Chapter 267: CH.259: Ranni the witch.
( Yuuki's POV )
My humor did not land with Ranni and she gave me the same silence as Melina, although her mini doll body couldn't express much so perhaps she was holding back her laughter internally.
Ranni: ... If you are so determined to accompany me, you could at least help me.
Yuuki: I'm up for that, if you tell me more about what you're doing.
I put mini Ranni on my shoulders and started moving forward.
Ranni: If you are so interested let me tell you a little about the past.
Ranni: I was once an Empyrean, only two other of my many half-brothers held that title, I was chosen by two fingers as a candidate to one day succeed Queen Marika the eternal, and become a god of the coming era.
Oh wow, I wonder what someone with the title of the eternal would think the moment she was told she was going to be replaced, I bet she wasn't happy.
Yuuki: that's what threw you over the edge, that doesn't sound so bad.
Ranni: this prevented me from having my own destiny, and I was not the only candidate, so I did not see the problem in taking a step back from the competition.
Yuuki: and that's all you did?
Ranni: I had to take more drastic measures, I stole the rune of death and threw aside my destiny and my flesh, for the crime of not following the wishes of the two fingers I was to be eliminated and we have been in battle ever since, Blaidd was a vassal of the two fingers and his duty was to support me on the path they laid out for me or eliminate me if I deviated from it, But after my betrayal he still chose to follow me, I am eternally grateful to him and Iji.
Iji was a giant blacksmith I met the first time I visited Ranni's Tower.
Yuuki: I noticed there was no mention of the weasel anywhere there.
Ranni: You mean Seluvis, he has his uses but he's not someone who has my complete trust, but I'm curious where your hatred towards him came from, you never even tried to hide it.
Yuuki: That's simple, I can't stand weasels like him.
Ranni: ... I see.
Mitras we were talking I dispatched the enemies that stood in our way with ease, as if this were a quiet walk.
Yuuki: But for someone who fights so hard for her freedom, you are giving away too much of your present and your future.
Ranni: ...Excuse me?
Yuuki: We walk similar paths, but the way we walk them is different, my present and my future belongs to those who supported me, my goal is to be surrounded by the people I love, the end of my enemies is something that will happen in the middle, I will take no satisfaction in that and if a world has to burn in the process that will not stop me but I will put out those flames when all is done, If your story ends at the same time as those hunting you, that barely qualifies as a victory, it's not too late to choose another ending.
Ranni: Is that an invitation to share a future?
Yuuki: If that's what it takes, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
Our path led us to a shadow creature in the form of Blaidd, Ranni told me that it was a two fingers assassin so I raised my replica black spear and erased its existence with a devastating Black Crystal Comet, a more powerful variation of Comet Azur.
With that great Ranni appeared in front of me in spectral form, a small smile on her face.
Ranni: I thank you Yuuki, your help has been invaluable, and for the time we spent together, slthough it was very short, I enjoyed it very much, but this is where we part ways, although I have no doubt that you will be able to find me if that is what you want.
Yuuki: you should think about my words.
Ranni closed her eyes and she walked slowly towards me, she took my hands with two of hers and with the other pair she put a key in my hands.
Ranni: I'll let you decide that, look in the Academy Raya Lucaria.
With those words Ranni disappeared and I stayed there for a few minutes before returning and visiting the academy, I found something interesting with the key that Ranni gave me but that will be something for another time.
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Continuing my journey I ended up closer to the Erdtree than I had ever been before, I set foot in the royal capital, Leyndell, The place was very clean and beautiful but this felt just as damaged as the rest of the lands between and let's not forget the army of enemies spread around the place, Erica and the rest were on another mission so I was exploring alone, well the truth is I was never really alone.
Yuuki: Here we are, the capital, being so close to our destination isn't it a shame that we haven't spent much time together Melina? Maybe we should go on a date in the capital.
I was joking with Melina and when she didn't respond I thought things were going to go as usual but to my surprise she materialized her body next to me.
Yuuki: Should I take that as a yes?
I extended my hand towards her as if this was a normal date, but she just pulled a dagger out of her hood and walked forward.
Melina: Come on, we'll make better time if we work together... my companion.
With that we fought our way through the capital but despite what Melina said we weren't moving any faster than before and when I slowed down a little she did the same.
Yuuki: Hey, what are the best dating places in the capital, if we are extremely lucky maybe they are still standing.
Melina: I wouldn't know anything about that.
Yuuki: That's a shame, but spending time searching isn't a bad thing either.
Melina: ...this isn't a date.