From the start, she had intended to collect all of them, especially after learning of the Great Rune's existence and their ability to repair the Elden Ring.
According to the scattered fragments of player advice, it would actually only take two Great Runes to minimally repair the Elden Ring and usher in the "Age of Decay," a period of continued decline spanning thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
Given her ability to effectively heal the Undead without relying on the Golden Order, this outcome was not entirely unacceptable.
She could have simply stormed the Royal Capital and initiated a speedrun.
But that wasn't right.
The so-called "repairing the Great Runes" should represent the differing demands and paths of various factions. How could she claim to truly understand The Lands Between without collecting them all?
To rule a world one did not fully comprehend was an immense peril.
Thus, Frieren needed to ensure these critical elements, vital to the final choice, were firmly in her grasp. She had operated this way in previous worlds, so Miriam's interpretation of her actions as grand ambition wasn't entirely wrong.
"Thank you for your magic, Professor."
"It's my pleasure. To see the magic I developed flourish in the hands of someone stronger is my distinct honor."
"Would it be convenient for you to return to teach at Raya Lucaria? Things have greatly improved there…"
She then took the opportunity to describe the changes at the Magic Academy, which could only be described as a complete overhaul. The 'disgusting' academicians had been purged, and the honorable and steadfast Caria legacy had returned.
Miriam's expression softened into one of deep relief upon hearing this.
In truth, she had already suspected as much the moment she learned of the Quasi-King's excellent private relations with Ranni. This domineering monarch tolerated no petty individuals.
It was satisfying to hear that those individuals had all received strict punishment.
The Magic Academy had changed. Perhaps she could temporarily set aside her work in the study and visit more often. Moreover, the emergence of a Quasi-King and the liberation of an Empyrean would undoubtedly stir up great upheaval; The Lands Between would know few peaceful days from now on.
As a sorcerer possessing both academic knowledge and martial might, one should not simply close themselves off.
"I will visit."
"Also, Moongrum mentioned to me that there's a formidable guardian within the Divine Tower. Is that you, Professor?"
"No, I wouldn't go that far; I merely guard the archives. There truly is a powerful, unidentified guardian along the path leading to the Divine Tower, likely kept secret due to some sensitive reason. It must be incredibly formidable, perhaps even beyond the realm of peaceful negotiation."
"Have there been any unusual activities from it?"
"Even from this distance, I occasionally feel a chilling sensation deep within me. That potent aura of death is truly unforgettable. In any case, you must be extremely careful."
"I understand."
Frieren mused, so Ranni's subordinates weren't entirely lacking in combat prowess.
It's a pity they might not have earned her full trust, which is why Miriam and the other guardian were kept under wraps, or perhaps their relationship wasn't as strong as she had imagined. The Moon Princess's personality, by nature, also tended towards solitude.
"Your Majesty, you are correct. Two generations of Elden Lord from the Golden Dynasty met with obscure ends. We absolutely must not repeat those blunders."
"Because if anything goes wrong this time, it concerns not only you, but also the Caria Royal Family and Princess Ranni."
Frieren nodded solemnly.
Miriam pondered for a moment before finally asking, "I've been worried about this. Since Her Highness entrusted you with this task at the Divine Tower, does this mean you intend to confront the Two Fingers once and for all?"
"Mhm, I helped her locate the Finger Slayer Blade, and she's currently tracking her enemy."
"How dangerous."
"If I were to look for Ranni, where would be best?"
"Renna's Rise, where Her Highness's master resides, might hold a clue. You must have seen it. Once you've acquired the Cursemark of Death, go there. And... please."
"Even without you saying so, I would have helped."
After waving goodbye, Frieren leaped down and stepped into the elevator, departing amidst a clatter of mechanisms.
She departed quite decisively, eagerly seizing every opportunity for exploration. Although The Lands Between weighed on her mind, during simple adventures, she didn't overthink things, much like how she might delay her progress just to observe a fascinating new spell.
Such a monarch was quite novel to Miriam, a fascinating blend of solemnity and irreverence.
So be it.
Perhaps it was best to trust that the Caria Royal Family and the Magic Academy had not chosen poorly. Their judgment had always been rigorous; they would not easily entrust such matters.
It was a shame she couldn't delve into a deeper conversation with Frieren just now; they were too pressed for time. Otherwise, she would have carefully inquired about how this Quasi-King had obtained the two Great Runes.
"After this confrontation with the Two Fingers, what fate awaited Liurnia?"
Miriam, well-versed in numerous legends, naturally knew of the Eternal City's destruction. No one could truly know what consequences slaying the Two Fingers would unleash. It was impossible to ascertain, so she could only pray for everything to proceed smoothly.
At worst, everyone would face ruin together. In any case, she had long since steeled herself for such an outcome over the years.
***
Meanwhile.
The elevator arrived at the highest point.
A circular, double-leafed door loomed before her, solid and imposing, its complex, sculpted patterns exuding an undeniable sense of antiquity.
Only then did Frieren finally reach the Divine Tower's main structure. From here, she could proceed to the place Ranni had mentioned—"where she cast off her body"—to acquire the Cursemark of Death. It wasn't much further now.
With both hands, she pushed forcefully against the grand doors, and they immediately swung open.
CREAK!
The ancient structure, sealed for years, opened its embrace to the uninvited guest, finally beholding the light once more. The sun, high in the sky, shone down from the tower's summit, illuminating the grand pathway. It was a warm, pleasant welcome, a stark contrast to the frigid underground world.
Frieren quickly stepped forward, activating the Site of Grace.
"Careful. There's an incredibly potent aura of death ahead, mixed with a divine presence," Melina's warning echoed in her ear.
"Gods? I don't truly understand them," Frieren mused. "I didn't feel that divine energy, only the aura of death. Strange."
"Could it be connected to me somehow?"
Even she couldn't grasp why there was such a peculiar connection. What lay ahead remained unknown for now, but her intuition was screaming. Another one of these enigmatic atmospheres.
It was all riddles.
"Don't overthink it. Whoever it is, you'll know once you meet them. I'll help you dispel your doubts."
Having said that, the silver-haired girl stepped forward with a relaxed stride.
As she reached the middle of the bridge, a wisp of grey-black flame materialized not far away, accompanied by a tall, portly figure. Perhaps he wasn't truly fat, but his cumbersome white robes made him appear bulky and swollen. As he walked, every part of him seemed to jiggle, failing to move as a cohesive whole, which was visually unsettling.
The material of his clothes didn't feel like fabric; their milky-white hue exuded an inexplicable eeriness, as if they contained a faint thread of vitality.
Something was off about these clothes.
Then he raised a longsword, its edge sharp and menacing. But the blade's grind was peculiar; anyone familiar with weaponry would realize it seemed more suited for flaying.
"Hello, my name is Frieren. I have Ranni's token..."
WHOOSH!
She sidestepped, dodging a grey-black fireball. The bursting energy was suffused with deathly corruption. The scattered aftershocks slammed into the permanent defenses of her Twisting Light Wall, clearly indicating a power far beyond its initial appearance – it was quite dangerous.
"So you have no intention of talking things over, then? Fine. It's an opportune moment for me to witness your abilities."
"I recall now, Frieren. This is a Godskin Apostle. They once hunted gods and then wore their flayed skins."
"That's quite savage."
"But I have a question: are there truly that many gods available for flaying? Or do they domesticate them before flaying, effectively 'shearing sheep' indefinitely?"
Faced with Frieren's utterly serious inquiry, Melina nearly lost her composure.
"I don't know; perhaps they were divine beings. They once served another god who rivaled Marika – the Gloam-Eyed Queen – hunting countless powerful individuals and dominating for a time. Thus, they wield the Black Flame of Death and possess formidable defenses."
"Be wary. Every Godskin Apostle is a cut above a Hero, an entity that has stepped into the divine realm."
WHOOSH!
Another black flame fireball flew over.
Frieren, who had just been executing evasive maneuvers, her gaze sharpened. She transformed her dodge into a parry, interrupting the attack with a resounding boom, but the scattered flames continued to relentlessly track her.
She hadn't dodged precisely because she'd noticed the Death Flame's tracking ability, but she hadn't anticipated it would maintain its pursuit even after scattering.
"Not bad skills."
Theoretically, every spell could be imbued with tracking properties; it was simply a matter of suitability and the caster's proficiency. The Godskin Apostle's comprehension of Death Flame was clearly profound, dozens of times superior to that of a Death Rite Bird.
Thus, she didn't meet it head-on. Instead, she actively parried, then utilized a backward step to create distance and draw out the fight.
Facing an unfamiliar new type of enemy, one couldn't afford to attack rashly. Falling into a trap would be a net loss. It was better to adopt a defensive stance first.
Seeing this, the Godskin Apostle's face beneath his hood grew increasingly grim.
He had initially prepared to unleash his full flame power in close quarters, but his opponent hadn't taken the bait, instead resorting to ranged attacks. He watched as glintstone shards flew towards him.
Glintstone Arc!
He casually deflected them; they posed no threat.
Clearly powerful, yet unexpectedly cautious. Why wasn't she charging? An average, arrogant Demigod would have already launched an all-out assault, yet the silver-haired girl maintained a steady combat rhythm, her footwork remarkably stable.
You're strong, and so am I. You increase your magic, and so do I. But she simply wouldn't initiate the next round of offense.
This can't go on.
With that thought, the Godskin Apostle raised his longsword and channeled magic to empower his entire body. His formerly loose robes rustled, then suddenly swelled with a metallic luster, unexpectedly transforming into protective armor.
He then charged fiercely. His bulky physique didn't impede his speed in the slightest; he covered dozens of meters in a single, arrow-like rush.
The sword swept with a cold glint.
Faced with this challenge, Frieren parried with Carian Slicer. The two sharp edges clashed, friction sparking a shower of light and a tooth-grinding screech. Neither gave way, blades flashing in a whirlwind of steel.
The two exchanged twenty sword swings in rapid succession, completing them within a few breaths.
The silver-haired girl remained untouched, always able to maneuver into the most elusive angles to evade and counterattack. Moreover, the glintstone sword generated by her staff was quite maddening.
It kept changing—its length, thickness, and weight constantly shifting, rendering it utterly unpredictable.
Why was a sorcerer's swordplay so formidable? For her to allow her weapon to constantly fluctuate in form, it could only mean she possessed absolute mastery over every permutation. How profound must her foundation be? It was unimaginable.
CLANG!
Thus, it was primarily the Godskin Apostle who took the hits.
Frieren's glintstone sword slid across his loose robes, yet was deflected by their unexpected smoothness and durability. She shifted from a slash to a thrust, forcibly punching a hole, but felt no flesh beneath.
"Looks fat but might not actually be that fat. Is it to make enemies misjudge?"
The robes blocked some of her perception, making it difficult to ascertain. Moreover, magic-infused swords struck them with reduced effectiveness.
It's magic resistance!
Magic resistance was already a rare attribute in The Lands Between, let alone being worn as all-encompassing, full-body attire, effectively a turtle shell with no blind spots. An ordinary sorcerer would have long since been defeated, unable to penetrate its defenses and thus beaten to death.
Yet, its effect was not prominently displayed on Frieren, which infuriated the Godskin Apostle:
Even when divested of its magical properties, the silver-haired girl's blade still brimmed with power.
CLANG!
He parried an attack with his longsword and felt a sharp pain in the web of his thumb, numbness spreading through his entire arm. Was this Carian Slicer? You must be wielding a Colossal Sword!
Even upon noticing the enemy's magic resistance, she hadn't altered her tactics. Her logic was simple:
I can expend a bit more effort, but I won't play by your rhythm.
Coincidentally, Frieren, beyond her magic, possessed no shortage of sword-fighting prowess. She immediately found a counter, striking a sword towards the Godskin Apostle's face. Caught off guard, a bloody gash appeared on his forehead, ripping his hood away.
Revealing a hideous and terrifying face, accompanied by a massive Death Flame fireball unleashed in a fit of rage.
A direct attack at point-blank range.
Even while wounded, the Godskin Apostle still unleashed a full-power strike, brimming with anger, resentment, and the power of curses, instantly engulfing the silver-haired girl before she could react.
SWOOSH!
The fierce flames spread out in a single line, piercing straight through the Divine Tower bridge. The kilometer-long passage was entirely shrouded in grey-black, leaving no space untouched.
He pulled his hood back up and gazed forward, absolutely certain his enemy had been struck.
Suddenly, a terrifying impact erupted from behind him. He glimpsed the Gavel of Haima in his peripheral vision, but it was already too late. The deceptively simple magic, wielded by a Demigod, transformed into a potent siege weapon; its air-shattering force sent the massive Godskin Apostle flying.
With a resounding thud, the esteemed god-hunter fell to the ground, leaving behind a smoking crater that still emanated Black Flame.
"...Why?" a hoarse voice asked.
Frieren's figure flickered a few times, then she chuckled. "I typically dislike attacking from behind, but Miriam's Vanishing is just too effective, so I thought I'd give it a try."
Hmph.
At these words, the Godskin Apostle's fury was boundless. He gripped his longsword tightly and rose. The magic throughout his body was refined yet again, simultaneously channeling into his white robes, causing a gust of wind that granted both defense and agility.
He was supremely confident in his magic resistance. The intruder being a sorcerer meant excellent compatibility; he might even be able to defeat a Demigod.
However, the next moment, he watched as the silver-haired girl slightly coiled, then floated into the air, gathering frigid magic.
"Impossible!"
Ranni's Dark Moon floated in the air, its dark and frigid magic hurtling towards him under Frieren's command. Amidst his shock, the Godskin Apostle had no time to defend and was forced to confront it.
Gasp.
The magic-breaking energy and the Godskin attire mutually countered each other, leaving his body's surface coated in a layer of frost.
He was now panting, half-kneeling on the ground, his sharp gaze fixed directly on his enemy. He still had no intention of retreating. Behind him stood the majestic Divine Tower, and with his eyes on the sole passage, he was bound to hold the choke point without any oversight, no matter who his opponent was.
"Even after witnessing this magic, your fighting spirit hasn't waned. It seems I'll have to abolish your threat, then."
Frieren raised her staff and unleashed a round of Comet Azur.
The next moment, countless black trails streaked towards the Godskin Apostle with astonishing speed. The moment he raised his sword to block, he would find the magic changing trajectory, inexplicably seeking out his weaknesses.
She was constantly reading his movements.
Evidently, the caster was controlling every single trajectory through mental command. The mastery he had initially demonstrated with his Black Flame was now being reflected back at him.
The Godskin Apostle trembled slightly. He hadn't expected his opponent to also display such arrogant and terrifying insight.
-
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