Elden Ring, but with Wind Spirit Moon Shadow

Chapter 454 Forgetting is the cheapest medicine to cure pain
When Leida saw Bai Shi walking towards her step by step, she finally changed her previous dazed and confused state.

Her worries about Michaela had become a tangible reality.

'It failed... Lady Michaela failed...'

'So, his fate was naturally...'

Reda refused to accept this outcome and struggled to move closer to Bai Shi.

However, the shackles binding her restricted her movements, preventing her from freeing her hands and feet.

Her irrational actions caused her to fall to the ground, where she could only crawl forward, her body arched like a caterpillar.

That stunningly beautiful face and dazzling golden hair thus fell to the mortal world, touching the ground and becoming stained with mud and dust.

The once dazzling armor was now tattered and worn from the battle, covered in blood and mud, its former glory gone.

Faced with the fate of the master she had loyally served, the proud female knight was no longer able to remain calm.

Leda lay on the ground, looking up at Bai Shi, her face contorted with fear, dread, and worry, which ultimately turned into an angry expression.

This angry face was the most beautiful Bai Shi had ever seen.

"Lady Michaela... Where is Lady Michaela?!"

"How is Lady Michaela?!"

Bai Shi did not immediately answer Leida's question.

Looking down at Leda's wretched state, Bai Shi squatted down.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the shackles on Leda's body were completely broken.

Once freed from her restraints, Leda immediately gripped Bai Shi's arm tightly, staring intently at him.

Her eyes were devoid of anything else, staring blankly at Bai Shi, hoping to get the answer that terrified her.

In Leda's heart, there was already an answer, but she couldn't accept it and didn't want to believe it.

Bai Shi helped Lei Da up and sighed softly.

What a loyal knight... but unfortunately, his loyalty was a bit too much.

Knowing full well that the road ahead is wrong, they blindly obey and charge headlong into destruction.

This kind of loyalty can only be described as blind loyalty.

Bai Shi looked at Leida and said softly:
"There's no need to panic like this."

“Mikaela is safe, and I didn’t do anything to him.”

"It just shattered his dream and brought him back to reality."

Leida was stunned by Bai Shi's answer.

Not only Leda, but the other followers who had been silently watching the situation from behind were also astonished.

After the spell was lifted, they all had some guesses about Michaela's fate.

As an enemy, standing in the way of such a powerful king, the only thing that will ultimately be gained is destruction.

The appearance of this unexpected answer immediately shocked everyone.

However, considering that this was the renowned Sun King, it doesn't seem so strange.

If Michaela is as insignificant as an ant in his eyes, not even worthy of being called an enemy, then naturally he wouldn't...

And that is indeed the case; as long as it doesn't exceed Bai Shi's tolerance, he is quite magnanimous.

In the early stages, when there was little power, there was no other choice, not only for the sake of runes, but also because it was necessary to accumulate reputation in order to gain the respect of the masses.

However, as his power grew, Bai Shi also gained the right to exercise mercy at will.

He defeated Malenia and stopped Michaela, but all he took was the Great Rune that belonged to both of them.

If they fail to accomplish that 'great undertaking,' and obediently hand over the Great Rune, Bai Shi will not make things difficult for them.

As for the subsequent arrangements, it was essentially labor reform, which would also help them become complete human beings.

Only when both body and mind are properly nourished can one be considered truly healthy!

Now that Bai Shi has come to these former followers, he is certainly not just here to chat idly.

Bai Shi came here to arrange for them to undergo labor reform, just like everyone else.

Although most of them were not wholeheartedly following Michaela, it was impossible for them to simply let her go.

Then let them all become his free labor.
-
Leda stared in disbelief, but dared not ask any more questions.

As if she had suddenly lost all her strength, she collapsed to the ground.

Now, she can't even bring herself to ask further questions.

Because once a definite answer is obtained, then it's completely over.

Seeing Leda's state, a ball of light appeared in Bai Shi's hand.

That was a gentle golden light—the light of Michaela.

The gentle light enveloped Leda, sweeping away all the bloodstains and filth.

The unique golden light in Leda's eyes grew even brighter.

That was the gentle gold that Michaela had given her, to add color to her faded eyes.

Within that light, Michaela's figure and words were heard:

'My dearest Leda, after being defeated by Lord White Knowledge, I finally realized my mistake.'

'To my surprise, even though it laid bare all my mistakes and flaws, I was actually quite happy.'

'I'm glad I can finally face reality, and see the border as a normal life.'

'Lord Bai Shi, I hope I can understand people's hearts.'

So before I leave, there are some things I really want to say to you.

'Leda, you are my most loyal knight.'

'But I'm sorry... following such a despicable master as me has cast a shadow over your loyalty.'

'Following my path will leave you only with painful and bleak memories.'

'I was forced to stain my hands with blood because I couldn't accept reality.'

'I promised you a brighter future...'

So I want to apologize to you, who were also deeply hurt by me, and to you to whom I feel remorse.

'Then, I hope you can forget.'

'Someone as radiant as you shouldn't decay along with me.'

'So please drink that secret medicine and forget everything.'

Leida was startled and looked up at Bai Shi's other hand.

Along with Mikaela's light, what appeared in Bai Shi's hand was a bottle of secret medicine contained in a small copper vial.

It was the secret medicine that Bai Shi obtained from the Volcano Official Residence in the past, which could make people forget everything.

And within the light, the video footage left behind by Michaela continues to tell its story:

May you, in your reflections, only remember the powerful and beautiful things.

May you cast aside all unnecessary curses and sorrows.

May you be like a gemstone, polished and made to shine, leaving behind your brilliance while I vanish like a bubble.

From now on, you'll forget all the pain, and when you look back, all you'll see are happy times.

'From this day forward, erase my name and my form, and let everything begin anew.'

'I wish you true happiness under the sun, following in the footsteps of someone as gentle yet powerful as Master Bai Shi.'

'Because this is the only thing I can do.'

'This is what I owe you, what I owe you as a knight.'

May you always have a beautiful smile on your face.

After hearing what Michaela left behind, Leda stood there stunned.

Bai Shi didn't express any opinion, but simply waited quietly for Lei Da's choice.

Michaela and Bai Shi had previously communicated, and Michaela expressed his apology to Leida.

After learning that Bai Shi possessed the potion of forgetfulness, she came up with this plan. In this way, Leda could completely sever ties with him.

From then on, he was able to stand in the light and serve Bai Shi with loyalty.

Bai Shi didn't quite agree with this method, but he simply conveyed his thoughts to Lei Da verbatim.

Regardless of right or wrong, this is a matter between the master and servant, and he will not interfere.

Besides, no matter what the outcome, he will not suffer any loss.

Seeing that Leda was still in a daze, Bai Shi spoke:

"No matter what choice you make, no one will have any opinion."

“I am merely relaying Michaela’s words and bringing you this opportunity to choose.”

Leda's mouth was half open, her body trembling slightly. After a long while, she finally gave a bitter smile.

"To think of such a method..."

"Lady Michaela, you still don't understand people's hearts."

Leda took a deep breath, as if searching for proof that she was alive.

"Just like the previous plan, we should use our own ideas to think about the happiness of others."

"Now I finally understand why Lady Michaela's plan was impossible to achieve..."

"Even if Lady Michaela abandons and sacrifices everything, she still can't give people true happiness."

Bai Shi looked at Lei Da with a slight sense of satisfaction and relief.

Unlike Michaela and Malenia, who had inner flaws, Leda quickly understood, which was truly remarkable.

With such thoughts, how could happiness possibly be brought to the border region?

All that remained was what Michaela believed people should have in terms of happiness, and the measure of happiness was what he himself had.

It's just a world that people should be happy in, a world that seems beautiful.

Leda looked at the secret medicine in Bai Shi's hand and murmured to herself:
"The difference between a lie and a vow lies in..."

"One person believed it, and the other person believed it."

"I don't want that vow to ultimately become a lie."

"I am Lady Michaela's only Golden Needle Knight. Even if it is the abyss, I will definitely go with her."

"To uphold my loyalty is my oath as a knight."

"How could I possibly forget everything from the past just for my own peace of mind?"

As if facing her own heart directly, Leda had no more hesitation at this moment.

The charisma that once guided others has returned to her.

"Please wait a moment..."

Leda made up her mind, reached for the bottle of the secret medicine, and then turned to walk towards Mur behind her.

Compared to her, Moore seemed to need the secret medicine more, and truly needed it.

Moore kept his head bowed deeply, muttering to himself:

"I've been abandoned... What should I do..."

What should one do if they are not loved?

"Am I destined to be sad forever?"

"I've been... I've been very sad..."

Leda gently knelt down beside Moore and placed the bottle of medicine in his hand.

"I'm sorry to have dragged you, who is like a child, into this."

"You must value us very much, valuing us as your companions."

"But I led you astray, plunging you into an abyss of no return."

Moore stopped his murmur and looked up as if he were looking at Leda.

Moore remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

Leda looked at Moore and asked:

"Moore, what do you think..."

Wouldn't it be better to forget about the things that hurt you?

"Is it better to keep the memory?"

Moore finally reacted again, looking at Leda and slowly saying:

"All those who are not loved..."

"It's better to forget that you're sad."

The greatest sorrow is a dead heart, and the greatest grief is silence.

Moore's childlike and fragile heart could no longer bear such wounds.

This is not an unhealable rift, but he probably can't hold on until that crucial moment of growth on his own.

Forgetting is the cheapest medicine to cure pain.

With a flick of his finger, Bai Shi released Mu Er from his restraints.

Having regained his freedom, Moore looked at the secret medicine in his hand and then at the people around him.

After hesitating for a moment, under everyone's watchful eyes, Moore swallowed the entire potion.

Moore closed his eyes peacefully, collapsed to the ground in his heavy armor, and began to breathe evenly.

Having resolved the only matter that still troubled her, Mur, Leida stood up and walked back to Bai Shi's side.

Looking at Bai Shi, Leida's feelings remained complicated.

This Sun King is now completely beyond her comprehension.

The only thing I truly understood was his kindness.

Before Leda could speak again, Bai Shi said to her first:

"You have remained loyal to your principles from beginning to end, which is truly in line with your choice."

"I hope you can persevere and make this loyalty stronger than gold and stone."

Bai Shi changed the subject and continued to make arrangements:
"However, while the weight of this loyalty truly amazes me, once a decision is made, it will not be changed."

"I will not allow you to continue serving under Michaela for the time being."

"Although Michaela was given freedom, she is still under supervision."

"And you, along with your other followers, need to use your own strength to atone for the mistakes you made in opposing me."

"Neither Michaela nor you will have a smooth journey."

Leda lowered her head and obediently said:
"I will follow your instructions and wait."

"We are extremely grateful to you for giving us this opportunity."

"I believe that as long as we continue to live on this borderland, there will definitely be a time when we meet again in the future."

The others naturally accepted the arrangement calmly.

Being able to escape with one's life, this little thing is nothing.

Only Moore remained unconscious.

Since he had already drunk the secret medicine and would probably forget all the painful things, Bai Shi didn't plan to make him do anything else.

When he wakes up, let him continue living the life he likes, collecting things with the insects as before.
-
Behind Bai Shi, Celine Sands had already been quietly waiting with Sif and the dragon soldiers.

After all the matters concerning her followers had been arranged, she stepped forward and spoke softly:
"Owner……"

Bai Shi nodded to Celine Sangs, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Let’s go, take me to see that so-called ‘Mad Dragon’ Baylor.”

"I hope its anger won't disappoint me."

(End of this chapter)