In terms of scale, it was truly far more magnificent than the Dragon Communion Altars in Limgrave or Caelid—the difference was like heaven and earth.
Seated on her steed, Frieren raised a hand to shield her eyes, yet for a moment, she couldn't find the edge of the colossal dragon's corpse. One could only imagine how immense it must have been in life, even more exaggerated than Greyoll, the Elder Dragon.
In The Lands Between, size was often a direct representation of strength. The strong were invariably tall and imposing, and species that were already large to begin with appeared as true wonders.
In fact, even she and Melina, who had more delicate figures, were only so due to their respective seals. If they were willing to completely release their power, they too would become much more statuesque...
The semi-liquid Mimic Tear gestured by poking a finger forward, looking surprisingly cute.
Compared to one elder who was unconcerned with potential threats and another who was studying a map, it was the first to spot the figure beside the Dragon Communion Altar. It looked very much like the Ancient Dragon-Man they had seen before.
Her attire suggested she was a priestess, but a careful perception revealed that her magical aura was profoundly deep and vast, having settled over ages.
It was similar to Frieren's own constantly maintained state of mana suppression, but its purpose was not concealment or training. Rather, it seemed more like a price paid for her Ancient Dragon-Man state. Strange. Could an Ancient Dragon undergo such a regressive transformation?
She noticed them as well and even waved proactively.
"To think there are such friendly strangers in The Lands Between? And in the Land of Shadow, no less?"
"Don't let your guard down. It means she wants something."
"It's fine."
There were plenty of people who had requests for a King. A side quest was a welcome development. Besides, Frieren already had a guess as to the identity of this strange Dragon Communion Altar priestess.
She nodded in response, urging her horse forward without pause. At the same time, the Mimic Tear was fully summoned, its face a mask of vigilance as it scanned the surroundings.
Beside them, Melina produced a letter, and the ancient dragon priestess's eyes lit up.
Of course, an Ancient Dragon would recognize a letter from the sky city; the luxurious and exquisite materials were authentic.
The other party had likely received word from Farum Azula. Her kin still remembered this place and had entrusted this visitor to them as soon as the Land of Shadow was accessible.
However, professional duty still required an introduction:
"My name is Florisaxx. O King, wielder of a shard of the Elden Ring, do you wish to devour the power of a dragon—to consume the fervent heart of that most ancient and ferocious of dragons?"
"That which is the loftiest of Dragon Communions will surely sate your desires and, further, transform you into a dragon."
She recited the opening lines by rote; such official pleasantries were a necessary step. After all, she did not yet understand the visitor's purpose.
Even with a letter from the sky city, she had to proceed with caution. This was the powerhouse who had thrown the Land of Shadow into turmoil.
"I do."
Frieren's answer was without hesitation, full of confidence.
Having just mastered the Frenzied Flame Incantations, she intended to press her advantage. She had once considered abandoning the idea of collecting every power system, but now, she had reclaimed that obsession.
She had grown stronger and could now accommodate a higher ceiling of different powers.
Especially after weakening the influence of the old gods and further utilizing the First Flame through her Great Rune, combined with her enhanced physical attributes, she could now attempt Dragon Communion.
Beside her, Melina glanced over with concern but ultimately did not stop her. Obsession is power.
A king who had already grown through countless trials and tribulations beyond The Lands Between, victorious all the way, needed no correction. It was just a pity she did not know her partner well enough. Once they reached the Sorcerer's Isle, in her mother's homeland, she would ask Frieren properly about her past...
"You won't even consider it?"
"My name is Frieren. I've heard of you from Lansseax. You are a trustworthy collaborator. We share the common goal of killing Bayle."
"Could it be that you are an Ancient Dragon Knight? You don't look like one."
"The specifics are in the letter. It should answer most of your questions."
The half-doubting ancient dragon priestess took the letter and was immediately convinced. It seemed that, anticipating she might read it, the letter mentioned her brief encounter with Frieren and that the Ancient Dragons had long heard of the Tarnished King's deeds...
How formidable.
She had actually killed Astel, the star-born calamity that destroyed civilizations, and even took out a Two Fingers envoy along the way.
She openly opposed the Golden Order, yet not only was she alive and well, but her power was also constantly expanding. As one waned and the other waxed, was she not poised to replace the Golden Lineage?
Furthermore, Lansseax had personally confirmed this individual's strength.
How imaginative, daring to spar beneath the high walls of Leyndell.
They could consider it a friendship forged in battle. The Ancient Dragons also believed combat was the best form of communication. In truth, their actions represented far more than just themselves.
Florisaxx understood the sky city's stance. In a sense, Lansseax was acting on behalf of the Ancient Dragons to test the posture of the future Elden Lord. Her choice was crucial.
Making contact in advance was certainly not a bad thing.
Before, they could afford to wait and see, but her ascent to the Altus Plateau meant a victor must be decided.
The struggle for power was a matter of life and death. Even the will of a king could not dominate everything. Two vast, collective wills would collide, ultimately forging an order to rule the next age of The Lands Between. The question was, on whom should the Ancient Dragon clan bet?
They did not know. The only one who could make that decision was Dragonlord Placidusax, yet His Majesty had entered a slumber as long as eternity itself.
They could only test the waters by collaborating with Frieren and observing.
After returning the letter, she said, "I understand the situation. To help you achieve your goal, I bestow upon you this power in the name of my king, Placidusax—"
[Ancient Dragon's Blessing]
[Consumes FP to increase damage reduction for all types, including physical. Also boosts damage reduction while guarding.]
[It is said a witch offered her slumber each night]
[to borrow the Dragonlord's blessed power.]
Frieren felt this protection was decent enough; the more defensive options, the better. However, a closer look at the evaluation revealed it was a consumable. Didn't that mean it would be gone after one use? That was hardly meaningful.
The ever-candid silver-haired girl did not hide her disappointment. Seeing this, Florisaxx chuckled.
"If we were to form a pact, I could grant you more Ancient Dragon incantations, blessings no less potent than the Ancient Dragon's Blessing. Of course, that is on the condition that we find each other to be trustworthy, a bond more intimate than that of an Ancient Dragon Knight."
"Like Vyke?"
"No. He was Lansseax's most beloved knight, but not her only one. Our collaboration, however, will be a first for both of us."
"In any case, the goal is to kill Bayle, right? Do you have any other intelligence?"
"You already know the basic situation. For his rebellion, the Dragonlord punished Bayle and his kin—the wyverns. Henceforth, they must serve as sacrifices for Dragon Communion. My king, Placidusax, offers this guidance:"
"A craving hidden beneath a valiant will—what sweet dream can soothe it? And a dragon resides within that petite frame; how exhilarating."
Frieren shook her head, not understanding any of it.
As expected of a king, he didn't speak the language of mortals. She couldn't make sense of a single sentence, but it was enough to know he had a grudge against Bayle.
So, Dragon Communion was a form of punitive judgment all along, yet it became a system of power in The Lands Between. What a grand design.
But the origin didn't matter. As long as it was useful.
"If I wish to perform a Dragon Communion, can I use the standard ritual?" Frieren asked her most pressing question.
Hearing this, Florisaxx's expression turned serious, a far cry from her formulaic greeting earlier. After all, this King was a collaborator, and one who harbored a desire for Dragon Communion. She must be treated with the utmost care.
However, a brief scan revealed a chaotic mass of terrifying, jumbled powers within her.
Truly frightening!
An ordinary person would have exploded long ago, and the consequences would be dire, likely dragging countless souls down with them. Attempting Dragon Communion was undoubtedly extremely dangerous. Fortunately, the subject possessed exquisite control and had managed to stabilize her condition. In that case, perhaps it wouldn't be so difficult...
"If I personally preside over the Dragon Communion, it should be fine. I can also provide magical assistance to guide the ritual."
"Good, I understand."
"Hm? I thought you would want to test it out with any random dragon heart first."
"Since this is my first time engaging with a new system, I will use the very best. I will use the heart of Bayle the Dread as the offering for my first Dragon Communion ritual."
The silver-haired girl stared directly towards Jagged Peak and made her declaration. In an instant, thunder cracked, winds howled like blades, and the earth groaned as if mountains were crumbling. But all this only drew a faint smile from her.
She had waited too long for Dragon Communion. Finally, she would complete her collection of power systems.
"Spirited, that's good. The heart will surely be better for it. Make your preparations, Florisaxx. I'll be right back."
The ancient dragon priestess glanced at her, utterly shocked. Such is the boldness of a true King.
Not even Dragonlord Placidusax himself had ever declared to Bayle, "I am going to eat you." Yet now, a young successor was practically drooling over the prospect. Did this arrogance match, or even surpass, that of the great sinner from the rebellious ancient dragon dynasty?
Could it work?
To be honest, she hadn't held out much hope at first. But now, having gotten to know Frieren better, she was convinced. Perhaps this could produce a different outcome.
"When the time comes, I shall preside over the Dragon Communion as your pact-sworn."
"But I don't much care for the Ancient Dragon-Man appearance. Can you change into the form of a normal girl?"
Hearing this, Melina, standing nearby, couldn't help but shoot a glance. So blunt. It was a good thing Ancient Dragons were old and well-tempered; otherwise, she would surely be angry.
A certain ill-mannered child was even more direct: "That's right. I don't want to team up with a strange, shriveled tree bark person covered in wrinkles and spikes. Lady Florisaxx, our squad's aesthetic is also important. We must possess both beauty and strength."
She thought in silence for a moment.
"The truth is, I can no longer return to my ancient dragon form, let alone take on a human one. This is a sacrifice made to better preside over the Dragon Communion. My apologies."
"If you do not mind, I can serve the new King in a spirit form."
Melina kicked both of them in the ankle from behind. The kicks were not light, carrying a clear, reprimanding reminder.
"Wait, you said you can become a spirit?"
"Yes."
"Physical changes may be irreversible, but I have a student who pioneered a magic that changes the form of the soul to overwrite the form of the body. If used in reverse, you could shed your Ancient Dragon-Man state and could even possess three different forms."
Florisaxx's face was a mask of disbelief, but Frieren, a being of countless miracles, was the best proof. She could only nod in agreement.
She had already resigned herself to her fate, planning to remain in this form until Bayle was dead. It was a necessary sacrifice. She could depart in this ugly, non-dragon state, but now, there was hope.
"—There's no time to lose. I'll teach you the technique right now."
Seized by inspiration, Frieren began the lesson on the spot, imparting her knowledge to Florisaxx.
Success was guaranteed.
This was because she not only explained the theory but also actively guided the other's soul transformation. With the blessing of a Great Rune, she could afford the trial and error, and the soul was her most proficient domain.
To think that Flamme's invention had other wonderful uses.
Furthermore, the student's talent was also crucial. To serve as a priestess specifically tasked with dealing with Bayle the Dread, she was undoubtedly a prodigy of the ancient dragon clan. Gifted and able to grasp concepts quickly, she soon mastered most of the techniques.
The key was the blessing Frieren freely gave, a one-on-one Great Rune enhancement that guaranteed her stats were up to par.
In truth, part of the reason was her weakness.
Replenished with the energy of runes and her passion rekindled, Florisaxx grew stronger. Her understanding of her body's different forms deepened. It would not be long before she could return to her draconic and human forms.
And this lesson took merely two short days to complete.
"...I'm so sorry. I have given Your Majesty no gift, yet you have gone to such trouble for me."
At this moment, her aura was stable, the feeling of weakness completely gone. It would likely only take a few more days before she could attempt to return to her long-lost normal form.
It turned out it wasn't that difficult. Gradually, Florisaxx realized the crux of the issue wasn't exhaustion, but that her spirit had crumbled, lost its passion, and no longer believed in miracles. How could she return to her peak?
No wonder Bayle was so powerful; his sheer arrogance was a testament to the strength of his will.
Likewise.
In Frieren, she also saw an air of absolute dominance. A clash of titans. The ancient dragon clan's feud, spanning millennia, was finally about to be settled.
"It's fine, it was no trouble. You can just practice the magic slowly from now on."
"Are you departing now?"
"Yes. Better sooner than later. I can already feel Bayle's aura inviting me to battle. If I delay any longer, he'll come here himself. Then it will be difficult to control the scope of the battlefield, and we risk damaging this altar."
"In that case, may the blessing of my King be with you."
"Speaking of which, where is this Placidusax you're always talking about? Any chance I could fight him?"
Florisaxx glanced at her, thinking to herself what kind of person could speak of battling the Dragonlord as casually as if discussing dinner. Yet, it didn't feel arrogant at all, but rather the inevitable destiny of one king meeting another.
She now also represented the role of an envoy, so she took a deep breath and answered seriously:
"My King resides in a hidden rift in spacetime, but an entrance can surely be found in the sky city."
"I am certain His Majesty Placidusax would not object to fighting a new ruler of The Lands Between, especially one who has slain his hated enemy, Bayle the Dread. The Ancient Dragons would support it as well. A battle of kings—even if it ends in death, we will accept the outcome."
"I look forward to that day."
With that, Frieren turned and let out a sharp whistle, re-summoning Torrent, who was pawing the ground, eager for a challenge. Facing the thunderous shadow of Jagged Peak, his fighting spirit soared.
Her two companions followed close behind, clearly ready.
"At the foot of the mountain, the ancient dragon Thenax, who has sided with Bayle, stands guard. Be careful, he is very strong. It would be best to eliminate him so he cannot interfere with your battle against Bayle. Kill that traitor."
"Understood. Mother will kill the mad dragon, and the Witch and I will kill Thenax."
The Mimic Tear replied instantly, and Melina nodded as well.
The path up Jagged Peak was treacherous.
Only upon truly setting foot on it did they understand why, for so many years, even the crusading armies could not gather detailed intelligence. Even simple surveillance was difficult.
Before the party lay an upward-sloping path, but it could hardly be called a 'path'—it was entirely the result of piled-up scree. When Torrent stepped onto it, he swayed, and the bottomless chasm below seemed to roar.
They couldn't leap carelessly, as the fierce winds were strong enough to sweep the entire party away.
Even with Frieren's gravity magic as a safeguard, they couldn't say it was safe. They had to proceed with extreme caution.
CRUNCH!
The moment the steed's hoof touched a slope, it crumbled, sending countless stone fragments tumbling down. Caught by the wind, they were torn into dust that swirled around the mountain, with arcs of electricity occasionally crackling past.
The trees on both sides were also bare, likely ground into sculptures by the wind and sand. Only the weeds on the ground offered a hint of life to distinguish it from the Valleybottom Forest.
This, too, was a forbidden zone of life.
Thus, Frieren had to slow her pace. Behind her, Melina hugged her waist tightly, while the Mimic Tear poked its head out in its liquid form, scouting.
"Be careful, both of you. I sense wyverns fighting up ahead."
Enemies of this level were no problem for them; the key was the terrain. If one were to accidentally fall from the heights of Jagged Peak, wouldn't they be smashed to pieces?
Even if a demigod was unlikely to be seriously injured by a fall, she had no desire to climb the mountain path a second time.
Looking back, the Great Dragon Communion Altar was already distant, the dragon's corpse a blurry shape.
Looking forward, blowing sand and stones obscured the path, accompanied by the shadows of wyverns, likely drawn here to pay homage to Bayle. This scene stirred a memory:
"It's like being back at Aldia's Keep."
Frieren recalled her campaign in Drangleic long ago—the fierce winds blowing on the cliffs, the roar of wyverns.
It was indeed very similar.
The Jagged Peak before them was even more magnificent and grand, as if igniting her battle spirit.
To be able to influence the natural environment to this extent meant that Bayle the Dread's area-of-effect attacks were incredibly powerful. It was just as well that there was little life on Jagged Peak, with even sparse vegetation. She could let loose later.
"What sort of place is Aldia's Keep?"
"A research facility with similar scenery. I'll tell you about it in detail later."
Hearing this, Melina nodded. Ever since the valley of Frenzied Flame, she had shown a proactive desire to understand her partner.
Thinking back, they knew so little of each other's pasts. The curiosity she had long kept hidden was gradually unfurling.
She was certain that behind Frieren's sentiment lay a magnificent journey worthy of a king's bearing.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a violent tremor came from above, accompanied by a flash of fire and a tremendous roar. The charging spirit steed had to quickly leap away.
The cliff they had just been on rumbled and collapsed, sending countless rocks sliding down. Halfway down, they were caught by the fierce wind and swept away to parts unknown, some even smashing against another cliff face, gouging out honeycomb-like pits.
The three of them watched the fate of the rocks with grim expressions.
"There are wyverns fighting above, more than one. They're causing a landslide."
Frieren, maintaining her widest perception, frowned. Their high-ground position was disadvantageous. Fortunately, the two wyverns were fighting each other, as if in a territorial dispute.
"Torrent, let's charge up in one go—"
The words had barely left her lips when she tightened her grip on the reins. The spirit steed beneath her whinnied and galloped at full speed, easily dodging the massive boulders falling ahead.
THUD, BOOM!
The dull thuds of colossal objects crashing down beside them exploded. A direct hit would have surely caused injury. Combined with the howling winds that could sweep them off the cliff at any moment, the situation was perilous. The slightest misstep would mean being dashed to pieces.
Frieren's horsemanship had improved since before; otherwise, she would likely be unsteady now.
Of course, Melina's contribution was also essential. Her support from behind helped stabilize their center of gravity, and she actively coordinated with the spirit steed's pace.
As expected of someone who had been Torrent's surrogate master for millennia, she was more familiar with the ride.
The remaining Mimic Tear wasn't idle either, occasionally firing off a spell to destroy threatening falling rocks.
It was the first time she knew it could attack while in Tear form.
No wonder its movements were as agile as a phantom, with a perfect grasp of high-speed, ever-changing combat. It not only utilized invisibility and teleportation but could also change its own form...
ROAR!
Finally, they heard a clear dragon's roar.
They looked into the distance together and saw splashes of dragonfire, accompanied by the tremendous sound of a brawl. It was two wyverns, a size larger than the common wyverns of The Lands Between, and their fight was causing the very mountains to shake.
The falling boulders had sent the golden mountain goats on the rugged roadside scattering for their lives, their ears filled with panicked bleats.
Their survival instincts told them a terrifying conflict was about to erupt.
At the same time, Frieren sensed a familiar figure: Igon. Though severely wounded and having just arrived, he was the first to engage the two wyverns, fighting with no fear of death.
As a result, the upper slope was plunged into a chaotic battle, obscured by blowing sand and stones.
What to do? Looking out, it was difficult to get their bearings in the disaster zone, let alone provide timely support. However, there seemed to be some unusual air currents...
"There's an updraft ahead. Hold on tight."
Fortunately, she had already discovered a shortcut and immediately spurred her mount forward.
The moment its hooves touched the fierce wind, they became weightless, and the updraft carried the small party rapidly skyward.
WHOOSH!
Torrent carried them as he was pushed high into the air by the updraft. For a moment, it seemed they were level with the clouds, looking down on the path they had traveled.
However, the next moment, he began to sway uncontrollably. They were too high. This stretch spanned over a hundred meters to the mountaintop, and some turbulence was inevitable.
But under her gravity magic, this was no issue. Frieren summoned a gravity orb to guide the spirit steed to a steady landing on the ground.
Before them was a bridge.
It was of the simplest construction—planks laid over ropes. It swayed and creaked with every gust of wind, as if about to collapse at any moment.
Normally, Frieren would carefully check the area around the bridge for traps.
But now there was no time for meticulousness, as the landslide was still ongoing. They wouldn't be safe until they reached a wide, open area.
With that thought, she whipped the reins, urging the spirit steed to gallop at full speed.
The moment they set foot on the bridge, she made it double-jump, then jump again upon landing, repeating the cycle.
This both avoided putting too much pressure on the bridge and maintained their charge.
In the blink of an eye, the party crossed the bridge. Looking back, it was a heart-pounding sight; one misstep would have meant a fall into the bottomless abyss.
But it wasn't over.
After lighting the Site of Grace, Frieren continued her mad dash on horseback, following the sound of the great battle. After cresting a slope, she saw, as expected, a wide-open plain. Two wyverns were roaring at each other, their breath attacks building to a crescendo before erupting—
The collision of the two energy streams forced Igon to duck into a corner, and naturally, the newly arrived party was not spared.
Before they could even get their footing, they saw a massive fireball rolling towards them.
There was no dodging it, so they would have to nullify it.
The ice storm of the Divine Beast Lion Dance's Stamp rose on Jagged Peak, heralding the arrival of a new war.
______
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