Elden Ring: Atai vows to have a perfect ending

"Ah~ I'm so tired. I don't even know how many patrols I've been on. My feet are numb from all the walking." In the lounge on the second floor of the city wall tower, an exile soldier walked in while complaining to his companions. He pulled two chairs and sat in front of the fireplace. "Where did that damn Faded One hide? I searched all night but couldn't find him."

"I feel like there's a lot of leaks in Stonewell lately." Another soldier also said, rubbing his calf. "Didn't a Faded One sneak in before? We haven't caught him yet, but another one shows up... And wasn't there a rumor a while ago that the ghost of the Storm King was wandering around Stonewell? There's still no news about it."

"The ghost of the Storm King? What kind of plot is this?"

"Huh? You don't know? Ever since King Greg captured a flying dragon, every night in the city, there are guys who inexplicably return to the trees and die... I heard that the original king of this Stonewell was a giant dragon that controlled the storm, and it was he who came to seek revenge for his offspring." The soldier said, and he couldn't help shivering.

But the other guy looked puzzled: "Who are you talking to?"

"Ah? Didn't you ask me what the Storm King's ghost is?"

"I definitely know about this kind of thing! Do I need you to tell me?!"

"But I clearly heard someone ask?"

"Hey~ stop arguing, stop arguing. I admit it, it's me, okay?" I sighed helplessly.

The two exile soldiers turned their heads in confusion, and their pupils only reflected a set of Lost Knight armor on a rack: "What the hell, armor, is the armor talking?"

“How come the armor can’t talk and can even beat people!” As a golden light floated away, I picked up the handy pickaxe and hammer I found in the city and hit the guy in front of me on the head with it!

The other person fainted immediately, and the other exile shouted in fear: "Faded, Faded, what on earth are you..."

"How do you turn into armor?" I smiled and blew the light brown veil that covered half of my face. "I can only say that the Queen's 'Mimicry Veil' is really useful. I understand her playful intentions when she plays pranks~"

The exile soldier gritted his teeth, drew his sword and slashed at me.

I dodged it easily and then swung my hammer back, hitting his arm.

The exile felt the pain and the straight sword in his hand flew out involuntarily. He stepped back in fear and said, "You, you, what do you want to do?"

"What? I just don't want to make your armor too dirty." I took the pickaxe hammer and knocked on my palm, stepping closer to him. "You can choose: take it off gracefully, or I will force you to take it."

“You, you…”

"It seems you chose the second one. You have guts, but here you go!"

"ah--"

——······I'm talking to you, a grown man, why are you screaming like a young girl? It makes me feel a little embarrassed.

After knocking out the opponent with another hammer, I carefully and laboriously stripped off two sets of exile armor from them. Afterwards, I tied up the two guys, put them in the elevator, and prepared to throw them to the bottom of Stonewell.

On the tower side, the number of guarding soldiers had obviously decreased, and even the Lost Knight who was originally stationed here left the vicinity after being resurrected.

Before, I walked downstairs out of curiosity and found that the small door at the bottom was closed tightly, and there was even an extra lock on it, so it could not be opened at all.

It was estimated that after last night, Greg completely gave up on guarding this side and basically shifted his forces to patrolling and searching the city.

This actually gave me a lot of freedom - according to my understanding of the map, plus the camouflage artifact "Mimicry Veil" left by Queen Marika, it was easy to launch a sneak attack on the exiles.

I actively looted their armor sets to prepare for the chaos operation proposed by Roger.

After dealing with the unconscious exile, I clapped my hands and estimated, "That's ten sets of armor. I don't know what the others are like. Let's go back to the church first."

Returned to the second floor of the tower and passed through the outer city wall.

After I dealt with all the storm eagles here, I cut off their heads and threw them off the cliff.

In this way, the annoying guy will never be resurrected.

The only pity is that the gunpowder barrels along the way were used up in the battle with the storm eagles, otherwise they would have been of more use.

When I returned to the church, I saw that quite a few people had gathered there, roughly 20 people, young and middle-aged, with gray hair, and all ages were mostly between 30 and 50.

When he saw me, Edson immediately came over and said respectfully, "Master Ling, most of these people are old friends who have close ties with the Hyde family. After hearing about your rumors and determination, they are willing to contribute to the future of Stonewell."

"Are you sure there are no spies?" I asked in a low voice. After all, if just one person leaked the news, everyone who showed up now would be doomed.

Edson said solemnly: "Please rest assured about this."

As he spoke, Edson clapped his hands, and everyone in the church unexpectedly showed a brass dagger carved with plant patterns, which was exactly the same as the dagger I got from Kenneth Hyde.

"This is proof that I was once a member of the Golden Tree royal family, and it is also proof that the Hyde family is absolutely trusted. It is precisely because we still have the belief in revitalizing Nimgfu that its color will not fade." Edson also took out the dagger with pride.

- But to be honest, when you all drew your knives just now, I thought I was going to encounter the "Yellow Knife Conspiracy Day". It scared me.

"Oh, there are quite a lot of people." Roger also came back, but this guy only put on a set of exile armor and brought nothing else back!

I felt my eyelids twitching slightly, and couldn't help asking, "Didn't you go collect the armor? Where's the armor?"

"The defenses in the city are too tight, and I've given you the mimicry veil I found earlier. It's not easy for you to do it yourself." Roger spread his hands.

"Then at least bring back one or two more."

"I cannot see the blessing, so I cannot receive the favor left by the queen like you do, and I cannot take as many things."

······Ok, ok, there is always a reason to slack off.

However, after counting, there are still about ten items missing. I can't expect that I have to figure out how to solve all of them by myself.

Roger patted my shoulder again and said with a smile, "Zero, don't be angry. I brought back a lot of information."

"Oh?"

"Mr. Edson, did you bring the map of Stonewell that I need?"

Edson brought a large parchment scroll, and Roger told everyone the intelligence he had gathered and the approximate distribution of the exiles' forces.

——Well, the distribution of troops is similar to the Ring of Magic game and what Dyros said before.

——But it feels like the number of people has basically doubled.

Roger pointed at the map and arranged a detailed strategy: "Our plan is to act tonight. It is roughly divided into two phases: In the first phase, everyone will change into the garb of exiles, and then form groups of two or three people to form multiple teams. Taking advantage of the enemy's shift change, we will infiltrate the central square and various entrances and exits."

"Remember, your main task is to cause suspicion and confusion. For example, if you sneak into the square, attack anyone you see. No matter what the result is, after one or two strikes, immediately withdraw and change your target... This way, they won't be able to tell whether the guy wearing the same armor is a friend or an enemy."

"As for the second stage, Zero, when the time is right, find a chance to find Greg. Here in the square, Hertok and I will try our best to delay them. I hope to hear good news from you."

I nodded: "I understand, I'll do my best."

"Well." Roger said to Edson again, "Mr. Edson, when we are all in place, please go back to the church and ring the big bell here. Then, we will start the full action!"

"I understand. But I have another question." Edson stroked his beard and asked, "Since we are all scattered, it may be difficult to distinguish whether people wearing the same clothes are enemies or friends. Then, in the random attack, will our people be hurt?"

"That... is true." Roger frowned slightly, thinking about countermeasures.

"Then, why don't we come up with a secret code?" Everyone's eyes were immediately focused on me, causing me to cough twice and clear my throat subconsciously. "When the time comes, it will be very chaotic. I'm sure that both the opponents and our people will ask questions like 'Who are you?' or 'Which side are you on?' So, before we choose a target, everyone should take the initiative to ask the other party 'Who are you?'"

"And what's the answer?"

I pondered for a moment, then said word by word: "The answer is: Fire Transmitter."