Elden Ring:After the end

The bright light of what appears to be morning illuminates the dining room in its entirety, while a small refreshing breeze causes the rich aroma of bread to waft throughout the place. 

In the center of this vast but empty dining room, a vast dark table can be seen with only six of its twenty seats occupied. Among those seated here are Aldrich the Circle Lord, Boc the seamstress, Al who is the regent, Lansseax an ancient dragoness and the Nox sisters. 

...Aldrich pov...

Taking one of the many delicacies brought by the Nox sisters into my mouth, I finish chewing and give Al, permission to continue speaking. 

"As we discussed at the previous meeting, the visit you will be making to the castle of that corrupt creep will be camouflaged as if it were the paying retinue."

"I still find it astonishing that we are literally paying a toll."

"Few were viable options in that situation, we barely managed to take control of key areas on the Altus Plateau and although Leyndell had camps on the outer walls... A certain dragon made it difficult"

The situation is as it came out of my words, literally Leyndell finds himself paying a toll to the nobleman who occupies the road to the dominula granaries. When in all of history something like this has happened, it is certainly normal for people to want to profit... But he has gone too far and as the Lord of the Circle I will make him understand his place. 

"I have never interfered with those who have dared to go and cultivate the land, you can even say that it is thanks to me that outsiders have not tried anything too big."

"But thanks to that we also have a deficit of arrivals, besides that your presence has disturbed the surrounding land. The other time I got my hands on a flower that explodes into fire when you shake it."

"Obviously a blessing they don't know how to use."

Craning her pale neck, shaking her white hair back and putting on a smug expression, I watch on the front page as Lansseax defends her pride in front of Al. 

"If they're done... I'm getting too used to saying these words by now."

"My lord. I drank this glass of water."

"Thank you Boc."

Drinking a large gulp of cool water, I settle my body perfectly in the chair and in a few moments the whole atmosphere around me changes. I was no longer Aldrich, but I am the Lord of the Circle, so I can put up with his actions normally, but not in this important situation. 

"We are so sorry!" x2

"I don't want any further interference."

"Yes" x2

Accepting his apology, but without relaxing my stance, I wait for Al to continue speaking. 

"The retinue will be escorted by the spirits of the soldiers of Godrick, Leyndell, Raya Lucaria and also those of Radahn. Obviously we will be dressing them up as soldiers of Leyndell and knights of Leyndell. All with the help of Boc."

"Are we that understaffed?"

"Most if not all of the useful soldiers, were sent towards Mount Gelmir with Ogha and a few more with Lhutel so hold the position at the dominula mill."

I suppose a few trained soldiers will have remained in the city to help Kristoff, although getting them out of here will stunt the growth of the army. Still, I'm not complaining, thanks to the fact that all those who come are spirits, loyalty is assured and it's not like I'm going to fight directly.

"I guess you had to appear to be powerful, although this tactic won't work for long... Let's put that aside. How many have seen your appearance, Al?"

"I've only shown myself in public about three times. All just to increase stability, even if just a little."

"Well, then we can consider my current appearance already exposed and with the amount of spies that must be hanging around... I'm not surprised."

The appearance I currently have wasn't the first one, it seems to me that it was the one I got in my last rebirth. Come to think of it, well actually now that I remember, will Rennala be able to use her amber egg to make me reborn? No, I'm perfect... Or so I think. 

Rennala may not be able to succeed in making me reborn, but it would certainly be a great asset if the drawbacks of the amber egg can be eradicated... A plan saved for later. 

"Isn't it better that they know what you look like? Just go and give them a lesson in your power, they'll most likely give up."

"Dragons" x4

"What's wrong with them, tell me straight!"

Lansseax's thoughts are not incorrect, of course if he were dealing with dragons who respect the strong, just like what happened between Goodwin and Fortissax. 

The situation with people is totally different, if they see me obviously they will surrender, but in the shadows they will be plotting against me and that is the last thing I need right now. 

"People are fickle Lansseax, they may give up now, but if you show even a little weakness they will jump down your throat."

"If you put it that way, how will you get them to be loyal to you through thick and thin?"

"That's where this beauty comes in."

Letting out the first smile since I've been acting as the Circle Lord, I extend my right hand and a small amount of golden particles gather in it, then from there a dry branch emerges. 

"That 's it!"

"Umm... It's a seductive branch, perfect for controlling people. Normally it only works temporarily, but with my power it's easy to make it last longer... Much longer."

"Seluvis moment!"

"Sister, this is not the time for a joke."

Ignoring the little twitch that just ran through my right eye after hearing the words of Swordswoman Nox who has her mouth full, I simply overlook it and continue normally. 

"M, m, My lord, it seems to me that I have a solution to your problem. Among the items I am caring for is the Veil of Mimic... I know it has the bad history with Godrick, but, but"

"Easy Boc and it's certainly a great plan for what you propose."

"Thank you my lord!"

Nodding towards Boc, I start dusting off the memories I have about the Imitation Veil. Basically it was one of Marika's treasures, but when the great devastation came and everything went to hell in Leyndell, Godrick took it to use so change into a female form and fled the capital along with the refugees.

Yes, that Godrick was a coward until the end and it's understandable considering he was always the black sheep of the royal family. There is also that moment where he challenges Malenia and she beats him up, ending with him kneeling while begging for mercy. Cowardly and weak are the two things that characterize Godrick. 

"Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing important Lansseax, I just remembered something really funny at the moment."

Controlling my laughter at the above recollection of Godrick's situation, I give Lansseax an explanation and turn my attention to what matters. I'm talking about food, so much talking has left me without food for a few minutes and I don't plan on leaving on an empty stomach. 

Having that new goal and being eager to complete it, I start tasting all the delicacies served on the table. Time passed quickly and in an oversight it was time to start the journey to Dominula.