studiobondurri Chapter 348: A Motherless Child Is Like a Weed
Chapter 348: A Motherless Child Is Like a Weed
Raising the newly reforged Sword of Night and Flame, Bai Shi couldn’t help but examine it closely.
At this moment, the Sword of Night and Flame radiated an immense power; one could sense its utter transformation just by looking at it.
Holding it in his hand, Bai Shi could already feel the tempestuous glintstone sorcery and flame power surging within.
The stream of comets it could now unleash would likely be no weaker than Comet Azur.
As for the flame aspect, Bai Shi wasn’t too concerned.
When it came to fighting, he would undoubtedly use the sun's searing flames, not the fire within the sword.
But perhaps because he had used it to channel his searing flames several times before, the fire in the sword now carried a faint aura of the sun.
And beyond the strengthening of the power within the sword, the blade itself had seen a massive improvement.
Along the edge of the Sword of Night and Flame, space and time were faintly warped and torn by the blade.
This meant that Bai Shi could now truly execute a genuine dimensional slash.
It was this very power to distort space and time that had cut Master Hewg's eyes just from his gaze.
Fortunately, this space-time distortion was very faint.
So, Master Hewg’s eyes were fine; they had completely recovered after Bai Shi cast a healing incantation of sunlight.
If forging one god-slaying weapon meant sacrificing a master blacksmith, the price would be far too steep.
Bai Shi was still hoping to mass-produce god-slaying weapons in the future.
Although the Sword of Night and Flame was once a weapon that relied mainly on its skills, after being reinforced with a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, it now possessed an ultimate sharpness.
Bai Shi gripped the Sword of Night and Flame, trying to point its blade at his own arm.
He would personally verify just how extreme this sharpness was.
With a light stroke from Bai Shi, the keen blade treated his tough flesh as if it were nothing, and blood instantly gushed forth.
Bai Shi’s hand hadn’t even felt any resistance.
Moving the blade away, Bai Shi nodded with great satisfaction as the wound healed rapidly.
Bai Shi’s current physical toughness was absurdly high.
Even without armor or using a Great Rune to break his limits, his body was already far stronger than any heavy armor.
And the opponents Bai Shi would face next were on the same level as him; their physical strength would be no less formidable.
Under these circumstances, the fact that the Sword of Night and Flame could so easily cut his flesh was a telling demonstration of its effectiveness.
It could be said that as long as his opponent wasn't someone like Godfrey, who relied purely on physical might, he wouldn't have to worry about the weapon's damage output.
Bai Shi took a moment to feel it out. In simple terms, this weapon could now ‘penetrate armor’.
After all, this special effect was related to space and time; its utility was certainly not insignificant.
However, Aeperia, Bounteous and Rotten, another weapon on the god-slaying tier, was completely different.
Although its blade was repaired by the divine essence of rot, its sharpness hadn't increased dramatically.
In the end, it fully manifested the dual nature of that strange divine essence, possessing two distinct powers.
After a moment's thought, Bai Shi immediately understood.
It was, after all, due to the nature of the scale from the Dragonlord.
Using different materials would result in god-slaying weapons with different tendencies.
Because the Dragonlord resided in a rift between time and space, the temporal power he carried was what gave the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone the ability to warp space and time.
If he were to truly mass-produce god-slaying weapons with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, they would all surely carry this effect of extreme sharpness and armor penetration.
God-slaying weapons forged from the same material were destined to have the same effect.
Even if not every weapon was suited for this effect, when you were already at the point of using a god-slaying weapon, who could afford to be picky?
Besides, the effect was incredibly powerful.
Bai Shi didn’t dare to imagine how incredible it would feel to one day mass-produce god-slaying weapons and unleash a storm of returning swords.
——
As the Sword of Night and Flame was strengthened to its limit, reaching the tier of a god-slaying weapon, Bai Shi unlocked another achievement.
‘God-Slaying Weapon’ — Strengthen any armament to its highest level.
With that, the number of uses for Bai Shi’s Fengling Yueying returned to its maximum of five.
From now on, he would have to control his achievement hunting, so as not to complete an achievement and waste an opportunity.
Seeing the way Bai Shi was fondling the Sword of Night and Flame, unable to put it down, a smile appeared on Master Hewg’s face.
“Satisfied, are we?”
“I imagine it will be more than enough to support your grand ambitions.”
Bai Shi nodded, holding the Sword of Night and Flame before him, letting its power radiate freely.
“Of course. I’m more than satisfied.”
“With such a divine weapon in hand, I have the confidence to face any enemy.”
“Haha, I look forward to the birth of the next god-slaying weapon.”
Recalling the other Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in Bai Shi’s possession, two drops of cold sweat trickled down Hewg’s head.
Though the process had seemed easy just now, he had by no means been certain of success.
With a slight sigh, Master Hewg stood up.
“Ah, we’ll talk about that when the time comes.”
“The process of forging a god-slaying weapon is difficult to replicate.”
“I was fortunate to succeed this time, but that doesn't mean the next will go as smoothly.”
With that, Master Hewg pushed open the door.
The time for prayer had long passed, and Bai Shi’s weapon was done. Now it was time to forge for the other Tarnished.
But as he opened the door, he saw three envoys standing there, waiting respectfully outside.
Seeing Bai Shi within the room, all three bowed to him in salute.
“Lord Bai Shi, we’ve finally found you.”
“The noble Two Fingers wish to see you.”
Bai Shi had been about to leave, but he hadn't expected the Two Fingers to seek him out again.
Recalling the glimpse he once had of the false Greater Will, which had an appearance similar to a finger, a sense of alarm rose in his heart.
Is *It* here for that matter?
No, that seems unlikely.
Regardless, he should prepare the Starfall Shadow, which was also a ‘Fingerslayer Blade’.
He didn’t know why the Two Fingers wanted to see him this time, but this particular pair had no conflict with him.
On the contrary, this Two Fingers had once sponsored him, and Finger Reader Enia was a very kind person.
There was no harm in seeing them.
After a moment of thought, Bai Shi nodded in agreement.
“Very well, lead me to them.”
Stepping into the Two Fingers’ chamber again, Bai Shi was calm and composed this time.
He had spoken with the Two Fingers twice before, but now the initiative was completely in his hands.
Bai Shi stood in the center of the room, the door closing tightly behind him, sealing him off from the outside world.
Seeing Finger Reader Enia, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, Bai Shi smiled and stepped forward to greet her.
“Noble Two Fingers, Crone Enia, I trust you’ve been well.”
Finger Reader Enia laughed heartily.
“Ooh! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”
“Before I knew it, you’ve grown to such an extent. It truly gladdens an old crone’s heart.”
The Two Fingers trembled slightly, and Enia immediately translated:
“Look, the noble Two Fingers praise you as well.”
“Defeating two demigods, reclaiming their Great Runes... you’ve accomplished a feat unprecedented among the Tarnished!”
Bai Shi knew very well that they were referring to Godrick's and Radahn's Great Runes.
It was impossible for the Roundtable Hold not to know about the Radahn Festival.
However, few would know about what happened with Mohg; the envoys of the Two Fingers and Gideon’s spies couldn’t pry into that place.
Bai Shi smiled and said:
“The noble Two Fingers entrusted us Tarnished with the great task of restoring order and reforging the Elden Ring, so it is only natural that I do my utmost. To mend the Elden Ring, so that the laws of the world are no longer in chaos, so that life may receive grace and blessing—”
“These are the teachings of the noble Two Fingers, and it is what I ought to do.”
Bai Shi smiled, then continued:
“Besides, who wouldn’t want to become the Elden Lord?”
The Two Fingers tapped their tips, as if satisfied with Bai Shi’s words, and Enia also smiled happily.
Waving her staff, Enia said to Bai Shi:
“Ever since hearing of your victory over ‘Starscourge’ Radahn, the noble Two Fingers have wanted to see you again.”
“They wished to reward you for your efforts, and also to tell you more about what it means to be the Elden Lord.”
“Come now, show the noble Two Fingers those two Great Runes.”
Bai Shi understood now why the Two Fingers had been looking for him.
Since the festival, Bai Shi had barely returned to the Roundtable Hold.
It was no wonder the Two Fingers were eager to see him; quite some time had passed since then.
Bai Shi nodded and presented Godrick’s Great Rune and Radahn’s Great Rune.
Mohg’s Great Rune remained hidden.
Upon seeing with her own eyes that Bai Shi had acquired two Great Runes, Enia became very excited.
“Two Great Runes. This is proof that you have the makings of an Elden Lord.”
“Though this old crone has long believed you had the makings of an Elden Lord, seeing the hard proof still fills me with joy.”
“I truly didn’t misjudge you!”
Taking a quick breath, Enia spoke to Bai Shi with even greater excitement:
“Go, towards the Erdtree, and have audience with Queen Marika!”
“Become the Elden Lord, and mend the Golden Order!”
“...The noble Fingers eagerly await your performance!”
The Two Fingers quivered slightly, signaling for Enia to explain the process of mending the Order to Bai Shi.
Enia quickly read the Fingers and told Bai Shi:
“Queen Marika is the vessel of the Elden Ring. In other words, a god.”
“However, after the Elden Ring’s shattering, she was imprisoned within the Erdtree—”
“For a god to allow the Order to shatter is a sin of the highest order. Such a heavy punishment is only fitting.”
“But even if she is punished, she remains a god, and the vessel of the Ring.”
“Offer the Great Runes to that vessel, and the Ring will be mended.”
“And you will become Queen Marika’s consort—the Elden Lord.”
“This is the guidance of the Fingers.”
Bai Shi listened quietly, not caring much in his heart.
Mending the Golden Order... that was just talk for the Two Fingers’ benefit now.
He would usher in a new age, and his consort certainly wouldn't be Queen Marika.
Even if he were to build a harem, Bai Shi would never include Queen Marika!
After all, that was Melina’s mother, his mother-in-law! The same applied to Queen Rennala.
Once he fought his way into the Erdtree, he’d just patch Queen Marika up and toss her back to Godfrey.
His little block of wood still cared deeply for this mother of hers.
So, Bai Shi simply nodded slightly and replied:
“I see. I am beginning to understand everything.”
Seeing that Bai Shi understood the process, Enia took out three Talisman Pouches and handed them to him with a smile.
“Take these. A little something from this old crone.”
“These are Talisman Pouches I’ve sewn recently, and I can think of no one more suited to use them than you.”
“I can still sew more, but the most anyone can carry is six.”
“Besides, at your level, there aren’t many talismans left that can help you...”
Bai Shi thanked Enia and took the Talisman Pouches, feeling quite pleased.
Although his plan to stuff a bunch of pouches with defensive talismans to act as a bulletproof vest was a bust, having two more talisman slots was excellent.
The power of a talisman was limited; such a small object could only hold so much power.
Take, for example, the attribute-boosting talismans he wore.
Before he broke his attribute limits, these talismans were extremely effective.
If such attribute-enhancing talismans appeared in the Lands Between, warriors of all kinds would flock to them.
After all, for them, a single point of attribute increase required countless life-and-death struggles or years of arduous training.
Compared to talismans with other effects, an increase in attributes was incomparably direct, significantly boosting one's strength and chances of survival.
But after breaking the limits, it was almost the reverse.
The power stored in those talismans couldn't even raise his attributes by a single point beyond the limit.
Once one’s own base stats were high enough, talismans with various unique effects naturally became more useful.
Now that Bai Shi had six Talisman Pouches, he could mix and match all sorts of talismans freely.
The next step was just to collect the powerful talismans from the game, and the final effect would surely satisfy him.
Just as Bai Shi was thinking about talismans, he saw Enia take out another one.
Erdtree's Favor +2.
A symbol of the Erdtree's special grace, one of the “Legendary Talismans.”
It greatly increases maximum HP, stamina, and equip load.
It is said that at the dawn of the Age of the Erdtree, Queen Marika personally bestowed this talisman, giving it special significance.
Bai Shi was very surprised; he hadn't expected to receive this talisman.
This was a talisman that should only be obtainable after the Erdtree was burned and the capital was buried in ash.
To obtain it in this manner...
But even if he had burned the tree, it would probably have been impossible to find such a small item in the vast sea of ash.
Bai Shi accepted it with delight.
When you're drowsy, they not only give you a pillow but a blanket too. How considerate.
However, Bai Shi had no intention of using this talisman himself.
For someone like Bai Shi, whose strength and health could break their limits, the effects of this talisman were rather mediocre.
This was perfect. He now had a gift to bring back to Melina in the Land of Shadow.
Having accepted the items and seeing that neither the Two Fingers nor Enia had anything else to say, Bai Shi took his leave.
“Thank you for your generosity.”
“Then I shall set out once more to continue my work of mending the Elden Ring.”
——
After Bai Shi had left, the Two Fingers suddenly trembled, then slowly straightened both fingers, standing at attention with them pressed together.
Enia was very surprised, startled by this action from the Two Fingers.
In her memory, this was a gesture the noble Fingers only made when they were trying to communicate with the ‘Greater Will’.
After a moment, the Two Fingers suddenly lowered again, falling silent.
Enia was bewildered. She shook her head and cleared her mind.
The Two Fingers hadn't shared their thoughts with her, so she naturally couldn't know:
On Bai Shi's person, the Two Fingers had sensed the trace of their mother's power.
This discovery sent them into a state of ecstasy.
It had been too long since they had lost contact with their mother.
So long that they no longer knew what to do, even suspecting that it was they who had broken.
And now, signs of their mother's activity had appeared, allowing them to see a glimmer of hope.
But... after their attempt, their mother still had not responded to their call for communication...