Shadow Keep, observation tower.
"Do all Ancient Dragons like to be so conspicuous?" a flame knight muttered. "How arrogant. That priestess had such a composed style."
"Well, a great vengeance has been exacted. Besides, Florisaxx is most likely representing the friendship of the Ancient Dragons."
"Right. Intelligence from Castle Ensis said it was a commission from the sky city."
The officers of the crusade army exchanged glances, their faces grim. The significance of this was extraordinary; from another angle, it had once again shaken one of the foundations of the Golden Dynasty's rule: the Ancient Dragon alliance.
They won't necessarily side completely with Frieren. But in the future war for Leyndell, they can't be counted on for help. They'll most likely watch from the sidelines and ally with whoever wins.
The Lord of Cinder has been recruiting forces and expanding her influence right under their noses, time and again. How are they, who stand with the Golden Dynasty, supposed to react?
Now, even military might is useless. They can't expect to accomplish anything just by having the home-field advantage in the Land of Shadow.
A Quasi-King, the Lord of Night, a Scion of Gold, and an Ancient Dragon—the four of them together are simply terrifying.
Their movement together is in itself equivalent to a mighty advance. Should a conflict arise, the consequences would be like that of the distant Jagged Peak:
Leveled to the ground.
The view has opened up, the world feels brighter. Now, the only conspicuous landmarks left in the Land of Shadow are the Shadow Tree and the Spiral Tower.
"Send someone to extend an invitation to Frieren."
Messmer, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke with resolve, making the officers think they had misheard. Could it be he was setting aside disputes to find common ground?
Indeed, they shouldn't dither about his mother anymore. An early decision would allow for early arrangements.
Although Frieren's exact stance could only be known after speaking face-to-face, Her Majesty was at least known to the world as a reasonable person, even a "good person," which was exceedingly rare.
Dialogue and communication are always better than the two sides staring each other down with mutual suspicion.
Otherwise, it would be awkward for the crusade army and the Lord of Cinder to remain at a standstill here. It's better to communicate; some things can only be resolved face-to-face.
Because in the Lands Between, there is always one method: to determine fealty through combat.
They could see that Commander Messmer would not yield easily, especially concerning that important sister of his. He would have to test the silver-haired one thoroughly.
Besides, according to Ranni's report, they had another objective:
Lamenter's Village.
Disturbing Lady Marika's homeland with the mere excuse of "seeking the place where the Eternal Queen rose to prominence" is not enough.
They must ask for a clear explanation to be at ease.
"Commander, we've discovered that Miquella's followers have been continuously trying to infiltrate Shadow Keep, likely aiming for the Specimen Storehouse. How should we respond? Expel them or annihilate them?"
"Go easy on them. There's no need to rush to wipe them out. Keeping them around might expose more of Miquella's plans. We need intelligence."
Messmer also didn't forget to keep an eye on the unalloyed Empyrean. Since he had come all the way to the Land of Shadow, his ambitions must be great.
The plan to achieve godhood is certainly not simple, and it doesn't align with my own position. There should only be one true god in the world, and that is my mother.
Outside Shadow Keep, in a corner of a lush forest.
Ansbach's phantom-like figure flitted past several patrolling soldiers, easily rendezvousing with Leda.
Besides the two of them, Jolan, Moore, and Freyja were also present.
More than half of the squad had gathered.
He reported with great solemnity: "I overheard some conversations among the crusade army and also witnessed the disappearance of Jagged Peak... It can be confirmed that Her Majesty Frieren has vanquished Bayle the Dread and secured the allegiance of the Ancient Dragon High Priestess."
"Coupled with the great feat of vanquishing the Lord of the First Flame, the threats in the southeastern Lands Between have now been eliminated. That one truly mends wherever she goes."
Everyone showed expressions of admiration. Such grand achievements benefited all life in the Lands Between.
Her reputation is well-deserved. True to Frieren's style, she would never let such an unstable factor, one that disrupts the greater environment, go unchecked.
In the end, she took the initiative to challenge and vanquish them. She dealt with them all.
Even Bayle, who was mighty enough to contend with the Dragonlord, was defeated by her hand.
To fight every enemy she meets, an eternally burning fighting spirit is one of the necessary conditions for a Quasi-King, a trait she embodies to the fullest.
It's terrifying.
Becoming her enemy would be a huge problem, wouldn't it?
Fortunately, Frieren is a member of the followers' squad, an ally. However, Leda still remained wary in her heart.
She was apprehensive, but she couldn't voice it. After all, Frieren was well-liked within the team, and besides, they would need her strength for the exploration ahead.
"Let's rest for a while and wait to rendezvous with Lady Frieren," Leda suggested. "The road ahead is heavily guarded by the crusade army. It would be best to wait for her to draw some of their attention; otherwise, it will be difficult to infiltrate."
"I reckon her just entering the Shadow Altus region will be enough to make them redeploy their troops," Ansbach agreed, and the others nodded in assent.
With the ability of a Quasi-King's party to stir up trouble, they didn't even need a specific rendezvous. The moment she sets foot in this land, a storm is bound to brew.
Even the elite crusade army would feel their scalps tingle, for they would be facing more than just one king. There were three others of at least demigod stature, a force comparable to an entire army.
Their arrival would certainly affect the military deployment of Shadow Keep.
For that moment, the followers' squad needed to rest temporarily, and also to wait for Frieren to arrive from her long journey.
***
The Lands Between were similarly uneasy.
Logically, the central axis region targeted by the numerous Divine Towers should be a vast bay, perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, with turbulent waves, its far shore hidden from view.
But everyone witnessed Frieren's signature Sunlight Spear, powerful as a thunderbolt, even slay the shadow of a flying dragon. The name of Bayle still held a place in ancient legends, and some powerful individuals immediately realized something was amiss.
At the Magic Academy's stargazing platform, a group of sorcerers was busy with a ritual.
Professors including Sowan and Miriam also participated, jointly observing the central bay of the Lands Between's continent.
They gradually sketched the outline of a map and handed it to Ranni and Rennala, who stood nearby. The mother and daughter each used stargazing to confirm it once more...
Striving for perfection.
The Land of Shadow gradually unveiled its mysterious facade.
For the Raya Lucarian Academy, which was proficient in the art of stargazing, this was not difficult. Coupled with cross-referencing and deductions from various texts, they had formed a general understanding. At least they were no longer completely in the dark.
Ranni let out a sigh of relief and murmured, "Regardless, Frieren won. She fulfilled the commission from the Ancient Dragons."
"Yes, I expect the sky city has received the news as well; they are paying even closer attention than we are," Rennala said with a nostalgic expression. "The seal is weakening. I should be able to see Ranni soon."
"But there are still many dangers to resolve within the Land of Shadow."
At the very least, they knew that the sorcerer Ymir from the academy was connected to the Mother of Fingers and was surely plotting something in secret. If this wasn't dealt with, they could not rest easy.
Since one of the Two Fingers has been killed, the job must be finished completely. They must be wiped out.
"Rest assured, Ranni, I have a premonition—"
"The Land of Shadow will be unsealed."
As if to confirm Rennala's conclusion, Miriam reported, "We have observed a weak point in the barrier. It has become unstable."
Within the view of the stargazing ritual, a sliver of light appeared in the secret curtain of Shadow, a flaw.
Sowan added: "It's a characteristic of the Sunlight Spear. It has loosened a seal that also possesses properties of space-time sealing. Moreover, it has the trait of a soul attack, so its defense against souls has been further reduced."
"Does this mean I can pass through the barrier?"
Upon hearing this, Ranni immediately realized it was perfect for her, practically tailor-made. It shouldn't be difficult to pass through in her spectral form.
In fact, according to their research on the Cocoon of the Empyrean's Slumber, even one as brilliant as Miquella had abandoned most of his physical body to travel to the Lands Between in a spiritual form. In principle, it should be feasible.
"No, I will not allow you to take such a risk. At least, you must wait for Frieren."
"She is a master of soul magic and the most experienced in this field of research in the Lands Between. She can help you pass safely through the barrier."
Rennala hurriedly stopped her daughter's bold idea.
The new generation of the Carian Royal Family was brave and resourceful, but also audacious to a fault, always attempting shocking and drastic feats. She was her only treasured child left; she couldn't be allowed to act recklessly.
The doll-like girl nodded.
"Rest assured, Mother," Ranni understood as well. "Besides, one element is still missing before the time is right. As long as Miquella's hypnosis is still being triggered and cast through the barrier, I cannot enter rashly. He achieves this through the power of his Great Rune; we must be careful."
Everyone had been reminded by Frieren, who had used her own experience to warn her companions not to take risks.
Otherwise, even someone as powerful as the Lord of Cinder had fallen for it back then, which in turn triggered a series of secondary problems that made everyone break out in a cold sweat.
For now, they would act conservatively and wait for Her Majesty to return.
Although Frieren was the type to cast aside minor details and even delve to the very bottom to unearth the truth once she began an adventure, everyone believed that Melina could persuade her. She would have to return at least once midway through, and they would discuss it then.
"However, there is one more thing, Ranni. You must have felt that Rune of Death, haven't you? It was Lady Melina's doing. She released a version of higher purity."
"Therefore, the Black Blade must have sensed it."
"Before he acquired Destined Death, he was able to single-handedly kill Marika's greatest rival—the Gloam-Eyed Queen—and her Godskin Apostle followers. He can only be stronger now, and he must surely hate us to the bone."
"After all, Melina and I both could be said to have stolen the power of Destined Death."
"My dear daughter cannot be targeted by such an assassin. Tell Frieren that, if necessary, we will deal with him properly, together."
After speaking, Rennala waved her hand and went back to rest.
The ever-gentle Queen of the Full Moon rarely showed such strong hostility towards another party in front of Ranni.
Not even the troublemaking academy faction was worthy of her hatred, but Maliketh, the Black Blade, was different. With both the ability and the will, he was extremely dangerous. The implication was that it would be best to plan an ambush to kill him.
Of course, both mother and daughter knew that their main force, Frieren, would not agree. Getting her to simply allow a group of powerful figures to surround and intimidate him would be a good outcome.
***
The gradually crumbling Farum Azula.
The sky city, thanks to its advantageous position, immediately detected the Sunlight Spear. Naturally, they would not mistake the aura of Bayle the Dread, confirming that the battle had reached a fever pitch.
According to the Ancient Dragons' observations, his aura had continuously declined, even fading away, after that clash.
After repeated confirmations through various channels, a conclusion could finally be drawn: Bayle, the great sinner who brought grievous harm to the rule of the Ancient Dragons, had finally fallen.
The enmities of the ancient Erdtree era were extinguished.
They watched as the seal of the Shadow Tree re-formed, its speed swift.
But how could the full-power strike of the mighty Lord of Cinder be so easily dealt with? The overflowing magical aura still leaked a great deal of information.
"...Was that Florisaxx's aura just now?"
Lansseax, as one of the foremost Ancient Dragons, had keen senses and caught a familiar presence.
"That's right."
The other Ancient Dragons also confirmed it one by one.
Since everyone had sensed it at the same time, there was no mistake. It was a pleasant surprise. The High Priestess was alive and well, still preserving her draconic form.
Her soaring aura indicated her spirit was unbroken, and with her heart's burden lifted, Florisaxx's strength was sure to rise to a new level.
The Ancient Dragons were overjoyed, their spirits blooming with delight. They never expected that Bayle, a problem that had plagued them for thousands of years, would now be a thing of the past. Life was truly unpredictable.
The sky city needed to think about the next era. Being able to decisively kill the Mad Dragon proved that Frieren possessed power on par with Dragonlord Placidusax.
The will of such a powerful being would surely be carried out, in turn influencing the Lands Between.
"When Frieren returns to the Lands Between, I will make a special trip to see her."
Lansseax replied under the hopeful gazes of her brethren. This time, she had to be serious. She would be visiting as an envoy representing Farum Azula, a crucial task for the future of the Ancient Dragons.
They would honor their promise and demonstrate the friendship of the Ancient Dragons.
"Good. Go and have a thorough discussion. Even if the Lord of Cinder were to disappear right now, the impact she has left behind will establish a new order in the Lands Between."
"Indeed. The south has been preparing for war for too long. The inertia of war will not change for anyone or anything."
"With Florisaxx restored, we also have another powerful combatant."
"So much good news today, but there's one fellow who's spoiling the mood—"
From the depths of the sky city, from the palace of the Beast Clergyman, an enraged torrent of magic erupted. Even the Draconic Tree Sentinel at the gate had to temporarily avoid its edge.
The entire structure hummed and trembled as a pillar of black and red magic shot into the sky, its energy of absolute death chilling the heart.
Maliketh, the Black Blade, had grown more proficient with Destined Death. He could probably integrate it into his fighting style now, adding to his power as the strongest assassin.
He was the most threatening enemy.
"Why? Why does the aura of Destined Death come from the Land of Shadow? Marika, what have you done?"
"Or is there another piece of Destined Death wandering loose? Is it my fault...?"
The Ancient Dragons looked at each other, having nothing to say about this fellow who was prone to fits of madness and depression. If not for their fear of the power of Destined Death, they could swarm and tear the Black Blade apart.
For the great sky city to be garrisoned and intimidated by him was truly stifling.
There was only one person in the world who not only did not fear Destined Death, but craved the Rune of Death, a king with countless motives to eliminate the Black Blade: Frieren.
The future is a new age.
Whether Marika lives or not is another matter, but Marika's most loyal and powerful follower must die. The high command of the southern army could see this clearly, and Ranni in particular would surely offer this counsel.
In terms of political vision and strategic execution, she was likely the foremost in the Lands Between after its decline in talent.
Lansseax gave a meaningful glance in the direction of the Black Blade, then nodded to her brethren.
"We have entered the game a bit too late. We'll have to make a heavy wager to catch up with the old guard who allied with the Lord of Cinder long ago."
_____
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