"You say Godfrey is returning. Do you have any concrete evidence?"
Gawain's tone was level. "After all, we both know it is something that will happen eventually."
Faced with the inquiry, Gideon Ofnir nodded. "Naturally. We all know that after Queen Marika stripped the Tarnished of the Grace in their eyes, she sent us on a never-ending campaign beyond the Lands Between."
"But once the source of Grace-dew and logistics were cut off, even the mightiest army was bound to collapse one day. Most Tarnished warriors died in those endless wars. A small number, however, chose to settle outside and propagate."
"Most of the noisy rabble on the first floor are merely the descendants of the warriors who were exiled alongside me. A connection rooted in blood led them back to the Lands Between to seek the Elden Ring."
At this point, Gideon gave Gawain a meaningful look. Even now, he didn't understand which category the man before him fell into.
He wasn't one of the mighty warriors who left with King Godfrey at the beginning. Yet, if he were a descendant, he seemed far too powerful. Had Queen Marika truly foreseen the appearance of such a figure in her plan?
"And King Godfrey... even after leaving the Lands Between, his campaign never ceased. He went further than any of us. Alongside the Beast Regent Serosh, he fought until his final breath."
"Thus, even if the power of the Ring allows King Godfrey to be reborn like other ancient Tarnished, the time required for him to return to the Lands Between would be far longer than for most."
Gawain recalled the opening cinematic of the game—the pathetic sight of Godfrey pierced by countless spears like a common roast. It was clear he had fought until he was utterly spent before finally succumbing.
This was why almost all the original members of the Roundtable Hold had returned and actively participated in the Shattering, yet Godfrey only managed to arrive after the Erdtree had already been set aflame, barely making it in time for the final duel for the throne.
Gideon continued, "On a beach near Limgrave, my men encountered a stranded, broken ship while on a mission. The people on board seemed unfamiliar with the current environment surrounding the Lands Between and chose an unsafe route."
"A tragic accident ensued. Only one crazed survivor muttered a few words. It is clear that the ship crossed through the Fog."
Gawain frowned. How did Gideon know more about the anomalies in Limgrave than he did? Just how many spies had this man planted in his territory?
"Just one broken ship? That doesn't prove Godfrey is coming back. Did the survivor say anything else?"
"Though the man is no longer of sound mind, he keeps chanting King Godfrey's name. It has been a long time, but I recognize his identity. He was once one of the many sailors who ferried us away from the Lands Between."
"Crossing the distant seas to return is no easy feat—especially after the environment familiar to them underwent such drastic changes due to Queen Marika's actions. That is what led to the accident."
Gawain knew Gideon was referring to the Land of Shadow. After sequestering such a massive region, the environment surrounding the Lands Between had been heavily impacted.
Moreover, if he remembered correctly, the seas surrounding the Lands Between were haunted by troublesome sea monsters. This made the return journey for the Tarnished extremely risky. It was likely why they were finding factions to swear fealty to ahead of time rather than fighting as a unified whole.
"Does anyone else know about this?"
"Rest assured. While I handled the aftermath without informing you, currently, only my inner circle of subordinates, you, and Nepheli know of this."
"I have placed the survivor in a secure location, though it seems he won't be able to provide more information anytime soon. Regardless, this is an omen—a sign of the First Elden Lord's imminent return. Given your current status, you had best prepare yourself mentally, had you not?"
Gawain mulled over the intelligence. It seemed that after Godfrey's rebirth, he didn't just hop into a rowboat with Serosh to return. When the man eventually blocked the path to the Erdtree, his weapons and armor were in perfect condition.
Godfrey must have amassed a considerable force beyond the Fog, and that stranded ship was merely a vanguard scout. According to Marika's plan, once Godfrey gathered his Great Horde, he would return and reunify the land with overwhelming force.
"This news is indeed important. However, next time your men find something significant on my land, do not handle it privately. Understood?"
Gawain had too much on his plate to fuss over Gideon's minor maneuvers. Besides, having a madman running around screaming that Godfrey was back would indeed be a headache.
"If that is your request, I can comply—at least within the regions below the Altus Plateau. It was simply the optimal solution based on my judgment. Consider this repayment for the previous matter."
"I hope you're a man of your word. Before long, I might be able to share even more important information with you—information I suspect is linked to the truth you have been seeking. Nepheli, let's go."
As he watched the two leave the room, Gideon pondered what that "important information" could be. What he truly wanted to know was the real intention behind Queen Marika's series of actions.
After Nepheli left him, he had sent people to observe her every move. He naturally knew that the person currently sitting on that throne was merely a crude imitator. Although the appearance was flawless, the behavioral patterns were vastly different.
The true Storm King had left alone for parts unknown and had only recently returned. Considering the fact that the Blood Nobles, who used to hunt everywhere, had recently vanished, he felt he was starting to see the answer.
"Could it be related to Miquella...?"
The moment he returned to Stormveil Castle, Gawain summoned the people he trusted most: Irina and her father, Elsa, and Sirris, who was currently training the Silver Knight candidates.
Although they had long anticipated this day, having it confirmed was still somewhat shocking. Had Gawain not known about the Land of Shadow, he could have comfortably led his forces onto the Altus Plateau. Now, the timeline felt much tighter.
Sirris, being an outsider to this world, had little to say. She wasn't familiar with the people of the Lands Between and couldn't care less about this king or that god. To her, anyone who stood against the Ashen One was simply a target to be hunted.
Nepheli was similar. As an excellent storm-wielder handpicked by the Storm King, her feelings toward a potential battle with Godfrey were less about hesitation and more about anticipation. After all, in the original game, she was a summonable ally for that very fight.
Irina and her father didn't dwell on it much either. As part of the losing side of the past, the Storm Knights held a deep grudge against the Golden Order. Even the Ancient King, who had come to listen, coldly spat out a few insults. Clearly, though he claimed to have moved on, he was still very much bitter.
The only one with a complex expression was Elsa. For her, Godfrey had once led her and the other warriors of the Mountaintops to victory in the grueling War against the Giants, sweeping away the threat of death hanging over her clan.
Even though she had later been betrayed and imprisoned by the Golden Order, she recognized that the Lord of the Battlefield had also been exiled and died outside after defeating the former Storm King. She found it difficult to hold the same level of hatred for him as she did for the other demigods of the Golden Order.
Of course, this complexity was merely a trace of nostalgia for those glorious years. Even if Godfrey stood before her, she would draw her weapon if necessary—for she had already chosen the King truly worthy of her soul's fealty.
"So, how long should we keep this a secret? I hate to admit it, but if Godfrey truly returns, I suspect the vast majority of Tarnished who have yet to find their path will flock back to his banner."
"Even the warriors we've recruited and trained in the castle are no exception. I cannot guarantee their loyalty in battle," Elsa said with a touch of helplessness. This was the biggest problem: Godfrey's reputation and charisma, forged through a lifetime of conquest, were far beyond anything Radagon could hope to match. She could already foresee many of her Tarnished soldiers defecting on the eve of battle.
"My view is that there's no need to hide it," Gawain said confidently. "The ship Gideon found won't be the last. Increase patrols for now. Once we confirm it from a survivor ourselves, announce it to everyone."
"Isn't that a bit too aggressive...?"
Faced with Elsa's hesitation, Gawain replied, "Hiding it will only lead to greater hidden dangers later."
"Besides, if the Tarnished won't follow me, I'll go to the Storm Knights." He stood up and looked out the window toward Liurnia.
"The Academy led by Master Sellen won't be a problem. The knights sworn to the Carian Royal Family won't be a problem. Neither will the Nox of the underworld led by Asimi. They won't be swayed by Godfrey's return."
"Furthermore, those who have never enjoyed the light of Grace since birth—do you think they would give up their current, relatively stable lives to answer the call of Godfrey or the Golden Order? I think not."
Gawain clenched his fist. As an Ashen One who had experienced much in the world of Dark Souls, he inherited the embers of kings who were willing to burn their very souls to sustain the world.
These "God-Kings" had their chance. Since they had left the Lands Between in this wretched state, he wasn't about to hand his position over to them. Was ruining the world once not enough? Did they need a second pass?
"Sigh, fine. It seems I was worrying needlessly. Since you've made your decision, we'll proceed. Once we find concrete evidence, we'll inform the entire city. As for what choice those Tarnished make then... I truly cannot say."
"It's just as well if the wavering ones leave. Inform the Academy about this. I imagine Master Sellen will be quite excited."
Beyond the Fog, at the far end of the distant ocean, Godfrey stood garbed in his battle armor. His right hand gripped his battleaxe, and the Beast Regent Serosh rested upon his back. He stood silently atop a mountain peak, gazing at the Fog that separated the Lands Between from the outside world.
Below the peak where Godfrey stood, countless Tarnished and people gathered during his campaigns busied themselves in an orderly fashion. Looking up at him, even the weakest warrior would puff out their chest with admiration, feeling proud to be part of this great endeavor.
In the simple workshops set up along the shore, raw materials gathered from all over were being processed into warships capable of crossing the treacherous seas. These were not just for transporting the army back, but for dealing with the troublesome monsters they might encounter along the way.
Such majestic warships already crowded the waters, though most were currently huddled near the shore, not daring to venture too deep.
"Damn those Sea Monks... having to block my path at a time like this." (Note: Referring to the "Umi-bozu" cut boss from Elden Ring, which looks quite horrific.)
He thought of the eerie giant heads that occasionally appeared in the ocean. Because of those things, he had already lost many vanguard ships sent to scout the Lands Between.
Thinking of the time wasted by those creatures, he clenched his fists, his skin flushing red and veins bulging. It was only when Serosh whispered a reminder in his ear that he calmed down from his rage, suppressing his urge to go down and fight them directly.
Ignoring the rapidly progressing fleet, Godfrey simply gazed at the temporarily calm ocean, looking toward the invisible Lands Between and imagining the scenery there. Everything he held dear was there.
The land he had conquered through a lifetime of war, the great achievements remembered everywhere...
More importantly, Marika was there. And his children, who—though unblessed—still carried his blood. What had they become now?
Recalling Marika's decision, a trace of sadness appeared in Godfrey's eyes. Before that final battle with the Storm King, he had already known what the future held.
However, the time for return had arrived. No one could stop him from holding Marika in his arms once more. He looked into the distance and murmured:
"Marika, I am coming back. Wait for me... Wait for me to bring this all to a final conclusion."
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Elden Ring: In the Name of Ash
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