"Princess Rellana, it has been a long time. I have returned from the Altus Plateau."
Mohg performed a flawless Carian salute before speaking.
Rellana, setting aside all formality, stepped forward and pulled him up, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. Seeing no grievous wounds on his person, she let out a visible sigh of relief.
"Phew... I am glad you are unharmed. There was a failure in our intelligence for this mission, and for that, I am deeply sorry."
A look of genuine apology clouded Rellana's face as she looked at him.
"You overstate the matter, Highness. Besides, am I not perfectly fine? I did not bring shame to your name; I have returned with all the intelligence regarding the Royal Capital and the Altus Plateau."
Mohg gave her a reassuring smile and spread his hands to show he was in good health. Rellana nodded, relieved that he wasn't injured; otherwise, she would have been burdened with immense guilt.
"Do you not need to rest?"
"There is no time. The information I bring is urgent. I imagine you have heard certain rumors and received some reports during this time, but I doubt any are as detailed as what I have gathered."
Rellana's expression turned solemn as she nodded.
"Very well. Then I shall dispense with the formalities. I am quite curious about your ordeal. Tell me, what is the specific situation in Altus?"
"Understood."
Mohg nodded and began recounting a series of events starting from the moment he was taken to the camp.
He included his "escape" using the glintstone magic scrolls Caria had provided, and fabricated a story of survival within the forests of the Altus Plateau. He spoke of the threats he supposedly encountered: Rune Bears, Beastmen, and various mountain bandits and highwaymen.
Listening to his narrative, Rellana gained a general understanding of the current state of Altus.
In short, it was a fertile and prosperous region with few inherent threats. Were it not for the recent incursions by the Ancient Dragons and Beastmen, the Altus Plateau would likely be one of the safest places in the Lands Between.
Of course, Mohg's story wasn't entirely made up; much of it was based on the actual reports from his subordinates. They truly had encountered these things in Altus, though they posed little threat to his people. Even the bandits and thieves weren't particularly numerous—they had only increased recently due to the chaos caused by the Ancient Dragons.
Mohg estimated that once the news of the alliance between the Dragons and the Golden Order broke, many of these bandits would likely discard their masks and return to their lives as commoners, as if nothing had ever happened. Or, they would simply pivot to becoming mercenaries. Since they had survived as outlaws this long, it meant no one truly knew their faces.
As for whether they would eventually be hunted down and judged by the Golden Order's judiciary... that was a problem for the distant future.
With the fluff out of the way, Mohg moved to the core update regarding the Golden Order's movements.
"The war between the Golden Order and the Ancient Dragons... has ended. They are moving toward a formal alliance!"
"What did you say?!"
Before Rellana could react, Iro, who had been standing to the side, lost his composure. He rushed forward and grabbed Mohg by the shoulders, shaking him.
"Are you saying the Golden Order and the Ancient Dragons have not only ceased fire but are likely to become allies?!"
"Uh... yes. Wait, who might you be?"
Dizzy from the shaking, Mohg reached out to steady himself and asked with a look of utter confusion.
"Ahem. This is Iro, the military advisor of Caria," Rellana explained. "You left in such a hurry last time that you didn't have a chance to meet him."
"My apologies. This old man became... overexcited. But the news you bring is truly earth-shattering," Iro said, regaining his composure and returning to his dignified, elderly persona. However, the damage was done; Mohg's impression of the man was forever altered.
Rellana glanced at Iro before turning back to Mohg. "Is what you said true?"
"It is. The Ancient Dragons and the Golden Order have completely ceased hostilities. Most of the Beastmen have withdrawn to Farum Azula, and the few remaining on the Altus Plateau will likely depart once the formal treaty is signed, leaving only a scattering of degenerate, mindless beastmen behind."
Mohg nodded with certainty.
"Furthermore, the Ancient Dragons have sent a single representative to engage in a series of duels with the First Prince of the Golden Order. It seems they intend to use the outcome of these battles to symbolize the end of the war. They have already clashed several times."
Rellana and Iro exchanged a meaningful look. Both understood the implications perfectly—the intention was blindingly obvious.
They didn't believe for a second that the Golden Order's First Prince would lose to an Ancient Dragon, even one as legendary as the "Mighty Stone."
The First Prince of the Golden Order held titles such as "The Golden," "The Warm Sun," and "The Scion of Gold." He was the universally recognized heir to the Golden Order. These weren't just titles of prestige; they represented absolute power.
Thus, this was clearly a tacit agreement between the two powers. After several "battles," they would declare a draw and end the war in the most peaceful way possible.
As for whether anything else would happen during these duels... that remained to be seen. But as Mohg said, both were respected successors of great powers. Fortissax was the strongest of the younger generation of Ancient Dragons, second only to Gransax. The elder dragons rarely descended to fight anymore, as they risked turning into stone the moment they exerted themselves.
It was highly likely that the two warriors would find a mutual respect for one another on the battlefield, especially given the legendary charisma of Godwyn the Golden.
"The intelligence you have brought back is an immense help, Gwyn."
"I only did my duty," Mohg replied with a slight bow.
"By the way, Princess Rellana, there is more news circulating in the Royal Capital..."
"What news?"
"The Southern Expeditionary Force of the Golden Order is already being organized and prepared. They began the groundwork during the final stages of the war with the Dragons."
"What?!"
If the previous news had caused a sense of urgency, this report left Rellana feeling genuinely unsettled. It meant the Golden Order had planned this long ago. Once the pact with the Dragons was sealed, they would launch their crusade immediately, leaving Liurnia almost no time to react.
"Iro!"
Rellana turned sharply to her advisor. Iro's face was equally grim.
"I understand. I will see to the arrangements immediately. All Carian forces and noble houses are to enter a state of total war readiness."
"Yes, the faster the better. I must go see my sister. Gwyn, you should go down and rest. I will have Serena find you when you are needed."
"Understood."
"Also, regarding the rewards for this mission, I will have someone deliver them to you shortly. However, I'm afraid there is no time for a formal ceremony or knighthood at the moment. I hope you can forgive me."
"It is no matter. The Golden Order's movements are far more important. Please, tend to your duties, Highness."
"Thank you for your understanding, Gwyn."
Rellana gave him a grateful nod and then strode out of the room with a focused intensity. Mossa and Iro followed closely behind. In an instant, the room was left with only Mohg, Serena, and a few personal guards.
"Come with me, Gwyn. I'll show you back to your quarters."
"You won't leave me halfway this time, will you?"
Serena's face flushed—not from shyness, but pure embarrassment. "That... that time was an accident. It won't happen again."
Mohg chuckled and stopped teasing Rellana's personal knight.
Before long, Mohg was back in his room at the Carian Manor. The layout was exactly as he had left it, though he hadn't spent much time here to begin with.
"Well then, I shall take my leave, Gwyn."
"Yes, thank you for your help, Miss Serena."
After seeing her off, Mohg collapsed onto the bed, feeling a wave of unexpected comfort. He realized he hadn't touched a bed or even closed his eyes to sleep for a very long time.
"Hmm... from the look of things, the Liurnian Wars aren't far off... I wonder if my other 'dear brother' will appear in this conflict..."
Thinking of a certain red-haired man, Mohg narrowed his eyes. He knew he had to be cautious of this particular brother. After all, he planned to "whisk away" the Twin Moon Knight. If he got intercepted by that red-haired fellow... that would be unacceptable.
"Perhaps... I'll need to go all out in that battle?"
Mohg fell into deep thought. Going all out... it wasn't a bad idea. Showing his strength and identity while masked by a Mimic Tear's disguise would allow him to make a name for himself in the Lands Between without revealing his true self.
"Then it's settled... Now I just wait for the Golden Order to launch their crusade. Before the expedition arrives, I need to fleece Caria for everything they're worth. Otherwise, I might not get another chance..."
Mohg rubbed his chin, a predatory light in his eyes. Caria's vast library of sorceries was something he had yet to "inherit." He couldn't let such treasures go to waste!
Oh, right! My teacher!
Mohg sat up abruptly, as if startled from a deathbed. I almost forgot about Teacher!
He slapped his forehead. He had another target to contact during this period: Sellen.
But... before that, he really needed some sleep. It had been far too long...
BOOM!
Following a massive explosion, a blinding golden light and a piercing red radiance clashed in mid-air. Two figures came to a halt.
"Let's call it a day. There's a mountain of administrative work waiting for me back in the Capital," Godwyn said, looking at Fortissax with a warm smile.
Fortissax had shifted into his human form. In fact, they had been sparring in their human forms for quite some time. In other words, neither had used their full strength in a long while. It was a silent response to the olive branch Godwyn had extended.
"Haha! Are you not even going to pretend anymore?"
Enveloped in armor crafted from white dragon scales, with wild, waist-length silver hair, Fortissax laughed.
"There is no need to pretend with you, Fortissax."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"When you return, announce it to the world. We have become sworn friends."
With that, Godwyn extended a fist toward Fortissax.
Fortissax was momentarily stunned. "Hey, hey, hey! Since when did we become 'sworn friends'?"
"Since I decided you were a comrade I could trust with my life!"
Seeing the sincerity in Godwyn's eyes, Fortissax was moved. Often, the person who knows you best is your enemy. Fortissax knew exactly what kind of man "The Golden" was.
Clink!
Fortissax bumped his fist against Godwyn's. "Let's get one thing straight—I haven't decided you're a 'sworn friend' just yet."
"Hahahaha!!!"
"Damn it!!! Big Brother Godwyn!!!"
Mohg, who had just drifted into a deep sleep, was suddenly jolted awake by a message from Altus. After reading the intelligence, he felt a wave of grief wash over him.
He had been backstabbed by his own brother! Godwyn had chosen the exact moment Mohg was resting to announce the alliance between the Capital and the Dragons!
His brother clearly had no idea how hard Mohg had been working. After working overtime for so long, the one chance he had to sleep was ruined... Is this some kind of joke?!
"Sigh... fine. Back to work..."
Mohg let out a long sigh and began replying to the messages from his subordinates on the Altus Plateau. He ordered them to continue monitoring movements and recruiting personnel, but to suspend all ritual activities to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
He also contacted Lyanna, telling her to begin mobilization for war. He intended to stick his hand into the upcoming conflict between Caria and the Golden Order—to harvest blood, talent, and establish the reputation of the Blood Dynasty in the Lands Between.
This required careful preparation. Otherwise, it would be all too easy to be crushed between the two giants and end up looking like a fool.
As Mohg was methodically making his arrangements, another piece of news from Altus made his heart skip a beat.
A sizable army, covered in the frost and snow of the frozen wastes, had returned... from the direction of the Mountaintops of the Giants!
They made no attempt to hide. Their return was an announcement to all of Altus. While it wasn't the main expeditionary force, their appearance signified that the campaign against the Giants was yielding results. It was enough to stabilize many of the restless factions around the Altus Plateau.
Of course, it was also enough to incite desperate revolts from others, for they knew this might be their final opportunity to act.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (512 Chapters – Full)
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