Intelligence on Serie

"Do you think I'll yield so easily? I am an elite recognized by His Majesty, the Demon King."

"Then let's see about that."

Frieren couldn't afford to be lenient with the stubborn Azarte. In the next instant, the blade in her hand plunged fiercely into his chest. Once again, lightning crackled, continuously draining his life force, leaving the target barely breathing.

He was being ravaged repeatedly by the lightning attribute combined with the Lightning Retaliation technique.

Her magic was also infused with soul-tearing properties, a specialized attack attribute developed after being inspired by various sources, causing the Demon General unbearable agony.

Frieren's intention was experimentation anyway; she didn't mind tormenting him a bit longer. The crucial point was whether Azarte could endure it.

He had truly stumbled this time, never expecting the elf village to be such a tough nut to crack. It was a complete miscalculation.

How foolish he had been. Why did he assume a race with millennia of history wouldn't possess one or two powerful individuals? He should have mobilized more Greater Demons from the start. Now, it was too late for regrets. A dignified Demon General was reduced to being at someone else's mercy, utterly helpless.

Even begging for mercy, a tactic demons used to deceive humans, would be useless here. This decisive and powerful elf wouldn't be fooled. Any trickery might just exhaust her patience faster...

"Have you thought it through?" Frieren asked softly. "If your information satisfies me, perhaps I'll show leniency."

"Somehow, that sounds like a lie."

"Guess."

As she spoke, she increased the intensity of the lightning magic. Whether it was true or false didn't matter. What mattered was that if Azarte didn't cooperate now, he would die immediately, and she'd guarantee it would be excruciatingly painful.

The repeated magical assaults on his nerves robbed him of his ability to think clearly. There was no time to consider.

"...I know. I know everything, the demons' plans, Serie's location... I'll tell you now. Please, stop the magic."

"Good. Tell me everything. I have ways to verify its authenticity."

"First, the strategy against the elves. Yes, His Majesty the Demon King ordered us to eliminate your settlements. A long-lived race with its social structure disrupted will soon wither away on its own. If we can slaughter some in the process, even better..."

Azarte confessed the strategy in detail.

Being races both long-lived and skilled in magic, demons and elves naturally occupied conflicting ecological niches. Thus, their order for extermination wasn't hard to understand; it was bound to happen sooner or later.

One way or another, one side would eventually be pushed to the brink of extinction. Perhaps only then could the conflict cease.

This is awful.

Hearing this, the villagers' expressions inevitably darkened. Victory was victory, but learning the enemy was dead set on their destruction didn't lift their spirits. The sense of crisis deepened. If they didn't grow stronger, they would undoubtedly be preyed upon. Perhaps Frieren was using the Demon General's words to remind everyone: times had changed. Before, it was occasional human wars spilling over; now, another long-lived race intended to hunt them down with full force.

"I suppose I should thank you for making us realize we can no longer cling to illusions. From now on, the elves will face this war seriously."

"Seriously? It's too late. You lack training. You're far from being an army."

"Next question: are any more of your men outside the forest?"

"Yes. Cleaning up the battlefield, ensuring no survivors, and guarding the forest entrance against potential reinforcements. They specialize in assassination and reconnaissance."

"And the survivors?"

"Who knows if any exist? Even if they do, they'll be used as bait for traps. Care to try your luck?"

"I'll confirm the situation myself."

"I'm slowly realizing... you're different. Not lazy at all. That magic power is the result of refinement, day after day, year after year, plus your innate talent. And those warrior skills... they must have been honed through countless trials. Only you could achieve this."

"...There's only one of you, Frieren. Apart from you, your elven race is just as fragile. Frankly, you were never a race meant for war, just long-lived humans, right?"

His words struck a chord, silencing the scene. It was undeniably awkward.

They knew Frieren was special. Without her leadership this time, they would certainly have been massacred. This didn't mean the village truly had the strength to fight. Indeed, their martial capabilities had been neglected for too long; they couldn't even handle an ordinary demon one-on-one.

Perhaps a few individuals could, but war wasn't something a few people could overturn. The final outcome wouldn't be fundamentally different.

"Did everyone hear that? The demons won't give up easily. They target all sentient beings besides themselves. A war engulfing the world has arrived. Prepare yourselves."

Most were still processing the overwhelming information. After all, seeing their peaceful home destroyed left no one in a good mood.

"Enough nonsense. Tell me Serie's location. The more detailed, the better."

"Intelligence suggests the Mage of the Age of Gods was active around the northern forests. There were sightings near the adjacent magic city, and some saw ruins of an ancient temple. I'll give you the approximate map coordinates."

"I also want all military intelligence. Like, who did you just defeat? Who poses a significant threat right now?"

"Currently, the humans are uniting..."

Speaking of this, Azarte didn't seem as nonchalant as his surface suggested; he was filled with apprehension. In his view, the combined armies of several kingdoms posed a considerable threat. On the large-scale frontal battlefields, they had already regained some ground, showing signs of stabilizing their defenses.

Besides objective military developments, he shared a general's perspective, allowing Frieren, the listener, to better understand the current situation.

It wasn't that bad. Although demons had come to slaughter the elf village, it was actually a force squeezed out from their main effort. The true bulk of their army remained bogged down facing the kingdoms' battlefronts.

Humanity's population base and faster mobilization of forces made them difficult to defeat decisively.

Moreover, battlefields were highly interconnected.

The situation had drastically changed. What did the annihilation of a powerful Demon General and his elite troops signify?

The offense and defense had shifted.

Without Azarte and his men commanding and holding the line, the main front risked being pushed back by human armies. More accurately, it was highly probable, as the demons who constituted the largest portion of that specific force's combat power had all perished here at Frieren's hands.

Though Yunus might still conquer the fortress or even massacre the city purely on momentum, he likely wouldn't be able to hold it.

"I understand the basics. I can ask your adjutant for the rest."

"Wait, will you let me—"

Before he could finish, a flower bud suddenly bloomed from the Demon General's chest. Crimson red, emanating a wicked aura, it consumed all magic power, seemingly nourishing only itself.

He instantly lost his sanity, roaring uncontrollably. Even dragging his broken body, he began to move forcibly, struggling to rise. Frieren backed away, but Azarte ultimately couldn't withstand the blooming crimson flower. His corpse temporarily froze solid.

Fortunately, before death, the invasive expansion showed signs of reversing, at least preventing easy spread. The experimental direction was correct.

"As expected, the Flower of Aeonia isn't so easily controlled. Its lethality against living beings is extreme."

"But controlling the invasive spread was successful. It means the widespread damage of the Scarlet Rot can be somewhat controlled. More experiments are needed..."

"Your turn."

The silver-haired girl's gaze turned to the adjutant lying on the ground.

What followed was simply repeating the process. For the disheartened demon, speaking up for survival was possible, even knowing it was a countdown to death. He still cooperated actively with Frieren's questioning. The information from both sources corroborated each other, greatly increasing its reliability.

Credibility wasn't an issue; magic capable of detecting lies also confirmed it. The situation was clear.

The good news: Serie's location was found, and the battle at the elf village had reduced pressure on the human armies' front lines. The bad news: the demons were serious, and their strategy of extermination would continue.

"Unless one side is rendered completely incapable of waging organized, large-scale war, the mutual liquidation and extermination will not end."

As Frieren declared this, she unleashed the Flower of Aeonia once more.

The adjutant died without surprise. With that, the entire demon force that attempted to invade the elf settlement was annihilated. Yet, the elves wore no expressions of relief; instead, they looked tense.

A heavy atmosphere settled over the village.

Everyone knew they hadn't repelled the demon attack through their own true strength. Victory brought no sense of security.

On the contrary, the enemy had clearly expressed their determination to massacre them.

Facing the ascendant demons, the small, isolated elf village was far too weak. They hadn't contacted the outside world for so many years they didn't even know if other villages existed, or if they had already suffered a terrible fate...

"Don't worry." Frieren's loud declaration caught everyone's attention. "We have changed the situation. This army will never appear on the battlefield again."

"The demons' conquest isn't achieved in a day; it's a gradual process. The elves need to take the initiative and step out."

"Hunkering down in the village means eventual collapse. We must change the overall posture."

After this battle, many elves realized that seclusion was a mistake. Her words now resonated even more deeply. Remaining passive was definitely not an option; they would only grow weaker.

Those who participated in the village's defense were certainly not cowards. They quickly regained their confidence.

"We will learn magic, Frieren. Please, you must teach us."

"Just train more in your spare time, treat it as killing time."

Elves should have their own mages and warrior teams. We can already form a small squad.

"We can't slack off anymore."

Civilizational progress relies on exchange. Interacting with the malicious outside world for the first time deeply shook the elves, sweeping away their former laziness.

They weren't foolish; in fact, their long lives brought accumulated experience. At least in the basics of combat and magic, they had heard things, making them slightly better off than human recruits starting from scratch. If they were willing to learn, they could quickly become a fighting force.

As a race gifted with magic and longevity, catching up on years of neglected studies wasn't a problem. The rest depended on talent, which determined the highest ceiling.

"Alright. Let's clean the battlefield now. Also, we need to celebrate properly."

Frieren showed a faint smile, and the surrounding elves, for once, displayed a surge of enthusiasm.

"Long live victory!"

The village was reborn in iron and fire.

Truthfully, she could have ended the battle entirely within the miasma forest. Several options were available, some even allowing for a silent conclusion. But choosing to let the demons press this close, smashing a few things, served a purpose.

If the elves continued living blissfully unaware, lacking a sense of crisis, they would surely crumble when the enemy truly arrived at their doorstep. That would be terrifying.

The demons' actions shattered their illusions, forcing everyone to start paying attention to the changing world.

She couldn't protect the village forever. It was better to make her kin stronger.

Actually, everyone performed commendably in this battle, partly because Frieren often dragged people along to study magic or train, or exchange warrior insights, single-handedly making the village more proactive.

Villagers gradually repaired the stockade gate and extended the defensive line's fortifications forward, allowing for earlier warnings and engagement of targets.

The elves used their ingenuity to deploy more traps, supplementing their defenses; after all, most here were hunters.

Even the burnt forest was being rapidly repaired with relevant plant magic. It would take time, but the benefit was honing magical abilities – why not? The lush forest barrier would become a natural defense line, valued more highly in the future.

Frieren wasn't idle either.

She went to the outer forest, reinforcing and redeploying illusions along the way. Combat proved that creating a home-field advantage with them was viable, adding another layer of insurance for the village.

"As long as the defensive measures are in place, I can also go out to find people."

The biggest gain this time was learning Serie's location.

There was no need to worry about her moving anytime soon. Didn't she know elves? Staying put for decades was normal. Therefore, interacting with the Mage of the Age of Gods could wait.

No rush.

"My Flower of Aeonia is still too half-baked right now. Asking for guidance wouldn't lead to useful progress. Better to research more. Besides, someone said to possess all the magic in the world should have very high standards, not easily satisfied."

If Serie were an easy type to interact with, related factions would have flourished long ago. The reality was, she too had lost interest.

Magic that doesn't exist in the world should be a decent breakthrough point, provided it's spectacular enough.

The magic academy surely held good things.

Could she find treasure magic impressive enough to move the Mage of the Age of Gods? Was the Soul World magic she currently grasped sufficient? Of course, the more, the better.

"Since the barrier magic research was successful, might as well master it first."

Frieren's follow-up plans became clearer. Relative to her own situation, Carian Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes, the Academy of Raya Lucaria, and Sellia, Town of Sorcery in Caelid were places not to be missed.

Using magic was the best way to deal with the Mage of the Age of Gods – it was hard currency. In a sense, these unique magical knowledge tomes were more valuable than gold. They should all be collected.

As she pondered, she reached the outer edge of the forest.

The smell of blood drifted over, accompanied by rising heat from the aftermath of fire. Ash and embers were everywhere.

She used magic to conjure a gust of wind, finally clearing her vision slightly. What came into view was a caravan wreckage. It seemed soldiers were escorting something but were brutally attacked by demons. The question was, were there any survivors?

According to Azarte's intelligence: the demons had planned to spend at least 10 years searching for the elf village; they had plenty of time to wear them down.

The problem was Frieren.

Several "large-scale magic power eruption incidents," along with monster escapes and frequent loud noises in the area, drastically shortened the search time, prompting the Demon General to conduct a full-scale search.

It really was her own fault. Back when she first grasped game-like magic, she acquired many good things and frequently experimented, not yet knowing how to conceal her own magic power...

The trouble caused by youth. By the time humans noticed and spread the information, it was too late.

So, she wanted to make amends somewhat.

Besides protecting the elf village, she hoped to find survivors, though it was likely a fruitless trip.

"Hm?"

Her sharp magic perception still detected a faint presence amidst the jungle ruins. Injured, exhausted, and very focused on hiding their aura – likely overlooked even by Azarte, who was busy commanding at the time.

Frieren quickly ran over, clearing away rubble and tiles, only to find a small girl with long, orange-red hair unconscious in a pool of blood.

"So, not very good at hiding, just close to death."

Demons were sensitive to the magic power of living beings; overlooking someone half-dead was normal. Regardless, this child possessed incredible luck; otherwise, she would have lost her life long ago.

Starting with a Sunlight Heal, followed by Protection, Dispel, and Purify buffs, the effects were immediate. Surface wounds healed completely. Her breathing gradually steadied, and the abnormal feverishness subsided, likely the body's self-repair triggering protective mechanisms.

Perhaps fate decreed she shouldn't die? A flicker of joy sparked in Frieren's heart at this thought. Finally, a survivor. Otherwise, she'd never know what exactly happened here.

However, after guarding her for a moment, there was no further reaction. The girl in her arms remained deeply asleep, seemingly only the unconsciousness wasn't dispelled.

"Here it comes again!"

At this moment, Frieren noticed the strange weakening effect return, attempting to counteract the Sunlight Heal.

It was likely the lingering effect of some special magic. Conceptual-type magic in reality was the trickiest; even stacking resistances might fail against the mechanics. So, she carefully applied another round of healing.

But still no sign of waking. The small, curled-up body was utterly pale...

"Weakness magic?"

The instant she recognized the traces, she scooped up the girl and abruptly dodged sideways. A beam of light grazed her shoulder, slicing off a few strands of silver hair. A squad of demons suddenly materialized – specialists in concealment magic. In her haste to save the girl, she had almost missed them.

They were clearly lying in wait. Anyone emerging from the forest, inside or out, would likely check the girl's condition, providing the perfect opportunity for a fatal ambush.

Even the usually stoic Frieren showed a hint of anger.

Swish!

The surrounding demons immediately formed a wall, blocking every direction to prevent their prey from escaping.

Their failed first attempt made them uneasy. How could someone avoid that as if they had eyes in the back of their head? How sharp must they be? Could the terrifying magic power surge from earlier have come from her?

There was no time for detailed thought, because Frieren, holding the red-haired girl in one arm and her staff in the other, regarded them with eyes colder than ice.

"You've gone too far."

"Hey, elf! What happened to General Azarte? Is he still alive?"

"Rest assured, his treatment is better than yours will be."

The cold voice sent a chill down the spines of the demon reconnaissance team. They couldn't be sure if such a powerful Greater Demon had met with trouble. Could he have fallen into a trap? It shouldn't be possible. Impossible.

"Don't be cryptic, elf. Whatever you did doesn't matter. His Majesty is determined to annihilate you. Even if we fail, reinforcements will follow. Elves, like humans and dwarves, are destined for extinction."

"Defeating Azarte proves nothing. It only delays your demise. Now, let me show you—"

Bang!

Suddenly, smoke erupted from the ground, obscuring the demons. They used the same tactic Frieren had employed for killing as a means of escape, scattering in different directions.

Forget the mission; everyone who went in was wiped out. Transmitting intel was paramount now.

However, in the next instant, a barrier rose, encompassing a one-kilometer radius centered on the silver-haired girl. The indestructible magic shield forcefully blocked their steps; breaking through would take time. Its radiant glow seemed to contest the heavens, creating an oppressive birdcage. This application consumed immense magic power, but the caster unleashed it without hesitation.

No one would escape.

Next, Frieren slowly floated upwards, using the demons' own flight ability. Though she wasn't proficient, it allowed better propulsion. Like now, abruptly ascending, then attacking from above.

Ruinous lightning magic filled the barrier's interior, washing down along the shield's edges like rain dripping from eaves onto every demon.

Amidst crackling sounds and incessant screams, they were paralyzed on contact, collapsing while twitching and smoking.

They couldn't understand why their defenses were ineffective.

Little did they know, the increasingly skilled Frieren had incorporated the armor-piercing aspect of soul magic into her standard attacks. The physical bodies weren't as damaged as they appeared; it was the soul that was truly paralyzed, rendering them unable to control their flesh, thus creating the effect of paralysis.

The demons couldn't fathom this. They only felt soul-tearing agony. Numb, yet in pain; unable to control their bodies, yet still in pain.

"Damn you!"

"Which one of you used the Weakness magic? Dispel it immediately!"

It wasn't actually an irremovable curse; brute force dispelling was possible, but Frieren was unwilling to risk it on a small child, especially one already heavily injured.

Having the caster dispel it was the safest option. The tormented demon mage cooperated readily. A stream of light flowed over the girl's forehead, and her tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.

"Great Mage of the Age of Gods, can you spare my life?"

"A corpse is talking."

A crimson flower bloomed in the caster's chest. Touch meant death. The corrupting erosion ensured no resistance could stand against it, for it was a power never before seen, lacking corresponding formulas for defense.

In principle, it was actually stronger than irremovable curses, being unrecognizable, its underlying logic completely unknown.

Seeing this, the remaining demon soldiers tried to crawl up, but paralysis only allowed them to roll over, glaring with gritted teeth.

"Don't think you're so great just because you've lived long! You fundamentally don't understand how strong demons are!"

Frieren sighed. "Why do you all assume I've lived long? Among elves, I'm considered young. It is you who don't understand. It would be strange if such reckless actions didn't fail."

"What?"

They couldn't believe such a seasoned and powerful mage was a young elf. But the next moment, their surprise no longer mattered. All these demons became sacrifices to the Scarlet Rot.

Collecting numerous samples would be enough to further refine the magic. Perhaps next time, she could attempt large-scale application without spreading contamination...

"I almost forgot about you!"

Lost in thoughts of magic research, Frieren had momentarily neglected the girl in her arms.

____

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