Ranni, I'm Going to Kill Your Brother (Bonus Chapter)

Great Grace, Roundtable Hold.

In the corridor, Hewg, as always, hammered away at the weapon before him.

The crisp sounds rang out continuously, sparks flew, and the temperature in the vicinity gradually climbed.

Suddenly, he stopped his hammer.

Nothing could usually divert his attention, except for an appointed old client.

Frieren greeted him politely, "I've come to pick up the armor."

Though it had been a long time, the silver-haired girl was still in high spirits, full of enthusiasm, showing no trace of the weariness typical of a long-lived race.

She was either fighting or on her way to a battlefield.

Now, she exuded an even stronger aura, one of pre-departure readiness.

"I've been waiting for you."

Hewg solemnly took out the armor components, carefully wrapped in silk.

They felt heavy in her hands.

Since the soft armor and detailed parts had been entrusted to other craftsmen, he only had the disassembled components.

However, he was confident that he was second to none in his specialized field; he was serious about his craft.

Frieren felt a cool sensation as she lightly caressed the metal surface.

"Many thanks. This gives me more confidence."

"It's said that Radahn's Starscourge Greatsword is second only to god-slaying weapon-tier enhancements. You must be careful." Hewg rarely offered such advice. "You're wearing light half-armor; it won't withstand many blows. You need to focus on dodging."

"Head-on clashes aren't my style. Besides, other heroes participating in the festival will be acting alongside me. Don't worry."

"It's not that I don't trust you. Just don't ruin the new armor."

"Right, right."

"Lady Frieren, please don't adhere to any dueling philosophies! If necessary, just overwhelm the enemy with the Spirit Ash Legion!" Roderika, standing nearby, suggested excitedly, even making punching gestures.

As a spirit tuner who had participated in the unprecedented spirit ash enhancement project, she had great confidence in her creations.

"They will have their chance to shine. You'll hear news of it."

"Hey, see you at the Combat Festival then!" Nepheli, who had arrived upon hearing the news, greeted her cheerfully.

She clearly wouldn't miss this major event.

The two exchanged nods.

"My intuition tells me an unusual change is brewing in Caelid... We need to act quickly. But it's alright; once I have the two Great Runes in hand, I'll come back with good news."

Frieren turned and left, disappearing through the Roundtable Hold's teleportation.

She maintained her usual bustling, energetic atmosphere.

In a world where most were slow-moving and decaying, she seemed to be in a constant rush.

This sense of urgency, rather than pressuring others, became a powerful rallying call, winning the hearts of the people.

Magic Academy.

Upon returning to this sanctuary, the silver-haired girl headed straight for the smithing workshop.

The clang of metal against metal was incessant, sparks flew, and the temperature rose sharply.

Most of the artisans from the Liurnia region were gathered here, a constellation of talents, continuously supplying the army with equipment for unforeseen needs.

Some were even modifying captured Royal Capital army gear to better suit the local troops.

Boc, in a corner, was the first to spot Frieren and hurried over.

"My lady, I've completed the task you assigned."

"You seem to be doing well."

"This place truly allows me more time to delve into my craft. Coupled with Your Majesty's Gold Sewing Needle, I was able to create this piece."

The small demi-human held up a blue cape and soft armor that seemed too large for his frame.

Even folded, they possessed an aesthetic value that was strikingly beautiful.

She didn't know much about the specialized fields of armorers and tailors, so she had asked the people at the forge to assemble it.

Since it was demigod-level equipment, it was naturally something not to be missed, and everyone quickly gathered around.

So heavy!

The artisans' first impression was its weight.

Though it was light armor, it had such a substantial feel.

It must have been imbued with the protection of numerous Smithing Stones, and there were traces of mana tempering.

They carefully assembled it, each piece fitting perfectly, interlocking seamlessly.

Although crafted in different places by different artisans, there wasn't the slightest discrepancy.

The pinnacle of craftsmanship converged here.

"It's even better than the design schematics. Sufficient to withstand a demigod war," one of the artisans exclaimed with heartfelt admiration.

The final step was Frieren herself donning the armor under their guidance.

A layer of armor was worn over her light mage robe, with some chainmail draping from the hem.

The waist was tailored for a closer fit, its curves as beautiful as a work of art.

It complemented her perfectly.

When the half-cape billowed in the wind, it gave her an even more graceful and noble appearance, brimming with a sharp, imposing aura.

She adjusted the vambraces on her forearms, straightened her coronet and the Flower of Aeonia, and even her traveling boots were now armored.

It was, by all accounts, the most fully equipped she had ever been.

The silver-haired girl, in full regalia, was filled with a heroic spirit, her gaze like a torch.

The poised, ready-for-action atmosphere around her made people turn their heads.

Frieren tried a few simple rolls, jumps, and parries.

Her movements were like flowing water, smooth and unhindered, not affecting her mobility in the slightest.

Perfect.

Her only requirement for armor was a little margin for error; this had exceeded her expectations.

"Everyone involved in this project will receive Rune rewards, Grace's Blessing, and a larger allocation of Smithing Stones. I'll be relying on you for future repairs and improvements as well. Thank you, everyone."

"Her Majesty is benevolent and generous!"

Only after a good round of cheers and celebration did everyone return to their stations.

Boc said uneasily, "If anything were to happen to you, it would be an immense loss. Please, ensure your safe and triumphant return."

Frieren nodded and waved goodbye.

No more words were necessary.

It was clear everyone was apprehensive about the Starscourge General, feeling that the chances in this battle were slim.

Just wait and see.

In the past, when facing so many powerful enemies, she rarely had such a stacked advantage.

This time, to match the scale of a battle against the strongest demigod, even she had invested substantial resources, enhancing all her equipment.

It was no longer a matter of forcibly compensating with skill, but an all-around augmentation.

If she were only facing Radahn, perhaps Frieren would have conserved resources.

But intelligence from various sources indicated that Bloody Fingers were stirring restlessly in Caelid.

And one couldn't forget the Blood Lord lurking in the shadows.

The southern army's forces had already reached a point where they warranted a joint counter-operation.

Therefore, she had been forced to leave the Abyss Watchers and a host of Liurnian elite troops at the Grand Lift's chasm.

The forces that could rush to the far south were not numerous; they absolutely could not afford to delay too long.

Suddenly, Melina appeared, interrupting her thoughts.

The latter sized her up with keen interest.

"Now you finally don't look like a rundown Tarnished. You truly have the air of a demigod."

"I haven't seen many demigods."

"Actually, their weapons and armor are all legendary. Bards tell all sorts of strange tales about them. Frieren, your image will likely be passed down in this way too."

"A 'set'... Even someone like Godrick has a legend?"

"Even him."

Thinking back, the Godrick and Margit she had seen looked rather dilapidated.

However, portraits of other demigods she had viewed were indeed imposing and extraordinary.

"Are we heading to Caelid immediately? I've already compiled the relevant maps and can guide you."

"Before that, let's meet the target's family."

Magic Academy, Library Attic.

The Queen of the Full Moon, slumbering within, remained oblivious to the world outside, as if nothing could disturb her.

She spared only a glance for the sudden visitor before losing interest, let alone listening to anything about Radahn...

Or rather, she didn't want to listen.

Years ago, in the eyes of this pitiable mother, her children had already met a tragic fate, no different from death.

Frieren offered a greeting and teleported away, her figure vanishing amidst the Grace.

The one she truly needed to converse with was not her; this was merely a side visit.

Three Sisters' Towers.

This area, hidden within Caria Manor, was perpetually surrounded by colossal glintstones, radiating light and mist, forming a natural concealment.

It was indeed a suitable place to hide and enjoy a moment of tranquility.

The Glintstone Dragon at the entrance, which had been yawning lazily, tensed up upon sensing the aura emerging from the Site of Grace.

What's this? I thought it was an enemy. Turns out it's a familiar face.

Even the friendly Frieren made the dragon step back a few paces, because the fully armored silver-haired girl at this moment was radiating an overwhelming sharpness, as if she were about to unleash strategic-level magic in the next instant.

Her entire being was like a powerful bow drawn to its fullest, finally ready to be tested.

"Long time no see."

The guest, brushing past as she ascended the steps, greeted with a smile, eliciting a low growl in response from the dragon.

Her Highness indeed found a reliable ally, one who is by no means inferior to those top-tier demigods.

In the short time since I last saw her, she seems to have grown even stronger.

Its perception was correct.

In fact, while active in the Lands Between, Frieren primarily displayed power based on her Astrologer foundations.

Now, she had reached the level of an ordinary hero, and with some power leaking out that simply couldn't be concealed, she naturally appeared stronger.

Any dragon that didn't fly away from her was truly capable.

Riding the lift all the way up, she arrived at the attic of the sorcerer's tower.

The puppet witch seated on the chair slowly looked up, revealing the puppet face and shadowy visage beneath her pointed hat.

Her gentle gaze fell upon the uninvited guest.

"You look ready. Truly imposing, Your Majesty Frieren."

"My opponent is General Radahn, after all. And perhaps not just him." The silver-haired girl changed the subject. "I need some basic intelligence. If you have any message you need me to convey, I can do that as well."

"I heard you have a way to purify the corruption. Is it effective against him?"

"No."

She continued to explain, "Actually, Scarlet Rot has always been a rather neutral force, neither good nor bad. It was the releaser Malenia's obsession with destruction that made it so tyrannical. Creatures infected by it are evolving in another direction. Since that isn't considered an injury, how can one speak of healing? Even if one were to forcibly heal it, it wouldn't be the Radahn you know. Moreover, the Great Rune is too deeply fused with him; it can't be removed gently."

Frieren frankly stated her reasons, incidentally mentioning some of her research findings on Scarlet Rot.

Ranni, also a top-tier sorceress, understood immediately.

In truth, she had only mentioned it in passing, having long given up hope.

What a pity. A hero was about to fall.

The worst-case scenario would be her ally also suffering heavy losses.

That would be truly terrible.

After all, the strongest demigod, even if not in his right mind, was not someone who could be easily defeated.

"I know a little about gravity magic. Listen carefully..."

Out of responsibility to help her ally, she meticulously explained the knowledge related to gravity magic, even directly imparting some fundamental principles, enough for a genius sorceress like Frieren to learn how to use it.

However, when Ranni tried to further explain Radahn's specific moves, she was refused:

"I will witness them myself."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Knowing about gravity magic is enough. I'll adapt to the rest as it comes. To defeat such a hero, one should offer a true battle, not calculations."

"If my elder brother were clear-minded, you two would surely get along very well." Ranni sighed. "You truly have the heart of a king."

The more she understood Frieren, the more she discovered the fiercely burning fighting spirit within her, undiminished for millennia.

It was a pity this Tarnished saw only ruin wherever she looked.

Had she participated in the zenith of the Golden Conquest, she would surely have led the dynasty, and indeed the world, to new heights.

They had not met in the best of times.

But they had allied at the most opportune moment, as fate would have it.

Because she couldn't stand to see decline, she intended to turn the tide.

Could such spirit compare to sealing the stars?

If the two were to clash, what would be the outcome?

A return to an era not protected by the seal?

So be it.

In any case, the Lands Between before Radahn still had its share of glorious ages.

Ranni cautioned, "In any case, be careful. To this day, I still believe there was a conspiracy behind the battle between the Valkyrie and my brother."

"Why?"

Frieren, who had been about to depart, became greatly interested upon hearing about the history of the Lands Between.

Investigating secret lore was also part of traveling, especially since she would sooner or later stumble upon those schemes.

"To explain Malenia's sudden southward offensive against the Redmane forces, the most likely reason is that she received Miquella's order. Otherwise, I don't believe anyone could command the Valkyrie and the Haligtree Army."

"Following that logic, her desperate use of the bloom should have been to kill brother Radahn."

"The trail ends there. We know Malenia's motive came from Miquella, but what was Miquella's motive for insisting on killing the Starscourge General?"

"Could it be!!" Suddenly, Frieren had a flash of inspiration. "Could Miquella have a crucial step in his plan that requires Radahn's death?"

"I thought so too. Unfortunately, there are no more clues."

Both were very intelligent, attributing the underlying cause to the most mysterious demigod candidate.

Logically, it should be for the sake of achieving godhood.

In the vast Lands Between, which demigod wasn't toiling for that?

The problem was why Radahn's death was necessary.

It was too strange; they couldn't figure out the reason.

The Haligtree Twins must have a scheme.

"Regrettably, all these years, I've mostly just pondered it, as it's inconvenient for me to move around. In any case, Frieren, you must be wary of the conspiracy hovering over Caelid. Also, Blaidd has already set off ahead of you. You should rendezvous with him there."

"Understood."

"You must be safe. When you return, I will gift you a legendary weapon that has been in Caria Manor's collection for many years, as your reward."

Frieren nodded with great anticipation, then headed towards the Site of Grace.

The mention of a new weapon was incredibly exciting.

For a completionist, it was unmissable.

Moreover, she had the impression that the weapons of the wealthy Carian royal family would certainly be of great use.

Ranni, watching the silver-haired girl depart, took a deep breath.

In fact, she had a backup plan she hadn't mentioned: after cultivating her soul magic, she could maintain a projection of herself for extended periods.

Blaidd was currently carrying it, just in case.

"Though it's a wasteland, so many eyes are fixed on it. It's quite lively. I'm afraid it won't go smoothly."

With this thought, the puppet girl closed her eyes.

She did not fall asleep.

With the aid of soul magic, she was no longer in a state of frequent low spirits as before.

The urgent task now was to refine more mana for her projection.

After leaving the sorcerer's tower, Melina immediately appeared.

She seemed reluctant to be a phantom in Ranni's presence, as if only Ranni could converse normally with the Tarnished, even though she herself was also half-dead.

"You must keep the Lunar Princess's reminder in mind just now. You might encounter unexpected enemies in Caelid."

Frieren nodded.

"Speaking of the Bloody Fingers causing trouble there, I've roamed the Lands Between for many years but have never seen the specific stronghold of the Mohgwyn Dynasty. Thinking about it now, it's most likely located in the underground world, a forgotten place whose paths were sealed by the Starscourge General."

"This means it's in a safe zone, able to interfere with other battlefields at will."

"It doesn't matter. Ranni's affairs also need to be resolved underground anyway."

"As long as you've thought it through."

Melina best understood her partner's operational style.

Tactically cautious, she would devote her full attention even to exploring a labyrinth.

Strategically, however, she was very bold, direct, and open, easily becoming a target for conspiracies by hidden enemies.

As a Finger Maiden, she should fulfill her duty of reminding.

As for superfluous chatter, there was no need.

A Tarnished who had reached this level of strength was capable enough to stand on her own.

Regardless, they would witness a fully armed Soul-Kindling King, the likes of which even she had never seen.

Victory was assured.

"There should be more news when we reach Stormveil Castle."

With that, Frieren moved next to the Site of Grace.

Vwoom!

With a roar and the pull of mana, the familiar scenery around her rapidly faded.

Just like that, the silver-haired girl hastened to the southern capital.

She temporarily set aside academy affairs.

Meanwhile, Raya Lucaria also strengthened its defenses, continuously dispatching troops to the Grand Lift to construct fortifications, determined not to give the enemy any leeway to set up camp immediately after descending from the Altus Plateau.

They had to strategically block the Grace-Given King.

Since Edgar had returned to the south ahead of her to lead his most familiar troops, the responsibility now fell on Moguram.

The front line at the Grand Lift.

This place had already been transformed into a fortress, with fortifications covering the target from all angles.

Last time, due to the internal wars in Liurnia, the Grace-Given King's army had brazenly entered the lake region and even set up positions – an utter humiliation.

If Frieren hadn't repelled the enemy, they might have advanced further and occupied Liurnia.

It absolutely could not fall into the clutches of those minions of the Golden Order, who were full of conspiracies and schemes.

The officers carefully surveyed the surrounding terrain.

Magic Professor Aiken was working the hardest.

Previously, as a subordinate of the Academy faction, his stance had been opposed.

He had expected retaliation, but Frieren, after killing the leaders, had magnanimously pardoned the others.

He had to give his all.

If he slacked off, those who had followed her from the beginning would be fine, but those who had pledged allegiance later would have their past hostilities dredged up.

"Lord Moguram, we have already set up the spell formations. Here are the design plans, please take a look."

"Mm."

The imposing Carian knight carefully read the parchment scroll, then strode forward and examined the defensive barrier inscribed on a huge stone pillar.

"Do we possess the technology to repair the Grand Lift?"

"Of course, but it requires demigod-level mana, and the engineering effort is considerable."

"If I recall correctly, Her Majesty demonstrated quite exquisite magical construction abilities during the restoration of the Academy. Moreover, she has experience repairing Stormveil Castle, and now the Academy as well..."

"You're not thinking of blowing up the Grand Lift, are you?" Aiken blurted out.

The faces of those around him immediately turned serious, and the atmosphere became heavy.

Moguram nodded. "With our current forces, it's difficult to withstand a determined offensive from the Royal Capital's army, even relying on the fortress. Therefore, we must consider destroying the Grand Lift."

This determination was nothing short of terrifying.

Benevolence does not command troops; at his core, the chief Carian knight was filled with rational calculation.

"My lord, the Abyss Watchers are still stationed here!"

"Precisely. Her Majesty, rushing to the Caelid battlefield, has already been forced to divide her forces too much. Most of the high-end combat power remains in Liurnia; we cannot afford any losses."

"Indeed."

"How are things on the volcano side?"

"Their harassment around Leyndell has increased. The Grace-Given King is probably at his wit's end too. Although it won't affect the main areas, if a large army is mobilized, they can't ignore the presence of these fellows. Of course, we can't count on support from the volcano."

"Hope should not be pinned on others. Proceed according to my plan. We will prepare for demolition with a high profile, the more ostentatious the better."

Moguram said somberly, "Give the Grace-Given King a clear signal: we have the resolve to destroy a major transportation hub in the Lands Between."

"As you command, my lord."

The Liurnian high command gave their full support.

The unity they had painstakingly achieved around Frieren could not be broken by foreign invasion.

Strategically, the Altus Plateau offered an offensive advantage to all parties; thus, they had to show the determination to make sacrifices.

Some speculated that the Royal Capital would take this opportunity to act; all the more reason not to let them have their way.

With one command, the lake region rapidly deployed its troops.

Before Stormveil Castle.

Just as Frieren teleported from the Site of Grace, she paused slightly.

Where in the world have they brought me?

Was this bustling place still Stormhill?

At the edge of the city walls was a sprawling town, with countless merchants and commoners coming and going.

An atmosphere of marketplace clamor washed over her.

Residents chatted and laughed; some even had the leisure to play cards, cheering at exciting moments.

Even she, who had rebuilt cities, hadn't expected to witness such a scene.

It was by no means inferior to the cities in her own world.

Frieren, having seen her share of prosperity, sighed briefly before continuing forward.

Melina, in contrast, was filled with melancholy.

"During the most glorious age of the Erdtree, I stayed in my room reading, awaiting my purpose, unaware of whether the outside world was one of plenty, conquest, or decline. It wasn't until the Shattering that I embarked on a thousand-year journey to find a Tarnished fit to be Lord. Could the Altus Plateau have once been this lively?"

"Certainly. Otherwise, so many magnificent structures could not have been built."

"You truly are the hope of the Lands Between."

"You exaggerate. The world always had the potential to be restored; I merely created an environment for it." The silver-haired girl smiled. "In any case, as long as you are satisfied."

Melina was taken aback, a hint of ease rising between her brows.

Someone who wore a cold expression all day probably wouldn't smile.

Just looking directly at someone and nodding was a rare sight.

For her, the cause she had always pursued was gradually showing results, progressing at an unexpected speed.

At their encounter in the Chapel of Anticipation, she never would have imagined Frieren would achieve so much.

Returning to Stormveil Castle after a long absence, the starting point of her kingly ambitions, unexpectedly evoked a sense of the passage of time – exceedingly rare for a long-lived being.

"Your Majesty!"

Suddenly, a loud cry interrupted the tranquil thoughts between the two.

It was Haight, waving, leading a group of people to the city gate to welcome her.

Even the wyverns perched on the fortress roared, their fiery breath shooting straight into the clouds.

Their Queen had returned.

_____

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