30. Begins
Clap, clapping, applause rang out in the conference room.
Houraiji Kyuushou clapped her hands excitedly, her fair cheeks flushing slightly with excitement, her eyes blazing with light, as if a flame burned within them. She even stood up excitedly, giving Xiling two thumbs-up, her voice filled with fervor, "Great! Xiling, you're so passionate! That's the way to go!" Xiling's words had already ignited her, and she couldn't wait to unleash her might.
Xiling: "That's what I'm going to say next. We currently have five locations to capture. I've already said that, and now I'm assigning tasks."
Xiling looked at Morgott: "You'll go to the Mohgwyn Palace, okay?"
Morgott nodded: "That's just what I want."
Xiling nodded and looked at the Tarnished: "I'd like you joining Morgott on this trip then."
The Tarnished replied simply, "Okay."
Xiling's gaze then fell on the still-excited Houraiji Kyuushou and Kevin beside her. "So, Kevin, Kyuushou," Xiling's voice clearly outlined the mission objective.
"The second target is Redmane Castle in Caelid. Your goal is to defeat the demigod entrenched there, 'Starscourge Radahn'!"
Houraiji Kyuushou's finger still rested on her chin, her eyes gleaming with pure curiosity and a subtle hint of excitement. "'Starscourge Radahn'... sounds incredibly powerful! Just the name alone is intimidating!"
Xiling nodded in confirmation. "The other party is... He was known as the strongest demigod, but that was all in the past. During the devastating Shattered War that engulfed the Lands Between, he encountered another powerful demigod—the Valkyrie Malenia.
"In the final moments of the battle, Malenia unleashed the terrifying power sealed within her—the Scarlet Rot. This directly led to the current complete erosion of the land of Caelid, transforming it into a despairing crimson purgatory. Radahn himself was also tainted. Under the influence of the Scarlet Rot, Radahn bore the brunt of it, enduring its most intense ravages. The pain... the torment of corruption is unimaginable. For him, living under the torment of corruption was perhaps even more painful than death."
"His old subordinates, the warriors of the Redmane Legion, could not bear to watch their invincible hero go mad, decay, and lose his last bit of dignity amidst the corruption."
"So, they organized a grand 'Radahn Festival' in his honor, inviting warriors from all corners of the Lands Between to challenge General Radahn." Their goal is only one thing: to see General Radahn die honorably as a warrior in glorious battle, ending his suffering and restoring his shattered dignity.
Xiling looked at Kevin and clearly conveyed the core of the mission: "Kevin, I need you to travel to Caelid, participate in this festival, and achieve victory."
Kevin nodded.
"What about me? What should I do?" Houraiji Kyuushou excitedly looked at Xiling.
Xiling: "You'll be responsible for taking Kevin to his destination..." Seeing Houraiji Kyuushou's excited gaze, Xiling paused and added, "And to prevent any other accidents that might happen."
"Leave it to me!"
Xiling fixed his gaze on the last person in the room. "Tianyi, stay here and be on standby. If anyone gets ganged up on..."
Xiling made a gesture like calling on a phone. "Got it? Remember to call and have our Fish Smasher go up and give them a couple of punches."
Xiling's words immediately caused laughter in the room. Only Morgott sat on a stool, watching in bewilderment.
Finally, under Luo Tianyi's aggressive punches, Xiling, the leader, hushed his laughter.
"The meeting ends here. Morgott, please prepare a few maps and mark the important locations."
Morgott nodded.
"Okay, the meeting ends here. Let's get moving."
...
The meeting had ended, and Morgott hadn't gotten far when Kevin called him.
Morgott turned and looked at Kevin.
Kevin asked, somewhat embarrassedly, "Morgott, can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"I just wanted to ask if you have any suitable weapons I could use." Kevin felt that every time he fought, his weapons either couldn't withstand his strength or he was left with nothing. Kevin felt that this wasn't working; he needed a weapon.
Morgott nodded, "...Come with me."
Seeing this, the Tarnished quickly stepped forward, a polite smile on his face. "Do you have a staff? I can use it."
"...Let's go together. Maybe I'll even get you some armor."
The Tarnished: "Thank you so much!"
Houraiji Kyuushou also followed, excitedly discussing the style of armor she'd requested.
Watching the man's departure, Xiling smiled, then looked at the two people beside him. "Then let's go too."
Luo Tianyi and Lemuen nodded, and Xiling pushed Lemuen's wheelchair, heading towards the Elden Throne with Luo Tianyi.
While pushing Lemuen's wheelchair, Xiling suddenly asked, "Are you scared? "
Lemuen smiled and shook her head slightly.
Xiling said irritably, "You seem relaxed, but you're putting the pressure on me."
Lemuen stared ahead without looking back, her tone relaxed, "After all, you said I'd be fine with anything that might happen, since you're a hero is here."
Listening to Lemuen's words, Xiling recalled something he'd said before and couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, it's true."
"Don't worry, Lemuen, I won't let anything happen to you."
"Yes."
Luo Tianyi, following behind the two men, felt a bit redundant. Just as she fixed her gaze on the distant scenery, Xiling's voice reached her ears.
"Tianyi, do you feel anything wrong with your body?"
Luo Tianyi blinked, then hurried to Xiling's side, her tone tinged with happiness. "No, nothing's wrong. Besides, I've found that since I acquired this ability, things have become much more convenient."
Luo Tianyi raised her fingers and began counting. "Sometimes, when I'm lying in bed and want something, I can just ask it to come to me. When I turn off the lights, I can just speak. I can even make food fly into the air and land in my mouth. I've actually gotten this ability that I've always wanted. It's amazing!" Luo Tianyi covered her face with her hands, shaking her body with excitement. She used to dream of having the ability to make food jump into her mouth all the time, and now it was actually happening. Her fantasy had come true. What could be more exciting than this?
Xiling and Lemuen looked at Luo Tianyi's happiness, exchanged glances, and then smiled back.
Elsewhere,
The Tarnished and Houraiji Kyuushou looked at Kevin with envy.
The cold, thin black armor fitted Kevin's body perfectly. Kevin moved his arms slightly, but the armor clashed without making a sound. Even his footsteps were silent.
Looking at the black blade armor Kevin wore, Morgot said nothing, then handed Kevin a greatsword.
When Kevin accepted the greatsword, their preparations were complete.
Not long after, the four figures left the Leyndell Royal Capital.