"Get down!"
The fastest to react, Edgar, quickly gave the order. The surrounding soldiers immediately complied, expanding their body's contact with the ground as much as possible, even driving their weapons into the earth to hold themselves steady.
The entire battlefield's ground sometimes sank, sometimes rose, sending men and horses tumbling at every turn.
There was no chance to stand firm; it was like playing on a trampoline.
As far as the eye could see, nothing wasn't shaking violently. The battle directly affected an area of over a hundred square kilometers, and the energy storm nearly enveloped the entire Caelid region. The heavens had changed, and the earth rumbled.
Stop.
Figures flickered within the sandstorm.
Even from such a distance, one could see Frieren flexibly orchestrating her attacks. She was the fastest, her hands never stopping—Carian Slicer, piercing swords, then greatswords, Night Comet, and "For the glory of Caria!"... she had clearly entered a state of ultra-high-speed magical combat.
This sudden change to an unfamiliar style made both Mohg and Radahn retreat.
Because coordinating with the silver-haired girl's magical combat was Ranni's long-range cover. A continuous barrage of dark moons harassed the enemy; once touched by frost, their movements would slow, and their mana circulation would weaken.
"You're nothing but a dead demigod."
The infuriated Lord of Blood swung his sacred spear, thrusting at Frieren's throat with the power of accursed blood, but changed his target mid-way, aiming for the blue doll on her shoulder. Kill you first!
Ping!
Even a suddenly changed killing move was ineffective before her; she actually parried it with her staff.
The roaring Radahn actually brought his Starscourge Greatsword down on Mohg, who grunted and retreated several steps.
"My brother..."
A shimmer flowed through Ranni's eyes. How she wished her brother had fully recovered, but a closer look revealed it was merely an instinctual act of protection. Even so, she felt comforted; at least there was a possibility of a sliver of reason.
"I have an impudent request, Your Majesty Frieren. Please find an opportunity in battle to absorb his Scarlet Rot and help him regain his sanity."
"Understood. One more challenge doesn't matter."
"This is a difficult task. If it succeeds, I will persuade all the Carian Knights to join the Southern Army."
"Good."
At the mention of a reward, the silver-haired girl became even more spirited. Dual-wielding Adula's Moonblades, she charged towards Radahn. The sword's edge instantly crossed ten meters, wreathed in terrifying frost. The strongest demigod, of course, was not to be outdone. He met her with his dual rock-infused greatswords, the added gravitational pressure causing the ground within a thousand meters to sink.
The two were once again locked in an inextricable struggle, a back-and-forth, impossible to separate.
Even though they had adopted mid-range combat, relatively reducing their large-scale firepower output, it didn't stop a casual move from spreading out with the force of a natural disaster, leaving utter devastation in its wake.
Mohg, meanwhile, seized opportunities to launch sneak attacks.
However, Ranni kept a close watch on him, giving him no openings. The situation now became a two-on-two.
The power of four demigods in total raged across the Wailing Dunes. Ocean waves were pushed back, the earth continuously rose into the air to become rock projectiles, and the scorching flames crystallized the sand... It had already become a forbidden zone of life.
The other battlefield was suffering just as much. At this moment, the battle between the Southern Army and the Blood Dynasty army reached a new peak.
"Roar!"
The accursed blood monsters were officially put to use.
Among them, monstrous black crows and airborne wyverns were entangled, constantly grappling for air supremacy, with casualties falling from time to time.
They occasionally spewed flames and blood, echoing the explosions of the distant demigod battle, forming a unified scroll painting in the sky. Various pigments were overturned on the canvas of the starry night, leaving only the theme of chaos.
The battle on the ground was even more intense, a clash of close-quarters combat for all.
Oath of Sunlight!
Millicent released her weapon skill, enveloping her challenger teammates beside her. Simultaneously, with her own strength, she unleashed a wave of Waterfowl Dance, scattering white streams and splashing blood in the center of the enemy formation.
At this moment, she felt light and exhilarated. Soon, her swordsmanship was reawakening further.
She had to rely on the demonstration Frieren had made. For example, the martial arts the silver-haired girl displayed now while facing two demigods—be it swordsmanship, footwork, or reaction speed—were all impeccable. She had even gained the upper hand at one point. It would be even more difficult to defeat such a grandmaster.
Surely Mohg and Radahn felt as if they were facing a bronze wall.
As a fellow swordswoman, she was trying to imitate that specialized battlefield martial art, growing stronger and more courageous as she fought, her blood boiling.
Crack!
Another Sanguine Noble died under her blade.
"Blaidd, since you've been serving the Lunar Princess all this time, do you know how long her state can help Frieren?"
"Less than 20 minutes. The demigods have probably all sensed it. If this drags on, it will easily return to a two-on-one situation... Although Lady Frieren doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all. She has her own rhythm."
"Be careful! It's a sign of Her Majesty charging up her magic!" Edgar shouted loudly.
The shield phalanx was the first to face the direction of the demigods.
"A battle of demigods is a disaster capable of destroying a nation and a continent. Be prepared," Jerren reminded. "There will be a greater impact—"
"Guard against it."
"Especially when the four of them are bombarding with magic, it will only be more terrifying."
As if to echo his judgment, Ranni's frost moon and Frieren's chaos flame dyed the sky a mix of white and red. The intense temperature change made even weapons become brittle.
The two world-renowned sorceresses coordinated their abilities, echoing each other from afar with maximum firepower. Upon a true hit, they would lock onto the enemy. The fierce winds and raging waves were the horns for the charge.
They, with one mind, released their power together.
Dong!
A spiraling torrent of red and white magic was the first to engulf Mohg's figure. In that instant, he tried to teleport, but found his body covered in a layer of frost, his movements sluggish. Immediately following was the fire of the Ruined Capital of Chaos filling his vision.
He hadn't even reacted; it was too fast. Why? There was only one explanation:
"You've been secretly coordinating your spellcasting and chanting all along!"
To cooperate so seamlessly in that battle rhythm—amidst his shock, all he could do was hold on, needing to preserve his projection first.
The berserk Radahn didn't understand tactics; he met the attack head-on and was sent flying.
Crack-crack—
The Albinauric troops, just there to make up numbers, were disarmed by the aftershocks. Their swords, spears, and halberds shattered on impact. Without the Lord of Blood at the front to resist the shockwave, the lingering might from the God-King combination swept through easily, like an eraser wiping out a large swathe of the army.
They vanished before they could react.
Though not done intentionally, it still affected the situation. This was the overwhelming power of demigod energy.
The Blood Dynasty side also had no choice but to lie prone on the ground to stabilize themselves. Unfortunately, the low-intellect Albinaurics and monsters didn't quite understand, still standing dazedly, observing their surroundings, only to see a tall ice sculpture shatter.
Its appearance was very special, because a half-black wing had firmly enveloped the body. It was clearly Mohg's emergency defense.
A close shave.
His heart still pounding, he slowly retracted his wings—more accurately, they had shattered. Facing the joint attack of Ranni and Frieren, his projection had finally reached its limit; it was collapsing.
At this moment, they were striding over.
Suppressing an army by herself, that silver-haired figure with a doll on her shoulder exuded an oppressive feeling. Suddenly, she glanced at a blind spot.
A sweep from Radahn was precisely parried by Frieren.
"Getting easier, are you? To actually become familiar with the rhythm of the strongest demigod. Truly a monster."
"You're next, Mohg. I'll first ensure you can't interfere."
"Then try me."
The demigods once again engaged in a close-quarters brawl. Looking from afar, amidst an army of thousands, there were clearly several clusters of energy grinding against each other, sometimes maintaining a balance, sometimes one gaining the upper hand, and then the ground would tilt towards the other side.
It was obvious Frieren had the advantage. Each clash could make the ground form a slope towards the Blood Dynasty's side, causing countless miscellaneous soldiers to slide down.
The situation gradually became clear.
Among all the experts present, she alone was the most injured yet maintained the highest combat strength, her condition declining minimally. Moreover, her new moves emerged one after another, beating Mohg to the point where he cried bitterness in his heart, stretched thin, even Radahn was hit several times.
After observing for a moment, Edgar's eyes firmed. "Now! We seize this chance and finish the Blood Dynasty army. What do you think, Castellan Jerren?"
"Good! You are the bravest Banished Knight I have ever seen, or perhaps, a Storm Lord Knight—"
"All wrong. I am a Knight of the New Lord of Souls."
Amidst the sound of horns, the allied forces advanced slowly, hunched low. Though cautious, their steps were steady, like a fortress wall.
In the most chaotic moments, they still maintained strict organization.
It was precisely because he knew the tactical proficiency of his soldiers that Commander Edgar dared to take the risk. These bloodfiends had to be left behind; otherwise, if they escaped, the future trouble would be endless.
"Don't even think about it!"
The Sanguine Nobles quickly cast magic to resist, and both sides clashed fiercely on the front line.
Both knew well that in a stage where the aftershocks of a demigod war were frequent, the side with the advantage—Frieren's side—needed to expand that advantage even more. They had to seize the time. Thus, this very moment was a critical point where every second counted.
Whichever side retained more troops could potentially besiege the pyrrhic victor. The threat had to be eliminated quickly.
Suddenly, a sword flashed, slaying several blood sorcerers.
It was Millicent, flinging the blood from her straight sword. Standing on the front line with her were Blaidd, Tragoth, and others.
The Combat Festival challengers had returned to the battlefield. With their strength, they were the elite of the elite, easily tearing through the Blood Dynasty's shield formation.
Not only that.
A rain of arrows actually fell from the high ground. The sneak attack from a vertical direction threw the Blood Dynasty army into disarray. Who was still entering the battlefield now? Usually, it was only them who ambushed others.
The crowd followed the sound and saw a bald man standing on a cliff with his hands on his hips.
Around him were a mere hundred poorly equipped rogue archers.
"Patches's Mercenaries, at your service! Old friend, aren't you surprised?"
"You've come at just the right time."
"Frieren, after you kill General Starscourge later, your fame will be even greater. You'll have to pay me more! You know, I've come on a long and arduous expedition."
"Rest assured, I'll give you a friendship price." The silver-haired girl glanced over. "By the way, say hello to Bernahl for me."
She looked towards the position where her weapon arts teacher was hiding.
Previously, her knowledge of the Lands Between was short. She thought any enthusiastic Tarnished she met had demigod strength, once overestimating Godrick. Now, thinking back, there was definitely a story there, a significant background. When it involved the powers behind both sides, it was no longer a simple matter of imparting knowledge.
The man in white armor behind a large rock on the cliff sighed and laughed:
"I'd already suppressed my aura to this extent, and was still discovered? Good eyes. You shouldn't have been so high-profile, Patches."
"It wouldn't be good if it made Frieren think a newly joined expert was planning on picking up scraps."
Bernahl liked it when everyone interacted purely. Hearing this, Patches waved his hand, completely unconcerned.
"She won't mind. She'll only go all out."
Boom!
Sure enough, with a loud bang, the silver-haired girl broke through a defense with the Gavel of Haima. A new spell, never used before but effective, caught the opponent off guard. She withstood the blood curse, flicked away Mohg's sacred spear, and at zero distance, condensed Homing Crystal Soulmass.
Sharp crystals pierced his body, accompanied by a shocked expression, "Why didn't the blood curse work? Just now, it at least made you bleed all over."
"Because my soul-splitting art is also evolving. Your methods are meaningless. At least, this projection is not worth mentioning."
"Such insolence—"
The Bloodboon sigil boiled again, but the next moment, the crystals that had pierced his body suddenly erupted with spikes.
Even a demigod-level physique was torn apart. Translucent crystals bloomed while continuously distorting his life-form structure, making Mohg clearly feel he was gradually transforming into something else, including his soul.
Not good. This was also a curse-level attack.
He would not admit defeat so easily. He proactively grabbed Frieren's staves with both hands, and in reverse, mobilized accursed blood to contaminate them. Both sides entered a contest of strength.
"Die!"
However, the moment Mohg moved, he saw Ranni's dark moon strike his chest.
While he was hit by the huge impact, the silver-haired girl transformed her staff into a sword, its sharp edge piercing his flesh, puchi, opening a gash.
In a trance, he seemed to witness a snow-white, scaleless dragon roar—it was the New Lord of Souls recreating the magic of a defeated foe.
The next moment, Crystal Breath suddenly bloomed within the body of a weakened demigod. The merciless Frieren detonated the energy.
Simultaneously, she delved deep with a soul attack, doing her utmost to find the connection to Mohg's main body.
Far away, in the underground world's mausoleum.
An Ancient Death Rancor appeared above the Blood Dynasty and murmured, "Found you. Right here."
Bang!
Mohg easily shattered it, but the projection's final vision brought bad news: as he fell, the breath attack had not yet ended. With a wave of the silver-haired girl's hand, it flew towards the Blood Dynasty army, annihilating a thousand soldiers in one blow.
"Although I don't like Seath the Scaleless's cruel experiments, his crystal magic certainly is something. Positioning is complete. We'll meet again later, Lord of Blood."
On the dunes, the projection dissipated, signifying the exit of one demigod.
Having achieved a one-hit kill, Frieren wiped the sweat from her forehead. After all, recreating the Crystal Breath of the white dragon was not easy.
The reason she expended more mana was to use the connection between the crystals as a marker. Otherwise, ordinary native abilities of the Lands Between could be easily dispelled. She might as well use a special magic from the Dark Souls world.
She looked coldly in the direction the enemy had disappeared, and at the vast magical spectacle left behind.
Although the body had dissipated, the thousand-meter crystal branches, spread out like a towering ancient tree, were still shocking, leaving one dumbfounded.
She really won!
They had guessed the New Lord of Souls would have the upper hand, but they hadn't expected her to eliminate one so quickly.
Even with Ranni now suppressing Radahn, it didn't mean it was safe. It was a perilous opportunity, but ultimately, she had defeated the Lord of Blood.
"All hail Her Majesty!"
The Southern Army couldn't help but let out continuous cheers, their morale soaring.
Although whether they could achieve complete victory remained to be seen, it didn't stop them from now charging towards the Blood Dynasty's army with renewed vigor. Power surged within them, roaring like thunder, iron hooves trampling over the corpses of monsters.
Everywhere were the banners of Stormveil Castle, fluttering in the wind, interweaving with the sound of horns.
Edgar, pressing his advantage, set fire to the central formation's banner. The Sanguine Nobles, having lost this command signal, immediately fell into disarray.
They tried to flee but found themselves lost.
An army of over 50,000 strong was spread all over the mountains and plains. Once the systematic transmission of information was lost, stragglers became like headless flies, unable to distinguish direction.
Yes, people get lost in a crowd, let alone on a chaotic battlefield.
Crack!
Before they could see clearly, the Redmane Army, roaming the periphery, galloped over. A long spear skewered a Sanguine Knight. The powerful impact easily pierced his breastplate, coming out the other side, killing him on the spot. Over and over, they continuously cleared out enemies who were no longer a cohesive force.
Jerren, also an experienced commander, knew how to coordinate, leading the Redmane Army to continuously exterminate the fish that had slipped through the net.
As for the Albinaurics, not many were left.
They were fragile to begin with. Facing the aftershocks of Frieren's world-destroying magic, more than half were lost. Fighting alongside the New Lord of Souls, one needn't worry about the work of clearing mobs; it was effortless.
"Retreat immediately!"
The Blood Dynasty army, seeing the tide had turned, had no choice but to do their utmost to break out.
Meeting the Sanguine Knights, of course, were the counter-breakout elite Dragon Communionists and festival challengers. The most brutal slaughter on this side of the army battlefield erupted. One side tried desperately to retreat, the other to stop them. Naturally, both went all out.
However, compared to the demigod war, it was like comparing a firefly to the moon. The other side had entered a white-hot state.
To end the battle quickly, Frieren frequently used killing moves. Soul Streams, Chaos Flames, angelic light pillars, and other attribute damages were released.
She specifically chose magic that did not exist in the Lands Between.
Struck by this heavy blow, Radahn was repeatedly forced back. Only the rapid repair from his Great Rune allowed him to hold on; otherwise, he would have been defeated long ago.
The limit.
If it were purely magical attacks, it would be fine, but there was also Ranni's Dark Moon.
The Lunar Princess's anti-magic magic and the New Lord of Souls' endless stream of techniques complemented each other perfectly. Now, he was facing two against one. He quickly showed signs of decline, gradually losing his strength.
"Today, I will see you off."
Frieren, having just defeated Mohg's projection, was conversely even more imposing, her mind, body, and technique in perfect harmony. High consumption brought high concentration. Each spell was more exquisite than the last, unstoppable.
A wisp of fire could incinerate the earth; even gravity couldn't take advantage.
A single Soul Stream could ignore defense, its unprecedented penetrating power dealing true damage.
A sweep of a light pillar left several more wounds on Radahn's body, its speed so fast he simply couldn't react...
Exhilarating.
Even with only instinct remaining, he couldn't help but reveal a smile, very satisfied. It had been many years since he had seen such a strong enemy. It was even more hearty than the Aeonian War, because Malenia, towards the end, had started looking for an opportunity to bloom—plenty of resolve, but not enough exchange of blows.
However, Frieren had only one philosophy: attack. And without repetition, fearless of one-versus-many. The moment she struck, she mobilized her full-power mana.
Every one of her moves put pressure on Radahn.
For the first time since becoming General Starscourge, he had fallen into a disadvantage in an offensive exchange.
Wounds were accumulating, his soul in agony, blood flowing unceasingly, his body going limp. Even the greatsword that had accompanied him on his campaigns became heavy... He was finding it increasingly difficult to resist, but it wasn't as if he hadn't fought at a disadvantage before.
"Roar!"
Amidst the roar, Radahn once again used Starcaller Cry, proactively meeting Frieren's charge, clashing the edge of his greatsword against the silver-haired girl's staff, fierce and powerful.
"Trying to break my staff?"
Unfortunately, the ever-cautious her immediately noticed. She lightly stepped on the sword's body and smoothly dodged the rock sphere.
To be able to arbitrarily control the battle's rhythm in such a fierce fight—at this moment, Frieren switched to an agile offensive.
She couldn't clash head-on with a weapon that was just a step away from being fully reinforced.
However, this was not up to her. Radahn, regardless of anything else, unleashed Starcaller Cry at full power, not even minding the glintstone magic hitting his body, tanking it all with his armor and flesh. Finally, an opportunity came—
Swoosh!
A greatsword slashed towards the slender Meteorite Staff, but in an instant, it transformed into a katana.
The moment their figures crossed, Frieren's blade shattered. However, one of the Starscourge Greatswords was also sent flying, landing in the distance, viciously stuck in the ground, motionless.
The tactical choice was not wrong, but she had underestimated her own strength. The one in better condition now was her.
"And you were a beat slower just now because of it."
Suddenly, Radahn stopped his movements, staring blankly at his warhorse. It was silent. Having experienced the successive aftershocks of four demigods' battles, his companion in arms had finally fallen, dead from exhaustion. Even at the very end, it had carried its master.
Unfortunately, it could no longer campaign alongside General Starscourge, nor see the end of this battle.
He held the warhorse's corpse, silent for a long time, his face filled with sorrow.
Behind him, Frieren, apart from re-switching to her dual staves, made no other superfluous movements, waiting for Radahn to say his farewells first, quietly witnessing.
"Back then, my brother learned gravity magic just to ride that skinny horse. That was his good comrade-in-arms," Ranni's tone was wistful.
"If something happened to Torrent, I would also regret it."
Hearing this, the soul within the Spirit Steed Whistle revealed a trace of excitement, very happy with Frieren's recognition. After all, they were indeed close partners who had come this far together.
"I have a premonition... this is my brother's final battle destiny."
"You should move farther away, Ranni. Your doll is very fragile."
"Mm."
She understood her ally was specifically giving her a way out. They couldn't really let it turn into a story of fratricide; it was best to avoid suspicion. As an outsider not of the Golden Lineage, it was easier. Kill General Starscourge, and everything would end.
Though regretful, Ranni obediently retreated to the other side, not interfering in the battle, sitting at the same table as Melina.
A moment later, Radahn stood up, holding dual swords, staring deadly at the silver-haired girl. There was not a trace of anger, only the ultimate magic of full concentration.
Rock armament enveloped the +9 reinforced weapon.
A gravity vortex gathered around his body. Relying on just two broken legs, he forcibly stood up, still tall and straight, stern and inviolable.
The next moment, he fiercely swung out a gravity blade. Light illuminated the dunes, heaven and earth overturned. When it met Frieren's gravity magic, it was dissipated.
"Fighting for so long, I've seen through you long ago. Your poise is also enough to be broken. Wake up."
While dissipating it, she rushed forward. Her two staves respectively condensed glintstone swords and thrust into Radahn's chest.
Wait!
Everyone suddenly noticed that Frieren's original two ponytails had come undone, releasing her long hair to cascade down like a waterfall. Those two Flowers of Aeonia on it—where were they?
They were blooming on Radahn's body. Scarlet petals extended for tens of meters, like a battle of Valkyries, but with one difference:
The Scarlet Rot was being absorbed.
To this day, a sliver of clarity finally appeared in General Starscourge's eyes.
_____
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