It is a curse!
Upon thorough contact, Frieren understood in an instant. In the present moment, where the Golden Order has not yet completely vanished, the system judges it to be a curse, possessing corrosive properties. At least it is not a manifested, dominant rule like the Golden Order; there is still hope.
The First Flame had been used by her for active divine protection and could not be moved easily. Her choices were few—
Whoosh!
The silver-haired girl threw her head back to dodge a horizontal sweep. Even though her right arm was already covered in traces of death that were climbing up her chest, she still dodged with agility.
"Dammit, why is it taking effect so slowly?"
Maliketh watched helplessly as the insufferably arrogant Soul Cinder King was struck by Destined Death, but would the fall of the Golden Prince Godwyn be reenacted? It was hard to say; this fellow was filled with power that defied standard specifications from head to toe.
He had no confidence in his heart; he would only be at ease once he had thoroughly torn her into ten thousand pieces.
Moreover, at this point, he had actually lost track of her. He saw Frieren pull open a distance of a hundred meters with a spatial teleportation.
Ancient God's Blood!
At the critical moment, she unlocked a portion of the seal on the Moon God—and not just that; the power of some other Ancient Gods also permeated her body. Since her last trip to Yharnam, her control over Them had strengthened, and she could attempt to use the power of multiple Ancient Gods.
This highly corrosive blood spread along the flesh necrotic from the contamination of Destined Death, actively opposing it, and even assimilating and absorbing it.
Still not enough. Then add a little more ingredients.
The vitality of the Divine Dragon's Blood clashed alongside it, countering Destined Death with the most violent means.
Under Maliketh's shocked gaze, the necrosis stopped, merely coating the arm to a small half of the chest with a layer of black-red mana, rendering it temporarily immobile.
"How is that possible? What on earth did you do?"
"If you completely undo the seal and let it become a manifested rule, you might truly succeed in killing me."
For some reason, the silver-haired girl's voice echoed in his mind, like endless ravings, causing even the eyes of the strongest killer to glaze over for an instant. Coming back to his senses, he immediately backstepped, sweating like rain.
So eerie!
Frieren's temperament suddenly changed, entwined with an indescribable sense of distortion, and her words were extremely bewitching, superior even to the Frenzied Flame.
Just now, he almost wanted to completely liberate it to kill the enemy.
But he existed to guard the seal; wouldn't doing that be putting the cart before the horse?
Truly, he could not relax even a bit.
Frieren, with her endless stream of methods, gave Maliketh a headache. The only good news was that one of her arms was temporarily paralyzed. Would it be easier facing the power of only one staff for a short time?
Out of caution, she did not further pursue and exterminate the Destined Death within her body.
With a great enemy before her, there was no need to clash with the rules, which would only distract her energy for no reason. It was better to seize the time to finish off Maliketh. Now that she had adapted to Destined Death, there was no need to be indecisive—let the rhythm of battle speed up.
Whoosh!
The silver-haired girl shortened the distance with speed like an afterimage. With a single hand, a Star-Lined Sword carved out a Star-Lined Strike.
Even he had not anticipated this special sword skill.
With a crack, a gash opened on his chest. Too fast. Firstly, he hadn't imagined the enemy could launch an attack immediately; secondly, he had misjudged her speed.
He could not be careless.
This time it was Maliketh's turn to pull open the distance. Leaping into the air, he grabbed onto a stone pillar, throwing out blades of black-red sword energy as he moved.
Frieren, seizing the timing, dodged and maneuvered—a perfect evasion. Her movement technique had reached a realm of perfection, as if no matter how sudden the attack, it could not interrupt her rhythm.
The one suffering the most disaster was the temple; the outer walls were smashed to smithereens in an instant.
The sword energy, full of Destined Death, swept and sped past, causing the many Demigod-level powerhouses outside to lock their brows tight.
They could feel an incomparable anger; it was Maliketh attacking hysterically, yet he consistently failed to inflict a fatal wound on Frieren. How could he not be anxious? With the slightest error, he would die.
Some bold hardliner Ancient Dragons were rubbing their fists.
"As I see it, guarding for so many years has made Maliketh rust; he doesn't even know how to fight anymore. The strongest killer loses emotional control this easily?"
"Of course. He has seen the situation where he is certain to die. Regardless of victory or defeat, we are going to eat him."
"Marika's beast? I wonder what he tastes like."
They even specially released coercive pressure.
Melina, Ranni, Florisaxx, and Lansseax, who held sway over the scene, did not stop them. Bernahl had even finished warming up, ready to rush in the moment his apprentice was in danger.
Everyone openly pressured the strongest killer because they all knew clearly that he must absolutely not be allowed to leave.
For Maliketh, the Black Blade, the moment Sky City Farum Azula submitted to Frieren, it became a dead end. The only difference lay in whether he could sacrifice his life to take the Soul Cinder King with him.
This was what mattered.
He did not care about life or death, but whether his mission could be completed.
In a certain sense, was it not because he had lost Destined Death that everything happened? He had only himself to blame.
Maliketh was willing to apologize with death, but he absolutely had to make Frieren pay the price. Yet, as it stood, he couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes. The aerial sword energy that consumed high intensity stamina all missed, and the opponent remained unscathed.
Aside from the erosion of Destined Death on her arm, no obvious external injuries could be seen.
Incantation: Pest Threads!
Suddenly, Frieren summoned threads with a single hand. Strands of thread broke through the air; some pierced the gaps in his armor, and some stuck to his body.
She had specifically reduced the power to enhance the speed.
Now both sides were linked by an inconspicuous pest thread, or so it seemed, but in reality, a thunderous force flowed along it. Incantation: Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike hit Maliketh, turning his whole body charred black, and he crashed down uncontrollably.
In the next moment, he forcibly propped up his body, dragging his maimed frame in a low-stance charge like a wild beast.
At the same time, a slash of Destined Death flew ahead to cover the attack.
Bang!
A thrilling scene played out: The silver-haired girl waved the ripple in her hand carelessly and actually deflected the slash. This was Destined Death, a rule! The terrifying attack returning along its original path caused Maliketh to dodge in panic.
He succeeded, but his reaction was not fast enough. He only cared about dodging the first step and didn't calculate the next.
With a crack, the Dark Moon Greatsword slashed his abdomen.
The blade arrived together with the Weapon Skill: Moonlight Greatsword. The double powerful stance-breaking made him sway involuntarily. He held on and didn't fall, but Frieren immediately followed up with a move:
Senpou Leaping Kicks!
The heavy martial arts killing move, combined with the accumulated impact, forced Maliketh half-kneeling to the ground, sinking into stiffness. Not letting the opportunity pass, a fully reinforced God-Slaying weapon pierced his chest, followed by a horizontal pull as if to bisect him at the waist—in that instant between life and death, he roared and blocked the edge with a single hand, but the frost of the Dark Moon Greatsword had already drilled into his internal organs.
"A beast's spine is hard to chop; let's change direction then."
Cold words accompanied a diagonal Kesa-giri slash. A gash was torn open on the beast's body, incidentally severing the palm that dared to block the sword edge.
Flesh and blood flew; the life aura of the remnant body plummeted.
Frieren had kept Ash of War: Thops's Barrier in reserve just to serve as the starter for a combo, leading to the final sure-kill.
Thud!
Maliketh's tall and robust body propped itself up with his sword. His other hand subconsciously tried to support himself on the ground, only to realize he had been cut in two.
"What a sharp sword, what precise timing."
Logically speaking, the accumulated injuries between him and Frieren hadn't reached the degree where a single combo would kill, but the opponent had used exquisite planning, from the Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike to the present, completing a series of tactical constructions. It was god-like skill.
He had thought that after the battle with the Dragonlord, the Soul Cinder King's strength would not be one in ten, which was a weakness.
Little did he know she demonstrated what the power of an Elden Lord meant. Whether in technique, intuition, or combat intelligence, she had reached the peak of perfection, making him appear immature in contrast.
His skill was inferior to hers.
"Your mission is over, Maliketh. Rest now."
The Dark Moon Greatsword slowly sank into his heart. At the same time, Frieren poured magic power into it, driving the frost inside. It no longer beat but cracked open like broken porcelain, the oil exhausted and the lamp withering.
Even so, he held onto one breath, only unable to move. Truly worthy of being the strongest killer, the Shadow Beast of the Eternal Goddess.
It was a pity that the Greatsword of Destined Death had been firmly grasped by another hand for thousands of years.
Crack!
When Frieren took the Ultra Greatsword, the Black Blade, Maliketh's body began to collapse rapidly, gradually turning into particles of light, leaving only a sigh: "Soul Cinder King, by seizing Destined Death, you will surely bring disaster to the Lands Between."
"In your concept, death is indeed a curse. I will handle it carefully. It will become the cornerstone of the new dynasty, but not of the Golden Dynasty."
"Whether sealed or incorporated into the Order to be announced to the world, it has nothing to do with you anymore, Maliketh."
Finally, he stared deeply at the silver-haired girl as he scattered into clouds and smoke.
Farewell.
Maliketh's only remaining regret was that he could not confirm Marika's life or safety.
He stared deeply in the direction of the Golden Capital, losing his vitality. In any case, it was not something he could care about anymore. Forget it; treat it as a good rest after years of responsibility guarding the seal...
At the same time, everyone entered the temple together, watching the strongest killer fall and witnessing Frieren's back as she grabbed hold of Destined Death.
The moment she lifted the sword, all her injuries dissipated.
The trauma extending from Destined Death would naturally not remain for its new master; this was a sign of submission.
"Unleash it."
The silver-haired girl raised the Ultra Greatsword, the Black Blade, high with both hands, emitting monstrous magic power. A black-red curtain opened from the Sky City and spread out.
Every living being in the entire Lands Between, no matter how far away, no matter how high their status, no matter how strong or weak their power, felt the sensation of death following them like a shadow. It had returned; the rule of death suppressed by the Golden Order was unsealed once again.
The burning of the Erdtree accelerated, and large sections of the trunk snapped and incinerated on the spot.
The denial of immortality was damage to the Golden Order, and naturally, it also severely damaged the symbol. Now, it could no longer block the path leading to the interior.
Crash!
The Thorns of Rejection crumbled in the depths of the Royal Capital's palace, revealing a deep and dark door to everyone.
The curious Morgott was about to step forward but was stopped by Godfrey reaching out a hand to warn him: "Now is not the time to go in and disturb. The urgent task is to resolve the enemy. Besides, if there is danger, that fellow will make a move."
Although he was disgruntled verbally, he admitted it was a trump card.
Everyone was puzzled. Even the Lion Chancellor Serosh was unclear who specifically was referred to? Of course, everyone had certain guesses in their hearts. Let it be; that was the King's place. Only the victor of the King's duel could seek an audience. Either the Golden Order would be announced again, or the Order of the Stars would replace it.
Volcano Manor.
The excited Mimic Tear jumped three feet high shouting: "Mother has succeeded! Destined Death is already hers."
Messmer nodded in agreement: "The last prerequisite condition is complete—"
"All troops advance. Target: The Royal Capital."
They should encircle the ramparts of Leyndell before Frieren arrived, at the very least. That would serve as the groundwork for the final decisive battle. They had to be quick; everyone would converge on the battlefield.
The vanguard of the Soul Cinder Army set out mightily from Volcano Manor, treading on the ashes of the Erdtree to strike far.
As the frontline commander's orders were issued, it was not just the Volcano army that mobilized; the main reserve force that had stayed in the Liurnia of the Lakes region also broke camp. They were the ones with the largest numbers, their banners obscuring the sky, their weapons like a forest, all pointing toward Leyndell, Royal Capital.
Sky City.
Frieren, having put away Destined Death, stretched her waist and said: "I'll confirm the spoils of war. You guys get busy first."
Maliketh had just dropped a Remembrance, so naturally, it had to be utilized. On the other side, her companions also moved quickly. After all, they had to ensure the Sky City slowed its fall, which was no easy task.
After a trip to the Roundtable Hold, she obtained the rewards she wished for.
[Incantation: Black Blade]
[Power derived from the Remembrance of Maliketh.]
[Creates an illusion of a black blade, then leaps forward to spinning slash at foes, emitting a wave of light.]
[This attack can be followed up once.]
[This black blade once held the power of Destined Death. A hit lowers the enemy's maximum HP.]
[and saps HP for a very short time.]
Directly reducing the maximum HP limit was indeed domineering, and it had a certain continuous damage. It was very useful against enemies with tough physiques like the Dragonlord. It was precisely the means Frieren needed to supplement; even if she didn't lack methods for tackling hard targets, she should try to adopt native abilities as much as possible.
A phantom of a black blade appeared in her hand. The Incantation was not physical, but it had a portion of Destined Death attached to it. Once it hit, it was no joking matter.
Very good.
However, because it was in the shape of a greatsword and the release motion was wide and sweeping, this point needed attention.
Even the dignified strongest killer, a big guy, used his full strength to drive the weapon; after all, its weight and volume were not to be underestimated.
[Maliketh's Black Blade]
[Maliketh's black blade which once harbored the power of Destined Death.]
[A fragment of Death was stolen on that fateful night, so Maliketh bound the blade within his own flesh,]
[such that none might ever rob Death again.]
So at the very beginning, it wasn't inside Maliketh's body? No wonder Ranni could plan a theft. Presumably, back then, even he didn't expect someone would be bold enough to steal the rule of death.
During the first theft, there was no need to kill Maliketh; one just had to sneak in quietly. By the second time, with Frieren here, it had to be an open robbery with great fanfare.
[Unique Skill: Destined Death]
[Sets free the remnants of Destined Death, plunging the greatsword into the ground to summon a myriad of blades.]
[In addition to dealing immediate damage, this attack reduces the enemy's maximum HP]
[and continues to sap HP for a short time.]
She had witnessed this move. Similarly wide and sweeping movements traded for domineering attack power. Every blade possessed Destined Death; a considerable portion of her own injuries came from its covering attack.
It could be considered convenient.
But Frieren's evaluation was not of the weapon or the Incantation, but of the rule of Destined Death.
____
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