Redmane Castle Courtyard.
A long table ran the length of the scene, adorned with a dazzling array of dishes. Goblets clinked and conversation flowed, creating a lively atmosphere. Frieren, having just returned from the Wailing Dunes, was momentarily taken aback. Shouldn't it be more solemn? Then again, she remembered that in the Lands Between, the concept of death was quite open. A soul returning to the Erdtree was no bad thing, and a festival was a grand funeral befitting the Starscourge General.
Since that was the case, she wouldn't mention that Radahn's soul had been taken.
Miquella would reveal himself sooner or later, anyway.
Seeing that the banquet had already begun, Frieren simply chose a corner to sit and think. She hadn't yet had time to carefully study the new module she had obtained:
[Spirit-Calling Snail]
[1. Removed the regional restrictions for summoning Spirit Ashes. Using the Spirit-Calling Snail is a thrill that never gets old.]
[2. Still worried about not having enough types of Spirit Ashes? All wild monsters can be converted into Spirit Ashes.]
[3. Can allocate Runes for enhancement, not just with Grave Glovewort.]
...With a few other detailed additions, Frieren's eyes lit up. This was a comprehensive upgrade to the temporary Spirit Ashes she had created. Though she didn't use them often, they were incredibly powerful in group battles.
The reason she hadn't used them during the combat festival was that the Astrologer account wasn't strong enough; she had to retract all her power and go all out. But such situations weren't an everyday occurrence.
Once she grew stronger, she could maintain a portion of the Spirit Ash legion permanently.
Taking a step back, even if it were only useful once in a war for Leyndell, it would be worth it, a supplement for group battles.
Frieren carefully considered it. There were indeed many wild monsters worth turning into Spirit Ashes, like the Death Rite Bird and Royal Revenants, which were compatible with her power. She would have the Southern Army specifically collect them later. Then, the so-called Spirit Ash warriors would be more than just a small team.
In the future, they would truly become a legion.
There was another clever use: converting monsters into Spirit Ashes would allow her to further understand the different souls of the Lands Between.
"Melina, my soul magic has made new progress. With two—no, three—Great Runes, it's enough. The Queen of the Full Moon's is more adept at creating life."
"Thank you for your concern... I honestly had no hope, but I didn't expect the path to the Eternal City to actually be opened." She gazed in the direction of the falling star. "You've uncovered the sealed past of the Lands Between."
"The Realm of Shadow is still missing."
"Indeed. If Radahn was right, then Queen Marika's seal must be very strong."
"No matter how I look at it, I don't see any land there. What a fine method."
Unless she used her main body's power to perceive it, but there was no need.
Worthy of a deity's methods, to actually conceal a whole continent. But there must be a corresponding price, right? A pity there was no relevant intelligence.
"I have a premonition. If it's about the past of the Lands Between, the Realm of Shadow, perhaps I can find some answers," Melina said thoughtfully. "There's no basis for it, I just feel like one piece of the puzzle is missing. I've traveled the world for many years; there aren't many places I haven't been."
"We'll investigate them later."
She never doubted Frieren's enthusiasm. She had the spirit of an adventurer, and whether the truth was the truth was not necessarily her concern; she simply enjoyed the continuous process of exploration.
Perhaps only a Tarnished who possessed strength and influence, and a bit of luck could unearth the past.
Otherwise, someone in the Lands Between would have discovered the cause and effect long ago.
"Your Majesty—"
Suddenly, a shout came from the sky, followed by a terrified yelp. It was a wyvern, clutching a blond man in magnificent robes. Was Kenneth Haight also here to join the fun?
His astonishing act immediately caught everyone's attention. Who would dare to hitch a ride like that?
However, as Haight cried out in his fear of heights, the driver wyvern impatiently shook its claw, sending the passenger towards the ground.
"Ah!"
Just as he was about to make intimate contact with the ground, his body became light.
A strand of purple-white gravity magic connected Haight and Frieren's staff. The former gave an awkward smile, allowing the magic to deliver him safely.
"Why did you suddenly come over?"
"Your Majesty, after hearing the news about the Blood Dynasty's army, we dispatched reinforcements. They are not far now. But with such a commotion at the Wailing Dunes, how could I sit still? I had a wyvern bring me over. I must witness the results of the battle to prepare."
"You are very brave. Though it was risky, you were right. In any case, have a drink first to calm your nerves."
Don't be fooled by Haight's usual jumpy and flamboyant demeanor. When it came to real business, he was quite bold and composed. After all, he was the one who dared to gamble on Frieren back then.
Perhaps he once had more of a petty noble's air, afraid of the slightest disturbance, but people are tempered by experience and become resolute.
So, a contingent of the Southern Army had arrived? And one that had been resting and recuperating.
With this thought, Frieren looked at Castellan Jerren. As it happened, he was also looking at her. The two exchanged a smile, their thoughts aligned.
So be it.
Just as she was about to speak, Haight spoke first, "We have already taken control of the Great Church of Dragon Communion and extracted the dragon flesh, Your Majesty. There are indeed treasures there. Our Dragon Communion legion will grow even stronger."
"You must have been prepared to take the resources there regardless of the battle's outcome."
"It seems Caelid needs to be explored carefully."
This fellow was sending a signal.
Frieren asked, "Castellan, what do you think of my previous proposal? The Redmane Army needs a place to go."
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent. After all, this was a very critical question. Putting oneself in her shoes, even if she didn't care about those southern factions, she wouldn't allow an army to exist outside her system. The spokesperson was none other than Lord Haight.
That was why he had rushed here. He had many goals, one of which was to confirm Jerren's attitude.
"The Lord of Cinder's magnanimity is there for all to see. It is only right to serve you, to control the Caelid region, to clear the remaining Scarlet Rot. And I, Jerren, hereby pledge allegiance to Her Majesty Frieren."
"Those of the Redmane Army who are willing to follow me shall remain."
"Those who do not share our path may part amicably after the banquet. You are free."
His words caused the officers to break into a heated discussion. Though it was a shock, it had indeed been foreshadowed.
Each to their own.
Freyja and Jerren exchanged a glance and nodded. Then they left their seats, and another group of people bid farewell. It wasn't a tearful parting; they weren't dead, and in the Lands Between, they would surely cross paths again. But they would no longer unite under Radahn's banner.
The Starscourge General was dead.
"Perhaps the world has a few more Banished Knights," Edgar remarked with great emotion. "Haight, you pushed a bit too hard."
"It's fine. As long as people are alive, they can always find a pillar of support. Besides, didn't more people stay?"
They both looked towards the silver-haired girl at the head of the long table.
Crash!
Numerous members of the Redmane Army, led by Jerren, knelt on one knee in salute, offering their sincere reverence to Frieren, henceforth to follow her to the death.
War was the best test, and the long Caelid war was proof.
"We will do our utmost to support you in becoming the Elden Lord."
Blood Dynasty.
Mohg, in the center of the great hall, opened his eyes from meditation. A wisp of a blood-colored phantom merged into his body; it was his projection returning.
He suddenly coughed up blood, his entire spirit and energy weakened. Because the attack was transmitted through the soul, his main body was also affected. Now he had to carefully recuperate.
However, the blessing of the Formless Mother was already repairing his injuries.
After a deep breath, Mohg looked out beyond the hall.
A few Sanguine Nobles had returned, looking wretched, a group of defeated soldiers.
"The operation failed. What's worse is that Ranni and Frieren are advancing the power of God and King. We can't let them get ahead. But Miquella... why do you still not respond to me? How much longer will you drag this out?"
He looked back at the giant cocoon.
Ever since the Pure God-man had fallen into a slumber, a cocoon had formed on the outside, rejecting him. Although he could transform into a sanguine phantom and infiltrate to assimilate, the efficiency was too poor.
Huh?
In a trance, he saw the withered arm extending from the cocoon beckon, and an inexplicable sense of exhilaration came over him.
"Are you finally planning to act? Yes, Miquella, our interests align. If the goal is to become Elden Lord, there is no one more suitable than us."
However, Mohg simultaneously felt another sensation rising:
He was growing increasingly furious with Frieren, wishing he could flay her skin and pull out her tendons. No, he could not let the Lord of Cinder continue to grow. Besides, the two had become sworn enemies; he could not sit idly by.
He ordered, "Since she already knows the location of the Blood Dynasty, then prepare for a defensive battle."
"Pay close attention to the Eternal City, dispatch Bloody Finger assassins. I'm sure that collector fanatic will go to Nokron first."
"As you command."
Just as Mohg was making further deployments, Ansbach rushed in.
The First Blood Knight, having returned from reconnaissance on the Altus Plateau, looked around at the withered state of the place. They had suffered a defeat, and a harsh lesson from the Lord of Cinder's army at that.
Then he looked worriedly at his monarch and said, "Your Majesty, do you not feel there is something wrong with Miquella?"
"Where is it wrong? I think everything is normal. This Miquella is too good."
Was the intermittent headache an illusion? No, it was the aftereffect of some kind of spiritual attack. Why? Ansbach, his heart full of doubt, took a deep look at the cocoon where the God-man slumbered, a trace of vigilance in his eyes.
Twice was an illusion, but more times meant there was a problem. This flaw was fleeting, perhaps some injury sustained at Frieren's hands.
"Your Majesty, please let me stay here and reorganize the army."
"Mm, I'll leave it to you."
With that, Mohg sank into the blood pool and disappeared. The First Knight, left alone, sighed.
At this moment.
At a certain underground river entrance in the Caelid region, a female knight in gold-patterned white robes took off her helmet and gazed at the starry sky, her expression solemn. The stars in the heavens had been completely liberated. The aftertaste of this battle where the strongest demigod's title changed hands still lingered on the skyline, the winds and clouds surging.
She looked at her few companions, who were also getting ready, rubbing their fists as if they couldn't wait to have an audience with the most mysterious demigod.
"Radahn is dead, one of the two elements is accomplished. The other half is to kill Mohg and leave his corpse. This step can also be completed by Frieren's hand."
"So we have to try to guide her, and by the way, wait for my acquaintance here."
A figure on a swift horse appeared on the horizon. It was a female gladiator, Freyja.
Arrived as expected.
A smile appeared on Leda's pretty face.
Smoother than imagined, which meant Lord Miquella's charm control was growing stronger. Perhaps ordering her to guide Frieren was because he saw an opportunity for hypnosis. If she could control the Lord of Cinder, the journey to the Realm of Shadow would be much more convenient.
However, all of this was predicated on intelligence. As a participant, Freyja could definitely provide firsthand information.
With this thought, Leda welcomed her friend who had dismounted.
"Welcome, Freyja. Now that most of Lord Miquella's followers are gathered, I announce the next step..."
She introduced each member and simultaneously arranged for the exploration of the underground world. At the very least, they had to find the Blood Dynasty first. And no one present had any doubts; under Miquella's power, everyone gradually grew fanatical.
Leda would lead a group of pilgrims through the perilous underground.
Liurnia of the Lakes, Raya Lucaria Academy.
At the city gate, a large contingent of troops led by Moongrum slowly unloaded their supplies. Apart from the ever-lively Farron Undead Legion training, everyone else looked exhausted.
To resist the Royal Capital's army while constantly receiving tense news from Caelid—that was a pressure-filled job.
"Welcome back."
Greeting them was Sellen, her voice tinged with joy. After all, it was common knowledge that her apprentice had accomplished a feat of the ages.
"Thanks to Your Majesty winning in the Caelid region, otherwise those Night's Cavalry would have kept harassing us." Moongrum let out a sigh of relief. "Now they can only shrink their lines. We can finally return, a bunch of cautious fellows."
"Anyone who understands Frieren knows that if war were to break out now, it would only be the ever-eager Lord of Cinder who would personally go into battle. The Grace-Given King is no fool."
With a magic-researching fanatic's personality, she would be happy to find an enemy to test new methods on.
Whoever ran into the line of fire would be out of luck.
Besides, the Altus Plateau itself was attacked by Volcano Manor; they couldn't spare the hands.
"To be honest, I was prepared to fight to the death to the very end, especially after hearing the Blood Dynasty had also joined the war... I didn't expect Your Majesty to emerge victorious in that situation, and thanks to Her Highness Ranni too."
Every time he thought back, Moongrum felt a lingering fear.
If the new monarch they had just pledged allegiance to met with disaster, wouldn't it all have been for naught? Fortunately, Frieren had won, and won thoroughly.
Sellen said proudly, "It's you who don't understand Frieren and are worried. In reality, how many tricks she's hiding, probably even she herself doesn't know. No need to worry about her safety."
"I heard that Her Majesty has introduced her witch's name to everyone, so the life secret arts project is prepared for Lady Melina?"
"I only just learned that, but the research has indeed made progress."
Seeing that this scholar was about to launch into an endless explanation, Moongrum quickly waved his hand to interrupt. How to communicate with the people of the Magic Academy, he had long been clear, don't easily get drawn into professional topics.
Now that he was the dean, holding countless project developments, Sellen's desire to express herself was strong. He had to pull it back to the main topic.
"Can the lift be repaired?"
"It can, but it would be more convenient if there was a complete medallion to awaken its own power."
"I have received military intelligence from Caelid: the other half of the medallion has been found in Fort Faroth. Now Her Majesty has collected the pass to the plateau."
"But repairing the lift will take a few..."
As they chatted about business, the two headed to the meeting room. The other officers, nobles, and professors also gathered. In response to the upcoming situation, the entire Magic Academy had to prepare to welcome Her Majesty with blessings and, by the way, deploy new strategies.
The situation was lively again. Although the Altus Plateau campaign had been postponed, the cleanup work in Caelid still had a role to play.
_____
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