Melina Dialogue Indepth | Elden Ring Wiki

♦ Introduction

♦ Concerning Grace

♦ "My Story?"

♦ Leveling Up

♦ To Roundtable Hold

♦ About Boc, The Seamster

♦ Arriving at Altus Plateau

♦ Boc crying

♦ Reaching Leyndell

♦ My Purpose

♦ "Please, stop"

♦ "Please! Stop!"

♦ My own choice

♦ Kindling

♦ "Thank you, Torrent"

♦ The one who walks alongside Flame

♦ "As sure as night follows day"

♦ "Lord" of Chaos, truly

^§Introduction

「最初出会」

^§Concerning Grace

「祝福について情報」

Translation note:

「祝福の導き、
使命を指し示す光の筋が」

～　～

「shuku-fuku no michibiki,
shi-mei wo sashi-shimesu hikari no suji ga」

～　～

"The Guidance of Grace,
the threads of light pointing to your task"

The character combination used to describe
"rays of "

光の筋
「hikari no suji」

...means "the threads of light"

筋
「suji」
"muscle, thread or fiber"
(counter for long spindly objects)

筋力
"the power of muscle"。

～　　　∻　　　～

"Burden" is based off of:

使命
「shi mei」
"mission, errand, task, obligation"

...which can be perceived as a burden.

This character combination goes even further...

使う

「tsukau」
"to use"
(i.e. tool)

命

「mei」or「inochi」
"order" or "life"
(as in "mission order")

or

("one's entire life, the 'book' of one's life")
(all that is contained in one's life)

～　　　　　～

A mission, or task, can be perceived in the same way as a life:

a "birth"...(idea conception) → "growth"...(preparation) →
preservation...(execution) → and end.

Now combine that "life" with the "use" it has:

使命
「shi mei」

"a task, mission, obligation... purpose."

～　　　　　～

The character for "use" isn't just limited to tools, machines, or any other objects;

it also applies to living entities.

Individuals that serve as "tools."

天使
「ten shi」
"Angel"
lit. "Heaven's messenger"

or

"Heaven's tool"

Or as the Fingerslayer Blade calls, in English,
the Greater Will's "vassals"...

使いたち
「tsukai tachi」

"Messengers"

～　　　∻　　　～

This is actually a combination of two disconnected character sets:

導き
「michibiki」
"to guide"

...used in reference to Grace.

And:

指し示す
「sashi-shimesu」
(lit. the pointing finger being presented)

...used in reference to the task.

「エルデンリングが砕けたとき、
その一部を宿したデミゴッドの一人が」

～　～

「erudenringu ga kudaketa toki,
sono ichibu wo yadoshita demigoddo no hitori ga」

～　～

"At the time of the Elden Ring being shattered,
one of the demigods that carried a single piece"

Meaning, Godrick has been carrying a piece of the Elden Ring...

the Elden Beast... since it was shattered。

^§"My story?"

「使命について」

Translation note:

「かつて、黄金樹で母から授かったはずの、
私の使命を」

～　～

「katsute, ougonki de haha kara sazukatta hazu no,
watashi no shimei wo」

～　～

"For the task,
that should have been given to me from my mother,
at the Golden Tree, once before."

She never says "long ago;"
it is an inference of "once before," かつて。

But even then, the rest of her statement gives no indication of a time scale.

～　　　∻　　　～

There is a bit of ambiguity regarding this portion;
as it could be translated as "inside."

However, the usage of the particle-kana で [de],
in reference to a location,
typically means "at."

For instance, the sentence:

「コンビニで唐揚げを買った」
「konbini de kara-age wo katta」

would mean:
"I bought fried-chicken at the convenience store."

Could that mean I bought it inside?

Perhaps.

There are places where the counter is facing outside.
Though, commonly, for convenience stores,
the sales counter is inside.

Knowledge that comes from years of interaction.
A level of intel that cannot be inferred
with the Golden Tree.

～　　　　　～

If she wanted to be abundantly clear,
this early in the game, then using:

「中…内…奥」
[naka...nai...oku]

in any of their associated forms,
would have sufficed.

Which she does, later,
in referencing the
"inside of the Golden Tree."

Meaning, she never says "inside,"
only "at"。

「そして...,　
使命を失くしてしまっているから」

～　～

「soshite...,
shi·mei wo ushinaku·shite·shimatte·iru kara」

～　～

"And well... that's because, [bluntly],
I've lost my mission."

Again, there is no mention of a time-scale。

^§When Leveling Up

「レベル・アップ」

It is verified that this line exists in version 1.0.
Later version might have removed it.
To play 1.0, you need to play on disc and disconnect the Internet.

Books, and video games,
are constantly being updated;
new information is acquired,
and the media source must be updated.

With this in mind,
there is a reason 宮崎 英高さん
「Miyazaki Hidetaka-san」
must have removed this dialogue line
for later versions。

Translation note:

「貴方に触れさせて…」

～　～

「anata ni furesasete...」

～　～

"Let me feel who you are..."

^§To the Roundtable Hold

「円卓へ」

^§About Boc the Seamster

「亜人のボックの針子、レヤルカリアの東門祝福」

East Raya Lucaria Gate

^§Altus Plateau

「王都ローデイル外で、アルター高原に最初着いたいて、祝福で休んでいる」

When resting at any Site of Grace, on the Altus Plateau...
for the first time...
and not within Leyndell, Royal Capital。

^§Boc crying

「街道の三叉路の祝福で亜人のボックのイベントを進行時」

Altus Highway Junction

^§Arriving at Leyndell, Royal Capital

「王都ローデイルでどちで��祝福に休んだいる」

It is possible for her to appear
once you reach the Capital Rampart site of grace.

Translation note:

「貴方はきっと、王になれる。エルデの王に」

～　～

「anata wa kitto, ou ni nareru。erude no ou ni」

～　～

"You can surely, become Lord。Or Elden Lord"

That "Or" is not directly stated,
as に 「ni」does not mean "Or;"
it only refers to the noun it is attached to.

Which, in this case, is another possibility
of what the player can become.
It is an inference brought about
by the whole sentence, to two possible outcomes.
As there is little point to mention "Lord" twice。

^§My purpose

「拒絶の刺について」

After discovering the Impenetrable Thorns of the Erdtree,
she appears when resting at the first site of grace afterward;
typically the "Elden Throne" site of grace。

Translation note:

Recall when she states:

For my purpose,

given to me by my mother inside the Erdtree, long ago

In 日本語、she does not directly state "inside,"
only "at."
And that if she wanted to specifically mention "inside,"
she would need to utilize:

「中…内…奥」
「naka...nai...oku」

...in some form.

Here, she does just that, when stating:

「…黄金樹の内に、入れなかったのでしょう？」

～　～

「...ougonki no nai ni, hairenakatta no deshō?」

～　～

"...the inside of the Golden Tree、
you were unable to enter, weren't you?"

She uses one of those characters specific to "inside"。

内
「nai」

「…それは、拒絶の刺」

～　～

「...sore wa, kyo·zetzu no toge」

～　～

"...those, are the Thorns of Rejection"

～　　　∻　　　～

刺
「toge」
"thorn"

This character is the same when used to describe
a particular type of guest:

刺客
「shi kaku」
"Thorn Guest"

An assassin.

～　Sidenote:　～

茨姫
「ibara hime」
"Thorn Princess"
(lit. "thorn [shrub] princess")

As mentioned by Ranni the Witch,

these "thorny guests" of the Two Fingers...

...take the form of a "Baleful Shadow"。

～　　　　　　～

And even though

刺
「toge」
"thorn"

is not used directly,
a needle can serve the same purpose.

針
「hari」
"needle"

A tool to silently "cull the undeserving,"

by one who is "quite mistrustful of others,"

with the "scent of the killer" clinging to them...

..."the stench of crusted blood"。

Needle Knight Leda

^§"Please... stop"

「忌み捨ての地下で大聖堂の祝福で」

Upon resting at the Cathedral of Forsaken, site of grace,

...in Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

at the Zamor Ruins, site of grace,

Melina will mention this:

Translation note:

「あれは、触れざるもの」

～　～

「are wa、furezaru mono」

～　～

"that, is something that cannot be felt"

She elaborates further with the next line:

「全ての生を、その思いを喰らう混沌」

～　～

「subete no sei wo, sono omoi wo kurau kon·ton 」

～　～

"A chaos that devours all life,
all thought that arises from that life"

～　　　　　　～

If you have no thoughts... feelings... body... nor soul,
you cannot perceive existence.

Certainly, this will prevent feeling:
despair... pain... & anguish.

However, it also means never experiencing:
joy... pleasure... nor solace.

It is like attempting to exist,
within a room devoid of all darkness.
Or one devoid of all light.
And in both cases, no gravity.

You cannot feel, 触れざる。

^§" Please... stop! "

「狂い火の封印の前祝福で」

To the
Frenzied Flame Proscription

^§"My own choice"

「シャブリリと出会って話した」

After speaking with Shabriri,

...the Cathedral of Forsaken,

...or Frenzied Flame Proscription

Translation note:

「私の使命は、母から授かったもの
けれど、今はもう、私の意思になった」

「watashi no shimei wa, haha kara sazukatta mono
keredo, ima wa mō, watashi no ishi ni natta」

～　～

"My purpose, was a thing awarded to me
from my mother.
However, even now,
it has become my own intention”

「なった」
「natta」
"became"

～　　　　　　～

She elaborates further:

「母の意思とは関係なく、
ただ私が望む、世界の姿のために
私が、心に決めたもの」

～　～

「haha no ishi towa kankeinaku,
tada watashi ga nozomu,
sekai no sugata no tameni
watashi ga, kokoro ni kimeta mono」

～　～

"No longer influenced by mother's intentions,
rather, I [now] only desire,
for the sake of the state of the world.
For I, have decided in my Heart."

While stipulating she now acts of her "own volition,"
which does present the main point,
it leaves out the critical connection that her desire is rooted in her mother's.

使命
「shimei」
"mission"..."obligation,"

... is more akin to being given an order.
Melina found this "mission"... to burn the Golden Tree;
and rather than begrudgingly fulfilling it,
she is now willingly doing so。

But what evidence has lead her to this conclusion?

For that, she elaborates at the Giant's Forge。

"I have long observed the Lands Between.
This world is in dire need of repair...
and Death...indiscriminate..."

^§Kindling

「火種」

After speaking to Enia, Finger Reader

...about burning the "repelling" thorns

Translation note:

^§"Thank you, Torrent"

「トレントに感謝します」

Resting at "White Ridge Road," site of Grace;
or any further up the mountain。

^§The one who walks alongside Flame

「炎共に歩む者」

Upon resting at the Forge of the Giants, Site of Grace;

[I'd like you to wait]

[I'm Ready]

Translation note:

「この世界には、修復が必要だと思う
…そして、分け隔てない死が」

～　～

「kono sekai niwa, shūfuku ga hitsuyō da to omou
...soshite, wakehedatenai shi ga」

～　～

"This... world, I think needs restoration
...and that, is Death without favoritism"

Though there is no direct connection between the terms for...

"grace"
祝福
「shuku・fuku」

and

"restoration"／"repair"
修復
「shū・fuku」

...their enunciation is strikingly similar.
With nigh polar opposite connotations in this context:

Grace has lead this world to ruin,
and its damage must be undone。

「炎と共に歩む者
いつか、運命の死に見えん」

～　～

「honō to tomoni ayumu sha
itsuka, unmei no shi ni mien」

～　～

"They who walk The Path alongside Flame
Will one day, be able to see Destined Death"

This sentiment, of a deeper connection to Death,

is echoed by Marika,

at the Church of the Pilgrimage:

"Grow strong in the face of death"

～　～

「　死と共に、強くあれ。」

～　～

「　shi to tomoni, tsuyoku are。」

～　～

"　Alongside Death, for it is strong。"

～　　　♦　　　～

Does that sound like the "one true god"
of the Golden Order?

Who issued the ultimatum of becoming
"one with the Order"?

The very same Order that
"plucked [Death] from [itself] upon its creation?"

Or

Does that sound like one who has "close ties"
to the group of Numen women
that enacted the Night of Black Knives?

They who are "long-lived but seldom born;"
an entire group composed of them.

"Scions of the Eternal City"

^§"As sure as night follows day"

「 狂い火を受領しました」

Upon resting at any Site of Grace after having inherited the Frenzied Flame

Translation note:

「…狂い火を、受領したのね
��ったら、貴方とはもう、相容れない
共に旅するのも、もうこれまで」

～　～

「…kuruihi wo, jyoryō shita no ne
dattara, anata towa mō, aiirenai
tomoni tabi suru no mo, mō kore made」

～　～

"...The Frenzied Flame, you've received it, haven't you
In which case... you... are already, irreconcilable
Our journey together too, also ends here"

「…そして、覚えておいて
もし貴方が、本当に、混沌の王になったら
…私は貴方を、殺すだろう」

～　～

「...soshite, oboeteoite
moshi anata ga, hontoni, konton no ou ni nattara
...watashi wa anata wo, korosu darou」

～　～

"...and, remember well
if you, truly, become Lord of Chaos
...I will kill you"

She never mentions "as sure as night follows day."
However, this additional flourish most certainly emphasizes the weight of her words... and intent.

Furthermore, even at this point,
with the player accepting the Frenzied Flame,
she is heavily hinting at the possibility of preventing
the Lord of Chaos from coming to fruition.

While using the word "should"
does imply this possibility;
the separation, and emphasis,
of the word "truly,"
makes this abundantly clear.

Meaning, she, like Torrent,
has not completely given up
on her traveling companion.

～　　　　　～

It just requires them finding
an Unalloyed Gold Needle.

Then defeating a tripeligic... fully blind...
cursed with Scarlet Rot (i.e. "leprosy")...
sleeping woman.
While she's in her home,

waiting for her "kidnapped" twin brother to return.

Oh, and she's the most skilled fencer in all the Lands Between.

Easy, right?

More importantly,
was your curiosity worth the moral wound?

To have gained the necessity for this encounter,
required losing all respect of your traveling companion.

To have ignored her pleadings,
and her choice.
All in an effort, supposedly, to spare her life,
"burned and bodiless" as she is;
incapable of moving freely.

Imprisoned in a "cell" for decades, centuries,
or even millennia.
She sought her own liberation, and that of the world's.
Only to have her trust betrayed,
and to find herself confined once more。

～　　　　　～

Or were these two lives sacrificed for trophies?

And as for Malenia,

to quote 宮崎 英高さん「Miyazaki Hidetaka-san」：

"...the likes of Malenia... who are not crucial.
[Nor]...crucial to completion, ...but... an optional extra to help challenge
for those who are so inclined."

～

(Source: www ign com/articles/hidetaka-miyazaki-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-interview)

～　　　～

A challenge both of mechanics... and of moral standing。

A sentiment that was directly iterated by Malenia,
and then later removed for being too direct.

"Your greed knows no end.
You would steal the last drop of warmth from his empty frame?
After all you've taken,
you still want more?"

(Video source credit: Zullie the Witch)

(Source: www youtube com/watch?v=Sj8_CYMjd_g&t=183s)

^§"Lord" of Chaos, truly

「混沌の王とは、本当に」

"Lord of Frenzied Flame"
ending cutscene