After the battle of the Wailing Dunes, the recuperating Glintstone Dragon Adula lay in the courtyard of Raya Lucaria Academy, its wings folded, the wounds beneath its scales healed over.
It kept its eyes closed to the sorcerers coming and going. Even the incantation user Daiba, who was curious about it, failed to spark its interest and had to leave disappointed.
However, sensing the sudden appearance of a familiar and undisguised aura, Adula took the initiative to open its eyes and stare towards the distant Grand Library of Raya Lucaria.
It slightly raised its draconic head, releasing a puff of white vapor from its nostrils.
Not far away, within the Roundtable Hall of the Raya Lucaria Grand Library, the light of grace flickered in a shuttle-like pattern. From it emerged a familiar figure in Carian Knight armor, landing in an open space beside the Roundtable.
The retainers and knights of the Carian Royal Family—Blaidd, Iji, Morgam, Niall, and Jerren—were all standing before the Grand Library. Upon seeing Niđhöggr approach, they all bowed respectfully to him.
At the same time, seated around the Roundtable, three blood-related members of the Carian Royal Family, who had been waiting for a long time, fell silent one after another and looked at him.
Ranni and her mother, Rennala, both smiled gently.
Among them, a hint of intimacy and trust flickered in Ranni's smile. She slowly rose from the Roundtable, her snow-white witch's robes draping to the pristine floor.
"Niđhöggr, you're here."
Ranni personally greeted him. She first led Niđhöggr to Rennala to pay his respects to her mother, and then guided him to her elder brother.
With the long, blood-red hair inherited from Radagon and the giant's stature and magical talent from Rennala, Radahn's once-crimson, frenzied eyes now held composure as they fixed their gaze on Niđhöggr.
The newly reborn Starscourge General, clad in heavy armor, slowly rose from his seat and looked down at Niđhöggr in silent contemplation.
Niđhöggr met Radahn's gaze fearlessly. The aura of the man known as the mightiest demigod might overwhelm most, but it could not overwhelm him.
"Radahn." Rennala called out softly, as if gently reminding him.
After a brief pause, the unsmiling Radahn suddenly dropped to one knee before Niđhöggr, astonishing many of the soldiers standing at the door of the Grand Library.
Especially Niall and Jerren.
They knew their proud king better than anyone. He never easily bowed to others. Even when the Scarlet Rot robbed him of his sanity, it never consumed his indomitable warrior's instinct.
It was so shocking that this Lord Radahn would actually kneel on one knee before Niđhöggr. It made them hold their breath for a moment and, at the same time, sent them a clear signal.
Niđhöggr was stunned. He had thought that perhaps Radahn would want to reclaim his Great Rune, or maybe he would want to prove that his defeat at the Wailing Dunes was due to circumstances, time, and place, and that a battle would ultimately ensue between them.
Before arriving, Niđhöggr had been mentally prepared to face an aggressive Starscourge General and had been thinking about how to "convince" Radahn and his Redmane Legion to join the current Roundtable Hold.
He never expected this scene before him.
Radahn was far more flexible than anticipated. Perhaps this was related to the impression from the game, but at that time, Radahn was infected with the Scarlet Rot; the former Starscourge could never return.
"You defeated me and restored my sanity with the Unalloyed Gold Needle, saving me from the fate of lingering in madness, neither man nor spirit, and preserving my last shred of dignity. For this, I am grateful."
"After being reborn from my mother's amber egg, I have heard Ranni tell me of all that transpires in these Lands Between today. I understand everything."
"I have no face to contend for the Elden Throne again. From this moment on, I will cease my struggle for the Great Rune. I and the Redmane Legion will be at your command. You are our Elden Lord."
Hearing this, Niall and Jerren also reacted and knelt on one knee before Niđhöggr.
Niđhöggr did not hesitate. He reached out to help the towering Radahn rise and said with a smile, "It is still too early to speak of being the Elden Lord. But with the support of the Starscourge General, Junction will surely be able to solidify its power."
At this, Niall and Jerren rose.
Radahn also smiled slightly and said solemnly:
"I am already aware of the 'Abyss' and the 'Angels and Apostles.' If they set foot on this land as enemies, I will drive them all out with my two greatswords and my greatbow!"
At this moment, the Starscourge General had regained his former pride and confidence. He was indeed proud enough, having lost few battles in his life—and before him stood the one man who had bested him.
With Radahn's decisive declaration, the atmosphere around the Roundtable in the Grand Library became much more settled.
Niđhöggr naturally also brought up the five branded ones: Guts, Casca, Pippin, Judeau, and Corkus.
"Flora's brand can temporarily suppress the Eclipse Mark, much like the Unalloyed Gold Needle suppressing the Scarlet Rot. Can they, like Radahn, have their bodies transformed by the amber egg and be completely freed from the Eclipse Brand?"
This was a matter close to the hearts of Guts and the others, and also a hidden danger, potentially great or small, at the Junction. If there was a way, it needed to be eradicated in time.
"Perhaps we could try?"
Rennala pondered for a long time, gently curled her fingers, and the amber egg, which had been resting on a soft cushion, floated up and fell into her hands. Since Radahn had been reborn from it, the amber egg had returned to its original size.
She gently stroked the amber egg, her head bowed beneath her crescent-shaped queen's crown, her bright red lips pressed softly against its surface.
"Let them come. I reshaped Radahn's body; I have gained successful experience in this area. It's time to put this amber egg to good use."
Niđhöggr and the others thanked Rennala, agreed upon a time for the next ceremony, spoke further with Ranni and Radahn, and then used the light of the Roundtable to teleport to the Roundtable Hold at Stormveil Castle.
At Stormveil Castle, Niđhöggr gathered Guts, Casca, Pippin, Judeau, and Corkus—the five bearers of the Eclipse Mark—and shared the good news with them.
Everyone was overjoyed.
"Finally, there's a way to get rid of this demon-summoning brand!" Corkus clenched his fist excitedly, wanting to conduct the ceremony immediately.
"But there is a problem," Niđhöggr reminded them. "Queen Rennala needs time to recover her magic and make preparations before beginning the ritual."
"Although she has experience, I fear the duration of this ceremony will not be short, and there is a certain risk of failure... You'd better decide among yourselves who will be the first to try the amber egg ritual."
The five branded ones looked at each other. In the end, Guts broke the silence and volunteered to take the risk first.
He was determined to be the first Eclipse-brand bearer reborn from the amber egg, paving the way for those who would come after him.