Aftermath, the Ruins of the King's Tomb excavation site.
As the dawn's first light touched Frieren's face, her pen put down the final period. The record was complete. She had also managed to deduce more than half of it on the side; the brief exchanges with Flamme on the road were enough to perfect her teaching methods.
For her, the difficulty was never in her own comprehension, but in how to make people other than her apprentice understand.
Usually, no matter how much her teaching style jumped around, a genius like Flamme could always understand. The same could not be said for others of mediocre talent.
Ring, ring, ring!
A little later, the bell to start the workday rang, and the area gradually became lively.
The workers got up one by one to wash, and after a simple breakfast, they began to clear the rubble, sweating profusely. After yesterday's celebration, everyone was much more at ease. They didn't need to worry so much about safety and could work with abandon.
The adventurers and mercenaries, on the other hand, patrolled cautiously, lest any monsters had slipped through the net.
The most delicate work belonged to the professional archaeologists, who were carefully classifying and recording all sorts of strangely shaped artifacts. Their enthusiasm was comparable to Frieren searching for a magic grimoire.
"Master, is it morning?"
Flamme, who had been pillowed on her lap, rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Yes, it's time to go. Look, Sir Vain has already packed his equipment."
At that moment, the commander was disassembling his armor, cleaning and maintaining each piece separately, while also changing into a noble's formal attire. Regardless of whether the Royal Capital was in ruins, one still had to show the proper etiquette, especially as a well-known great noble. The negotiations to come would be extremely important.
He knew that Frieren had taken care of the remaining high-ranking officials of the Underground Kingdom, but she was too lazy to execute the specifics. In the end, he still had to put in the effort.
Hearing this, Flamme also began to pack.
Seeing the group of three preparing to leave, Fenton hurried over to see them off, and also presented them with a huge sum of money as a reward.
"I won't say more. In short, thank you all very much for your powerful assistance." He sighed with sincerity, "Otherwise, this land of treasure would have suffered heavy losses, and it would have hindered the kingdom's reconstruction... We will remember this kindness, and we hope to have more cooperation with the Association in the future."
"Of course, you can. I plan to establish a branch in the Underground Kingdom."
"President Frieren, you like a challenge. Although you have probably cleared the way with the upper echelons, there are still many in the middle and lower classes who have been misinformed and are hostile towards magic. It will be very difficult to operate."
"The challenge is there. We choose to do it precisely because it is difficult. The Association welcomes challenges, because only an organization that constantly solves difficulties can grow."
"Excellent."
A fire lit up in Fenton's eyes, and he laughed heartily, "I will definitely support your side with all my strength."
"Even if you don't fully understand yet?"
"I understand you, President Frieren, and Miss Flamme, Commander Vain, and Your Excellency Lernen... With you all here, the Magic Association will surely prosper. I can't afford not to place my bet early."
"As expected of a gambler who dares to take on an excavation mission. Since that's the case, we will not fail your judgment."
The two shook hands solemnly and nodded to each other.
Then, without any lingering, they waved goodbye and parted ways. One side returned to the excavation site, while the other boarded a carriage and set off at full speed.
Before, their relationship was merely that of a basic employer and employee, not worth mentioning. Once the bill was settled, they would part ways. Now, Fenton, representing the family behind him, had promised to invest. That was tantamount to boarding their war chariot. So, Frieren did not hesitate to make a guarantee.
The country that was once most staunchly opposed to magic would in the future become its absolute supporter, and even be controlled by it. Presenting a living example to the world was in the Association's best interest.
"President, the Fenton family has some background..."
As the omniscient guide to the nobility, Vain promptly provided some explanatory background.
Frieren listened and thought. In reality, she had only just understood the background. The detailed nuances of interpersonal relationships were not something an elf liked to consider.
To act without even a basic investigation—he had to admire that. An ordinary person entering such a high-stakes arena of power and fame might lose everything. But who could have predicted that the Honorary President's greatest initial capital was her power?
She valued the nobles' influence, while the nobles valued the hard currency that was rapidly appreciating in value:
Violence.
The Association had already mastered a considerable group of violent enforcers. Moreover, under Serie's leadership, it was taking a high-end route, and with the addition of Frieren's popularization of mid-to-low-level training, this investment was a sure win.
Beside them, Flamme listened to the two's conversation with wide eyes, treating it as gossip to pass the time on the road.
More than half a day later, on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.
A temporary refugee camp had been set up on the green field, built by the evacuated citizens themselves.
"You've finally returned, President! Praise be to Lady Frieren!"
The sense of security given by the Mythical-Era Mage was unparalleled, especially for those who feared the demons would make a comeback. Witnessing the great hero's return, they naturally lined the streets to welcome her, offering flowers.
She had left in such a hurry before that they hadn't had time to congratulate her. Now, recalling the disaster, people cherished Frieren, who had fought for their survival, even more.
"Thank you."
The silver-haired girl stepped out of the carriage and returned the gesture.
Although the background was a scene of the Royal Capital's ruins, the resilient people had already regained their spirits. At least they still had their friends and family. There was still hope for these hundreds of thousands of people, more precious than gold. So, the scene was very noisy and full of vitality.
The most enthusiastic were, of course, the nobles. Terrified by a certain "list," they naturally did their best to curry favor.
As usual, Frieren didn't answer directly, only urging them to quickly support the new king and the royal cabinet.
Even without interrogating the Demon Sage, she could see through certain people. A simple scan of their mana could determine who had a guilty conscience, or at least had cooperated with the demons in the past.
Forget it.
Having spent her brain cells on two new magics, she was too lazy to think about the nitty-gritty. There were definitely people who understood the situation better than her.
Lernen welcomed the three into a temporary cottage.
It had only been two days, but he already had dark circles under his eyes and a look of fatigue. It was clear he had been through a lot of work. But his bright, shining pupils and confident smile indicated that things should be going smoothly.
"President Frieren, as you said, we are now discussing the selection of a new king. The Association can intervene. In your opinion, who should we choose?"
"Since when did our Association have so much say?"
"The influential great nobles are all dead, and the rest are arguing over how to divide the vacant positions. So, I maneuvered a bit and made the Association the arbiter. Besides, as the kingdom's protector, no one would object to you giving some guidance, would they?"
As he spoke, he took out several investigation files, which contained information on the currently remaining members of the royal family.
The silver-haired girl casually flipped through them as if selecting from a menu.
"Let's choose this princess. She's young, her academic record is average, her personality is gentle and easy to control, and her magic talent is not bad. The others either participated in opposing magic or are not clean."
"I thought so too, but it will be met with resistance from the other few princes and their supporting nobles."
"You have evidence of their conspiracy, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Operate according to your plan. I don't know much about court struggles, but I will definitely support you with all my strength," Frieren said, settling the matter.
One month after the demon usurpation incident that shook the central continent.
During this time, the Magic Association and neighboring countries continuously sent support. Coupled with Frieren's magic, the Royal Capital was being repaired at the fastest possible speed. She treated it as training for the magic she had after releasing a sliver of her limits, and also studied the demons' magic with Flamme.
The two of them were simply doing their academic work in a different place, but the deterrent force they provided was more than enough to make any conspirator not dare to act rashly.
Moreover, Lernen had already investigated the forces connected to the demons. The "list" Frieren had bluffed about before had become a reality.
But knowing when to be firm and when to be lenient was an art.
According to Vain's opinion, the nobles who were beneficial to supporting the new king were temporarily spared punishment, or their interests were exchanged. Faced with such a huge accusation as "colluding with demons," they always chose to cooperate, or even submit.
In a sense, the two of them were borrowing the tiger's might, relying entirely on the lingering prestige of Frieren's battle record. The nobles who had paid a huge price in利益 (lìyì - benefits/interests) for the exchange had some complaints, feeling they were just pulling the tiger's whiskers.
So what?
The kingdom, having lost all its elites, had no qualifications to challenge the Association.
And in the eyes of ordinary people, the opinion of the Mythical-Era Mage who had achieved the feat of protecting the country was of utmost importance.
Therefore, the two, acting on Frieren's will, proceeded very smoothly, basically sweeping away the stubborn opposition. Of course, there were some unpleasant minor incidents during this period:
Rebellions.
Some nobles, unwilling to suffer serious losses, ultimately raised the banner of rebellion.
However, their struggles were doomed to be fruitless and only added to Frieren's battle record. They became prisoners without the slightest effort. For her, it was the strong who were difficult to control and had to be killed. The weak could be kneaded at will. She might as well leave the lives of the rebel army to the new king.
Under the banner of "His Majesty and the Royal Cabinet's command," she launched a crusade, naturally giving the opportunity to establish authority to the new management of the Underground Kingdom.
The 12-year-old queen-to-be was quite intelligent.
Although it was said that she was dazed for a whole day when she learned she had been chosen as the next king, when it came to actually handling the work, she was quite quick. As long as she didn't drag her feet, it was fine.
Ander VI was born from a month-long game of chess between various forces.
The deal was done.
Those who should compromise, compromised. Those who should trade, traded. Those who should be dealt with, were dealt with. Just like that, the situation gradually stabilized, and the restoration of the Royal Capital entered the fast lane. Resilient buildings were erected on the ruins.
It was all thanks to Frieren's ridiculously strong magic. Whether it was levitation, gravity, or construction, she handled it all with ease.
In fact, she didn't need to do much. Just being busy at the construction site every day was intimidating enough. Her power alone was comparable to a country's royal guard, and even more so. She was a symbol of a miracle walking the earth.
Thanks to her long stay in reality and high-intensity use of magic, Frieren's control had improved even further.
She had become a little stronger.
Flamme, on the other hand, was the one in the team who enjoyed the journey itself the most.
The major events and power plays didn't require her to participate so early. Apart from her daily research, there was nothing much to do, unlike the three elders who were busy running around without rest. A child had the privilege of not working, which in turn gave Flamme time to stroll around the city.
Witnessing a city being rebuilt from ruins was a kind of happiness.
For her first long journey, to have experienced such world-shaking news was very legendary, absolutely no less than the deeds of the heroes.
So, Flamme spent the entire month in a state of excitement.
Time flew by. After repeated struggles for power and profit, the Underground Kingdom welcomed the final major test of the epilogue:
The Coronation.
The newly repaired palace was adorned with colorful flags and fluttering flower petals. A red carpet decorated the long corridor. Nobles of all ranks from all over were present, including envoys from neighboring countries. It was a gathering of distinguished guests, a grand event for all the central nations.
When the queen took her seat amidst her attendants, thunderous applause erupted, lasting for a long time. It was for this historic moment, and for all the busy preparations that had led up to it. It was worthy of any celebration.
"Silence. This monarch will now begin the commendations."
A touch of solemnity filled the great hall, grave and respectful, because everyone understood who the real protagonist was. To put it bluntly, who in the Underground Kingdom, which had just been through a scandal of betraying humanity, was worthy of commendation?
Only the heroes who had shone so brightly. Only Frieren's team was worthy.
It wasn't that they demanded a heavy reward, but that the new management needed to prove its legitimacy through this.
The great doors swung open.
It was, surprisingly, the four heroes attending in full dress. Even without their armor, Frieren, Flamme, Vain, and Lernen had an extraordinary air. That composure and heroism were in their every move, a bearing bestowed by countless battles, proof of a tempering that ordinary people could not achieve.
Especially the silver-haired elf at the forefront, who received awe-filled gazes. This one was the most heavyweight, having single-handedly orchestrated the new king's coronation from behind the scenes.
There was no greater power than this.
Without Frieren's series of endorsements, such as suppressing the rebellion with lightning speed, the new cabinet would not have been stable. Now, the President was the number one power broker.
Fortunately, her only request was to establish a branch of the Association.
The elven race had always had little interest in worldly affairs. Forming a relatively loose organization was as far as it went. For example, both Frieren and Serie pursued expansion, but they personally would not interfere too deeply, which in turn gave the local nobles a sense of security. They might as well welcome it.
Today's rewards were also the Underground Kingdom's return and attitude: We submit to you. Let's cooperate in the future.
At this moment, the party of four paid their respects before the throne.
The queen declared:
"Frieren, you led the victory in the battle against the monsters of the Ruins of the King's Tomb, eliminated two demon sages, and made outstanding contributions to humanity's resistance, ensuring a smooth transition for the new cabinet. I ennoble you as Marquess, Court Mage, Royal Advisor, and grant you the title of Guardian Minister of the State. May the Goddess bless you."
Then, she personally pinned the medal on the silver-haired girl.
"Lernen, you risked danger to collect evidence of the demons' spies, and timely evacuated the citizens to spare them from disaster, long serving as an advisor. I ennoble you as Count, Intelligence Advisor, and Honorary Mage."
"Flamme, you were the first in merit in the conquest of the Ruins of the King's Tomb, protecting the safety of the excavation site, ensuring the transport of the dungeon's assets, and subduing the Mirror Demon. You are ennobled as Baroness."
Hearing that she had suddenly become a noble, the red-haired girl was very shocked. She hadn't expected to gain so much. His Majesty was quite generous.
She was now a person of status, though her identity as a mage came first.
"Vain, you were of great merit in the battle of the Ruins of the King's Tomb, served as the acting Captain of the Guard, presided over the reconstruction of the castle, and maintained public order. You are ennobled as Baron, Honored Knight, and Military Advisor."
"And I bestow upon you treasures..."
The entire award ceremony was unremarkable, especially for Frieren, for whom it was just a formality.
A moment later.
The party paid their respects and retreated to the other side. The queen then announced the start of the banquet. For a time, the great hall was bustling with noise, the clinking of glasses frequent.
Frieren stretched and let out a long sigh of relief, exclaiming, "It's finally over."
"It feels so unreal," Flamme said, touching her medal with a smile. "I can bring the good news back to everyone at Northwind Fortress. Bounties and rewards are the best."
"Yes, it's about time we headed back."
After the coronation, there was no more news from the Underground Kingdom. The dust had settled. The only important matter left was one.
Three days later.
The site selection for the large-scale Central Continent branch of the Magic Association was officially completed. To show its importance, the queen attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiled a unique reward: a bronze statue of the four-person party.
When the red cloth was removed, a surprisingly lifelike sculpture was revealed.
It was scaled up about three times, tall and straight. With its higher base, it looked majestic.
The pose was a standard standing one. Frieren held a magic book, Flamme was at her side holding a staff, Vain had one hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, and Lernen followed behind. Rather than a stiff reproduction, it seemed more like a snapshot of a scene.
The bronze statue was made of sturdy material and had been meticulously maintained. Situated in front of the Magic Association, it was enough to serve as a landmark, able to withstand the ravages of time, entrusting the grandeur of this piece of history.
"This monarch hopes that everyone will not forget. We should remember our heroes."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Frieren's expression was calm. After all, an elf lives for too long. Perhaps one day she would witness the statue being toppled in some turmoil. It might not even be directed at her. In any case, humans would always create their own troubles. But her gratitude was real, and she responded to the gift from the heart.
Even the usually composed Vain was moved, taking a deep breath and showing a proud smile, murmuring:
"It's not easy to leave something behind before you get old."
"...Since there's a statue like this, maybe Master Serie will remember a disciple named Lernen for a little longer."
"Yay! This is great!"
Compared to the adults with their strong sense of purpose, the energetic Flamme jumped up and down, waving her arms, happier than anyone. Only she truly reaped the joy. Such a genuine display made everyone laugh heartily.
They all had their own thoughts, but at least at this moment, it was worth celebrating. They had achieved a not-bad outcome. Both the Magic Association and the Underground Kingdom had gained something.
"By the way, this manor used for the branch was donated by Sir Fenton."
Hearing the queen's introduction, he immediately stood up and greeted them.
"Your Excellency is indeed a man of your word," Frieren said meaningfully. "If you have any trouble in the future, feel free to speak to the local Association branch. If they can't solve it, contact me."
"Thank you very much."
In reality, the great noble was not specifically looking for anything. As long as he maintained this relationship and stayed on familiar terms, it was enough.
Building relationships with elves and dwarves was more cost-effective. After all, they were long-lived species, and the relationship of mutual benefit could be maintained for a longer time. What was there not to like? Everyone got what they wanted, and all were happy.
Frieren's performance in this incident convinced people that the Magic Association would develop rapidly, as if it had boarded a high-speed train.
She might be even more proactive than Serie.
To be precise, this one valued the safety of the ever-developing elf town and had a need to fight against the demons. The Association was the perfect tool. As long as it strengthened the power of the human magical world, it naturally aligned with her security interests. Moreover, there were indeed some scattered elves who had joined the organization.
In the future, it might even rival or surpass the influence of the Church of the Goddess.
To be honest, the Church of the Goddess's Blessing didn't have a goddess, but the Magic Association really did have Mythical-Era Mages, and two of them at that.
Everyone spent a day completing the branch's opening ceremony.
At this point, Frieren had completed all her planned goals in the Underground Kingdom. Even if there were many twists and turns, she had completed them. Plus, there was the extra reward of the "Mirror Demon copy." It could be said that she had returned with a full load.
Her few teammates also had their own achievements. Therefore, there was no need to linger. Reality didn't have something as convenient as a Site of Grace. After being away from home for so long, everyone was eager to return.
The next day.
The main road of the Royal Capital.
A flat, wide stone road stretched to the horizon, a thoroughfare connecting the various nations.
When they came, the party of four had crossed mountains and rivers to avoid the demons' eyes. Now, they would take the faster main road with easier access to supplies. The road ahead was open, and behind them was a welcoming party that treated them like stars. The city was empty, everyone gathered at the starting point of the great road.
They watched Frieren's party and the Association's delegation, reluctant to see them go.
At the same time, teams flying the flags of the central nations arrived one after another. It was, surprisingly, a succession of delegations, vast and mighty, with honor guards and elite escorts. Judging by their demeanor, the military officers were numerous and professional.
"Your Excellency President, this is a rare opportunity. We plan to visit the northern kingdoms along the way. You don't mind if we travel together for a while, do you?"
"Of course, you can. The road won't be boring now."
"To be honest, we're counting on the protection of a Mythical-Era Mage. Please take care of us."
"I can do that."
The heads of the delegations from various countries greeted Frieren one by one, all thanking her for her generosity. With a super bodyguard, they felt a great sense of security, not fearing being ambushed by demons on the road.
They also didn't forget to chat a bit with Flamme, Lernen, and Vain to get acquainted. There was plenty of time to talk along the way.
A huge return party was formed.
Setting aside the "hero party that thwarted the demons' plot and saved the central nations," the escort force alone was enough to make the bandits, ruffians, and monsters along the way tremble in fear. It would save a lot of trouble.
Vain looked at the procession of several hundred people and couldn't help but smile, "President, a just cause enjoys abundant support. It seems you have a very popular air about you."
"I am just standing on the side of the historical trend. A united front against the demons is the general direction."
"Yes, this is probably the biggest gain."
"If a coalition army is successfully formed in the future, maybe they will invite you to be one of the commanders-in-chief."
"Spare me."
"In my opinion, you can still be active for at least another ten years, Vain."
After a smile, Frieren was the first to get on the carriage, eagerly continuing to flip through her magic book. Flamme followed beside her. As the party was large enough this time, the supplies were abundant, and they could even prepare a special carriage for the master and apprentice.
Once the curtain was drawn, it was quiet. With the personalities of these two, they would probably be engrossed in studying magic all the way. Perhaps when they returned, they would have some super news to announce.
Lernen came to another carriage and murmured, "You've seen it too, haven't you? The President has the feel of a commander-in-chief of an army."
"Who knows what has happened? Her talent in this area is even above mine."
"Are you disappointed?"
Vain shrugged and said, "How could I be? I'm long past the age of being competitive. I just feel satisfied. There's a new Magic Association, there's Lady Frieren in action, there are young people showing their promise... I thought I would spend my whole life watching humanity decline, but it's just the opposite."
"That's right. The era of humanity, the era of magic, has just sounded its horn."
As a warrior who was often on the front lines facing danger, to be able to witness this grand occasion before sacrificing himself was truly fortunate. The path was already clear, even if they were not some prophets.
The two looked at each other, smiled, and boarded the carriage together.
"Giddy-up!"
The long and magnificent joint delegation set off, extending from the kingdom's great road towards the horizon, their banners fluttering, their various crests gathered in one place.
The morning glow shone, a long wind sending them on their way.
They were the spark of a fire, destined to set the prairie ablaze.
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