"This ring is Ranni's... It seems I was indeed overthinking before. You couldn't possibly have me do something against my conscience."
After following Tarnes to a secluded spot beside the cathedral, Rellana saw a ring she was very familiar with lying in his outstretched palm.
She had once possessed a similar ring, which she later personally gifted to Messmer.
Rellana felt relieved inside. This man had an extraordinary relationship with Ranni, so at least his attitude toward Caria wouldn't be as troublesome as those Golden Tree people.
But soon, Rellana's expression became strange. Her gaze secretly looked past Tarnes's shoulder toward Melina, who had been silently following behind him.
... Quite capable indeed.
Rellana noticed that Melina's gaze toward Tarnes wasn't like that between normal friends, because she was very familiar with this kind of look. Her sister Rennala's eyes when looking at that Golden Tree hero Radagon were exactly the same as Melina's.
Then Rellana got a headache.
Because Melina was Messmer's sister, and she and Messmer were in a marital relationship, theoretically she and Melina were of the same generation, so she should address Tarnes as a peer.
But Ranni was Rennala's daughter, and she and Rennala were sisters, so as Ranni's husband, Tarnes was also her junior.
He was both a peer and a junior... What exactly should she call Tarnes?
The untangleable family relationships instantly made this battle-hardened female knight feel dizzy and confused. Even Tarnes noticed Rellana's current state and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Rellana was startled by Tarnes's voice and immediately shook her head. "I'm fine; I was just thinking about how to address you."
Tarnes's face showed a strange expression. "Didn't I already answer this question before? Just call me Tarnes."
"Uh, not that kind of address... Well, calling you Tarnes seems to be the best choice." Rellana sighed and said in a resigned manner.
She had just wanted to explain to Tarnes the tangled thoughts she'd been having in her mind, but soon Rellana realized that the reason Tarnes's family titles were so complicated was ultimately because she had fallen in love with Messmer, who was much younger than herself.
Because whether it was the siblings Messmer and Melina or Tarnes and Ranni, these four were truly of the same age group.
Of course, it was also possible that Tarnes was younger than all three of them.
But this didn't matter, because Rellana discovered that her age was definitely greater than all four of them...
In other words, the fundamental reason for Tarnes's complex identity was herself, so Rellana decided to stop worrying about this matter.
As for the fact that Tarnes was betrothed to Ranni yet had an unusual relationship with Melina, Rellana felt she had no position to express any opinions or evaluations. Let the three of them sort out their relationships themselves.
Thinking this, Rellana pushed aside the random thoughts that had just been swirling in her mind and asked Tarnes, "So what is it you want to entrust me to do?"
Seeing her turn to business matters, Tarnes didn't pursue what Rellana had been thinking about. After briefly telling her about the Lonely Mountain situation, he said, "...That's roughly how things went. The current mayor of Lake-town, no, Dale, Bard hopes the Golden Tree can station an army there, which is why I summoned you and Ensis Castle's army. Considering that both you and General Radahn come from Caria, this way the Redmane Legion soldiers won't feel that their hard-fought achievements are being arbitrarily taken by other non-Carian factions."
Rellana nodded thoughtfully. "I didn't expect you to consider the Redmane Legion soldiers' feelings as well. This arrangement has nothing improper about it. On behalf of all officers and soldiers of Ensis Castle, I willingly accept the mission to garrison Lake-town and Dale."
Tarnes said, "Then we can go through the waygate now... Hiss, I forgot the waygate is in Stormveil Castle. Please bring your army and come with me to Stormveil Castle first. There's a waygate there that can quickly transport you to Lake-town. If we're lucky, today you and Ensis Castle's army can complete the handover of patrol duties with Radahn and the Redmane Legion."
Rellana agreed, then asked, "I have one more question. Was Ensis Castle also summoned by you?"
Tarnes nodded, then slapped his forehead. "Of course! Oh, you mean to go back to Ensis Castle first to let the soldiers organize their personal belongings? I didn't consider this aspect. We do have time for that."
Rellana politely responded, "Thank you for your understanding, Tarnes."
Then Tarnes remembered something and asked tentatively, "By the way, in Ensis Castle... are there things called glintstones?"
Rellana was startled. As one of Caria's people with quite high magical attainments, she naturally knew what glintstones were used for.
Although she wasn't clear what Tarnes wanted glintstones for, she still answered honestly, "Though glintstones are precious, Ensis Castle does have some in stock."
Tarnes's eyes lit up as he suppressed his excited tone and asked, "How many?"
Rellana replied, "If my memory serves me correctly, there should still be two unused glintstones in the castle."
Excellent! Now Teacher Sellen could make two more spirit vessels!
Tarnes immediately said eagerly, "I'll take you and your army to Ensis Castle right now."
"Uh, alright, please lead the way."
Tarnes's enthusiasm for glintstones puzzled Rellana, but giving them to him wouldn't matter.
Since he and Ranni were already betrothed anyway, Rellana would consider it a gift from herself as an elder to Tarnes.