"Truly a terrifying physique; you could probably engage in hand-to-hand combat with the First Elden Lord."
"I am not skilled in that style."
"A powerhouse of your level possesses no shortcomings. That is why I will use my full power, never before revealed, to defeat you, forcing you to abandon your unrealistic dream of becoming Lord. It ends here."
The giant serpent reverted to Messmer's appearance, the difference being his red hair scattering like flames, with heat rising around him to consume any magic. No wonder he could drive the Hornsent, who were skilled in spirit channeling, to near extinction; ordinary methods were simply ineffective.
With a solemn expression, Frieren took out Moonveil.
Why?
Messmer could not understand why she would switch to a weapon inferior to the Dark Moon Greatsword, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he drove his flames with full force, using the weight of his charge to wrap magic around him for a rush.
But the snow-white blade precisely struck the spear tip and immediately deflected it. Sparks flew amidst the pleasant, crisp sound of collision. The force of the omni-directional deflection caused his charging momentum to stagnate for an instant.
An instant was enough.
Her staff unleashed Sorcery: Carian Slicer, drawing lines of blood around Messmer's towering body. Since magical projectiles would be consumed by the flames, she used a solidified magic sword, which, as expected, successfully breached his defenses.
The flustered Omen thrust his spear again, only to be met with another precise guard counter.
It was a technique that bordered on prophetic foresight.
This time, she even incorporated Ash of War: Carian Retaliation. While deflecting the spear, she transformed the glintstone sword into a forward thrust, striking directly at his chest. Even Messmer, in his transformed state, was knocked staggering back.
Sorcery: Gravity Well!
Suddenly, a beam of purple-white magic shot into the air. Subconsciously, he thought she was actively pulling him to shorten the distance, so he hurriedly held his spear ready to observe.
Unexpectedly, it was to allow Frieren to hang briefly in the air and draw a greatbow—.
Glintstone arrows fell like rain. Messmer, having completely misjudged, was struck solidly, covered in debris.
The red giant serpent pounced once again.
However, her aerial state did not become a vulnerability at all. Instead, it allowed Frieren to find openings to unleash rapid-fire Dragonwound Slashes. The high-frequency offense forced the giant serpent to retreat. He had just emerged with an imposing air, yet on his second attempt, he struggled to gain any advantage.
Messmer was shocked. He didn't know how his opponent could be so agile; mobility, judgment, and reaction speed—she lacked none of them, always staying one step ahead.
Had his combat skills, accumulated over many years, been seen through? Was it because he had dragged this out too long?
Genius!
Once the engagement prolonged, she would become familiar with the enemy's combat patterns and repeatedly counter them. His attack routes were too straightforward. He had to change his moves now, or he would remain on the back foot.
The giant serpent spat a volley of fireballs, forcing Frieren from the air back to the ground.
The moment she landed, she was welcomed by a dense forest of spears. Piercing glints surged from wherever the python passed, extending into a fatal trap. Even a powerful physique crashing into it would be turned into a hornet's nest.
Yet, she tipped her toes lightly on the spearheads, strolling idly. Her speed did not diminish in the slightest, and she even deflected a fireball with the momentum.
The silver-haired figure remained as steady as Mount Tai. Attacks seized during this opportunity were parried or dodged one by one.
It was truly breathtaking.
Messmer, whose understanding was constantly being refreshed, opened his mouth wide. In the split second he looked away, he saw Frieren open her embrace and activate countless streams of white light.
Incantation: Pest Threads!
Although she had never obtained the prayerbook, she had witnessed it in Caelid and the Eternal Dynasty. She could already perfectly reproduce it. It was perfect for dealing with large-sized enemies, and most importantly, it did not belong to the Glintstone family of magic, allowing for a surprise attack.
Sure enough, caught off guard, the giant serpent was beaten into a stagger.
Forced by necessity, Messmer returned to his human form, already panting heavily, his flames having dissipated somewhat.
He had tried his hardest, yet he was suppressed.
Clearly, Frieren's moves were not legendary magic, her weapon was not a top-tier weapon, and it was even evident that she had intentionally restrained her destructive power. Yet, she was still this strong.
He could not lose to a Lightless One; otherwise, it would mean the withering of the Golden Order.
His long spear swept out, dancing with the blade of Moonveil.
The two engaged in close quarters, neither giving an inch, but the battle situation was no longer as it was at the start. As Frieren unleashed killer moves frequently, coupled with her familiarity with Messmer's combat skills, she actually gained the upper hand.
Conversely, she left more wounds on her opponent. Every move was aimed at the target who had lost balance; it was an accumulation of fatigue.
Rather than an accumulation of trauma.
Every time he rallied, it required more energy, because the deficit in poise was hard to make up. Yet Frieren's high-frequency attacks gave him no room to breathe, making it easy to get caught in a combo.
Being mastered by the enemy's battle rhythm was simply a humiliating disgrace.
Messmer's spear also began to actively change—either fierce horizontal sweeps or alternating between feints and real strikes. The layered counter-attacks gradually reclaimed the initiative.
Their clash shattered the dark room, and the candlelight was extinguished by wild winds, replaced by the light of magic.
And a ray of light from the Erdtree.
As long as any accident occurred, Melina would cast Minor Erdtree to rescue them, at least ensuring no one ended up in a dying state. Moreover, the situation was actually becoming clear; the scales of victory were tipping, and it likely wouldn't drag on much longer.
Although Messmer's moves were unfamiliar, she understood Frieren's consistent style.
Soon.
The endless stream of non-repetitive magic represented Frieren's hearty enjoyment; she had entered a state of flow, and would only fight more bravely as the battle went on. This was a familiar rhythm.
Melina, who had always been by her side, knew her partner's formidability best. Once the situation was under control, it would quickly convert into victory. She was plainly strong; you knew where she was powerful, yet you couldn't catch up.
Those spells weren't inherently dangerous, but in the hands of an excellent caster, they interlocked perfectly.
The one who experienced this most profoundly was naturally Messmer in the center of the battlefield. After entering his phase transition, he instead fell into a storm of attacks, constantly allowing Frieren to seize the initiative. His body grew more chaotic with fatigue. How was this possible?
It was as if the opponent had been certain of his trump cards and only then let loose.
"Could it be you were showing mercy at the start?"
Correct.
As the voice spoke, the silver-haired girl condensed Incantation: Dragonfire and Incantation: Dragonbolt in her hands respectively, preparing to end the battle in the enemy's area of expertise.
"I came to talk to you, but the result was destined long ago. The Crusaders must accept the new order."
Frieren's tone was flat, her expression as usual. It didn't even sound like a declaration of conquest, but rather a plain narration of a fact. No matter what, they had to make a choice. To devote oneself to a new martial might in the Lands Between was no shame; to be appreciated by the conqueror was even an honor.
But the Commander of the Crusaders, who had held out bitterly for so many years, would never accept it easily.
"You wish."
Messmer spoke through gritted teeth: "A Lightless One should not ascend the throne, and you cannot bring Melina a good outcome. Do you know her mission?"
"To burn the Erdtree as the Kindling Maiden."
As soon as the decisive answer came out, he was stunned. Even his flames dissipated a little. He didn't attend to Frieren, but looked toward his younger sister.
"I told her, Elder Brother. Her Majesty is someone who can be trusted."
"Cut the crap. You haven't won yet."
The flustered Messmer transformed into the red giant serpent once again. It was more massive than any previous time, raising its head to reach the ceiling. Its scales shimmered, harder than armor, impervious to blades and spears.
With his movements, the surrounding space was engulfed in blazing flames, even mixed with a trace of black aura devouring magic.
The so-called Blasphemous Power was no joke, and now it was liberated.
A fight with full power.
It concerned his sister Melina's mission, Mother Marika's plans, the future of the living beings in the Lands Between... Only by interpreting conviction through power would the victor be fit to discuss the new era.
"You must experience this carefully, Soul Cinder King."
Although he had rejected it in attitude, Messmer finally verbally acknowledged the title of King. Her power and character were indeed worthy.
To remain stubborn would only be bringing disgrace upon himself; the opponent was indeed a genuine Quasi-King.
Therefore, he would not be negligent.
The Omen coiled his body and deflected Frieren's Dragonwound Slash, and even took the opportunity to actively burn the Pest Threads. The silver-haired girl, thwarted in two attacks, nodded. She had expected this; one couldn't rely on a single trick forever.
Thus, she had been preparing Dragon Communion Incantations since earlier. The reason for the warm-up was to give her body time to adapt. She had to be careful using large-scale Dragon Communion in the Lands Between for the first time.
After all, it couldn't compare to the strength of her main body container fully buffed in reality; here she only had the container capabilities of a Tarnished. So, she used an aid: her hands shifted into the Ancient Dragon-Man form.
Partial control. In principle, it was the same as the soul acting upon the flesh to change it. Essentially, it shared a part of the pressure with soul magic. Preparation complete.
When the vertical pupil light of a dragon flickered in the depths of Frieren's eyes, a gigantic dragon phantom burst through the ceiling. A volume a head taller than the Omen Serpent was fully revealed.
The phantom of the Dread Dragon fiercely erupted with a blast of fire, suppressing even Messmer's serpent fire. The latter widened his eyes, simply unable to believe it. How was this possible?
This was not the fire of the Lands Between!
He guessed right, because Frieren used her Dragon Communion transformation stance to unleash superior Chaos Fire. The flames of divine status driven by a Lord Soul naturally did not fear the Blasphemous Fire, and conversely neutralized the opponent.
At the same time, the phantom grew another dragon claw, gripped a lightning spear, and stabbed ruthlessly.
Crack!
Incantation: Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike pierced the python's body.
The proud scales couldn't stop the penetrating power of the lightning strike at all. More importantly, the electricity spread through his body. The sizzling sound made Messmer's body stiffen, but he held on, even turning his head to bite back.
The python constricted its body to strangle, disregarding its injuries. Only a portion of the Dragon Communion summon in phantom state was annihilated.
The indoors were unsuitable for fighting this kind of enemy; they had to move. Frieren, having made up her mind, took to the air. Dragon wings constructed of thunder flapped up a gale, and with a sudden leap, she smashed through the ceiling.
Messmer immediately followed. Both parties crossed several floors in an instant.
"What a huge commotion!"
The anxious Melina had no choice but to move with them. Passing through the breaches one by one, their physiques easily tore through the ramparts of the Shadow Keep.
Moments later, Frieren leaped over the ceiling first, a dragon's roar echoing through the nine heavens.
In the Specimen Storehouse, the Mimic Tear and the Crusaders, who were still in a standoff, looked up together. A breach revealed the firmament, and beneath the dark clouds, the largest Dragon Communion in history extended its full form.
"It's simply the Dread Dragon reborn... no, stronger than Mother's."
Having seen Bayle at full power, she understood the gap better. The power of this dragon was indeed easy to use against a massive city.
Roar!
Above the sky, dragon and serpent contended for supremacy. The giant shadow flickering under the lightning was full of oppression. The others could only look up, unable to intervene at all.
The gap in strength was too great. Even the Crusaders hadn't expected their Commander to have such a trump card.
The Soul Cinder King who could suppress Messmer was even more exaggerated.
Even though he strove to pursue and spew flames, he failed to wound Frieren's Dragon Communion transformation. Instead, he watched helplessly as that towering figure gradually began to circle and detour, drawing an arc around the fortress directly above the dark room.
Flame Lightning Descent!
Wherever it passed, it left ball lightning, firing bolts of thunder like floating cannons. Not only that, the flight path swept over also shot out flames.
They interwove into a super bombardment sufficient to destroy a city. Now, all of it was fired at Messmer. Even in his massive python form, scales were blasted flying, leaving him a bloody mess.
For the first time since the battle began, he felt exhausted and unable to continue.
The firepower was too strong. He had never expected Frieren's magic power to constantly refresh his understanding. The accumulated injuries were too heavy.
In a trance, Messmer felt the shadow above the clouds was boundless...
Hold on!
He bit his tongue to force himself to stay alert.
However, the emerald eyes looking down from above saw through everything, accompanying a cold verdict: "You lose, Messmer. I won't waste words persuading you to surrender. Fighting with full power is also a Commander's mission. So next, I will make you unable to rise again."
"Are you ready? You too, Melina, prepare to treat the wounded."
Before her voice faded, the flame lightning transformed into a long blade, hanging down from the clouds, slicing open the mist to reveal a path.
Together with ten thousand rays of sunlight shining on everyone's faces, the true form of this move was revealed. The long blade fell straight onto the python's head.
Rather than a cut, it was more like a smash—.
Ash of War: Lion's Claw!
The long blade also carried a bit of Weapon Skill technique, so its power was even superior. The moment it made contact, it annihilated the python transformation. Cleaving down like cutting tofu from top to bottom, it knocked Messmer straight down.
In mid-air, his magic dissipated and withered, and his whole person fell uncontrollably.
Even without seeing clearly, one could feel his life force weakening.
Frieren's move had only been restrained in its lethality; the rest was blasted out without reservation, enough to fill him up.
After all, the Commander of the Crusaders was no nobody; if she wasn't serious, it would be hard to suppress him. After this burst, she also released the Dragon Communion, panting heavily, and looked around to see the Crusaders looking hesitant.
"I caught him!"
Melina's voice came from below, followed by the healing light of Minor Erdtree rising up.
With the healing incantation supported by her super-spec Faith, it wasn't a big problem.
Frieren stretched her waist, still exuding rolling pressure from high above. The dark clouds cut open in the sky re-converged to cover it, implying lightning and thunder.
"If anyone is unconvinced or hasn't fought enough—"
Her gaze swept over the myriad elites.
"Come at me. I'll take you all on in a wheel battle. I'll make sure when Messmer wakes up, he finds himself in the same hospital ward as you."
There was silence. It wasn't that they lacked courage; had it been any other Shardbearer, the Crusaders would have charged long ago. But the Soul Cinder King was impeccable in character, strength, and spirit, not to mention being related.
If their side insisted on fighting, it would seem disgraceful.
A breath later, Frieren nodded and spoke loudly: "I won't make it difficult for you. Let there be a truce."
____
🔥 New releases are live! 🔥
New Story: COTE: Natsuki Subaru Returns to School, but as the Purge King
✅ Get immediate access to 40 early chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive material and special announcements!
Help us unlock these community rewards:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters across ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan