Bai Shi stared, mesmerized by the scenery before him.
Since he had transmigrated, he’d only been in the perilous Chapel of Anticipation or dim, oppressive caves and catacombs. He'd nearly forgotten that Elden Ring was also a work of art.
Bathing in the Erdtree's radiance, Bai Shi felt the same sense of awe he'd experienced when he first played the game.
It was a pure, simple joy—the kind where just starting the game filled you with excitement for what was to come.
The warmth of the Erdtree's light, the faint scent of flowers, the lazily wandering flocks of sheep.
It was hard to imagine such a peaceful scene could exist in a land drenched in blood.
All this beauty made Bai Shi feel, for the first time, that he was truly alive in this vast and fantastical world.
His reluctance to face his own death, his doubts about whether he had truly transmigrated—all the worries that had coiled and built up in his heart were now cast aside.
He wasn't conflicted anymore. Since he was already in this world, he might as well enjoy it to the fullest.
Hakan walked over to Bai Shi."What do you think? It's breathtaking, isn't it? Though the Golden Order has been shattered, the Erdtree still remains."
Bai Shi remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"I've decided. I will bring peace to the Lands Between."
"What? Are… are you serious? Do you have any idea how difficult that is?"
"Though it was a sudden decision, the sentiment is real."
Bai Shi said earnestly.
Hakan had a complex look on his face.
He didn't believe Bai Shi could succeed, but found himself imagining it anyway.
“Sigh… well, good luck. If you succeed, maybe I'll get to enjoy a bit of that peace myself.”
Hakan sighed. He still couldn't imagine such a thing happening in the Lands Between.
He patted his warhorse and mounted it.
“I suppose our journey together ends here. It's been a pleasure. Let's hope we never have to cross swords in the future.”
Though his last words sounded ominous, Bai Shi knew it was a tragedy that was all too possible in this land.
“Haha, I still plan to buy you a drink. Just make sure you don't go and die in some corner before I get the chance.”
Bai Shi bid Hakan farewell with a grin. Hakan turned back, and the two exchanged a smile.
Hakan seemed to remember something. He pulled an item from his warhorse's saddlebag and tossed it to Bai Shi.
"Catch."
Bai Shi caught it with ease. It was a metal helmet. The back and top were covered in scale mail, while fine chainmail obscured the face, leaving only the eyes visible.
Bai Shi was surprised. It was the Kaidan Sellsword's helmet. No wonder he'd never seen Hakan wear it—he must have kept it in his saddlebags.
"What about you if I take this?"
Hakan didn't turn back, merely waving a hand.
"Helms are for warriors. You need one, and I don't anymore."
"I'm not a warrior anymore."
Bai Shi held the helmet and said nothing more.
"You have to stay alive until the future Elden Lord can buy you that drink. I won't forgive you if you die before then."
“Hahahaha! Then I'll be looking forward to it.”
Bai Shi already considered Hakan a friend. After this parting, he didn't know if they would ever meet again.
But neither would stop walking their own path for the other's sake.
In the Lands Between, everyone had their own business to attend to.
Bai Shi looked at the ruined church in the distance and set foot on the path forward.
After walking for ten-odd minutes, Bai Shi followed the guidance of Grace and came to a small, elevated slope.
Bai Shi couldn't help but comment to himself. “This really isn't like the game. The map is huge, but I guess that's more realistic.”
“Riding over a whole mountain in a few minutes was just ridiculous—they had to shrink the scale for the sake of gameplay.”
A Site of Grace burned warmly before him.
But just as Bai Shi was about to touch the Grace, a rustling sound suddenly came from the nearby bushes.
Bai Shi held his breath, his eyes fixed on the spot. His hands went to his weapons, ready for a fight.
But the noise stopped as quickly as it started, as if a small animal had simply wandered by.
But Bai Shi knew there was one person who was supposed to be around here.
“Stop hiding. I can tell the difference between a person and an animal.”
“Rustle, rustle—”
The bushes were pushed aside, and a figure emerged.
The newcomer wore a white mask with a smiling face, was dressed in a white outfit, and was covered in bloodstains that had blackened with age.
Bai Shi recognized him: Varré the White Mask, a servant of the Lord of Blood.
He had once been a surgeon who brought “release” to soldiers on the battlefield, only to be abducted by Mohg, the Lord of Blood. Forced to accept the cursed blood, he came to willingly serve his new master.
“Hee hee, such keen senses you have.”
He didn't hold back his praise, his voice cloyingly sweet.
The sound of his voice alone made Bai Shi feel nauseous.
It was as if Varré was chewing on his own tongue and cheeks as he spoke, relishing the taste of his own blood and wanting to smear it right into the listener's ear.
He also had a rather foppish voice.
Bai Shi resisted the urge to cleave him in two, pretending he didn't recognize him.
“Who are you?”
Varré clasped his discolored, bloodstained gloves, rubbing them together slowly like a fly wringing its legs.
“Oh, a Tarnished. Coveting the Elden Ring, and thus you've come to the Lands Between.”
“But alas, a sad thing it is… you are without a maiden.”
“With no way to turn Runes into strength, and no invitation to the Roundtable Hold, I'm afraid you're doomed to die in obscurity. Hee hee hee…”
Bai Shi's brow furrowed. This guy was even more insufferable than in the game.
As if sensing Bai Shi's revulsion, Varré toned down his disgusting smile a bit.
“But don't worry, my dear. Even maidenless, there's still a sliver of hope—”
“I happen to know you could use a bit of guidance, and you are fortunate enough to have met me, Varré.”
“You know of Grace, don't you? That golden light where you Tarnished can take a short rest. Follow the direction of its light, for that is the path you should travel.”
“That's right. Grace will guide you. It will show you where to go, or perhaps… where to die.”
“I don't know if you're one of the few Tarnished who can see its guidance, but I'd wager it points toward that castle on the cliff, Stormveil.”
Bai Shi listened patiently to Varré's explanation.
‘It seems the setting and timeline haven't changed much from the game.’
“Why are you here?” Bai Shi asked.
Varré let out a little laugh before answering:
“I am here at the behest of a certain lord, to guide maidenless Tarnished onto the proper path.”
“There now, be on your way. March on to Stormveil, home to that old, ugly demigod, Godrick the Grafted.”
“If you desire the Elden Ring even without a maiden, then this is your only choice. Hee hee hee.”