An ordinary Tarnished, upon hearing the Two Fingers deem them worthy of becoming king, would probably be moved to tears with gratitude and immediately rush off to Stormveil.
Unfortunately, Bai Shi was no ordinary Tarnished.
Not only was he not moved to tears, but he even began to speculate about the Two Fingers' current predicament.
Bai Shi guessed that the Two Fingers were getting anxious.
For a long time, not a single Tarnished had defeated a demigod. Gideon hid away in his room day after day, making no move. The newly arrived Tarnished were either running errands or opening small shops.
After all, the Tarnished had once been Godfrey's army. Army against army, they might have been invincible.
But asking a single, ordinary Tarnished to challenge a demigod and their entire host of followers... they might as well wash up and go to bed.
With each failed attempt, more Tarnished would likely give up.
After all, the myth of the demigods' invincibility had yet to be broken.
The Two Fingers had probably done this sort of thing many times before; otherwise, they could have simply opened their doors to welcome anyone they deemed a potential king.
It was just that the Tarnished they had chosen in the past had never returned.
As for why they had chosen him now, it was probably because of Radagon's mark.
The Two Fingers clearly lacked the ability to discern which Tarnished had the qualities of a king. Otherwise, they should have summoned him the first time he arrived at the Roundtable Hold.
They only knew that someone bore the mark of Radagon.
As a hero and a royal consort, Radagon's mark was a symbol in itself.
If a Tarnished bearing Radagon's mark were to shatter the myth of the invincible demigods, it would give them something more to boast about.
And if Bai Shi failed, the Two Fingers would lose nothing. He was just someone they had roped in with persuasion, after all.
Bai Shi considered his words before speaking.
"I thank the great Two Fingers for their high regard."
"I only wonder if the great Two Fingers could illuminate the path forward for me."
The Two Fingers trembled again, their tips waving slowly through the air.
Enia began to interpret their words once more:
"The Great Elden Ring is the Golden Order. It keeps the world's laws from falling into chaos and blesses all life with its grace."
"However, the Elden Ring has been shattered."
"To break the law is a monstrous crime, one that has brought unavoidable consequences. The world and all life have been ruined beyond repair. Curses and misfortune spread across the land."
"But the Greater Will shall not abandon the world and its life. That is why you Tarnished have been guided by grace and given a mission."
"The demigods, led astray by the power of the Great Runes, fought amongst themselves, yet none became Elden Lord. Long ago, the Greater Will abandoned those demigods."
"O, Tarnished, do not hesitate! Slay them, and take what is theirs!"
"O, Tarnished, become the Elden Lord, and restore the Golden Order!"
The words of the Two Fingers were rousing, but it was all information Bai Shi was long familiar with. And having old Lady Enia recite them made it all feel a bit strained.
Bai Shi was completely unmoved. He was finally experiencing the pain of an unskippable cutscene.
Still, he put on a show for the Two Fingers, acting as if he were deeply moved.
"I understand! I will not fail the trust the great Two Fingers have placed in me!"
Bai Shi trailed off, looking hesitant.
Seeing this, Lady Enia asked,
"My strength, I'm afraid, is not enough to challenge those terrifying demigods. I wonder if the great Two Fingers could bestow upon me something to increase my strength, so that I may accomplish my goal."
Bai Shi had no intention of going against the Two Fingers' wishes. He would have gone to challenge the demigods even if they hadn't approached him. Chapters fırst released on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩
But since the Two Fingers had made the first move, Bai Shi was determined to get something out of it.
Although the Two Fingers would surely build up his reputation after he defeated a demigod—a win-win situation—
if he could win twice, why wouldn't he?
The Two Fingers considered this for a moment. This was the first time they had seen a Tarnished ask for something.
It was unprecedented, but the Two Fingers were indeed desperate.
A long time had passed, yet there had been no progress in mending the Elden Ring, and Gideon was paying them lip service at best.
The Two Fingers' thoughts were much as Bai Shi had guessed; they hoped for a Tarnished who could change the current situation.
But they hoped for more than just a hero of the Roundtable Hold. They hoped for someone to replace Gideon, to bring the Roundtable Hold completely back under their control.
The Two Fingers agreed. Since this Tarnished before them bore Radagon's mark, he must have some extraordinary qualities.
Although he humbly claimed his strength was insufficient, the Two Fingers could see traces of a Finger Maiden's enhancement on him, and not just once.
In any case, it would all be paid for with the Roundtable Hold's own resources. If they didn't give them to him, they would be given to other accomplished Tarnished.
Unfortunately, it had been a long time since anyone had been able to claim them. Since that was the case, they might as well give it all to him. He was the most promising Tarnished they had.
The Two Fingers trembled slightly. Lady Enia turned to Bai Shi with a happy expression and said,
"The great Two Fingers have agreed. Look, they are now summoning their emissaries to bring the items in."
"Thank you, great Two Fingers! I shall not betray your trust!"
Bai Shi's anticipation began to build. What would he receive?
Soon, an emissary approached, carrying a stone tray.
As his gaze swept over the tray, lines of small text appeared before his eyes, and Bai Shi's own eyes instantly went wide.
The tray was filled with Runes of all sizes, and not a single one was less than a Golden Rune [10]. There were even a few Hero's Runes.
In addition, there was one Flask of Crimson Tears and one Flask of Cerulean Tears, as well as a long, thin golden flask—the Flask of Wondrous Physick.
That wasn't all. There were also two curved fragments glowing with a golden light—shards of the Elden Ring, Rune Arcs.
Bai Shi was stunned for a moment. This windfall had come so suddenly, and it was even more extravagant than he had imagined.
But it wasn't over. Lady Enia, smiling, took two talisman pouches from her pocket and gestured for Bai Shi to take them.
"This is a personal gift from me. It will allow you to make the power of talismans your own. I hope you become the Elden Lord."
After thanking the Two Fingers and Lady Enia, Bai Shi immediately accepted the items.
The Two Fingers repeatedly reminded Bai Shi to remember his mission and to challenge the demigods.
At that moment, the Two Fingers began to seem quite benevolent in Bai Shi's eyes.
Bai Shi readily agreed, and then, led by an emissary, he left through a secret passage.
"Great Two Fingers, although I too believe that Tarnished has the makings of a king, weren't you a bit too generous? I fear that little rascal Gideon won't be pleased."
The Two Fingers trembled slightly.
'If this Tarnished can replace Gideon and lead the Roundtable Hold, these things would have become his anyway.'
'I only hope he truly succeeds. The Roundtable Hold needs a stronger leader.'