance your magical power?" Melina asked calmly.
"Mm… no, this time let's boost mana reserve."
"Oh… got it," she hesitated slightly. She was already more or less accustomed to my terminology.
Regarding this attribute…
My "mana" was practically limitless. I could constantly draw from the sands of time for my abilities and sand magic. Through it, I could open a small portal to the sand world and draw as much as needed. However, my body limited how much energy could flow through it. The "mana reserve" determined how much energy I could channel. Simply put, a large reserve didn't just affect endurance as a mage but enabled casting powerful spells demanding vast energy. Physical endurance mattered too, as magic exerted a corporeal strain gradually causing fatigue—but less so than conventional combat.
Yet now I wondered—how much sand did I actually have?
The desert seemed infinite, but was it? If I kept using its power so actively, would I eventually exhaust it? Even with some mystical insight, I knew too little to answer. Still, for now, the desert appeared endless.
Instead, I focused on Melina's method.
I tried to feel and understand how she drew power from the runes, channeling it to enhance me. It was fascinating, giving hope I might do the same one day.
"All done," she exhaled.
"Thanks."
I felt an improvement. Perhaps I'd grasped something during the process—but it was too early to claim mastery.
"Now… the castle," I sighed, rising.
I had quests here: first Fia, then Roderica. Her requests were modest, but I didn't want to deceive her. I intended to find her knights, and likely put them to rest, considering they had become part of the spider.
"I'll pray for you, Chrono," Melina whispered, dissolving into mist. "And I'll follow you."
"Oh, how sweet of you," I waved.
Then I approached the fortress gates.
"Hmm…"
On the way, I noticed some intriguing details.
A bright red bloodstain spread by the exit. Nearby, a mage sat against the wall. The same I'd seen in Fia's quarters—a young man in a vivid costume, like a bard from a fantasy tale, with a pointed mage hat. A rapier rested on his knees, and my short magical staff lay on the ground beside him.
"Hah…" he breathed, glancing at me. "Extinguished… I think I saw you at the Round Table Fortress."
He smiled faintly, trying to look friendly.
"Hmm, yes. I'm Cron," I introduced calmly.
The mage raised an eyebrow in slight confusion. Perhaps my voice sounded cold. I didn't like this guy.
"I'm Roger," he said.
"I see. And what are you doing here? Resting?"
"Ahead lies Margit the Terrible," he stated. "I tried to pass, but he… is very strong."
"Oh… Margit?"
"He's a spiritual projection of Morgott, King of Signs. The cursed king clinging to Elden's throne."
"Ah, I've heard of such things…"
I recalled what Sellena had mentioned about spiritual projections. Some are avatars, controlled directly. Others are doppelgängers—mimicking appearance, abilities, thought patterns, yet largely independent. In any case, they only borrow a fraction of the original's power.
"And what's Margit doing here?"
Given the different name, perhaps a doppelgänger.
"He stops any extinguished wishing to enter the Castle of the Storm Veil. But he's not Godric's servant. Margit acts on his own accord."
"Understood. By the way, was Fia the one who sent you here?"
"What? How did you—"
"She asked me to help you."
"Heh… then I'm glad. Any help is welcome."
"Alright, if Margit sits there, I'll deal with him myself."
Stretching my shoulders, I stepped onto the mountain path leading to the Castle of the Storm Veil.