Not long after Messmer's expeditionary force and the Aozaki sisters left the Shadowed Land, on the Tombstone Plains, the figure of a golden-haired divine being, barefoot and small in stature, emerged from a dream, gazing upon this ancient land that had been sealed away for so long.
His heart was still filled with confusion, uncertain about his path. Even his other half constantly tried to dissuade him: "Give up this path. Go and love those who love you."
But the young divine being refused to abandon his goal. Every time he looked at this cruel yet beautiful world, he couldn't help but yearn to create a place where all people could embrace and care for each other—a world gentler than the present.
He had already done too much. His King of Oaths had been gravely wounded by his sister, and his sharp-horned brother remained by the husk he had discarded, dreaming of empires. There was no turning back for him now.
He had chosen the right target and laid down the necessary clues. The ancient king of laws, guided by the light of blessing, would undoubtedly kill his two brothers. When the time came, his knights would complete the remaining work, delivering their souls and bodies before him.
Before that... he needed to speak with his older brother, whom he had never met. To pass through the God Tower sealed by the Rejected Thorn, he required his elder brother's assistance.
This would not be an easy task. From what he had heard, his brother was a loyal and steadfast general. Convincing him would likely require some extra effort.
But the young divine being would not give up. All for the sake of a gentler, more accepting world.
..
A massive, pitch-black sphere suddenly appeared in midair. The sphere gradually expanded, and when it reached its maximum size, a tall figure clad in a red cloak emerged from within.
Following behind this figure was a vast army. This silent force moved with extreme efficiency, swiftly establishing a perimeter and adopting a defensive formation, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
This army was none other than the Shadowed Land Expeditionary Force, led by Messmer. The Aozaki sisters followed closely behind a blazing Furnace Golem, stepping through the teleportation gate onto the true Lands Between.
Messmer stood in silence upon the land of his homeland. His expression remained unchanged, but Aoko, with her keen perception, could sense the deep emotions stirring within this long-exiled wanderer.
Aoko scratched her head and glanced at the statues in a nearby building, comparing them to her memories. Wasn't this the Fringefolk Hero's Grave?
Damn, why was this coordinate in a beginner's zone?
But perhaps it was for the best. Aoko consoled herself—this meant she had a chance to collect treasures from different regions. She remembered that this place had Golden Tree Seeds...
"Limgrave..." Messmer muttered, "To think it has become like this... Has it been so many years?"
Indeed, the place was in ruins. Aoko and Touko scanned their surroundings—a dilapidated church, scattered remains of buildings, and in the distance, a gleaming golden-armored knight patrolling on horseback...
Wait.
A Tree Sentinel?
Messmer fixed his gaze on the approaching Tree Sentinel, but he did not speak first. The knight, upon nearing the army's formation, immediately dismounted from his suspiciously large, gold-plated steed and even set his weapon aside.
"Lord Messmer," the Tree Sentinel knelt on one knee before Messmer, "...I salute you."
"Why are you here?" Messmer asked coldly. "You are one of Leyndell's royal guards. Why are you in Limgrave? Who do you serve?"
"Golden King Godrick ordered me to collect the bodies of Tarnished and bring them to Stormveil Castle," the Tree Sentinel answered. "This is where Tarnished first arrive in the Lands Between."
Godrick? A flicker of confusion crossed Messmer's eyes. But he quickly recalled the Shattering War that Aoko had told him about. He remembered who this descendant was and his ridiculous grafting obsession, his expression turning slightly disdainful.
"You no longer need to follow Godrick's orders," Messmer commanded the Tree Sentinel. "From now on, you will obey me. We are returning to Leyndell to rescue Queen Marika!"
"Understood!" The Tree Sentinel bowed his proud head in submission, still kneeling.
As heavily armored knights blessed by the Erdtree and Queen Marika, the Tree Sentinels had long served as Leyndell's strongest shields and sharpest spears. Even after the Shattering War decimated their numbers, they remained bound by their sacred duty: to serve the Erdtree and the Golden Lineage.
The Tree Sentinel rose, retrieved his weapon, mounted his steed, and silently joined Messmer's ranks, ready to follow the command of the firstborn prince.
In truth, this knight had long disapproved of Godrick's grotesque grafting obsession, but bound by his oath to serve the Golden Lineage, he could not disobey the orders of a Shardbearer. Thus, he had been forced to hunt hapless Tarnished for Godrick.
But now that the long-lost firstborn prince had returned, the Tree Sentinel had no reason to follow a mere third-generation descendant any longer.
Aoko raised an eyebrow at the scene. She hadn't expected Messmer to command the Tree Sentinels so easily. She had always assumed these gold-plated medieval tanks were something like avatars of the Erdtree, but clearly, they had their own will.
"What's our next move?" Touko asked. "Are we heading straight for Leyndell?"
"...Stormveil." Messmer fell silent for a moment before answering. "Godrick has disgraced the Golden Lineage for too long. That unworthy nephew of mine needs a... 'memorable lesson.'"
"After we take Stormveil, we must head to Liurnia," Rellana spoke as she approached, placing a map of the Lands Between before them. "According to Aoko's intelligence, my elder sister, Queen Rennala, is trapped by the traitors of the Royal Academy of Raya Lucaria. The loyal scholars who refused to betray her have been exiled. If we defeat the traitors, the remaining academy forces will be a powerful asset in our battle against the 'King of Blessings' in Leyndell."
Messmer knew Rellana had her agenda, but he also understood her loyalty to him. He trusted her, so he did not mind rescuing an ally along the way.
Besides, if things went smoothly, he could recruit another formidable ally—why not?
"Agreed," Messmer nodded. "We'll proceed as planned."
"Let's split up for now," Aoko suddenly raised her hand. "I know an Academy Glintstone Sorcerer who's trapped somewhere in Limgrave. I want to rescue her first. Touko will stay with the army and move with you."