Blaidd watched the silver-haired girl's hurried figure disappear into Mistwood.
Anyway, I'll be active in the vicinity for a while; we'll surely meet again. Might as well help Lady Ranni learn more about this peculiar Tarnished. She's bound to stir things up.
The strong usually attract attention.
He silently watched the Spirit Ash squad follow her as well. Running off in such a rush she even forgot to recall her ashes? The implication behind summoning multiple ashes simultaneously was even more terrifying than the act itself – it meant the consumption was so negligible the master could simply ignore it.
What kind of soul strength could support such consumption? How immense! Unfortunately, research into souls wasn't deep in the Lands Between, and Blaidd knew even less.
So, types like Frieren, whose soul seems like a raging fire, are called Lords of Cinder where she comes from?
Aptly named.
Riding swiftly, Frieren reached the edge of Mistwood and continued onward, encountering a collapsed, massive structure.
"Is anyone there? Anyone who can help me—Kenneth Haight?"
The loud shout echoed around, making her instinctively scratch her pointed ears. So this is how you issue commissions? Simple and direct enough. No wonder the nobles' previous bounties were completely ineffective against the Farron Undead Legion.
The silver-haired girl climbed atop the arched structure and saw a man with neatly combed golden hair, dressed in robes made of obviously expensive fabric.
"—O champion who would discard the unreasonable and uphold proper order! O Erdtree, send forth thine emissary!"
"My name is Frieren. The half-wolf Blaidd sent me."
"A Tarnished!"
The nobleman frowned initially, then relaxed.
Doesn't matter if you're Tarnished or not; pragmatism reigns supreme. As long as you can resolve the issue. Besides, Blaidd's endorsement certainly carried weight. He was a major figure associated with the Carian Royal Family, leagues above anyone in this minor region.
"That name sounds familiar... Are you perhaps the 'Funeral Spellblade' Godrick has placed a bounty on?"
"Mm."
Previously, she might have felt a title not reflecting her mage profession was inadequate, but now she couldn't be bothered to explain. Better than being completely unknown.
Hearing this, Kenneth's expression became complex. As a key player immersed in the center of power struggles, he couldn't help but overthink. Why would Blaidd endorse Godrick's enemy? Then this person must possess a strength beyond my comprehension; she can be trusted.
"It's a long story. First, the Knight-Commander sent by Godrick went mad in the fort, causing internal strife. Then, monsters from outside the Lands Between, the Farron Undead Legion, attacked."
He recounted the disasters that had befallen the eastern region in just a few short days.
He even interspersed his tale with weeping and wailing, tearfully recounting his plight, making it sound deeply moving, all while not forgetting to condemn Godrick's soldiers for letting the situation worsen.
Essentially, he was playing the victim.
But to Frieren's ears, it was different information:
Although the opening cinematic of the 'game' depicted widespread suffering, as if few people were left alive, truly engaging with the details of the Lands Between revealed some ordinary people still living resiliently – sparks of light scattered about.
The shattering of the Elden Ring was terrifying, but thanks to the vastness of the Lands Between, the catastrophe was somewhat diluted.
Southernmost Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula could almost be called sanctuaries, truly precious.
As someone aspiring to become Lord, Frieren couldn't allow the destruction to continue. The devastation around the fort had to be stopped.
Protect my Limgrave.
"...In short, that Knight-Commander was extremely obnoxious. Why send such scum to liaise with nobles? A foolish move. Of course, he might have already been killed by the Farron Undead Legion. These monsters like to occupy the fort; they conveniently killed quite a few Misbegotten in the process, which actually gave us a chance to escape."
"I understand the basic situation. Leave it to me."
"Wait, there are actually many of them. Are you going alone?"
"Coincidentally, I have some manpower too."
Frieren pointed below the structure. A squad of Spirit Ashes stood arrayed, led, astonishingly, by a Black Knife Assassin. This combination wasn't just strange; it was utterly unconventional.
"Good luck to you."
At this point, Kenneth couldn't say much more. He was the one who sought help; he had to accommodate her somehow. Rather, someone capable of such heroic feats could no longer be simply categorized as 'Tarnished'; she was a genuine hero.
However, the nobleman absolutely wouldn't make any unnecessary gestures of submission. The Great Rune was still in Godrick's hands; the Shardbearer's legitimacy remained unshakable.
He couldn't help but wonder: if Frieren achieved the great feat of defeating the Farron Undead Legion, would she be strong enough to challenge a demigod?
The Spirit Steed galloped at top speed towards the southernmost point of eastern Limgrave. The journey was quite long.
They simply traveled day and night.
Only by noon the next day did the fortress appear on the distant horizon.
"Let our small squad rest here for a while," she pulled the reins and turned back to Auluo. "I did invite you to ride with me; you could have rested more and recuperated."
"Milady, the exertion of travel is negligible for me. Besides, your important person is already seated on your steed."
Frieren paused slightly, then nodded with a smile.
Fair enough. In the eyes of those who could perceive spirits, the spot behind her on Torrent was a reserved seat.
Melina's inquiry came from behind: "Be extra careful. I sense a strong, frenzied magic there. Even Torrent is afraid. Be cautious."
"I've fought the Farron Undead Legion before. This time, I should be able to restore them to their normal state. Speaking of which, they were originally in a place called Farron Keep, and now they're occupying Fort Haight. They really have a thing for forts, huh?"
Nostalgia hit.
The fierce battle against the first Lord of Cinder was certainly memorable. The still-immature mage had to exhaust every means just to barely win.
What she absolutely didn't miss were the things lurking beneath Farron Keep – that foul-smelling, viscous, cursed land. She never wanted to go back there a second time.
But she suspected something similar definitely existed somewhere in the Lands Between.
ROAR!
Accompanied by heart-stopping snarls, several Godrick Soldiers emerged from the main gate, completely Hollowed and mixed with the power of the Abyss. This combination was indeed rather tricky.
They sought the faint scent of the few remaining living beings and, of course, the Spirit Ashes brimming with souls, growing excited.
"Since you desire battle—"
Frieren gestured, and the Spirit Ash army surged forward as one, clashing with the Hollowed soldiers. Both sides roared, fought, and trampled each other. Although their combat movements were primitive, they lacked no ferocity.
Suddenly, several Misbegotten leaped out from Fort Haight, also emanating the aura of the Abyss. Their large eyes watched with great interest; though devoid of spirit, they stared intently at the two living humans.
"Milady, I will be responsible for thoroughly eliminating them. You need only subdue that Lord of Cinder."
"I never said I could subdue them."
"You will."
Before the words faded, the deathly power of the Black Knife had already obliterated one Misbegotten. Seeing this, the other monsters swarmed forward together. Fierce battle officially erupted at Fort Haight.
____
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