Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing (Bonus chapter)

Am I actually quite famous?

Since the Battle of Stormveil Castle, Frieren had been constantly handling administrative affairs and researching magic, unaware of how the nobles were spreading her reputation. Anyway, the group led by Kenneth loved publicity the most, likely embellishing her strength with various additions. Coupled with the visible aftermath of the battle, it was indeed very convincing; her fame had probably spread far and wide.

Just then, a blindfolded clergyman proactively greeted her: "Welcome to the Roundtable Hold. My name is Corhyn. As you can see, I am a clergyman."

"I am responsible for teaching Incantations—the power granted by the Two Fingers—while also exploring the Golden Order fundamentalism."

"When an Elden Lord emerges among those gathered at the Roundtable Hold, I will assist from the sidelines, ensuring the law is correctly restored and the Lord's governance gets on the right track. As it stands now, you are the closest to the throne in many years, Your Majesty."

"Hello." Frieren felt this so-called clergyman was more like some kind of scholar, fulfilling an intellectual role, akin to technocrats in reality actively aligning themselves with rulers. His magical aura seemed decent, but his actual strength level was unclear.

"You can teach Incantations? That's precisely what I need. To be honest, I'm researching how to enable more people to use Soul Healing through Incantations."

"I will certainly assist you with all my strength." Hearing this, a trace of fervor even appeared on Corhyn's face. Exploring the modification of the soul was as profound as his own research into the essence of the Golden Order. Yet, it was common knowledge that this person had succeeded, and quite effectively at that.

Tarnished were becoming increasingly active in Limgrave, drawn by the welcoming atmosphere, and they witnessed the changes firsthand. Large numbers of afflicted individuals regained their senses and returned to work, creating a bustling, lively atmosphere if one didn't look too closely.

Even more numerous were the unfortunate souls with minor affliction, who were profoundly grateful. Previously, contracting it was like an incurable disease, leading to irreversible affliction, physical damage, mental decline, eventually rendering them immobile like corpses. Their numbers were actually the largest, yet often overlooked, effectively becoming part of the invalid population.

Frieren's soul magic changed all that. Those with minor affliction, previously relegated to the absolute fringes, were healed back to normalcy. Admittedly, some physical damage remained, but their minds were sound, and the affliction process halted. All in all, the governed regions of Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula were radiating new vitality.

For a clergyman like Corhyn, concerned with law and the world, this was akin to a miracle. Hence his admiration for this Tarnished's achievement.

"You're finally here!" Following the voice, Frieren saw a travel-worn Rogier striding quickly towards her. Though they had parted ways only recently, he seemed very excited. Meeting at the Roundtable Hold truly made them companions in his eyes.

Other Tarnished, drawn by her fame, also came over to chat, the scene becoming so lively it resembled a welcome party. Fortunately, she had gained experience during the coronation ceremony; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to handle the socializing.

Luckily, a crowd had one advantage: abundant information. Especially these Tarnished, who wandered everywhere and encountered all sorts of people, possessed vast knowledge. Just pooling their experiences could constitute an encyclopedia of the Lands Between's customs and tales.

"Patches?" For instance, someone mentioned a bald man active with a group, occasionally selling goods, seemingly connected to the legendary Volcano Manor... Frieren had heard this name several times, and players had mentioned him too. The world was indeed full of connections.

Other valuable intel included hidden caves and tunnels unknown even to some nobles, such as a path leading from Limgrave to Caelid.

Frieren said, "If anyone has research on the Scarlet Rot in the Caelid region, please tell me." As the Queen of Limgrave, how could she ignore the land beyond the wall of fire? If the contamination spread one day, everything would become an apocalyptic wasteland. Taking the initiative to deal with it was necessary. Crises in the Souls world could wait, but waiting too long would surely make them worse.

"...Speaking of Caelid, I hear a new festival of combat is being prepared. It's a ritual the Redmane Knights hope will grant General Radahn release," a Tarnished said eagerly.

"If successful, wouldn't that mean obtaining a Great Rune fair and square?"

"How could it be that easy?"

"Sane or not, Radahn is the strongest demigod, the great sorcerer who sealed the stars. Even afflicted with Scarlet Rot, he's not easily dealt with. Unless Malenia, Blade of Miquella, comes again, then maybe."

"Are you saying she's stronger? That demigod hiding in the Haligtree is the loser. Malenia lost."

"Wrong, if she had bloomed into the Goddess of Rot back then, that would be the strongest..."

Though the topic started with Radahn's Great Rune, it somehow devolved into a debate about who was stronger. Frieren was already used to this. She was interested in the festival of combat, but its preparation time was quite long, as waiting for powerful individuals to arrive from afar took ages. So, no rush. Thankfully, the Lands Between also favored a slow pace.

"Also, I need to find the Two Fingers. Which room?"

Rogier pointed afar. "Head over there. According to Finger Reader Enia, the Two Fingers were very pleased to hear a Tarnished obtained a Great Rune and are looking forward to speaking with the new Shardbearer."

"See you later."

"Perfect timing, let's hold a banquet then, since everyone's here."

Compared to the lively Roundtable Hold, Frieren remained calm, harboring a sliver of caution: What exactly were the Two Fingers, claiming to be envoys of the Greater Will? What kind of help—or hindrance—could they offer?

Warily, the silver-haired girl ascended the steps. Before her stood the literal Two Fingers, tall and towering. No particular magical reaction emanated from them. But there was indeed a detached mental connection; could it be related to the legendary Greater Will? No, it felt too weak...

"You must be Frieren, respected new Queen." An old woman beside the Two Fingers greeted her, her voice hoarse. Hunched over, she wore a faint smile. Having gathered prior intelligence, Frieren knew this person interpreted the Two Fingers' messages, acting as a communication channel. Regardless of the supposed envoys of the Greater Will, Enia herself seemed relatively approachable.

"Yes, I came to seek an audience with the Two Fingers. I heard They understand the Great Runes, and I desire more information."

"Speak freely. I will convey your words."

"For example, what is the Lands Between to the Greater Will? Was the current dilapidated state also part of its calculations?" The worlds Frieren had experienced before lacked anything similar. Perhaps the Moon Presence barely counted? In short, any suspected mastermind should be handled carefully. If not for her save file as a fallback, she wouldn't ask so directly.

However, Enia shook her head. "The Two Fingers say the Greater Will has not conveyed instructions for a very long time."

"Truthfully, even when the Fingers first descended upon the Lands Between, communication was severed once. Contact with the Greater Will couldn't be established. So, we do not know much." Enia's attitude was perfectly normal, stating the facts plainly. The truth was, they didn't know and couldn't help.

Really? Frieren's first reaction was suspicion, but she could still discern whether she was welcomed or not. If contact was lost, many things indeed made sense, like the chaos of the Shattering. Of course, from the perspective of a creator god, such turmoil might just be part of time's evolution, not worth worrying about.

"Then what is the meaning behind the Two Fingers choosing Empyreans?"

"We merely follow the rules originally established by the Greater Will. We even serve different masters, with no intelligence shared between us."

"So, the rule you choose to fulfill is guiding Tarnished at the Roundtable Hold, and when necessary, assisting the Elden Lord who emerges from our ranks?"

"Precisely correct. And whatever we know, we will tell you everything without reservation. Additionally, the Two Fingers can help you transform the Remembrances of champions."

Slightly disappointing. It seemed the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold, at least, didn't know much. Frieren had hoped to get answers about the entire conspiracy behind the Night of the Black Knives, why the Elden Ring shattered, Marika's true plans... These questions were destined to remain unanswered, as surely many before her had been curious. Expecting an envoy to be omniscient was too much, but she hadn't expected them to be equally in the dark.

Noticing the silver-haired girl's disappointed expression, Enia murmured, "Who isn't curious about the truth? Yet everything remains shrouded in mystery, incomprehensible. Although I don't know who pulls the strings behind the scenes, I know one direction."

"That is to traverse the hidden places of the Lands Between, gather all fragments of the Ring—even that might not be enough. Your steps must tread every inch of land; your eyes must witness all things and phenomena."

"These are things the Two Fingers and I cannot do. Thus, we are even further from the truth, only able to wait for those who come after." She looked confidently at the new Tarnished. Thus far, her deeds were illustrious, needing no elaboration. Perhaps she could break through the layers of fog.

Still uneasy, Frieren pressed, "The Two Fingers clearly stated that gathering the fragments is enough. Why then must one also traverse the Lands Between seeking traces of conspiracy?"

"Because that is my advice. I feel the Finger Lords themselves have been deceived to some extent. But everything leaves traces. Claiming the throne without knowing the full picture is unsafe. Consider it an old woman's timid caution."

"You are right."

"It seems we have much in common. Your Majesty appears young, but is actually battle-hardened and experienced, yes?"

"Among elves, I am considered young."

Though unclear what strange races existed outside the Lands Between, the new Queen was impeccable in both mental state and physical function, absolutely in her prime. Just like Godfrey in his prime conquering the lands, a descendant now displayed that same powerful, invincible spirit, having already occupied Limgrave with lightning speed. Moreover, Frieren wasn't merely conquering; she was restoring and saving, not forgetting to strive for the sake of countless lives. Truly commendable.

Enia hadn't admired a young person this much in a long time and couldn't help but open up: "Logically, the problem might lie in the Two Fingers' connection itself. There seems to be a voice... not quite aligned with the Greater Will... Anyway, It issued an instruction, vague yet irresistible, definitely existing somewhere in a corner of the Lands Between. Perhaps It should be found."

"Yes."

"Unknowingly, I've spoken so much. Still, present your Remembrance. Let the Two Fingers manifest its power for you."

Hearing this, the silver-haired girl stepped forward. Since they offered some reward exchange function, they likely wouldn't easily become enemies. If they could deliver, her trust level would rise another notch.

Item Activated: [Remembrance of the Grafted]. Direct use yields 20,000 Runes.

Exchange options: Weapon [Axe of Godrick] or Weapon [Grafted Dragon]. Save scumming allows obtaining both. Size scales with wielder.

Despite this, Frieren still looked troubled. The reason was simple: she didn't fancy either option. Firstly, the axe's power was mediocre; plenty of weapons were stronger. As for the Grafted Dragon, it was even less noteworthy. At best, collectibles. She'd grab them both when resetting her save file later. Beyond that, she needed nothing else, so she chose not to use it for now. Enia seemed to have anticipated this and nodded.

"Rest assured, most Remembrances possess unique functions. And perhaps you don't necessarily need to kill to obtain them. If a champion is willing to impart their techniques, generating a Remembrance is equally feasible. Frieren, with your abilities, you have many choices."

"Thank you. Let's pause the discussion about the truth for now; we can talk more later. Incidentally, how much do you know about curing the Scarlet Rot in Caelid?"

"That is the blooming of the Goddess of Rot..." Enia explained what little information she had, as the Two Fingers possessed some knowledge about Empyreans. Malenia, Blade of Miquella, blessed by the power of Rot, had numerous followers but rejected the power herself, embodying both conflict and strength. The reason for her mutually destructive battle with Starscourge Radahn remained unknown; the only certainty was that the Scarlet Rot would continue to spread rampantly.

Unfortunately, the Finger Reader knew little about the power of such deities and couldn't offer specific advice. However, she mentioned something that interested Frieren: Sir Gideon Ofnir possessed Incantations of the Scarlet Rot lineage. The leader of the Roundtable Hold lived up to his name, collecting all sorts of magic, his power unfathomably deep.

Found the right person. As long as she possessed the relevant magic, she was confident she could analyze it. Worst case, she could consult the knowledgeable and long-lived elven mages back in reality; perhaps there would be other insights.

"Understood. I have the basic information on Caelid now."

"If you desire Malenia's Great Rune, I advise you not to take the risk. Setting aside her divine swordsmanship, her aspect as the Goddess of Rot is also extremely troublesome. The next time she blooms, it likely benefits no one. Her enemies would suffer a fate worse than Radahn's."

"I'll go find Sir Gideon Ofnir first." The exact location of the Haligtree was unknown; talk of defeating Malenia was premature. But adhering to the completionist principle, she wouldn't miss it. As for the Two Fingers, there likely wasn't much else of value. They had already lost contact with the Greater Will, functioning more like a mascot or symbol within the Roundtable Hold.

Seeing Frieren's eagerness, Enia couldn't dissuade her further. Powerhouses had their pride, and she had won battles this way all along. Underestimating them was wrong.

"One last warning: Sir Gideon Ofnir knows far more than people suspect. Be careful of him."

"Farewell."

"Apologies for not being able to provide more helpful information."

"It's alright," the silver-haired girl said frankly. "I also enjoy seeking answers."

"I must emphasize again, don't view simply collecting Ring fragments as the path that saves everything. If you don't uncover the truth, you'll only be a king enveloped in conspiracy. Answers surely remain hidden within the Lands Between."

"Thank you." She had heard similar cryptic words often, but experience allowed some inference. Merely repairing the Ring likely led to a normal ending, or one shrouded in deception, unaware of the truth. For instance, Marika's act of shattering it seemed like a response to something? Too much warranted investigation.

Watching Frieren leave the audience chamber, Enia sighed deeply, gazing at the Two Fingers before her, which seemed slightly more withered than before. Even as one of the highest divine beings, they couldn't escape the marks of time, or perhaps, no one had revitalized their magic. Feeling the Great Rune had finally spurred Them into activity.

There is hope for the future. Although the two had just discussed the possibility of a mastermind, Enia herself only had scattered thoughts: it was said that before Marika's godhood, there was another continent in the Lands Between, but it was separated and hidden for some reason... uncertain if it was true, but she always felt one must understand the past to know the future. She couldn't speak too plainly, but a Tarnished with Frieren's insight would notice. Best not to influence her with ambiguous information.

Arriving at the adjacent room, she saw a familiar face before the door. Nepheli Loux greeted her cheerfully, patting Frieren's shoulder.

"You obtained a Great Rune, yet still look so petite? You can use Runes to enhance your physique, even become as strong as Starscourge Radahn is possible. You're both battlemages, after all."

"I think I'll pass." Frieren had seen portraits of the demigods. Radahn was imposing, yes, but his massive frame riding that tiny horse looked truly incongruous, somewhat inconvenient.

"Speaking of which, I was just reporting to my foster father. Perfect timing to introduce you."

"What kind of person is Sir Ofnir?"

"He integrated various factions when the Roundtable Hold's talents waned and has maintained it since. He knows many secrets of the Lands Between, and his magical expertise is profound. Oh, right, when talking to him later, don't mind his dismissive atmosphere or tendency to not finish sentences. He's always busy processing information, talks to everyone like that. However, if you have something of high value, you can definitely gain his appreciation..."

Mid-sentence, Nepheli began praising Sir Gideon Ofnir's numerous accomplishments with great admiration, mixed with much personal bias, believing the Roundtable veteran to be very kind. Although Frieren suspected Nepheli was projecting her own feelings, she nonetheless gained more information and formed a basic expectation. After all, few people had actually met Ofnir.

"Let's go in." After chatting for a bit, Nepheli pushed the door open straightforwardly. Inside, a figure clad head-to-toe in armor was hunched over a desk, working. Sharp eyes peered through the tall vertical slit in his helmet, glancing past his foster daughter to carefully study the other person.

As fellow sorcerers, they immediately understood the other's magical presence was extraordinary. Even more exaggerated was that, despite reaching this level, she still restrained and concealed her aura. Who are you trying to fool? If a real fight broke out, she'd likely be more experienced than anyone. Godrick's defeat was well-deserved.

"Been expecting you, Magic Sword Frieren. Congratulations on obtaining the Great Rune. A feat unseen among Roundtable members for millennia."

"In my view, your strength is sufficient to obtain two Great Runes."

"I've long grown old, not what I used to be. You, on the other hand, have been active for quite some time."

The two exchanged smiles, ignoring each other's hidden strengths. Since you wish to reserve your power for some reason, then keep doing so. The truth will eventually be revealed anyway.

Nepheli, standing beside them, completely missed the shift in atmosphere and began introductions straightforwardly. Just as well. Having an outgoing person bridge the gap was better than them engaging in mind games. Best to communicate more during this first meeting; otherwise, should two sorcerers just exchange riddles?

Frieren also shared her battle experiences. Even though one listener had participated personally and the other knew the intricate details, they still listened intently. The participant's own experience would certainly differ. As Frieren described, the corrosive abyss could be withstood with firm will, but others would likely have become captives long ago. It was hard to imagine what trials she had endured. It seemed defeating Godrick was done with ease, posing little challenge.

True, rumors painted him as the weakest demigod, but he wasn't someone to be trifled with lightly either; otherwise, he couldn't have held a fragment of the Ring for so many years. He had substance.

The new Queen is strong.

"...Honestly, I have witnessed the Abyssal trials before. I suspect other external anomalies have already entered the Lands Between. Be careful."

Hearing this, Sir Gideon Ofnir nodded. "I've noticed as well. Just remain vigilant. On the contrary, it must not have been easy for you to eliminate Godrick in that state. You truly possess the strength of the first generation of demigods."

"That's not the point. Right now, I want information regarding Caelid."

"Am I to understand you desire Radahn's Great Rune? Acting fast, for a newcomer."

"Sooner or later, all Great Runes must be collected." Frieren stated seriously, "The festival of combat is a minor matter. The key is information on the Scarlet Rot. I heard you possess related magic. Can we make a trade?"

"It won't be cheap."

"I know. We can achieve mutual benefit. What if I exchange soul magic?"

Sir Gideon Ofnir, initially planning to haggle, fell silent. Lately, news of soul healing had practically worn his ears out. It was baffling. How was it possible? Geniuses like the Queen of the Full Moon, capable of creating life, were stumped at the soul step. Why could a mere newcomer Tarnished succeed?

Having met Frieren, he had to believe. This person was an incredibly powerful sorcerer, possessing a knowledge system completely different from the Lands Between. Perhaps she could break free from established thinking and discover new truths. No sorcerer would refuse.

Yet, he still subconsciously tried to bargain: "As far as I know, you're already teaching your methods for free. Is that knowledge valuable enough for a trade?"

"You are welcome to come learn. And it's not the kind of knowledge suitable only for low-intelligence sorcerers."

"Deal." When Frieren mentioned the intelligence attribute issue, even Ofnir couldn't resist. One shouldn't question a sorcerer's basic qualifications. In short, the trade was viable. Just an Incantation for Scarlet Rot, what could she possibly achieve with it? It didn't matter.

"I will teach you the strongest magic of Scarlet Rot, the very technique of the Valkyrie: Scarlet Aeonia."

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