"Okay, the meeting begins now," Xilin patted the round table he'd found somewhere, looking at the five seated people.
"It's called a meeting, but how will it proceed?" Kevin took a bite of the watermelon he'd brought.
"We don't understand this world very well. Even people from my native world don't know much about it." The Tarnished offered his insights, pondering his newly acquired magic.
"At this point, Xilin is the only one who has some understanding of this place. Tell us what you think."
Lemuen's words drew everyone's attention to Xilin. Xiling nodded, "Then let me explain."
Xiling used his holy sword like a pointer, pointing at the golden tree in the distance. "Do you see that tree? It's called the Erdtree."
Everyone nodded, and Xiling continued, "The voice that contacted us earlier was called the Supreme Will, or so they call it. And that golden tree was brought down by the Supreme Will sometime ago."
"Why did It bring down this tree?" asked Houraiji Kyuushou, raising her hand.
"Hear me out first."
"Okay."
"In the past, the Supreme Will sent a golden meteor and a beast to the Lands Between. When they landed there, its energy fused with the Lands Between's energy, giving rise to something called the Elden Ring. At that time, the Elden Ring influenced another magical entity at the Lands Between: the Life Furnace."
"The Life Furnace was the origin of life at the Lands Between, but under the influence of the Elden Ring, it became the Erdtree."
"Because of the changes, the Erdtree is no longer the same as the Life Furnace it once was. Back then, the Supreme Will still watched over this world, and It needed someone to enforce Its order."
"I smell the scent of dark literature," Houraiji Kyuushou whispered to Luo Tianyi beside her. Luo Tianyi nodded. "I find this a bit strange, too."
"The new order is called the Golden Rule, and the Golden Rule is the set of rules that govern the operation of the entire Lands Between."
"At that time, the Supreme Will sent messengers to the Lands Between to select a candidate for the vessel of the Ring."
"The chosen one was named Marika, the deity later known as Queen Marika the Eternal."
Xiling sank back into his chair. "Actually, that's pretty much it. Later, because many people were dissatisfied with the new order, a war broke out, but the Golden Rule faction ultimately emerged victorious."
"The Golden Rule also became the unchanging law of order, governance, and rule in the Lands Between."
"What exactly is the Golden Rule?" Kevin raised his hand, curiously asking.
"For ordinary people, the Golden Rule is a valuable asset. It's a shame it was shattered by the god."
"What do you mean, the Golden Rule was shattered?" Everyone stared at Xiling, eager to elicit an answer. After listening for so long, they understand the Golden Rule's importance.
"Could it be by those who oppose the Golden Rule?" the Tarnished asked hurriedly. After all, this was his world, and he had to confirm it.
The others also thought the Tarnished's suspicions made sense; otherwise, it couldn't possibly have been someone on the Golden Rule's side.
"No, it was that chosen one, Marika, who destroyed it."
Ah!
No! Seriously! It wasn't someone else who did this; it was the chosen one!
Facing the puzzled looks of the crowd, Xiling said, "Otherwise, why is she called a god?"
"She shattered the Ring, and as a result, more loopholes appeared in the Golden Rule. The order of the world began to change, and this change was for the worse."
Everyone understood Xiling's words, but they were still puzzled. So the Tarnished spoke, "Why did she shatter the Ring? Shouldn't she be the one who supports the Golden Rule the most?"
"I'm not sure about her support for the Golden Rule. I only know that the Ring was shattered because of her, and many things were caused by her. As for her purpose in doing so, it's out of rebellion..." Xiling pointed a finger at the starry sky above. Everyone saw Xiling's action, and even without a word, they knew what he was trying to say: "Resistance to the Supreme Will."
The Tarnished took a deep breath. "So that being wants us to repair the Ring and restore the Golden Rule."
Xiling waved his hand. "The Ring will be repaired, but he didn't say whether it will be the Golden Rule."
Xiling's face lit up with a smile. "He wants an uncertain future, so I'll give him an uncertain future." With that, Xiling pulled an item from the Starry Cloak.
A silver-white ring hovered in Xiling's hand. It was an unknown rule, a blank rule bestowed by the Supreme Will, which Xiling had then personally woven and named the "Silver Rule."
Xiling returned the Silver Rule to the Starry Cloak. At this moment, the Tarnished took a deep breath. "Xiling, can I ask you a question?"
Xiling looked at the Tarnished. The Tarnished's eyes locked with Xiling's for a long moment before he spoke, "Why did you agree to this deal? I don't think you need power. It's clear that whatever happens in this world has nothing to do with you."
Xiling blinked, as if completely unprepared for the Tarnished to ask him such a question.
After a moment's serious gaze locked with the Tarnished, Xiling burst out laughing. "Hahaha, what nonsense are you talking about! What do you mean by 'it's clear that it has nothing to do with me '? Hahaha!"
Watching Xinling clutching his stomach with laughter, the Tarnished pounded the table and shouted, "Hey! I'm serious!"
"Okay, okay, I know, I know." Xiling stopped laughing, but a smile remained on his face. Xiling placed a hand on his chest. His smile softened, his tone serious. "If you ask why, I can only tell you that because I'm a hero."
Xiling stood up from his stool and looked at the crowd. "Although you all know I'm a hero, I need to introduce myself again."
"My name is Xiling. I'm a hero. I lend a hand to those who need help, and I draw my sword against those who are evil."
Xiling looked at the Tarnished. "Ever since you first arrived at the Lands Between, I've been thinking about how... I can save this place, but I probably can't do it alone. But, as shameful as it may be, the Supreme Will has given me a chance—a chance to save the Lands Between."
Xiling sighed. "Honestly, I don't think you should come here. It's too dangerous for you."
Kevin said, "It's too late to say that now."
"No, return to your own worlds now, and leave this to me."
"Are you kidding me, the savior?" Houraiji Kyuushou slammed the table and stood up, the first to disagree.
"You're a hero, you don't run away, and you're asking me, the savior, to run! What a joke!"
Lemuen smiled and said, "Help each other, didn't you say that? There's still your message in the chat group."
Although Luo Tianyi was a little timid, she mustered her courage. "I told you before, I won't abandon my friends and run away."
"So, it's unanimous approval," Kevin said, standing up and raising his fist high.
"Let's discuss the plan now."
Oh!
Watching the five people enthusiastically discussing, Xiling left it where it was. After a long while, Xiling laughed and joined in the discussion.