Lion's Claw

"The 'Flame Incantation' – its effect should be to enhance fire and physical damage for a short period, while also reducing stamina loss. The drawback is that it burns the user."

"For you, it certainly wouldn't fail; it's a powerful buff comparable to Golden Vow."

Melina also knew a thing or two about Flame Incantations and immediately offered her assessment, lest Frieren attempt another unconventional feat.

Very good.

Feeling the power within her, she was certain the Flame Incantation was considerably strong – another staple skill. The number of buffs to stack before engaging an enemy would increase by one, further refining her mage build.

This incantation alone made the trip worthwhile.

Moreover, Frieren had a new discovery: the gift of flame had stirred the power of the First Flame.

In other words, it was an owner of the First Flame praying to the First Flame, thereby invoking an enhancement. The effect was even more potent than the Fire Monk's version.

She had always had very few methods to draw upon the First Flame, so she certainly didn't mind having more. If she were to further research flames, its power would only increase. She even considered an extension: could it be adapted as a defensive spell suited to her?

Another idea to consider.

In reality, mages were fragile, yet they possessed powerful spells capable of one-shotting an unprepared foe. Thus, she prioritized defense.

Besides, she had too many offensive options; she couldn't let her stats become too imbalanced, turning her into a glass cannon.

"There are still surviving monsters inside."

Melina's reminder interrupted her thoughts. Following the sound, she saw a roaring lion creature on the other side of a sealed iron gate. Its fur was bristled, muscles bulging, and its size had swelled considerably.

Smelling the scent of blood, it was extremely agitated, desperate to devour.

It was too late. The soldiers who were about to retreat were eaten. Their wails, pleas, and struggles couldn't change their fate of being torn apart, their flesh mangled.

Merely infighting.

"Could it be that Caelid uses lion creatures as soldiers? Would that work for us?" Frieren was very curious.

"Difficult. Their symbolic meaning is likely greater."

"That's true. It takes several bites just to tear apart a single soldier. Too slow."

Melina agreed with this assessment. The Southern Army had now cultivated Grafted Scions, the Dragon Communion Legion, and even the Magma Wyrm Army. In terms of her forces alone, they were no less than the long-dispersed Caelid region.

One had been in constant decline, while the other advanced rapidly, researching new powers. It was said that even their weapon forging techniques were progressing to compensate for the lack of smithing stones…

Moreover, Frieren had incorporated forces like the Carian Knights and the Academy's Sorcerer Corps.

Clang!

The silver-haired girl pushed the iron gate, but it didn't budge; it was locked.

However, when she lifted it, the lock immediately broke. Pure strength. A lock of this level couldn't stop her.

The situation of "the door cannot be opened from this side" had long ceased to exist for her.

The moment the castle gate opened, the lion creature roared fiercely, full of hostility towards the uninvited guest. It swatted away the corpse it was halfway through bite chewing, sending it crashing against the wall with a splatter of blood.

It crouched with its forelimbs on the ground, arching its back, presenting a tense, combat-ready posture. Its veins bulged all over its body, poised to strike.

Another prey was about to enter its belly.

The blood, combined with years of marination in Scarlet Rot, had driven it mad. It failed to notice the silver-haired girl's magical aura, roaring incessantly. There was no possibility of peaceful coexistence; only a fight to the death remained.

"Though it's a cat, you won't be able to tame it."

After a flash of disappointment on her face, Frieren, with renewed interest, took out Moonveil. The snow-white blade refracted the sunlight, gleaming brilliantly with a menacing edge.

The lion creature cast a contemptuous gaze at such a tiny weapon and suddenly pounced.

Transient Moonlight.

In an instant, the sheathed blade allowed her to kick out a blue wave of light from an iaijutsu stance, vertically cleaving the airborne enemy. A roar, and blood splashed.

The target crashed heavily to the ground, a bloody gash extending from its face to its tail.

The pain sent it rolling relentlessly, blood spreading. Because Frieren wanted to test the Moonveil's combat performance, she had deliberately held back her strength; otherwise, it would have been a one-hit kill, leaving no room for play. For the enemy, it was pure torture, almost knocking it unconscious.

However, the ferocity of the Scarlet Rot still allowed the lion creature to gradually rise, forcibly dragging its body.

The crimson in its eyes was firmly locked on its target.

"Roar!"

The muffled roar was calmer than before. As its mind gradually cleared, it knew it had to bide its time, wait a little longer—

Suddenly, Frieren took a step forward, taking the initiative this time.

The silver-haired girl's movements were impossible to follow, like a shadow flitting past, accompanied by a sweeping cerulean sword arc. In the nick of time, the lion creature couldn't dodge, yet it felt its body no longer obeying its commands.

It turned out it was too slow, so slow that its opponent had already crossed paths and sheathed her blade, the sweeping sword light just beginning to dissipate.

Schlick—

With a thud, the body split into two, flesh and blood splattering.

The sharpness of Moonveil easily cut through the lion creature's muscles and bones. Moreover, wielded by someone who could be called a master swordsman, it was a fatal blow.

For Frieren, it was at most a weapon test; she was still examining her newly acquired weapon.

Whether released horizontally or vertically, the weapon skill had a powerful stance-breaking capability, excellent for interrupting, and decent range. It was becoming increasingly handy, light, and convenient. No wonder it was well-received by players; it was indeed extraordinary.

As she pondered, a point of light appeared where the monster had fallen:

[Lion's Claw]

[An Ash of War used by the Redmane soldiers who fought alongside General Radahn.]

[Leap forward, spin, and strike with the weapon.]

[Can be used on swords, axes, and hammers.]

In Melina's eyes, the silver-haired girl took out an ordinary weapon, squatted down, and practiced downward slashes, thoroughly enjoying herself.

She had found a new toy. In the Tarnished's perception, the Lands Between was probably a super treasure trove.

Unfortunately, Lion's Claw didn't quite synergize with a small physique. While its power was sufficient, its balance was lacking.

Frieren tried out the new Ash of War and found it indeed good, but her conclusion was similar to her partner's: her current fighting style didn't accommodate Lion's Claw, making it unnecessary.

However, who said Ashes of War had to be attached to a weapon to be used? She could use them regardless.

Moonveil Lion's Claw!

The silver-haired girl leaped up, swinging out a cerulean arc of light that bloomed with dazzling brilliance, releasing it with full force towards the opposite castle wall.

CRASH!

A loud bang accompanied by a shockwave made even the spectral Melina instinctively shield herself from dust, coughing subconsciously a few times.

The training ground within the castle had actually cracked open, forming a chasm, utterly shattered.

"To think you actually combined Lion's Claw with Transient Moonlight. Only you could come up with that."

Frieren weighed the longsword in her hand, nodded, and said, "I didn't expect it to succeed either. It just consumed a bit of mana. The weapon will need to be reinforced to stack weapon arts without breaking."

"Your talent in warrior arts is no less than in sorcery. Perhaps you could even match General Radahn in coordination."

Rumble!

Just as the two were talking, a large section of the opposite wall collapsed. Amidst the ruins, a glow appeared – it was a talisman.

Frieren, who hadn't found a talisman in a long time, immediately ran to the ruins. Although her resource module map would show the general location, she had to find the specifics herself.

She rummaged through the rubble.

Melina was already used to this. The Tarnished seemed to focus her senses primarily on treasures, her keen intuition always leading her to find valuables in unexpected places, and she combined them to achieve unheard-of, wondrous effects.

Gradually, she too began to anticipate how many more treasures Frieren would unearth in the Lands Between.

The next moment, the silver-haired girl paused, reached into the bricks and stones, and pulled. She didn't feel a very strong magical fluctuation. Could it be too weak?

[Starscourge Legend]

[A talisman engraved with a heroic legend. It boosts strength.]

[The hero, hailed as the strongest demigod, single-handedly challenged and shattered the falling stars.]

[It is said that from then on, the fate of the stars was sealed.]

Boosting strength was meaningless for Frieren, and it didn't add much. Compared to talismans with special effects that enhanced strength, this one leaned more towards being a memento, filled with a sense of historical vicissitude.

"Melina, do you recognize this?"

Upon hearing this, the young woman observed it carefully. The diamond-shaped talisman's surface depicted a hero wielding a greatsword in each hand, arms outstretched in a bold and imposing posture.

Behind him was a starry sky, and though the image was simple, the composition was full of tension, recreating the legendary scene.

"This was likely created out of reverence and worship for Radahn, similar to the Stargazer Heirloom you collected before. It doesn't offer any powerful enhancements, but for a collector like you, it holds significant symbolic meaning, as it represents a piece of history."

"Sealing the stars... Is that a metaphor, or supreme power? Or did it leverage the convenience of magic?"

"It was likely a combination of his own strength and magic."

"Most likely."

Frieren believed that a being hailed as the strongest demigod definitely had unique strengths and likely no clear weaknesses.

Although the talisman was ordinary, she sensed the aura of gravity magic from it.

"If you're interested in it, I hear there are some records of gravity magic in the town of Sellia in Caelid, as well as night sorceries and the like." Melina suggested, "The resources there are worth utilizing."

"We have to make a trip anyway..."

As she was pondering, a shadow suddenly appeared in the sky – it was a cawing Putrid Crow.

A challenge? No, it felt more like guidance. In the distance, traces of Putrid Wyverns appeared, and a mix of other monsters were eyeing the castle walls covetously.

"Be careful. The ones behind the scenes are unwilling to lose Fort Gael."

"The Blood Dynasty's infiltration is more severe than we anticipated."

Frieren had originally hoped the Redmane Army would take the initiative and coordinate with her side. Now, it seemed best to forget it. Managing their own safety and organizing the festival of combat would be a blessing.

"In other words, it's highly probable they are located beneath Caelid due to the convenient location."

"Correct."

While conversing, the silver-haired girl raised her magical bow, and a full moon shot out a streak of light.

The Putrid Crow was pierced straight through. The glintstone within it immediately blazed, revealing explosive magic. It was instantly obliterated, ensuring no contamination. The distant wyverns and crows attempting to attack were deterred, and instead began to circle and observe.

They couldn't imagine the fort was defended by only one person.

These controlled puppets were only ordered to recapture or at least disrupt the new Lord of Souls, with no time limit. At worst, they would engage in a war of attrition.

"Strange, where did so many wyverns come from?" Frieren looked puzzled.

"They are likely cemetery wyverns. Since Decaying Ekzykes can be controlled, so can they. After all, the Dragon Mother can no longer command them, and most have gone mad."

"Can those dragons be saved?"

Melina shook her head regretfully. Most had likely turned into creatures of rot.

Even with the Tarnished's transcendent magical skills, it was impossible to change a creature completely transformed by Scarlet Rot. Therefore, they could only be eliminated.

"We can't let the dragons constantly be a source of troops for the enemy. We must raze the Lake of Rot when we go there."

"Are you planning to stay here and provide support?"

"Of course."

"Won't that be too much for you? You only have the mana of one person... If only I could help."

"Sooner or later, you'll be busy too. For now, let them handle it."

Frieren smiled faintly, took out the long-unused Spirit Calling Bell, and held it high. The bell chimed, its crisp sound spreading in all directions, resonating with the souls. Even the rampaging monsters couldn't help but stop their movements.

The next moment, figures of Spirit Ash soldiers appeared one after another on the castle walls. The older the ash, the greater the change:

The Lone Wolves were a size larger, with clearly defined muscles, their physique comparable to warhorses.

Even common Wandering Nobles had become tall and sturdy. Apart from their former attire, there was no trace of frailty.

The remaining elite Black Knights still maintained the aura of legendary spirit ashes. Just by standing there holding their greatshields, they seemed like a fortress wall, one man holding the pass against ten thousand, absolutely capable of defending it.

Finally, there was Latenna, the Albinauric Archer.

She surveyed her surroundings and said, "As promised, Your Majesty, please entrust this war to me. It is perfectly suited for my abilities. You should rest first."

"Alright."

Frieren was equally curious about the effect of her first deployment.

However, as the summoner, she didn't remain idle. She immediately used spirit-enhancing magic to augment them individually. Their physical forms solidified further, their strength greater than before, appearing as an elite army capable of fighting alongside a demigod.

The first to act was Latenna, who had the longest attack range. She drew her bow and loosed an arrow, a stream of light streaking across the sky.

The first shot hit its mark, viciously embedding itself in the head of a Putrid Wyrm. It wasn't as resilient as the individual Ekzykes and immediately let out a mournful shriek.

It had thought itself at a safe distance, yet it was injured. How was that possible?

The magic archer did not pursue.

Next, she aimed at the circling monsters, never missing a shot.

Fragile crows could be heavily wounded or even killed in one hit. Against wyverns, she first targeted vital spots to weaken them. Lines of light shot out from the castle walls, and monsters continually plummeted, their aerial advantage nullified.

Latenna's strength exceeded Frieren's expectations, but the real chaos was on the ground, where a large number of monsters had arrived outside the castle.

They bared their fangs and claws, eager to tear apart any living creature.

Defend the city?

That didn't exist. Such a complex activity requiring extremely high organization was unsuitable for the small Spirit Ash legion, so they took the offensive.

The Headless Knight leading the charge rushed into the enemy's center. A shield bash sent a target flying, and as its weapon swept, flesh and blood flew.

One knight was a veritable meat grinder, moving freely through the monsters with heroic strength.

Simultaneously, the Lone Wolves, Godrick Soldiers, sorcerers, and other spirit ashes followed.

The entire Spirit Ash legion united as one to defend Fort Gael.

Quality over quantity.

The Spirit Ash legion perfectly exemplified this. When they coordinated with tight organization, they easily overwhelmed the numerically superior monster army.

The enemy had no formation to speak of; they shattered upon contact, quickly disintegrating into scattered units.

The experience gained from numerous battles allowed Frieren to judge: these foes were merely a hastily assembled rabble.

They lacked a squad capable of acting as a spearhead, nor did they possess disciplined organization.

Did they really expect creatures of rot to capture a fortress?

In contrast, the Spirit Ash legion, led by a hero-class unit like the Headless Knight, wreaked havoc, repeatedly crushing the enemy's ranks.

Even when dispersed, they could have harassed the enemy.

But they immediately tightened their defensive formation, the elite Spirit Ash squads pointlessly sacrificing themselves. Superficially, there were many of them, but in reality, each encounter was them facing the spirit ashes alone.

Of course, even if they encountered scattered enemy forces, their intelligence was lacking.

Latenna provided ground support because everyone was clustered together, concealing high-value targets. If they dared to spread out, any threatening large rot creatures would face her sniping.

Impregnable.

Barely twenty spirit ash units achieved the effect of a mighty army, repelling the enemy's ferocious offensive.

They were even pushing back the fleeing creatures of rot.

Don't assume monsters will fight until their numbers are halved; in reality, they are more prone to fleeing once losses mount. Those Blood Nobles had hastily gathered only a few hundred monsters to assault the castle, thinking they could at least deplete Frieren's mana and create an opportunity, but their hopes were dashed.

Now, the silver-haired girl stood atop the castle walls, waiting for them to lose their composure.

This round of attacks hadn't even forced the Spirit Ash legion to actively defend the castle; it had turned into a training ground. If they retreated into the fortress, it would only become more difficult.

"Retreat, no need to delay."

"The priority is to report to His Majesty. The Southern Army is preparing a large-scale entry into Caelid."

Ultimately, the Blood Nobles chose to leave without looking back.

There was no need to take the monsters with them; besides, they couldn't. They might as well leave them for the fortress battlefield to be dealt with, mere sacrifices. Hoping to deplete Frieren's mana was futile.

"They're gone."

Maintaining her ultra-wide range mana-sensing, she immediately detected their movement.

Melina suggested, "Let's protect Fort Gael and wait for the main army first. At least we'll have a foothold. The situation deep within Caelid looks complicated now; we must proceed with caution."

"You're right. I'll have the Spirit Ash legion defend the castle."

"Is your spirit enhancement at its limit? To have them augmented so much, when most of them are quite fragile."

"Their limit depends on themselves. The limit of my enhancement can be boosted by a Great Rune."

Although the Elden Ring fragment hadn't brought about any subversive changes to her magical mechanisms, a significant boost to existing systems wasn't difficult, especially with the magic of the Lands Between.

By now, a wyrm had already been shot down, its body riddled with arrows, a testament to Latenna's heavy-handedness. Fast, accurate, and ruthless – such conspicuous targets that liked to wander about deserved a harsh lesson.

The Tarnished and the maiden atop the castle walls looked at each other, the power was unexpected.

So, they chose to defend the castle.

...

While the battle for Fort Gael raged fiercely, the Fiery Wall on the border was equally bustling.

The first wave of the Southern Army's main force exceeded 20,000 soldiers. Ensuring a certain scale while maintaining field mobility, this number was carefully considered by Edgar – it was the first move.

Banners billowed in the air, the passage of warhorses thundered like an earthquake, and as the infantry's boots trod upon the green grass, a roar seemed to echo endlessly.

They came from all over Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, elite regulars selected through rigorous trials. Clad in full armor, their weapons new, they gleamed with a metallic luster under the sun, their presence imposing.

Stormhawks, wyverns, and Winged Misbegotten circled in the sky above, responsible for reconnaissance, ensuring the army's field of vision.

Numerous special units.

For example, the Grafted Scions created with improved techniques, the continuously expanding Dragon Communion Legion, and the Magma Wyrms. Upon hearing of Frieren's supportive stance, they had quickly and voluntarily undergone the transformation into Magma Wyrms, now numerous enough to form a small contingent.

Edgar made no comment on this. While not encouraging it, their initiative was commendable.

Perhaps even Her Majesty hadn't anticipated what a signal "allowing the establishment of a Magma Wyrm unit" would be. It simultaneously represented safety and controllability, naturally attracting ordinary people.

So, they joined in droves.

The vast procession advanced towards the other side of the Fiery Wall.

An aide-de-camp reported, "General, news just arrived from Her Majesty at the front. She is engaged with rot creatures controlled by Blood Nobles at Fort Gael and has successfully captured the stronghold. It's expected to be a stalemate for some time, so she will wait for our arrival."

"So fast! As expected of Her Majesty. We must also pick up our pace to rendezvous sooner and ensure safety."

It was good news.

No one doubted Frieren's power; she alone was enough to control a fortress. The only minor concern: hopefully, she wouldn't destroy too much, rendering it unusable.

The news of victory undoubtedly boosted their morale further, their steps becoming lighter.

The great army quickly crossed the Fiery Wall.

Traces left by the fat Putrid Wyrm Ekzykes, along with some of its bones, were still around. Everyone knew the new Lord of Souls had vanquished such a monster on land.

Suddenly, a delicate fragrance filled the air, refreshing the heart and mind.

The scenery ahead was completely transformed. Where were the signs of Scarlet Rot? Instead, a vast sea of flowers stretched into the distance.

Swaying with the wind, petals danced, their myriad colors adorning the suffering land.

An illusion?

Edgar initially disbelieved, but after dismounting and carefully touching the soft petals, he smiled, "My daughter Irina would surely love this kind of magic."

"The soldiers at the outpost said it was Her Majesty's flower magic, used to consolidate the purification and prevent rapid spread."

The aide-de-camp continued, "Then let them speak."

"It was truly breathtaking at the time..."

The border soldiers who had witnessed the miracle recounted the scene vividly. Even just hearing about it was astonishing. The results were right before their eyes. What kind of mana could awaken the life force of an entire land?

Frieren's casual feat made people overlook the terrifying mana reserves behind it. Changing heaven and earth was no less than this.

Besides possessing the symbolically destructive Aeonian Flower magic, she also had garden magic, which could only be wielded by a heart dedicated to creation and salvation.

Thousands of soldiers and horses halted here, bathing in the floral fragrance, a surge of emotion welling in their chests.

Only one person.

No one else but the new Lord of Souls could achieve this. After all, everyone had witnessed her usual actions; though her experiments were dangerous, they always returned to the goal of revitalizing the Lands Between.

"Her Majesty still needs us! What are we waiting for? We must make the sea of flowers replace the scarlet earth!"

Edgar mounted his horse and raised his arm in a rallying cry. Thousands responded, and everyone bypassed the garden, marching rapidly towards Fort Gael.

They had seen the future state of Caelid's rot; it had to be realized.

_____

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