Elden Ring, building a legion of ashes

Chapter 26 Brass Shields Engraved with Battle Ash

"Lion Slash?"

Xia Tong was filled with longing for this war ash.

This can be considered the top-tier "wheelchair" combat skill in the Old Man's Ring.

The combination of a heavy greatsword and Lion's Slash, with its extremely high poise reduction and super armor, makes it virtually invincible.

Xia Tong remembered clearly that a greatsword could be obtained in Moen City, and that greatsword came with the Lion Slash skill.

However, Xia Tong is currently unable to travel to Moen City.

He originally planned to place Miss Elena with the wandering merchant Moen, and then teleport back to the Church of Elena to the underground cemetery at the foot of Stormroot.

There, one can obtain the ashes of powerful and influential figures, as well as the ashes of powerful magicians.

But after careful consideration, Xia Tong abandoned the idea.

First, the wandering merchant Moen is a complete shrewd businessman, a pure and sophisticated egoist.

If they were to encounter real danger, or be attacked by hybrids or other monsters, Xia Tong estimated that the first person he would abandon would definitely be Elena, who was considered a burden.

Compared to Carrie's romance and simplicity, this Moen is far inferior in terms of character.

Second, regarding ashes.

Xia Tong's collection of ashes is not just about quantity; quality is also very important.

The two ashes in the cemetery at the foot of Stormroot are practically useless.

The ashes of those who linger among the powerful are far too weak; their defense and attack power are utterly worthless, serving no purpose other than as cannon fodder.

As for powerful and wealthy magicians, they are practically useless. Their defense is almost zero; they shatter at the slightest touch.

The only radiant stone spell it unleashed had an extremely slow attack speed and low power.

It's much easier for me to make my own crossbow than for him.

As she was thinking, Xia Tong suddenly paused for a moment.

"Wait, I don't think I have any crossbow bolts yet."

Yes, currently he doesn't have any reliable ranged attack methods besides a few throwing knives.

"Sigh, looks like I'll have to get my goods from that unscrupulous merchant again."

Xia Tong was speechless.

From the dilapidated room in front of the city wall where he was, he could see the campfire of the wandering merchant Moen still burning by the roadside.

Never mind, I'll go tomorrow.

.........

The fire in the room crackled and popped.

Xia Tong looked at the blind girl, Elena, who was curled up in the corner, preparing to sleep.

"Miss Elena, I'm very sorry."

Xia Tong said sincerely, "We only need another half day's journey to reach Moen City, but I can't take you there right now. I'm not entirely sure I can get there."

"It's alright, Lady Xia Tong."

Irene closed her eyes, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt. Her voice was soft, but her disappointment was undeniable.

"Moen City is extremely dangerous now; it's a monster's lair. You should stay away from it."

Xia Tong could tell that she was actually a little sad. After all, her biological father was there; it would be a lie to say she didn't care.

Moreover, last night's battle gave Elena even more confidence in Xia Tong's abilities.

Deep down, she believed that if it were Lord Xia Tong, he would definitely be able to rescue her father and lift the siege of Moen City.

But Xia Tong knew that things in Moen City were not that simple.

With his current strength, even if he risked all his ashes and drank all the Red Dew Grail bottles he possessed, he could still achieve his goal.

There are only three mouths in total, plus one Blue Dew Drop. It's extremely difficult to conquer the entire Moen City.

There are hordes of hybrids there, and even elite monsters that can fly.

Therefore, Xia Tong must first increase her own strength before that.

As for Lord Edgar, he wasn't so easily defeated. He was a true knight-errant, a veteran of countless battles.

His strength far surpasses that of most fledgling Faded Ones.

The Lost Knight's Halberd he wielded was upgraded to +8, making it an extremely powerful weapon in the early game, dealing explosive damage.

That was reinforced eight times, not just once or twice!

Another reason is that he has already sent his daughter, Elena, out, and without any worries, this old father can better defend the city.

Of course, the most important thing is that lion hybrid, which actually has no real interest in killing Edgar.

In the game, the lion hybrid that serves as the BOSS isn't even in the city, but rather on the beach behind the castle, guarding the legendary Greatsword.

Once it obtains the Greatsword of the Skull, its goal will be achieved.

The hybrids' purpose was revenge and catharsis; most of the humans who had enslaved them in the castle had already been killed.

They no longer had any obsession with killing Edgar, that stubborn old man.

As long as Edgar doesn't deliberately seek death, going down to the beach to challenge a large group of hybrids and maintaining his safety will be too easy.

By the afternoon of the next day.

Xia Tong carried the flail of the Night Cavalry, swinging it as she walked, slowly approaching the wandering merchant Mo En.

Moen stared wide-eyed at Xia Tong, wondering what he was up to.

"Young man, what are you doing?" Moen wondered to himself, had he made too much money yesterday?

Xia Tong couldn't laugh. He threw the Night Rider flail on the ground. "What do you think of this weapon?"

So you're here to sell things?

Moen let out a long sigh, his merchant's smile vanished, and then he picked up the Night Rider flail and examined it closely.

"The Night Riders are absolute powerhouses. This weapon has been used for many years, and it is stained with the blood of countless heroes. Without a doubt, it is a superb weapon, of course, if it can find a suitable master."

"Name your price!"

Perhaps because Xia Tong's appearance was too frightening before, as if she was about to kill him, Mo En gave a fair price this time.

"2000 Runes".

"Give me the light crossbow that you sold for 1500 runes before, and use the other 500 runes to buy the corresponding crossbow bolts."

Having finished her battle of wits with Moen, Xia Tong returned to the camp to do one last thing.

He held a gray battle ash crystal in his left hand and a whetstone knife in his right. The two were connected through Xia Tong's body, and they resonated with a buzzing sound, both of them shining brightly.

"Close your eyes, follow the instructions, and just draw whatever you like," Melina instructed from the side.

Xia Tong's eyes narrowed, and he thrust the tip of his knife into the surface of the brass shield, beginning to move it slowly.

There was no sharp, piercing sound of something scraping against metal; instead, there was a sticky, stagnant feeling.

He flipped his wrist, and the blade moved across the shield, carving out intricate and interwoven patterns.

With each cut, the gray crystal in his left hand dimmed a little, transforming into wisps of silvery-gray light that traveled down his arm to the tip of the blade, before being forcibly pressed into the newly made engravings.

The moment the final stroke completely completes the closed pattern!

"Buzz—!"

The patterns on the shield suddenly burst forth with a dazzling silver light, then vanished as if nothing had happened.

The brass shield was still the same brass shield, seemingly unchanged, but when Xia Tong's left hand gripped the handle, she could feel a greater connection with it.

There seems to be some subtle connection between them; it has become a part of Xia Tong's body.