A direct hit.
Frieren's question made the squad's hearts tighten.
At her words, the surrounding warriors instantly grew wary, tightening their grips on their weapons.
When facing other god-king contenders, there was no reason to lower their guard. They should be thoroughly eradicated.
In the life-or-death struggle for dynastic supremacy, there was no room for compromise.
Having staked their lives and fortunes on the Soul Cinder King, they would never allow another challenger to shake her position.
Leda, seeing the tense atmosphere, immediately tried to persuade them:
"The inclusiveness of the Haligtree and Lord Miquella's consistent stance are well-known. He would not make an enemy of someone who seeks to mend the Lands Between."
"But he has the ambition to enact his own Law, lacking only a monarch."
Melina, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, reminding Frieren not to let her guard down.
The most mysterious and perhaps most terrifying Empyrean might have some grand design in motion, which could not be underestimated.
Since the silver-haired girl was clearly repulsed by such scheming, she herself had to pay more attention.
"Lord Miquella has no other choice. Setting aside his own predicament, who in the current Lands Between is worthy of being king? Besides Lady Frieren, there is no one else."
Melina's question was a good one, piquing even Frieren's interest, for they had both witnessed Radahn's passing.
Before his departure, the Starscourge General had mentioned an oath with his brother and expressed concern for him. Who could have guessed?
Was Miquella's promised partner actually Radahn? Of course, he was now thoroughly dead, so what was the plan going forward?
Regardless, in the eyes of the world, he should have been more inclined to side with Godwyn, so the follower's answer was worth considering.
How much did his followers know?
Leda cursed inwardly. This witch was truly difficult to deal with. Just when Frieren was about to lose interest, a new, troublesome question had to pop up.
"Your Majesty, Lord Miquella had hoped for Radahn to become his king."
In the end, she chose to tell the truth.
The two who had already suspected as much showed little reaction, but the surrounding onlookers were stunned.
It was so counterintuitive. Didn't the Pure Empyrean choose the Golden Prince Godwyn?
It was too complicated. Then why did the Valkyrie, who was so devoted to Miquella, attack Caelid?
Ultimately, the conflict between Malenia and Radahn seemed baseless; it simply didn't make sense.
Why?
If a matter is muddled with too much shocking information, making it impossible to sort out the logic, it must mean there are many details you are completely unaware of—an intelligence gap.
Frieren asked curiously, "There are too many ambiguities here. How many details do you know?"
"I haven't been told any more."
"You aren't lying. Let's get back to the point. What is your request?"
"I imagine Mohg's corpse has become a nuisance to Your Majesty. Please allow us to handle it. In exchange, we will guide you to the Land of Shadow."
Stealing the body was impossible; the Southern Army's heavy guard made it too difficult. Demanding it directly wouldn't work either, as they would be questioned about the corpse's purpose.
It was better to use a trade to preempt any questions, a quid pro quo where neither side asks too much.
As the weaker party, it was better for them to be frank.
What worried Leda was that Frieren's expression remained flat. She even shook her head as she replied:
"Since coming to the Lands Between, my journey has been with Melina. The Land of Shadow is of the utmost importance; we cannot be separated."
So it wasn't a rejection. That was good news.
As long as they passed through the transport of the Empyrean's sleeping cocoon, it was equivalent to performing a hypnotic ritual. In fact, it was exactly what they hoped for.
So she immediately agreed, even saying they could bring more people.
The negotiations went very smoothly.
After some pleasantries, Frieren waved her hand to dismiss her attendants.
They should get back to their duties instead of striking poses and waiting for an audience. She preferred a quiet chat over being the center of attention.
The crowd dispersed to continue cleaning the battlefield.
The Mimic Tear, finding things dull, went back to farming Runes.
Melina, meanwhile, chatted with the other members of the follower squad.
That left Frieren and Leda.
The two leaders, as if by unspoken agreement, walked over to the crack in the enormous cocoon and gazed at the withered arm extending from within.
...No response at all.
That was the greatest anomaly.
This meant Miquella had likely abandoned his operations here. Who knew how long he had been cultivating his influence in the Land of Shadow, or how many pieces he had set on the board?
Once they entered, they would be on his home turf. But no matter; the challenge was part of the fun of exploring a new map.
"Your Majesty, please feel free to ask any questions. I will answer everything I know."
Leda removed her helmet, revealing coiled blonde hair and a fair, proper, and very serious face.
She had to force a hint of goodwill from between her brows, her eyes hiding a fervent zeal.
"Actually, I don't care what schemes, conspiracies, or plans you have. Even if you offered to tell me, I wouldn't want to hear it."
"Right. Your Majesty is, as the rumors say, the type who prefers to experience things firsthand to find answers."
"You've been asking around?"
A slight smile touched Frieren's lips.
"Feel free to make use of my style. Consider us collaborators. At least in the early stages of exploring the Land of Shadow, I will help you with all my might. For instance, formidable enemies, complex castles—leave them all to me."
"You will always be a collaborator. Once Your Majesty experiences Lord Miquella's charisma, you will surely be convinced."
"That's right. The entirety of the Knights of the Golden Needle serves the Pure Empyrean, and I am the most loyal. I must carry out His Lordship's will."
Speaking of this, Leda's face filled with pride.
Whether in strength, faith, or adherence to the knightly code, she surpassed her peers, which was why she had been entrusted with this mission by Miquella.
Only she was the most outstanding, the most trustworthy.
Even the Valkyrie had to remain to guard the Haligtree, while she was granted an audience.
Frieren sighed at the zealot's increasingly unrestrained expression.
Hard to say.
Further conversation with this kind of person was meaningless; the topic would quickly devolve into pointless proselytizing.
The real point of contention was Miquella himself. She would have to suppress the object of their faith.
Of course, whether he was friend or foe could not be determined now. It would become clear eventually.
"My people will leave a contingent here to maintain contact with you. The rest of the main force will return to the surface. I can only set out after I've sorted out the new situation. Is your schedule flexible?"
"Please rest assured, I will remain here and await your departure. Some of our companions have already gone ahead. After all, reconnaissance is necessary…"
"Then I must take my leave for a while."
"Your Majesty, Lord Miquella sends his regards. He also approves of your efforts to mend the Lands Between."
"Oh? And how does that compare to the Law of Purity?"
"But Lord Miquella has always believed that without eliminating dissent, a prosperous Lands Between will only have the means to wage even larger-scale wars. To achieve lasting peace and racial harmony, we must follow the all-embracing path of purity," Leda said expectantly.
The information was sufficient. At that moment, Frieren was certain their paths were irreconcilably different, a conflict unto death.
The ruins of the Mohgwyn Dynasty were quickly cleaned up.
With the effort of a full 50,000 troops, a few broken walls and ruins were nothing. The Cursed Blood, monsters, and other filth were all cleared away, unable to cause any more trouble.
Another reason was that the follower squad had taken away the source of the corruption—Mohg's corpse.
Without this catalyst constantly absorbing blood and invigorating the defilement, the work proceeded even more smoothly.
As for where they took it or what they would use it for, Frieren didn't ask. A deal was a deal.
Besides, she was the type who couldn't be bothered with too many questions anyway. The truth would always come out eventually.
During this time, Melina was somewhat curious about the followers' objective, but since the Tarnished showed no interest, she let it go, focusing her energy on preparing for the withdrawal.
The immediate priority was to return the 50,000-strong army to the surface.
There is no small matter in mobilizing an army.
Especially after a battle, with a considerable number of wounded, spoils of war, and weapon attrition, the return journey was more troublesome than the arrival.
Therefore, she, Moongrum, and Edgar had to coordinate all aspects to ensure that not a single soldier was missing or extra, and that they arrived on time.
On the surface, Jerren's Redmane army was there to receive them, well-trained and experienced.
With them constructing a series of transport facilities above the Caelid cavern, coupled with Frieren's near-constant adjustments using Gravity Magic, the transport of large and heavy assets went exceptionally well.
Three days later.
The vast army marched up a long, spiraling staircase, their clan banners fluttering. The clatter of their armor echoed as the light glinted off their raised swords and halberds, dazzling and brilliant—a veritable army of tigers and wolves.
Returning from the crucible of the battlefield, they were composed and formidable.
This was no mere feeling, but the result of absorbing a massive amount of Runes from the Mohgwyn Dynasty, their attributes raised to a new level.
The Runes of an entire faction of the Lands Between had been virtually stripped clean and taken as supplies.
They had not died in vain.
They became one of the foundations for the Southern Army's future as the world's foremost military power.
Although Leyndell, Royal Capital still held an advantage in weaponry, equipment, and divinity, the gap in raw stats was steadily closing.
If, in the future, Morgott judged them based on the standard of an army from Limgrave, he would suffer a great loss. They were no longer the same.
The first to set foot on the long staircase were the large-bodied warriors.
Creatures like Trolls, Magma Wyrm, and Grafted Scion stepped onto the spiraling stairs, which proved to be as steady as a mountain.
Looking down from the heights, they would even exclaim in shock from time to time, deeply shaken by the spectacle.
Even if one were to lose their footing and fall, it didn't matter. A weightless force field constantly surrounded them, capable of catching any target.
It was perfectly safe.
Frieren's considerations were so thorough they covered every possible angle. Beyond being a battlemage, she was also a magical engineer, constantly coming up with new ideas and inventions.
Thus, the march proceeded more smoothly than anyone had anticipated.
Soon, the Redmane army on the surface sent the signal: ready.
To be honest, everyone, including Jerren, was still in a state of shock.
First, they hadn't expected the Mohgwyn Dynasty expedition to end so quickly.
Second, who had ever seen a staircase built from the surface leading directly up from below?
The entire structure was like a mountain, a peak rising from flat ground. What incredible power.
It meant the Soul Cinder King had not only mastered three Great Runes but had also begun to utilize them—of course, as always, for exploring new ideas.
A typical Shardbearer would have surely tested their combat effectiveness, but not Frieren. Her first use was to bestow a Blessing.
Since the large-bodied soldiers were mostly transported, the rest would be no problem.
With a command from Edgar, the largest and final contingent of the army began their triumphant journey home.
The vast column of the Black Sun and Fire Ring banner pointed towards the surface, marching into the light of the Erdtree pouring down from the opening. Their armor reflected the brilliant light, a magnificent and beautiful sight.
"Your Majesty, there are people over there—"
A sudden report interrupted Frieren's reading. She closed the scroll of Blood Incantations and looked up.
The Southern Army guarding the perimeter immediately drew their weapons, and everyone fell deathly silent.
Moongrum was in charge of the rearguard. He turned to look back at the silver-haired girl with a questioning gaze.
Frieren gestured with her hand, signaling them to stand down. With a collective clatter, swords were sheathed and spears raised, forming ranks on either side.
"Another group arriving at just the right time."
Hearing her meaningful words, Leda's squad shrugged and looked away.
"Don't worry," she said loudly to her men. "Those Ancestral Followers came because they crave more battle. They can be assimilated; they are simple folk."
"As for the Nox civilization, I communicated with them when I acquired the Fingerslayer Blade and the Mimic Tear. Nothing unpleasant occurred. So, why have you come this time? Friend or foe? I need a clear answer."
The leading Nox immediately dropped to one knee in salute, and those behind him followed suit in a wave of submission.
This display left the wary Southern Army looking puzzled.
However, seeing Frieren's unsurprised expression, they relaxed. The two sides must have had some unknown interaction before.
"Your Majesty—"
"You have avenged the Nox civilization, and we wish to repay this kindness.
Even the King of Night has chosen the Soul Cinder King, so what reason have we not to follow?
Moreover, many among us have regained their mental stability, thanks to Your Majesty's selfless bestowal of Blessings."
"Even setting aside these reasons, you are also the one closest to the Elden Ring, possessing compassion, strength, and power.
You will surely usher in a new Age of Abundance."
"The Nox civilization cannot be absent from the next age of plenty. Please allow us to pledge our allegiance."
They bowed their heads deeply in supplication.
The soldiers of the Southern Army stood even straighter, their heads held high.
They resonated deeply with the sentiment; it was just like them back in the day.
Had they not also joined Frieren, inspired by her call to end the war that was the Shattering?
And a considerable number of them had sworn fealty before she had even mastered a single Great Rune. It was a gamble, but their judgment had been sharp.
Leda shrugged her shoulders, thinking to herself that things were getting more and more difficult.
The Soul Cinder King's power was expanding.
Frieren drew her sword and rested it on the leader's shoulder.
"You speak of repaying a debt, but in truth, I have also been looking for a chance to reward your contributions.
Without the Nox, defeating Astel would have been more difficult, and there would be no Mimic Tear."
"I accept your loyalty. Now, accept this Grace.
It is a reward you have earned, though it has come late."
*Voom!*
The three mighty Great Runes blazed to life, releasing a supreme power, generously casting it over all who pledged their allegiance with the soul-soothing protection at its core.
The composed and reserved Nox remained calm, though their slightly trembling bodies betrayed their excitement.
The Ancestral Followers beside them had no such inhibitions, immediately shouting and cheering.
The atmosphere, infected by their joy, became one of jubilation.
Everyone exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.
From this day forward, they were allies.
No one had expected the expedition to the Mohgwyn Dynasty to yield so many unexpected gains.
Even the Southern Army itself had grown immensely stronger.
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