The Crucible Knight and the Leonine Misbegotten looked at Jerren and put away their weapons.
However, they were somewhat puzzled by Jerren's claim that they couldn't test Bai Shi's true strength.
From their perspective, although Bai Shi possessed immense power and娴熟 combat skills and hadn't been injured despite their combined assault, they had also managed to suppress him, preventing him from counterattacking.
To say that even this hadn't forced him to reveal his full power was astonishing.
In truth, if they had been watching from the sidelines, they would have reached the same conclusion.
To remain so composed against a formidable and well-coordinated duo already spoke volumes.
But their minds were completely absorbed in the heat of battle.
Naturally, their powers of observation couldn't match Jerren's, who was watching from the side.
As if sensing their confusion, Jerren began to explain:
"Although your exchange was brief, I happened to see it.""That wind wall he created so casually isn't something an ordinary person could do. If that storm had been used for offense, I doubt it would have been as simple as just blocking the flames."
"He didn't attack with the storm, nor did he use his own weapon."
"Under such circumstances, to still be so composed, holding so much back..."
Jerren walked down the steps one by one and stood before Bai Shi.
"Whether it's this extraordinary set of armor or the powerful ability to command storms, neither is something a common person could possess."
"So, I'm guessing you're the Lord of Stormveil, the new Stormhawk King."
"I wonder if I've guessed correctly."
As Jerren explained, the Crucible Knight and the Leonine Misbegotten finally understood Bai Shi's identity, their faces showing comprehension.
If he was indeed that Stormhawk King, then it all made sense.
After all, the storm that had pierced the heavens that day was something they had seen clearly, even from Caelid.
A man of such power was certainly not someone whose depths they could fathom.
Bai Shi saw the three of them looking at him with questioning eyes and nodded, confirming their suspicions.
"That's right. It is I."
Receiving Bai Shi's answer, the Leonine Misbegotten and the Crucible Knight glanced at each other.
Although the battle had been interrupted, they felt no displeasure. On the contrary, they were even more delighted.
If it was the Stormhawk King, capable of unleashing such a blow...
Then he could surely grant General Radahn a glorious and honorable end.
General Radahn had been lost for too long, a fact that pained them immensely.
Having confirmed Bai Shi's identity, Jerren continued:
"Haha, I knew it. It seems that even in my old age, my eyes haven't failed me."
"Since Lord Stormhawk King has come to find me, there must be something you wish to discuss."
Bai Shi nodded.
"Indeed there is."
"In that case, please follow me. This isn't the place for a conversation."
With that, Jerren turned and led the way.
The Leonine Misbegotten and the Crucible Knight stepped back to the left and right, clearing a path for Bai Shi.
Bai Shi followed Jerren up the steps.
The stairs led to a wide platform where a church stood.
Jerren brought Bai Shi into that very church.
He found a relatively sturdy chair—one that at least wouldn't fall apart—and placed it in front of a small table.
Then he sat down in the shabby chair behind the table himself.
"My apologies. You've seen the state of Caelid. We haven't had guests in a long time."
"With no visitors, even properly mending the tables and chairs has become almost unnecessary."
Bai Shi was not one for ceremony. After confirming the chair wouldn't collapse, he sat down.
"It's fine. I'm not one to fuss over such trifles."
Although discussing matters in such an environment was a bit crude, considering the current state of Redmane Castle, Bai Shi wouldn't demand anything more.
After all, the most important part of a negotiation was whether an agreement could be reached; the environment and conditions were secondary.
He'd even negotiated with Ranni while just wrapped in a piece of cloth before, so this was nothing new.
"So, Lord Stormhawk King, what brings you here?"
Jerren took the initiative to ask Bai Shi.
He was a very straightforward man; in fact, most warriors in the Lands Between were.
Bai Shi didn't beat around the bush either.
"I've come, naturally, to challenge Starscourge Radahn, and also for his Great Rune."
Jerren chuckled softly.
"Of course. The combat festival is held for that very purpose."
"But, why have you come to see me now?"
"If you are so impatient that you wish to challenge Radahn immediately, then I must try to stop you, no matter what."
"For the sake of giving Radahn an honorable end, the combat festival will absolutely not start ahead of schedule."
Seeing that Jerren had misunderstood his intentions, Bai Shi shook his head.
"Of course not. I am a man who values order, and I would never break the rules on someone else's turf."
"I came to talk to you about something else."
Jerren also breathed a sigh of relief.
"My apologies, I misunderstood. The combat festival is very important to us in the Redmane army, so I've inevitably become a bit sensitive."
"Then, please, tell me what you've come to discuss."
Bai Shi spoke again, stating his request.
"I've brought a perfumer with me. She's in Redmane Castle right now."
"As I plan to explore Caelid for a while, I won't be waiting in Redmane Castle for the festival to begin."
"So I hope you can help protect her during the time I'm away."
Jerren was a little puzzled. Was it really necessary to make a special trip to discuss something like this?
Still, he agreed to Bai Shi's words.
"Rest assured, Redmane Castle is very safe."
But Bai Shi shook his head.
"That's not enough. She needs stronger protection, like the Crucible Knight and the Leonine Misbegotten from earlier."
"Because she is important. Especially to you all, she is incredibly important."
Jerren was thoroughly confused. Before Bai Shi could introduce Hilbert further, he quickly interjected.
"Why do you say that? What does she have to do with us..."
"No, wait. Could it have something to do with the Scarlet Rot?"
An incredible thought sprang into Jerren's mind.
Bai Shi's explanation confirmed his suspicion.
"That's right. She's a perfumer who has been active in Caelid."
"Just a short while ago, she created a fragrant medicine that can cleanse an entire area of Scarlet Rot."
Jerren's breathing grew ragged.
This was indeed something of paramount importance to the Redmane army.
The Scarlet Rot was not invincible. They had been researching and attempting to combat it in Redmane Castle all along.
Whether through fire or other means, there were always ways to contain the Scarlet Rot.
The rot could not spread unconditionally; even in Caelid, there were some caves that remained untouched by its corruption.
The same was true for certain plants, which continued to thrive in areas where the Scarlet Rot grew and spread.
It was just that the Redmane army had never figured out why, let alone how to make use of it.
Redmane Castle was, after all, full of warriors. They could only try simple methods.
Although they had discovered some methods other than fire, when considering the difficulty of acquisition and efficiency, they were not even as good as fire.
So in the end, Redmane Castle could only resort to the most primitive and simplest method.
Using fire to fight the Scarlet Rot.
For this purpose, they had even contacted the Fire Monks from the mountaintops.
They traded with them for flame chariots and some items related to the Giants' Flame.
If there was now another method that could be used against the Scarlet Rot, it would undoubtedly increase their chances of cleansing it, even if just by a little.
Even if it was only a one in ten thousand chance, he had to seize it.
The possibility of curing the Scarlet Rot was right before his eyes, and Jerren would not let even the slightest chance slip away.
Thus, Jerren nodded solemnly.
"In that case, we will definitely protect her. I give you my life as a guarantee."
Since Jerren had agreed, Bai Shi had nothing to worry about.
Besides, Hilbert's safety was not in any great danger.
Few people knew she had developed the neutralizing fragrance.
The Scarlet Rot lacked a unified consciousness, so it was not as if it could dispatch the Kindred of Rot to assassinate her.
In fact, Bai Shi couldn't think of anyone who would want to harm Hilbert. He was just being cautious.
"Good. Then it's settled."
"There's nothing else, but I am very interested in you and General Radahn."
"You seem to have a deep connection with General Radahn, and you're also acting as the castellan. I wonder if you could satisfy my curiosity."
Jerren leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest.
The iron mask of an old man concealed all his expressions.
But from his body language, one could sense he was reminiscing, feeling nostalgic.
"Since you're interested, I'll tell you the story. Better than taking it with me to the grave."
"Where should I begin... Let's start from when I first met Radahn."
"In the first half of my life, I was like a drifting weed, wandering aimlessly, never tied down."
"I used to make a living as a guest commander, settling for a time wherever my travels took me."
"I also served as a guest commander for the Carian Royal Family. It was there that I met Radahn. Looking back now, it was truly fortunate."
"Back then, Radahn had not yet performed his star-shattering feat. He was still quite young and naive, full of heroic ambition. He admired the First Lord Godfrey and hoped to one day form his own powerful army."
"At that time, I, Radahn, and Ogha, despite our vast differences in status, were like brothers, trusting and relying on each other."
"Later, as Radahn grew, his body became larger and larger. His little horse could no longer bear his weight. To continue riding his beloved steed, he, accompanied by Ogha, went to Sellia, Town of Sorcery, in search of a magic teacher, to learn the gravity magic that the Carian Royal Family did not possess."
"There, he found the White King from the stars and became his disciple, learning magic and thus gaining the power to challenge the stars."
"Ultimately, Radahn faced the stars alone and sealed the starry sky of the Lands Between, earning him the title of 'Starscourge.' The twinblades he wielded were inscribed with the sigil of gravity at that time."
"From then on, Radahn began to build his own army. Because of his star-shattering feat, countless people flocked to join him. The Redmanes firmly established their roots in Caelid. The emblem of the Redmane army, the lion holding a greatsword, was drawn in his image."
Jerren sighed. What followed was not such a pleasant memory.
"And after that, I left the Carian Royal Family and officially joined Radahn's forces, also serving as a guest commander."
"But then came the Shattering..."
"The Shattering War, this was not a first-come, first-served game. The demigods had to fight until a victor was decided. Only then would it end."
"The Lands Between must have an Elden Lord."
"Radahn also wanted to become the Elden Lord, and to do so, he had to enter the Royal Capital first."
"However, we failed. Our attacks were repelled by the capital's strong walls, not once, but twice."
"We ended in defeat and retreated to Caelid. But after that, Malenia, one of the twins, suddenly appeared with her army."
"She seemed to be in a great hurry, bringing only her personal guard, the Cleanrot Knights, with almost no supply line, and rushed all the way to Caelid."
"We tried to communicate, but she wouldn't answer any of our questions, only insisting on a duel with Radahn."
"General Radahn was not afraid to fight her, but at the end of the battle, Malenia used an unexpected tactic, blooming the Scarlet Flower and spreading the Scarlet Rot throughout all of Caelid."
"Ogha died in that war, and Radahn was driven mad by the Scarlet Rot's corruption soon after."
"Although I consider myself an untethered, free man, for the sake of Radahn and Ogha... now, I have a reason I must stay in Caelid."
Jerren calmly finished his tale.
Too much time had passed, and revenge was a distant dream.
All he could do was guard this castle, year after year, day after day.
Fortunately, he was not alone.
There were no cowards among the Redmanes.
On the verge of defeat, all the soldiers of the Redmane army, with firm resolve, burned their insignia.
It was a symbol of their eternal farewell to their distant homelands, a vow to remain in Caelid and contain the Scarlet Rot.
The Scarlet Rot expanded daily, so they would not stop cleansing it for a single day.
The Scarlet Rot could not be eradicated, so they would confine it to the land of Caelid.
Bai Shi sighed wordlessly.
"There are no cowards among the Redmanes. You are true heroes."
Jerren waved his hand.
Heroes. Perhaps a long, long time ago, he would have cared, even fought for that title.
But he no longer cared now.
"An old man gets talkative. I only meant to give you a brief account, but I didn't expect to say so much."
"I've taken up some of your time, my apologies."
"You mentioned before that you were going to explore Caelid. Do you need me to arrange for a guide?"
Bai Shi refused, only asking for a more detailed map. The places he was going next were not places others could easily accompany him.
He was heading to the edge of the Swamp of Aeonia to find Commander O'Neil.
Although it was the edge of the swamp and not the center, it was still a difficult place for ordinary people to reach.
The Unalloyed Gold Needle was the top priority of this trip to Caelid.
Soon, Jerren had someone bring a map.
The map's depiction of the regions wasn't overly detailed, but it clearly marked the locations of various rot-infested creature settlements.
There were frequent revisions on it, showing where they had been exterminated, where they had migrated back, and the process of exterminating them again.
This map alone showed that the Redmane army had never slackened for a single day.
Watching Bai Shi leave, Jerren took out a mechanical bird.
It was a communication device his friend Iji had given him when he was with the Carian Royal Family, but he had never used it.
"Following my memories, it suddenly came back to me."
"The fate of the Carian Royal Family is also tied to the stars. Although, as a war counselor, he shouldn't overlook this point, it's still better to remind him."