The meteor needed only a moment to obliterate everything.
A crimson mist swirled through the air, more brilliant than the evening glow, blanketing the entirety of the Tower Settlement.
The small squad from the Crusade Army could only stare upwards, their mouths agape in astonishment.
The caster, Frieren, stood with her back to the falling star. Beside her, Melina wore an equally placid expression. They had witnessed the meteor attack of the so-called strongest Demigod; that was now a thing of the past. The new wielder of Gravity Magic had surpassed it.
Shatter!
The meteor continued its descent, closing the distance with the ground. The first thing it touched was the high plateau stage, and the surrounding colonnades instantly crumbled and disintegrated.
The area, already ravaged by the battle with the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, collapsed in an instant.
It turned to dust and dissipated.
Compared to the sheer weight of the meteor itself, the frictional flames clinging to it were equally terrifying. As it collided, a portion of it fractured into smaller meteorites, which then rained down in a fiery shower over the settlement, rolling down the streets and leveling every building in their path.
From the rooftops down to the sewers, everything was pierced through. From the Horned Folk above to the fly-infested hovels below, all were vaporized.
They were incinerated by absolute power.
Amidst the deafening roar, the main body of the meteor sank into the ground. The terrifying gravity, combined with the impact, caused the surrounding cluster of buildings to begin folding inwards, collapsing toward the center and forming a massive crater at a visible speed.
Debris, rubble, sand, dust, and corpses were all caught within. It was easy to imagine that even if there were survivors, they would be buried alive.
The flames kicked up by the smaller meteorites were forcibly extinguished by the sandstorm, leaving only a large crater, about thirty meters deep but still sinking.
The Tower Settlement was built from low ground to high, so the meteor would continue to crush it on its way down.
How long would it take?
For a considerable time, the impossibly heavy star would continue to sink, dragging the Tower Settlement with it into utter ruin. In the future, if a new castle were to be built, they could raise a tower right on this spot.
Frieren had already considered its future use.
She decided to first cleanse the Horned Folk's corruption, then rebuild from the ruins. Without total annihilation, these fanatics would always harbor lingering attachments, perhaps even developing a sense of nostalgia for their homeland. The methods had to be thorough.
After completing her work, she performed a mental scan: total annihilation. The Tower Settlement, which had few survivors to begin with, was declared finished.
The silver-haired girl glanced at the Spiral Tower. Hiding within its seal, they had escaped the disaster, but she wouldn't let them be at peace for too long.
Yo!
With a light tap of her staff on the ground, a field of vibrant purple and crimson flowers spread out from Frieren, extending upwards along the rocky debris of the ruins in a single breath.
They covered the scene of the catastrophe.
The plants' roots and the process of decomposition would quickly restructure the ruins. Bricks and stones would return to the earth, becoming soil upon which magnificent new structures could be built—structures that would have nothing to do with the Horned Folk.
Having done all this, she instructed them: "Report everything you've seen to Messmer truthfully.
"I am not his enemy. This doesn't need to escalate into a military conflict. We can resolve our differences by simply talking one-on-one."
Frieren thought it would be a shame to eliminate the Crusade Army. These were veterans from the peak of the Golden Dynasty. Their knowledge, experience, and skills were priceless in this day and age, beyond measure.
It would be a waste for them to die here. Although they were legally sworn to Marika and Godfrey, they hadn't completely broken ties yet.
Hearing this, the members of the squad looked at each other.
They still hadn't recovered from their shock. It was too far beyond the pale. This Gravity Magic was countless times stronger than that of any beast-riding knight; it was practically a miracle.
Terrifying.
Now was indeed not the time for armed conflict. Besides, the other party, a venerable Quasi-King, had offered them a way out.
They could claim they were forced to retreat. Reporting back to Messmer this way, they wouldn't be blamed too harshly.
A conflict between Demigods was not something they could casually interfere in. The matter was of great importance, far beyond a personal grudge.
Now that the Land of Shadow was gradually learning of the changes in The Lands Between, they had to be on guard. Wasn't the Crusade Army also uncertain about its next step?
"Understood, Lady Frieren. We will certainly deliver your message."
"I have a message as well."
Suddenly, Melina added, "Tell my brother... just give him my regards. Also, we have another objective: to visit the village of our mother's homeland."
"Of course, that is a good thing. Lady Marika would surely be pleased."
The squad mounted their horses and took the opportunity to ask about the situation in The Lands Between. The two naturally answered truthfully, even providing some materials and evidence.
Even the densest person should now believe in the Shattering. They had already felt betrayed, lost, and adrift during their long isolation in the Land of Shadow. Now, hearing that the Golden Dynasty was on its last breath, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. They could only leave the final decision to Messmer.
"So we should call you 'Your Majesty,' as you are the one closest to the Elden Ring, even if you did not choose the Golden Order."
"However, I've heard that Godfrey is about to return."
The information Frieren revealed in full caused the group to look at one another.
She really just said it all.
"Since the First Lord is returning, doesn't that mean we are destined to be enemies? Why not kill us here? At the very least, you should eliminate the main force of the Crusade Army to avoid future trouble."
"I believe you can be won over. And before taking a stance, we should first communicate to confirm our conflicts."
"Unfortunately, you don't seem the eloquent type. What if you fail to win us over?"
"Then we'll settle it according to the rules of The Lands Between: by conquest."
"Do as the locals do? You truly have the bearing of a king. Please allow me to offer my respects, Your Majesty. Let us both take care."
The Crusade Army knew all the Golden Lineage. Aside from the late Radahn and Godwyn, none could compare to Frieren. Someone who could make even the Great Runes leap for joy possessed an extraordinary air, worthy of being considered Godfrey's rival.
The First Lord was still far away, but the Soul-Cinder King was right before them. Was this not a form of pressure in itself?
What to choose?
They weren't foolish enough to think Frieren wasn't assessing the Crusade Army's attitude. Even if she herself didn't care, Melina, who looked utterly devoted, was also observing. Her judgment would directly influence the King's actions.
Anyone who wasn't blind could see their rapport.
If talks with Messmer broke down, would they have to face the power of an Elden Lord?
The captain glanced back at the flowered ruins of the Tower Settlement and spurred his horse into a gallop. This was not a soldier's worry. He just needed to get the message back quickly.
Melina said softly, "My brother was likely acting on impulse. Please don't take the arrest warrant seriously."
"It's fine."
"However, from the looks of it, he probably hasn't reached an agreement with Miquella, because they have an irreconcilable point of conflict. One wants to use the Horned Folk's technology, the other wants to exterminate them."
"Making the Crusade Army his collaborators would be the best choice, unless Miquella is incapable of doing so."
Frieren agreed with this assessment. Thinking it over, facing both Miquella's charm and the main force of the Crusade Army at the same time would indeed be troublesome. Even she couldn't afford to be careless.
Moreover, she was tolerant towards Messmer.
Since Melina favored this brother of hers, she would give him a few more chances. There was no need for their conflict to become as irreconcilable as it was with the Shardbearers.
Besides, the commander of the Crusade Army must possess a vast amount of intelligence, making him a key source for a breakthrough.
"First, to the Gaol."
Ultimately, Frieren decided to rescue the nearby Nox victims first.
Before her ultra-wide-range mana detection, the reactions of the Nox and the Horned Folk were plain to see. Besides, she had already figured out their approximate location.
That old woman's intelligence was very accurate.
Circling the outskirts of the Tower Settlement, the duo quickly found a structure resembling an archway, flanked by statues. The whole thing seemed to be carved out of the mountainside, leading into a dark, subterranean cavern.
A gloomy, cold aura washed over them, and the wind carried faint, pained moans.
Frieren seemed to grab a handful of earth and, sensing it carefully, murmured:
"The underground gaol wasn't purpose-built. Aside from the entrance, it should be a naturally formed cavern. The rock is hard and dense; the meteor impact probably didn't damage it."
"There are still some Horned Folk hiding inside."
"No wonder it took Messmer so long without completely clearing them out. They are indeed a bunch that knows how to hide."
Not to mention that the Tower Settlement was easily defensible and hard to attack, the hidden and complex gaol was also not easy to deal with. Even without going inside yet and not knowing the types of enemies within, one could assert that sending an army to explore such a place would mean losing as many as you sent.
If it were her, she wouldn't let the precious elites of the Southern Army go on a dungeon crawl either. It was the same logic as the great underground exploration.
She would lead the charge.
Frieren first lit the Site of Grace at the cave entrance.
"The Divine Beast Dancing Lion should have given a lot of Grace, right? Let me strengthen you," Melina suggested.
"Perfect. I'll exchange the Remembrance after this."
Thanks to the new module that allowed for free respecs and reallocation, she finally changed some of her leveling strategies, giving a boost to her health and stamina. After all, the Land of Shadow was perilous.
Previously, Frieren's performance, which seemed highly technical and agile, was mostly reliant on skill. In reality, she was a glass cannon, unable to take even a light hit. Her margin for error was too low. Now, she could withstand a few more of the enemy's attacks.
Although she was still fragile without the protection of the Scadutree, she at least had some sense of security.
As her level increased, she would become a jack-of-all-trades sooner or later.
In previous worlds, her stat distributions had invariably resulted in her being a versatile fighter, capable of adapting to various builds. Then, through repeated grinding, she would reach max level. The Lands Between would be no exception; she needed to start planning ahead.
"So you finally plan to raise your warrior attributes a bit. Good, it's safer this way."
"Because in the Land of Shadow, stamina is quite important."
"Allocation complete."
Practiced and proficient, Melina easily completed her maidenly duties, and Frieren, through the Grace, returned to Roundtable Hold.
The upcoming conquest of Belurat Gaol would likely not be an easy task. It was best to exchange the Remembrance dropped by the Divine Beast Dancing Lion. Every little bit helped; it might prove to have a wondrous use.
The silver-haired girl's figure flickered in the Grace for a moment before she returned.
As long as one didn't actively strike up a conversation, the Finger Reader Crone couldn't be bothered to speak. Ensuring the destined Tarnished could utilize the power of Remembrances was enough to fulfill her duties.
[Frenzied Divine Beast Talisman]
First was an item engraved with a roaring dancing lion, so vivid it seemed as if its furious roars were echoing.
Frieren carefully examined the detailed textures of storm and dark clouds upon it; the craftsmanship was exquisite.
[When the Tower holds its ritual, the Divine Beast dances within.]
[A talisman crafted in the image of its dance, it enhances the power of storms.]
[It is said the Divine Beast is a messenger from the heavens—its fury brings disorder to the skies.]
[And the most prominent among them is the storm.]
Not a Spirit Ash?
A bit of a pity. It relied on a massive spirit-channeling ritual, yet it fought with elemental power. I thought it might provide some reference value for soul-related research, but it seems it mainly grafts racial talents, which devalues it somewhat.
Technology completely tied to a race is too unreliable. It lacks replicability and easily becomes a one-off. Technology should be something that can be spread and developed.
Moreover, Frieren rarely used storm powers, and the talisman only boosted that attribute.
She turned her attention to the other piece of loot, a Weapon Skill:
[Divine Beast's Frigid Stomp]
[A weapon skill that displays the fury of the Divine Beast Dancing Lion.]
[Allows one to raise a foot and stomp forcefully on the ground, causing a violent chill to spread forward.]
[Using it while bracing for impact increases its power and expands the range of the spreading chill.]
A stomp!
Acting on impulse, Frieren immediately used it. Dense clusters of ice crystals rose from the ground, accompanied by a shockwave and frost properties. In terms of power, it was essentially a superior version of Storm Stomp.
As an on-the-spot burst move, it was indeed excellent, serving purposes of crowd control, pursuit, and denial, befitting the value of a Remembrance.
After practicing it a few times, she confirmed it would be added to her list of commonly used abilities.
The sorceries and weapon skills she had collected were already countless. Sometimes she couldn't even remember which one to use; several sorceries could accomplish the same task.
It's best to think ahead to avoid fumbling.
Feeling fully prepared, Frieren looked towards her companion. Melina had been staring intently at the gaol, her expression cold and grim. Rightly so; to a Demigod's perception, the screams and moans from within were painfully clear.
"...Truly tragic." She murmured under her breath, "Even though the Horned Folk mentioned a sacred rite, I never imagined... this."
"Among the atrocities I've witnessed, this ranks as one of the cruelest."
"Can we rescue them?"
"We can."
The resolute answer, however, did nothing to reassure Melina. Her face remained uneasy, because this situation was different. The victims' flesh and blood had fused, making them difficult to separate.
Just perceiving it sent a chill to her core. Seeing it with her own eyes would probably be terrifying, unbearable to witness.
Suddenly, she felt her hand being lifted, enveloped in a slight coolness. Was Frieren's body temperature always this low?
"What is this?"
"The first time you met me, you did this. I guessed it was some sort of comforting gesture in The Lands Between... Looks like I guessed wrong?"
The silver-haired girl stared at the slightly moved expression and tilted her head.
"At that time, it was just a maiden personally sensing a Tarnished's power. But you have indeed made me feel at ease. Speaking of which, in your homeland, is there a special way of comforting someone?"
"Perhaps like this?"
Frieren moved closer to Melina, touching her forehead to the latter's. Eyebrows and eyes met, their breaths intermingling.
The two gazed at each other for a long moment, one trying her best to comfort, the other's heart shaken.
So this face was even more beautiful up close. There was no particular stunning quality, just the feeling of a heavy tome opening its pages, holding a thousand words of emotion.
She must have been comforted by someone before, just as the silver-haired girl now extended her arms to gently embrace her.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing. In the beginning, when I was tired and afraid, a Fire Keeper comforted me too. It was very reassuring. Today, I'm passing it on to someone else, so it's a kind of repayment." Frieren's tone suddenly shifted, "But it seems you have something else on your mind?"
"Have you become someone who notices the feelings of others?"
"I wasn't unfeeling before, either."
"...Actually, I was reminded of the Lord of Cinder. Another king who was bewitched. Was he, like Vyke, trapped by love?"
"What kind of nonsense is that? What connection does Midra have with us?"
Frieren looked completely bewildered.
Was there a connection she didn't know about? Why were the Quasi-Kings of The Lands Between always bewitched by the Frenzied Flame?
Was it the person's fault? Or a problem with the process? Had some key step become a fatal flaw?
Of course, she wasn't the type to get to the bottom of things, and she had mentioned to the maiden that she would wait for her to speak up and would never press her.
Frieren could always be patient. The answers could be found along the journey.
Little did she know.
Melina was contemplating whether their relationship had become too close. With their current bond, how would the Tarnished react upon learning of the step that required a "maiden as kindling to burn the Erdtree"?
Although her partner had likely guessed, that iceberg-like personality was too lazy to specifically ask for confirmation.
Although she herself had wavered in her mission, it was on the level of confirming its necessity. When the moment truly came, she would have to offer her body to the Giants' Forge.
No matter which Order was chosen, one must first enter the Erdtree.
To enter, one must burn the tree, and only she could light the great fire.
Perhaps the two Quasi-Kings, Vyke and Bernahl, were also kept in the dark until that final moment of choice, and then they both failed. Should I have told Frieren in the valley forest?
Melina reflected on whether she should have revealed everything earlier, lest it lead to another...
Just wait a little longer.
"...I was just suddenly thinking, the Nox are quite pitiful. We are given all sorts of missions, participate in all sorts of events... are we the masterminds or the pawns? But none of us meet a good end, we're not favored by fate."
Frieren nodded in commiseration.
"Actually, I also come from a race under threat. The world thinks we are long-lived and powerful, but in reality, most of us just want a simple, pastoral life. Yet we can't have it, and even face the risk of extinction from a group of mortal enemies."
"When you have time, tell me more about it. Your race must be noble and beautiful."
"The Nox are the same. So let's free them as soon as possible."
After a short rest, the two stepped into the gaol together. Before them was a vast cavern, a three-dimensional structure connected vertically, supported by numerous stone pillars.
It was bigger than imagined.
It seemed to also serve as a mine or quarry; otherwise, it wouldn't have been excavated to such a size. Below was a dark, bottomless abyss. The rock walls reflected a faint blue light, adding a touch of coldness to the atmosphere.
The wind seemed to carry mournful cries, coming from the large and small pots hanging all around.
This strange and wonderful sight made up the land of Belurat Gaol.
"If I remember correctly, in The Lands Between, it is an honor for a hero's body to be placed in a Warrior Jar, and it was decreed by Marika... Mr. Alexander told me a lot. He too is a respectable warrior."
"Perhaps Mother was moved by the plight of the Nox and established a rite completely different from that of the Horned Folk."
As they were speaking, the ones in question appeared before them.
One by one, gray-black, corpse-like Horned Folk shambled forward, baring their teeth and claws. Even as they stumbled, they roared at Melina.
They had little sanity left, only the instinct to guard the gaol.
Frieren and Melina had no interest in these beings, who were no different from monsters. Even killing them brought no joy. The priority was to find the Nox victims.
Outside, they could still sense a faint aura, but once inside, it was all a chaotic mess of presences.
Too chaotic.
Because of the pot ritual, flesh and blood were mixed together and then hung up. There were pots everywhere, and they didn't know which specific ones held the victims. They needed to get closer and sense them carefully.
This was even more horrifying. The Horned Folks' ritual had even mixed in life itself, raising the difficulty of healing by another level.
Frieren casually unleashed Sorcery: Rancorcall.
All the Horned Folk before her were annihilated. Soul-damaging magic was perfect against them, immediately causing a series of miserable screams:
"Run!"
"When did magic that directly strikes the soul appear in this world?!"
"Invaders, did you do this to the Tower Settlement too?"
The silver-haired girl wasted no words, commanding the gray-black skulls of Sorcery: Rancorcall to envelop the targets, following their souls.
There was no need to annihilate them instantly. Gnawing them down bite by bite was the only way to let the Horned Folk understand a taste of insignificant retribution. Compared to their atrocities, this was nothing.
The entire cavern was filled with countless skulls, a dark mass chasing them down the passages.
Melina, meanwhile, held a sapling of the Minor Erdtree. Gathering power for an incantation, she could cast it immediately if a target needing healing appeared. She had completely given up on fighting.
After all, an enraged Frieren already had an excess of firepower, invincible against ten thousand, let alone a single gaol. And another helper was about to join in!
Ding-a-ling!
As the Spirit Calling Bell rang, the figure of a pure white spirit rose from a handful of ashes, holding a Black Knife in each hand.
The Mimic Tear also wore a stern expression, as if influenced by Frieren.
"I've had enough of these bastards. Rest assured, Mother. I guarantee not a single Horned Folk will be left breathing in this gaol. They all must die."
"Be thorough."
After a nod, it leaped into another passage, and an immense power of night immediately erupted. Since the various cells were all interconnected, it was a perfect opportunity for the magic to flow through and cleanse them.
On one side, night magic slew unseen; on the other, soul magic tracked absolutely.
The targeted Horned Folk had nowhere to retreat, leaving only dried bones to be trampled upon one after another. The full-force combination of two Demigods was no less than a natural disaster. In an enclosed space, it was a fight against cornered beasts, with not even a chance to resist.
And both of them happened to be brilliant mages who could hit whatever they aimed at.
Once sensed, death was inescapable. The precise lethality inflicted unforgettable pain upon the Horned Folk before they could even see what hit them.
BOOM!
The sound of explosions echoed ceaselessly. To avoid friendly fire, Frieren and the Mimic Tear controlled the power of their attacks, but it was more than enough for slaughter.
This joint operation focused on tracking rather than destruction, a careful sweep to leave no one behind. They couldn't leave behind the mess that Messmer failed to clean up; it had to be utterly annihilated.
Melina suddenly pointed ahead, "There's a reflection of a soul remnant in that room."
"Just the trace of a white spirit? Why haven't we seen any Nox yet?"
"The aura is very chaotic... they should be deeper inside..."
"Let's go see."
The two arrived together in a room with a simple table and chairs, likely a rest area for the guards.
Not far away was a broken lift of the classic iron cage design, looking oppressive. And after crossing a broken cliff path, in the room opposite, was indeed a white soul. But seeing it, both Melina and Frieren froze.
A terrible and bizarre question arose: was this soul standing or sitting?
They could only see a twisted ball of flesh, hunched over and throwing something.
____
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