Elden Ring, but with Wind Spirit Moon Shadow

Chapter 399: The Master of the Volcano Residence
Bai Shi was not surprised that he was recognized.

After all, it is rare for someone so famous not to be recognized.

It would be strange if it was like in the game, where the King of Elden was treated as a punk and chased and bitten by dogs no matter where he went.

Laya is rather cute and innocent, and is only focused on recruiting, so she is not that sensitive to information.

But if Tanis couldn't recognize him, it could only be said that there was something wrong with his professional ability.

Bai Shi nodded to Laya and said:

"I also want to meet that Lady Tanis."

"Please lead the way, Miss Zelayas."
-
Under Laya's guidance, Bai Shi went with her to the second floor of the Volcano Mansion.

Laya opened the door and stretched out her hand to indicate that Bai Shi had arrived.

Bai Shi stood at the door of the room and glanced inside casually.

It was a hall used for banquets. The luxurious decoration seemed extremely depressing under the candlelight.

Compared to a reception room, the style here is more like another type of interrogation room.

After bringing Bai Shi to the door of the living room, Laya's mission was completed.

When working, she still has to follow her job title, so she cannot participate in subsequent matters.

Laya smiled at Bai Shi and said:

"Mr. Bai Shi, please come in."

Bai Shi responded with a gentle smile, then slowly walked into the room.

Laya closed the door, turned around and left, returning to the first floor to wait.

After entering the room, Bai Shi met the current 'Lord of the Volcano Mansion' Tanis.

Tanis, dressed in silver lord attire with her face hidden under a mask, sat at one end of the long table with her hands folded in front of her abdomen.

The mask was made with reference to the image of a foreign queen and was also a customary practice among lords in various border areas, representing her position in control of the Volcano Mansion.

Bai Shi looked Tanis up and down, while recalling the origins of this woman who had bewitched Patch.

In her conscious memory, Tanis used to be a dancer from an exotic country.

When Lacard met her, he fell in love with her at first sight and took her as his concubine.

Later, after Lakkad turned into the Blasphemous Serpent, Tanis was the only one who remained with him as a human.

Surprisingly, it was only after Lakkad turned into a snake that Tanith truly fell in love with him.

At this moment, Tanis was calm and composed, with the aura of a politician and a strong woman.

She really deserves this status and evaluation.

When Lacard was devoured by the snake, lost consciousness, and completely lost control of the Volcano Mansion, she regrouped her old subordinates, gathered the rebels, and dealt with Rodel.

To achieve this, we naturally need the use of force to make the thugs submit.

There are only two people who can completely obey the orders of the Volcano Mansion and are powerful.

One is the former quasi-king and current 'rebel' Bernal, and the other...

Bai Shi's gaze passed over Tanis and looked at the Crucible Knight who was standing half a step behind her, leaning on his sword meticulously.

This Furnace Knight is much stronger than the Furnace Knights Bai Shi had seen before.

But he has not reached the top level, and probably is not as strong as the two furnace masters.

Perhaps in the past he could be considered a deputy.

But for some reason, he was also attracted to Tanis and followed her voluntarily.

It was not the Crucible Knight of Volcano Mansion, nor the Crucible Knight of Lakkad, but the Crucible Knight of Tanis.

After a brief observation in silence, Bai Shi walked forward slowly.

Then, like the owner of the place, he sat casually opposite Tanis, staring at her silently across the long table.

Different from Bai Shi's calmness and composure, Tanis and Cambria were tense and reserved at this moment, like guests.

Ever since seeing Bai Shi just now, Cambria behind Tanis felt an extremely chill in her heart.

That is an instinct derived from ancient life, to be alert to dangerous beings that are far stronger than oneself.

Although he concealed his aura a little, it was clear from the way he stood just now that he was terrifyingly strong...

No one spoke until Tanis's voice broke the silence from behind her mask:

"Laya seems very close to you..."

"I rarely see that kid look like this."

"But, I don't know why you approached Laya?"

"The Sun King knows you, Your Excellency."

Bai Shi did not respond to her question. After all, he had no purpose in playing with Laya.

"You really recognized me."

"It seems that your reactions are not so slow as to be in hibernation."

Seeing that Bai Shi did not answer, Tanis did not continue to ask about Laya.

Although Laya's affairs were also very important to her, as the master of the Volcano Mansion, it was not a good choice to dwell on this topic.

So Tanis just spoke lightly:
"Although the news from the Volcano Residence is somewhat closed..."

"But, that child is probably the only one who won't recognize you."

Under the mask, Tanis looked at Bai Shi with eyes full of caution and vigilance.

"When I heard this name from Laya, I had a hunch."

"But I didn't expect it to be you..."

“And I actually came here.”

Faced with Bai Shi, who has unfathomable strength and a brilliant record of battles, she must treat him with caution while maintaining her dignity.

If there is even a slight mistake, the Volcano Residence might be doomed.

Especially when you don’t know the other party’s intentions.

No, maybe Tanis knew, but she just didn't want to admit it yet.

Tanis's eyes were fixed on Bai Shi like a snake, and she asked proactively:

"You are definitely not here to join the Volcano Residence."

"So, why did His Excellency the Sun King come here?"

Contrary to Tanis's vigilance, Bai Shi casually replied:
"You should already have the answer in your mind."

"The only person in the Volcano Residence who is worthy of my visit is Big Rune."

"I want to collect the Great Runes and rebuild the laws of the borderland."

"For this reason, Lakkad's share cannot be let go."

"Even if it is desecrated by the Undead Serpent, the essence of that thing is still the Great Rune, the law of the world."

Hearing the expected answer, Tanis frowned under the mask and replied firmly:
"This is impossible."

"There is no way my king's Great Rune will be handed over."

The loss of the Great Rune had no effect on the demigods.

As long as it is handed over, the Volcano Residence will be safe.

However, given Lacade's current situation, it is naturally impossible for him to voluntarily hand over the Great Rune, and Tanis is well aware of this.

So there is only one way to seize the Great Rune, and that is to kill Lacade.

Tanis would never allow this to happen.

Bai Shi raised his eyebrows and said lightly:

“It’s normal that I can’t agree to such a condition.”

"But there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Tani looked at Bai Shi without flinching.

She was in charge of the Volcano Residence, so she naturally knew that what Bai Shi said was true.

The powerful heroes in the Volcano Mansion have all merged into one after the audience with Lord Lakkad, and they do not have much power on their own.

Not to mention that the Volcano Official Residence is still a very loose camp and can only be maintained by Bernal and Cambria.

Furthermore, even if they really gathered all their strength and all the law breakers were tied together, they would definitely not be a match for Bai Shi.

But Tanis would not easily hand over her king without any resistance.

The inevitable defeat due to lack of strength is a completely different concept from surrendering before fighting.

Especially in Lord Lacard's volcano mansion:
-
Faced with everything that was imposed on us, since the golden tree, that is, the god, intends to destroy us.

Even if it means committing blasphemous acts of rebellion, we must rise up and defend our dignity.
-
Even when facing the powerful golden tree, he did not bow his head. How could he give up now just because of the possibility of destruction?

Tanis was determined and ready to die.

"If that's what you think... then go ahead."

"There is really no way that Volcano Mansion can stop you."

"But it is impossible for me to offer my king to you."

"You could have killed us all..."

"If that's the case, I'm sure I'll be satisfied..."

Bai Shi looked at Tanis silently without saying a word.

A surging breath suddenly burst out, and the invisible pressure even had a substantial impact on reality.

The terrifying pressure made it hard to breathe, as if the vortex-like airflow was expanding on its own. The tableware and murals kept swaying, but it was not because of the weak airflow, but because the entire volcano was afraid of Baizhi.

In places invisible to everyone, red clouds surrounded the volcano and magma surged beneath the volcano.

At the same time, Laya downstairs also felt a sense of uneasiness in her heart, as if something terrifying was going on...

Before she could think about it, the friction sound she had heard before suddenly came from the wall of the Volcano Mansion.

But unlike before, the sound now was like some creature running away in panic without any consciousness.
-
Behind Tanis, Cambria held the hilt of the sword tightly with both hands.

He raised the sword, grasped the scabbard, drew out the blade and slashed away...

In Cambria's long life, this action has been repeated countless times and has long since become an instinct of the body.

However, Bai Shi only took a glance and his feet seemed to be fixed in place, unable to move, and cold sweat broke out.

At this moment, no matter how many times Cambria rehearsed in his mind, he was completely unable to perform this simple movement.

Cambrian's pupils contracted, and he finally had to admit a horrible fact.

He actually...didn't have the courage to draw his sword against the other party...

In the past life, only one person could do this.

That was the 'King of Elden' Gefulei, whom they, the Crucible Knights, had once served.

And... it's completely different, completely different from King Gefulei!
King Gefulei only drives pure power without mixing in any other existence.

But in Bai Shi's body, Cambria saw a glow deeper than the darkness.

The brightest light is also the darkest abyss.

If you look directly at the sun without permission, the light will blind you.

White consciousness can illuminate others, but no one can illuminate what is behind him.

In a sense, Bai Shi is also constrained by dreams and is stepping on the accelerator towards the ideal world.

It’s just that obsession is what cannot be realized, and Bai Shi has enough power.

He is so powerful that he can make the world bow to him and change into the world he imagines without any resistance.

However, facing the pressure from Bai Shi, the weak Tanis was not crushed.

Although his breathing was rapid and he could not maintain his dignity, he could only support himself on the chair with his hands.

But at this time, Tanis still stared at Bai Shi unyieldingly.

The proud head never lowered, and the determined eyes never moved away.

After a while, just when Tanis was almost unable to hold on, Bai Shi suddenly stopped applying pressure.

Bai Shi had no intention of doing anything to them, after all, this was Laya's home.

During this process, Bai Shi has already understood Tanis's persistence and determination.

I have to say, this woman is really charismatic.

Bai Shi lowered his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"In this case, it seems that I have to go find Lakkad myself."

"You can obstruct me or commit suicide for love, but my only target is Lakkad."

"Although killing Lakkad might be a bit cruel to Laya..."

"But if it only takes one person to kill, it's still a good deal, isn't it?"

Bai Shi paused, and glanced at Tanis inadvertently.

"But then again, Laya..."

"No, I should say Zelayas, is she really the offspring of you and Lakkad?"

Seeing that the secret that she and Laya had never confessed to each other was exposed by Bai Shi, Tanis' eyes widened immediately.

Tanis, who had been able to maintain her composure under Bai Shi's pressure just now, could only pretend to be calm now.

Knowing this name means that Bai Shi has seen Laya's true face.

Mistakes are inevitable. After all, Laya has always been a clumsy child. When facing someone she trusts, she will indeed let down her guard.

However, she had never even told Laya about her true life experience and bloodline.

This is the most carefully guarded secret she has ever kept in the Volcano Residence.

How did Bai Shi know this? !
If the difference just now was just a difference in strength, Tanis would be unwilling but still able to accept it.

But now, it seemed as if all the secrets had been seen through and were laid bare before him.

Tanis could no longer regard the white consciousness in front of her as a human being.

Tanis's throat rolled, but she couldn't speak.

Her heart was pounding. After a long while, Tanis reluctantly said:

“…Did you see it?”

"That child... Laya's true face..."

Realizing that she was no longer calm and was even talking nonsense, Tanis gritted her teeth and forced herself to calm down.

Shaking her head, Tanis took a deep breath and spoke again:
"...Since she told you the name 'Zela Yasi', it means she really trusts you."

"I have no say in this matter."

"As a mother who raised her, please allow me to say something—"

"My powerful king who has come from afar, I hope that from now on, you can continue to treat Zelayas well."

"No matter what the reason for that look, she is still a good child... a good child that makes me, as a mother, feel guilty."

"And whatever you know, I beg you not to tell her the cruel truth."

"The truth coming out is not necessarily a good thing."

The name of the Volcano Mansion might be useful when facing other faded ones, but in the face of the powerful White Consciousness, continuing to be tough would only lead to a bad end.

For Laya, Tanis, who never gave in, also lowered her head at this moment.

At this moment she could put aside her identity as the 'Lord of the Volcano Mansion' and simply plead with Bai Shi as a mother.

At least... at least she had to protect Laya, this was her only selfish desire.

However, Tanis's surrender did make Bai Shi feel helpless.

Bai Shi waved his hand, unexpectedly causing Tanis to think in a strange direction.

Laya is still a child, and Bai Shi has no intention of doing anything to her. He just likes her like a child.

"You can rest assured. I am only doing this for the Great Rune of Lacade."

"I will not take any action against you, Laya, or anyone else here at Volcano Mansion."

"Since the Volcano Mansion is Laya's home, I don't want to destroy it."

Recalling what Laya would encounter later, Bai Shi spoke again and said to Tanis:

"Although I don't want to get involved in your affairs, I do have something I want to say."

"Not as a king, but simply as a friend of Laya."

"You may still be able to maintain the same relationship as before, but do you really think it will stay like this forever?"

Looking calmly into Tanis's eyes, Bai Shi slowly spoke:

“Isn’t it really a good thing that the truth comes out?”

"Maybe. After all, different situations have different answers."

"But I think we should give children the right to choose whether to know the truth, rather than just hiding it."

"There's no point in hiding it. One day, Laya will have to face her fate on her own."

"She can't choose her origins or background, but at least we should listen to her thoughts when choosing the path of her future life, right?"

"Although Laya is a little slow, she is not completely unaware."

Bai Shi stood up, turned around and walked out the door.

The words left behind slowly reached the ears of the frightened Tanis:

"You really love Lacade. You are even willing to confront me for this. This is commendable. It shows your great faith and persistence."

"You love Laya too. Your love for her is genuine and even outsiders can see it at a glance."

"Although 'hiding it for the sake of the child' reminds me of my old family, you have indeed done everything a good mother should do."

"It's a pity that no matter how merciful I am, I will never give in on the matter of the Great Rune."

"For what I carry, I have reasons that I will never give in."

"Because I call everything under the sun love."

“So, I want to fix this broken world.”
-
It was several minutes after Bai Shi left that Tanis finally relaxed her tense body and gasped for breath.

She tried to stand up, but nearly fell down.

I couldn't stand up. There was not a bit of strength in my legs. I felt like a weak shrimp.

Not only that, his whole body was soaked with sweat, which was even dripping at his feet and gathering on the chair.

Refusing Cambria's help, Tanis stood up by herself, holding on to the table.

Thinking back to Bai Shi's final advice to Laya, Tanis felt mixed emotions.

It was hard for her to imagine that such an outsider, even an enemy, would interfere in family affairs.

But Bai Shi could obviously kill all the members of Volcano Mansion, but he still chose to communicate, which was already very respectful to the weak Volcano Mansion.

Moreover, Bai Shi's kindness towards Laya was clearly visible, and what he said was indeed something she could not refute.

"Bai Shi...what on earth do you think..."

(End of this chapter)