That's it?
Honestly, Frieren found it hard to believe the rewards from a demigod's Remembrance were merely this level. Neither the [Grafted Dragon] nor the [Axe of Godrick] possessed sufficient individual strength or mechanics, and they clashed significantly with her fighting style, offering practically no help beyond collection value. Was the arduous victory over a Shardbearer just for collecting purposes?
Her visible disappointment made Enia chuckle knowingly. "Godrick was, after all, a junior member of the Golden Lineage, with a weak foundation. Other demigods won't be like this."
"However, it might have hidden dangers..."
"Are you referring to that wisp of death and corrosive contamination within the Remembrance just now? If it's related to Those Who Live in Death, perhaps you should ask Fia. Actually, you needn't worry; items transformed from Remembrances are absolutely safe, considered a characteristic." Frieren nodded. This level of danger likely stemmed from Godrick embracing the Abyss; not a major issue. At the very least, a demigod's weapon wasn't a mere toy; it could serve as a tool. After all, the Axe of Godrick was large enough, its impact decent, suitable alongside the Grafted Blade Greatsword as a specialized weapon for breaking defenses. It might deal stronger critical damage, and many warriors in reality used great axes.
Of course, her own opinion wasn't comprehensive enough. She should carefully read the player comments; otherwise, missing some usage would be unfortunate. Weapon-related comments might also be worth referencing:
[Most toylike episode ever]
[Why is the performance so bad, clearly insulting Little Godrick, right? What kind of King's Axe is this, completely useless]
[The Grafted Dragon is even more hilarious. It turns into a cute fist weapon on my hand, roars and breathes fire when pressed, quite amusing. Style is forever, I choose to refuse. Grafting is indeed the wrong path, utterly useless]
[Recommend exchanging the Remembrance for Runes. Early game after beating Godrick, they can still boost some levels, perfect starting capital for the next map]
[You can glitch out all three exchanges at once, try it if you want a one-playthrough full collection]
[I think, design-wise, they never intended the first demigod's reward weapons to be strong. Deliberate. You won't use them anyway; Runes are relatively better value]
[Better to carefully reinforce ordinary weapons]
[This King's Axe and Grafted Dragon are clearly traps. They weren't even effective on Godrick himself; I personally beat him senseless, useless]
[True]
[After clearing Stormveil Castle, don't rush to Liurnia of the Lakes. Wander the starting area more, accumulate resources. Then go to Caelid's Lake of Rot for the Meteorite Staff; early game for mages becomes easy]
[Ultimately, Little Godrick's Remembrance rewards are trash, just like him]
[From a game perspective, they can't give you an easy-mode weapon from the first main boss. Doesn't work that way, need more practice]
[So annoying, too much like toys]
[Quick, show the brothers guarding the checkpoints ahead, give the garrison folks a good laugh]
...Evidently, everyone's thoughts were similar to Frieren's judgment. Godrick's Remembrance rewards were insufficient, scorned even in the starting area. Outside Limgrave, they'd likely perform even worse, easily becoming a hindrance. So, she decided to shelve both weapons; she wasn't lacking them anyway.
After getting organized, the silver-haired girl made to leave. Enia beside her bade farewell, "See you again. I hope you bring more Great Runes, perhaps even all of them."
"I will." The Two Fingers' stance seemed unconcerned whether the fragments belonged to descendants of the Golden Lineage, appearing to have a grander perspective. But did this imply a long-standing conflict of interest with the Golden Order dynasty? Did conflict mean contradiction? Had it never erupted, or had it actually erupted once before? The answers to these questions remained unknown for now.
This trip had already satisfied Frieren greatly. Superficially, intelligence remained hazy like mist, but the general direction was very clear. The collection-focused route was undoubtedly correct; conversely, the timing for entering the Royal Capital could be delayed. She had a premonition that the wonders hidden within the Altus Plateau were magnificent yet concealing, possibly unhelpful for investigation. Besides, even without going there, there were indirect ways to gather information.
Exiting the Two Fingers' audience chamber, she saw many people drunk and fast asleep. Some servants were clearing tables—the quiet aftermath of revelry.
Heading next door, she pushed the door open to find a beautiful woman in a black dress and black hood. Merely sitting on the edge of the bed, she exuded charm, her smiling lips captivating. A refreshing fragrance permeated the air.
"Hello, Lady Fia. My name is Frieren. I came to inquire about some information." This was the expert recommended several times, the "haven of tenderness" mentioned by many Tarnished, playing a unique role in the Roundtable Hold, yet also looked down upon and scorned by many others.
"Hero, drawn by the guidance of grace. A pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Fia, residing in the Roundtable Hold due to certain circumstances."
"I didn't see you at the banquet."
"I personally am not suited for such lively occasions." Suddenly, she changed the subject. "Rather than chatting... just for a moment, would you let me hold you close? Consider it sharing your strength and will to live with me. While embracing a hero, I will feel your warmth, and can also bestow upon you the Baldachin's Blessing." Though Frieren had heard about this beforehand, such directness was unexpected.
"Do you disdain such an act? But in my homeland, this holds sacred meaning."
"Okay." She slowly leaned down to accept the embrace. Fia's arms wrapped around her shoulders and neck, the curves of her chest and the softness of her cheek making contact, releasing a fragrant scent. Their body heat transferred between them, bringing an inexplicable sense of relaxation; even heartbeats became clearly audible.
After a moment, Fia slightly loosened her arms. A sliver of Frieren's vitality drained, accompanied by a whisper in her ear: "You are so warm. What now illuminates within you is the Baldachin's Blessing, but it is fleeting, ephemeral. When you need the blessing, please come find me. No matter how many times, I will hold you tightly."
With that, the black-dressed woman slowly released her embrace. For a Tarnished experiencing this for the first time, some processing was needed to avoid an overreaction. However, Frieren remained calm throughout, likely due to her steady personality and the confidence of the strong. Otherwise, most people would be very wary of such slightly dangerous contact. She truly deserved the title of new Shardbearer.
Obtained Item [Baldachin's Blessing].
[A blessing granted by the Deathbed Companion]
[Resembles the protection of a secret shrine bedroom]
[Consumes FP to temporarily increase poise]
[That blessing makes one forget all pain—]
[Feeling nothing allows one to die peacefully]
The specific stats were: lasts 15 seconds, grants low-priority hyper armor, reduces poise damage taken by 0.66x, 35% physical damage reduction. The effect was minimal for Frieren, better compensated by skill, but undoubtedly another gain, an unexpected treasure.
The visit to the Roundtable Hold had indeed brought many surprises. But mustn't forget the main purpose; Fia's connections should provide many clues.
Before Frieren could formulate her words, Fia patted the bed, inviting her guest to sit. They were interested in each other. If the former was merely seeking information and getting acquainted with a resident ally of the Roundtable Hold, the latter also wanted to probe the new demigod.
The holders of Great Runes hadn't changed in many years; this shift was no less significant than a storm passing through the Lands Between. Such a figure right before her could potentially influence all factions; impossible not to pay attention. The silver-haired girl's composed demeanor throughout actually made Fia somewhat apprehensive. Ordinary Tarnished would be wary of an unexplained blessing; even thick-skinned ones would feign reluctance. Yet Frieren remained nonchalant, completely unfazed by the rumors surrounding Fia. Though her style wasn't arrogant, even quite low-key, the confidence of an absolute powerhouse was fully evident. She had faith she could handle any unusual emergencies, hence unhesitatingly sitting on the bedside, waiting for the next words:
"Need another embrace? Even if your blessing hasn't faded yet."
"Okay." The two calmly repeated the process. Simultaneously, Fia whispered in her ear: "I know what you wish to ask... In my homeland, I was called a Deathbed Companion. After receiving the warmth and will to live from countless heroes, sharing a bed with the great corpse allows the noble life to return to greatness. I exist for this purpose."
"But before restoring the great one to life, I awakened to grace and was driven from my homeland."
"You must have sensed it too. Even so, I still wish to be a Deathbed Companion. So, no matter how many times, please let me hold you like this." After a moment, she released her embrace.
Actually, her words already carried certain implications. The great one she wanted to help was Godwyn the Golden, Prince of Death, even aiming to create a Mending Rune incorporating Those Who Live in Death, ushering in a new era for the Lands Between where they could exist. This mission was extremely arduous.
Frieren guessed some of it too, and could even spoil things based on player messages right now. But best maintain the mystery of a first meeting; forming her own deductions then verifying with information was most important.
"Your Majesty, is there anything you wish to ask?"
"I heard that at the foot of the Erdtree, in the Deeproot Depths, lies Godwyn's corpse. Due to his improper death back then, it infected the roots, creating Those Who Live in Death, the source of this calamity...?"
"Yes."
"I thought you would say the conspiracy of the Night of the Black Knives caused everything."
"Dwelling on such things is meaningless, and too troublesome. We should focus on the most fundamental, direct source, then handle the calamity." Fia took the initiative to ask: "Will you one day venture into the Deeproot Depths? To one of the most mysterious places in the Lands Between?"
"Sooner or later, I will walk every inch of the Lands Between." Frieren decided this from the beginning. Moreover, Enia had advised the same. Without immersing oneself, grasping the essence of truth is difficult. A trip was necessary for comprehensiveness. Besides, she definitely had to investigate the world's most magnificent phenomena; the Erdtree must be crucial, couldn't leave it unclarified.
Hearing this, Fia's expression darkened. It was hard to guarantee how a Tarnished of queenly status viewed Those Who Live in Death and the Prince of Death. What if she thought, like D or Gurranq, that they should be completely eradicated? Her own cause seemed too weak and isolated, though she was used to it. The key was Frieren's attitude, worth striving for; the power of a Shardbearer was enough to place a heavy bet.
"...Your Majesty, if there exists a method allowing Those Who Live in Death to walk peacefully among the living without harming anyone, such as a Mending Rune... what do you think of such a Lands Between? Could you accept their existence?"
"Those Who Live in Death are just one part of many calamities. There are also the Kindred of Rot, the Frenzied Flame, and the Omens, all deserving careful handling."
"Your meaning?"
"Any minor Mending Rune is pointless. I'm even beginning to doubt the Golden Order itself." Frieren stated frankly, "I seek a better, greatest common denominator: restore the normal cycle of death, fade the Scarlet Rot, seal the Frenzied Flame forever... ultimately return prosperity to the Lands Between, benefiting more people." She didn't need to hide her goals; stating them openly could encourage potential allies. Besides, from the opening cinematic, the world of Elden Ring was already in late-stage decline, needing a revolutionary transformation, like completely changing the Order itself.
Hearing this, Fia was slightly stunned, finding it hard to believe. So grand. While she was still considering the issue of Those Who Live in Death, the legendary Soulflame King was contemplating a different Lands Between entirely.
Anyone unfamiliar would probably laugh out loud. But supporting this serious attitude was absolute power, undoubtedly. Facts speak louder than words; the healing and restoration happening in Limgrave were witnessed by all, self-renewal occurring without the Ring's great power.
"I heard that in Your Majesty's domain, outbreaks of Those Who Live in Death have ceased, affliction is contained, and Dragon Communion users have become healthy. It truly is the spark of a new era. I offer my sincere blessings, hoping the Lands Between changes from now on."
"Regarding handling Those Who Live in Death, my understanding is still insufficient. I must at least wait until I go to the Deeproot Depths."
"Prudence is a virtue."
"Does Lady Fia know how to get there?"
"Theoretically, following the two underground rivers upstream is sufficient, but it's fraught with danger."
"For example?"
"The ruins of the Eternal City lie there; who knows what the ancient civilization has nurtured after hiding for so long. There are also rumors of the mysterious Mohgwyn Dynasty's activities, not to mention the guardians around the roots. After all, it connects to the Royal Capital, another path..." Since a Tarnished would eventually investigate anyway, Fia might as well reveal it now, cultivating some goodwill, perhaps useful in the future.
Frieren listened intently, only now realizing how vast the lower levels of the Lands Between were, far exceeding expectations. Unfortunately, with the stars sealed, reaching the Eternal City was temporarily impossible.
"Oh right, if possible, please also investigate the Cursemark of Death. It's related to the Lunar Princess."
"I will keep an eye out." Besides, Ranni likely knew information related to reaching the Eternal City too. It seemed opening a Site of Grace at Caria Manor before heading to the festival of combat was necessary; future plans became somewhat clearer.
After chatting a bit more, their conversation drew to a close. Both knew many topics weren't ripe for discussion yet; understanding needed to be gained individually first.
"Take care, Your Majesty. I have a feeling: you will change far more than just Those Who Live in Death. The myriad creatures of the Lands Between also yearn for hope."
"Let's meet again later."
Despite this, Frieren didn't rush to leave the Roundtable Hold. Instead, she checked the related messages in the corridor. The scent of a side quest!
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