Bai Shi knew that Melina had something she wanted to say to him.
And she wanted to say it face-to-face at a Site of Grace.
"Alright, let's meet at the Site of Grace in front of the sorcery tower later."
"Mm..."
After that, the two didn't communicate further. Only Torrent beneath them joyfully kicked its hooves high into the air.
Below Ranni's Rise, the entrance to the sorcery tower was shrouded in mist, denying entry to any who would carelessly intrude.
It seemed Ranni had fallen into a deep slumber once again.
Bai Shi didn't see Slude, guessing she hadn't returned after changing her clothes yet.
That was for the best, saving her from waiting around for no reason.
Bai Shi entered the space of the Site of Grace.At the same time, Melina immediately materialized before the Grace.
She had remained silent throughout their journey here.
She felt that some things had to be said to Bai Shi face-to-face, not hastily concluded while she was unseen.
She couldn't accept that herself.
Melina stood to Bai Shi's left front.
But she maintained a slight distance, just as when they had first met.
"Bai Shi, are you really going to pay such a great price for me...?"
"This involves the enmity between an Empyrean and the Two Fingers."
Bai Shi shook his head.
"We've already agreed to the cooperation, so don't you worry."
"Besides, what kind of price is this to me?"
"It's just killing one of the Two Fingers. On my path forward, I might even face the Greater Will directly."
Bai Shi made a joke to put Melina at ease.
The Greater Will? How many divisions does it have?
Let it eat my Fengling Yueying!
"Rather, if a price like this can let you truly set foot in this world, it's almost like a dream come true."
Melina said nothing, just looked at Bai Shi with concern.
She was deeply moved that Bai Shi was willing to do these things for her.
But more than feeling moved, she was worried for Bai Shi.
What kind of path was Ranni embarking on?
Although Melina didn't know the details, she could glean some understanding from their conversation.
The dark and cold path she spoke of was no exaggeration.
Whatever her ultimate goal, killing the Two Fingers was an inevitable step along the way.
And the Two Fingers were envoys of the Greater Will.
Killing the Two Fingers was undoubtedly a grave sin in the Lands Between.
Melina had no particular opinion of the Two Fingers; she hadn't tried to stop Bai Shi when he killed their emissary before.
But killing the Two Fingers and defying the Two Fingers were entirely different concepts.
It was even difficult to describe the gravity of such a crime, because killing the Two Fingers was an act of unimaginable madness.
No one had ever thought to define a crime for killing the Two Fingers.
Because no one would ever have such a blasphemous idea.
Bai Shi saw the worry in Melina's eyes and could guess what she was thinking.
Indeed, from an outsider's perspective, Ranni could certainly be considered an out-and-out witch.
After all, based on what Ranni had done, you could even write a song titled "What Awful Things Has Ranni Done?"
Stealing the Rune of Death, masterminding the Night of the Black Knives, killing Godwyn the Golden.
These acts led to the shattering of the Golden Dynasty.
One could even say that the Shattering was triggered by her previous actions.
Although Bai Shi suspected others were involved, Ranni was definitely the mastermind, a fact she herself never shied away from.
To walk a dark path alongside such a person was bound to cause concern.
Bai Shi cut off Melina's hesitation.
"Melina."
"We agreed back then, didn't we? That we would journey together."
"If I'm the only one on the road, while you can only watch from the sidelines, is that still a journey?"
"Now that the opportunity is right in front of me, I will absolutely not let it go."
"I don't want our conversations to be confined to Sites of Grace. I want to be closer to you."
Did Melina not want a physical body? Of course she did.
But Melina didn't want others to pay the price to fulfill her wish.
If a price had to be paid, Melina hoped she could bear it herself.
But thinking about how Bai Shi had already thrown in his lot with Ranni, Melina knew the outcome was set.
Although she was worried, Melina also knew that Bai Shi was not a reckless person.
He must know something, or perhaps he was confident in his dealings with Ranni.
I'll find a way to repay Bai Shi in the future.
Melina walked to Bai Shi's side and sat down in her usual kneeling posture.
Then, without looking at Bai Shi, she simply stared at the Site of Grace before them.
After a long while, she finally spoke:
"Bai Shi."
"Yes."
"Thank you..."
Bai Shi casually ruffled Melina's hair.
"There's nothing to thank me for."
"We don't need to be so distant with each other."
Melina nodded, hesitating slightly.
After a moment, she squeezed out a single sentence:
"Can I... lean on your shoulder?"
Melina's voice was so soft that Bai Shi might have missed it if he hadn't been paying close attention.
"Of course you can."
Melina slowly shifted over, pressing against Bai Shi's side.
She no longer sat in a formal kneeling position but curled her legs to her side, leaning her entire body against Bai Shi.
What a reassuring feeling...
"Bai Shi."
"When I have a body, can I still lean on you like this?"
Bai Shi chuckled softly.
"Of course. You wouldn't want that?"
Melina shook her head.
"If possible, of course I hope to stay with you."
"But, if I gain a body and appear by your side..."
"Your subordinates, and everyone else, wouldn't they find it strange?"
"That someone they've never known is so close to you."
Bai Shi ruffled Melina's hair into a bit of a mess.
"You, why would you think something like that?"
"What's there for them to find strange? I am their king. It's not their place to meddle in my affairs."
"Along the way, everything has changed."
Melina felt a little dazed. It was true.
Bai Shi now had his own city, his own power.
He had people who loved him, an army that gathered for him, and loyal, capable subordinates.
He could rule a region, and in the future, he would rule much more, eventually becoming the Elden Lord.
It had all happened so fast, in just a few short months.
Melina couldn't help but recall the childish promise she had made with Bai Shi long ago:
To aim to become the strongest champion of the Roundtable.
The so-called strongest champion of the Roundtable was a title Bai Shi no longer needed to pursue.
Because not long after that promise, Bai Shi had already defeated Godrick, seized a Great Rune, and achieved a feat no one at the Roundtable Hold had ever accomplished.
If Bai Shi claimed to be the strongest at the Roundtable, no one would object.
But no one would use that title for him either, because for the current Bai Shi, such a title could be considered an insult.
Melina couldn't help but recall when she first met Bai Shi.
Back then, he had just washed ashore in the Lands Between, and there was nothing of a warrior about him.
It was because Torrent chose him so decisively, and because she saw the Stormhawk King acknowledge him, that she believed in Torrent's choice and decided to approach him.
But now, she had unknowingly come to trust Bai Shi completely.
On their journey so far, she never needed to ask him why he was going somewhere.
Everything would proceed smoothly as Bai Shi envisioned. All she needed to do was trust him as she always had...
But wasn't that putting too much of a burden on Bai Shi? He should live more for himself.
Given his status, material comforts were already well within his reach.
Sometimes, Melina wondered if it was because she was by his side that Bai Shi deliberately suppressed himself.
Melina looked up at Bai Shi.
Her previously tousled hair brushed against Bai Shi's neck, making him feel a bit ticklish.
Melina deliberately maintained an angle so that Bai Shi couldn't see her sealed left eye.
From this angle, Bai Shi could only see the right side of Melina's face.
'Looked at this way, she's no different from an ordinary girl.'
Bai Shi couldn't help but think.
Melina met Bai Shi's gaze.
She opened her mouth to say something, but the words in her heart would not come out.
Because if she spoke them, the potential consequences were something she did not wish to see.
She didn't know what kind of feelings Bai Shi truly had for her.
Melina felt that the things Bai Shi did for her were beyond what an ordinary person would do for a companion.
Was it because of this 'love' that she had never understood?
But Melina didn't dare to think that way.
There was nothing about her worthy of being loved.
She was just a spirit, a spirit with no knowledge of her past or her destination.
What right did she have to be so narcissistic as to think Bai Shi had fallen in love with her?
Perhaps she was just being sentimental.
After all, Bai Shi was always gentle with everyone, helping them as much as he could. This was why the people loved him.
If she spoke up now, perhaps it would make their future relationship awkward.
Bai Shi hadn't taken the initiative to speak, which left Melina to brave her shyness and try to communicate.
And so... Melina still didn't say it.
She just said "thank you" once more.
Things were good just as they were now, weren't they?
The two shared a borrowed spark. Even if they were partners for but a moment, at least they were not alone.
Melina didn't know what could be called love.
But Melina felt that she had probably fallen for Bai Shi.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be so conflicted and lost.
It wasn't because Bai Shi was creating a body for her now that she suddenly developed these feelings for him.
Rather, it was in every little moment they had experienced together before.
Because she had been a constant observer on their journey, Melina knew better than anyone the light that shone from Bai Shi.
He possessed an unshakeable sense of justice and an unwavering moral code, which were precious and noble qualities in a world like the Lands Between.
He protected the weak and oppressed. Even in a place like Castle Morne, which had nothing to do with him, he would see such a tragedy and throw himself into battle against the Misbegotten without a second thought.
And at that time, Bai Shi wasn't nearly as powerful as he was now.
At best, he was on par with the Stormveil knights, far from the strength of heroes.
Yet he could fight at the risk of his own life, to seek vengeance for people who weren't even his subjects yet.
Unyielding, brave, never abandoning his principles and faith, he was worthy of being a model for all heroes.
Even after becoming a lord, he was never arrogant about his status or looked down on those of a lower station.
Melina silently met Bai Shi's gaze, carefully hiding her feelings.
After reaching the foot of the Erdtree, she still had a mission she had to uncover.
That mission might even be within Leyndell, the Royal Capital.
And Bai Shi was an enemy of Leyndell. Melina didn't want Bai Shi to accompany her into the city and risk danger.
If something were to happen to Bai Shi in Leyndell, all his previous efforts would have been for nothing.
In that case, I'll just wait a little longer...
I'll wait until I've found my mission, and then I'll express my feelings to Bai Shi.
That's right, just hold on a little longer.
Don't be in such a rush to reveal your feelings. Keep this feeling hidden in your heart for now.
Wait for the right moment, then reveal it all to him.
Melina felt her heart was strong enough to hide it all.
Once she found her mission, it wouldn't matter if, after confessing, she learned Bai Shi didn't feel the same way.
At least they had once depended on each other.
—
Bai Shi didn't know what Melina was thinking.
He just felt that today, Melina was more captivating than ever, making it hard for him to look away.
Though Bai Shi really wanted to press forward and confess, the matter of creating a physical body for Melina was still up in the air.
Doing it now would be no different from making an empty promise.
However, if he didn't press forward now, Bai Shi felt his future self would never forgive his current self.
There weren't so many things in life that you could wait until you were perfectly prepared to do.
Some things, if you wait until you're ready, will already be too late.
So Bai Shi reached out his left hand and covered the hand Melina had placed on her lap.
In this position, it was as if he was half-embracing Melina.
This was the most extensive physical contact they had ever had.
Bai Shi could feel Melina trembling slightly.
But his own heart was pounding, a little nervous.
How strange. Even when facing so many powerful enemies, his heart had never beaten this fast.
The tension brought by those Night's Cavalry was nothing compared to this.
Bai Shi was even a little afraid.
Afraid that this relationship would be ruined by his actions. Courage seemed to be deserting him.
But the look in Melina's eyes as she gazed at him didn't seem to hold any resistance. Perhaps even a hint of anticipation?
So Bai Shi leaned in and gently kissed Melina's cheek.
Melina's reaction was a blush that instantly spread across her face.
Melina lowered her head, burying her face, not wanting Bai Shi to see.
But Bai Shi could feel her hand tightly gripping his.
Seeing Melina remain silent, Bai Shi wondered if he had been too presumptuous.
Although they had spent a long time together, maybe it was just his imagination.
After all, one of life's three great delusions was: "She likes me back."
Still, what was done was done. There was no room for regret.
Perhaps he could go to the Church of Vows for absolution?
As for Melina, her mind was a complete muddle, yet she couldn't stop feeling happy.
She now knew Bai Shi's feelings.
His feelings for her were truly different from how he treated others.
She was special.
Hold on, just a little longer... I can't hold on at all.
Hiding her feelings...
Bai Shi wasn't hiding his intentions in the slightest. What reason did she have to hide hers?
If she continued to hide them, wouldn't that just disappoint Bai Shi?
She had to respond to Bai Shi, to convey her feelings to him as well.
Melina took a deep breath.
A moment later, she suddenly raised her head and returned Bai Shi's kiss with a gentle one of her own.
Then, Bai Shi's arms were empty, and the hand he held was now gripping air.
Blushing, Melina had vanished from his embrace.
Bai Shi touched the spot on his face where Melina had just kissed him. It all felt a bit surreal.
Melina had shyly returned his clumsy affection. Did this mean their feelings were mutual?
But regardless, a feeling he had never experienced before gradually filled his heart.
It must be love.
He had never been loved, never been chosen with such conviction, and had never truly experienced love from another.
So, the old Bai Shi had only poured his love into a virtual world, onto virtual souls.
He thought he knew what love was, but now he realized he didn't understand it at all.
It was only now, for the first time, that Bai Shi truly felt that love was such a fierce flame.
Bai Shi's heart had been consumed by Melina's flame.