"Liana, arrange for someone to craft a symbol for our Dynasty. Let me think... let's go with a talisman adorned with a trident crest."
"I understand."
Liana nodded slightly, then continued to look at Mohg, as if waiting to see if he had any further instructions.
"Once those talismans are finished, bring them all to me. I will teach you how to infuse them with a guiding power. As it stands, only you and I are capable of such a feat."
Liana nodded again. After all, if the prayers of their followers were to reach Mohg, they needed to harness a power that shared a connection with him. Furthermore, since this power also had to be related to the Formless Mother, only he or Liana possessed the necessary capability.
Wait... had he forgotten someone?
Mohg rubbed his chin. Realizing nothing immediate came to mind, he turned his attention back to Liana. "So, what is the situation in Liurnia? Do you have any information regarding the underground world?"
"Yes, I was just about to inform you!" Liana replied with a nod before continuing.
"The Liurnia Lake region is primarily divided between three powers: the Academy, the Carian Royal Family, and the Cuckoo Knights. However, the Carian Royals have currently unified these forces—at least on the surface. During our operations, we discovered that they aren't actually that harmonious. The Academy and the Cuckoos share closer ties, yet if the Royal Family and the Academy were to truly clash right now, the Cuckoos would side with the Royals."
"Side with the Royal Family?"
Mohg looked somewhat puzzled; that didn't quite seem right.
"Yes. It seems they believe the Academy stands no chance against the Royal Family regardless of the circumstances—even if they joined forces with the Academy. So..."
"I see. When there's no direct conflict, only minor friction, they lean toward the Academy to secure their own interests. But the moment a true conflict erupts, they defect to the Royal Family because the Royals are the guaranteed victors, and siding with them offers new benefits."
"Precisely. Your insight is as brilliant as ever, Lord Mohg!"
"Enough. Continue with your report on the local situation."
Mohg waved a hand, signaling that the flattery was unnecessary and she should proceed.
"Then there are the stranger races..."
"Stranger races?" Mohg narrowed his eyes at Liana.
"Yes. They appear to be subordinates of the Royal Family. They are not blessed by the Grace of Gold and seem to suffer from physical disabilities. However, their numbers don't appear to be very high. I've only spotted them a few times; they are always seen riding wolves."
"I understand."
Mohg nodded. He realized Liana was talking about the first-generation Albinaurics. To be honest, he had never fully understood the origins or the birth period of the first-generation Albinaurics. In his previous life, there were many theories: they could be products of an underground civilization, research subjects of the Carian Royal Family, or perhaps creations of the Amber Egg.
However, Mohg didn't care about any of that right now. He only needed to know if the Albinaurics had appeared near the Royal Family. If they were there, it meant the Carians had already begun their exploration of the underground. That made things much easier!
His way down was within reach!
"So, regarding the method to reach the underground world, have you found anything?"
"Yes. We discovered a magic well in eastern Liurnia that likely leads to the underground, though we haven't fully confirmed it yet... The Royal Family has stationed many guards there, and we didn't dare approach recklessly to gather more intel."
"That is enough. Well done, Liana."
Hearing this news, Mohg finally felt a sense of relief, a hint of joy appearing on his face.
"So, Lord Mohg, what is our next move?" Liana looked up, asking for their next plan.
"Well, continue to build our strength in the shadows and keep scouting that magic well to the east. I will head there myself to investigate."
"As you command."
Liana bowed slightly and retreated. She needed to gather personnel and arrange matters for Mohg's upcoming move.
As for Mohg... he was deep in thought.
The Ainsel River Well in Liurnia wasn't actually the place Mohg wanted to go. This entrance led to the Ainsel River, the ruins of the Uhl Palace, and the Eternal City of Nokstella. While that area was indeed prosperous and home to the Nox civilization, it wasn't Mohg's primary target. There were no traces of the Ancestral Followers there, and it didn't align with the direction of his research.
Furthermore... that place was completely disconnected from the area he truly wanted to reach. In other words, even if he went down there, he wouldn't be able to reach the Siofra River unless...
Unless he wanted to fly through the underground world for who-knows-how-long to find a way over. That was assuming he didn't get lost, or that the entire area wasn't just one giant, isolated cavern requiring a different exit.
Therefore, reaching Nokron through Nokstella was clearly unfeasible. But that didn't mean he lacked interest in Nokstella.
The Uhl Palace ruins might contain something he desired, and he also wanted to have an "in-depth exchange" with the Nox. Their enemies were the Two Fingers, and they sought a Lord of their own. For the time being, their goals didn't conflict; in fact, they shared common interests. There was a foundation for cooperation.
And what he wanted... was the correct way to use a Larval Tear.
To better blend into ordinary cities and society, he needed another face. This was why he was eyeing the "plastic surgery" technology of Nokstella.
Looking at it this way, though... he would have to make contact with the Carian Royal Family sooner or later.
Mohg held a pessimistic view on that front. He wasn't sure what the Carians thought of him, but he doubted it was anything good... largely because his subordinates had a habit of attacking any warrior they laid eyes on.
He estimated that during this period, his group had likely had some friction—or rather, developed some grudges—with every faction in the Lake District. The only question was just how deep those grudges ran.
While Mohg was lost in thought, Moon had already met with the current ruler of Caria—the Queen of the Full Moon, Rennala!
Meanwhile, in the Royal Capital, after a grueling battle, the city had successfully repelled the assault of the Great Ancient Dragon, Gransax, and his kin. However, there was no relaxation; the Capital further tightened its martial law in preparation for the upcoming campaign against the Ancient Dragons!
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (286 Chapters – Ongoing)
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