Headquarters of the Continental Magic Association, Inner Palace Garden.
Beside a table in the gazebo sat Serie, resting her cheek on her hand in utter boredom. Opposite her was Barke, who, despite his white hair and beard, was robust and upright. The two influential figures were both looking at a stack of letters before them.
The letters came from all corners of the land, but every single one mentioned support for the Association's independence and stressed the importance of the war against the demons. Most did not explicitly oppose the Empire's recruitment efforts, but their dissatisfaction was clear.
The golden-haired elf wore an expression of someone enjoying the show.
Barke, on the other hand, was not so relaxed. As the court mage responsible for this recruitment initiative, he was under direct pressure, especially since many letters from equally powerful individuals were effectively muddying the waters:
"I believe we should seriously reconsider the move to absorb the Association. They are the backbone of the fight against the demons and should not be distracted."
"The two largest branches, Northern Pass and the Labyrinth Kingdom, have already voiced their clear opposition. Accept the situation; your scheme will be difficult to advance. You're better off considering cooperation."
"Elf Town has funded many opposition factions to influence His Majesty's decision."
"You're making too much of a scene."
"Miliardel claims: 'Allowing the Magic Association to lose its independence is as dangerous as a bank losing its own.' She is linking these two issues together, causing many influential figures to express concern. Their opinions cannot be ignored."
"The elves intend to use both the Association and the banks as leverage. The one who devised this plan must be Miliardel."
"The demon front is not quiet. We cannot afford to be complacent."
"Be careful..."
The vast majority of the letters conveyed information while simultaneously voicing opposition, making Barke's heart tighten. He hadn't expected the resistance to be primarily orchestrated by the elves.
Wasn't this race supposed to be uninvolved in worldly affairs, staying clear of disputes? It seemed they had undergone a change of heart.
And it just had to happen on his watch.
However, he quickly recovered. His seasoned experience allowed him to deduce that a few hardliners were exerting their influence. Since they were creating obstacles, he would counter by publicizing Minus's misdeeds.
As Barke was pondering this, he subconsciously opened a letter from Weiss:
"A word of advice as an old friend: Do not make an issue of the elven race as a whole. That would be touching Frieren's reverse scale—her absolute wrath—and she will not hesitate to retaliate."
"Don't think this will be a gentle power transaction. Even if you hint at it, she either won't understand or won't bother to. Instead, she will use her own methods—force. Believe me, the Empire cannot withstand the might of a mage from the age of myths who is eternally spoiling for a fight..."
Weiss's advice was sharp and to the point.
Barke could tell his comrade-in-arms was not exaggerating; it was widely acknowledged that she had the genes of a battle maniac.
In fact, Serie had them too, but she was past that age. Frieren, being younger, was still in her prime, eager for a fight.
Putting himself in her shoes, if he had that kind of power, he could think of a hundred ways. For instance, he could disguise himself, kill the entire special envoy delegation, and then frame the demons. The method would be crude, but the Empire would have no choice but to accept the outcome.
If you're strong enough, why bother racking your brain for schemes?
Frieren had power, backing, and willingness, but no sense of reverence. An existence like that could explode at the slightest provocation, leaving everyone a bloody mess.
"It seems they're mainly blaming you."
Seeing his serious expression, Serie laughed. "The reason I had these brought up was for him to see, so I could enjoy the court mage's dilemma."
Barke sighed, putting away the letter bearing the Weiss family crest and storing it carefully before murmuring, "I underestimated Lady Frieren's influence, and I certainly didn't expect her staunch opposition."
"What a pity."
"It should have been a good thing. If we united, humanity could be better organized..."
Hearing this, a scornful smile touched the golden-haired elf's lips. How sanctimonious.
"Honestly, I don't mind at all if you poach my people. My apprentices can go wherever they please. It's fine. I never tie them to my side. But to think you can absorb the Association along with them—your appetite is a bit too large."
"I've already shown you my acceptable limits. According to negotiations, you should have taken the hint and left. Stop being a nuisance."
However, Barke shook his head.
"You underestimate the power of the organization you've built. The Association has cultivated deep-seated prestige over many years. Its systems for talent development, screening, and evaluation are invaluable, and its accumulated archives are priceless. Furthermore, there are the branch constructions, the commission system, magical research... these are also very important."
"The secret of a system lies in its organizational structure itself, including its processes, protocols, and experience, all of which are interconnected."
"If we only poach a part of it, we gain nothing."
"Conversely, it might even damage the Association's operations, resulting in a lose-lose situation."
The court mage's composure and vision were on full display, and he even projected an aura of quiet authority.
But it was completely unimpressive to Serie.
"Don't make your avarice sound so noble. You want to swallow the Association in one bite? You don't have what it takes."
"What's this about not wanting a lose-lose? In a rational world, the worst outcome should be a draw. But humans are irrational, so lose-lose is the most common result. In any case, it's better than a one-sided victory."
"I can do without the Association, without the status, without all of this. I can continue my research alone, occasionally take on an apprentice, and the rest is up to you."
With that, she turned back to admiring the flowers, not sparing her guest another glance.
She couldn't be bothered.
Although they had met once when the Association was building its network, their different stances meant there was nothing to discuss.
A troubled look crossed Barke's face. Indeed, the most difficult enemy in the world is one who is alone and free of desire, not to mention immensely powerful. He had already pushed Serie to the limit of her patience; he shouldn't stir up more trouble.
Using the elven race to provoke her would be useless as well. He would hold that card for now.
He couldn't let the conversation end.
"How much do you know about the ancient demon beasts?" He changed the subject, confessing, "Actually, the demons of Boletaria are showing signs of losing control."
Revealing this intelligence, a flaw in his bargaining position, made Serie's smile vanish. After all, such monsters always brought trouble, and it would indeed be difficult if they began to spread in the rear.
"You use it as a bargaining chip without even understanding it. How boring."
Despite her words, she relaxed slightly. Revealing this point directly meant the Empire wasn't being so aggressive anymore and was planning to try a different strategy. Whatever. The demons were more worthy of attention; she was curious about any magic she didn't understand.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Serie raised a hand, interrupting the conversation. Her sharp gaze fixed on the distant sky.
"President, is something wrong?"
Barke sat up straight. He was well aware that her perception range was absurdly large, often allowing her to anticipate the enemy's moves.
"The person I've been waiting for has arrived. But I heard she was the type to keep her magic restrained. Why is she being so ostentatious today?"
The golden-haired elf turned her head and smiled. "So, Frieren has no intention of giving you a warm welcome."
Above the Magic City.
A meteor shower of incandescent light streaked across the sky in broad daylight. At first, no one paid it any mind, but soon, mages began to sense an intense magical presence.
The strange phenomenon above the celestial dome was a product of gravitational distortion.
It seemed a vast power was using this point as an anchor to pull itself along, traveling in an unbelievable manner—compressing the gravity between two points to its limit and launching oneself forward like a slingshot. Was that even possible?
There were many mages on the streets, and they had a basic eye for such things. They immediately recognized a magical power beyond all measure.
"What a grand display. Quite the high-profile entrance."
"Setting aside the required precision and amount of magic, can the caster's body even withstand it? For an ordinary person, it would be suicide. They'd turn into mush mid-flight."
"It's Gravity Magic. There's only one person in the world who can do something like this."
Whoosh!
A tremendous sound came from the skyline. A figure trailing a stream of violet-white light flew directly to the gate of the Magic City. In its wake, the clouds were split in two, forming a perfect parallel line as if the sky were a canvas for casual sketching.
Power is not only demonstrated through destruction; a stunning spectacle can be even more impactful. When the very clouds are etched with lines, who wouldn't be in awe?
Thousands of people couldn't help but stop and look up, their faces beaming. Today was truly a feast for the eyes.
The Empire's special envoy delegation did not think so.
For a moment, they felt the ground lose its center of gravity. A chill shot up their spines to the top of their heads, followed by a cold sweat.
They gasped for air, their hearts pounding wildly. There was no mistaking it; the driver had unabashedly cast a powerful gaze over them. What terrifying spiritual perception.
There was no hostility or pressure, just a raw presence that was terrifying, a feeling of being seen through to the depths of their souls.
They looked at each other and immediately understood that every member had been scrutinized.
Locked on.
To instantly envelop an entire metropolis with spiritual perception and pinpoint every single member, even scanning them from head to toe... No secret could be hidden from her. This was the power of Vice President Frieren. Unlike the somewhat listless Serie, she was aggressive, every move exuding strength, dominance, and the open majesty of a king.
This grand aura made ordinary mages pale in comparison.
Could they even imagine defeating her?
The moment that doubt arose in their minds, they were no longer Frieren's opponents. The more absolute the magical power, the more it tested one's willpower. This show of force was a stunning blow, equivalent to suppression.
She had made them admit defeat without even meeting them. The effectiveness of any magic aimed at her would now be drastically reduced.
The main hall of the headquarters.
Carol, who had failed in his recruitment attempt and was preparing to return to rest, trembled all over as alarm bells screamed in his mind. Fortunately, that gaze vanished in an instant.
"What terrifying power. All the shadow warriors combined wouldn't be her match."
Numbers mean little against a powerhouse who has achieved a qualitative leap in strength. If sheer numbers could win, the Seven Sages of the Mountain squad wouldn't have been completely annihilated by Frieren, despite having the advantage of a surprise attack.
They had tried, and even the All-Knowing's traps had failed.
The garden gazebo was also dead silent.
Serie watched the direction of the city gate with great interest, her smile growing ever brighter, thrilled by the prospect of a worthy challenge. Excellent. She felt a pressure she hadn't felt in a long time. This was exhilarating.
Her heart, worn and polished by the ages, actually began to pound with excitement, as if she had returned to the chaotic battles of the Age of Myths.
Unfortunately, this feeling was not for ordinary people to enjoy.
Barke, in the chair opposite her, wiped the sweat from his forehead. His white hair and beard drooped, his eyes flashing with profound shock. The newcomer meant business; at the very least, she had no intention of playing games or probing the Empire's envoys.
"A friend of mine said the Vice President is the type who doesn't mind using force to suppress others. He was certainly right."
"It's a shame I'm past the age for brawling..."
Hearing this, Barke's heart leaped with joy. Did this mean Serie was not in support? If the two Presidents had differing attitudes, that was a gap he could exploit. Was this an opportunity?
However, her next words plunged him into an icy abyss: "But if she makes a move and ignites my fighting spirit, then it wouldn't be so bad to cause some trouble with the younger generation. No one will stop the Association from promoting the popularization of magic."
City gate.
A wide road of white stone stretched out before Frieren, extending all the way to the headquarters' main hall on the high ground. The overall terrain was a plateau, giving it a strong three-dimensional feel, with houses arranged in a charmingly haphazard way. The greenery was dominated by flowers, their sweet fragrance mingling with the wind to soothe the soul.
If Northern Pass was a place of worldly commerce, the Magic City had an open and prosperous academic atmosphere.
You couldn't walk far without passing a shop selling magic books.
There were also all-encompassing public areas like stadiums and bathhouses, and one could often see mages exchanging magical knowledge. All of this took place within a massive barrier.
In her eyes, the most impressive thing was the fortress-grade barrier that enveloped the entire city.
Serie had indeed put her heart into it.
Although her letters gave the impression she didn't care about the Magic Association, she had clearly poured her efforts into it.
No wonder the demon armies, even at their most rampant when they nearly conquered the north, had steered clear of this place. Besides the personal strength of the progenitor of magic, the iron-clad Magic City was no simple fortress.
It had become a nail driven into the northern region.
Northern Pass, the gateway to the central lands, was adjacent to Elf Town. If it were attacked, Frieren would never stand idly by.
The two elven mages from the age of myths respectively held the chokepoints from the north to the central human territories. From the demons' perspective, it was a true headache. Unless this strategic stalemate was broken, they could forget about dominating humanity.
But that was a matter for later. Right now, Frieren saw a familiar figure:
"Master!"
Flamme flew down from mid-air and, with a swift leap, plunged into the silver-haired girl's arms with a fragrant breeze. Since Flamme was taller, it looked more like an embrace.
"You've grown taller since I last saw you. Good. A strong physique is also a required course for a mage."
Even though top-tier experts emphasize willpower and imagination, how many ordinary people can achieve that? The most direct improvement actually comes from the body's feedback to the mind. With her physical vitality reaching its peak, Flamme's magic had clearly surged, her growth curve was astounding.
Her continually developing young body caused her power to skyrocket.
The pressure she unconsciously released was something even Frieren had to take seriously. Now, an ordinary demon sage would be crushed if they met her.
"Master, are you here for magic research?"
"Yes. But why don't you guess that I came because of the Empire? They are stirring up trouble, after all."
"They are not worthy."
Flamme's bold reply made the passersby in the Magic City turn to look. On second thought, it was true. They weren't afraid back when the demon army was at their gates, so why fear some mere schemers now?
The master and apprentice looked at each other and burst out laughing, the gloom in their hearts swept away.
For the first time in a long while, Frieren saw in her direct disciple the spirit, the pride, and the confidence of the sacred path to dominate an era. This was the final step to the pinnacle.
"Speaking of which, that perception just now was yours, wasn't it, Master? You've grown stronger again."
The red-haired girl's large, watery eyes widened. Anyone familiar with Frieren would notice the change in her magical fluctuations, especially now that she wasn't hiding it at all, generously displaying her boundless magic.
Flamme, who considered herself much stronger, felt that the gap had actually widened. But she wasn't discouraged in the slightest; it was only natural for the world's ceiling to be high.
"Yes. The upper limit of what I can safely output has increased."
"These are all things to be happy about. It's boring to just stand on the street. Let me give you a tour, Master."
"That would be best."
After marking the Imperial envoys, Frieren could maintain constant surveillance. Within the range of her spiritual perception, they could not hide; no method could conceal them. In fact, if they made any dangerous moves, she would take the initiative to strike.
There were plenty of ways to teach them a lesson.
Frieren had been prepared for a clash of wills, but unexpectedly, they all tucked their tails between their legs and reined in their auras. It was a bit boring.
The only magical reaction that was like a midday sun, and still expanding, was Serie's.
The elven elder had responded to her power, a nod of greeting. Neither was in a hurry to meet; for those with super-long-range perception, this was no different from being face-to-face.
Right now, Frieren was more focused on Flamme's explanation:
"Master, look, that channel bringing water from the high mountains was carved out by us. It can flow throughout the entire city..."
"Does that library over there look a bit familiar? I tried to build it in the architectural style of Yharnam, and I used a steel frame. It was an expensive experiment."
"You must have noticed the barrier has multiple layers. Actually, my formulas are in there too..."
The red-haired girl enthusiastically explained her achievements to her master.
She had done it.
Life in the Magic City was never not busy, but it was fulfilling. Besides training, she had to handle various official duties and use magic for construction projects like these. They were her own works, and she was very proud.
When she first took on the work, Flamme was afraid it would delay her training, but to her surprise, she actually grew stronger faster. She was overjoyed.
So her master was right: one's vision and experience must match one's strength.
If she had stayed around Northern Pass, she couldn't have improved further. The wide world was her stage. But it was strange; why was Frieren, who always stayed in her hometown, so strong? She was always the exception.
"Since Serie could entrust you with such important matters, it means she believes in your ability."
"The President probably just wanted to test my limits."
"If she's working you too hard, then I'll have to correct her."
"It's fine." Flamme waved her hands hurriedly, her face blushing. "And I get lonely. I have to keep busy so I don't think about my life with you and sister Adel. It was simple, but I was happy every day..."
"You can come back anytime you want. You could stay in town for a while. You have no idea how much it's changed."
"Master, are you planning to stay awake for a while?"
"Yes."
She would consider it a period of adjustment. Frieren had a premonition that the coming battle in the Land of Shadow would be arduous. Just dealing with all the schemes and intrigues would be mentally exhausting.
Afterward, she would have to deal with Miquella's plans all at once. Before that, she would rest well.
Hearing this, Flamme nodded happily. Only when her master was awake did Elf Town truly feel like home, especially when her occasional squabbles with sister Adel were so amusing.
She really should take a breather too.
Although the Magic City was prosperous in every way and offered many opportunities for training, one isn't made of iron. Given the intensity of the work Serie delegated, she'd rather not. She'd go back and give herself a long vacation first.
Even if the President wouldn't let her go because she was too useful, it didn't matter. This time, it was Frieren who was asking for her.
"Master, I have a lot of magic I want to research with you."
"Me too. In fact, the reason I came was because I encountered an exceptionally troublesome barrier, and I need your help to figure out how to break it."
"Sealing magic? I'm somewhat confident in that."
"I can replicate a part of its magical aura and formula. Don't worry, it's enough for research."
The Haligtree's barrier was indeed profound and complex, but Frieren also possessed the power of the Great Runes and knowledge from several worlds. Even if she couldn't fully analyze it, she could extract some information to serve as a crucial breakthrough, at least to accelerate the barrier's collapse.
She didn't expect to dismantle it enough for a whole army to pass through. It would be enough if a small number could get through, like Ranni and the medical staff.
The former could help her exploration in the Land of Shadow.
The latter were needed to treat the injured as soon as possible; after all, the Grafting technique would be useful for reversing the effects of the Horned Man Deformity Ritual.
Regathering her thoughts, Frieren continued to listen to Flamme's guided tour. The two had now passed through the main avenue of the city gate and reached a place near the city center, where a fountain like a small hill stood.
Splash!
Gushing water flowed from high to low in an arc, creating several rainbow bridges.
"You must have noticed, Master, right? There are many traces of formulas inside. That's right, it's not just a landmark; it also serves as a water tower, supplying the entire city with running water through the difference in elevation, and also promoting circulation to prevent the water from becoming stagnant."
"Actually, it wasn't originally this big, and its effect wasn't great, but I improved it." Flamme said proudly. "Thanks to the inspiration from your dreams, Master."
"Discovering the trick is a credit to your own ability."
To be able to draw inspiration from a place like Yharnam showed, in a sense, incredible nerve. She was truly gifted.
This level of willpower would make her a top-tier hunter.
Water is the most basic necessity for life and is of great benefit to sanitation. No wonder the entire Magic City felt so clean and tidy. Its layout was logically derived from the flow of water; the water tower, aqueducts, and rivers together wove a distributed, web-like urban area.
It was unique.
"Ordinary cities are generally built around a central castle or fortress, but this one was designed with convenience and cleanliness in mind from the start."
"In the President's view, she herself is the strongest army, and the barrier is the best city wall."
"That's true. Actually, Elf Town was built with the same idea."
It was especially suitable for an elf like Frieren who was a permanent resident of her hometown. Without the need to plan for city walls, residential and commercial areas could be developed freely.
She believed Miliardel would find a suitable designer.
"That's why I believe barriers are the future mainstream defense model. Once they become widespread, they can make life more convenient for everyone and also serve as individual fortresses to deter the demon armies."
"Speaking of which, President Serie is actually quite knowledgeable about barrier magic. You could talk to her about it."
"Then let's go."
The master and apprentice strode towards the main hall of the Magic Association headquarters.
_____
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