The Demigods' Response (Bonus chapter)

Leyndell, Royal Capital.

Within the throne room, Morgott dismissed his spectral double. The full combat experience from "Margit, the Fell Omen" flowed back into his main body, almost causing him to stumble.

That battlemage's power was extraordinary, employing many unheard-of techniques and weapons. Her mastery over various armaments was superb, reaching a divine level. He suspected she hadn't even used her full strength against his projection. This wasn't good.

He had dispatched the projection far away, stationing it before Stormveil Castle precisely to gauge the caliber of the Tarnished, allowing him to make an accurate judgment. Yet, this time, there was only one conclusion: Frieren was still holding back.

Her abilities as a sorcerer surely extended beyond what she had shown; she likely possessed hidden trump cards. The strength of the Margit projection was insufficient to truly test her limits. This Tarnished was cautious; while her methods seemed varied, she had likely only employed the most basic aspects. The same magic could manifest differently in various hands, and it was impossible that Frieren didn't know advanced applications. Therefore, she had concealed a range of advanced techniques, defeating his projection relying solely on fundamentals.

This indicated that her attributes were remarkably balanced and powerful. What kind of environment outside the Lands Between could cultivate such a formidable individual?

Morgott couldn't fathom it, but he had to confront the reality. Information was crucial. On the other hand, he absolutely had to reinforce the capital's defenses, as Frieren undoubtedly coveted the Erdtree as well.

"To break the seal and bypass the Two Fingers' protection, at least two Great Runes are needed. So, where will your next target be?" Morgott mused.

Who would she choose? Logically, the strongest demigod, Radahn, should be avoided first. Yet, during their battle, Frieren had shown considerable interest in him, suggesting she might venture into Caelid. The Academy of Raya Lucaria was even more likely; after all, what sorcerer wouldn't be drawn to the place with the most magic in the world? However, the Liurnia of the Lakes region was sealed off by numerous natural barriers, proving troublesome even for the Golden Order's army at its peak. Not an easy choice.

As he pondered repeatedly, a Night's Cavalry rider arrived to report: "My Lord, Frieren has gained the full support of the nobles from the Weeping Peninsula and Limgrave. She is preparing for a coronation ceremony, and she has incorporated Godrick's soldiers into her ranks."

"I am aware."

"Should we dispatch forces to harass them?"

"Unnecessary. Sending too few will have little effect; sending too many might provoke a coordinated attack against them." Currently, all factions were in an awkward stalemate: sufficient strength for defense, but lacking for offense. This easily led to standoffs. The southern army, entrenched in Stormveil Castle, was indeed difficult to deal with. Previously, when they were weak, a few Night's Cavalry riders could suppress the Tarnished. Now, with a base of operations, things were different.

"The most urgent task is to dispatch troops to the Grand Lift of Dectus. As many as possible. Block the main route to the Altus Plateau first." Morgott made the most prudent deployment possible for now, deciding to observe further.

"Actually, I still recommend taking the offensive," the rider persisted. "You may not be aware, my Lord, but Stormveil Castle is continuously taking in individuals with minor undeath affliction, demi-humans, misbegotten, even dragons. It seems they have a method to stabilize them. If this continues, she will surely create a super army. Even without the advantage of superior weapons and armor, it would be very difficult... And there's one more crucial point."

"The Soulflame King, Frieren, is gaining immense prestige in the south. Regions everywhere are responding to her call, even Tarnished are closely associating with her. She has already replaced the Golden Order there."

"Like the First Lord."

Uttering such words was practically treasonous, but Morgott wasn't one to dwell on such things; he too saw the crisis. The Stormveil regime, which he thought would crumble instantly, stood firm, growing stronger and advancing triumphantly. The Golden Order could no longer interfere. If this continued long-term, the south would become utterly untamable. Even defeating Frieren would mean facing a horde of rebellious vassals causing trouble.

History repeatedly proved that region never lacked rebellious spirit. Thinking back, their combat record was almost glorious: during the Golden Conquest, they were the last hard nut to crack, forcing Godfrey himself to lead the Crucible Knights – a sign of immense respect. During the Shattering, it was the local lord, Godfrey (or perhaps a local lord named Godefroy, conflated with Godfrey), who raised the banner of rebellion. After a thousand years, with the Golden Order weak and dying, it was Limgrave again that stirred up a storm, uniting under an ambitious Tarnished, gearing up for action.

Enough backbone. When the world was orderly, you resisted until the end. When the world fell into chaos, you were the first to jump out and attack the Royal Capital. Morgott didn't want to resort to sayings like "impoverished lands breed unruly people" – too judgmental – but shouldn't the south reflect on its repeated provocations against the Golden Order? This was why so many were furious.

"I have considered everything. For now, defense is paramount... However, we can dispatch more Night's Cavalry to harass the enemy. Also, try harder to win over the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Contact the Cuckoo Knights there; we must secure the northern route from Liurnia." This was the most he could do for now. The next move was Frieren's.

Caria Manor.

On the highlands bordering the great lake, lush trees cast dancing shadows, and the wind whispered through them, making the ruins at the end seem to appear and disappear.

Blaidd, returning to report, had ridden at full speed from Limgrave straight to this corner of the lake, the former seat of the Carian Royal Family, now dilapidated. This decay was also a form of camouflage; few knew the Lunar Princess still slumbered here.

He glanced around. Nothing had changed since he left. In the Lands Between, timelessness was the greatest truth; this felt normal. In contrast, the rapidly changing Limgrave felt out of place, emanating an aura of strange and unpredictable turmoil.

"Finally back. It's much more peaceful here." Blaidd couldn't judge the changes in Stormveil Castle as good or bad, merely unfamiliar, feeling vaguely uneasy about the drastic shifts. However, he understood the character of the new Shardbearer; she wouldn't cause chaos lightly.

"Such huge changes..." Shardbearers were beings capable of shaking the world, yet Frieren had begun shaking the stagnant order even before obtaining her Great Rune. It was hard to imagine that the fledgling Tarnished he once knew possessed such imposing might.

Not far away, a giant blacksmith was hammering away. Catching sight of Blaidd, he called out, "Ah, you're back. Does that mean the Bloodhound Knight is dead?" Smithing Master Iji, one of the Lunar Princess's confidants, akin to a strategist. Seeing his comrade nod, he could only sigh. So be it. It was all part of the price for opposing the Two Fingers.

"Did anything happen while I was gone?" Blaidd asked.

"Same old, same old. Some people hope Lady Ranni will become the head of the Carian Royal Family, while we continue reinforcing defenses, ever vigilant against attacks. Just the usual clichés, day after day, year after year."

"Well, things have changed on my end. You've probably heard?"

"Yes, the hottest topic in the Lands Between right now is the new Shardbearer. I even heard Her Highness mention fulfilling the promise regarding the Spirit Calling Bell earlier. I never expected that newcomer to become such a prominent figure so quickly. She will definitely gain the recognition of the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold."

Blaidd murmured, "With Frieren's insight and wisdom, she should be able to perceive the abnormality of the Two Fingers. We might have common interests."

"It's still too early for that." Iji didn't believe there was any basis for cooperation yet and remained wary of an unknown demigod. Who knew what kind of person she was? He motioned for his companion to proceed. Based on the timing, Ranni should be awakening soon, a good opportunity to discuss the new situation. Blaidd nodded and strode forward, heading straight into the manor.

Lost in thought, he arrived at Ranni's Rise, where he was met by a masked sorcerer. Preceptor Seluvis, the colleague fond of puppets and schemes, nodded in greeting. "I hear you cooperated with that renowned new monarch. What is she like?"

"A powerful individual with a heart dedicated to saving lives."

"I did indeed hear some news about soul magic, capable of actually curing undeath... Truly incredible..." Seluvis muttered repeatedly, both disbelieving and pondering the underlying principles.

"I'm heading up first." Blaidd knew Seluvis's personality—always sarcastic and cryptic, never a kind word—and didn't bother engaging further. He went straight to the top floor of the mage tower, into a room piled high with thick books. In the center sat a chair, where the blue, four-armed doll clad in a snow-white robe stirred from slumber.

"Welcome back, Blaidd. Your task is complete."

"Fortunately, I did not fail my mission. However, I have urgent matters to report... You likely have guessed, it concerns Limgrave."

"Speak."

Blaidd recounted everything in meticulous detail—from his first meeting with Frieren, the attack on the Bloodhound Knight, to the fall of Stormveil Castle. He ensured objectivity and included specifics, presenting a rigorously logical account, partly corroborated by his own investigations. For instance, a spirit maiden seemed to have accompanied Frieren from the start, providing aid like attribute enhancement, guidance, and advice, though this mysterious figure never revealed herself. Also, the soul magic was viable, as he had observed many healed individuals who were doing well.

Being thorough, Blaidd even submitted observational data, some of which Frieren herself had mentioned in letters. Since she knew the Lunar Princess was behind his mission, showing goodwill was appropriate. A demigod sorcerer naturally held potential as a research partner; knowledge should be shared and disseminated freely.

"In summary," Blaidd concluded, "not only is Lady Frieren herself immensely powerful, but her magic is being taught widely. It's said she has already started classes in the castle. She is genuinely committed to saving lives in the Lands Between. By my estimation, the south will soon unite with unprecedented organization, more tightly knit than during the eras of the Golden Order or the Storm Lord. The resources she can mobilize will be immeasurable." Judge by actions, not intentions; results are what matter. Though Frieren openly claimed it was experimentation, people were still deeply grateful.

Hearing this, Ranni nodded, pondering for a moment before speaking slowly: "Honestly, when I gave her the Spirit Calling Bell, I never anticipated this day. Her actions have been too swift. I saw then that Frieren possessed extraordinary strength, but I didn't expect her to defeat both Margit and Godrick consecutively. The south now belongs to the Tarnished."

"Your Highness, should we continue to foster good relations with her? Perhaps there are opportunities for cooperation. She doesn't seem like someone who would fear the Two Fingers."

"If we meet again." Ranni could already perceive the quiet turning of fate. The completely stagnant situation was loosening, trembling amidst the display of power. Very well.

Although Blaidd felt his mistress wasn't overly enthusiastic about forging closer ties, feeling their connection wasn't deep, he had a premonition they would cross paths again. It was a kind of destiny.

"The stars have witnessed new changes. Perhaps the festival of combat is about to commence. Blaidd, go to Caelid. You might encounter Frieren there."

"Can she truly defeat General Radahn?" Even after his praises, Blaidd still believed Radahn was the strongest, regardless of the Scarlet Rot infection. The state a powerhouse enters during a final, decisive battle is often unparalleled; at that moment, at least, Radahn would be at his peak. A head-on clash between the newcomer Tarnished Frieren and the Starscourge General would likely end in her defeat eight times out of ten. Victory or defeat wasn't the main concern; life and death were. Without her leadership, the south would immediately descend into chaos.

"I am uncertain. But you may depart. Regardless, a Tarnished will collect Great Runes. Besides, geographically, securing Limgrave's safety is best achieved by connecting it with Caelid." Ranni gazed towards the southernmost point, where the old landscape had been swept away, replaced by a new wind blowing. Though she couldn't divine the specifics, she was certain the changes Frieren brought were still fermenting. Perhaps the long-sealed stars would see a new turning point. It was something to look forward to.

Blaidd nodded. Regardless, the matter of General Radahn had to be addressed; otherwise, reaching the Eternal City to find the Fingerslayer Blade would be impossible. The plan was intricately linked; no step could be overlooked.

...

Deep within Volcano Manor.

A great serpent coiled upon the boiling lava ground, a human face disturbingly grafted onto its torso, emanating a sinister aura. Bones and corpses littered the surroundings – remnants of the serpent's meals. Whenever the whim struck, it would feast heartily, leaving little life in this land.

Shardbearer Rykard, however, was unusually lucid today due to a visit from his old friend, Bernahl, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Even though the serpent's influence had significantly eroded him, he retained the capacity for thought, at least enough to assess the new situation. Hearing of the Fell Omen's defeat, he couldn't help but laugh aloud: "Good! Finally, that filthy Omen spawn has tasted true power!" He remembered how Margit had led the capital's forces in a counterattack right to the foot of Volcano Manor, almost breaking through layers of defense. His own foundation was nearly reduced to ashes, and even now, it hadn't fully recovered.

"But this means we must be more cautious of her."

"Your warning is correct, Bernahl. We should find a way to lure her into becoming a Recusant."

"Difficult. In my view, a true hero among the Tarnished has emerged, closer than ever to the Elden Ring. Furthermore, she has close ties with the Roundtable Hold."

"No matter. We both know that following the path laid out by the Two Fingers inevitably comes at a price. That price brings clarity."

"You are right."

With that said, the great serpent Rykard sank back into dormancy. Unbeknownst to him, Bernahl pondered whether the miraculous soul magic was potent enough to quell one aspect of the serpent—even if it retained its current form, could its rampant soul at least be extinguished? But that was a matter for later. The distance from Limgrave to the volcanic region was vast.

Volcano Manor needed to become more proactive. The death knell for the Golden Order had already sounded.

...

Sellen departed in haste. Since continued work in her underground workshop yielded no results, and the Primeval Current master remained elusive, finding a stable foothold seemed the best course of action for now.

"My apprentice, I'm afraid I'll have to impose on you for a while." Stepping out of the Waypoint Ruins, she saw the brilliant sunshine. The ever-present miasma of pollution in the air seemed somewhat lessened. She encountered fewer afflicted individuals along the way, and a significant portion showed signs of having been healed.

How large-scale was the soul magic Frieren deployed during her time in the Weeping Peninsula? How many batches of test subjects did she organize? The required expenditure of magical energy was unimaginable. Having accumulated vast amounts of data, Frieren should be ready to deduce the next step; the path of magic demanded logic.

Sellen hadn't forgotten her apprentice's invitation. In others' eyes, this newcomer Tarnished was a top-tier genius, but actual conversation revealed her understanding of the Lands Between's magical systems was quite shallow. Normal, considering her origins outside the Lands Between; ignorance of the Erdtree, Glintstone magic, or Incantations was highly probable. That she could self-learn even a portion already proved her exceptional talent. Such a rough gem, already achieving results in soul research, couldn't be neglected.

"While I'm not a genius like you, capable of founding a whole new school of magic, I can at least help you avoid basic mistakes." With this thought, Sellen hurried towards Stormveil Castle.

She actually received the news quite late, relying on occasional informants and hearsay. Yet, within just half a month, she heard the world-shaking event: a demigod had fallen. Rumors suggested it was likely a true death, as Godrick's body wasn't found. Was it some method conferring "correct death," or was the body hidden? Regardless, the victor's achievement was undeniable and valuable.

And that victor was Frieren, the one who had once declared to her face that she would defeat a demigod. In the blink of an eye, her apprentice had become a Shardbearer holding a Great Rune. Everything happened too fast.

Sellen chose to leave the peninsula via the Bridge of Sacrifice. She had expected potential trouble, perhaps needing magic to escape, but unexpectedly, the guards recognized her.

"Her Majesty mentioned her teacher is the Graven Witch."

"?"

"My lady, she acknowledges you, and even antagonized the Academy of Raya Lucaria for it."

Although the teacher was a notorious witch, the student made no effort to hide this fact, speaking of it rather proudly. In many eyes, the combination of a demi-human/misbegotten (likely referring to Frieren's perceived heritage, perhaps incorrectly?) and a Graven Witch was like 'birds of a feather flocking together'. But in the face of absolute power, no one dared mention such perceived flaws. Besides, any nobles in Stormveil Castle who might have spoken ill were already finished, their fate witnessed by all. Origins didn't matter, nor did one's teacher; what mattered was that Frieren was a true Shardbearer. If the first generation of demigods received fragments of the Elden Ring, then Frieren had killed Godrick in plain sight and seized his Great Rune – a forceful appropriation, yet in the Lands Between, it was a demonstration of martial prowess.

Consequently, even the witch was treated with respect.

"Coincidentally, we have a horse here for you. Please hurry to Stormveil Castle; don't miss Her Majesty's important moment." The garrison commander courteously presented the gift, and they bade each other farewell.

Crossing the Bridge of Sacrifice, Sellen felt a sense of unreality. Regardless, her reputation wasn't good; aside from hostility from the Academy, others weren't likely to be friendly. She hadn't expected such courteous treatment. It was likely out of respect for her apprentice, or perhaps Frieren had given specific instructions...

As if. Knowing Frieren's personality, mentioning "Teacher Sellen" was probably the extent of it. Hinting to subordinates to offer hospitality was too advanced a maneuver for her.

In any case, her journey north proceeded without obstruction. Perhaps due to the war's aftermath, several outposts were stationed along the route, numerous strongpoints established, and the troop quality was decent—at least they weren't using afflicted soldiers to pad the numbers. The new Queen's control over her domain had clearly strengthened considerably; banners flew everywhere.

A key factor was the reduction of monster-infested locations. Caves she remembered being dangerous were now quiet. Inquiring revealed that Frieren had visited the particularly troublesome ones, while the rest were sealed off, awaiting exploration. What do you think caves are? No wonder both her real body and projection, hidden in different basements, were still found. It wasn't that her apprentice specifically sought her out; she simply loved treasure hunting.

"Clearly someone destined for kingship, yet still acting like a child protecting toys," Sellen mused. Despite that, it was better than some Academy scholars who went mad researching magic. Though Frieren appeared emotionally detached and indifferent on the surface, she was actually full of humanity and passion.

After the long journey, Sellen finally arrived at Stormveil Castle. Sure enough, a red carpet stretched across the ground. Lanterns and colorful decorations adorned the place, flags fluttered, and flower petals even drifted down, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

Truly lively. Countless nobles in exquisite, expensive attire disembarked respectfully from their carriages, greeting each other as they walked towards the castle gate. The most precious aspect was the vibrant atmosphere of human activity, so rarely seen.

However, no amount of decoration could hide the scars of war from her eyes. Violent magical energy was deeply etched into the cracks between the stones. Besides Frieren's unique magical signature, there was another power, slightly cursed – rumored to be from her battle with Margit, the Fell Omen, on the main road by the gate, where she single-handedly repelled him and a squad of Night's Cavalry...

"Welcome, esteemed guests." Greeting arrivals at the entrance was none other than Kenneth Haight, beaming with success and smiling broadly. He checked invitations one by one, exchanging pleasantries. He astonishingly recognized every noble present and could even recall past deeds, demonstrating a talent for administration, whether he had prepared beforehand or not.

Until Sellen, wearing her stone mask, appeared.

"Apologies, I do not have an invitation. I merely came to Stormveil Castle based on an agreement with my apprentice..."

"I know," Kenneth nodded cheerfully. "Her Majesty has mentioned you several times. One of the guides on her path of magic. Without you, there would be no soul magic."

"You exaggerate greatly." That's laying it on way too thick, Sellen thought. She felt she hadn't made any crucial contribution, merely inspiring a remarkably talented student. Who knew the apprentice would be so adept at inferring principles and achieve such a monumental feat in the blink of an eye? The field of magic had stagnated for too long, like the fate of the stars being sealed, yet Frieren had broken through first.

"Allow me to clarify," Sellen stated. "I belong to the Primeval Current school; my research into souls is superficial. According to lineage, Frieren also belongs to the Primeval Current, but she has pioneered a path currently unique to herself..."

"You sorcerers always fuss over these things I don't understand. Anyway, you saved many people, correct?"

"I suppose so."

"Enough pleasantries. Allow me to take you to Her Majesty." Seeing such an important figure arrive, Kenneth instantly lost interest in greeting people at the gate, instead leading Sellen deep into the castle towards the throne room.

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