Elden Monarch [Dark Souls 2 SotFS X Elden Ring Crossover]

Chapter 25 - Unfinished Business

"Firstly, I would like to apologize for this unpleasant matter. It seems that Ensha acted hastily. As his master, I would like to express my regret. But now, Ensha is dead and gone, finished, forever." Gideon spoke apologetically, bowing politely.

"Hump! You speak as if it is not the first time that Ensha has perished." I exclaimed irritably, crossing my arms and leaning back in my seat. The second of hesitant silence I received in return was more than enough to confirm that I got something right.

"Ensha's situation is peculiar, to say the least." Gideon commented, readjusting his stance.

"I imagine, as there was nothing on the armor when I reduced half of Ensha to ashes, revealing it to be a puppet. I can think of two possibilities, the first being that you did not have full control of your servant. He acted on his own, making your apology genuine..." I replied, scratching my beard in deep thought.

"I'm glad you are a rational man since you found the most logical answer..." Gideon said relieved, probably hoping I would end the matter here and now, but I stopped him before he did.

"...Or, you have complete control over Ensha, and now you try to wash your hands of any blame. Which in my opinion is likely, as a puppet needs someone to pull its strings." I finalized my guess, waiting for the Round Table leader's response.

"Ensha was a promising and powerful Tarnished, just like you and me. A Monarch known as The Soulless King, Lord of the Lost and Desperate, however, the Grace resurrected Ensha centuries after his death and the fall of his kingdom." Gideon spoke suddenly, capturing my attention.

"I believe he awoke only to find forgotten ruins that were once his kingdom." I responded, noting the parallels between Ensha's story and the various fallen kingdoms I explored.

"Exactly, then Ensha learned of his new purpose in the world of the living, and headed to the Lands Between, but with a less than altruistic purpose. Ensha did not wish to become the new Elden Lord to restore order, but rather to utilize the resources he would acquire from such a feat and rebuild his ancient kingdom."

"I believe the Grace did not remain lasting in Ensha's eyes if these were the goals he had in mind." I said, making Gideon laugh slightly.

"Haha! Correct, I invited Ensha to the Round Table, where I helped him with my information, and eventually learned about his aspirations, although I warned him that it would lead him nowhere."

"But he ignored it." I said, already knowing the answer.

"Obviously, but that didn't stop him from trying anyway. But without Grace to aid him, death became more permanent for Ensha, and it soon arrived through the hands of the Omen who protected Stormveil Castle."

"He must have been happy to hear that I defeated Margit." I commented sarcastically.

"If Ensha felt something, then he did not show it, and remained silent, as he had done since his sudden return. Margit threw Ensha's corpse from the bridge where they fought, sending it to an underwater tomb, but he returned to the Round Table the next day, completely silent, as the man wearing the armor no longer existed, just a puppet with his own will." Gideon responded, seriousness creeping into his voice.

"And you didn't do anything about this unusual situation?" I asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Oh, you underestimate me if you think I haven't done anything about the matter, in discovering who my former subordinate's mysterious benefactor is. Ensha swore his loyalty to me upon his return, but I always took that statement with suspicion, and I was right since he abandoned everything for a tiny chance of getting something from you." Gideon spoke arrogantly.