Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

——Rune is not only strength, but also the blood of all living beings in the border area.

What is the deep meaning of Melina telling me this?

······

The next day, after the wild wolves and demihumans killed by the tree guards revived, I prepared to lead the guys from the coastal caves to Stonewell.

"But, Old Kale, are you really not going to come along?" I asked curiously.

The old wandering merchant waved his hand and said, "I am an old man, I can't help much there. We prefer to wander around alone, it's more comfortable."

"Lord Currie..." Burke also seemed a little reluctant.

And Kale smiled and narrowed his eyes: "Don't worry, Burke, it's not like we won't see each other again. If you want, go back to the Church of Eile when you have time. I'll usually be there."

"Yeah, Burke." I patted Burke on the shoulder and consoled him, "Besides, there are basically no threats around here. This old fox, Curry, will definitely be fine."

"Dear guest, are you praising me or criticizing me?" Kale's eyes twitched slightly.

I also said shamelessly: "Anyway, I don't have a penny now, and all the runes guarding the tree have been absorbed by Fenliger. You won't get anything if you rob."

“…Ah.” Kalie was too lazy to complain and sighed, “Alright, alright, anyway, when you have time, come back and do more business with me. Don’t worry too much.”

——How come this old man really looks like an empty-nest elderly person?

——It seems that life in the coastal caves has indeed brought him and Burke closer.

It’s a pity that, just as the tree guard said, the nomadic people like Kale are indeed not welcomed by the Golden Dynasty.

To the world, they are like time-detonators, with a power in their bodies that is enough to burn everything, which is called "mad fire".

For them, the only people who can be closer to them are the faded ones who are also not blessed.

Others, even Kenneth who preaches that "everything can be maintained in order", would probably be worried and suspicious.

That's why Kale decided not to follow us to Stoneville. He probably had his own considerations.

In the end, Burke reluctantly said goodbye to Kale, and followed the tribe, looking back every few steps, to leave the suburban forest near the beginning of the guidance.

After showing the official document, I passed through the checkpoint with a mixed force of wolves and small Asians under the surprised and even suspicious gazes of the soldiers of Greg... oh, now should be called Stonewell.

It took most of the day to walk along the long stone path of Storm Hill, and finally, with a group of friends, they returned to the main gate of Stonewell.

When the guard soldier Diros saw me, he hurried over to greet me: "Brother Ling, you're back!"

"Well, Diros, do me a favor." I recited the brass dagger in my mind, and after a while, Rune, which flew from the blessing point, condensed into a dagger in my palm. "These guys are my partners on Nimgefu. Please take this dagger and take them to find Edson... Arrange some accommodation for them, which should be of great help to the reconstruction of Stonewell."

And Burke also said hurriedly: "I, I can be a tailor! I can do arithmetic! In short, I can definitely help Master Zero and everyone else!"

"Hahaha, relax, Burke." I smiled and patted his back.

"Leave it to me, Brother Zero. Everyone is busy with things in the city recently, so the gatekeepers are often vacant." Diros did not show any contempt for the demihumans and saluted Berk as a knight. "Your name is Berk, right? I hope you can give me your guidance in the future."

——So, in the city of Moren, Diros and his men come into contact with hybrids on a daily basis, and there are even lion hybrids among their guard group.

No wonder these guys treat subhumans equally.

Burke also happily imitated Diros's appearance and returned the other party with a knight's salute.

"By the way, Brother Zero." Diros turned around and asked me, "What you just said means that there is still something you need to do outside? Do you need me to find Knight Hurtok?"

"... As expected of you, Diros." I couldn't help but chuckle. This guy has such good judgment. "But, it's just a small matter. There's no need to bother Stonewell's current trump card."

As I said that, I summoned the spirit horse Torret, said goodbye to everyone, ran down the hill, found a dilapidated house on the side of the road, and turned towards the dirt road.

——Yes, the person I am looking for is the combat skills teacher, Bernard.

But I don't know if his people are still in Storm Hill.

...Oh, there's a fire over there in the woods cabin.

Sure enough, although that guy was worried about Roderica, given his current mental state, he had no intention of leaving.

I drove over in the Toretto.

Bernard was sitting near the door, making a fire and grilling meat. When he saw it was me, he didn't say much. He just silently added another piece of firewood, picked up the knife and started cutting a few more pieces of meat.

I didn't waste any more time and asked directly, "Senior Bernal, I have a few questions related to combat skills that I would like to ask you."

"Oh?"

"Excuse me, can two different fighting skills be used with only one weapon?"

Bernard couldn't help but look at me once more, and continued to fan the flames with the stick in his hand. "Before you answer, I want to know what exactly you think combat skills are, Zero?"

"I..." I was slightly stunned, and answered carefully, "Combat skills, as the name suggests, are fighting skills and moves..."

——Isn't this nonsense?! It's like telling others that Meimei is a nickname for Melina!

——Whether in reality or in games, combat skills are special skills attached to weapons. Using a stone knife, the battle-ash runes are carved onto the weapons...

"Ah, I got it!" An idea flashed in his mind, "Combat skills are like the soul of a weapon! When a combat skill moves appear in my mind, it will be performed automatically."

"You're half right." Bernard pointed the firestick at the opposite side of him, and seemed ready to explain to me the relevant knowledge of combat skills. "To be more precise, combat skills are the soul of a warrior. They are the proof of their fighting until they are defeated and die... Therefore, every combat skill is actually a very vivid heroic story. The Eternal Queen..."

Bernard paused for a moment, then continued, "Queen Marica established the Golden Dynasty herself, and countless heroes risked their lives for her. It is said that in order to commemorate them, the queen used her rune power to record the winning moves that the warriors were proud of. This is the origin of combat skills."

——The combat techniques were recorded using the power of runes.

This reminded me of the map tablets at the border, and the use of runes to draw magic runes taught by magic teacher Se Lian.

Thinking carefully, I did the same thing when I carved the war ash on the weapon with a stone knife. "I see. Doing so can also enable soldiers with less talent to quickly master the skills of fighting in a short period of time, making the Golden Dynasty invincible on the border."

Bernal nodded: "That's right."

"That means, as long as I can master the techniques of each combat skill, it is possible to use a variety of combat skills with one weapon?!" I couldn't help but hear surprise in my voice. Although I had some ideas before, the confirmation from professionals made me feel more at ease and excited.

"If you can truly master it." Bernard stood up and picked up the greatsword beside him. "Are you full? I think you are not asking such a simple question. It just so happens that my body and fighting sense have become a little stiff these days. Let's warm up."

——Although he is depressed, he is still a warrior.

Seeing that Bernard was interested in giving me advice, I immediately stood up and responded loudly: "Then please give me more advice!"