Edge of the Demi-Human Forest Ruins.
The Spirit Steed, galloping swiftly like the wind, quickly reached its destination. At the end of the verdant horizon sat a cluster of stone buildings, ruined and gloomy.
The distinct aura of Demi-Humans caught Frieren's attention, causing her to immediately rein in and halt.
Magic Sense!
Hundreds of Demi-Humans wandered within the ruins, many even wielding weapons, snarling with seemingly insane expressions. Unlike elves and humans in reality, who both counted as 'people,' these Demi-Humans were fundamentally monsters.
There was indeed some possibility of taming them, enough to serve as laborers, but this forest's inhabitants were fiercely independent and guilty of countless crimes.
According to intel from Edgar, the local lord:
They roamed an area hundreds of kilometers wide, attacking any humans they encountered, devouring them raw. Moreover, they constantly spawned new Demi-Humans, continually spreading to distant areas.
One of Castle Morne's functions was precisely to guard the strategic passages and prevent Demi-Human incursions.
For years, he had often led campaigns to clear them out, but hindered by the forest environment, his success was limited. He was frequently prone to being surrounded and forced to retreat to the fortress. Furthermore, they also had to monitor various caves, stretching their capabilities thin.
Now, the situation had suddenly changed.
Thanks to Frieren bringing in a large contingent of powerful combatants, the opportunity to finally clear out the monster settlement had been created.
Melina, behind her, looked at the map and said, "There's a human village right at the edge of the forest. They make a living from timber and often have to risk their lives. If the Demi-Humans can be wiped out, not only will their lives improve, but the ruins can also be rebuilt into a new stronghold."
"Like Mistwood? I heard from Kenneth that after the monsters there were gone, some people voluntarily moved in to build it up."
"Yes. You personally created that, saving land that should have sunk into ruin."
"Don't overestimate me. On a long enough timescale, someone will always do this, perhaps the next Tarnished," Frieren shrugged it off.
"Previously, I only thought about repairing the Elden Ring, neglecting the details. Your step-by-step practical actions have shown me these things are equally meaningful."
Melina envied her partner's nonchalant attitude, unburdened by a specific mission.
Frieren nodded.
"Of course, it's meaningful. I refuse to lead a mustered army of Hollows from a broken land to attack Leyndell. How would that be different from a Shardbearer bringing disaster to the region? It would be mutual destruction amidst the apocalypse."
"I will lead an army of heroes emerging from a land where all things are renewed. The moment my army stands before the city gates will itself represent my qualification – a qualification higher than mere strength."
With that, she raised her staff horizontally, condensing Glintstone Pebbles that filled the sky, mimicking the firing angle of Farron Hail.
Arming technology compatible with this world using techniques from another. Now, release.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Glintstone Pebbles streaked over the forest canopy, covering the ruins, precisely piercing the Demi-Humans' bodies, killing them instantly.
Attacks rained down continuously, covering the area diagonally from a hundred meters above. The intense firepower churned up the earth, tore apart vegetation; the ruins offered no barrier against the killing intent.
They didn't even realize where the attacks were coming from!
Only miserable howls echoed endlessly. Demi-Humans attempting to dodge found the trajectory of the Pebbles shifting, actively circling the ruins.
On the periphery, Frieren rode her Spirit Steed in a swift circle, causing the covering fire to trace an arc, covering a wider area with its fanned, angled trajectory.
Flesh and blood flew everywhere.
Against monsters devoid of humanity, she never showed mercy, ruthlessly applying finishing blows. Even areas littered with corpses weren't spared a round of dense bombardment, ensuring no stragglers escaped.
Previously, using magic from the Dark Souls world felt incompatible; now, she could finally unleash its full power.
Simple Pebbles suppressed the Demi-Humans completely, causing countless casualties.
They had been planning to raid the forest edge again today for captives, but death paid an unexpected visit, catching them completely unprepared.
Even now, these monsters still couldn't pinpoint the origin of the attack. They guessed the caster might be highly mobile, but under such fierce firepower, how could they possibly pursue?
Moreover, the sheer pressure crushed their mental defenses.
Many Demi-Humans, cowering in prostration, were met with the Pebble bombardment. Terrified into passive submission, they offered no resistance, the overwhelming pressure forbidding any struggle.
After a short while.
A tall Spirit Steed slowly entered the ruins' gate. The silver-haired girl on its back surveyed the surroundings, occasionally unleashing a Glintstone Arc.
Any relatively intact corpse had to be cut to pieces for her to feel at ease.
Then, she looked towards the massive Demi-Human Chieftain cowering amidst the rubble. Its appearance matched the intelligence description – relatively strong. Over the years, it had killed and devoured countless humans; the stench of blood was thick around it. Cleverly, it had hidden itself.
Even sheltered by the ruins, it was covered in wounds, blood pouring profusely, which only fueled its ferocity.
"That staff in your hand looks decent. Mine, after all, isn't quite compatible with the magic rules of the Lands Between..."
"Die!"
The maddened monster spoke human words, pushed off with its legs, and charged abruptly. It was utterly confident that at this distance, the kill was guaranteed!
However, the next moment, its body went limp. A Glintstone Arc had slashed across its waist, cutting it in two. The lower body remained standing while the upper body, losing support, collapsed, spilling organs and blood onto the ground.
"Still breathing? Then let's do a vertical cut too."
That was the last thing its wicked life heard.
Frieren expended little effort in annihilating the Demi-Human Forest Ruins. The monsters' numerical advantage meant nothing before a top-tier sorcerer. If paired with a good weapon, it would have been even faster.
Actually, the Astrologer 'account' came with a staff, but it wasn't strong enough, so she had leaned towards using her Dark Souls staff these days, which was also relatively low-level.
Slightly higher-level items involving world rules could basically only be brought over via MODs.
Now, she finally acquired a new staff. Eagerly, Frieren dismounted and picked up the spoils from the elite Demi-Human Chieftain. It was silver all over, its tip carved with somewhat aesthetic decorative patterns.
Acquired [Demi-Human Queen's Staff] and Sorcery [Crystal Burst]. Can be cast while moving, charge to enhance.
[A Glintstone staff adorned like a scepter.]
[An item once given to pacify the Demi-Humans.]
[Can be used even by those of low intelligence.]
[Those in the Academy view this staff as a joke.]
Just describe it, why include the Academy's ridicule? Such arrogance is an obstacle to knowledge.
Frieren still decided to use the Demi-Human Queen's Staff. Although its Intelligence scaling wasn't high, she didn't care. What mattered was the user's own power. Wouldn't outmatching Academy opponents with it be even more satisfying? Breaking through their defenses both physically and mentally.
She briefly tested a few spells. It was much more convenient, better able to channel the ambient magic of the Lands Between, certainly stronger than the staff from another world. Perfect as a backup.
At this moment, she finally counted as a Lands Between sorcerer in terms of power system compatibility.
This one it is.
Simultaneously, her wide-area magic sense detected a new reaction: there was a basement within the ruins. Perhaps another opportunity to open treasure chests had presented itself.
____
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