Ranni saw no confusion or pretense in Bai Shi's eyes.
She confirmed that he truly meant it.
Although she still didn't know if he possessed the corresponding 'destiny' to walk alongside her, even for a short while, on this long path.
But for now, at least, Ranni was willing to give him a chance to explain his ideas for an alliance.
"In that case, please make your way to the magical tower behind Caria Manor."
"I will await you there."
"Once you've arrived, we can speak in more detail."
Bai Shi stopped Ranni as she was about to leave.
Ranni was a little surprised.
Was there something that couldn't wait until the tower? Was he that impatient?"Speaking of which, I must apologize."
"Since there was no one to announce me, I had no choice but to trespass in Caria Manor."
"And just now, I dispatched the phantom knight guarding this place. I fear I may have caused you some loss."
Ranni smiled.
"I didn't expect the Lord of Stormveil to be so concerned with such a small matter."
"Caria Manor is the ancestral home of the royal family, but it has been a long time since we've had any visitors. There is no one in the manor, so naturally, there is no one to announce arrivals."
"Not to mention, I hide my identity, concealed within my magical tower."
"Aside from a very few retainers and my Troll Knights, no one knows of my presence in Caria Manor. This place is but an empty fortress."
"In that case, perhaps I should be the one apologizing for my discourtesy."
"As for the loss..."
Ranni pointed to the pool behind Bai Shi.
Bai Shi followed her finger and saw Loretta's phantom reappear in the pool.
That pool was a special form of Carian stargazing sorcery, much like how the surface of water can reflect the moon.
As long as Loretta herself was not dead, her phantom could be generated here.
"What wondrous sorcery."
Although he didn't quite understand how it was done, Bai Shi offered a sincere compliment.
The Carian royal family's research into sorcery was indeed profound.
Ranni placed her hands back on her lap, and a hazy mist began to rise around her.
"I shall await your arrival in my tower."
"On your way, you can think it over again."
"The path I walk is one of darkness and solitude... and it is fated to end poorly."
With that, Ranni vanished.
Bai Shi shook his head.
Ranni was, in the end, not being entirely honest with her words.
If she were truly some ruthless witch, she would never tell a potential ally who came to her to "think it over."
She would have been eager to drag him onto her treacherous ship, so to speak.
She kept saying she was walking a path of darkness and solitude, yet she didn't refuse his offer of cooperation.
That was probably why so many people liked her.
Bai Shi descended from the high platform, preparing to put the Black Knife Assassin on the ground back into the jar.
This time, however, the Black Knife Assassin showed clear resistance.
She shook her head, then looked down at the ropes binding her, as if signaling something.
Bai Shi thought for a moment, then removed the gag from her mouth and untied all the ropes on her body.
Now that she had seen Ranni, she probably wouldn't entertain any more thoughts of escaping.
After all, it was clear that Ranni and Bai Shi had a cooperative relationship.
As expected, the Black Knife Assassin made no further strange moves.
Freed from her bonds, she stood up, adjusted her gear slightly, and then stood obediently behind Bai Shi.
However, she remained completely silent.
It even made Bai Shi wonder if the Black Knife Assassins all used some secret potion to destroy their vocal cords.
It seemed to be a common trope with assassins.
Ignoring her, Bai Shi summoned Torrent and rode out through the gate behind the royal moon-gazing grounds.
Outside was a stretch of rolling hills shrouded in mist, with enormous glintstone crystals growing everywhere.
Bai Shi sat atop Torrent, gazing at the three similarly shaped magical towers in the distance.
Across the wilderness, a trail of faint blue mist stretched out before Bai Shi, pointing directly to one of the towers before vanishing.
It seemed to be a guide Ranni had left for him.
Bai Shi had Torrent follow the guide.
Looking back at the Black Knife Assassin, he saw that with every leap, she would glide through the air, crossing several meters.
She trailed behind Torrent, her speed not much slower.
Along the way, glintstone dragons and packs of wolves watched Bai Shi pass.
They were all allies of Ranni.
And since the man on horseback was guided by Ranni, they naturally had no need to attack.
Soon, following the guide, Bai Shi and the Black Knife Assassin arrived before Ranni's Rise.
Bai Shi dismounted and touched the Site of Grace there.
Then, from the Grace, he retrieved a strangely shaped weapon.
It was the Starfall Shadow katana.
The Black Knife Assassin stood at the entrance to Ranni's Rise, seemingly with no intention of going up.
So Bai Shi let her remain below, and taking the Starfall Shadow, he stepped onto the lift leading up the tower.
After taking the lift, he had to go outside and follow the tower's outer staircase to reach the topmost chamber.
This chamber was Ranni's room, and Ranni was sitting on a chair within.
Although Bai Shi didn't see Ranni stack books on her chair, he knew she definitely had.
Because the position of her posterior was clearly not at the same height as the seat of the chair.
The traces of the books were just slightly hidden by Ranni's voluminous robes, unnoticeable without a closer look.
When Ranni saw that Bai Shi had come after all, she sounded slightly resigned, but her tone betrayed a hint of pleasure.
"So your thoughts along the way did not dissuade you? It seems you have truly made up your mind."
"In that case, I will not try to persuade you any further."
Bai Shi smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
"Then next, we should discuss the terms of our cooperation, yes?"
With that, Bai Shi raised the Starfall Shadow in his hand.
"This is a weapon I acquired in the Town of Sellia."
"After some research, I've found it has an inextricable connection to the Fingerslayer Blade."
"However, it seems this weapon is currently sealed."
Ranni reached out. Bai Shi felt a force pulling on the weapon, so he released his grip.
The Starfall Shadow slowly floated into Ranni's hands.
Ranni held the Starfall Shadow with her lower pair of hands, while her upper pair gently stroked the blade.
"Indeed. This blade shares the same origin as the Fingerslayer Blade."
"As for the seal upon it, it might only be undone in the Eternal City."
Ranni released her hold, and the Starfall Shadow returned to Bai Shi's hand.
"So, are you suggesting that I use this weapon of unknown viability as a substitute for the Fingerslayer Blade?"
"Forgive my bluntness, but that seems highly improbable."
Bai Shi shook his head.
"This is merely a backup plan."
"It is more to demonstrate that I have the capability to be a worthy partner."
"Furthermore, I already know the way to reach Nokron and obtain the Fingerslayer Blade."
Ranni looked at Bai Shi.
"Then tell me, how does one obtain the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron?"
Bai Shi organized his thoughts, as the matter involved Ranni's brother, General Radahn.
"From what I understand, the fate of the Carian royal family is closely tied to the stars."
"And right now, the stars are held in stasis by Starscourge Radahn."
"If we can have General Radahn release his seal, the path to Nokron will surely open."
Ranni nodded.
"That is indeed as you say."
Bai Shi found it a bit odd. Ranni acted as if she knew this all along.
"You knew this already?"
Ranni glanced at Bai Shi.
"I have always known."
"Iji has grown old and forgotten. But how could I, a Carian princess, forget?"
Bai Shi frowned, somewhat perplexed.
"Then why would General Radahn, your own brother, seal the stars?"
"Is your relationship... poor, perhaps?"
Ranni looked up, out of the tower.
From here, one could clearly see the motionless stars above the Lands Between.
"The relationship between us three siblings is quite good."
"Sealing the stars certainly affects my fate, but it was something we needed even more."
"Beyond the stars lie dying celestial bodies."
"We collectively refer to them as—Outer Gods."
"The vast majority of these Outer Gods have no interest in even casting a glance upon the Lands Between."
"But among them, there are those who can, and are willing, to exert tremendous influence here."
"For example, the one who commands the Two Fingers, the mysterious 'Greater Will'."
"However, unlike the other Outer Gods, the Greater Will has a much stronger hold over the Lands Between."
"Are you aware of the fall of the several Eternal Cities, of the Nox Dynasty?"
"It was the 'star' cast down by the Greater Will that destroyed the mighty Nox Dynasty."
"After my brother sealed the stars, the greatest threat from the cosmos became less immediate."
"Had we been victorious in the Shattering, I would not have even needed the Fingerslayer Blade."
"But alas, we failed."
"Worse still, my brother was afflicted by the Scarlet Rot and driven to madness."
Ranni looked up, as if to sigh.
But with Bai Shi right there, she quickly composed herself.
"So I must now bear witness to my brother's death."
"Blaidd, whom you met earlier, was sent to Caelid for this very reason."
"It is the worst of last resorts, but we have no other choice."
Bai Shi furrowed his brow. He truly didn't know much about what lay beyond the stars.
Who could he blame but that old rogue Hidetaka Miyazaki for not making boss fights for the Outer Gods? Otherwise, he could have slain a few.
"If the seal is broken and the stars move again, what will be the consequences?"
Bai Shi couldn't help but ask.
"If the seal is broken, I fear Their power could easily be projected onto the Lands Between."
"As for what consequences that would bring... it's hard to say."
"At the very least, the 'Greater Will' would be able to cast down its stars once more."
Ranni shook her head, bringing the topic to a close.
"Since you seek a partnership, what is it that you require?"
"From what you've mentioned, the vast majority of the work will fall to you."
"Whether it's participating in the festival of combat to sing a dirge for my poor brother, or later exploring the Eternal City of Nokron."
"Even... the Fingerslayer Blade itself may need to be retrieved by you."
"I must be clear: I do not have many people at my command."
"Besides Blaidd and Iji, whom you have met, there is only a preceptor, Seluvis."
"He is a rather strange man, and frankly, somewhat disagreeable."
"So I hope you will carefully consider what I can offer in return."
"If it is an unequal partnership, something akin to charity, I will absolutely not accept it."
Bai Shi nodded. Ranni's pride was strong.
As partners, Bai Shi was indeed contributing more; almost everything depended on him.
However, there were indeed things that only Ranni could do that he needed her help with.
"I am not solely here for the Fingerslayer Blade. The Two Fingers and I are on quite amicable terms at the moment."
"I may need Iji's help to instruct and train my blacksmiths in forging some special equipment."
"Beyond that, there is something I very much wish to understand, and it concerns you."
"I've heard that 'Queen of the Full Moon' Rennala has mastered the secret art of rebirth."
Hearing her mother's name, Ranni showed a bit of surprise.
She hadn't expected Bai Shi's information network to be so extensive.
Many knew that her mother, 'Queen of the Full Moon' Rennala, was confined in the Grand Library of the academy.
But very few knew that her mother was researching the forbidden art of rebirth.
Without asking how Bai Shi knew of this, Ranni spoke calmly:
"My mother does indeed possess the secret of rebirth, but that art is imperfect."
"Those who undergo rebirth find that as their flesh is changed, so too are their will and soul affected."
"Furthermore, the academy's magical seal cannot be broken. One must hold a glintstone key to enter."
"My siblings and I once tried many ways to enter, but none were successful."
"If that is why you have come, I'm afraid you will be disappointed."
It didn't matter. They couldn't find a glintstone key, but Bai Shi could.
"It's all right. I already know the location of a glintstone key."
"Because there is something I must accomplish using rebirth, I wanted to ask you about it first."
"And besides, it concerns your mother."
Ranni looked at Bai Shi in astonishment.
The shocks Bai Shi had delivered today were simply too numerous.
"Is that so? Then what do you intend to do with rebirth?"
Bai Shi thought for a moment. This matter would also require Ranni's method of soul transference.
So it was best to tell her in as much detail as possible, concealing only Melina's identity slightly.
"A friend of mine can only exist in this world as a spirit."
"So I wish to use rebirth to fashion a body for her."
"After that, I want to try using another method to transfer her soul into that body."
"As for that part, transferring the soul, I'm afraid I will also have to rely on you. This is the main reason I came seeking this alliance."
Melina, at Bai Shi's side, looked at him in disbelief.
Everything Bai Shi was doing... was it all for her?
Melina stared blankly at Bai Shi.
She was just a spirit, living in this world for a purpose she had not yet even found.
And Bai Shi was willing to go to such lengths for her, to travel all this way to Liurnia, searching for a solution.
Ranni too was deeply surprised.
Having slain her own flesh and moved her soul into a doll's body, Ranni's understanding of souls was nothing short of profound.
In fact, she could see Melina at Bai Shi's side. She had seen her since their very first meeting.
It was just that Ranni had never mentioned it to them.
"What a curious thing. Is this truly what you wish to gain from our partnership?"
"Though in my eyes, this is hardly a value that matches your contribution..."
"But your sentiment is genuine. You truly are willing to pay such a price for her."
Bai Shi smiled.
He couldn't help it. Who was to blame for him falling in love with a spirit?
Falling in love with a spirit he knew nothing about, whom no one knew anything about.
Ranni pondered for a moment.
"What you speak of is not impossible."
"In fact, the probability of success is quite high."
Bai Shi breathed a sigh of relief.
If it was feasible, then nothing else was a problem.
"Does this mean you agree to the partnership?"
Ranni smiled and nodded.
"I have no reason to refuse."
"On this cold, lightless path, let us lend each other warmth for a time—until the snow melts, and we each go our separate ways."
Bai Shi understood Ranni's meaning.
It seemed Ranni still couldn't believe that Bai Shi would walk with her to the very end.
To have walked the same path for even a time was already a great serendipity.
But that was enough. In the future, Bai Shi would prove to her that he had a part to play in her 'destiny'.
"Then it's settled. From now on, any matter that requires my strength or forces, leave it to me."
"And on your end, I will need Iji's help to instruct my blacksmiths and forge equipment for my soldiers."
"Most importantly, I will need you to help me research the matter of transferring a soul into a body."
Ranni rose from her chair and gave Bai Shi an elegant curtsy.
"I look forward to working with you, my accomplice."
—
Beneath the boundless night, Bai Shi would walk with the Dark Moon, for a time.