Hot!
The moment flames enveloped its body, the Baleful Shadow's fur ignited. It couldn't help but cry out in pain, its greatsword nearly slipping from its grip. If it had come loose, it would have fallen into the gravity trap.
As expected, abundant fur is weak to fire. The correct tactic has been found.
Frieren still had enough composure to observe the enemy's movements, so relaxed and at ease that it hardly seemed she was simultaneously casting two abilities.
Suddenly, the ground rippled, and dozens of thick Fingers surged up, protecting the Baleful Shadow.
Ranni hastily said: "It's the protection of the Magic of the Fingers. We saw it in "Caria Manor" too. It's likely a tactic specifically left for assassins, and there might be more."
"Understood."
Before her voice faded, Frieren changed tactics. Since it couldn't be pulled in, she decided to attack proactively, swinging her staff and unleashing a Sorcery: Gravity Well.
At the same time, a surge of power erupted from the Fingers, fiercely counteracting it.
The two forces collided without restraint; one, an overwhelming attack of immense mass, the other, a mysterious unknown spell. Both undoubtedly possessed colossal energy. The false starry sky of the cavern warped, its light dimming as if threatening to fall. The ground's water boiled, and the earth crumbled, flattening several hidden revenants within.
The aftershocks canceled each other out, and for a moment, there was silence.
"Empyrean of the Lunar Order, Daughter of Rennala, Ranni." A low voice suddenly came from the Baleful Shadow: "Will you oppose me to the very end?"
"What more do you have to say now? Are you going to go back on your word?"
The blue doll's tone was icy.
Seeing this, Frieren momentarily ceased her magic, allowing space for the two to communicate. Coincidentally, both were using avatars.
In a sense, perhaps the designated "Two Fingers" and Empyrean held a certain compatibility. They carried out commands, understood and accepted them, fostering a union between god and god, replacing "Marika"'s position.
But this pairing was distinctly different, regarding each other as enemies.
"I'm glad you've found an excellent prospective Lord. Since you are but one step away from the "Elden Ring", why fight to the death?"
"Don't be deluded. When I abandoned my flesh and rejected destiny, you parted ways with me."
"I am merely acting according to an ancient directive, following protocol."
Ancient?
"Perhaps it's good news for you: the "Greater Will" hasn't contacted the "Two Fingers" in a long time. It even makes me doubt if that Great One was truly the one who first contacted me... But there's also bad news: "Astel, Stars of Darkness", will awaken."
The Baleful Shadow stepped forward threateningly: "If you stubbornly persist in acting, the entire Carian Royal Domain will become as desolate as the "Eternal City"."
With that, he stood with his greatsword at rest, and all sounds ceased.
The words made it clear: the "Greater Will" probably no longer watched over The Lands Between, so the "Two Fingers" merely acted out of habitual directives.
This implied that perhaps a truce could be achieved by paying a price.
He wasn't idly extending an olive branch. He offered a carrot, then a stick, revealing his trump card: "Astel, Stars of Darkness". Once it stirred, its destructive power would be no laughing matter.
Moreover, who could guarantee that the creature dubbed "the monster cast down by the "Greater Will"" wasn't intimately connected to it, perhaps even foreshadowing its return to The Lands Between?
Hard to say.
Whether to gamble on this series of possibilities hinged entirely on Ranni's single word in that moment.
"Don't be a yes-man, Cinder Soul Lord. I'm also talking to you: keep your companion in line."
"We are not companions..."
"Is that what's important?"
"I've received important intelligence. You said there's someone named "Astel" who must be eliminated. I understand. It's just like before: find them, kill them, no big deal."
Her calm tone left the Baleful Shadow stupefied, his face paling.
The dignified Emissary had lowered himself to converse multiple times, yet they refused his goodwill and invited trouble. Truly arrogant.
Now he understood: Frieren, who seemed to ponder every action, actually had a brutally simple logic: just defeat the enemy. No wonder she subdued countless heroes; she had the demeanor of a true monarch, and thus, couldn't be intimidated.
His threats, upon reaching the "Demi-Human"'s nauseating pointed ears, had somehow transformed into direct commands.
Never mind.
Ultimately, Ranni's opinion was the most crucial. Considering their past acquaintance, it was best to heed her advice. Thus, he continued:
"Don't forget "Blaidd". As a Shadowbound Beast, he can be controlled by me at any time. Don't think he's safe just because he's sealed away. If I wish, I can turn him into a crazed assassin. At that point, you siblings will be forced to fight each other, warring within your own home."
"What a pity. Just like us now, one of us must die."
The Baleful Shadow sighed dramatically, full of exaggeration.
Ranni took a deep breath and said sternly: "I have received your threat, which means there is no room for compromise between us. Don't be naive; this is a war to the death."
She patted the silver-haired maiden's shoulder. Only this partner could provide a long-lost sense of security, the strongest support.
Frieren nodded understandingly. This gesture was enough to clear all of Ranni's concerns.
"Enough with the nonsense. I don't like schemers who play at being gods either."
"Die."
Before his voice fell silent, the Baleful Shadow swung his greatsword, conjuring fierce winds and lightning. He possessed the very aura of the "Storm-King", though it was in fact immense magical power that stirred torrents of energy, continuously inflicting damage in all directions.
Immediately after, the power converged into a single point, generating force beneath his feet that propelled his body forward in a sudden burst, allowing him to smoothly dodge Frieren's Glintstone Shard.
His greatsword arrived before her in an instant.
Clang!
The response was a parry from the Sword of Night and Flame. The legendary weapon's material was hard enough that, besides deflecting the blow, it amplified the impact's stagger effect, almost making the assassin lose his footing.
He hastily rolled to avoid the Sorcery: Carian Slicer that followed.
A close call!
The "Two Fingers", manipulating from behind, broke into a cold sweat. The rumors were indeed true: the Cinder Soul Lord's mastery as a battlemage was beyond reproach. No wonder she achieved total victory in the War of Four Gods, even defeating Starscourge Radahn.
"Don't lose focus. You're filled with a hesitation unworthy of a strong warrior." The voice resounded from the left.
But the attack came from the right, a sharp blade piercing his arm.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, the Baleful Shadow raised his arm, using his flesh to block. Otherwise, the blow would have surely opened a wound across his body.
Before Frieren could press her advantage, giant Fingers once again extended from the side, interfering.
Backward step.
Relentless assault was never her style. A single successful hit, followed by retreating, was enough to further deplete the opponent's magic. Maintaining her agile movements, she sometimes unleashed a fiery sweep, at other times consecutive Glintstone Shards, forcing the Baleful Shadow into a desperate defense.
Ranni's doll, meanwhile, continuously cast spells to interfere with the "Two Fingers"' control, making it difficult for their will to fully descend upon its host.
This was also thanks to Frieren maintaining pressure on the front lines.
Even the Lunar Princess, who had bestowed the royal treasure, hadn't anticipated that the Sword of Night and Flame would shine so brightly in the prospective Lord's hands. Truly, she was a master of all arms; anything in her grasp became a formidable threat.
She, too, had to exert herself further, not to fail their long-awaited, side-by-side combat.
"Damn it!"
The "Two Fingers", under continuous interference, let out a frustrated cry. They commanded the Baleful Shadow to use Ash of War: Endure, enduring a magical attack. Then, he hoisted his greatsword with both hands, unleashing a sudden burst of sword light.
Wherever it passed, gouges appeared, splitting entire rock slabs and tilting them. Its momentum unchecked, it collided with the Sorcery: Comet.
Frieren, of course, reacted with a counter-tactic, but the battlefield wasn't so lucky. The impact's shockwave parted the lake waters, obliterating monsters, and even the rock pillars above the cavern plummeted, shattering into deadly projectiles.
Years of river erosion and shifting courses had long made this place unstable. Under such torment, it immediately collapsed.
Boom!
Finally, the two energy currents canceled each other out, sending forth a shockwave. Leveraging this power, Frieren, light as a swallow, stepped atop the gravity sphere, gaining a high vantage.
Her offense didn't soften; another round of Ancient Death Rancor followed.
The spirits soared through the collapsing rock steps, locking onto the flickering life signatures. Under her absolutely keen mental perception, they were undetectable; there was no escape.
Truly relentless.
The Baleful Shadow inwardly cursed his bad luck, but he swung his greatsword without hesitation, his rapid slashes barely dispersing the rancors.
At the same time, the massive Fingers beside him continued to aid in defense, making him impregnable.
At least for now, blessed by the "Two Fingers", he could be considered a formidable battlemage. Ordinary heroes would surely fall to him, for his style was too comprehensive, covering all angles without leaving a weakness.
That was why Ranni was glad Frieren had come.
The Cinder Soul Lord was also an all-around powerhouse, and in every aspect, she surpassed the Baleful Shadow, creating an overwhelming effect.
Clang!
The Gravity Blade swept across, cleaving through the cracked Finger defense, leaving a gash on the assassin's face.
Immediately, a volley of Glintstone Shards forced him to roll and dodge, splashing wildly through the river, looking utterly disheveled. If not for the assistance of the Magic of the Fingers, he would have died countless times already.
In contrast, Frieren continued to cast spells with relaxed ease.
The battle rhythm was entirely in her hands, and she wasn't afraid of "delays bringing trouble"; she'd simply unveil a few more tricks, which this fellow would probably welcome.
Then I'll show you.
The Red Spirit raised his greatsword with both hands, emitting light as a series of enhancement spells flickered, pushing his body beyond its limits.
His aura steadily climbed, and the radiant, materialized magical aftershocks dispersed the Death Rancor.
Although Frieren hadn't further augmented her magic, there was no doubt that the opponent's basic attributes had surged, and his oppressive aura had grown stronger.
Ranni said: "The cost is his diminishing lifeforce. Not everyone can withstand such a concentrated surge of power for a short duration. Usually, only Tarnished blessed by Grace, who can be resurrected repeatedly, can manage such extensive buffs, like yourself."
"If he wants a quick battle, then so be it."
"Shadow, you must be the last one, then. Tell the "Two Fingers": I will carve the brand of death upon them."
Swoosh!
Responding to them was a straight thrust of the greatsword, appearing before them in an instant. With a crisp clang, the Sword of Night and Flame parried, while her other hand swung the staff, clashing head-on with a Sorcery: Carian Piercer.
The two sharp points collided. This time, with his immense power and heavy blows, he gained a half-step advantage.
His heavy swing even bore the shadow of an Ash of War: Lion's Claw.
Frieren sidestepped, and the Sorcery: Glintblade Phalanx that guarded the caster simultaneously emerged, only to be intercepted by the Magic of the Fingers similarly hovering around.
They simultaneously engaged in super high-speed combat, streams of light flashing, sword edges striking frequently. Sword qi split the river water, even diverting its flow. The underground cavern echoed with thunderous roars that never ceased, shockwaves pounding their bodies, yet unable to affect their agile movements in the slightest.
The magical exchange was equally intense. In the air, Sorcery: Glintblade Phalanx, Death Rancor, Glintstone Shard, and the Magic of the Fingers flew back and forth, colliding and annihilating each other, circling the two casters and launching lethal attacks.
They had to split their minds, balancing the fierce clashes of both magic and swordsmanship. A hundred-meter radius around them was a death zone; any stray attack could claim a life. There were only enemies, no quarter given.
Whoosh!
A burst of flame shot out from the ant cave, and accompanied by the "Mimic Tear"'s footsteps, crushed the bones on the ground.
She shrugged and clapped her hands, completely unharmed, barely even warmed up.
Previously, it might have taken some time, but after replenishing with Level 9 Ghost Glovewort, she could unleash power at an even higher limit.
"Things are getting quite heated here too."
Still unsatisfied after dispatching the monster, she immediately set her sights on the Baleful Shadow. Frieren engaged him in a clash of blades and magic, the scale of their battle comparable to the slaughter inflicted by an entire army.
Both happened to be battlemages, and both adept at swordsmanship.
However, the "Mimic Tear", following Frieren's command, didn't intervene in the battle, observing with keen interest:
Unfortunately, the silver-haired maiden's every skill was superior, so the assassin visibly struggled to keep up. Within a few breaths, he was covered in fresh wounds, blood splattering. His defense couldn't withstand Frieren's offense, and his planned attacks were always parried.
The clang of steel was incessant; those were the Cinder Soul Lord's precise parries. Everyone in The Lands Between knew how easily one could be staggered and left vulnerable to a critical blow.
Only she had truly mastered precise defense, leaving her opponent wary of rash attacks.
Thwack!
In a moment of hesitation, the Baleful Shadow was caught off guard. The silver-haired maiden darted forward, her heavy blow knocking his sword away, leaving him wide open.
The massive Fingers hastily moved to protect him.
However, this was merely one part of Frieren's continuous assault. Next, she leaped into the air, charging power as her flowing sword style plunged downwards, using the momentum to flexibly slice through each Finger with her blade.
It was too fast; in a single breath, dozens of sturdy Fingers shattered, seemingly accompanied by cries of pain.
The hidden controllers hadn't expected Frieren to unleash such sudden damage. She had even concealed the Weapon Skill: Waterfowl Dance. The blade's edge bore traces of soul magic, making its damage even higher. It was faster than imagined, without a single superfluous movement, and utterly without warning.
A weakness?
Her old strength waning, new power not yet born, she exposed her back. How could the Baleful Shadow miss such a chance? He immediately raised his greatsword.
Suddenly, his body paused. For some reason, a chill ran through him.
He instinctively looked down and found the Sword of Night and Flame piercing his chest from behind. The Frieren who had been in front of him, back facing him, was suddenly behind him. A mist remained where she had been – some kind of hidden teleportation magic that, combined with her inherent speed, made her even more lethal.
Unseen Blade.
The legendary weapon's edge carved a diagonal wound through his flesh. Wherever it passed, ribs and spinal column were all fractured, and his internal organs were utterly shattered.
The Baleful Shadow spat out a large mouthful of blood, accompanied by countless fragments of flesh and a metallic stench.
He wanted to say something, but his throat was clogged, unable to move. In the end, he merely moved his lips resentfully towards Frieren.
"No need for last words. Save them for your true form to tell Ranni."
At the same time, he felt a powerful kick to his back leg, his body uncontrollably collapsing to one knee. Another swift and decisive execution followed, this time aimed at his neck, a single horizontal sweep of the blade.
The last assassin's head was taken.
-
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