The New Shardbearer (Bonus chapter)

The fall of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit brought a wave of relief throughout Stormveil Castle. The veteran soldiers could finally rest easy; the source of the strange noises from beneath the ground—the very thing whispered to make people disappear—was gone. The last lingering factor causing unrest among the troops had been eliminated.

Naturally, the nobles heavily publicized Frieren's key role in the matter, emphasizing how she was the first to detect the threat, went immediately, and annihilated the monster in mere moments. After all, the brilliance of her Glintstone Arc had been witnessed by many.

Runes.

Although the Abyss Watchers undoubtedly dealt the most damage, Frieren had no objections. The Watchers cared little for fame, only for fulfilling their duty, and now they served her.

Repairs continued.

Meanwhile, the Tarnished reinforcements began to depart one after another. At the castle gate, the silver-haired girl exchanged farewell pleasantries with several of them. Regardless of everything, they could be considered comrades, having fought together in the battle against a demigod, forging a kind of friendship. Thus, she gifted them some items.

Most were embarrassed to accept, knowing full well they hadn't played a truly crucial role. However, since the Queen of Limgrave was so generous, they didn't mind accepting.

"Incidentally, Tarnished are always welcome as guests in Stormveil Castle. Consider it a base of operations," Frieren added. She valued their combat strength; it could at least alleviate some of the pressure on her defenses.

"I will relay this to my foster father," Nepheli nodded happily. "I still suggest you discuss it with him specifically. Especially since you're both mages, you likely have unique insights to share."

"I'll head to the Roundtable Hold once things here are settled," Frieren replied.

Rogier chimed in enthusiastically, "It's a date! We'll hold a welcome banquet for you then. After all, you're the first to obtain a Great Rune."

"In any case, I should arrive within half a month. The Two Fingers are certainly partners worth cooperating with."

After a few final words of parting, the group left the castle.

In reality, most of the ordinary Tarnished chose to stay. Having wandered everywhere, wasn't any place a potential foothold? Besides, Stormveil Castle provided lodging, and they wouldn't face the usual hostility. On the contrary, because the castle lord was herself a Tarnished, the soldiers respected them. After some careful communication, both sides found the arrangement agreeable.

They were genuinely happy, thanking Frieren for creating a haven where others could coexist peacefully with Tarnished. It had been countless years since such harmony existed. Naturally, they wanted to repay her kindness. Some Tarnished contributed knowledge from their travels across the Lands Between—and even from beyond—sharing insights into magic, technology, engineering, and alchemy. This broadened the horizons of the castle garrison, who realized these wanderers were quite clever. Both groups benefited greatly.

Frieren's original intention was simply to gain more manpower; this outcome was an unexpected bonus. Some of the knowledge passed down felt vaguely connected to worlds she had experienced before, but asking the individuals yielded no answers. The Tarnished themselves had only learned through hearsay and personal practice, their knowledge diverging significantly from its origins.

Never mind, she thought. Tracing unverifiable knowledge wasn't necessary. The Abyss Watchers were proof enough that the Lands Between were incredibly accommodating. The so-called "lands beyond" were likely equally dazzling worlds; some interconnectedness wasn't surprising.

Frieren's busy period had only just begun.

She found herself stamping or signing a mountain of documents, gradually integrating into the Golden Order's system of governance. Despite its dilapidated appearance, the functional details continued to operate before her: taxation, horse breeding, maintaining order, mining, trade, troop training, and more.

All these core areas required decisions from the Queen of Limgrave; at the very least, she needed a basic understanding. Although Frieren had tried to lessen her burden by saying, "You can make decisions yourselves and just inform me afterward," Edgar bluntly refuted this: "The 'afterward' is usually when a real problem has already occurred. Without Your Majesty's endorsement, many executors lack the courage or simply pass the buck."

His honest words stung, but they were true. The root of the problem lay in the division of power and responsibility. Every day, the throne room bustled with nobles and officers reporting various critical issues:

"Your Majesty, what about the personnel forcibly conscripted by Godrick? Should we send them back? But our labor force will be insufficient..."

"Offer them payment and make it voluntary. Let them choose."

"What should be done about the remaining caves?"

"Seal off any containing monsters and wait for me. Leave them be; I will clear them one by one. Don't act rashly. The most active caves have already been dealt with."

The nobles nodded. It was common knowledge, after all, that Her Majesty loved exploring dungeons. Once someone becomes famous, neither their deeds nor their hobbies remain secret. Some officers even tried to curry favor by presenting her with information on hidden labyrinths, which Frieren gladly accepted, even discovering caves not recorded on any map.

"Some individuals with minor signs of being Those Who Live in Death have come seeking aid upon hearing the news. Will you treat them? Should we charge a fee?"

"Take a symbolic amount of Runes. Keep a unified record. Perform a collective healing spell for every hundred people. Also, find some sorcerer apprentices."

"As you command."

In truth, everyone knew the profundity of soul magic wasn't easily learned by just anyone. Besides, Liurnia of the Lakes held a near-monopoly on sorcerous lineage; they'd likely only recruit leftover apprentices. At best, these recruits could supplement combat forces; research was out of the question. The most promising path currently was for Frieren—the only mentally sound, demigod-level sorcerer available—to continue developing the magic.

"Interesting. A letter has arrived from the Academy of Raya Lucaria, questioning Your Majesty's destruction of the Witch-Sealing Ruins in the Weeping Peninsula. They consider this... a grave provocation." Kenneth raised an eyebrow, respectfully ascending the throne dais to hand the letter to his superior.

The script was elegant, but the words were harsh, filled with condemnation of the event. It repeatedly stressed the danger posed by the sorceress Sellen, insisting she should be handed over to them. Failure to do so would be considered a betrayal of the Academy's judgment and would surely not be tolerated by the sorcerers.

"Since when do they represent all sorcerers? Was I represented?" Frieren quipped.

"Your Majesty, the current ruling faction at the Academy has always been like this," someone added sarcastically. "You either try to get used to it or completely overturn their archaic views, though the latter might be more painful for them than death." Another scoffed, "With the meager forces in the Liurnia region, how dare they speak to a Shardbearer like that?"

Despite having recently served under Godrick, the officer now stood firmly on Frieren's side. Questioning the monarch was questioning oneself.

"Ignore them." The silver-haired girl lightly tapped the letter, turning it to dust. Wasting time on pretentious, sarcastic words was pointless. It was far too early to deal with Academy matters. Strategically, consolidating the southernmost regions was the priority; even Caelid held higher precedence than Liurnia of the Lakes. Long-term plans involved possibly visiting Ranni at Caria Manor, but there was no reason to attack the Academy.

"Our current focus is consolidating and restoring the Limgrave region." Frieren's decisive statement brought a sigh of relief from the nobles. Directly confronting the power of the Academy was still a daunting prospect; despite everything, their foundation was deep, and their influence over the sorcerer community was immense. However, they ultimately lacked a demigod leader. Furthermore, the Academy faction was known for defensive warfare, mostly deploying puppets externally, lacking large-scale offensive capabilities. Combined with the geographical advantage—Stormveil Castle overlooking Liurnia—they could simply be ignored.

Thus, the topic of their inquiry about Sellen was quickly passed over. Besides, rumors suggested Frieren had a close relationship with the sorceress. Speculation pointed towards a master-student dynamic; Sellen had somehow managed to snag a Shardbearer as her pupil.

"The next item concerns the coronation ceremony. We are already preparing for the event. Your Majesty need only confirm the attire and procedures when the time comes."

"Next item..."

"Wait," the silver-haired girl interrupted impatiently. "From now on, drastically reduce these tedious procedures. Just present the final choices. Kenneth will be responsible for governance, and Edgar will handle the army for now."

"As you wish, we will certainly streamline things carefully."

Edgar, however, offered sincere advice: "Your Majesty, if you work a bit harder now to set precedents and establish clear standards, it will make things much easier for us later. You'll have more leisure time then."

They spent quite some time persuading her, like tutors urging on an absent-minded student—who also happened to be their supreme leader. They carefully chose their words throughout the process, trying to ease Frieren into the ways of governance. The subject herself wore a perpetually troubled expression, making no effort to hide her reluctance; she was fundamentally resistant.

Actually, the nobles weren't the only ones encouraging her studies. Melina also whispered in her ear, "You are destined to become the Elden Lord. Start by learning to manage a smaller territory."

If previously Melina had merely hoped the Tarnished would reach the Elden Ring—knowing she wouldn't be around after burning the Erdtree, thus limiting her expectations—now, as a Finger Maiden, she wanted her partner to gain some ruling experience. She admitted she had initially viewed Frieren somewhat as a tool, simply needing her to enter the Golden Tree and mend the Ring. What happened afterward—whether she'd be defeated by others, how she'd govern the world, or fall victim to conspiracies—didn't matter, nor could Melina concern herself with it.

But things had changed. Through their long time together, Melina had come to understand this new Tarnished's tenacity, optimism, intelligence, and strength. Most importantly, she possessed a fervent heart yearning to save living beings. I will make Frieren the Elden Lord, Melina resolved. Not a tool to mend the Ring, not a puppet driven by plots, but a true monarch.

"Whether you wish to be king or not, among the current Shardbearers, none is more suitable than you."

"...I understand. Learning a bit wouldn't hurt, I suppose. There's plenty of time, anyway." The silver-haired girl yawned but continued listening attentively, grasping the operational logic of the nobles and the Golden Order. It was better than being completely in the dark, another fruitful observation of the Lands Between.

Ruling was perhaps civilization's most complex activity. Compared to learning the minute details within Stormveil Castle's throne room, her experiences in previous worlds seemed like merely scratching the surface. It was true. Thinking back, Frieren had only marveled at various wonders and glimpsed fragments of history, yet she remained ignorant of how so many dynasties and empires had actually functioned as living entities. Even in apocalyptic landscapes, traces of life persisted.

The Lands Between offered a sensation unlike any other: vastness in its mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas; reality in the minutiae of everyday life. Of course, this also meant there was much more to learn...

For three days, Frieren immersed herself in various issues. Fortunately, elves possessed abundant patience, and Kenneth, Edgar, and Melina were immensely helpful. According to them, "Your Majesty, you have a talent for this; you learn everything quickly." Whether they meant it or not, her proficiency in handling affairs improved considerably.

During this time, the Abyss Watchers sparred with each other on the cliffs where the Crucible Knight used to be. How did they end up isolating themselves again? Did they just prefer solitude? Fine by her. She assigned them responsibility for Stormveil Castle's defense. Combined with the original garrison soldiers, they quickly established security, sufficient to accommodate and manage tens of thousands within the city walls.

As for the Black Knife Assassins and the Ancient Hero of Zamor, they continued to rest. They were satisfied with the outcome of the battle. Finally having a solid foothold, they could enjoy a rare moment of peace without worrying about pursuit from the Golden Order. However, serving under Frieren meant eventually facing the Omen King, so they remained ready for battle at a moment's notice. At least they had more freedom now than before.

Next came dealing with the Trolls, Omens, Dragons, and Stormhawks. After weeding out the die-hard opposition, she accepted the rest with considerable tolerance. Let's work together. Stormveil Castle needed people everywhere now; there was no need for a complete overhaul. Ultimately, Frieren wasn't a cold-blooded tyrant and held no deep grudges against them. Incorporating them as supplementary forces seemed practical.

The army operated as usual. Maintaining military readiness in the Lands Between had low costs, especially since they also served as engineers. The original castle garrison sincerely thanked their new superior for her magnanimity; she could easily have found a pretext to eliminate them all. Before, death was just death. Now, it was different. Soul magic had given too many people hope. Why not experience more of the Lands Between with a healthy body? Besides, sufficient contribution could earn them access to the limited "special" treatment. The nobles promoted this as "Powerful warriors gain opportunities to participate in the latest magic experiments," encouraging everyone to undertake more tasks. Her Majesty, however, referred to it merely as "experimental subjects," displeased with the excessive marketing.

They understood Frieren's dissatisfaction stemmed from a sorcerer's rigorous attitude towards imprecise promotion. But frankly, the populace didn't mind being test subjects at all. Things were already bad enough; any change felt like moving uphill.

Fair enough. Becoming the ruler of Limgrave provided her greatest convenience: countless test subjects and abundant resources. Wouldn't becoming Elden Lord be even better?

After handling the essential administrative tasks, Frieren dedicated herself to researching soul magic, sending a message inviting her teacher Sellen to join her. Her life settled into a routine: handle some official duties daily, then immerse herself completely in research—a rare rhythm for an elf.

Although she herself seemed to have forgotten, the nobles hadn't overlooked the most crucial event: the coronation. Declaring kingship was vital. With the current Elden Lord, Radagon, missing and Marika silent, no one possessed the authority to endorse a claim. So, they would do it themselves. Might makes right. Possessing a Great Rune was truth, and Frieren lacked only a formal declaration.

While perhaps not that important to her personally, it was incredibly significant for the factions allied with the new Queen. If she truly became the Lord of Leyndell in the future, they too would be prominent figures among the Golden Lineage. Thus, Kenneth and the others had been busy preparing.

Stormhawks, now serving the new ruler, soared from Stormveil Castle's high towers, carrying the summons across Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula.

A new Shardbearer was about to officially ascend the throne.

Fort Haight

People from the surrounding manors gathered here, diligently repairing the fortress. The atmosphere was bustling with activity, and work progressed swiftly. Most of them were either in normal condition or only slightly afflicted by the blight of undeath, having been the primary targets of the first large-scale soul magic application and receiving the most magical attention from Frieren. This should rightly be called the "Queen's Blessing."

Investing early had indeed paid off. Betting everything on the newcomer Tarnished was the single best decision of their lives; the returns were enormous. Moreover, news of Stormveil Castle changing hands had spread. The intense battle days ago was known throughout Limgrave; its outcome was already widely circulated. Right now, many claiming to have witnessed it were recounting the tale:

"You wouldn't believe the scale of it! Lady Frieren's magic sword was taller than the castle walls! Even the Altus Plateau probably saw it! When that strike landed, it split Godrick and the castle clean in two..."

Though heavily embellished, the result was accurate, so no one bothered correcting the exaggerations.

"Chatting is fine, but don't neglect your work," a foreman urged with a smile.

"Speaking of which," someone leaned on their shovel, clutching their lower back tiredly, "I don't understand why we even need to rebuild Fort Haight. It's exhausting, wastes a lot of money... why not just leave it as a crumbling landmark?"

"People have said that in other eras too, but the fact is, it sheltered us. Having a stronghold allows us to barely survive during turbulent times."

"Everyone knows this place became a waypoint for the expedition, greatly aiding the southern army, right?"

"Perhaps long, long into the future, we'll still need it. Even if it's not called Fort Haight anymore, the surrounding manors need a strong, defensible fortress prepared."

These thoughtful words made the crowd nod in agreement. Right. Conflict and turmoil were the norm in the Lands Between; vigilance was necessary. Of course, they could take their time now, because Limgrave, under the rule of the Soulflame Queen, was significantly more peaceful. Active caves had been swept clean, preventing new monsters from emerging, while others were sealed, destined to be cleared eventually by the dungeon enthusiast ruler. The notorious Those Who Live in Death in Summonwater Village had also been completely eradicated, and people were already rebuilding the town on its ruins.

Even before Frieren claimed the throne, her gifts had spread far and wide, preserving the embers of life and nurturing burgeoning vitality. Honestly, if she had chosen to bypass the southern regions and head straight for Stormveil Castle during her initial journey, the situation wouldn't have changed, possibly even worsening under monster attacks. Today's recovery would have been impossible. The common folk wouldn't have cared much about who won or lost either; changing Shardbearers meant little. When Godrick held power previously, they barely felt his presence. At most, the nobles interacted with him more.

Only Frieren and her retinue made the south feel like a community with a shared destiny. Everyone had received her blessing; they were a single entity, an ancient power inheriting the spirit of resistance. So, they gave their all. Limgrave was united once more under her hand.

Clatter, clatter!

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves approached—a squad of heralds. A Stormhawk soared overhead, heading towards the more distant Weeping Peninsula, clearly a coordinated message delivery. It was surprising that such powerful creatures now served the new master of Stormveil Castle.

A herald announced loudly, "Her Majesty, Queen Frieren, will soon hold her coronation ceremony in the main castle! Manor lords are required to attend. Others who wish to may also travel there."

"Here is the invitation. Keep it safe. While not strictly enforced, having proof is best..."

The crowd was stunned for a moment, then burst into excited chatter and blessings, faces beaming with joy. Finally, the dust had settled. A resounding victory. No matter how embellished the tales, they couldn't fully capture Frieren's accomplishments. Who could have imagined a newcomer Tarnished sweeping through the south in just two months? And assembling an army of twenty thousand to conquer the region's strongest fortress? Defeating a demigod descendant of the Golden Lineage and claiming a Great Rune—such a feat was unprecedented, and likely only she could achieve it in the future, as the stagnant fate of the land was quietly shifting.

Someone had finally succeeded in gathering the shards and would continue their journey. Some thought, "Holding the south is enough; maybe she won't act further," but they truly didn't understand Frieren. She could never stay idle for long. She would travel to Liurnia to collect magic, journey to Caelid to study the Scarlet Rot... and inadvertently grow her forces along the way?

The herald stated solemnly, "Those wishing to attend the audience should depart soon. Don't delay too long; the journey is far. Arrivals will surely be staggered, but you must be eager to confirm Her Majesty's situation, yes?"

"Of course! We'll set out right now!" The remaining nobles were the most impatient, terrified of missing this grand occasion. Having not joined the military campaign already excluded them from an inner circle; they needed to seize this chance to become familiar faces. Otherwise, being forgotten by Frieren despite being early supporters would be far too awkward.

Meanwhile...

The Stormhawk soared straight into the clouds. On its next descent, the reflection of Castle Morne appeared in its pupils. Its cry attracted Irina's attention. Even without sight, she felt a strong gust of wind, followed by something landing heavily before her. Was it a giant hawk?

Very considerately, the bird held up a thick stack of papers in its beak, offering it to her.

"Thank you, esteemed messenger."

The surrounding nobles erupted in cheers. "Lady Irina! It's news about Lady Frieren's coronation! It's true! The rumors were real! We won! A total victory for the southern army! The Great Rune has a new master!"

The people of the Weeping Peninsula were the most anxious. Being distant and needing to guard the Bridge of Sacrifice made communication difficult. Unlike the turbulent Limgrave, the epicenter of the conflict, this area had been quiet. The quieter it was, the more fear crept in, leading to uncontrollable worries: What if they lost? What if there were reprisals?

Fortunately, these anxieties were now dispelled. The confirmed news of victory brought immense relief. At least they no longer had to worry day and night about enemies attacking. They felt unburdened and overjoyed.

"Long live the Queen!" they cheered sincerely, for Frieren and for themselves.

Irina, however, remained calm. "Judging by the date, there's still some time. Let's first prepare the repairs for Castle Morne. Also, summon the western nobles. It's been too long since we last contacted them."

"True. There are some manors near the Demi-Human Forest. If not for Lady Frieren's rescue, we might not even know people still lived there."

"Will they resent Castle Morne for not sending aid?"

"I've contacted them. While there was some reproach, we reached an understanding overall. Besides, they will attend the audience for Lady Frieren."

"Then we can reply that the nobles of the Weeping Peninsula will travel to Stormveil Castle."

"As you command."

Thus, the entire southern region of the Lands Between, excluding Caelid, sprang to life, dispatching large contingents towards the paramount castle.

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