Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

The sky was as red as blood, and the black wind blew up a few broken flags, which fluttered on the bare walls.

Looking from the main gate, the ancient castle city made of red bricks is full of cracks and pale decaying fungi growing everywhere, just like an old soldier who has lost his battle against the years and has wrinkles and age spots crawling up his face.

A bass voice sounded faintly in my ears, telling the story of the city-state's former glory and its current desolation.

——The Red Lion City of Gaileyd. Every time you set foot here, you can feel a sense of sadness and solemnity.

——But this time, there is still a glimmer of hope, still in my hands.

Right now, just like in the game, after the battle festival began, the entire Red Lion City's defense force was almost completely withdrawn, leaving only the opposite side of the broken bridge behind them, where flames were still burning.

I walked forward with Laya.

There were no fire giants stationed on the wall of the main gate, but there were two Latan soldiers standing below. When they saw me, they said respectfully, "Are you two here from Gale Fortress to participate in the festival?"

I asked curiously, "How did you know?"

"As the silver-gray glow suddenly fell to the ground, it was only the people coming from Gale Fortress that would do this." The soldiers of Latan said loudly, "Welcome the two warriors to our Red Lion City!"

——Ah, it feels so good not to have to worry about being suddenly attacked. It makes me like this castle even more.

I also gave them a simple knight's salute and then walked into the raised gate.

The entrance should be a training ground, which was crowded with people and looked relatively empty. The two ominous giant lions that were supposed to guard the gate were lying under a broken stable in the corner, yawning with their mouths wide open. Several towers were also closed at the bottom, just like in the game. After all, there should be a lot of people coming here, so they were probably to prevent some guys from stealing.

——Just like me when I was first starting to play the game, if I entered a room and there was a piece of furniture intact when I came out, it was because I had not searched carefully enough.

In that case, there's nothing to do here.

Laya and I walked straight through the drill ground, walked up the steps from behind a row of wooden barriers, and from afar we could hear the bustling voices coming from the square where the festival was being held, and caught a glimpse of people walking back and forth.

"Wow~" Laya's face suddenly brightened. She took my hand and ran forward.

A banquet was being held here, and the bonfire nearby was being used to roast meat, emitting a rich aroma.

As the glasses clinked, the thick wine spilled onto the table, causing several wine jars to slip and fall under the table.

Everyone was laughing and shouting.

Among them, there are many familiar figures:

The old man was not wearing his ferocious human skin mask. He was holding the cup calmly, and it seemed more like he was savoring the wine than drinking. The warrior next to him, dressed similarly to him, should be one of his disciples. He was generous and magnanimous, holding up the jar and drinking with him.

On the other side, two heavily armored warriors, one in white and one in black, picked up the wine jars amid the crowd's cheers, and like Kuafu, poured the wine into their mouths.

They should be "Big Horn" Telages and "Fearless" Lionel.

Of course, there are many faders around who don't even appear in the game... Hmm? Wait, that man!

He had a big pot on his head and was naked except for a loincloth!

This guy, it’s “Let me solo her”, right!

——The one who helped newbies fight the "Valkyrie" Marlennia countless times and became a heroic brother known to everyone in the Elden Circle community!

——With him here, it will be easy to capture General Shattering Star!

The other party seemed to notice my gaze and actually bowed to me at a 90-degree angle.

Oh, it turned out to be that old fellow, Selvis. I took the witch Serolina away with me, so he sent a puppet of the pot man over? It was all for nothing.

"Wow, there are so many people." Laya said beside me, "If we can gather everyone to our residence, I wonder how happy Lady Tanis will be."

——······Although your dreams are big, the reality will be cruel.

——I can only cheer you on in my heart, my little snake.

——However, she didn't go find food right away, and her footsteps fell behind me, which was a little surprising.

Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by my side, and someone's arm instantly hooked around my neck, bringing with it a strong smell of alcohol: "Hey, Brother Ling, you are here after all!"

"Senior Ishutopia!" The man with the flat head and dark face in front of me was indeed Ishutopia. I waved my hands in front of his nose and asked, "How much alcohol have you drunk?"

"Ah~ Who cares about this?" Ishutopia snorted and laughed.

A huge round figure followed behind him and asked cheerfully, "Is this the good brother you always mentioned, Zero? Ishutopia."

Oh, it’s Brother Hu, the warrior Hu, Alexander “Iron Fist”!

——So, he was indeed rescued by Roderica and the others. No wonder I couldn’t trigger the side quest.

"That's right~" Ishtopia also smiled and continued to hold me tightly, "I said that this festival can't be without you, brother Ling. After all, you should be the first man here to defeat the demigod, that Greg! Hiccup~"

The moment I said this, I felt several gazes coming towards me.

Looking at and judging... there is also a kind of bone-chilling indifference, which makes people feel a little creepy.

"Oh! Is that so... This is really delightful, hahaha!" Alexander, the Pot Brother, seemed particularly excited. "Brother Zero, I am Alexander the Iron Fist. As the Pot of Warriors, numerous warriors exist in my body, and I dream of being a hero endlessly. It is my honor to meet the warrior who defeated the demigod today!"

“Ahahaha… Actually, I’m not that great. I only rely on Nephi…”

Before I could finish my words, Alexander clasped his hands together and suddenly challenged me: "Brother Ling, I beg you to fight me and let me test my skills."

"Huh?" I was slightly stunned.

“Hahaha, good! Good! This is the style of us warriors!” Ishutopia had already let go and started to make a noise, “Everyone, make way and let my two brothers have a good competition!”

——What are you talking about? You must have drunk too much, senior.

And Laya was even more excited: "Oh, is Zero going to fight again? Great~"

Besides, there were many people in the square who were curious about what they said, and they all focused their attention on them.

"I've never seen that new guy before. Is he going to fight with Alexander?"

"I bet on Alexander, he's stronger than me!"

"Hahaha, are you an idiot? Didn't you hear that the guy beat Greg?! I bet on the new guy, two cans!"

——······Is the market open already? But I am not here to serve you as a snack, I have something important to do!

——By the way, where is Brother Wolf? Brother Wolf should have arrived a long time ago, right?

——Come and rescue us, why can’t we see anyone?

I could only laugh dryly and said, "That Hu brother... Oh, Alexander, isn't tomorrow the festival? If we start now and get hurt, it will be bad for both of us."

"It's okay, I'm still strong! Brother Ling, you can attack with all your strength!" Brother Hu obviously didn't understand what I said.

Of course, there was also a drunkard who didn't understand what people were saying: "Right, right, let's have a one-hit contest! One hit will determine the winner, brother Zero!"

"Alexander! Alexander! Alexander!"

"Zero, come on~"

The noises from all around were getting louder and louder, it was like they were putting people on the fire.

Alexander was also ready. Although I couldn't find his eyes, I could feel that he was staring at my every move. His aura was just like the raging fire at the edge of the square, burning more and more vigorously with the dripping fat from the barbecue.

——There’s nothing I can do. If it’s just one hit…