Frieren rode Torrent away from the ruins of the Gatefront. Though just a solitary ruined structure, it marked a memorable first large-scale battle. She glanced back the way she came; the soldiers' camp was already nearly out of sight.
If Limgrave was understood as its own country, they were now approaching its true core region. The towering fortress of Stormveil Castle surely concentrated the entire area's strength and resources behind it. She felt uneasy proceeding without scouting ahead first.
The sides of the road were overgrown with weeds, clearly neglected for a long time. It didn't impede Torrent's swift pace; carrying the petite Frieren and the spirit form of Melina was practically light as a feather.
The name "Gatefront," of course, stemmed from its function as an outpost for the actual gate further ahead. Fortunately, there was some distance between the two points, and the battle had concluded quickly enough that news likely hadn't spread.
She tightened her grip on the reins, slowing their pace. Her mana sense had already detected enemies ahead – numerous, including large units.
Stormgate.
It certainly lived up to its reputation. Even from a distance, she could see the heavily guarded entrance manned by Godrick soldiers. Their individual equipment seemed identical to the army at the Gatefront, but the fortifications here were significantly enhanced. There were mobile shield barricades, spike barricades, and elevated positions for archers and crossbowmen, all intently watching the approach. The terrain on both sides narrowed into a bottleneck, making it an unavoidable chokepoint. One or two people might slip around, but a large army would have no choice but to pass through here.
Frieren had no intention of avoiding it. She had come specifically to scout the enemy; simply running away would render the trip pointless.
"Melina, what's the deal with that giant?" Frieren asked, pointing. "Its insides look hollowed out, and it's bound in chains... doesn't seem like a normal soldier."
"They are called Trolls," Melina explained. "Beings burdened by sin..."
She elaborated that the giant creatures' abdomens once housed the eye of the Fell God, an entity symbolized by destructive fire. To contain this vessel, Queen Marika punished the Trolls, transforming them into their current state. The Golden Order essentially used Trolls as slave labor. They were indeed effective combat units; their sheer size could intimidate lesser foes, and a single Troll could match a small squad. This was why the troop deployment at Stormgate itself was relatively light. According to the commanders' plans, Stormgate and the Gatefront were intended as a coordinated defensive line, mutually supportive. They just hadn't expected anyone to break through the first line so quickly.
"However," Melina added, careful to provide objective information so the Tarnished could form her own judgment, "in some regions, those of Troll descent are treated with respect, and some can even wield magic." Opinions differed on such matters.
"I don't understand much about conflicts of faith," Frieren stated plainly. "But if this Fell God of fire is truly evil, then it must be completely eradicated. I have encountered beings of eternal evil, incapable of empathy. Destruction is their only fitting end." Her unpleasant experiences with demons came to mind. If it was an evil god, it should naturally be purged and suppressed. If she ever became Elden Lord, she would deal with such troublemakers decisively; they couldn't be allowed to wreak havoc.
Returning to the present matter, the presence of the Trolls made engaging in battle even more necessary. They were enemies she would undoubtedly face frequently in the future; adapting to them early was crucial. Her decision was made.
"Are you preparing to fight?" Melina asked. "I must remind you, Stormgate is a natural fortress. The enemy holds the terrain advantage. Outside of Stormveil Castle itself, this is likely the most dangerous position."
"I know."
"I understand you are powerful," Melina continued, "but try to avoid serious injury. End it quickly." In reality, she still had no clear measure of Frieren's capabilities, as no opponent thus far had truly tested her limits. Stormgate was heavily defended, incredibly difficult for a single person to breach. It seemed this time, she might finally witness the newcomer Tarnished's true prowess. That was why she offered the caution – if things looked dire, Frieren should beat a hasty retreat.
Instead, she heard her companion contemplating something else entirely:
"If I make too much commotion, it might attract attention from Stormveil Castle. I'll use a different method. It might take a bit longer."
As she finished speaking, Frieren dismissed Torrent. Simultaneously, she cast a powerful Magic Shield enchantment on her Brass Shield. Then, the familiar glow of Farron Flashsword enveloped her staff – Melina had seen its power, its versatility, capable of changing size and length, delivering wide-area damage.
The battle began.
The silver-haired girl simply stood brazenly before the entrance to Stormgate.
The first attack came in the form of arrows, but they were effortlessly deflected by the unassuming Brass Shield. In the next instant, Frieren kicked off the ground, blurring into motion as she dashed forward. Her formidable physical attributes translated into extreme agility. Within moments, she had killed the two foremost Godrick soldiers, her sweeping magic sword shattering the wooden spike barricades.
"Enemy attack! It's an enemy attack—"
"Why didn't the Gatefront warn us?!"
The Godrick soldiers, caught completely off guard, scrambled to reorganize, but the silver-haired girl was already upon them. In this narrow terrain, the faster combatant turns the slower ones into prey. This was now a hunting ground. Farron Flashsword lived up to its name, truly complementing her movements, each swing cutting down a wide swathe of enemies.
Unlike the open plains before the Gatefront, which allowed some preparation time against approaching cavalry, Stormgate heavily relied on advance warning. One reason was its poor sightlines, making it vulnerable to sudden, close-range assaults – exactly what Frieren was now executing, carving through their ranks.
Boom!
A Troll dropped from an overhang above, its massive body impacting the ground with enough force to cause a small tremor. The silver-haired girl leaped nimbly aside, dodging the shockwave. The ordinary Godrick soldiers nearby were less fortunate; they were thrown into the air, landing hard, knocked senseless or even unconscious.
"Idiot! What the hell are you doing?!"
"Watch where you're landing!"
But no one could keep up with Frieren's movements. The enormous Troll now became a giant, slow target. It felt a sharp blade slice across its ankles, instantly lost its balance, and crashed to the ground. Another thunderous collapse, and more soldiers were rendered unconscious beneath its bulk. As they lost consciousness, their last thoughts were likely ones of confusion: when had such a powerful warrior appeared in Limgrave? If the Gatefront hadn't sent word, it must mean they were eliminated silently and swiftly. This person had fought through two major defensive points consecutively and remained unstoppable! The odds looked grim for the defenders of Stormgate.
The battle unfolded predictably. Frieren weaved and dodged through the enemy ranks, relentlessly dominating the soldiers, single-handedly blockading the entire passage.
Melina, watching from a distance, was no longer surprised. It seemed this fight still hadn't pushed the Tarnished to her limits. What truly amazed her, however, was something else: Frieren's fighting style. For a person to master even one combat style in a lifetime was remarkable. Yet Frieren, ostensibly a top-tier mage, possessed such profound warrior skills. Surely, hacking away with a magic greatsword wasn't standard mage practice? It was clear her abilities from beyond the Lands Between were unfathomably deep, far beyond what mere Godrick soldiers could possibly test.
In Melina's eyes, the outcome of the battle for Stormgate was already decided.
…
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