It's definitely about the Larval Tear, Melina. Your body will soon be complete.
Frieren smiled at the air.
To say she wasn't looking forward to it would be a lie. After all, no one wants to remain a spirit, a lonely specter. Especially lately, she had more than once longed to touch the Tarnished, to feel warmth, a heartbeat, and the brush of wind.
Now this dream was not far off; it was perhaps second only to the significance of completing her mission, and definitely not to be missed. An excited Frieren immediately headed to the Full Moon Queen's Grand Library.
In the circular hall, guarded by countless bookshelves, Rennala held a large piece of amber, within which was condensed a physical body, arms wrapped around its shoulders, legs drawn up to its chest. Its eyes were tightly closed, with curly short hair, strikingly identical to Melina.
The Great Rune of the Unborn floated in mid-air, scattering brilliant light. Such immense energy was for but one purpose.
"You've arrived just in time."
"Is there anything you need me to do?"
"All the high-quality Larval Tears have been used up. I've gradually realized that the final shaping step isn't about materials but requires the power of a Great Rune and spiritual guidance."
"I've already learned Soul Sorcery in advance; I can enter the body at any time." Melina replied clearly. She had prepared diligently for this day, her "examination" was about to begin.
Frieren chimed in: "Because we are forging a body for a legitimate Demigod possessing the Golden Lineage's blood, even the Great Rune of the Unborn feels a bit insufficient, doesn't it? Just as expected, more than one piece is needed. We have a full three pieces."
With that, the silver-haired girl picked up a fragment of the Elden Ring in each hand. They glowed brilliantly, echoing each other.
The two exchanged a glance and nodded.
"The final step must be completed by us together, Frieren. You will lead, as I can feel your soul is the strongest and can shelter Melina."
"Melina, you may now enter this vessel. Leave the rest to us."
"Understood."
As her voice fell, the spirit woman voluntarily merged into the body in the amber.
Upon first contact, she felt enveloped by a wave of warmth. The immense power of the Runes contained within flowed into her body. Indeed, she passed through the amber and merged with the physical body without any hindrance, a perfect hundred percent fit.
One of Melina's long-held wishes had come true, but she couldn't relax yet, as a new problem quickly arose: her body was too sluggish and uncoordinated. Only a newly formed physical body reaching the Demigod tier could fully merge with the soul; that would be true resurrection. Otherwise, it wouldn't count.
Thanks to her cultivation of Soul Sorcery, she could better suppress the rejection between body and soul. Immediately, "It works, but the body's strength isn't enough. It's hard for me to control it coordinately right now…"
"This is exactly what we need to do," Rennala said decisively. "We can't reinforce an empty vessel, nor should we. We need to elevate this body to the Demigod tier while the spirit and flesh are complete. From now on, you only need to maintain stable meditation."
Melina closed her eyes, keeping her body curled, seemingly falling into a deep sleep, to the point where no faint波动气息 could be felt. Simultaneously, the Great Rune of the Unborn was summoned and manifested by the Full Moon Queen.
Next were Godrick's Great Rune and Radahn's Great Rune.
These two were summoned by Frieren, forming a triangular formation with the previous one, rapidly rotating around the amber. The unleashed Rune power enveloped the target, warm and fragrant.
"Initial resonance complete."
"Next, what you need to do is bestow Runes upon Melina, just as a witch empowers a Tarnished, but they must originate from a Great Rune. The authority over my Rune is in your hands; feel free to wield it. I, meanwhile, will maintain the amber's stability."
"When can I fully control the Great Rune of the Unborn? And it seems it has been a long time?"
"Since you defeated me, I've relinquished control. It naturally belongs to the victor. I merely managed it temporarily."
"I see."
At this point, there was no time for excuses. She did it.
Frieren extended both hands, taking hold of the three Great Runes. Simultaneously, she channeled the magic within her to resonate with them, stimulating their energy.
A stream of light overflowed from them, manifesting as a solid column of energy piercing through the Grand Library. Being precisely at the highest point of the Raya Lucarian Academy, it reached straight into the clouds and thunder.
The golden pillar of light surpassed the Altus Plateau.
The most anxious were the Academy's personnel, as such a grand commotion had erupted in their own domain. Yet, upon closer perception, it was clearly a warm, gentle magic, devoid of any hostility, instead filled with inclusivity, purity, and healing. It was the radiance of the Great Runes.
Sellen looked up, murmuring, "To actually mobilize three Great Runes… That's truly exaggerated."
She immediately began recording. "Regardless, the sight of so many Elden Ring fragments exerting their power together is truly rare in the world."
The magic professors all rushed to observe the data.
A perfect opportunity!
Everyone had largely guessed for whom the Soul-Cinder Lord was expending such effort, as the plan to create a physical body for Melina was an open secret. A considerable portion of resources was used in manufacturing high-quality Larval Tears, making it the top-priority project in the Academy's research labs.
Now that it was about to bear fruit, it was also a validation of everyone's collective wisdom. The participants were naturally overjoyed:
"Our achievement is worthy of three fragments!"
"In the entire Lands Between, only Her Majesty can produce this level of resources. Among the powerful Tarnished currently, only she and the Queen advance and retreat together."
"That Lady Melina is no ordinary individual; her physical body's aura has already reached the Demigod tier."
"Beware of the energy shockwave."
Whoosh!
The energy column from the Grand Library surged repeatedly, then swelled by approximately fifty meters before gradually condensing, becoming highly concentrated, absorbing, compressing, and converging the Rune power from dozens of kilometers around into a single point.
They surged towards the Full Moon Queen's room, pierced through the ceiling, illuminated the hall, and returned to the interior of the amber.
One must never force it. The greater the Rune, the more it should be given incrementally, evolving synchronously with Melina's physical body's formation, to ensure the effect. Otherwise, irreversible damage could occur.
Fortunately, her century-long daily practice of restraining magic had given her extreme precision.
Thus, the Runes flowed out with optimal efficiency.
"Listen, Melina. I will now bestow a Grace upon your physical body and soul. This is the final step, so that The Lands Between's laws acknowledge your rebirth."
"I am ready."
After taking a deep breath, Frieren fully exerted her power. With a sweep of her staff, she brought the three great fragments together, shimmering with the Elden Ring's phantom image.
Immediately, a dazzling golden nectar flowed from beneath the phantom, pouring into the amber, within which the physical body rapidly took shape. This was it.
Even the Full Moon Queen, who had personally created the embryo, watched with trembling eyes. She hadn't expected to witness this body gradually reveal blood vessels, rosy skin, and the rhythm of breath, truly alive, authentically living. It was clearly the creation of a life not just in a biological sense, but a product of the highly integrated spirit and flesh, achieving a state of perfect harmony under Frieren's guidance.
Thanks to her Soul Sorcery attainments, otherwise, it would have been very troublesome. Even Rennala, to avoid hindering the process, had to concentrate fully on making the final adjustments to the physical body.
Some time later.
Gradually, the radiance of the Great Runes faded. The fragments dispersed, spreading into Liurnia of the Lakes, which amounted to another Grace of healing. This light seemed to invite all beings in the South to celebrate the birth of a new Demigod.
Frieren finally managed to retract the last wisp of energy, then immediately returned the Great Rune of the Unborn to Rennala, as it could only unleash its maximum potential in its original owner's hands.
The next moment, Melina, feeling the Runes subside, opened her eyes. The brand-new vessel emerged from the amber without hindrance. The moment it stood in the Grand Library, spirit, flesh, and Rune completely fused.
An uncontrolled surge of pressure radiated, unmistakably revealing the aura unique to a Demigod, extending downwards from the highest point of the Magic Academy. Everyone felt a tremor in their hearts: no mistake, it was genuine, a new Demigod had appeared.
And why was its bloodline aura so similar to the Golden Lineage? What exactly was going on?
However, compared to that, they were more concerned with the official debut of Her Majesty's first confidant. This would certainly bring Rennala draped a black hooded cloak over Melina and had Frieren fetch her a set of travel clothes. This was a common traveler's attire style in The Lands Between, and it suited her especially well.
Truly, a mother's preparations are always thorough.
After quite a bit of bustling, Miss Witch finally finished dressing and looked with a slight shyness at her hands, now free of burn marks.
Her first reaction was to choose to pinch Frieren's cheek, which felt fresh and tender. It was so real she could hardly believe it; her long-cherished wish had finally come true.
Breathing in the fragrance of the flowers in Liurnia, the solid sense of security on her feet, the steady beat of her heart, and the touch of Frieren holding her hands—all stirred her soul. Perhaps she had intentionally erased the body's burn marks, incorporating healing during the creation process.
"Yes, we succeeded, Melina. Now you truly exist in The Lands Between. Who knows how many years have passed, but it has finally reopened to you."
Frieren said solemnly: "You began traveling the world only after the Age of Abundance, so you didn't get to see this land…"
"I haven't seen it either, but we will create it together from now on."
Melina nodded.
Wasn't the proxy Witch guiding the Tarnished King for this very purpose? To restore The Lands Between and revive all things. Now, the two had an even stronger vision: to witness it together.
The sensation of being truly alive filled her with overwhelming excitement. The emotion flowing through her single eye, heavy with the weight of ages, was full of charm. She looked around, then finally focused on Frieren.
The silver-haired girl released her hands and smiled, an expression as reassuring as ever.
Thinking back, so much time had passed. From their first meeting at the Chapel of Anticipation, they had traversed half of The Lands Between, from South to North, reaching the edge of the Altus Plateau. They had even defeated three Demigod-Kings and extracted Great Runes, among them the strongest Demigod, Radahn.
Melina, searching her heart, had once doubted the arduous journey, wondering if they could truly reach the Elden Ring? But Frieren never doubted.
On the contrary, the Tarnished had strengthened the proxy Witch's resolve. Now, she had even fulfilled a long-cherished wish for her partner.
"Thank you, Frieren. Without you, I would likely have remained an aimless spirit, known to no one. You brought me… truly into this world, allowing me to once again feel all the myriad sensations of The Lands Between."
"I will also let you experience the Age of Abundance—no, an abundance far surpassing what Marika and Godfrey created. It should have a new name."
"I look forward to it." Then she bowed to the Full Moon Queen and said, "And I sincerely thank you, Lady Rennala."
"No matter, merely fulfilling a promise…"
"You seem to have more to say?"
"After creating your physical body, I'm more certain: you are definitely connected to Marika, a scion of the Golden Lineage, flowing with the most noble and supreme bloodline. Moreover, your actual age isn't small; you might even predate the birth of the Haligtree Twins… Although there are still some uncertain areas, broadly speaking, it should be correct. Try to see if you can unleash some new power."
Hearing this, Melina clasped her hands together and created a Minor Erdtree, more robust and dazzling than before.
Next, she experimented with Lightning Spear, Golden Vow, and Golden Blade.
A holy-attribute wave, like a raging fire, swept forth, clearly possessing even greater power, which she only reined in just in time to avoid destruction.
Rennala saw through it at a glance: "This should be a Weapon Skill from some weapon, but you used it as an Incantation. Perhaps there's a clue on it? Do you have it with you?"
"I don't recall the details clearly; it's in the Forbidden Lands."
"That is?"
The ominous-sounding name immediately piqued Frieren's curiosity; it had only been mentioned in passing before.
"I don't know much about it either. Melina should know more."
"It's behind the Royal Capital, on the way to the Consecrated Snowfield, which is the restricted area. There's another elevator there that leads to the highest point of The Lands Between, but it hasn't been activated for a long time. Before I received my mission, I stayed there, and my blade was also left in the room."
"So, do we need to attack the Royal Capital now?"
That calm remark almost made Rennala and Melina lose their composure. They had clearly agreed to proceed gradually, yet upon hearing news concerning her partner, she immediately couldn't hold back.
The Soul-Cinder Lord's capabilities surpassed even the Great Ancient Dragons; she was probably about to replicate an assault where she single-handedly breached city walls. And then? Surely not to be overwhelmed by the Leyndell Army? But unexpectedly, their subconscious reaction wasn't to feel hopeless, but rather to meticulously calculate the power comparison. The very thought proved Frieren was beyond extraordinary.
"Wait!" Melina suddenly murmured, pressing her hand to her forehead. "I feel another power awakening…"
Rennala replied: "The new body has loosened your seal."
Whoosh!
The next moment, a wisp of black-red power lit up in her hand, purer and more lethal than the Death Rune of Frieren's Black Knife Assassins. This aura made the entire Grand Library feel like an ice cave, and even the Mimic Tear grew nervous.
"I have a fragment of Destined Death?"
"That is the Destined Death sealed by the strongest assassin, Maliketh!" Frieren looked on with keen interest.
Interesting. Theoretically, Demigods cannot be truly killed. Godrick, whom she defeated, was plagued by Abyssal corruption, and Radahn's body was rotten and his soul torn. In truth, none of them fully died from her attacks, as the concept of death doesn't exist in The Lands Between.
She was well-versed in dealing with immortal enemies, like with the two Mortal Blades. But in The Lands Between, their ultimate utility remained unknown.
In the future, she would certainly face Demigods who must be killed. In that case, Destined Death was an excellent choice, and it had even once troubled Frieren. Now, the problem was solved.
Melina held the black-red energy, which appeared like a blade-carved mark vertically in mid-air, even distorting space. Only palm-length.
It is said that Maliketh's Destined Death resides within a Colossal Greatsword, a vast difference in size between the two. Yet, its nature remained unchanged, full of peril, brimming with killing intent, absolute and unshakeable. It was likewise a manifestation of a fundamental law's great power, even as a mere fragment.
One must know that even the meager Death Rune fragments distributed by the Black Knife Assassins were enough to kill Godwyn, let alone this ethereal void-carved mark.
A thought suddenly surfaced in her mind, and she blurted out:
"Frenzied Flame?"
Frieren immediately interjected, intuitively judging that the described phenomenon matched Frenzied Flame. Compared to it, Spirit Flame or Evil God Flame were far inferior; at the very least, they didn't make The Lands Between turn against them, like a universally despised rat.
And when she tried to tap into even a wisp of Frenzied Flame's power, the mark seemed to come alive, watching her intently.
She took two steps, and the killing intent followed two steps. She took three steps, and it shadowed her, increasing its intensity based on the Frenzied Flame's reaction. The scene inexplicably turned into the silver-haired girl teasing Destined Death as if she were a child.
There weren't many truly suicidal acts one could commit in The Lands Between, but this was one of them.
Destined Death pulsed restlessly, seemingly drawn by the Frenzied Flame aura actively released by Frieren. Seeing this, Melina quickly gripped it, with a slightly indignant warning:
"Stop your experiments; it's very dangerous. If I'm not mistaken, it's meant to eradicate Tarnished corrupted by Frenzied Flame."
"Then why do you have this power within you?"
Hearing this, she hesitated, then carefully said: "A Tarnished tainted by Frenzied Flame would lose themselves like Vyke, wouldn't they? Furthermore, I am destined to seek the chosen Tarnished, selected by a wise beast. If a powerful individual of such caliber becomes a host to the Frenzied Flame, it would be enough to destroy The Lands Between, and must be eliminated by Destined Death. So it is a safeguard, and it's also aimed at you."
Despite the other party's complete trust, she carried a weapon ready for assassination.
A trace of guilt arose in her heart.
Frieren had done so much for her until now. Even if Melina assumed Frieren became the Lord of Frenzied Flame, she wouldn't be sure she could bring herself to strike the killing blow and sever their bond.
"Don't feel regret. I'm quite pleased, actually. After all, you possess a sample of one of The Lands Between's most dangerous things."
Sooner or later, she would have to face the beast that wielded Destined Death.
Maliketh, the Black Blade, in her opinion, was among the foremost powerful individuals in The Lands Between. His skill was exceptional, with a record of defeating the Gloam-Eyed Queen. Wielding Destined Death, he would only be more terrifying.
Exciting.
"Actually, I'm also very curious, why do I have such a precious thing on me?"
"It can largely be confirmed that you are an important piece in Marika's plan," Rennala, who had observed for a long time, declared. "Furthermore, it can be inferred that the Tarnished's return was also part of the plan."
"She must be my Mother…"
Originally, Melina only had a vague impression and notion in her heart. Now, with the awakening of her power, it became increasingly clear.
She hadn't appeared out of thin air; she had a beginning, a goal, a partner. But why, apart from a vague mission, had there been no other contact?
"Marika is too unreliable. As a mother, what else did she give you?"
"Nothing, I suppose."
Hearing this, Frieren and Rennala simultaneously sighed and shook their heads. That mother's "tenderness" was utterly absent. This Tarnished always seemed to act as if she had no parents, so how could she even evaluate it?
But thinking back, she had only witnessed something between Marika and Radagon… However, vague memories offered Melina no hints, only fragmented scraps of memory remained:
"Frieren, the Land of Shadow exists…"
"—But it was sealed off. To conceal that ignominious past, the flourishing Golden Dynasty launched a holy war, aiming to cleanse that land."
"The commanding general was Marika's scion, Messmer. My brother. Accompanying him was Rellana, Twin Moon Knight. They fought together and achieved victory. Yet, for some unknown reason, at the end of the holy war, the Land of Shadow was isolated, marking the end of the Age of Abundance."
Silence fell.
The bombshell news left everyone present processing the information.
In reality, Melina didn't know the reason either. She merely recited it like a passage of scripture, seemingly experiencing it firsthand, yet never having lived through it.
The other greatly impacted person was naturally Rennala, who suddenly spoke with dawning realization:
"Yes, I remember now. The holy war army gathered the Golden Dynasty's most elite forces from its peak. Many of them were powerful individuals from ancient times, unaffected by external influences, living in a world under the Shadow of the Erdtree's protection. It is said that Marika's past ascension to godhood is buried there, as well as an ancient race: the Horned Folk."
The two looked at each other, wide-eyed, their hearts filled with shock.
Mind-blowing.
"After all that, I'm extremely curious how to enter the Land of Shadow. Are there any clues?" Frieren asked.
Melina shook her head slightly.
After a moment of thought, Rennala replied: "Thanks to the Soul-Cinder Lord unsealing the stars, the destinies of several members of the Carian Royal Family will shift, including my sister. I can vaguely feel that guidance will open the Land of Shadow, leading to the Mohgwyn Dynasty. But you must be more careful. Ancient powers are still active in that hidden land. Wolves encircle, and strong individuals are numerous. Do not act rashly."
"You will surely find secrets regarding the Golden Dynasty's past there."
Her gaze swept across their faces; both returned a resolute look.
Let's go for it.
Knowing so much information, they could no longer remain aloof. Moreover, from the very beginning, the goal was to conquer every region of The Lands Between, so the Land of Shadow was certainly no exception.
"I've largely understood the situation. In short, continue advancing the conquest of the Mohgwyn Dynasty. I'll urge them on."
"Frieren, I leave this to you. I need to rest a bit."
Rennala, who had used the Great Rune of the Unborn with high intensity throughout the process, was very fatigued. She simply held the amber, closed her eyes to rest, entering meditative contemplation to restore her magic. She wouldn't be active for a while.
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Melina, my only Maiden, of course, I will introduce you to all of The Lands Between."
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Unfortunately, two of our stories were removed... so I created a new account to post them: MikuDayo.
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I'm counting on your support <3 the director was very sad and scared by what happened...
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