Volcano Manor.
"To think they've already won the war of the God-Kings. Things are moving too fast." The God-Devouring Serpent coiled within its lava-filled cave.
"We cannot allow Frieren to act so arrogantly any longer."
Rykard's fury was met with a response from Aldrich; the Lord of Cinder, the Saint of the Deep, could no longer contain himself either.
They could not permit the southern forces to expand any further.
It was one thing to be unable to intervene in the Land of Shadow, left to watch helplessly. But now that it had returned, they could no longer sit idly by.
Frieren had to be stopped.
Word of the war at the Spiral Tower in the Land of Shadow was spreading throughout the Lands Between in considerable detail. It was clear that the Soul Cinder King and the Empyrean of the Stars now formed a perfect configuration.
They had provided the answer, and soon they would march on the Altus Plateau for a full-scale conquest.
Tanith immediately replied, "Lord Rykard, what are your arrangements?"
"Concentrate our forces. Deploy all the basilisks we've stockpiled. We will probe from the Ruin-Strewn Precipice first, then begin an all-out assault on Liurnia of the Lakes…"
"As you command."
Tanith, having received her orders, returned to the main hall, where Bernahl and Patches wore expressions of no surprise.
It was only a matter of time. Given Rykard's current style, he couldn't hold back.
The Lord of Blasphemy was growing more and more frenzied and needed an outlet. Moreover, on the surface, the Volcano Manor did indeed have sufficient forces and was one of the few factions that could threaten the ever-growing power of the south.
If he continued to stand by and let his enemy grow, he would lose his chance entirely.
"Hasn't Rykard thought about Liurnia, about his family?" Bernahl lamented.
"My old friend is becoming more and more paranoid."
"His Majesty is more concerned with the bigger picture."
At this point, Tanith couldn't comment further. Regardless, she had to carry out her king's decision.
Patches chuckled. "Speaking of which, the Twin Princes of Lothric got beaten by Frieren again. They've really had it rough. Aldrich must be eager for a war of revenge, too."
"Indeed. Volcano Manor is about to get busy."
"But we should be more concerned with news of the Black Blade. Not long ago, his kindred appeared in Stormveil Castle. Maliketh is still active."
"Yes, there must be a way to reach Crumbling Farum Azula and find him, but it will take time."
Bernahl needed to unleash Destined Death to ensure the Erdtree's seal was broken, completing the task his witch partner had failed to accomplish years ago. If possible, he didn't want anyone else to do it for him; he would be the one to defeat the Black Blade and liberate the fate of Death.
The world had to change.
The moment he made his decision, life and death became irrelevant. He had only grown despondent after repeatedly failing to find Crumbling Farum Azula.
"You've been spurred on by her, too, haven't you?"
An accidental meeting on Stormhill where he taught Frieren a weapon skill had rekindled a bit of Bernahl's confidence. Now, hearing that the Soul Cinder King was just one step away from her goal...
How could he not feel a sense of urgency? The era was rolling forward, leaving no room for complacency.
So what?
Wars in the Lands Between were never decided by a simple comparison of strength.
Patches nodded and said, "But we must first plan the attack. We can talk about other things once the strategy is on track."
As they conversed, Rya, on the other side of the door, was all smiles, making no effort to hide that she had overheard most of their conversation.
"Are they coming? Will we finally have a great battle with Frieren and the others?"
When it came to official business, the three began to discuss it together, systematically exploring countermeasures. After all, targeting Liurnia of the Lakes was no easy task; Volcano Manor might even be annihilated in this campaign.
She didn't quite understand the wars between Shardbearers; she only felt that a life of peace was now a distant memory.
The Roundtable Hold.
The fierce sound of a fist slamming on the table signified the All-Knowing's unrest. Even he, a man who presented himself with composure, displayed his anger before Ensha.
What little decorum he had left kept Gideon Ofnir from flying into a rage, but he still gritted his teeth and said:
"To actually kill the Mother of Fingers! Does Frieren truly know what she has done? Everything is preordained by fate. Yet she offended the envoy of the Greater Will—a blasphemy, an act of a complete madwoman."
He wished he could interrogate the Soul Cinder King about her goals right now.
No matter what that woman was planning, killing the Mother of Fingers would lead to no good end. Was she not afraid of the consequences?
She was one.
And then there was the murderer Melina, and Ranni, and the demigods of the Soul Cinder Army. Did they have no awareness at all? Not even the greatness of the Fingers could deter their actions.
"No one can become king. Maintaining the status quo is the fate of the Lands Between."
"Ensha, are there any other movements from Frieren?"
"Reporting, my lord. It has been confirmed that the triumphant expeditionary army has arrived in the south and has been settled in various locations.
She herself likely made a stop at the Magic Academy first and is expected to take up residence in Stormveil Castle.
For now, all is quiet. They are resting and setting up defenses; there should be no action for some time."
"She suddenly came to the Roundtable Hold once before, asked about the Fingers, and then left quickly. So it was to kill all those people."
The All-Knowing felt a headache coming on just thinking about it.
He most detested the type who acted without considering the consequences. The Soul Cinder King couldn't even be considered a potential collaborator.
They were already enemies. Since they had chosen different paths, it was a matter of life and death. It had nothing to do with personal feelings; it was simply about different interpretations of the world, which had ultimately led them to opposite sides.
"Is there any other news?"
"Rogier's team has withdrawn from their exploration of the roots. They must have encountered an obstacle and are planning to ask Frieren for help."
"Don't worry about that. Even if they find the Prince of Death, they still need the Elden Ring."
The All-Knowing had anticipated that investigating the Deeproot Depths would be difficult.
For years, it wasn't that no one had tried to find the source of the contamination of Those Who Live in Death. Even knowing it was closely related to the foot of the Erdtree, it was hard to reach. After all, it was fraught with danger; a single misstep could lead to a total party wipe, making it more terrifying than the Eternal City.
They were truly lucky. For them to return was already a record-breaking feat.
The remaining parts would not be easy to overcome; they would indeed require the power of a demigod or even a quasi-king.
But that wasn't the point.
"With such a major event, have the two factions on the Altus Plateau not had any other reaction?"
"Volcano Manor is impatient and shows signs of mobilizing troops. But the Liurnian army has them contained, so it will be difficult for them to make any initial moves. There's no clear trend at the moment."
"What's rather strange is the Golden Capital. It's very quiet. Aside from incorporating some of the Crusade Army, the high command has made no other statements."
"...The return of the First Lord must be a settled matter."
The All-Knowing's assertive words made Ensha stand a little straighter. This was big news.
No wonder. If Godfrey were to return, his prestige would be no less than Frieren's, perhaps even slightly superior, enough to unite all factions of the Golden Capital.
When the Soul Cinder King's name was at its peak, there was indeed no need for a direct confrontation. It would be better to wait until the First Elden Lord of the Golden Dynasty actually returned to the Lands Between.
They had the confidence to wait. That would be the true decisive battle, something to look forward to.
"Some of the original deployments will have to be changed," the All-Knowing muttered.
The Magic Academy.
In the Grand Library, Rellana ran forward quickly. "Sister, it's been so long."
She and Rennala embraced. The two Carian scions hadn't seen each other for thousands of years. Times had changed, and she had once given up hope of ever seeing her family again. But blood is thicker than water; this kinship would not change.
"It's good that you're back. Our ordeal is finally coming to an end."
They then had a brief reunion, mostly discussing the details of the war of the God-Kings and the dangers during the Crusade Army's campaign…
Not far away, a pair of juniors were listening in.
Ranni sat on the chest where the Dark Moon Ring was once kept, her four hands folded, silently witnessing the reunion.
Beside her, Frieren was reading the notes Teacher Rellana had just brought, research on the ancient Glintstone sorcery of the Land of Shadow. The two systems had not developed sequentially but had evolved independently for some time.
The Primeval Sorcerer was very happy; she wouldn't have to worry about new research topics for a while.
The same was true for her. As a fellow research-oriented sorcerer, Frieren naturally had to look at the results, even if most people didn't consider her a "research type" but rather a battle mage.
A moment later, Ranni's soft whisper broke the silence.
"How many years has it been since I last saw Mother this happy? I can hardly remember."
"The Carian Royal Family went through too much during that time. Even with our foundation, we almost didn't make it. Perhaps we would have been completely eroded by the Academy faction? Thank you, Frieren. Everyone can finally be reunited. I once didn't even dare to dream of this."
"Childhood has returned, but it is also distant."
Ranni was happy, but after all, one of her brothers couldn't be brought back, and the other had gone mad and would sooner or later cause a major incident that would lead to war.
"You did well when the Carian Royal Family was in crisis. You have nothing to regret."
Frieren closed the notebook.
"Let's head back first and let Mother catch up properly."
"I'll also be slumbering in Stormveil Castle this time. I'm more used to it there." The silver-haired girl showed a weary expression.
Even her beloved magic couldn't lift her spirits much, which showed how truly tired she was. The toll was worthy of the Soul of Cinder Incarnation's power; she would probably be listless for a while.
As the two left, they met Miriel and Moongrum, who had already begun to redeploy:
"We heard Volcano Manor is on the move. We need to focus on defense."
"Liurnia has plenty of troops now. If we just have our army from the Land of Shadow rest first and then rotate duties, we can form a continuous defensive line."
"I'll leave it to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Frieren didn't plan on any new actions for the time being, so she had ordered a defensive posture upon her return. After all, digesting the Land of Shadow and integrating the new army would take time. It was better to maintain a standoff with Volcano Manor for now.
Even if a war with Rykard were to break out in the future, it wouldn't be in the form of a massive army pressing forward. A rotten place like that should be handled by an elite force of demigods.
Anyone attempting a large-scale conquest would just be repeating the failure of the Royal Capital's army.
Compared to her languor, Ranni next to her asked a few more questions about the reorganization of the Carian army. The veterans from the Land of Shadow were about to be integrated, becoming the bone and blood of the Liurnian forces, helping the new recruits mature as quickly as possible.
The original Carian foundation plus this new batch of troops would be enough to elevate the army's combat strength to another level.
"That's good. Her Majesty and I will be heading back first."
Feeling reassured, Ranni returned with Frieren to Stormveil Castle.
Even as they left, they were given a grand send-off by the people of the Academy, their enthusiasm like fire. They had already celebrated the triumph, but they were still in high spirits. For them, this war of the God-Kings was a moment of vindication.
The Academy Main Gate.
Without the Carian army, the expeditionary force was slightly smaller, but still vast and imposing, with an impressive aura under Edgar's leadership.
Their footsteps sent ripples across the lake, drawing frequent glances from the residents of the surrounding villages. They knew it was the army returning from the divine war.
Frieren summoned her spectral steed Torrent, mounted him, and waved.
"Our triumph isn't over. Let's move out."
The long column continued its march south.
Perhaps because the expeditionary army's morale was so high, their marching speed was unexpectedly fast. They managed to transport a large amount of supplies from the Land of Shadow while quickly reaching their destination.
Upon reaching Stormhill, they were greeted by a festive scene of lanterns and decorations.
"Your Majesty, it's been too long! Are you well? You've grown taller!"
Kenneth was on the verge of tears. Seeing the jester lord of Fort Haight made Frieren smile as well. His presence meant that the south was still stable, and the rear was secure.
"Everything went smoothly, but we have a lot of luggage. We need warehouses to store the supplies brought from the Land of Shadow."
"As you command. I presume these are the legendary Crusade Army."
"They will be stationed in Caelid. The land has only recently recovered, it's too open, and lacks guards for the central passes. It would be best to build a new city, as a welcoming gift for the Crusade Army."
"Understood, I will arrange it."
Kenneth was only happy when he had work to do. Otherwise, without a direct order from Frieren, others might think he had fallen out of favor. It was better to be busy.
In the south, the center of power was the Soul Cinder King. Proximity to her was a measure of status.
"Your Majesty, we don't need such a good place. An old city will do," Messmer suggested.
The silver-haired girl fell silent.
The lack of a response wasn't due to deep thought. Those who knew her understood that she had likely been instructed to give this order, but when faced with an unforeseen variable, Frieren couldn't be bothered to delve into it.
Melina said, "Just listen to Her Majesty. Caelid, without the Redmane Army, needs new forces to garrison it."
"In that case, I understand. I will set out as soon as possible."
Ranni also nodded silently in agreement.
Hearing this, Kenneth looked from one to another, his expression serious as he bowed and nodded again. Then he strode away. Being perceptive, he realized this was a shift in the power structure within the south.
The most direct meaning was: a piece of the Carian Royal Family's fiefdom had been carved out by Frieren.
Radahn was dead and had been an enemy of the Soul Cinder King twice. It was only reasonable to deal with the Redmane Army, for instance, by disbanding them. Caelid thus became ownerless land. Who should it be given to?
The native forces of Limgrave couldn't handle it. So, give it to the Carian Royal Family again? But you've already taken enough. Besides the destined-to-be-god Ranni, the return of the Twin Moon Knight has greatly enhanced the Liurnian faction's influence.
Frieren's background couldn't be too Carian. Even if her consort contract made her equivalent to the head of the Carian family, the balance of power always required careful consideration.
Giving it to Messmer was a result that satisfied everyone. He could be considered part of Melina's faction.
The great contributor, a maiden in name but a chancellor in reality, was worthy of a fief, but neither she nor the King would agree. Giving it to her brother was the best choice, especially since he was Rennala's consort.
He naturally understood the meaning at once, so the commander of the Crusade Army took his leave from the group and headed to his fiefdom.
Seeing the commander of the Crusade Army nod to Ranni, it was clear this was the result of their consultation with Frieren, and it carried great significance.
Of course, the one who made the decision was currently yawning, not paying it any mind at all.
Another one, however, was full of spirit.
At some point, a silver slime had perched on her shoulder. The Mimic Tear was so moved to see Stormveil Castle that it seemed to shed a tear.
"The damn business in the Land of Shadow is finally over."
"Mother, we must celebrate properly."
With its support, Frieren regained some of her energy and pulled on Torrent's reins, passing through the city gate.
It was still a familiar sight. The most conspicuous thing was the massive specimen of Astel, Stars of Darkness, which had been reinforced and had become a landmark of Stormveil Castle.
There was a bit more life within the city walls.
Looking towards Stormhill, towns were densely packed, covering the slopes, exuding an atmosphere of prosperity. It matched the towns Frieren had seen in reality; cooking smoke was a sign of health.
Witnessing this prosperous scene, she couldn't help but perk up, a touch of her fatigue gone.
As the place where her journey in the Lands Between began, seeing it grow stronger and stronger gave Frieren a sense of fulfillment. Her hard work had not been in vain.
The group fully entered the city and witnessed a flurry of colorful ribbons.
At the same time, cheerful music spread in all directions. The roads and windows were filled with joyous faces.
They had clearly been preparing since early morning, their happiness genuine, sharing in the glory. After all, all this stability was tied to Frieren's campaigns. If the war of the God-Kings had been lost, the consequences would have been dire.
But they had won, and this was the rising place of a new generation's God-King.
"All hail Your Majesty! You are the true King."
"We in Limgrave have struck it rich, bringing back so many things from the Land of Shadow. I've never seen any of it."
"Both God and King are here, doesn't that make our place a Royal Capital too?"
The crowd's excited shouts made even the quiet-loving Frieren wave in response, which predictably caused an even greater uproar. Some people even fainted from excitement.
A triumphant return was good enough.
They were afraid that the hard-won stability would be broken again. Only the Soul Cinder King could bring about recovery; others, even if they conquered this place, would not govern it well.
Some soldiers were already embracing their families on the street. The long expedition was finally over.
Although the process was brief, the journey was long. From a weak land to the peak battlefield of the God-Kings was a qualitative leap.
The epic will be sung down through the ages, and all who returned are witnesses, the most steadfast supporters of the new God-King.
Frieren returned to the castle amidst the cheers of the crowd. The ancient bricks and tiles shut out the noise, and only then did the world become quiet. She couldn't help but touch her long, pointed ears, feeling that the noise just now was louder than the King of Promise's meteorite.
Click!
After the great doors closed, the banquet began. A dazzling array of delicacies was laid out, and the rich aroma of fine wine drifted on the wind.
Although she wasn't one for indulging her appetite, the sweet and delicious pastries were worth tasting. The crispness in her mouth was invigorating, and it somehow felt different from before…
"How did it get more delicious?"
"You didn't know? Because the population has increased in various places, pastry shops have gradually appeared. With more roads being paved, transportation is also convenient, so the ingredients are very fresh."
Melina gave a precise answer, passing over a new plate as she spoke.
Ranni looked up at the ceiling and murmured, "The traces left by the Black Blade Kindred have also been repaired."
"With you, me, and Miss Florisaxx, we can completely protect Frieren. This slumber will follow the usual arrangement. Unless Maliketh comes in person, it's meaningless."
"He's probably digesting the news of the divine war as well."
"Everywhere is relatively stable for now. The appearance of the Land of Shadow can serve as a deterrent for a while. Except for Rykard, everyone will behave for a bit."
"It's a pity we don't have time to develop the Land of Shadow. We can only use it as a new route to attack the Royal Capital for now."
"We need to plan carefully…"
The two began to discuss back and forth at the dinner table. For them, this was just another form of work, handling information while dealing with social obligations.
In contrast, Frieren emptied her mind and enjoyed the pastries with the Mimic Tear.
The benefits of recovery manifested in unexpected ways.
In her mind, the culinary level of the Lands Between had finally, barely, caught up with reality. For a society that could theoretically survive without eating or drinking, this was already quite remarkable.
A moment later.
After Ranni and Melina had settled the details, they pulled Frieren over. Major decisions required her judgment:
The Undead Legion of Farron would be redeployed to the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
The mobilization of demigod-level combat power was no small matter. It meant responding to Volcano Manor's movements, and a war was expected to break out there. Therefore, subsequent material preparations and marching orders needed Frieren's advance signature.
A conflict with Volcano Manor was likely to erupt during her slumber. This was Ranni's judgment.
Although she was unsure of the scale, given Rykard's current frenzied state, he would surely send a continuous stream of monsters. They had to be prepared for extermination to avoid being caught by a surprise attack.
In addition, there was the planning for the new castle in Caelid, the disbandment and settlement of the Redmane Army, the reorganization of the Liurnian army, the garrisoning of the Land of Shadow…
Frieren focused her mind and made her decisions, and only then was she finally let go by the two.
After finishing all this, she couldn't wait to enter the bedroom.
Plop! The silver-haired girl dove face-first onto the bed. It must have been freshly washed, and even had the scent of perfume—truly a luxury treatment befitting a king of the Lands Between.
"So soft."
She was in such a hurry that she was still wearing her armor. Even if it was light armor, it was cumbersome enough.
"Why are you always so clumsy? Let me help you."
Melina lifted Frieren up from behind. The latter had entered a lazy state and didn't want to move at all, so she had to be disarmed just like that.
On the other side, Ranni collected the armor pieces one by one, wrapped them up, and handed them to a craftsman.
As for the servants, they had nothing to do. They hadn't expected the esteemed maiden and a goddess to do the work themselves.
The three had become much closer; a lot must have happened in the Land of Shadow.
"Thank you. This is much more comfortable. I should be able to get a good night's sleep."
"Speaking of which, you used the Soul of Cinder Incarnation twice, both for battles related to me. You've worked hard, Your Majesty. I've brought you a lot of trouble."
"It's fine, it's nothing. We still have to fight Godfrey in the future."
"By the way, don't you two think Leyndell, the Golden Capital, is a bit too quiet?" Melina frowned, gazing into the distance. "In the past, Frieren's name could sway a portion of the Golden Order populace."
"It is indeed strange."
"We have to think of the worst-case scenario: Godfrey is about to return."
"What do you think? Your Majesty…"
The two looked over together, only to see Frieren already lying on the large bed, sound asleep without a care in the world, her expression peaceful.
____
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