The journey was long.
The three members of the squad shared a common feeling. With their speed, arriving at the Forge of the Giants should not have been this slow, yet they advanced as if savoring every step.
They didn't even summon the Spectral Steed; otherwise, they would have arrived long ago.
Melina, walking at the very front, carried an air of pilgrimage. Thousands of thoughts raced through her mind as she considered various contingencies. Although she no longer harbored concerns after being comforted, she still had to think about what would happen after the burning of the Erdtree.
That was an afterlife she had never considered, having assumed she would certainly die, but now it was different...
Ranni, meanwhile, looked around vigilantly.
If it were her, she certainly wouldn't ambush the Mountaintops of the Giants with such a meager force, unless it was merely a screening filter.
Perhaps the Golden Order had concluded that sooner or later, the Erdtree would need to be burned?
At the rear of the team, Frieren looked relaxed, making no moves other than the necessary spiritual perception scans. In any case, she just needed to light the fire when the time came; there was no need for so much red tape.
Her companions were experiencing such a major event for the first time, hence their nervousness.
After all, Melina and Ranni were locals. Having been disciplined by their education since childhood, their concept of order was deeply ingrained. For children of good families to commit such a massive crime, they inevitably had some misgivings.
The Elf was different.
In her childhood, Frieren had always been raised free-range. Later, after acquiring the magic to "travel to different worlds," she wandered everywhere. Without exception, she visited eras where order had collapsed and lawlessness prevailed, so she simply followed the local customs.
She understood the concerns of her two companions who lived under the authority of the dynasty, which was why she actively took on the burden.
Burning the tree had to be done; it was just a matter of who would do it.
In fact, she had already refined the First Flame, Chaos Flame, Serpent's Flame, and even the recently acquired Flame of the Fell God within her body. One of them was bound to ignite it, as long as the cauldron didn't strictly respond only to the sacrifice of a Kindling Maiden.
If it was that rigid, she would just smash it. No need to rely on any apparatus.
Moments later.
The Forge of the Giants came into view, only a stone's throw away. Melina, walking in front, slowly stopped her footsteps and gazed intently.
"In the past, I have imagined this moment countless times..."
"I once thought this would be the date of my death. Because I had that judgment long ago, I thought I would accept it calmly, and then throw myself completely into the fire."
"But thinking about it now, I would be regretful, I would be unwilling. Frieren, the memories you brought me are irreplaceable. If not for the other plans you mentioned, I would feel regret and pity. It turns out I am not calm; in the end, I must be somewhat afraid."
Melina turned her head, looking at the silver-haired girl with relief, her brow and eyes filled with tenderness.
This journey had been truly beautiful.
She had become complete. Ever since seeking the past in the Land of Shadow, she had a stronger sense of mission. She was no longer rootless duckweed acting for a vague and illusory plan, but making an active choice for the people she loved.
"Don't speak as if it's a farewell. Rest assured, I will ignite it."
Frieren stared sharply at the Forge of the Giants, as if looking at an enemy, and declared, "At worst, there are plenty of ways to burn the Erdtree without using it."
"This is the safest method," Melina hurriedly said.
Even Ranni, who had been silent, added:
"Your Majesty is willing to walk this long journey hoping that the legal procedures laid down by Marika are useful, and that we can successfully burn the tree through the channel of the Forge of the Giants. If the procedures are useless, His Majesty would not allow anyone to be sacrificed, but the Thorns of Refusal will definitely be removed."
Her words actually clarified that everyone should be mentally prepared—fearing the unexpected more than the expected.
What if the ritual only accepts the set of the Kindling Maiden? What if it ignores other flames? Wouldn't the situation be deadlocked?
What then?
Then Frieren would use brute force with methods unknown to them.
Their Majesty was unskilled in government affairs, but absolutely skilled in "miracles through brute force." Neither Ranni nor Melina ever doubted her ability to chop down the Erdtree.
But uncontrollable methods were a last resort.
"I know. Even for your sakes, I won't easily sacrifice myself. Just ignite the great fire. Even if it doesn't ignite or go smoothly, I will accept other methods all the same."
After speaking, Melina herself sighed: "If it were before, I would definitely blame the me who speaks like this for being weak."
"It is not weakness; it is that you have truly lived in this world and have people and things you care about."
"If not for your power, even if I cared, I would have to throw myself into the fire with regret. My King, help me fulfill my mission."
"Of course."
Frieren nodded and channeled her mana.
Instantly, a majestic energy rose, continuous, boundless, like a surging tide. What radiated from the silver-haired girl's body was not oppressive pressure, but a vast and mighty power, unfathomable.
What was more terrifying was that it was not an explosive growth, but a steady climb with no end in sight. It was shocking.
The wind and snow fell silent at this moment. The high temperature of the raging flames within the Forge of the Giants before them gradually extinguished. All things submitted, bowing before this terrifying might. It was coming; Frieren's will would be implemented as rule. It didn't even come from a Great Rune; it was entirely her own power.
Seeing this, both Melina and Ranni widened their eyes, completely unable to guess this.
Was she hiding it all along?
Thinking carefully, Her Majesty indeed always maintained a state of restrained aura; otherwise, there wouldn't have been so many battles on the road—the petty scoundrels would have been scared off long ago.
They thought the power Frieren displayed in the battle against the King of Promise was her limit. That guess was now overturned, as she displayed a vast energy that was even superior.
"I see. The Soul of Cinder Incarnation is the second phase of your combat stance, but it does not fully represent your mana output."
Ranni seemed thoughtful; she was, after all, someone who had been in zero-distance contact with her.
"Correct. After that, the energy cap that the rules of the Lands Between allow me to release has increased."
"It is the limit of the rules, not your limit?"
"Exactly."
Frieren's answer was as expected. The decisive reply was the greatest encouragement, implying there was no need to worry. No matter what, she would handle it; going through the procedure of burning the tree was simply out of consideration for Melina.
If this procedure didn't work, then don't blame her for doing it her own way.
She pointed to the Forge of the Giants in front of her, clearly ready. Regardless of the consequences, the mission of the Kindling Maiden must be completed today.
"To prevent anyone from disturbing you, I will stay here to guard. You two get moving."
Ranni signaled with her eyes.
She would avoid the scene temporarily, letting them discuss carefully. The two must have much to say, and this matter was of utmost importance. So the blue-haired doll turned and floated away a distance, leaving the space to the Tarnished and the Maiden.
Seeing this, Melina and Frieren walked hand in hand onto the chain of the Forge of the Giants, stepping forward one by one over the past.
Everything converged beneath their feet, about to usher in the end.
She could feel the Maiden gripping her hand tighter and tighter, both nervous and expectant. Anyone would feel a heaviness; the fate of all living beings in the Lands Between was substantially manifested before their eyes.
It was this mass of scorching flame, burning quietly, awaiting the comer.
The cauldron was very empty. Looking across, there were only some ashes and a ball of fire at the bottom.
It wasn't large to begin with, and after Frieren actively released her aura pressure, it seemed even smaller, looking as if it would go out with a gust of wind—but it was exactly the opposite.
It had burned for eons.
"...So that is how it is." Melina couldn't help but touch her eyes. "Both my brother and I can see the flame phantom. From my perspective, this fire is very large, the energy is quite strong, and it is healthy enough. It can ignite the Erdtree."
The energy of the forbidden flame was seen clearly.
No wonder it was an existence claimed to be capable of burning such a colossal object as the Erdtree; it lived up to its reputation.
Now she was not worried about the power of the flame, but whether the attributes were suitable. After all, Frieren was not a true Kindling Maiden; if anything, she was experienced in acting as firewood.
The silver-haired girl glanced down.
"By the way, what was your original plan supposed to be?"
"I would first confirm you were ready. Then I would reach out and actively connect with the flame using mana, igniting myself... I, and the Erdtree, should both burn for you, for the new Lord. Finally, I would watch Your Majesty actively release the flame to link to Farum Azula. After that, it is beyond my knowing."
"Wouldn't you say something to me then?"
"Thank you for bringing me here—The one who walks alongside flame shall one day meet the road of Destined Death."
Melina had imagined it countless times in her mind, parting ways here.
The final proverb represented sending the Tarnished to find the Black Blade, completing all prerequisite steps. It also represented a warning: choosing the Frenzied Flame would invite the pursuit of her own Destined Death.
Her mood at this moment was like admiring the grave of sacrifice she had dug for herself, yet not preparing to be buried. It was truly strange.
There was no need for sacrifice; she was even about to start a new journey.
Originally, Melina did not care about the subsequent decisive battles in Farum Azula or the Royal Capital; she wouldn't see them anyway. But now she was full of anticipation, placing her hope in her companion Frieren. His Majesty had saved both the Lands Between and the Maiden.
Of course, the premise of everything was successfully completing the tree-burning process; no negligence could be tolerated.
At this moment, flames boiled within the silver-haired girl's body. Her mage robe was embellished with the color of ash, faintly echoing the flame in the cauldron.
"Any other details to pay attention to?"
"I will guide you. Feel my mana flow and keep in coordination."
Melina grabbed Frieren's left hand. The latter paused slightly, then actively accepted the mana. This energy had a higher affinity for the flame. She needed to maintain the channeling of the forbidden flame without burning her companion.
Ignite!
With a thought from both of them, the sparks at the bottom of the cauldron burned furiously, roaring and expanding rapidly.
Whether from the perspective of the flame phantom or reality, it was constantly expanding. Even the Erdtree could be measured against it; it was indeed full of fierce temperament.
"Do not try to tame it, but guide it."
"Its cursed, violent instinct will actively seek the Erdtree."
Frieren nodded. In fact, she had already experienced the resentment of the Giants hidden within. The hatred of extermination was buried deep in the flame; it was essentially a grand ritual, all turning into fuel.
Sometimes it really makes one suspect that the extermination of the Giants was partly to cultivate the forbidden flame—that it was Marika's plan.
She dispelled distracting thoughts and focused on guiding the flame.
The two soon pleasantly discovered that Frieren's flame resonated with it quite strongly. Even during the burning process, it was smoother than imagined.
"Good, keep it like this. Guide the flame towards the Erdtree and ignite it!" Melina said excitedly.
"Understood. Let's start now."
Frieren's hands made a lifting gesture. In the exact center stood the colossal Erdtree—majestic, upright, connecting heaven and earth, watching over the Lands Between for ten thousand years before becoming the symbol of the Order. It was regrettable, but it was time to say goodbye, for the sake of a brand new era.
She, along with Melina's mana, guided the flame into the distance.
Sure enough, flames appeared on the crown of the Erdtree. That position, which in people's impression was level with the sky and vied with the sunlight for brilliance, was actually burning.
Why?
Just mere sparks caused the living beings of the Lands Between to stop their tasks at hand, gazing into the distance one after another. The terror in their hearts grew, not understanding what had happened.
Then an even more horrifying scene appeared: the fire was spreading.
It quickly submerged the canopy layer, burning towards the branches, igniting a large area in the blink of an eye.
Everyone subconsciously felt that the Erdtree was unattainable, that such a colossal structure of mighty power was as unshakable as the rules themselves. Yet now it was teetering under the flames? How was that possible? One really could burn the tree!
Frieren held her hands high, further lifting the raging fire, almost flipping the flame in the direction of the Erdtree.
"Burn. Open the path."
Since the Thorns of Refusal are refusing the footsteps of the new era, then destroy them.
In her past adventures, she was never stingy about using destruction to bring about new life. Just like this time, strictly blazing a broad road through the burning of the Erdtree.
Melina raised Frieren's hand and pointed to the sky. Instantly, a beam of flame rose from the cauldron, piercing through the clouds and reaching the other side. The distance to the horizon became short, the spatial ripples reacted strongly, and a phantom of Farum Azula appeared.
"It worked!"
She affirmed excitedly: "Your flame is more effective than my method. We not only ignited the Erdtree but also opened a channel to Farum Azula... even if it is a bit unstable."
"It doesn't matter. Our helper has arrived."
A pair of huge wings flew over from the horizon of the Consecrated Snowfield. It was the Ancient Dragon Priestess Florisaxx, arriving as agreed.
At the same time, Ranni also climbed the chain to the edge of the cauldron, looking at the two with a smile.
Safe and sound.
They looked at each other and finally put their minds at ease. Such a magnificent feat had been completed; it felt as if the sky was high and the sea wide, with nothing left to block their steps.
The three gazed at the Erdtree in the distance. The flame spread along the trunk all the way to the roots; it was fully ignited. Only the question of time remained. The firmament was dyed red. The falling posture of the colossus was full of symbolic meaning; this was also the end of the Golden Order.
Melina, witnessing all this with her own eyes, was filled with mixed emotions.
She was still alive, and able to witness the destruction of the Erdtree. More importantly...
She gripped Frieren's hand tightly and murmured, "You are all here. That is great. Can I see you ascend the throne? We will witness the reshaping of the Lands Between by the new Order together."
"Of course."
The reality of life was this pounding of the heart. The warmth in her chest surged to her eyes, blurring her vision.
Melina lowered her head, almost giving up on watching the road, letting Frieren lead her forward by the hand. A booming sound of landing occurred in front of them.
"Your Majesty, two mistresses, everything is ready."
The squad boarded Florisaxx's back, everyone safe and sound. In the next moment, the Ancient Dragon spread her wings and soared high, spiraling up along the flames. In the distance where the wind pressure howled, a towering, crumbling city gradually emerged.
_____
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