46. Even Without the Holy Sword, I'm Still a Hero
"Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Really, really, really okay?" On a terrace, Xiling looked at Houraiji Kyuushou, a little worried, confirming again and again.
Houraiji Kyuushou grinned, revealing her signature set of gleaming white teeth. She patted her chest with a smile, then gave a thumbs-up. "What could be wrong with me? Xiling, you worry too much!"
"Remember what I said! If you encounter any signs of trouble, even the slightest feeling that something's amiss, retreat immediately, without hesitation! Do you hear me? No trying to save face outside, no rushing in on the impulsive! Do you understand?" Xiling earnestly instructed Houraiji Kyuushou.
The meeting was over, and there wasn't much left to say. As mentioned earlier, with this lineup, it wouldn't matter who they faced. After assigning their directions, everyone began to move. Kevin, the invincible in the sky, rode on Radahn, the invincible on the ground. Under the influence of gravity magic, they transformed into a meteor that tore through the sky, roaring straight towards the volcano. Morgott, presumably, ran alone.
"Oh my god—" Kyuushou exaggeratedly drew out the last syllable, hands on her hips, head tilted slightly to the side, and made a look of sheer disgust. "I told you I was fine! Xiling, you're so fussy~" Despite complaining, the smile on her face couldn't be stopped.
"Hey, I just said a few words to you, and you're already complaining about me. I just wanted you to... No, you better be serious!" Xiling said angrily.
"Don't worry! You know how fast my 'Dark Night Wings' can fly! Just finding Fallingstar? Piece of cake!" Houraiji Kyuushou puffed out her chest proudly.
"Hero, rest assured. Leave these trivial matters to this savior!"
"Tsk..." Looking at Houraiji Kyuushou's overly sunny and confident appearance, Xiling couldn't help but click his tongue again, holding his forehead.
"The more I watch, the more worried I become..."
Houraiji Kyuushou now had something to do. As the only one in the group who could fly, her mission was to soar high above the Lands Between, searching for Fallingstars.
Why search for those Fallingstars?
Because Fallingstar transforms into beasts.
In the Lands Between, "Fallingstars" are not the sustenance of good wishes, nor are they associated with romance.
They symbolize disaster, uninvited guests bearing malice from the cold darkness. These "stars" falling from the sky weren't inorganic meteorite fragments, but living creatures with blurred forms and distorted essences!
Now, without Radahn's seal, the stars had descended upon the Lands Between. Perhaps even now, they were constantly shifting, twisting, expanding, and transforming... gradually transforming into indescribable, ferocious beasts!
However, Xiling wasn't surprised. Rather, he had known this would happen.
Or perhaps it was inevitable.
If it weren't for the excessive expenditure and the need to restore order, Xiling would have drawn his sword and begun clearing the Lands Between.
It wasn't too late, though. Xiling was eager to reclaim the Lands Between as soon as possible, but that didn't mean the land was so fragile it could collapse at any moment.
Without the Death Rune, no being in the Lands Between could truly kill another being under the Elden Ring rules, save for Xiling's Holy Sword and the Black Blade! The power of "Destined Death" had been isolated. At this moment, the Holy Sword was in Xiling's hands, while the other greatsword, symbolizing the power of death—the "Black Blade" itself—was in the hands of Kevin, the figure rushing toward the volcanic lava alongside Radahn.
Just as Houraiji Kyuushou was about to flap her wings and take flight,
"Wait!"
Xiling's voice echoed, and at the same time, a piece of fabric imbued with a cool starlight and a familiar aura gently yet powerfully draped over her shoulders like a falling night curtain.
The Starry Cloak—countless tiny points of light swirled and surged against its deep, night-like background, as if literally carving out a slice of the starry sky. It silently unfolded, drawing an elegant arc across the sky like a cascading galaxy, and draped itself across Kyuushou's slightly frail shoulders.
"Wow?!" Houraiji Kyuushou let out a short exclamation, turning sharply back to see Xiling's face drawing so close to her.
"So, don't move!" Xiling deftly adjusted the folds and buckles of Houraiji Kyuushou's cloak.
After finishing, he stepped back slightly, carefully examining the result. He even asked, seemingly serious, "By the way, do you prefer it draped over both shoulders, or the more casual, one-shoulder look?" as if they were simply discussing how to wear a garment.
"That! Xiling!" Kyuushou, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instinctively wanted to rip the cloak off. "Isn't this your Starry Cloak? Why are you putting it on me?"
"Don't move!" Xiling reacted even faster, her hands instantly clamping down on Houraiji Kyuushou's shoulders like iron clamps! Xiling stared directly into Houraiji Kyuushou's flustered and confused eyes, and spoke clearly, word for word:
"I asked you to take this mission, and I must take responsibility for you." Xiling's tone was firm. "The Starry Cloak carries the imprint of my magic. It can protect you from unexpected attacks at a critical moment."
Xiling's face darkened again, and he tapped Houraiji Kyuushou's forehead firmly with his finger, making a soft "thump, thump" sound. "Besides, you're just borrowing it! I'm not giving it to you this time! Got it?!"
"It hurts!" Houraiji Kyuushou covered her reddened forehead with a pout, but seeing Xiling's unwavering gaze, her struggles were largely extinguished.
Houraiji Kyuushou muttered softly, "I get it... Why do you need so fierce..." Once she confirmed that Xiling didn't seem to have any intention of further violence, she lowered her hand from her forehead, the grievance on her face quickly replaced by a deeper concern.
"But..." Houraiji Kyuushou raised her head, her clear eyes reflecting Xiling's image, her worry unconcealed. "You gave me the Starry Cloak, so what will you do? Aren't you going to face danger too?"
Seeing Houraiji Kyuushou's worried expression, Xiling didn't respond. Instead, he gave her a sly smile. Before Kyuushou could react, his hands reached out and began to knead her silky hair vigorously, like dough!
"Ah! Stop it! Xiling, you rascal! I just styled my hair!" Houraiji Kyuushou's fury instantly flared up, the slight excitement she'd felt vanishing. She raised her fists, ready to strike back.
Xiling dodged with a nimble smile, letting Houraiji Kyuushou frantically fix her hair, which had become a mess. Seeing her angry yet energetic expression, Xiling's smile deepened. Just as Kyuushou was busy struggling with her tangled hair, Xiling's voice reached her ears:
"Without my cloak, I'm still a hero."
"Even if... one day I no longer hold the holy sword..."
"As long as I stand here, as long as I remember who I am and what I must protect... I, Xiling, will still be that hero, won't I?"