Pandemonium erupted!
A significant portion of the Castle Ensis garrison already exhibited the traits of living corpses, held together by a mere thread of willpower, clinging to a final straw of hope with nerves stretched taut. Now, emotions of confusion, conflict, and despair detonated, driving them instantly into a frenzy.
Muriel glanced despairingly at Frieren and Melina, blaming herself for underestimating the monarch's resolve, yet she couldn't bring herself to cast blame. A mutiny was inevitable; today was merely the day it happened.
Yet, before the living corpses could harm anyone, a pillar of golden light rose to the heavens.
Soul Healing!
Wherever the pale golden energy reached, the men grew calm. Their bodies were mended, the traits of the living dead gradually vanished, and their senses became sharp and clear.
It had been a long time since Frieren had used Soul Healing, but her skill was as sharp as ever; in fact, its efficacy had even improved.
It not only soothed them on a spiritual level but also mended their physical forms. The soul magic, originally an enhancement of Sun Healing, was a perfect, all-in-one solution. Before the soldiers could descend into chaos, they were enveloped in warmth, their stamina restored and their spirits lifted.
Then, three Great Runes materialized. They overlapped and combined, forming the shape of half an Elden Ring. Supreme and pure energy overflowed, condensing into dewdrops at the caster's command.
"It's Grace! It still exists, it's real!"
"Praise the Elden Ring! Thank you, Your great Majesty Frieren!"
The men wept with joy. They had abandoned all hope, never expecting to witness such a large-scale bestowal of Grace again.
This act was more effective than any call to surrender, instantly winning their unwavering loyalty. Regardless of whether she was a monarch of Caria, this selfless blessing alone was worth following her to the very end.
What fortune.
Though they had endured the long years of the Shadow Seal, they had finally welcomed a benevolent Soul Cinder King.
Frieren had gone to such lengths even for the ravaged Nox, who were likely beyond saving—destroying the Tower Settlement, crossing the Gravesite Plain—all to ensure their safety, and she was still personally handling their treatment here in Castle Ensis.
How could they possibly fear being abandoned by such a monarch?
A once-in-a-generation ruler.
We're with you all the way.
In the eyes of the garrison, the Golden Dynasty, which ruled through conquest and betrayal, was rotten to the core and lacked the honor of Caria. And now, they had finally welcomed a new prospective monarch.
Frieren's very existence proved that power and virtue could coexist. Not to support her claim to the throne would be to allow The Lands Between to fall further into decay.
A moment later.
The silver-haired girl, slowly retracting the fragments of the Elden Ring, finally announced:
"Consider this a welcome gift for your pledge of fealty. Not just for the Carian soldiers; I have also given Grace to Messmer's soldiers here. I can distinguish specific targets for the blessing, but why bother? You are all honorable warriors who were abandoned yet held fast to your convictions."
Her gaze swept over a few Black Knights, who lowered their heads slightly in a bow, an act of gratitude beyond allegiance.
"Even though I have clashed with the Golden Dynasty several times, it does not impede my Grace. The urgent matter at hand is not to dwell on hatred, but to stabilize the Land of Shadow."
"The Horned Folk are stirring, their embers rekindled."
"The other areas, the Valley of Frenzied Flame and the Spiked Mountain, also require vigilance. We must cooperate."
Frieren's indisputable words spread throughout the area. The men all bowed, setting aside their disputes for the time being.
"As you command."
Even without this intervention, it was unlikely Messmer's soldiers and the Carian soldiers would have come to blows. A millennium of shared hardship had erased the lines between them, especially in Castle Ensis where cooperation was so close. They would not have turned their blades on one another.
It was merely a matter of resentment in their hearts, which the Soul Cinder King had now swept away with her authority, resolving the issue for now. The final decision would be left to the Demigods.
The men dispersed, temporarily suppressing the doubts in their hearts.
They didn't ask when they would be able to return.
They believed that Frieren, who bestowed Grace so freely, must be trying to find a way. Both sentiment and logic dictated that the Shadow Seal should be broken. If their two forces could join, what would they have to fear from the armies of the Altus Plateau?
Therefore, Her Majesty must also be anxious, but for now, she could only work on a solution slowly.
The understanding garrison gradually dispersed, and the turmoil subsided. Muriel then led the pair into the chapel to rest for a moment before the statue, for they were all exhausted.
She looked deeply at Melina and said, "As expected, no Scion of Gold is simple. Have you been assisting Her Majesty all this time?"
"I am her maiden."
"Yes, and I owe a great deal to Melina's help as well."
Frieren's attitude was what mattered most. It didn't matter how the maiden defined herself or what her rank was; the key was her ability to influence the Soul Cinder King's decisions. From this perspective, it also insulated the king from the direct influence of the Carian faction.
Besides, according to the earlier description, Her Majesty's army hailed from more than just the lake region; there were also forces from the former Storm-King and the Eternal City...
No wonder.
That's why Frieren was also happy to delegate troublesome matters, letting Melina make the decisions.
How extraordinary.
In the future, you won't be like Godrick or Radagon, a king of the Golden Lineage alone, nor like Placidusax, a king of the Ancient Dragons. You will not be a king who relies on a single clan or faction for influence, but the king of all The Lands Between.
"Is that what Your Majesty has been planning, gathering all these forces along the way?"
"Was I thinking that?"
The silver-haired girl's eyes widened in confusion, a look on her face as if to say, 'I had no idea I was so thoughtful.'
However, Muriel saw Melina nod, which served as an answer. It was partly a matter of going with the flow, and partly this maiden deliberately balancing the factions. She was indeed quite capable.
"That's not important. I have a talisman to give to Your Majesty."
At the mention of treasure, Frieren finally perked up. She carefully accepted a crest:
[Rellana's Cameo]
[A talisman engraved with the stern visage of Rellana, the "Twin Moon Knight."]
[Adopting a stance and holding it for a time enhances subsequent attacks.]
[An item engraved by those who served Rellana and left their homeland with her, carrying a sentiment that transcends mere loyalty.]
["Permit us to accompany you—]
[To ride upon your moon-boat, to the very ends of the earth."]
The talisman possessed an unmistakably Carian aesthetic. Its oval edges were adorned with filigree carvings, exquisite and ornate without being gaudy, guiding the viewer's eye to the center. There, a white-clad female knight held two swords in a ready stance, her aura formidable.
One could feel the power from the cameo alone. The magic it contained was not to be underestimated, and the person it represented must surely possess great strength.
Not bad.
Frieren could tell from the magic's resonance that the talisman's stats were good, and it did indeed affect certain stance-based weapon skills.
Even without one, she could simply adopt a stance herself. A clever mind could make it work.
"Thank you, Muriel."
"You're welcome. Even if I hadn't given it to Your Majesty, you would have come for it eventually."
The silver-haired girl nodded without any pretense.
"In any case, from the information within, you should be able to understand the background of Caria's expedition back then."
"Lady Rellana's uncomplicated feelings are now being tested by a complex situation."
"I've heard about it from Rennala."
Before setting out, Frieren had inquired with the Queen of the Full Moon about the whole story. Now, the intelligence matched up; it was indeed complicated.
The player advice saying Caria has always been full of romantics was correct.
Now, the Twin Moon Knight faces the betrayal and schemes of the Golden Lineage against herself and her house on one hand, and on the other, she doesn't know Messmer's specific stance, as he is aligned with the Golden Dynasty. Caught in the middle, she is naturally conflicted.
Considering the Queen of the Full Moon's history of mental distress, perhaps Rellana's state is also worth paying attention to.
"I ask that Your Majesty go and see her."
"Of course."
"I, Muriel, have served my lady for many years, and this is the first time I have seen her so lost. But a clash of sword and sorcery is sure to make her remember. That is something I cannot do."
"I heard the Twin Moon Knight has mastered most of the royal family's combat sorceries?"
"Yes, Lady Rennala is more academically inclined. In terms of true combat ability, Lady Rellana is superior. During the campaign in the Land of Shadow, countless Horned warriors fell to her blade. Not even the monsters they commanded could shake the certainty of her victory."
"Speaking of which, some also call her the 'Blade of Messmer.' You should understand their relationship is very close."
"Everything is tangled together, isn't it."
Muriel sighed, weary of it all.
Frieren offered some comfort, "It's alright, I'll deliver the message. Besides, everyone's related one way or another. Melina is Messmer's sister, and they haven't seen each other in many years."
Hearing this, the Carian knight looked in surprise at the silent, one-eyed girl, who nodded in confirmation.
On the surface, she was quiet and still, but when she spoke, it was always something of great importance. Her background was significant; she was the one most worthy of attention within the Soul Cinder King's faction.
With his sister as a connection, Messmer should be approachable.
Even if he despises the Tarnished, the Soul Cinder King is not one to be trifled with; she will not be outmatched in martial strength.
"Very well."
"You two may proceed. The area ahead is not my responsibility, so I am not too familiar with it, but I remember the route. Go up to the top floor platform, and from the wall route, you should quickly find Lady Rellana's chambers."
Having said all she could, Muriel had nothing more to add, and the two nodded.
They parted ways, with all else left unsaid. Now was not the time for idle chatter; the situation in Castle Ensis needed to be stabilized as quickly as possible, and Rellana was the crucial linchpin.
The female knight watched the pair depart.
Not even a farewell was necessary; they were all still within the castle, after all. There was one thing she didn't mention, however: her young mistress was likely in a foul mood right now.
After all, she wasn't the type to lock herself away and sulk when distressed. She would most likely need to vent.
Never mind.
Even without a warning, the Soul Cinder King wouldn't mind. In fact, she seemed to be looking forward to it.
As she reached the tower steps, Frieren's movement suddenly faltered.
Faintly, Miquella's sigil of bewitchment appeared above her head, flickering in and out, its energy seemingly unstable. As the one affected, she immediately felt a touch of melancholy and nearly lost her footing on the stairs.
Melina quickly moved to support her, asking, "Is it the influence from contacting the body fragment's bewitchment? Be careful, even a splinter of Miquella can hypnotize."
"It's not just him."
"...Could it be that thing inside you?"
In all of The Lands Between, she was likely the only one who knew Frieren was a hodgepodge of all sorts of chaotic things.
Unfortunately, the silver-haired girl nodded in response. She had guessed correctly.
Miquella's bewitchment had evidently become a catalyst, throwing the once-balanced energies into disarray. If she lost control for a moment, it could all blow up, with consequences worse than Scarlet Rot.
She rubbed her temples and murmured, "I'll need to enter a slumber to deal with this later."
"Mm, I will protect you."
The two were well-practiced in this, so there was no panic. Besides, there were indeed signs of Miquella's power wavering, which was strange. The problem also stemmed from him; that Great Rune was becoming unstable.
Frieren materialized her own Great Runes to create a resonance. A faint, fragile stream of magic pointed into the distance.
"Perhaps at some point, Miquella will release the bewitchment."
"Why?"
"It could be for any number of reasons—he can't maintain it, he's tired, he's testing its influence—but it will surely be a sign that he is making his final push for the apotheosis ritual."
"With you here, he won't dare be too aggressive. We still have time. You need to pay attention to your own condition."
After a concerned reminder, Melina continued forward with her.
The Carian guards they met next mostly greeted them and made way; the battle preparations they had made were no longer needed. They might as well take a rest.
Although Frieren looked a bit disappointed, Melina was relieved. A bit of rest was safer.
Since arriving in the Land of Shadow, it had been non-stop, high-intensity combat. Even an iron constitution would wear down. As expected of a land rich with ancient power, the intensity was too high.
It was a good thing a prospective monarch had come.
But if she became too fatigued, she would still show an opening. And one must not forget Miquella's bewitchment was ever-present.
Thinking it over, Melina didn't believe the followers trusted one another. The God of Purity probably didn't think he could easily control a prospective monarch who held half the Elden Ring either.
She glanced at Frieren beside her, who was now scaling walls and leaping across rooftops.
The minor mental interference was forgotten in an instant, as she immediately threw herself into the grand enterprise of treasure hunting.
Unfortunately, several times she came across Smithing Stones [1] and [2], along with other miscellaneous collectibles, which somewhat dampened her spirits.
Stingy.
She had thought there would be more lavish resources deeper inside Castle Ensis, but it was just more of the same. Could it be that the crusade army had depleted all the smithing stone resources during their campaign? That would explain the poverty.
It had all been forged into their weapons.
If she hadn't won over the garrison, then the weapons forged from piles of high-level smithing stones would have been turned against her. Even a Demigod would have to weigh the difficulty of that dungeon.
Still, Frieren managed to find an unexpected reward:
[Sorcery: Three Glimmering Swords]
[An ancient sorcery of the Carian royal family.]
[Draws a magic sigil above the caster's head, forming three glimmering swords that manifest after a delay and fly toward the enemy.]
[Can be cast while moving. Charging the spell can delay the formation of the glimmering swords.]
[The prototype for Phalanx-type sorceries, developed independently in the Land of Shadow.]
Frieren often used Glintblade Phalanx and had even modified it, turning it into a technique that could be used for both offense and active defense. While it seemed to overlap with the Three Glimmering Swords, it could still be applied, as the principles were interconnected.
She tested it on the spot. As expected, she could create stronger, sharper, and more powerful "Three Glimmering Swords"-tier blades within her Glintblade Phalanx.
She tried adding the Greatblade Phalanx that Muriel had demonstrated.
A forest of swords now seemed to form around the silver-haired girl, guarding her, their sharp edges glinting. Even Melina felt a wind like a razor's edge brush her cheek. She'd made herself a new toy.
"Is she planning to become a spellblade?"
______
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