Cold moonlight spilled downward, the surface of the pool swaying slightly to create an ethereal, hazy atmosphere. This vast courtyard was silent. Don stood at the archway, gazing somewhat blankly at the scene before him. The maiden remained still, looking for all the world like a figure out of a painting.
Ahem.
A soft cough broke the silence. Blaidd, standing beside Ranni, evidently couldn't help himself. His cough acted as a catalyst, and the maiden seated in the high-backed chair reacted instantly.
The witch's hat rose slightly. Her azure eyes weren't sharp, but rather held a trace of dazed confusion. Seeing Don standing in the distance, she blinked, then offered an elegant smile.
"Good evening, my brave and loyal warrior."
Before Don could respond, Alayn—who had walked in with him—dropped to one knee, greeting her as "Highness." Don followed suit, kneeling and striking his chest in salute.
"Princess Ranni. I am honored by the summons."
Don't's face was as calm as a still pond, his expression as rigid as a professional soldier's, but his mind was already racing.
Did the Princess just fall asleep? And why does her chair look so much taller than the others? Is there a booster seat under there?
Despite his inner snark, Don maintained a serious facade. Within that petite frame resided a power capable of sundering mountains and rivers.
"Do not be so restrained. Pray, be seated." Ranni pointed toward the chair opposite her. Don didn't hesitate, seating himself firmly. Aside from finding the stone chair exceptionally hard against his backside, he felt nothing out of the ordinary.
Truly, the Carian Royals were unique. After a great victory in Ashina, one would be served fine wine and meat; here, they went to a drafty courtyard to stare at the moon.
"Worry not; the celebration has not been cancelled. I am not stingy. Treasures, meat, and wine shall be provided to all the heroes who fought so gallily. It is merely that my status makes it inconvenient for me to appear in person. Blaidd shall represent me." Ranni spoke as if she had read Don't's mind, then raised a hand to forestall any explanation.
"But thou hast earned the highest merit. Furthermore, out of personal interest, I found it necessary to meet with thee alone."
Don nodded. Aside from being elusive, Ranni was a capable liege. He had been mentally prepared for this.
Ranni did not jump straight to business. She spread her four arms, her tone becoming ethereal. "What dost thou think of this place?"
Don looked around. Between his two lives, he hadn't accumulated much "culture." He thought for a moment before answering, "The moon in the water, the flower in the mirror... it is beautiful, but it carries a sense of loneliness and unreality."
In this vast moon-viewing pool, there were only a few souls. Those empty high-backed chairs did indeed project a sense of solitude.
"It was not always thus. Many of the Royal line, led by my Lady Mother, once viewed the full moon from here. But as thou sayest, the past has become a phantom. Tell me then: how does one escape the loneliness brought by such unreality?"
"By looking toward the future, naturally. The fulfillment found in seeking the path allows one to forget the silence," Don answered without hesitation. As a transmigrator, his past memories also brought a sense of falsehood and pain.
Living for the future, fighting for a goal?
A flash of appreciation appeared in Ranni's eyes. She asked with interest, "And where does thy goal lie?"
"To live. To live without threat, where no one else can control my destiny." Don't's eyes sharpened as he countered, "Highness, do you find such a goal laughable?"
Under the Golden Order, talking about one's own destiny was indeed a joke. Had the Ring not been shattered, even life and death would have been meticulously arranged by others.
Ranni's expression turned solemn as she shook her head. "No. To master one's own fate seems the most simple of desires, yet it is the most difficult to achieve. Not even the exalted demigods can manage it. Thy path may be even more arduous than mine."
She leaned back slightly into her chair, her majesty softening into the posture of a weary girl. Seeing Don't's confused gaze, she immediately sat upright again.
"I, too, wish to master my destiny. But under the current Order, freedom is an impossibility."
"You mean the Erdtree?"
"No. Any Order is the same. To act according to the rules of another... it is far too tedious." Ranni spoke with conviction. Since Don wasn't some Tarnished who had stumbled in, she saw no need to manipulate him into doing her bidding.
"Thus, our goals are of a similar nature. I am glad to have found a reliable companion on the road to the future."
Don't's merits were carved in blood; no one could question his worthiness.
"Indeed. I am willing to contribute my strength." Don nodded once more. Setting aside Ranni's grand vision, he was already a warrior of Caria.
"As for rewards... gold and jewels are of no use to me. I have two requests."
"Speak." Having watched him for several days, Ranni was curious.
"First, this curved sword does not suit my hand. I have heard Master Iji is a peerless blacksmith; I wish to have him forge a Glintstone Katana. Second, I wish to learn Carian sorcery."
The requests were certainly unusual. Ranni hid a smile behind her hand. "I had almost forgotten thou wert a magic apprentice. It shall be done. I will have Iji forge it with the utmost care, and the Royal magic towers shall be open to thee. How much thou learnest depends on thy own talent. Shouldst thou encounter difficulty, thou mayest consult Preceptor Miriam."
Miriam? Shouldn't it be that foul-mouthed Seluvis?
Don was momentarily confused, but searching his memories, he realized Seluvis was currently still a professor at the Academy. The Chief Preceptor serving the Royals was Miriam—the one who would later snipe players into oblivion in the Carian Study Hall.
"Thank you, Highness." He didn't dwell on it; anyone was better than that verbal-abuser Seluvis.
"Furthermore, I shall add a third reward of my own." Ranni suddenly floated from her chair, landing softly in the pool with a few ripples. Her face turned grave as she extended her arms, beckoning him.
"Don Wright. Step forward."
The swordsman rose instantly, stepping into the shallow water. The ripples he created disturbed the reflection of the moon. He stopped half a meter from Ranni. Unsure of what to do, he saw her arms turn elegantly inward, pressing downward. He dropped to one knee in the water.
"Forgive me. While my Lady Mother still remains, I am not the Queen of Caria, and thus cannot bestow upon thee the highest honors," Ranni explained softly, before assuming a mask of regal authority. She held out her hands.
"Blaidd. The sword."
The Half-Wolf warrior, who had been standing as still as a statue, stepped into the pool carrying a box. With slow, heavy movements, he opened it to reveal a straight sword.
It had a golden hilt and a blade that looked like a work of art. This was the secret treasure of Caria—the legendary Sword of Night and Flame.
Ranni took it firmly. She turned to the kneeling Don and tapped the blade once on each of his shoulders, whispering:
"Witnessed by the full moon and the stars, in the name of the direct descendant of the Carian Royals, Ranni the Lunar Princess, I dub thee, Don Wright, a Carian Knight of Honor. May courage and glory abide with thee forever."
The ceremony was brief. When Don looked up, there was nothing left but dissipating azure particles. Ranni had departed with singular decisiveness. Don blinked, still trying to grasp the situation.
So... that's it? I'm promoted?
Clap. Clap.
A round of crisp applause broke out. It was Alayn, clapping enthusiastically. Blaidd hesitated for a moment, then added a few claps of his own, his fangs bared in a grin.
"Knight Don. From now on, you are a member of Her Highness's personal guard."
"And more than that! It's been years since Her Highness last dubbed a knight. Don't worry; once we rescue Queen Rennala, you'll be made an official Knight of the Realm immediately." Alayn was much more straightforward, looking ready to cheer.
"But why did Lady Ranni run off immediately after the ceremony?"
"Uh... perhaps she didn't know what to do next. She might be going back to check her books," Alayn joked. Seeing the Wolf's murderous glare, he quickly shut his mouth.
In truth, Don didn't care much for titles. If one lacked the strength, being King of Caria would just result in being cut down. Standing in the pool, bathed in the moonlight, he recalled Alayn's words and allowed a slow smile to form.
Is that so? Then I suppose I am quite honored.
He turned and called out to the departing Blaidd, "Don't go yet! It's a celebration. Let me buy you a drink."
The Half-Wolf continued walking, simply waving a hand. "Alcohol interferes with my judgment. I never drink."
He vanished into the shadows. Don threw his hands up and laughed. "That bastard is as arrogant as they come."
"Don't mind him. He's like that to everyone except Her Highness." Alayn threw an arm around Don's shoulder, dragging him toward the exit.
"Come, come! I've got wine in my quarters. We drink until we drop today!"
The full moon was at its brightest, stretching their shadows across the courtyard, as if carving Don't's presence permanently into the foundation of this land.