Since its movements were sluggish, it could only use firepower to suppress and buy time.
With this thought, the Red Wolf immediately used a series of ranged attacks like Glintstone Sword and Glintstone Comet Shard, aiming at the figure in the ice mist.
Missed?
The moment it noticed it was an illusion, it immediately rolled. Sure enough, an explosion grazed its ear. Frieren had descended from above. If it had been half a beat slower, it would have been cut in half.
Such strong mobility! When did she get up there?
Or did she simply rely on a jump? Then, as a sorcerer, she must also possess formidable physical abilities.
There was no time to think further, because the silver-haired girl suddenly held her staff horizontally, instantly attracting all the ice mist to gather into a block of ice. That's right, it was all for this moment.
She had actually prepared the field beforehand as a setup for her next move!
Realizing this, the Red Wolf watched helplessly as the Glintstone ice block, incomparably large, swept towards it like a giant iron ball, crushing over with a loud rumble.
Damn it.
It immediately reacted and jumped away, but unfortunately, its tail was grazed, and it was brutally crushed to a bloody pulp, greatly reducing its balance. At the same time, the large ice ball, its momentum undiminished, pierced through the wall, leaped out of the room, and officially arrived in the depths of the Academy of Magic.
Frieren said softly, "Let's find a more open space. It would be a pity to damage the magic books."
Hearing this, the Red Wolf also quickly dashed away from the room. When fighting ordinary sorcerers, it should leverage the advantage of a narrow home ground. But for a demigod, where wasn't a battlefield? Environmental restrictions meant little; it was better to go to a place where it could utilize its dashing speed.
The loud noise attracted everyone's attention.
Looking towards the sound, they saw a terrifying torrent of frost spreading out. In the humid region of Liurnia of the Lakes, it condensed into ice, then turned into snowflakes pouring from the breach.
How much mana content had twisted the natural changes? Who was fighting?
A red figure could be vaguely seen leaping out of the ice mist, with the trajectory of Comet sorcery chasing behind it. There was no strong intent to hit, as if it were just practicing.
Not surprising anymore.
It seemed Frieren and Radagon's Red Wolf had officially clashed, and quite fiercely at that. Neither side showed any intention of compromising. After all, in a sense, it represented the collision of two kingly powers. The mages all withdrew from the floor where the battle was taking place.
Even those who had previously been guarding the inner courtyard now retreated one after another, because they had listened to their colleagues' advice:
There was no need to fight to the death. Like the nobles of Stormveil Castle, they could just observe the development of the situation. Now, especially, they should preserve their strength as a bargaining chip for defection. Anyway, they wouldn't sacrifice themselves for the ambitions of some deranged individuals in the Academy faction.
Slipped away.
In fact, the current situation was even worse than at Stormveil Castle. Back then, at least they had Godrick, a legitimate scion of the Golden Lineage, as an option, who had some rallying power.
So what did the Academy have now? Betrayal, infighting, and conspiracy.
Since they couldn't present a united front, they would stay away.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Ash legion, as if sensing their master's fierce battle, became even more spirited. They rampaged from the Academy entrance to the middle section, excitedly planning to rendezvous and wreak havoc in the Academy together. The guards defeated along the way, of course, died in vain.
"Quickly, fall back!"
"To the other defensive lines! This one can't hold!"
"Puppets on the front line have detected: Stormveil Castle is dispatching troops! The first wave is an aerial force of Wyverns and Stormhawks!"
"Damn it! The dragon-slaying ballistae were all destroyed by the Spirit Ashes! We can only go to the bunkers! Let's go!"
Frequent bad news caused the Academy's morale to continuously decline. They clearly had no will to fight and retreated one after another from the battle site.
If they got caught up in it, they wouldn't even know how they died. So, it was best to maintain a safe distance, for example, by completely ignoring the Academy's central hub and heading for the periphery. Not playing with you anymore, saving one's own skin was paramount.
On the other side.
Deep within the Academy's high tower, tremors stirred up dust.
Numerous knights stood ready, prepared to deal with any enemy, even a demigod. Moreover, they also had powerful heroes in their ranks.
At their head was none other than Moongrum, Carian Knight, proficient in both swordsmanship and Carian sorcery, undefeated in a hundred battles, his merits renowned. Even the Academy mages controlling the various facilities were wary of his strength. Given the Queen's special status, they simply let this loft area become independent.
Normally, the two sides kept to themselves, but today was different. The Academy was in peril.
"Perhaps we should take the initiative to attack," Moongrum instructed his subordinates. "Make preparations. The Red Wolf is no match for Frieren."
"Your Excellency, it is favored by Lord Radagon. It shouldn't lose."
"It depends on the opponent. That newly risen Shardbearer is extremely formidable. She's just using it as a tool to practice her magic. Only by joining forces can we possibly repel her." Moongrum gazed into the distance.
In the direction of the Academy's discussion room, sword light poured down, glintstones shone, and rumbling explosions were still incessant.
Looking closely, the Red Wolf's movements were becoming slower, its injuries accumulating. Frieren, on the other hand, consistently controlled the battle's rhythm, switching between various sorceries with dazzling speed, an endless stream of techniques, becoming increasingly adept. And this was just her Astrologer aspect.
So, she needed to drink a Wondrous Physick to replenish her mana, giving the Red Wolf a chance to breathe. In reality, if she used her warrior skills, it would be even more dangerous.
"Only those like myself and the Red Wolf, who possess both warrior and magical abilities, can possibly contend with her."
Moongrum was prepared to sacrifice himself. He would do anything to protect the Full Moon Queen, not only for the honor of a knight but also to maintain the relationship between the Carian Royal Family and the Golden Lineage, which held special significance…
Whoosh!
A gust of wind brought a blue projection, which sat beside the railing.
"Your Highness, why have you come?"
No one would mistake Ranni's appearance, at least not that soul aura. Some had even seen the Moon Princess as a child and naturally recognized the heir at a glance.
"Rest assured, Knight Moongrum, Frieren bears no ill will towards Mother. She will not harm her."
"Calling her by name… The rumors are true. You have made contact."
"Yes. The Academy should return to the hands of true sorcerers, and the Carian Royal Family cannot allow usurpers to act so arrogantly indefinitely. Many things are changing rapidly, and I believe it is for the better." "So that's how it is."
Master and servant immediately understood each other's meaning. Anyway, the Full Moon Queen would be fine. As for the Red Wolf, it was, after all, Radagon's informant, which was always inconvenient. Moreover, Frieren, also a king, would not permit the existence of another king's confidant.
Eliminating the informant planted by the Golden Dynasty, whether intentionally or unintentionally, represented Ranni's attitude towards her father.
Moongrum found it inconvenient to voice further speculations, but still asked:
"Will there be no battle here?"
Ranni glanced deeply at the Grand Library where the Queen resided and murmured: "Not necessarily. Mother has currently sealed her heart. Without a fight, she cannot be called back, nor can the Great Rune be seen."
"So, a battle between demigod sorcerers will take place atop the tower."
Hearing Ranni's warning, the numerous Carian Knights instantly grew solemn.
Sorcerers were inherently prone to causing large-scale destruction. If two demigods were involved, to what extent would they demolish the place? It was unimaginable.
Whether it was Frieren, who currently appeared to be handling things with ease, or Rennala, the genius astrologer girl of yesteryear, both were considered top-tier in the Lands Between. If they clashed without restraint, the resulting power would be enough to overturn the entire loft area.
Moongrum worriedly said:
"Your Highness, with Her Majesty's current state, even if that self-sealing barrier is broken, there won't be any positive reaction. She's like an empty shell."
Ranni looked at the loft gate with a regretful expression.
"Rest assured, I will persuade her if necessary. I just fear that the trigger incantation set up to protect Mother beforehand will activate. It will create an illusory space, and then an imprint of my will will control the Queen in her prime to battle… Because many countermeasures were prepared in advance, it won't be easy to dispel, even for me. I need to return to the sorcerer's tower to adjust it remotely."
"Then wouldn't that easily lead to a fight with Frieren?"
"She wouldn't mind." The blue-haired girl smiled sweetly. "With her personality, she would even consider sparring with the Queen as part of the cooperation reward."
"Truly a special person."
"That being said, I want to avoid friction. Even if Frieren likes it, we must prevent the battle's aftermath from spreading. We will control the situation."
Actually, Ranni also wanted to use this opportunity to see what state her mother was truly in. If she were alone, some countermeasure might be triggered. With an ally present, she felt much more at ease.
No matter how one thought about it, there was something wrong with the Full Moon Queen's ailment.
The above conversation left Moongrum stunned. Anyway, he believed that birds of a feather flock together. It turned out Frieren and Her Highness indeed shared a common language; both were unconventional sorcerers.
Wait!
Did this mean that a full three demigod-level sorcerers might be about to make a big move? Truly lively.
"However, there really is no better time than now. Let Her Majesty the Queen dispel that barrier. At least being able to communicate with the outside world is good for protection. Also, if there is a mastermind behind the scenes, our current deployment is enough to make him suffer greatly."
The Carian Knights were poised for action.
"A mastermind must exist, but whether they are in a state to manipulate hidden chess pieces is uncertain. The present-day Lands Between are too dilapidated."
Ranni, having observed the situation for many years, had a general judgment and was not nervous.
She gazed towards the Academy entrance in the distance.
The Spirit Ash legion had basically dismantled the outer defenses, like an irresistible force. The cowardly mages had already fled; the gate was now wide open.
It turned out the Spirit Calling Bell she had delivered had such a wondrous use. No, to be precise, only those with powerful souls could unleash its true power, even creating a formidable army of the undead.
Boom!
Suddenly, a blue beam of light streaked across the sky, sending the massive Red Wolf flying. It landed in a parabola on the upper courtyard, crashing through a large area of flagstones, debris splashing everywhere.
It was covered in wounds, blood seeping out, the ground already stained red, yet it still persisted in getting up.
Because the enemy would absolutely not leave it a chance to breathe.
Comet followed Comet. Frieren, emerging from the mist, maintained a barrage of spells while keeping mobile. Even at the final moment, she remained cautious, leaving no blind spots.
"I heard you followed Radahn for a while. Any news of him? Is he really dead, as the rumors say?"
A flicker of nostalgia crossed the Red Wolf's eyes, but its face showed refusal. It would absolutely not reveal any information.
"It seems you don't know."
"Roar!"
A fierce roar was her answer, vowing to fight to the end.
"It reminds me of a wolf named Sif. Sometimes, loyalty must be answered with an ending…" As Frieren spoke, she drew the Grafted Blade Greatsword.
If the opponent had been willing to submit, they could have shaken hands and made peace, even stopping inquiries into Radagon's secrets. But the resolute Red Wolf was already prepared for sacrifice. Further hesitation would be an insult to a warrior. Give it an ending.
She needed to speed up her actions, as Ranni's aura had appeared in her mana perception. She was here to fulfill their cooperation.
In the next moment, starlight lit up around the Red Wolf. It was Glintblade Phalanx, Glintstone Stars, and the red blade in its mouth. Despite being heavily injured, it seemed to have returned to its peak state.
A desperate, final blow.
Its body charged along with the magic. The stream of light, as expected, was repelled by the ripple forcefield, every bit of it defended. But in the next moment, its body slammed into it. To avoid being suppressed, Frieren shifted her direction.
Seizing this opportunity, the red blade swept out in one breath. The opponent chose to meet it head-on.
Clang! A crisp sound. The parrying battle art sent a strong recoil, causing the Red Wolf's charging momentum to falter, its movements freezing for an instant.
Damn it!
Immediately after, the Grafted Blade Greatsword pierced its abdomen. Then, a kick to the wound brutally pulled the sword out, bringing with it a shower of blood, even tearing away bone and flesh.
A sudden coldness enveloped the Red Wolf. Its strength failing, it collapsed, its massive body no longer able to leap. It was satisfied. The only regret was that it still hadn't seen its master's figure, nor did it know how he was faring…
The Red Wolf's widened pupils lost their color.
At the last moment, it stared at the towering Erdtree. Regardless, that was the direction Radagon had departed.
Frieren lowered her weapon, also looking in that direction, ultimately not asking for any news.
"Hey, what do you mean by hiding there?" Her gaze locked onto the trembling mages behind the ruined wall. "Fight or surrender?"
"I surrender."
The terrified magic professors all raised their hands, their faces grimy, completely devoid of fighting spirit. By now, even the powerful pawn left behind by the second Elden Lord had fallen. Did they expect them to fight to the death?
From the beginning, the Academy of Magic had been a place of contention. Why fight so stubbornly to the end?
The consequence of stubbornness was like that of the Red Wolf. It could have survived as a rare and precious being, but alas.
"We will obey Your Majesty. You shall be the king of Liurnia of the Lakes."
"Yes, we will also honor the Carian Royal Family."
In the eyes of many, Frieren had already formed an alliance with Ranni, so defecting was no big deal. Many had even sworn allegiance to Caria before, albeit before the Full Moon Queen's illness.
Remembering the Carian Royal Family now?
However, she couldn't be bothered to expose these wavering individuals. What was disappointing was that it would be difficult to expect them to directly join the army to fight the Golden Army. At best, they could be formed into a sorcerer corps for support. They couldn't be the main attackers; otherwise, they would easily become a hindrance.
It was too difficult to find strong military forces in the decaying Lands Between. It seemed the Academy of Magic was nothing special after all.
"Go to the Academy gate and welcome those coming to take over. Until they arrive, the Spirit Ash legion will not stop attacking, so be careful."
"As you command."
"If you don't want to be affected, leave here. It will be very lively later."
Hearing this, the mages scurried away. Anyway, they didn't want to continue dealing with Frieren; this fellow was full of aggressive momentum.
The ravaged courtyard burned with flames, and the sound of collapsing walls could be heard from time to time.
After all, Frieren hadn't deliberately restrained her mana. The battle with the Red Wolf had affected many places. Now, the ground was riddled with craters, and the air was filled with a burnt smell.
Crack!
In the distance, the magic at the end of a large bridge corridor closed. If she wasn't mistaken, that thing should be able to summon large iron balls to crush all enemies along the path. Following the tracks down would be enough to overturn an invading army.
It should be Ranni actively cooperating to clear the path. Even if the two hadn't discussed it in detail beforehand, there was a certain tacit understanding.
Ahead lay the Carian sphere of influence.
Strange to say, the Carian faction, representing orthodoxy, was marginalized in the Academy of Magic, while a group of academic warlords ran rampant.
In reality, only the royal family represented a higher degree of organization, truly capable of external warfare.
If possible, Frieren hoped to awaken a group of new allies.
At best, she could control the sorcerer faction in the Academy through coercion and inducement. The true essence of the royal family was based on claims; cooperating with them would not be easy, let alone dragging them along to fight the Grace-Given King. This matter would probably be somewhat difficult.
"Speaking of which, do you know the specifics of how Radagon married the Full Moon Queen back then? Was it really love at first sight?"
Melina's figure materialized, her single eye deeply scrutinizing the distant high tower.
"Not necessarily."
She continued, "In my opinion, Rennala most likely fell in love at first sight. As for how much sincerity Radagon invested, that's unknown. But it aligned with the interests of the Golden Dynasty at the time; otherwise, the war of conquest would have lasted longer."
If the Storm Lord and the Carian Royal Family had joined forces, even the Golden Dynasty at its peak would have had to exert considerable effort. Delays breed trouble.
Anyone not foolish could see the immense political significance of this marriage. However, people believed in romanticism. The couple was once enviable, but unfortunately, Queen Marika's summons later interrupted everything, and the world changed dramatically as a result.
"It seems Rennala is a passionate person," Frieren sighed.
"It's not just her. I heard the Full Moon Queen's younger sister married far away long ago, following her beloved. And Rykard, who favored a dancing girl, united with her regardless of status…"
"A Carian family trait?"
In reality, there were many wealthy families with emotional entanglements. Those who remained faithful from beginning to end like them were indeed rare.
Melina nodded. "There's some basis for that understanding. That's why some believe the Queen's ailment is closely related to her own personality. Even if there was a mastermind, it was more of a push than a full orchestration."
"Forget it. Compared to these, I'm more interested in witnessing the secret art of life's creation."
In a way, everything else was secondary.
Frieren had to create a body for Melina; it was a promise.
Besides, her soul-healing magic had reached a bottleneck. It couldn't affect the bodies of the Hollows; it was best to pair it with corresponding magic.
Simply expanding the army was meaningless. What was the point of fussing over this existing stock? More Hollows and those at risk should be saved. It would surely produce some experts, or at the very least, restore productivity.
That was why she was interested in the Full Moon Queen's magic. Moreover, if life-related secret arts were used well, they might inspire battles in reality…
Forward then.
Sensing her sincerity, Melina couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart. It turned out the Tarnished had been paying attention to this all along. Despite appearing indifferent on the surface, she had never forgotten the important things, even though they hadn't spent that much time together.
According to Frieren's thinking, it should be about responding to those who were good to her. As long as she felt they would accompany her on the same path for a long time, she would invest.
"There's no point in speculating here. We'll know when we truly meet the Full Moon Queen."
"Right. And the Southern Army on the Liurnia Highway is still in a standoff. Don't keep them waiting too long."
The silver-haired girl strode forward.
Stepping onto the broken bridge corridor, an imposing aura immediately assailed her. The layers of stairs created a sense of majesty projected onto everyone who came for an audience. It was indeed worthy of being the most core location.
Looking down from the corridor was the cliff face where the Academy of Magic was located, and further beyond, the lake. The height was comparable to an abyss; falling would surely be fatal.
The Academy was built very high, relying on the mountain's terrain, even giving the impression that it was a segment cut off from a larger architectural complex.
In a short while.
Frieren officially set foot on the most crucial part of the Academy of Magic.
Before her stood a knight in full armor, a longsword in one hand and a scepter in the other. His aura was powerful, likely no weaker than a hero's, and there were several other experts around him.
She silently drew her blade while simultaneously gathering mana.
"No, we are not enemies, Your Majesty Frieren. Her Highness Ranni came to greet us earlier." Moongrum quickly introduced himself and described what had happened. "In short, I hope you will show mercy."
"I see. I understand the situation. Then why isn't she present?"
"As you know, Your Highness's body is in the sorcerer's tower. And next, she may need to operate a large-scale incantation, so she cannot maintain the projection here."
"Indeed."
Frieren didn't believe any particular excuse, but rather fully activated her mana perception, thoroughly scanning the area, practically digging three feet underground to confirm. There were indeed traces of Ranni's visit; the two sides should have peacefully reached an agreement.
Just the terrifying mana revealed during this period was enough to make the Carian Knights break out in a cold sweat.
Truly living up to her reputation. No wonder she could fight her way to the Academy's central hub.
One had to know that if she were alone, the greatest challenge wouldn't actually be the Red Wolf, but rather facing various traps in hidden corners, puppets, and the siege of mages, not to mention the Academy had made ample preparations beforehand.
Could Radahn have done it back then? Unfortunately, times were different, making it difficult to compare their strengths. However, a battle of kings would come sooner or later, and the victor would be known.
"So the goal is to break the Full Moon Queen's self-sealing shell?"
"Yes."
"Anything else to be aware of?"
"Her Highness Ranni, in order to guard against those who might harm Her Majesty the Queen, set up a trigger incantation beforehand. It can draw people into an illusory space to fight the Full Moon Queen in her prime. I can tell you the specific moves…"
The silver-haired girl raised her hand, signaling him to stop. "It's more important for me to witness it myself. Anyway, that situation is just a possibility, right?"
"Hopefully. I don't know if Her Highness can successfully dispel it, or perhaps you could simply break the illusion?"
Before the words fell, Frieren took a step forward, heading straight for the library room in the depths.
The Carian Knights understood that this one would not refuse a challenge. Moreover, Ranni would cooperate from within. With two demigod-level sorcerers working together, professionalism was guaranteed. If they rashly intervened, it would be risky.
Moongrum ordered everyone to prepare their defenses.
Although the worst-case scenario was just a great battle within the illusion, defensive measures were indispensable. Today's events would likely determine the Academy's stance in the next era.
______________
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