Darrick hesitated for a long time before ultimately deciding not to summon Solaire.
At least—not this time.
As for the reason—
"Let me see what kind of monster is behind the fog gate first. I'll familiarize myself with its moves. If I get instantly killed at the very start of the fight… that would be way too embarrassing."
A very simple thought.
If he was alone, then no matter how ridiculous his death looked, there would be nothing to feel ashamed of.
But if Solaire were standing beside him…
That would be awkward.
Darrick really didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of the Warrior of Sunlight he had only just met. Absolutely not. He wanted to leave a good impression.
He raised his head and stared at the white fog gate before him. Every time he saw one of these, an oppressive pressure welled up in his chest.
What lay beyond the fog?
Probably some monster twisted by the Abyss. Or perhaps the leader of the Darkwraiths. If only the Wolf Knight could appear halfway through the fight to lend a hand—how perfect would that be?
After suffering through the fortress for so long, Darrick still didn't fully understand what this journey had to do with Artorias.
Aside from those memories at the very beginning, was there any other connection?
Could it be that the true purpose was to let him personally experience just how difficult and terrifying the Abyss was—so that Artorias's overwhelming strength would stand out even more clearly?
If that really was the goal, then it had already been achieved.
Darrick felt that if Artorias were alive in the modern era, he could probably sweep through the entire Kingdom of Yanor without meeting any real resistance.
This fortress must have been nothing more than a tiny pebble along Artorias's long crusade against the Abyss—hardly worth calling a challenge.
Yet here Darrick was.
Dying again and again.
It was hard not to sigh at how weak he himself was.
No—rather than that, it was simply that Artorias was too strong.
With that kind of power, dominance, and sheer might, how could he not strike down the Lord of the Abyss?
Darrick remembered the intelligence they had uncovered—how the Lord of the Abyss fell silent after fighting the Wolf Knight. That meant the battle shown in those memories…
Artorias must have won.
Thinking too much only muddled his thoughts.
Standing still, Darrick took several deep breaths until his emotions settled. Then he stepped forward, passing through the fog gate.
What appeared before him was neither an Abyssal monster nor a Darkwraith—
—but an old acquaintance.
A gargoyle.
Its appearance was slightly different, but the instant Darrick saw it, memories surged back—of his very first time entering Farron Keep.
Back then, he had been far weaker than he was now. With no companions at all, he had challenged the swamp fortress alone—and had been utterly demolished by the twin gargoyles.
Now he was stronger.
Yet the twin gargoyle boss had long since vanished.
He'd never even gotten the chance to take revenge.
Though he didn't know why gargoyles appeared here, today he could finally wash away that humiliation.
Darrick steeled himself and charged toward the monster standing not far away.
[Valiant Gargoyle]
This creature was undoubtedly powerful—but not on the level of a Crucible Knight.
And Darrick could already fight evenly against a Crucible Knight.
Which meant—
I can win. I can beat this.
A joyful smile crept onto his face as he proactively ignited Wolf Blood. For a time, he could clash head-on with the Valiant Gargoyle through sheer strength, even knocking its greatsword aside.
Injuries were unavoidable—but victory was clearly within reach.
What did a few wounds matter?
Darrick struck the Valiant Gargoyle, staggering it, then leapt into the air, preparing a devastating downward slash.
And at that very moment—
A massive shadow swallowed him whole.
Looking up, his eyes locked with another gargoyle.
[Valiant Gargoyle (Twinblade)]
"I knew it!"
"Bang!"
He was slapped straight back to the ground. Without daring to pause even for an instant, he rolled sideways, barely avoiding the twinblade that slammed down where he'd been.
Darrick wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed.
Not out of joy—but sheer exasperation.
What, are you gargoyles glued together or something? Do you absolutely have to come in pairs?
As everyone knew, when two monsters fought together, the difficulty didn't simply become one plus one equals two.
One, he could manage.
But two Valiant Gargoyles at once—
Under their relentless assault, he struggled desperately just to survive. His body rapidly accumulated wounds, and as the Wolf Blood burned out, his combat strength dropped even further.
But just as he felt he had fully grasped their attack patterns—
He deliberately charged straight into their weapons.
"You just wait!" Even as the twinblade pierced straight through his chest, he bared his teeth and made a throat-slitting gesture.
If you refuse to fight fair and insist on a two-on-one—
Then I'll bring reinforcements too!
---
After a grueling trek back through the area, Darrick made his decision and summoned Solaire.
The moment Solaire appeared, he struck the classic Praise the Sun pose, radiating a vitality completely out of place in the grim fortress.
Seeing that golden Warrior of Sunlight, Darrick was immediately flooded with an overwhelming sense of security. Warmth spread through his entire body.
"I'll be relying on you this time, Sir Solaire. There are two gargoyles," Darrick said, quickly explaining the situation.
Solaire nodded. His steps were steady and confident as he walked through the fog gate.
With both of them entering together, Darrick could clearly feel the gargoyles grow stronger—more aggressive, more difficult to handle than before.
But when he glanced at Solaire, who was already gathering lightning spears, his confidence surged.
As long as Solaire is here, everything will be fine.
He's far stronger than me.
This time, the twin gargoyles descended immediately to engage. The second didn't wait for the first to near death before joining in—perhaps it, too, sensed the danger.
Solaire paired with twin gargoyles—
A classic matchup. A perfect counter.
Darrick poured everything he had into keeping the greatsword gargoyle occupied. The intensity of the fight left him no room to look back.
But just hearing Solaire's booming laughter and the crackling roar of lightning spears was enough to put his mind at ease.
The Valiant Gargoyle before Darrick employed delayed strikes and erratic feints—sometimes raising its sword for ages without swinging, sometimes unleashing four or five slashes in a single burst.
The move design was absolute garbage.
After immense effort—combined with Wolf Blood, combat-enhancing potions, and every buff he had—Darrick finally severed one of the gargoyle's arms, massively weakening it.
"Sir Solaire, do you need—"
He kicked the gargoyle away and turned to help.
His words died in his throat.
"Hahaha, I'm quite alright."
The twinblade Valiant Gargoyle lay at Solaire's feet. His sword was embedded straight through the monster's head, completely draining its life.
"My god…"
Darrick couldn't stop his eyes from widening.
What terrifying efficiency.
He'd only managed to cripple his opponent—yet Solaire had already finished one off?
There's nothing to fear anymore.
The Warrior of Sunlight will protect me!
At that moment, Darrick was so excited he almost wanted to cheer.
Surely the dungeon had realized he couldn't escape no matter what, and had specially sent Sir Solaire to help him—right?
Thank you, Solaire!
And thank you, Sein—though this hellhole is your fault to begin with!
With Darrick and Solaire fighting together, the rest was a massacre. The remaining gargoyle was swiftly cut down.
At last, the Fortress of Oolacile was officially conquered by Darrick.
The path to the next forest opened. He could finally move toward that massive city.
"Sir Solaire!" Seeing the golden figure beginning to fade, Darrick called out urgently. "Thank you for your help!"
"If we meet again, summon me, and we shall fight side by side once more!" Solaire laughed heartily. "We truly struck it off at first sight—let us bask in the sunlight together!"
His laughter echoed through the chamber.
With the twin gargoyles defeated, Solaire departed.
"Will there really be another chance to meet?" Darrick murmured.
Aside from encountering him in this painted world… could he meet Solaire elsewhere?
Probably not.
Remnants only lingered in fixed places. If Darrick wished to see Solaire again, he would likely have to enter the painted world once more.
That said—was Solaire's event truly just helping him defeat two gargoyles? Was there nothing more?
Darrick looked toward the rear door of the gargoyle chamber. Beyond it stretched the forest, leading to the true city of Oolacile.
"…It's not over yet?"
He slumped against the wall and let out a long sigh.
He'd thought defeating the twin gargoyles would finally let him leave the painted world.
Instead, it was only the beginning.
Just how much torment still awaited him before he could escape this cursed place?
Artorias…
What were you thinking back then?
Did you also feel that this place was utterly disgusting?
For a moment, Darrick felt himself teetering on the edge of hollowing.
Complaints aside, the road still had to be walked.
After resting briefly, Darrick forced himself to his feet and headed toward the great city.
The forest scenery along the way felt strangely familiar. Thinking carefully, he realized he had seen it in Artorias's memories.
If he went a bit further, he should reach a structure resembling an arena. Monsters gathered there—it would likely be another brutal battle.
But in those memories, Artorias had already slaughtered everything inside.
Surely, after all this time, they couldn't have gathered there again…
Right?
The arena soon came into view.
Just as he was about to approach, a hoarse voice suddenly reached his ears.
[Whoever you are—don't come any closer.]
The voice was steeped in exhaustion, as though it had endured endless torment. Beneath that fatigue lurked a deep, barely restrained pain.
"Who's there?" Darrick immediately tensed, moving forward cautiously.
[I'm being consumed by darkness.]
Consumed by darkness?
Darrick frowned. Someone infected by the Abyss—yet still sane?
Were they warning him?
The closer he drew to the arena, the clearer the voice became. For reasons he couldn't explain, it felt strangely familiar.
Even though he was certain he had never heard it before.
"Are you inside? I'll help you!" he called out.
Whether it was a warning or not, the arena was a mandatory path to Oolacile. He had no choice but to enter.
And if he could save whoever was inside, perhaps he could gain another ally.
[Don't come closer. Leave—now.]
The voice grew urgent, repeating its plea.
Darrick clenched his fists.
He knew danger lay ahead.
But he still had to go in.
"I'm coming to help you!"
Darrick charged into the arena.