An unexpected prize?
Frieren hurried to the Golem's side, circling it repeatedly as she followed a faint aura of magic. The creature was so large she had to search carefully.
Melina, staying behind, took the reins and had Torrent follow at a slow pace, feeding him some Rowa Fruit along the way. The spirit steed hadn't rested since arriving in the Land of Shadow, and their high-speed travel relied entirely on his stamina.
Meanwhile, the silver-haired girl nearby picked up a treasure resembling a crystal pearl.
[Ricochet Hardtear]
[A crystal tear formed over a great expanse of time, from the sap of the Scadutree that scattered and pooled at the base of a Furnace Golem.]
[When mixed in the Flask of Wondrous Physick, it temporarily enhances one's instantaneous defense.]
[Only for the moment a defensive stance is taken.]
[Increases damage negation and guard boost.]
[Strengthens guard counters when a block is successful under the above conditions.]
The detailed description made Frieren immediately realize this was the ultimate supplement. It would further enhance the parries she was already skilled with, elevating them to the pinnacle of mastery.
It was complete now.
She had always found the guard counters in the Lands Between uncomfortable, often resulting in taking some damage.
Now, that was no longer an issue. By drinking the physick, she could perfectly adapt to this fighting style. If she were to face the two Omen demigods in a battle of parries again, she would handle it much more smoothly.
Frieren examined it with a pleased expression, sensing that the energy flowing within was conceptual in nature, possessing a very high priority.
After all, the description stated it came from the Scadutree.
Could she extend this concept to achieve parries in the real world? Could she fuse techniques like the tear, Ash of War: Thops's Barrier, the Twisting Light Wall, and Ash of War: Carian Retaliation to eventually create a magic that could deflect energy, or even curses? It was worth careful study.
She handed the tear to her companion. "Help me mix the physick, Melina."
In truth, she could probably do it herself, but she subconsciously delegated tasks related to the flask to her companion, who fulfilled the role of a Fire Keeper—a habit ingrained from a long history of experience.
The maiden accepted with a smile.
Soon, a brand-new flask of physick appeared, imbued with the power to boost magic attacks and enhance parries.
"If you give me some time, I should be able to add more than two tears. After all, your constitution is more than capable of handling the enhancement."
"Oh? I thought two was the maximum."
It was different from the physick flask mechanics mentioned in player advice. As expected, a more realistic world offered greater freedom. This meant Frieren could consider using the wondrous physick more often to aid her in battle.
Melina's tone carried a hint of regret that her partner rarely used the physick, as if it left her with no work to do in that regard.
The silver-haired girl tilted her head back and drank it all in one go.
In an instant, a warm current spread throughout her body. First came a significant increase in magic and a surge in attack power—the effect of the Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear.
Next was the Ricochet Hardtear, enveloping her in a formidable protective force.
But there was more.
To be precise, it was an ability to deflect. Frieren suddenly unleashed several circling Comets, aiming them at herself. The howling gale and potent magical penetration were serious, leaving Melina momentarily stunned.
Very dangerous, and very much in the experimental style of a Tarnished.
The next moment, she raised her Dark Moon Greatsword—the Glintstone projectiles not only blocked but actively adhered to the blade, then bloomed with a brilliant light and returned along their original path, redirecting all the magical energy.
In the distance, a patch of pitted ruins instantly appeared, a testament to the grievous wounds a direct hit would inflict.
Unexpected.
Besides the tears she had collected herself, she also had those supplied by the Southern Army; she had gathered all of them within her current jurisdiction, yet none had reached the level of the Ricochet Hardtear. Why was the effect of this one in particular so extraordinary?
Frieren fell into thought, weighing the Dark Moon Greatsword in her hand, when her eyes suddenly lit up.
Perhaps it was because she had an entire world's worth of experience honing her parry techniques—skills etched into her very being that she would never forget.
"This must be the tear that's most compatible with me, isn't it?"
"I believe so," Melina immediately agreed. "Although everyone considers you a battlemage, the moment you enter a pure melee fight, you primarily use parry techniques to deal with your enemies. In contrast, magic-related tears don't have as noticeable an effect on you. But isn't that technique a legacy from the Land of Reeds?"
"Indeed."
"Combined with your many parry-type spells, you can surely deflect even more forms of energy."
"Like Scarlet Rot, or blood curses?" Frieren murmured thoughtfully. "This ability also seems to have a certain rule-based nature."
"Let's not try that right now."
"No, there's one thing I must test immediately. Otherwise, our meeting later won't be safe."
Hearing this, Melina immediately understood the critical point. The silver-haired girl intentionally released a portion of her own magical protection, and sure enough, Miquella's mark of charm above her head grew brighter.
It was continuously active, merely suppressed for the time being.
She couldn't help but check her own status.
"Why is my mark so docile? Is it because the powers within you are so mixed that this rule-based charm is disrupting the balance?"
"The bad news is, you've guessed correctly."
"—But the good news is, I can indeed deflect a portion of the continuous charm."
Frieren actively channeled a sliver of the tear's power, and as expected, it deflected and dispelled the charm as well, lessening the pressure.
Dealing with Miquella's meddling alone wasn't difficult.
The key issue was that the nature of his power had attracted the attention of an Old God, causing it to stir restlessly. Strictly speaking, she was currently in an abnormal state, making the mark inconvenient to remove.
The eagerly stirring Old God, combined with her abnormal status, showed faint signs of breaking through the First Flame's protection over her soul.
Thankfully.
Now, Frieren used the effect of the Ricochet Hardtear to restore the line to a state of balance.
The Old God's acting up would, at worst, drag the hunter back to Yharnam to be slain. A speedrun would solve it. The real worry was her consciousness also falling asleep in Yharnam; falling asleep in a dual dream state was very dangerous.
As long as reality remained stable, nothing would go wrong.
"Let's go. We should head to our appointment. We shouldn't keep Leda waiting too long."
After patting the dust off her wizard's robe, Frieren mounted her spirit steed and galloped with Melina towards the Tower Town. Ahead lay a towering and decaying structure, filled with the vicissitudes of time.
She had noticed it as soon as she entered the Land of Shadow, and intelligence had confirmed it was deeply connected to the Horned Folk civilization, making it a key objective for this operation.
They rode on.
Eventually, they reached a fork in the road where a semi-circular golden sigil stood, towering like a flagpole. Several followers were standing there—familiar faces, but for some reason, one's gaze was constantly drawn to the golden sigil.
Was this the Blessing of Miquella that Leda had mentioned? It was certainly extraordinary. Amidst the seal of the Land of Shadow, it provided a sense of grounding and stability.
At the same time, Frieren rubbed her temples as a whisper inexplicably echoed in her mind—
"The words engraved, surface in the mind:
'The body I first shed, I leave here.'"
Was this a maxim left by Miquella? What did it mean? Could it be that the body of a demigod was buried beneath the sigil?
A few thoughts flashed through Frieren's mind like lightning, but she was certain of none.
At that moment, the followers all greeted her. At their head was Leda, who bowed and offered her respects,
"It is good to see you again, Your Majesty."
"It seems everyone made it safely."
"We were worried about a Wicker Man attack here, but thankfully it has already been eliminated. I presume that was your handiwork? Thank you for your trouble."
"It was on my way. No trouble at all."
"As expected of the monarch who defeated General Radahn. It has been some time, and you have grown stronger still."
"Freyja, you too have more spirit now that you are a free agent."
Frieren knew all the remaining masters of the Redmane army by heart, and this person was of course among them. They had met once before, a long time ago. After following Miquella, she seemed to have found a new backbone.
However, her somewhat encompassing yet direct style had not changed.
The two shared a smile, recalling their time fighting together in Caelid. How times had changed; to think they would be rushing about in the Land of Shadow for Miquella's sake today.
Frieren acted normally, simply exchanging pleasantries, paying no mind to their conflicting stances.
That could be dealt with later.
For now, at least, their interests were aligned.
They could chat amicably now, and if any conflicts arose later, they could be settled with force. She had seen plenty of characters who were first friends and later foes; she couldn't afford to be guarded in every interaction, as that would be far too exhausting.
"A monarch blessed by a Great Rune, and a Scion of Gold. The aura of you two is truly detestable, disgusting."
"And you are?" Frieren asked, sizing up the man in the headscarf who had spoken.
His face was completely wrapped in cloth, making his features unclear, but he was certainly an individualist.
A Horned Folk?
A brief scan of his presence immediately saw through the crude disguise, and Melina noticed it as well. It was not hard to understand his insolence. After all, a blood feud existed between them—one their kind had started, of which they remained utterly oblivious.
"I am one of the Horned Folk, a victim oppressed by your Golden Order. We are irreconcilable enemies."
"Our actions now are not based on our factional backgrounds."
Frieren attempted to play peacemaker.
What she found strange was that Leda, as the leader, also had an unclear attitude. She was observing from the side, likely not trusting her Horned Folk companion either, suspecting his loyalty and feeling he should be watched.
"That may be true, and I appreciate your stance of abandoning the Golden Order, but I cannot tolerate this one-eyed woman."
Oh?
Before Melina could react to the insult, she noticed the silver-haired girl's expression darken.
"This one carries the bloodline of Marika, and it is very strong. I would not mistake it. That witch betrayed the Horned Folk and exploited our rituals. Anyone connected to her deserves vengeance."
Leda finally spoke: "Since we are working together for the great cause of Lord Miquella, we should put aside our prejudices and not bring our past allegiances into this."
She glanced at the Horned Folk, her gaze finally resting on Frieren.
"I'll give the Chief Knight of the Needle face, and I'll give Miquella face. You apologize, and this matter is finished."
"Impossible—"
Before he could finish, golden lightning enveloped the Horned Folk's body. A scorching and holy power bloomed, condensing into a spear that pierced through kilometers, carving an indelible scar upon the ground.
The area within a hundred-meter radius was turned to scorched earth, dotted with lightning-struck wood that hissed with heat. All fell silent.
"Melina is my maiden. She was my first companion in the Lands Between, and the most important. You can provoke me, but you cannot provoke my maiden time and time again. Though you can no longer hear me, consider this a warning to your soul."
The silver-haired girl's tone was ice-cold as she stared out at the Graveyard Plain.
A tightness gripped the hearts of those around her, a chill running through their bodies. Was that sentence not also meant for them? The Lord of Cinder was not someone to be trifled with.
Once she revealed her edge, it would be something you could not bear, bringing instantaneous destruction.
Good.
Leda silently agreed. She had never trusted the Horned Folk anyway; it was merely a matter of using them for the plan. She held no fondness for a race that broke the Golden Order's cycle by absorbing souls.
"What a shame. Although it was a personal grudge, I hope Your Majesty can compensate for the work that was his, for instance, by conducting the initial exploration of the Tower Town?"
"I would be glad to. Consider it compensation for everyone."
Frieren took the olive branch.
As the leader, making appropriate adjustments was part of her duty.
Nominally, she was taking on more than the Horned Folk's share of work, but in reality, the disposal of the spoils was also entrusted to her. One gained face, the other gained substance. A beautiful move.
Everyone knew the Lord of Cinder was most passionate about exploration. They could just treat this as compensation, and all praised her generosity.
The Horned Folk? Who cared? As long as Frieren and Leda made the decision, the matter was closed.
They were the ones who decided the squad's strategy.
The Lands Between had always respected the strong. The ill-mannered Horned Folk, with his repeated provocations, had been in the wrong. He got what he deserved; it wasn't worth mentioning.
Melina looked at the scorched earth, then back at the silver-haired girl.
A warmth stirred in her heart. There was no joy in punishing an enemy; rather, it was Frieren's defense of her that moved her, making her inexplicably happy. Through the long years, hatred had left her with nothing, but this gentle protection was something she would never forget.
"Let's go."
Frieren's reminder broke her train of thought. She nodded and followed, her steps unconsciously lighter, still inseparable from her side.
The group passed through a massive, dilapidated gate and advanced towards the Tower Town. The Land of Shadow was vast; what seemed close actually took the better part of a day to reach, and this was with the stamina of those at an average Hero's level.
They encountered some monsters along the way, but they were dispatched without issue.
Additionally, Leda revealed some intelligence: a portion of the squad had dispersed to investigate various locations throughout the Land of Shadow.
So Miquella doesn't know much?
The need for investigation implied he had yet to fully grasp the situation in the Land of Shadow. For Frieren, this was good news, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief.
It would be terrible if they were completely on the enemy's home turf.
A short while later.
They finally arrived before a series of towering, continuous steps. Though called a "Town," it was clearly a castle, with mottled brickwork and a vaulted ceiling that stretched out of sight. As a large legacy dungeon to be conquered, it was indeed something to look forward to.
Frieren retracted her gaze and looked at a new sigil of Miquella:
"Part of my body, I leave here."
So what on earth was he up to? Why abandon his own body? He wasn't in a situation like Ranni, who had to die to escape. What was it for?
Could a person who would willingly cast aside his own body maintain the rumored image of being tolerant and gentle?
Hard to say.
With questions in mind, Frieren glanced at the two new teammates beside the sigil. One wore verdigris heavy armor; that was Moore, whom she had met during the initial audience. The other was quite special—a Blood Knight.
Of course Frieren wouldn't mistake the identity of a Blood Knight.
Especially since she now controlled the very source of Blood Oath magic, the most powerful ritual artifact, Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear.
Noticing the silver-haired girl's inquisitive gaze, the old man nodded slightly and spoke with a measure of courtesy, "You must be perplexed, Your Majesty? Why a knight who served Lord Mohg, the one who abducted Lord Miquella, is here?"
"No. You must have been drawn by his... power of charm."
"Then you must be that legendary monarch."
He bowed and continued, "My name is Ansbach. I once served Lord Mohg... Now, like you, I am guided by Lord Miquella. That being said, I am but a weak and decrepit old soldier. I am of little help in matters that require crossing blades. Therefore, I have turned to investigating what Lord Miquella hopes to achieve in this place."
"After all, to follow that lord without knowing anything, only to find myself useless in the end, would be putting the cart before the horse, wouldn't it?"
It was then!
Having carefully investigated the shrine, Frieren immediately realized what the traces of battle had been.
This man had wounded Miquella, causing damage to his physical body.
"...I have heard of you. A knight reported strange behavior from the chief Blood Knight Ansbach before the war in the Blood Dynasty. But you must have acted out of loyalty. Even if I don't yet know the consequences, it doesn't prevent the changes you made from taking effect."
The silver-haired girl showed her undisguised admiration. Causing trouble for the culprit who had charmed her was a meritorious deed in itself, a most gratifying event.
Leda, standing beside them, was confused, unaware that the man next to her had once drawn his blade against the lord he served, even wounding him—an injury that would indirectly affect the entire plan.
The old man was slightly taken aback.
"Does Your Majesty not care at all about the conflict between my loyalties and your position?"
"What does it matter? We just dealt with one outside. We are all striving for another common goal now, so let's put our differences aside. Of course, Ansbach, you can challenge me to a duel to avenge Mohg. I will accept."
"To fight head-on, and to be defeated. This is the fate one who yearns to be king must face."
"Mhm."
Frieren replied plainly, feeling a little awkward. It was indeed strange to be dealing with such a loyal knight of Mohg's.
She quickly composed herself and began exchanging information:
The followers' squad had not been idle; they had at least determined that parts of Miquella's body were buried beneath the sigils. Perhaps it was for some special ritual that required this process.
According to Ansbach's research, 6 sigils had already been found, and he hoped his colleagues would continue the search.
This was high-value intelligence.
Upon hearing this, Frieren and Melina exchanged a glance.
The latter interjected for the first time in a while: "Some major divine rituals are indeed more convenient to perform in a spiritual state. So Miquella must be aiming to reach a new level, which requires him to discard something."
As the most famous spirit maiden in the Lands Between, she was more than qualified to speak on the matter.
Most had heard Melina's name. She had once been the Lord of Cinder's invisible, phantom friend, which made it hard not to take notice.
Especially when it concerned a quasi-monarch who might have gone mad.
And the result?
It turned out Frieren wasn't mad, but that it was all true. At the Magic Academy, she had formally announced her maiden and chancellor, her chief confidant, a figure holding immense power in the southern faction, with many decisions coming from her hand.
Naturally, related intelligence began to circulate. People came to understand that this Scion of Gold had a deep connection to Marika, which made Melina's opinion highly valuable.
"Thank you," Ansbach nodded. "I will continue my investigation along these lines."
Moore also chimed in with delight.
He also distributed some supplies like medicinal herbs, clearly in charge of logistics for the team—another sign of a great battle to come.
"Let's end the discussion about Lord Miquella's sigils for now." Leda intervened and changed the subject. "It is time to head to the Tower Town. One last question, is everyone prepared?"
Everyone nodded.
"Moore and Ansbach will remain here. Freyja and I will go to the outskirts of the Tower Town. As agreed, the internal investigation is left to the two of you, Your Majesty Frieren and Lady Melina."
The pair agreed. There was nothing to be gained from discussing things in front of the Knight of the Needle; it would be useless.
Miquella's direct knight would certainly protect his plan.
Ultimately, they had to investigate for themselves. The first breakthrough would be with the Horned Folk, making the Tower Town the best target.
They exchanged glances. Though each had their own agenda, they set out on the journey together.
The advance party consisted of 4 people, including 2 demigods and 2 heroes. For a mere dilapidated Horned Folk castle, this was overkill, but everyone except Freyja knew full well that they also had to divide their attention to guard against each other.
They never trusted one another.
Leda, fully armored and helmeted, showed no expression, while one didn't need to look at Freyja to know she was eager for battle.
In contrast, Melina's face was as calm as still water, devoid of joy or sorrow. She saw her main role as keeping watch for her partner, who tended to get lost in exploration.
The remaining member, Frieren, walked at the very front, her emerald eyes glinting and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.
It had been a while.
A group of people, full of suspicion yet forced together to explore a labyrinth—this was what made it challenging. Whether or not the Horned Folk had prepared a sufficient welcome, she was already filled with anticipation.
The large gate at the top of the steps was tightly shut.
However, with a light touch from Frieren, gravity pushed it open. What came into view was yet another set of stairs, meaning the structure's elevation was even higher than it appeared on the surface, high enough to overlook most of the Graveyard Plain and possessing great military value.
"Be careful, there's an enemy," she was also the first to spot the monster's silhouette.
A large scorpion clung to the ceiling ahead, its jointed legs covered in fine hairs. Its stinger was crimson, and it hissed threateningly from its mandibles.
Frieren didn't rush to attack, observing with great interest.
"No need to trouble Your Majesty, leave it to me," Leda volunteered. "This level of threat can be dealt with quickly."
And so it was.
In the hands of the Chief Knight of the Needle, the large scorpion was decapitated in no more than three rounds. Her style was sharp and efficient, her swordsmanship carrying resolve and determination. Even by Frieren's standards, it was impressive.
"The Scadutree's suppression doesn't seem to affect you strongly."
"We made preparations long ago, after all. Your Majesty joined at short notice and has not been specially blessed by the great power of Lord Miquella."
"No wonder. Did that Horned Folk think that since I was suppressed and he had the shadow's protection, the gap between us had narrowed?"
"The judgment of a reckless fool."
After a few simple words, they passed through the hall guarded by the scorpion and through another door.
Only to find more small scorpions—scurrying, brandishing their claws, a dense and teeming mass.
This kind of situation was where Leda and Freyja struggled, as they did not excel at wide-area damage.
"Let me try."
Before the words had even faded, Melina's golden blades swept across the ground, washing through the room.
____
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