Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

I used up all my strength and gathered all the rune magic onto the hound's fangs. In mid-air, I subconsciously performed the Lion Slash and chopped down at the back of the ominous giant lion.

boom!

"Ow—"

The real feeling of being chopped down came from my hands, and I truly felt that the opponent was completely unable to resist my full-strength attack. With a crushing momentum, the ominous giant lion was chopped down to the ground.

However, I failed to choose the right position to cut across the spine, and I failed to use the sword to cut the giant lion into two pieces directly.

However, this blow was enough to make it fall to the ground, unable to get up.

— is a great opportunity for execution.

I was just about to use "Wolf Attack Blood Dance" to finish off the ominous giant lion, when a red figure suddenly appeared in my peripheral vision, with a flash of cold light piercing towards me.

Subconsciously, he was forced to retreat, and saw a Red Lion Knight of Latan, holding a pistol and guarding the ominous giant lion.

——Tsk, is it going to be two on one next time?

——However, in the game, the Hound Sword Skill is still quite effective against these Knight Commanders, especially the second part, which has a good chance of knocking the opponent off balance.

——But we need to take into account the tolerance in reality, as well as the double-team attack after the giant lion recovers...

Just when I was still thinking about how to deal with these two opponents, they put away their weapons and saluted me like a knight.

Suddenly, I heard fierce applause, loud trumpet sounds, cheers, and Laya's joyful call: "Zero!"

I turned my head in confusion and saw Laya jumping down from the stands and running towards me with her hands raised.

I quickly opened my arms and prepared myself for the embrace, but... this little girl just ran over and rubbed my head vigorously: "Zero, you're amazing! Well done!"

"Uh... um." Let's not talk about the patting on the head. I was a little confused. "Laya, weren't you arrested?"

"Catch him?" Laya tilted her head, confusion flashing across her eyes.

“Hahaha!” A slightly old voice came from the stands. An old man in aristocratic robe came over with the help of Latan’s soldiers. “It seems that this warrior has a misunderstanding. This is just a trial field prepared by us for the festival, not to capture you.”

——Huh? Another trial?

——You people of Gaileed love to give trials to others, and they are all surprise inspections.

Seeing that I was still confused, the old man continued, "Excuse me, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Jed Gale, and I am in charge of this fortress by order of Lord Jerlian."

Glancing behind me, I saw that the evil lion had been taken away for treatment, and the other soldiers had no intention of attacking. I breathed a sigh of relief and responded, "My name is Zero, and I'm just an ordinary fader."

"Zero is a very powerful hero! He has even defeated a demigod!" Laya boasted about me to Jade with sparkling eyes.

"Hahaha, Miss Laya, it seems that you really like this Fader." Jed also stroked his beard happily.

——Why do I feel that the atmosphere between these two people is... a bit like that of a grandfather and granddaughter?

I asked curiously, "Do you know each other?"

"Hmm?" Laya shook her head.

Jade explained, "Ms. Laya is from the Volcano Residence, and General Latan is a brother of the owner of the residence, Justice Lakkad, so she is naturally our distinguished guest."

······Hey, could it be that I just mistakenly thought that the soldiers of Latan were arresting Laya, but I was just too hasty in the battle and made a mistake? It's like, after seeing me injured, Laya wanted to run over to help, but was stopped by the soldiers. As a result, in my eyes, a group of guys grabbed Laya and escorted her to the stands······

At that time, I was thinking that if I fell, Laya might be executed as well. I had already apologized to Laya in my heart for bringing her to such a dangerous place.

Well, it was all in vain worrying.

——However, speaking of it, Laya can indeed be considered as Latan’s niece.

——Hey~ The Elden Ring and the like, isn’t it actually just the love-hate relationship between a few royal families and gods?

——In the end, we, A-Ti, have to clean up the mess.

I was complaining in my heart, and suddenly I felt that Jed was looking at me carefully, which made me... a little embarrassed: "City Lord Jed, what's wrong?"

The other party first said modestly: "I don't dare to be the city lord. On weekdays, everyone calls me Old Jed."

Then, he stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Miss Laya is right. You are indeed a brave warrior who can defeat Greg. You have a strong will and can skillfully turn danger into safety even when you are in trouble. You can slowly find a way to win... We have been waiting for a warrior like you."

"Um... Old Jed, you're too kind." I clasped my fists embarrassedly.

And Laya praised me again: "Hehe, Zero's battles are always very interesting. He always does things that I don't expect and tries his best to win!"

——Actually, I also wanted to win easily, but the monsters I encountered behaved differently from those in the game, so I had to rack my brains to think of countermeasures.

——But, what happened to Laya today? She patted my head and praised me non-stop... Hey, is this what it feels like to be admired? It's really good~

Jed also smiled and said, "That's true. I never thought that you would imitate Svent's attack and fight back. It was really beautiful... Brother Ling, you are the third person who has passed our test alone. Please follow me."

As he spoke, Jed took Laya and me to the stands in the square and climbed up the ladders handed down by the soldiers.

My competitive spirit was also playing tricks on me, and I couldn't help but ask curiously, "Old Jed, can I ask who were the first two people to pass the trial?"

"Hmm..." Jed pondered for a moment and said, "I remember the first one was an old man. He had an extremely strong smell of blood on him, which was unforgettable. The second one was a man wearing heavy armor. His name was 'Big Horn' Telages, and he was also an admirable knight."

——It turns out to be Big Horn brother. I’ll have to rely on him to fight the lava earth dragon on the other side of the cliff of ruins in the future... By the way, the one in Gale’s Pit, wasn’t it him who solved it?

——The other old man with a bloody smell is probably the old man with bloody fingers?

——I feel like I’m still no match for the sea of ​​blood and corpses right now, so I’d better not have any bad ideas.

By the way, Brother Wolf didn't pass the test? I'm a little surprised.

I asked casually, and Jed stroked his beard and shook his head: "Blazer? I don't seem to have any impression... Although there are indeed many people who come to challenge, if it is a unique person like Werewolf Knight, it should be very eye-catching."

——Okay, my good wolf brother probably just ran away with a howl, and had no intention of coming to this fortress and taking a shortcut.

"Then...what about those who failed the trial?"

Jed couldn't help but snorted coldly. "How can someone who can't even defeat Svent be a match for the general? If they really want to participate in the battle festival, they will continue to pass through Gaileed to the Red Lion City. Fighting those corrupt monsters along the way will also help them improve... Otherwise, they are just some buzzing insects and ants, trying to take advantage of the situation. They will only defile our festival and are not worthy of fighting the general!"

——So that’s how it is. Old Jed also has good intentions.

After all, I heard on the road that some faded ones wanted to seize Latan's Great Rune while he was dying. Therefore, the trial arranged by Gale Fortress can also dispel the greed of those people.

But...I suddenly started to worry about this guy Patch.

——Has he been to the fortress? Can he pass the test? I can’t lose my Night Dew Hepa!

I was just about to explain the situation to Jed when he suddenly turned around and handed me a rolled up briefcase, motioning for me to take it.

I opened it with some doubt:

Prayers - Flame, grant me strength; Runes of War Ashes: Lion Slash, Red Lion Flame; and even amulets - Legend of the Broken Star!

——Oh my god, what a luxurious gift pack! It saves me from running around the fortress to search for loot!

"This is our respect for the challenger. Although it is just a small gift, please accept it." Jed put his hand on his heart and bowed to me respectfully.

——Will you accept it? Of course I will.

I felt like the corners of my mouth were almost reaching my ears.

Afterwards, Jed brought Laya and me to the high tower of Gael Fortress. Just like in the game, there was a portal facing the direction of Red Lion City, slowly spinning a magical vortex like the night sky.

"The battle festival is approaching. Please be sure to return the warrior's glory to that general. Thank you."

"Well, bye." I waved goodbye to Jade and touched the teleportation portal.

When I closed my eyes, I felt like I was sucked into a vortex, floating lightly, spinning and shaking continuously, until the solid feeling of the earth slowly came from under my feet.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a towering castle with several reddish-black flags flying, standing majestically on a high cliff overlooking the sea.

And I suddenly remembered something.

——Oops, I was so happy to receive the gift package just now that I forgot to tell you about Patch.

——I can only hope that guy can fulfill his promise, send what I want here, and not do something weird like quitting the world midway.

——After all, I paid for it!