"...It is estimated that within three months, the Troll slaves will be able to dig through the passage."
"Is there any risk in concentrating so many Troll slaves in one place?" someone asked.
"During the excavation, the Sovereign's Army will be stationed in the Capital. There will be no issues whatsoever," General Connaught said. He had now been reinstated as the Commander of the Capital Garrison and had returned to the Roundtable.
There was a murmur of agreement. In the past, the decision to station the Sovereign's Army in the Capital would not have passed so easily, but the situation had reached such a point that even those who were dissatisfied could not openly oppose it.
"High Scholar Zeno, I thank you for stepping forward to manage the situation at this time," Queen Marika's gentle voice drifted from the Great Grace in the center of the Roundtable. Morgott, sitting in a corner of the room, shuddered and looked up. "But if the Deeproot begins to spread corruption along the Erdtree roots now, in three months, the damage may be irreparable."
"Honored Goddess, General Ramsden and eight hundred elites of the Sovereign's Army have already entered the Deeproot. We expect him to maintain control over the situation."
"I shall bless these brave soldiers. However, I have noticed that Lady Fortissax has proposed another plan. The two can proceed in tandem. I hope this meeting can discuss it. This map of the underground world comes from my collection; perhaps it will be of use to you."
"By your will," the High Scholar said respectfully. The Goddess did not respond; she seemed to have departed.
Everyone was accustomed to this. Since her marriage to Radagon, the Goddess had offered her opinion less and less frequently. On the rare occasions she did speak, it was usually in the form of suggestions rather than commands. Were it not for this, the Royalist faction would not have grown so powerful. Of course, this did not mean anyone dared to ignore Marika's voice.
"Crusade against the Goddess of Rot!" Miquella's eyes were bright. "My sister suffers greatly from the corruption; she will surely be happy to lead the Cleanrot Knights in this operation."
"Organizing an expeditionary force to reach the Lake of Rot, using Destined Death to thoroughly eliminate the Goddess of Rot, and purging the Law of Rot from the Lands Between—it is indeed a permanent solution. But several practical issues cannot be ignored..." General Connaught began his speech.
Raven looked at the map of the underground world, surprised to find it was the same one Ranni had given him, though parts of it had been redacted.
While Raven was comparing the differences between the two maps, an attendant came up behind him and handed him something. It was a beautifully crafted doll, its hat styled exactly like Ranni's.
"This is?" Raven looked at the old servant. The man opened his mouth, pointing to the short stump where his tongue used to be, then bowed quietly and retreated.
Raven studied the doll for a moment, unable to make sense of it. Just as he was about to put it in his pocket, Ranni's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"I am Ranni. Can you hear my voice? Raven, what follows is very important. Please listen carefully..."
After hearing Ranni's words, Raven was stunned for a long time before coming to his senses.
On the other side of the table, Connaught was still speaking: "...the entry well is located on the eastern plateau of Liurnia. The Carian Kingdom will not allow the Sovereign's Army to pass through."
"That is not a problem," Raven said to General Connaught. "The Goddess of Rot is a threat to all the Lands Between. I can write to my mother and persuade her to temporarily grant military passage to this expeditionary force. Of course, the numbers must be strictly limited, no siege engines may be carried, and the marching route must be designated by Caria."
"Thank you, Raven!" Miquella's smile was radiant.
"The Sovereign's Army only recently engaged in hostile actions against Caria. It would be inappropriate for an expeditionary force to venture deep into Caria alone."
"General Connaught, as long as I am here, how could the Carian Kingdom initiate hostilities regardless of my safety?" Raven shrugged. "How about this: I shall join the operation as well. What do you think?"
"Your Highness, you overstate things." Connaught was a bit embarrassed. Having seen Raven so active in the Capital lately, he had come to view him as one of the Royalists' own, almost forgetting his status as a hostage.
"No, I am serious. Such a grand undertaking as slaying Rot cannot proceed without me."
"With Lord Maliketh the Black Blade leading the team, eliminating a sealed Outer God should indeed pose no problem," the High Scholar nodded. "The Sovereign's Army will mobilize a group of elite forces to accompany the Black Blade."
"The Fingers say that the Black Blade bears the duty of guarding Destined Death and must not leave."
Everyone froze, looking toward the Finger Reader Crone behind the door.
After saying this, the Crone lapsed back into a drowsy state, as if she had merely spoken in her sleep.
Marika's voice drifted from the Great Grace: "You may carry a Warp Mirror. Once the Goddess of Rot is defeated, teleport her essence to Farum Azula, where Maliketh shall grant her Destined Death. Maliketh will send the Black Blade Kindred to assist you. If the battle goes poorly, I shall personally teleport there to join the fight."
"Please allow me to join the crusade as well, to clear the Deeproot of suspicion regarding any collusion with the Rot," Morgott said solemnly.
"I look forward to your performance, my dear child," Marika responded with a light chuckle.
As they walked out of the Roundtable Hold, the High Scholar sighed with a touch of helplessness.
"No doubt the Goddess is also worried about Godwin's condition, which is why she is so eager to crusade against the Rot. Prince Raven, in any case, thank you for your cooperation this time."
"It was the least I could do," Raven said with a smile. He turned to see Lansseax pacing in circles around the carriage. "Lansseax?"
He had to call her name twice before she suddenly looked up, as if snapping out of a dream.
"Raven..."
"Still thinking about Fortissax? Don't worry, the Dynasty has decided to send troops to crusade against the Goddess of Rot."
"That is wonderful." Lansseax loosened her grip on the hem of her clothes. "I was truly afraid she would do something impulsive and go to the Lake of Rot alone."
"And besides, we will be participating in this operation. You'll have plenty of time to talk on the road."
"Eh!"
"I can tell you actually want to reconcile with your sister, don't you?" Raven climbed into the carriage, turning back to smile.
"It's not that simple," Lansseax grumbled, reluctantly clambering into the carriage as well.
"Loretta, are you confident enough to brave the underground again, with me?" Raven reached his hand out of the window toward the female knight sitting upright on her horse.
"At your service, Your Highness," Loretta laughed pleasantly. She pulled on the reins and gave Raven a high-five.
On the way back to the manor, they passed the streets where the Scarlet Rot had broken out. All traces of corruption had been wiped away by Miquella, but the shops along the street remained empty, and there were no pedestrians—only soldiers patrolling back and forth.
"Are you also here to visit the survivors, Raven?" Miquella's voice came from behind. "I have requested the Sovereign's Army to establish a camp to settle them. I hope they can hold on until the day the Goddess of Rot is defeated."
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(182 Chapter - Ongoing)
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