The Beginning of Guidance.
After some thought, Frieren returned to the Site of Grace where she had fiercely battled the Tree Sentinel. This was the entrance to the Chapel of Anticipation, the place where everything began, marking the first footprint of her adventure in the Lands Between. It was also the burial place of the Finger Maiden who was supposed to accompany her on the mission to seek the Elden Ring:
"Starting a journey by losing a companion is quite rare."
She hadn't encountered such a beginning even in past game magics. The inherent tragic tone of this world couldn't be ignored—which was precisely why she needed to change it.
"Do you miss that Finger Maiden?" Particles of light coalesced from the Site of Grace, forming Melina's figure. She noticed a subtle change in Frieren's aura. And why was she wearing the Flower of Aeonia as a headpiece? Couldn't she choose something better?
"I never even spoke with her, so how could I miss her? I just find it poignant."
"Indeed. Every Tarnished arrives in the Lands Between alone. Of course, they probably don't care much initially. But over time, the Finger Maiden often becomes their sole companion. The bond with a partner is hard to erase; it gives a sense that everything stems from that connection."
"Melina, where did your journey begin? At the foot of the Erdtree?"
"Yes, and no. It doesn't matter." She clearly didn't want to delve deeper into the topic, refusing to discuss her past even if it aroused her partner Frieren's suspicion.
"Earlier, a child mentioned researching magic to achieve long life, solely for the sake of companionship. That kind of passionate heart seems better suited to enduring the passage of time. Conversely, we tend to think that living long means we can afford to miss things. If something's bothering you, don't hide it. Feel free to speak up."
A whistle echoed. After summoning her spectral steed, the silver-haired girl leaped onto its back. Simultaneously, Melina wrapped her arms around Frieren's waist, and Torrent carried them swiftly away.
The vast skies and seas of the Lands Between always had a way of uplifting the spirit. Ignoring the signs of decay like the shambling corpses, compared to the real world—also magically active—this place at least boasted the Erdtree, a colossal entity as radiant as the sun.
She headed towards the Seaside Ruins.
When she first arrived in the Lands Between, Frieren had noticed some treasure below the Chapel of Anticipation but couldn't reach it. As she grew more accustomed to the rules of this world and her mana perception strengthened, she finally detected something.
Howling winds swept across the cliff edge by the ruins, offering a boundless view, with the roar of distant waves echoing.
Something was there! Despite the height, it felt as if sea spray was hitting her cheeks, demanding focus and attention.
Frieren guessed correctly; the gap she'd found earlier in the Chapel likely led here. Anyone who explored the Lands Between enough knew that there was always a way; paths often looped back around. A swirling vortex of wind on the ground below spun as if in welcome, though a few monsters also roamed the area.
She dismissed Torrent, eager to proceed.
"Wait, you're not thinking of jumping down, are you?" Melina couldn't help but exclaim. "Without the spectral steed's assistance, it's easy to fall to your death! It's very dangerous."
"Don't worry. I have several ways to achieve flight. I just want to test something."
"Perhaps Gravity magic would suit you."
Melina's understanding couldn't quite keep up with this Tarnished destined for lordship. She watched as the silver-haired girl leaped off the cliff. Her body didn't plummet as expected but descended with a sense of flotation, slowly entering the wind vortex's range.
Flight magic, it seemed, could at best provide levitation and slow descent here. The difference in rules was too significant—though it was also possible her mastery wasn't great in the real world either.
After confirming the basic performance, Frieren held back no longer, unleashing Crystal Barrage to cover the monsters below.
Boom!
With her penchant for legion-level area-of-effect magic, she finished them off easily. The beach below the cliff was now riddled with craters. The monsters that had been roaring and wandering moments ago turned into Runes, never even realizing someone had attacked from above, finding an unexpected release.
Had the southern army witnessed this, they would surely know: the Ashen Lord's magic power had grown again, still favoring a style that refused to conserve energy.
A gleaming point of light shone from the nearby ruins. Staying alert, she walked slowly towards it, leaving footprints behind. It was indeed a collectible.
Exploring the Lands Between never lacked these small rewards that brought a smile, though one never knew if a real surprise awaited:
[Ash of War: Gravitas]
[Skill of the Alabaster Lords, who had skin of stone.]
[Thrust the armament into the ground to create a gravity well.]
[Deals damage and draws enemies towards the user.]
The Ash of War icon depicted a greatsword enveloped in a swirling purple-white storm, seemingly siphoning the surroundings, looking quite imposing.
Frieren had learned about Ashes of War from Smithing Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold. With her abilities, reverting it back into a spell wasn't difficult, especially since, in essence, they were the same type of combat skill.
Thus, she immediately attempted to extract the magic from the Ash. The silver-haired girl carefully applied the Ash to a weapon she didn't need, then used mana resonance to meticulously perceive its specific capabilities. A new type of magic? Gravity-based?
"You're attempting something remarkable. This is an ability taught only by the Onyx and Alabaster Lords from beyond the Lands Between." Melina consoled, "It's normal not to be able to learn it. You could try seeking them out..."
However, she watched, eyes wide, as purple-white energy gathered around Frieren. Did she actually succeed? Reverse-engineering magic from an Ash of War was perhaps traceable, but how could one learn Gravity magic without an Alabaster Lord? Even the demigod Radahn had needed a master! She learned it through self-study!
After a moment, the silver-haired girl let out a long breath. "I barely managed to extract it. This new Gravity magic can imbue any weapon with an attracting effect. In practice, it's a double-edged sword."
Controlling distance against strong foes was crucial; recklessly pulling them closer was dangerous. Against weaker enemies, however, it was fine. Now Frieren didn't have to worry about weaker targets easily escaping. One blast of Gravity magic to pull them in—scared yet? Feeling despair? It would be even more useful in the real world; it should be remarkably effective against those demons whose survival instincts kicked in, causing them to flee at the drop of a hat.
Just to be safe, she checked the player messages:
[Right now, this instant, I'm gonna cosplay Radahn!]
[Leonard the Pearl-horse plus Gravity magic, that's the Redmane General!]
[Stop trolling, it sucks. In this game where everyone's made of glass, pulling mobs means getting swarmed and dying. I gave up after trying a few times.]
[Useful for flushing out sneaky enemies hiding in corners while exploring, not much value otherwise.]
Despite this, Frieren wouldn't abandon Gravity magic. A door to a new world had opened for her, representing an entirely new system that likely contained many useful abilities. Keep researching.
She should pay more attention to Gravity magic in the future and have the Limgrave forces gather related materials. Such power would surely be useful in both the Lands Between and reality.
"Time to visit the Cave of Knowledge now." Frieren sensed a peculiar magical signature there, worth investigating, especially since she had missed it initially.
A cave entrance appeared ahead, flickering firelight emanating from within. Frieren always approached such places with utmost caution. First, a comprehensive scan with mana perception, then she entered, fully prepared.
Her feet trod not on soft sand but solid rock. The opening above led back to where she was first summoned. The Cave of Knowledge.
When she first arrived, full of curiosity about this grand world, she had rushed onward, barely examining her immediate surroundings. Stepping back in now brought a sense of nostalgia.
Player messages were present here too:
[How did I die in the Cave of Knowledge? I'm trash aaaah!]
[As a mage, ran out of FP after a few spells, got taught a lesson.]
[Don't just swing wildly! Watch the enemy's moves even against mobs, or you'll still get wrecked.]
[I will kill you today!]
Overall, the difficulty wasn't high, so the messages were more banter than complaints. For the average Tarnished, the Cave of Knowledge was manageable with a bit of care. Their real test was the Tree Sentinel; the first lesson learned should be: if you can't win, run.
Frieren ventured deeper and found the source of the light. She carefully bent down. It was a shield-shaped crest, heavy in her hand, engraved with the majestic form of a dragon, likely having waited here silently for ages.
[Haligdrake Talisman]
[A talisman depicting a golden ancient dragon. Boosts holy damage negation.]
[In the prehistoric era before the Erdtree,]
[the ancient dragons were the lords of that time.]
[They were also the ramparts that protected the crown.]
[As such, the shape of the dragon has become symbolic of all manner of protections.]
Isn't this description identical to the Pearldrake Talisman I found in Groveside Cave? Lazy writing, huh? Still, the meaning was correct.
Another world once ruled by ancient dragons, seemingly following a historical progression from dragons to gods, then to humans. And today, in the Lands Between, with the demigods hidden away, humans were the most active.
By real-world standards, elves were also a branch of humanity. Therefore, adding Frieren, a Shardbearer, there were now quite a few strong humans in the Lands Between.
"Melina, have you ever seen an ancient dragon?"
"I've seen its corpse. You may have already heard, in Leyndell, the Royal Capital, lies the corpse of the great ancient dragon Gransax. It covers nearly half the district, its wings extending into the palace area. It's no surprise that such magnificent life once ruled the Lands Between."
"Did they have a king?"
"Indeed, there was a Dragonlord. It's said he was the true, original Elden Lord. Unfortunately, after the god of the ancient dragons left for unknown reasons, the Dragonlord hasn't been seen for a very long time."
"What existed in even more ancient times?"
"Legends speak of giants, not the kind just slightly larger than trolls, but rare individuals who rivaled or even surpassed the great ancient dragons. In Caelid, you can see a colossal skull, comparable to a small mountain."
"Had they not perished, they might still rule the Lands Between..."
Speaking of distant ages, even Melina couldn't help but feel profound emotion, especially considering the Eternal City lineage, whose history stretched back an unknown length of time. They were all long-lived beings, yet recounting the past always felt like spanning several unknown eras. On an absolutely vast timescale, the Lands Between would only experience more crises.
Her own mission seemed less grand in comparison.
"Feeling small?" Frieren's question made Melina pause slightly.
"Just be thankful that certain events are merely part of the world's evolution and not worth dwelling on so much. However, our plan remains unchanged. Regardless, the Erdtree, which once created abundance, is the least bad option. We must mend the Elden Ring."
Melina gazed towards the distant Erdtree. Although it was far from Limgrave, it wasn't as indistinct as before. The two had ultimately made progress.
"Let's wrap things up here quickly. I also want to check out the Academy of Raya Lucaria soon." With that, Frieren summoned Torrent and set off again, heading towards the prominent Seaside Ruins where previous messages had indicated an important person might be found. Who?
Bloody Finger Hunter Yura was wary. From a great distance, he sensed a vast, hidden magical power approaching. The fleeting glimpse earlier almost seemed like an illusion, but it was definitely heading his way. Could it be some force behind the Bloody Fingers seeking revenge?
Plausible; those guys were utterly lawless. However, he sensed no hostility, so he didn't strike first, instead observing from a gap in the ruins.
A mage with silver hair and long, pointed ears? Wearing light armor, a crown, and riding the unique spectral steed... Combining these features, the figure was extremely famous in Limgrave.
"Should I address you as Your Majesty? Frieren, Slayer of the Fell Sword."
"No need for such formality. I've heard of you too, the hero who hunts Bloody Fingers. Those villains certainly deserve to be dealt with."
"Hardly a hero. What brings you here?"
"There's a Site of Grace here, so I came to activate it. Just happened to see someone nearby and thought I'd say hello. After all, opportunities to meet normal people are rare in the Lands Between."
"Fine spirit."
A person destined for kingship, yet still so free and easy, wandering the Lands Between as if the world were her home—truly rare. In most people's view, this wasn't demeaning her status but rather the act of a true powerhouse; after all, the former warrior king Godfrey had conquered far and wide. A powerful monarch should spread their footprints and leave behind achievements.
Those like Godrick or the Lord of Grace, who holed up at home, were somewhat lacking.
"I heard you killed Flying Dragon Agheel?"
"Yes. It was blocking the path and couldn't be tamed, so I dealt with it while campaigning towards Stormveil Castle. If I hadn't taken care of it, I wouldn't have been able to subdue the Stormhawk squadrons either, making the siege more difficult."
As she spoke, Frieren took out a strong, powerful heart, still pulsing with life.
"Then you should know, that's an offering used in Dragon Communion. If one day you can't suppress the craving, head to the church on the small island off the west coast. That's the site for the Dragon Communion ritual."
"But you turn into an inhuman monster, right?"
"Correct. So even if you give it to your followers, be careful, unless you find an ancient dragon willing to help suppress the side effects." Yura waved his hand.
"Don't misunderstand, I don't mean to lecture. Like everyone else, I hope the new King of Limgrave governs well."
"Thanks."
"Since we've met once, as long as we travel the Lands Between, we're bound to meet again. Until next time." He adjusted the large iron kasa on his head, turned to leave, then paused abruptly to add a reminder: "Be careful of the Bloody Finger organization. There's someone hidden deep behind them, very sinister. Since you're recruiting so many Tarnished, you'll likely clash with them."
With this final warning, Yura quickly departed. Truthfully, he was somewhat intimidated by the intense magical aura emanating from Frieren; it was unsettling. Best to keep his distance. He wasn't cut from the same cloth as the formidable Ashen Lord.
The silver-haired girl frowned, watching his retreating back. She couldn't shake the feeling that the hunter was being watched by some bizarre power... Never mind. Although Bloody Finger Hunter Yura seemed targeted by some strange entity, how could Frieren know his attitude towards it? What if he was actively embracing that power? Pointing it out rashly would be impolite. Besides, she didn't know the specifics.
Yura himself gave off an air of offering well-intentioned warnings while simultaneously keeping others at arm's length. The Lands Between certainly didn't lack mysterious travelers.
Suddenly, Melina materialized to remind her: "He's right. Those Bloody Fingers have always been fanatics. They don't care if you're a Shardbearer; their only condition is that Tarnished must be killed. They're very troublesome."
"It's fine."
"Truly broad-minded as always, Frieren. Few possess a kingly heart like yours."
"It's nothing unusual. Weren't Tarnished disliked by everyone before? The situation has improved greatly now. The fact that only the Bloody Fingers remain relentlessly hostile, doesn't that demonstrate progress?"
This interpretation made even Melina admire her partner's magnanimity. In these Lands Between, too many powerful individuals were bound by circumstances. In contrast, Frieren remained consistently free-spirited—a rare quality. Hopefully, she could maintain it and not turn into a bitter, burdened type. That's why Frieren was so much more vibrant than other Tarnished.
"Explore Limgrave a bit more. Clear your head before the next operation." Neither the Academy of Raya Lucaria nor Caelid were pleasant places. Even a Shardbearer would face grueling battles there; it was best to conserve strength.
"Of course."
Frieren was always enthusiastic about exploration. The dullness of staying so long in the elf village needed to be dispelled. She really was becoming less like an elf, more like a longer-lived human unable to resist traveling to distant lands.
Until her footprints covered the entire Lands Between, she would maintain this passion. Many locals saw only decay, but from the moment she arrived, she focused on the surviving life within the ruins, developing Soul Healing magic. Perhaps the rules of the Elden Ring had responded to her inner desires.
The silver-haired girl summoned Torrent and rode off.
Over the next few days, Frieren traveled through East Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, spreading Soul Healing along the way.
Her magic was more refined than before, particularly improved to target zombification specifically. The cure was effective. Logic from real-world magic formulas was incorporated into the new spell, even drawing inspiration from demon undead puppetry techniques. Consequently, common symptoms of zombification were easily cured.
But it was far from perfect. At the very least, one thing remained impossible: reversing the zombification process was still a complete mystery. At best, she could halt the decay, stop the madness, and restore some bodily function. In essence, the state of a "soul trapped in a decaying body" remained unchanged.
Although Frieren's latest research expanded the treatable targets to include severe zombification, solving previous difficulties and earning grateful praise for Her Majesty, for a scholar striving for perfection, there was still room for improvement. The path of magic was vast; a corresponding solution surely existed. More case samples were needed.
With this in mind, she administered treatment in villages with varying degrees of affliction, targeting different types of the undead as much as possible. Anyway, the more proficient one became with magic, the better. She didn't mind the trouble, aiming for perfection.
The King of Limgrave's activities in her domain brought about a series of changes. These great acts of benevolence in the people's eyes undoubtedly made her worthy of allegiance.
The inhabitants of Stormveil Castle were quite busy.
Throne Room.
Beside the empty, enormous throne, nobles gathered. They bowed towards the seat before beginning to exchange documents, verifying conditions in various regions to avoid any oversights or errors. Even though Frieren herself wasn't present, it didn't prevent the royal council from meeting regularly to discuss development.
In the Lands Between, Shardbearers and local nobles generally cooperated well. The former provided military security and legitimacy, while the latter served as intermediaries, relying on the former. Together, they guided human influence towards gradual prosperity.
Admittedly, recent years had been times of hardship and decline, but specifically for the human race spread across the land, their numbers were paradoxically increasing against the trend.
"I don't understand where all these villages and people are popping up from," Kenneth Haight muttered, scratching his head over the statistics sheet.
Edgar casually replied, "Ultimately, for all these years, we never truly understood the south. Our knowledge of detailed populations, settlements, and caves was partial at best. Even more people hid away, intimidated by the demigods. After witnessing Her Majesty's benevolence, it's only natural they'd willingly pledge allegiance."
"So, it wasn't just us thinking the Shattering war was severe? At least in the south, many people were actively hiding?"
"Correct. But such cases are likely limited to Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, perhaps extending slightly into Liurnia of the Lakes. It wouldn't happen elsewhere."
"True. Other areas are either tightly controlled by the Royal Capital or everyone's dead."
"Lord Haight, esteemed colleagues," Edgar continued, "we should capitalize on the goodwill generated by Her Majesty's actions and recruit these people. Either bring them into the city for work or help them settle nearby."
"Where will the funds come from?"
"Her Majesty instructed us to use the accumulated treasury reserves. Besides, the cave treasures she finds are quite valuable, enough to bolster our finances."
Anyway, Frieren's daily life was completely detached from extravagance; she was indifferent to fame and fortune. But that didn't mean she was poor. On the contrary, any random item she produced could be priceless—a veritable walking treasury. Moreover, once the city started running, funding wasn't the issue; it would generate its own revenue.
For example, Sellen teaching alongside Frieren attracted numerous descendants of nobles who were looked down upon at the Academy. Here, they received instruction without discrimination, specifically in the currently popular school of Soul Magic. They came upon hearing the news, providing substantial payments.
These lavish spenders revitalized commerce in Stormveil City. Land that was once stagnant was reviving. They hadn't dared to imagine such a scene before. Having the fortune to witness it, they realized Frieren's greatest achievement was stimulating the self-regenerative power of the land under her rule.
"Additionally, garrison reports indicate that Her Majesty has already cleared out distant caves and monster dens." Edgar's words brought pleased expressions to everyone's faces. Removing those nuisances allowed for further revitalization of Limgrave.
At least people no longer had to worry about suddenly encountering strange wolf packs, frenzied undead, or flying dragons on the main roads; it was much more peaceful. He continued proposing, "We can reinforce the garrisons at nearby caves ourselves and clear the surrounding areas."
"Will deploying troops out there face any danger?" Haight asked.
"Don't worry. There are just reports of bandit activity around Murkwater Cave. Her Majesty won't be back for a while yet; we should dispatch soldiers to eliminate them. As for the city's defense, there's no need for concern."
Indeed. Whether it was the Farron Undead Legion practicing swordsmanship on the cliffs, or the Black Knife Assassins and Zamor Heroes who usually chatted amiably with everyone, they were more than sufficient to defend the castle. They needed to train the soldiers more, lest their military readiness decay. They couldn't rely solely on the King to fight in future wars for dominance. Soon, the royal council decided to actively deploy troops.
____
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