Targeting the Afflicted with a pot was one thing, but how did she suddenly leap to the idea of burning the Erdtree? What a wild train of thought.
To Melina, the guess felt less like speculation and more like divination in its accuracy.
However, she didn't know that Frieren's deduction was quite "reasonable," because the world of Dark Souls essentially follows one theme: "just burn it and be done with it." So, she subconsciously felt the Erdtree might be the same.
One burn and you'll know.
Frieren hadn't considered this before because she always felt The Lands Between were different from what she was used to. Now that Leda had mentioned burning a tree in her letter, if both were trees, could the Shadow Tree be burned but not the Erdtree?
It suddenly became plausible again, carrying a strong sense of tradition.
"Don't let your imagination run wild. It's not that simple."
Melina felt a little flustered, her voice slightly tense, but fortunately, the ever-oblivious silver-haired girl didn't notice at all.
"Burning a tree doesn't just require fire. There's another key element: people. The more important the tree, the more indispensable the sacrifice. To break the seal, someone must sacrifice something."
"You're certainly well-informed."
"I don't know much, but you can understand it that way if you like."
The two moved past the topic and continued to explore deeper into Castle Ensis...
No longer hiding, they inevitably encountered some patrolling Carian soldiers along the way. A tempest of power erupted in an instant, the commotion immense and impossible for anyone to ignore. It was clear that two powerful individuals with the aura of Demigods were openly forcing their way in.
The squad of followers hidden within Castle Ensis also heard the disturbance. In a concealed room were none other than Leda and Ansbach. They had stayed behind to investigate thoroughly.
As for Moore and Freyja, they weren't the type for stealthy investigation, so they had left the castle first to contact their comrades. Dane was likely in the area as well, and they could regroup.
Including Melina and Frieren, almost the entire group was now present.
Rumble!
Even in their quiet corner, they could feel the ceiling shaking dust loose. Bricks ground against each other, and the structure seemed on the verge of collapse, making one wonder if the long-neglected room would suddenly give way.
Ansbach declared, "This is no place to linger. We should move while Lady Frieren draws their fire."
"Yes, I just didn't expect her to arrive so quickly."
"Calm yourself, Leda. The explosion came from the location of the sigil, which means they must have received the letter and know about the key point of burning the tree."
"But figuring out the next steps will require a slow investigation. It should take some effort."
"A pity."
"There's nothing to pity. I was already prepared for a lengthy investigation. Consider it a test of the followers' unwavering will from Lord Miquella. I am ready at any time."
In any case, Leda wasn't afraid of trouble, especially since it concerned her lord.
At that moment, the sound of urgent footsteps came from outside, but they were all rushing toward the source of the explosion, with no time to spare for anything else.
The two exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it wouldn't be difficult for a squad with Hero-level average strength to sneak in and out, there were always risks. If they were caught, their lives would be in danger.
Below the level of a Demigod, even divine beings could perish under the firepower of Castle Ensis. At their level, being exposed was tantamount to death. Caria showed no mercy to outsiders.
"Let's go. Leaving this to Lady Frieren will be fine, especially since she has deep ties with the Carian Royal Family," Leda proposed.
"Perhaps we can even win over another ally."
"I don't trust anyone not acknowledged by Lord Miquella, but as long as Rellana doesn't cause trouble, it's fine."
The two from The Lands Between actually knew more than the people of the Land of Shadow: Frieren's relationship with Caria was profound.
Just the fact that she killed Astel, Stars of Darkness and a Two Fingers for Ranni was enough to scare anyone to death.
Utterly audacious.
The Soul Cinder King had shattered the inviolable status of the Two Fingers' system. Before, you could use the name of the Greater Will to act high and mighty, and no one dared to provoke you.
Today, an outlander Tarnished pulls you down, kills you, and brazenly displays your corpse to showcase their martial virtue, leaving these divine envoys utterly humiliated.
As far as Leda knew, the original Two Fingers churches and envoys in The Lands Between were no longer active.
No, the reality was even more terrifying: mercenaries and nobles hoping to curry favor were actively burning the churches and cutting off the envoys' heads for rewards. This signified the complete collapse of the Two Fingers' authority.
For a glance from her, people would trample the minions of the Two Fingers underfoot.
In their place was the soaring prestige of the Soul Cinder King, which in turn had firmly bound the Carian Royal Family to her war chariot.
Shouldn't they be building churches to Ranni and Melina next?
How shocked would the soldiers of Castle Ensis be if they knew they had unwittingly become "part of the gang that killed the Two Fingers"?
Even the typically serious Leda couldn't help but imagine their dumbfounded expressions.
Of course, she wouldn't spread this information. Maintaining a friendly, cooperative relationship with Frieren was part of the plan.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a powerful aura arose. The light of a Greatblade Phalanx flashed and vanished, its energy considerable, reaching the level of a top-tier Hero.
Ansbach looked toward the sound and said, "That's the Carian Sorcerer Knight, Muriel. She's very strong. For her to go all out like that must mean she's facing the Soul Cinder King. We can't be far from the Twin Moon Knight now."
"It's too dangerous to stay here. We should get moving."
With that, Leda and her companion departed.
They had no interest in the battle's outcome. In a sense, it was an internal affair of the Carian Royal Family.
In front of a certain chapel, a knight guarded by a Greatblade Phalanx stood at the ready.
"Attendant to the Twin Moon Knight Rellana, a sworn Carian Knight, Muriel."
"Hello."
Although the signs of Glintstone Sorcery slashes were right beside Frieren, she still offered a basic gesture of noble etiquette.
That last spell wasn't aimed to kill; it was mainly a warning.
The atmosphere between them was awkward, neither knowing how to respond, especially since Muriel's gaze couldn't leave the Dark Moon Ring. So, a Tarnished truly obtained it. What has been happening outside?
Melina broke the silence. "Since you are Lady Rellana's personal guard, you should know her whereabouts or her disposition, shouldn't you? To be frank, we have a request concerning the resettlement of the Nox victims."
Finally meeting someone who seemed reasonable, she stated their request directly.
It was better to be forthright.
"I gather you found the underground gaol. We actually searched for it as well, but the Tower Town blocked our way, so we couldn't investigate thoroughly. To have broken into that land of sin and rescued the Nox is admirable. You both act with great righteousness, but unfortunately, I cannot make that decision."
"Furthermore, after hearing the news from outside, Lady Rellana has secluded herself for several days..."
Muriel spoke with sincere admiration but also explained her predicament.
Therefore, based on her duty as a guardian, she should drive away anyone who tried to approach. Was the silver-haired girl before her an intruder, or a member of the Carian Royal Family?
She was conflicted.
Hearing this, the two visitors looked at each other. This difficult personality was just like Rellana's—truly sisters, after all.
"Then I'll go and try to persuade her."
Frieren took a step forward, but Muriel blocked her with her sword, its edge gleaming menacingly.
The Carian Knight was impartial. Though she admired the Soul Cinder King's deeds, she would not neglect her duty. She could not simply let someone pass, or she would betray her honor and trust. She had to guard this place well.
The silver-haired girl looked puzzled. Dealing with knights always involved these inexplicably difficult choices.
Melina tried to smooth things over, "Why don't we wait here while you go up and inform Lady Rellana of our intentions?"
"No, she does not wish to see anyone right now."
"How troublesome."
Before the words had even faded, Frieren drew the Dark Moon Greatsword. Its chilling aura and moonlight-aspected magic made Muriel flinch slightly.
Seeing it with her own eyes was even more shocking. It was real.
To think Ranni chose this person. What was so good about her?
Although her opponent had a fine bearing, it wasn't enough to offset the flaws of being a Tarnished, a Demi-Human, and a rebel against the Golden Dynasty.
No matter. It was enough to communicate through the sword. Knights had their own ways of talking.
She, too, responded with a show of magical pressure.
Seeing the two on the verge of conflict, Melina sighed. A direct breakthrough was inevitable after all.
Clang!
Muriel proactively summoned a Greatblade Phalanx to guard her side, while Frieren countered with a Glintblade Phalanx. The combination of a staff and a greatsword was truly bizarre, but no one dared to underestimate it.
The next moment, the Greatblade Phalanx shot forth. Almost simultaneously, the smaller glintblades met them head-on, shattering with a series of cracks.
The spells themselves were vastly different in performance, but the latter won through sheer numbers.
Wave after wave of glintblades forced the greatswords off their trajectory, leaving the caster unharmed, watching coolly as the weapons, comparable to greatswords themselves, veered past her.
The force was still a bit lacking.
Fundamentally, it was a difference in the quality of their magic.
Frieren was the first to change tactics, switching to a barrage of Comets. Though casually cast, each one seemed to hold the power of a fully charged spell, arriving with a whistling gale.
But the Carian Sorcerer Knight remained composed, parrying each one and countering with a Carian Retaliation.
A blue sword arc clashed with the moonlight wave from the Dark Moon Greatsword, and they canceled each other out.
They had both, by unspoken agreement, used powers from the school of the Magic Academy, as if competing to see whose mastery was greater.
Melina sighed at this sudden tacit understanding. It seemed her partner was intentionally raising the difficulty to thoroughly dominate her opponent, forcing a result through absolute power... no, it was a controlled battle.
No matter how hard Muriel fought, Frieren would always be exactly one level of magic ahead of her.
Retaliation!
In response, the silver-haired girl unleashed an even larger slash. The same Carian Retaliation erupted with powerful cutting force that broke through her defense.
The proud Carian Knight was sent flying.
And it wasn't over. The unrestrained Carian Greatsword carved a top-to-bottom channel into the chapel, the crevice smooth as a mirror, without any excess dust or debris, leaving only the strange sight of something split in two.
Muriel, rolling to her feet to absorb the force, looked up with a solemn expression.
Truly exaggerated.
As a fellow battlemage, her opponent was indeed superior.
But the moment her opponent's old strength had faded and new strength had yet to rise was the opportunity she needed. In the next instant, piercing magic crossed dozens of meters and slammed into Frieren's chest with a bang.
No, it shattered!
The one who had just used both hands for Retaliation had somehow reacted instantly, blocking with the Dark Moon Greatsword. The quality of a top-tier weapon naturally crushed the glintstone, which could only form a spray of pale blue stardust around the faint smile gracing her lips.
A nameless fire rising in her heart, Muriel charged forward, bringing her longsword down with all her might.
With a crisp clang, ripples of light flashed from Frieren's staff, deflecting the longsword. She didn't even use the Dark Moon Greatsword, but rather the most basic parrying technique, and yet, she succeeded.
Immediately after, at point-blank range, she thrust with a Carian Slicer.
Clang!
Another parry, this time from the knight. Pale blue magic swirled around her weapon, easily dispelling the glintstone as she simultaneously thrust out a counter.
The silver-haired girl met it head-on without dodging, her movements growing faster and faster.
Both sides gradually scaled back their large-scale magic attacks, instead beginning a contest of fundamentals. Basic moves like thrusts, lifts, slashes, and parries became endlessly varied between them—the ultimate simplicity, the pinnacle of skill.
Only a warrior deeply versed in this path could understand the exhilaration in their hearts. It was only satisfying when one met their match.
Though it seemed to shift to a warrior's style, the destruction did not lessen.
With Frieren's base attributes, every swing of her sword stirred a gale that climbed the high tower. The entire area was scarred by their duel; one might think a master swordsman was fighting here.
Her fierce assault was relentless.
In contrast, Muriel struggled to hold on, primarily defending, dodging and parrying as much as possible, but not without her own forceful counterattacks.
As the two went back and forth, the platform they were on began to rapidly sink.
Castle Ensis, reinforced through years of repeated repairs, couldn't withstand the shockwaves. Bricks constantly crumbled, and debris slid from above, stirring up clouds of dust. The entire castle could hear it, as if an earthquake had struck, sending everyone into chaos.
The only spectator who could remain standing was Melina. The other unlucky ones were lying scattered about.
"This commotion is a sword fight!"
"Even Lady Muriel can't take her down. Just how many skills does that Soul Cinder King have?"
"She did defeat Starscourge Radahn, after all. But none of the Shardbearers were known for their swordsmanship. Where did she train?"
"A genius can often master many things by analogy, I suppose."
The defenders could only be shocked. Caria was also famous for its sword training, yet they never expected today's challenger to be such a versatile master, divine in both magic and swordplay.
After witnessing this, they seemed to understand why their homeland in The Lands Between was willing to pledge allegiance.
They could never find another person who provided such a sense of security as Frieren, especially one who was already a quasi-king.
If she had used brute force to invade, smashing the castle with large-scale magic like the meteor that destroyed the Tower Town, they would have had no choice but to submit. But they would not have felt heartfelt admiration and reverence.
Now, however, the martial virtue displayed by the Soul Cinder King was abundant and beyond reproach.
Worthy of a king.
It reminded them of the days when Godrick campaigned across the lands.
If one day these two kings were to fight to the death, what would that scene be like? As for Radagon, even the Carian forces of his wife's family didn't think he had the power of a king. He was out of the running.
Just as the defenders were watching, they felt one of the auras rapidly fade.
In front of the chapel, Muriel was panting heavily. Just holding her sword steady took all her effort. For the first time, she found her weapon so heavy.
So tired. She wasn't some monster who could squander magic and still look radiant, without even flushing or losing her breath.
Across from her, Frieren suddenly assumed a stance as if sheathing her sword.
"Your Majesty doesn't think this is over, does she? That would be underestimating the will of a Carian Knight."
"Of course not." The silver-haired girl shook her head seriously and murmured, "I've just found inspiration. It's about to succeed—"
Before she finished speaking, the Dark Moon Greatsword trailed fine, thread-like lines of magic.
Collapsing Star!
Muriel only felt that this sword technique was related to the power of the starry sky, bearing a striking resemblance to the legacy of the Stargazers. With this in mind, she immediately assumed a defensive stance. A new move that could excite a Demigod was not to be taken lightly.
Little did she know, it was Melina who was truly shocked. Since when had the signature skill of the Demi-Human Swordmaster been learned?
The master had only achieved enlightenment after two hundred years of dedicated study underground, yet Frieren could replicate most of it after seeing it just once!
Rustle!
Following the silver-haired girl's movements, the blade drew deep purple threads.
They formed a concentric circular structure, like threads on a loom. Each one possessed cutting power. Once they started to flow, it was unimaginable how far the attack's range could expand.
The sharp edge resonated around the Dark Moon Greatsword, its hum growing louder with each passing moment, its presence overwhelming.
An ordinary person facing Frieren's display would likely have their legs trembling. Yet Muriel remained as steadfast as a pine, holding her sword with both hands, prepared. This must be the final, all-or-nothing blow.
The next moment, the silver-haired figure flickered.
Collapsing Star Sword!
The swung blade carried layers of overlapping ripples of cutting force. The outermost layer made contact with the Carian Knight's longsword with a crisp sound.
She barely blocked it, but it wasn't over. The subsequent shockwaves crashed against her, the friction of sparks vibrating her magic.
She sank at the waist, unable to hold her ground, yet the wave-like assault continued, the slashes of Collapsing Star living up to their name.
Finally, Frieren put her strength into it, and the ripple actually swept upward, flipping Muriel over with a crackle.
With a loud thud, dust rose from a pile of rubble.
Still savoring the moment, Frieren carefully controlled the Collapsing Star technique, gradually bringing it to a close.
Melina walked over and asked, "Is that the Demi-Human Swordmaster's move? Though it's also called Collapsing Star, his style is clearly not so domineering. Could it be some kind of hidden ability?"
"This is just how it is when I use it."
"That's not surprising."
Any magic or weapon skill in Frieren's hands became a super-enhanced version. For a top-tier powerhouse, this was quite normal. It didn't matter what the means were; they could all destroy heaven and earth.
Compared to that, she was more concerned about the condition of the person who was hit. If anything serious had happened, she could provide timely healing.
After the Collapsing Star Sword attack, an absolute silence fell, as if Castle Ensis had gone mute.
The brilliant and dazzling trajectory of the star-like sword edge arced across the sky. The sight left the defenders dumbfounded, beautiful beyond words, a sight for sore eyes. It made one momentarily forget the battlefield, leaving only the most direct appreciation of beauty.
But upon closer perception, they discovered it was brimming with killing intent, its edge sharp enough to split monuments. What was the condition of Lady Muriel, who had taken the full brunt of that weapon skill, they wondered.
They quickly arrived at the platform.
Bang!
A powerful impact scattered the concealing rubble, revealing the dust-covered female knight.
She touched her abdomen in disbelief. What terrifyingly precise control. The moment of contact, the wound was undone. If that had been a solid blow, she would have been severely injured, if not killed.
"Being shown mercy is not something to be thankful for..."
"It doesn't matter. I just need one answer from you. Can I see Rellana?"
"You may."
Muriel then solemnly performed a knight's salute, kneeling on one knee to receive her with the standard befitting a Carian monarch.
"A person's character is fully revealed in battle. I believe Your Majesty will honor the royal family's covenant. Since you are willing to shoulder the burden of a troubled Caria, how can I stand by and do nothing? I am willing to serve Your Majesty Frieren on her path to kingship."
The defenders who had just arrived witnessed this scene, stunned for a moment, before they too bowed their heads in salute, their submission wholehearted.
They understood that today was a historic moment. After developing independently in the Land of Shadow for so long, they had finally reconnected with the main branch of the Carian Royal Family. Although she was a new face, she was worthy of trust and could be relied upon.
Thinking about it, the few remaining Shardbearers probably couldn't match Frieren's character either.
They would acknowledge this monarch first.
As for whether it would overstep Rellana's authority, it wasn't that serious. As a younger sister, she would eventually understand her older sister's decision, especially when it concerned the partner even her precious niece had chosen.
Ultimately, it was an internal matter for the Carian Royal Family.
The real question to reconsider was how to deal with the Golden Royal Family, who had betrayed both the holy war army and the Queen of the Full Moon.
This was going to be difficult.
Frieren stepped forward, helped Muriel to her feet, and nodded in acceptance. She was already well-practiced in this routine. Since arriving in The Lands Between, she had experienced various factions pledging allegiance more than once; it was nothing new.
Besides, she had expected this all along. It was never going to be a fight to the death.
The defenders had been inclined to do so earlier but lacked a decision-maker. Now that the chief knight under the Twin Moon Knight had made the decision, they naturally all followed suit.
"How is Rellana now?"
"My lady doesn't have any issue with Your Majesty; it's more that she's conflicted. She is saddened by the state of the Carian main branch, confused about the situation in the Land of Shadow, and then there are her special feelings for Lord Messmer..."
"I see. Anyone would be shaken after hearing so many things. It's not strange for her to seek seclusion and clarity."
Although elves are emotionally dull, she could understand by putting herself in that position.
For Rellana, back then, she admired her beloved and also responded to the Golden Dynasty's call to arms to show loyalty. It was a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone, letting Caria win twice.
She herself won a partner and established military merit, adding another stabilizing stone to the marriage between the Queen of the Full Moon and Radagon.
A very political calculation.
But fortunately, there was genuine affection within it.
The result was being abandoned, left to watch over a seal in the Land of Shadow, with no end in sight, unable to return home. During this time, Rellana must have held onto a single thought: everything was developing for the better, at least Caria was safe.
But the opposite was true; after a period of prosperity, The Lands Between gradually fell into turmoil.
Now, all she heard was news of betrayal, slaughter, and hatred.
Muriel dismissed those around them and said in a low voice, "Actually, many people have already become hostile toward the golden army. Discontent is spreading."
"Your Majesty is also an enemy of the Golden Dynasty, and now you're reintegrating Caria... In many people's eyes, isn't this a prelude to a second war between the Magic Academy and the Erdtree?"
"Actually, it's a prelude to the third."
Melina's undisguised, honest words stunned everyone present.
She exchanged a meaningful look with Frieren, who understood and briefly mentioned the battle with the Grace-Given King's army at the Church of Vows.
"...We have already fought. We are now in a state of war with the Royal Capital."
It couldn't be hidden. Disregarding Muriel's attempt to keep the peace here was also a strategic consideration.
Sooner or later, the army of Castle Ensis would go to The Lands Between. Should they wait until then to slowly learn the truth, allowing emotional instability to spread to the southern army? Wouldn't that risk a mutiny? To avoid serious consequences, it was better to bring it all out now.
If a mutiny were to happen, it would be dealt with here inside the Land of Shadow's seal. At worst, they would filter out a batch; the southern army needed to absorb healthy recruits.
The entire place fell silent, everyone dumbfounded.
Some of the half-undead soldiers suddenly grabbed their heads and roared! The situation was on a knife's edge.
______
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