"Are there any other new capabilities for the Spirit Ashes?"
Although Frieren had participated in the entire enhancement process, she actually didn't know much about the specialized field of spirit tuning; this kind of thing depended entirely on talent.
It was Roderika who truly discerned the differences in power among the various Spirit Ashes, though, of course, she had listened to her master's opinions.
"They can now be permanently summoned and remain active. They can acquire Runes on their own to sustain themselves, giving them the ability to be stationed. When not in combat, they will operate with low energy consumption, similar to Hollows."
"Once they receive their master's command, they can transform into a highly organized army."
"Additionally, high-intelligence Spirit Ashes are an exception. The Black Knights and Sorcerer archers can act as intelligent units, and I estimate that with a bit more growth, their strength will be enough to rival heroes."
She elaborated enthusiastically.
The remaining changes weren't as groundbreaking, but they were enough to be called a complete transformation; otherwise, some Spirit Ashes would always be a drag.
Now, the Spirit Calling Bell was equivalent to an elite personal guard.
Frieren was very satisfied with this result. She had previously envied how Margit could assemble a personal guard unit for coordinated actions, swiftly suppressing a demigod, demonstrating complete dominance on the battlefield with an illustrious combat record. No wonder he had caused heroes to bleed rivers; his reputation was well-deserved.
In the battle at the Church of Vows, if it hadn't been for the Carian Knights, the Abyss Watchers, and the Dragon Communion Legion coordinating with her, the fight would have been far more brutal.
Now, the Spirit Ashes could fulfill that role.
The advanced troop types that originally needed to coordinate with her could now be dispatched to engage strong enemies on the main battlefield.
After all, during the war for Leyndell, they would certainly face more powerful enemy troop types. It would be good enough just to withstand their onslaught; it would be difficult to spare forces to fight another coordinated battle with Frieren.
Although the overall strength of the Spirit Ash legion was still weak, there was now a way to solve the problem.
The next significant enhancement would await the technology from the Eternal Dynasty. As long as relevant research materials existed, tracing back to the source wouldn't be an issue. In any case, she was most skilled in this area of magical experimentation and theory; she just needed to proceed step by step.
"Thank you, I've taken up a lot of your time."
As she spoke, Frieren handed over a large sum of Runes as payment. After all this trouble, she was almost broke.
"It's alright, this is my job. Besides, you always give so much."
"There will probably be more things to trouble you with later. After all, the Spirit Ashes need further tuning for different functions, but unfortunately, we're out of materials... There are quite a few Grave Gloveworts if you look for them, but I've hardly encountered any high-grade ones. Could they also be on the Altus Plateau?"
"Don't worry. Just visit more ruins, the older the better. You'll always find materials."
"Then I should probably get going."
Watching the silver-haired girl about to leave, Roderika nodded reluctantly. Although they had been spirit tuning together for so long, they hadn't spoken much. Everyone was still too busy, constantly spurred on by the drastically changing world.
This was especially urgent for a Shardbearer. It was said that Liurnia was already undergoing a ten-year period of rest and recuperation; it was estimated that armament organization would begin in the latter half.
"Wait, your armor parts are all forged." Hewg solemnly handed over a cloth bundle. "This is the longest I've ever worked on a single piece."
"I will take good care of it."
"Mm, I hope this set of armor can become as famous as the armor of other demigods."
Frieren waved to her two companions and then headed to the Roundtable Hold. Within the entire Roundtable Hold, these two were the most trustworthy; the others had their own agendas and weren't necessarily on the same path.
The long period of warmth and safety was over; it was time to return.
She took one last glance at Sir Gideon Ofnir's room and then disappeared from the Roundtable Hold. The atmosphere in the main hall finally relaxed.
Watching the silver-haired girl's figure depart, Ofnir took a deep breath. He had finally seen her off. This farewell... would the next news be of her death, or another victory report?
The clear skies of Liurnia were even clearer than before.
When Frieren arrived at the Academy's Site of Grace after a long absence, she found that the town had expanded by another circle, and the perennial dense fog had thinned out.
"It seems I've been away for some time, though it probably wasn't that long."
For a long-lived species, a difference of a year or two was hardly worth calculating, so she didn't care exactly how much time had passed. As usual, she returned to the Academy to handle accumulated administrative tasks, check on research, and heal Hollows.
Just like always.
No news was the best news. She had been rushing about and toiling for too long. She decided to take this opportunity to station herself at the Academy of Magic and maintain her daily activities. The nobles were also happy about this, as there were always matters that required the Lord's authority to decide.
During this time, the Southern Army's cleanup operation of the entire Liurnia region went smoothly. Occasionally, they would request Frieren's assistance to specifically tackle difficult-to-conquer labyrinths.
For example, the Malefactor's Evergaol, to deal with Adan, Thief of Fire.
His death yielded a precious gift: [Flame of the Fell God], and it was an incantation of which she currently had few in stock.
[One of the incantations that directly demonstrates the power of the Fire Giants, it is one of the "Legendary Incantations."]
[It can throw a roaring ball of fire said to be inhabited by a fell god. The fireball flies slowly towards the target, causing an explosion and then burning the surroundings.]
[This is the incantation stolen by Adan.]
[It is a secret concealed by Agheel, "chief of the watchers."] (Note: The description for Flame of the Fell God in Elden Ring says "It is said that this pyromancy was guarded by the Fire Monks, under an oath of secrecy until the end of time.") I will adjust based on game lore if the provided text is inaccurate for the item. The text says "Chief of the Watchers, Agheel. Adan drops it. The Flame of the Fell God description says "Hidden in Malefactor's Evergaol in Liurnia of the Lakes, dropped by Adan, Thief of Fire." The incantation description talks about the fell god, not explicitly Agheel in this context. I will use the provided text's flavor for now, assuming it's part of the fanfic's interpretation or specific lore element.
[It is said that the fell god still exists within the bodies of the Fire Giants.]
Frieren had countless abilities to release fire, but the evil flame from the Giants seemed to have a superior corrosive power and possessed some special propagation effect. No wonder Queen Marika had been wary of it in the past.
However, after trying it a few times, it wasn't as powerful as legends claimed. If it were truly that strong, Adan, Thief of Fire, wouldn't have lost to her so easily.
The Lands Between was not short of abilities whose nature was terrifying but whose lower limits were dragged down by their users. After a long time, when successors learned them, they often possessed less of their former glory and needed to be slowly restored.
Another small interlude was Melina cautioning that the Giant's Flame was very dangerous and even repellent.
Forget it.
Since that was the case, Frieren could only pretend the Flame of the Fell God didn't exist, but she silently noted that the Giants were guarding treasures, and these cultists were stirring up trouble. Then again, what flame could be stronger than the First Flame?
Additionally, the Cuckoo's Evergaol was dealt with by the army, and the labyrinth ruins indeed dropped a Black Knife Imprint.
Most enemies could be handled by the current strength of the Southern Army. Occasionally, Spirit Ashes were dispatched to assist. There wasn't much need for a demigod to intervene personally.
Therefore, Frieren spent most of her time in the Academy with Sorcerer Sellen, Sorcerer Thops, and the apprentices of life-creating sorcery, researching various kinds of magic. With the help of other Academy sorcerers, she was immersed in an ocean of knowledge every day.
The management of Liurnia entered a period of steady ascent.
Time flew by...
So Frieren's frequency of returning to reality increased significantly.
As her direct disciple's age increased, she was about to enter the golden period for magical studies and research. She had to receive the best possible training to allow Flamme to build a solid foundation.
When she finally graduated and soared, it would be enough to make the demons understand what pain truly meant.
Elf Village Forest.
The spring sunlight was bright, the breeze gentle, and the mountains were covered in lush greenery.
The picturesque scenery was full of tranquil beauty, but not necessarily for the birds and beasts living within. Almost every day, rumbling sounds would come from the depths, often stirring up dust clouds visible even from the forest edge.
Time proved that adaptation would come. Even the most timid sparrows gradually perched calmly on branches, watching, or even ignoring it.
Although they didn't know what was happening, the magical beasts had disappeared, and that was good news.
The beasts that had been wreaking havoc and occupying territories were vanquished one by one, making the area increasingly peaceful. The ecological niches they vacated naturally provided the forest with an opportunity to flourish.
Warehouse outside the village.
A young girl with an orange-red single ponytail dragged over the carcass of a magical beast, shaped like a hippopotamus with thick, tough skin. However, its body was covered in dense fist and kick marks, even wounds that pierced through its body. It had probably died from a powerful beating.
The hunter, Flamme, clapped her hands and threw it to the ground, then skillfully began to break it down into different materials.
Mirialdele, who was acting as a guard at the village entrance, twitched her lips and remarked with a sigh:
"That's quite brutal, not elegant at all."
"Master told me to focus on warrior combat skills and magical theory when I was young. Only a strong physique can accommodate stronger magic," she laughed heartily, full of vigor.
"Frieren just wanted a durable human magic container, didn't she? Ordinary people couldn't withstand her bizarre research."
"And just look at your appearance." The elf took a sip of wine and chuckled. "Claiming to be young—who would believe that? Humans grow up so fast."
Compared to the short, skinny, red-haired little pipsqueak from before, Flamme was now tall and slender, almost as tall as Mirialdele. She was gradually showing feminine curves. Coupled with her constant training, her skin was delicate, her features exquisite, and her bright eyes seemed to see through everything.
Her magical power was also worlds apart. In just a few years, it had been refined to the level of an adult mage, and it was increasing more and more, faster and faster. In terms of sheer magical power, she was second to none.
Moreover, Flamme was mainly learning magical theory; her combat training focused on martial skills.
That was what was terrifying!
If she was already this strong without relying on magic, what would she be like in the future?
As far as Mirialdele knew, whenever Frieren had free time, she would teach new combat techniques to her disciple, such as basic skills like poise and footwork, as well as various practical spells, dozens, even hundreds of them.
You're really teaching her that much? Are you treating your disciple as a living library? And Flamme somehow learned it all.
Facing her master's unreserved teaching, she truly achieved mastery through comprehensive study, integrating the strengths of a hundred schools without creating a jumble. She transformed seemingly disparate powers into her own, becoming a magic warrior before even a full-fledged mage.
Now, Flamme's physical constitution was unfathomably deep. Since she could kill a magical beast bare-handed, one could imagine she was no less than a formidable warrior.
Frieren, on the other hand, continued her long slumbers while researching magic, sometimes sleeping for months.
Well, this master and disciple pair are both ridiculous.
"Speaking of which, the magic she's been bringing back lately is getting more and more exaggerated, like Thops's Barrier."
While sighing, ripples appeared in Mirialdele's hand as she repeatedly tossed a fireball, a self-created training method.
She needed to cultivate proficiency, unlike the monstrous master and disciple who could master things instantly.
Although the barrier wasn't strong enough to deflect physical attacks, combined with a light-distorting wall, it greatly increased a mage's survivability. She had become quite adept with it in daily practice battles.
"Master's unique magic is indeed strong; it suits her very well."
"It's already good for a mage to find a path uniquely suited to them, let alone one so beyond conventional standards."
"In my opinion, Master's magic is no less than that of those ostentatious demon sages. She could even contend with the Seven Sages of Destruction who are above them."
Flamme's eyes shone.
However, Mirialdele listlessly shook her wine gourd, as if asking if she had had too much to drink.
"You ignorant child. Those guys are truly at the pinnacle of the world. No one knows the outcome without a fight. Besides, Frieren's unique magic isn't good at direct combat. The power that arises from her inner self means she's still a step behind those demons who are engrossed in battle."
"Then are there any other similar magics?"
"According to principle, Frieren possesses 'magic that allows her to dream up new magic even in her sleep.' It's said there's also 'magic that knows all magic in the world,' which is Serie's ability."
For example, she herself possessed magic related to alcohol, which also responded to her inner self.
In short, mages who possessed exclusive magic or were proficient in a specific type were already extremely rare, let alone those whose exclusive abilities were also powerful enough—that was too scarce. And it was also common for abilities to be powerful but not suited for direct combat.
For example, types like Serie's or Frieren's required long-term deep cultivation; otherwise, it would be meaningless for an ordinary person to possess such magic.
Because demons had been fighting since the beginning of time, their awakened magic was easily converted into combat power. Therefore, Mirialdele had only one thought about them:
Stay away.
She didn't want to think about anything other than the most basic magic training.
The Elf Village was much more martial than before. People gradually began to train, so she didn't need to venture out herself.
Moreover, the most powerful one, that sleepyhead Frieren, often slumbered in the village. If there was any disturbance, she would wake up immediately. Cooperating with her, they could definitely protect the village.
She was thinking contentedly when she saw Flamme, who had finished dismantling the magical beast materials, looking at her with a teasing expression.
"Kid, what's your problem?"
"Master said that magic emphasizes magical power and imagination, but when considering the broader field of combat, there's another factor: willpower. Or perhaps, spirit. If a person doesn't have an overwhelming spirit, no amount of power can respond."
Mirialdele snorted coldly. "Nonsense. She, who stays in the village all the time, doesn't necessarily have that much willpower..."
Though she said that, she trailed off in the latter half of her sentence. After all, Frieren's performance so far was evident to all. She was just teasing her as a frenemy and, incidentally, establishing her authority with the kid.
As for how effective that was, Flamme's smile said it all.
"Alright, I've had too much wine."
"It's okay, Sister Mirialdele. What I mean is, you made me realize that Master was right. A person also needs to have spirit, to establish willpower. My willpower is to expel the demons and usher in an era for humans."
"What grand pronouncements are you suddenly making?" Halfway through, she raised an eyebrow. "Are you using me as a negative example?"
"Haha."
The red-haired girl's innocent smile made the alcoholic elf unable to hold back. Today, she had to show her sisterly authority and teach the kid a lesson—
In an instant, an astonishing magical power rose from the center of the village, quickly becoming active.
Dark clouds hung low, the daylight was hidden, and even the sunny, breezy great forest prostrated itself under this power. A certain slacking elf had awakened, as if responding with practical action to what magic filled with spirit truly meant!
Lying in bed, Frieren opened her eyes to a familiar ceiling, not the imposing grandeur of a castle, but the style of a small wooden cabin.
"I'm back."
After a yawn, she slowly sat up and looked around:
The bedroom was simple, with a rug, a desk and chair, a huge bookshelf, and research materials piled up haphazardly. The only thing that could be called a touch of life was probably the potted flowers, still swaying beautifully in the wind.
There wasn't much dust on the desktop; Flamme probably came to clean from time to time. After all, no one else could enter without triggering the wards. Even Mirialdele would be blocked by the barrier because, during her slumber, Frieren couldn't be sure if the alcoholic was coming to cause a ruckus. It would be troublesome if her dream of game-like magic was disturbed.
She immediately activated her magic to sense her surroundings.
She even remembered to verify again using methods like looking in a mirror, divination, and stimulating pain.
"This is reality."
An ordinary person might find this baffling, making a mountain out of a molehill. But a hunter who had experienced the dream of Yharnam would consider it necessary, not to mention that she still firmly suppressed the related power of a Great One within her body.
If not for the cursed journey in Yharnam making Frieren detest dream-related abilities, reality would have one more illusionist capable of making people fall into dreams in an instant.
"I heard there's a magic user among the Seven Sages of Destruction who manipulates illusions. I wonder how they compare to a Great One?"
After collecting her thoughts, she began to wash up.
The clear water flowing over her face made her mind even clearer. Then she combed her long silver hair; due to her slow movements, it took a considerable amount of time. However, this rare moment of relaxation was in itself a form of recuperation, much better than waking up in the Academy of Magic to face mountains of documents and seas of meetings.
The Lands Between was too vast; ruling a territory equivalent to two large countries was too busy. Fortunately, she had Melina's help to cope.
As part of the preparations for future exploration of Caelid, she would rest well.
Pushing open the door revealed a lush green shade. Outside the cabin's fence was a small dirt and stone path connecting the various houses in the Elf Village. From time to time, people hunting, cooking, or herding sheep would pass by.
"Good afternoon, Frieren. You slept for a long time."
"Good to see you're well."
The elves greeted her one after another. In this close-knit society where everyone knew each other, the village was like a large family. They knew each other's backgrounds, let alone the village's celebrity.
She didn't rush out of the courtyard but instead trimmed the flowers and plants within, considering it a way to cultivate her mind and body.
A considerable portion of these flowers was catalyzed by plant-based magic. They were perfect as decorations, evergreen throughout the seasons, always bright and beautiful, and wouldn't wither even if untended for a long time.
Although the trimming work was tedious, Frieren did it very carefully. Cleaning the courtyard should be as serious as cleaning a laboratory.
During this time, elves passing by and greeting her also asked some questions about magic. She answered them one by one. The people in the village had finally started paying attention to magic, and there were also warriors who trained. In times of war, having martial arts skills was always safer.
Everything was also normal in her large-scale magical perception.
According to the neighbors, "The defeat in the battle of Northwind Keep made the demons begin to deeply cultivate the occupied territories, preparing for the next general offensive." It was a rare moment of peace now.
What was gratifying was that the Elf Village had finally begun to interact with the outside world, bit by bit.
Although most of the time it was at most some hunting trade, they were no longer completely ignorant of external affairs.
Of course, some people worried about being coveted.
Oh well.
So-called exchange was inherently a two-way street. When a race existed in the world, it had corresponding social relations; it was impossible to be completely self-isolated. Frieren actually had a very open mind about this.
Moreover, the Elf Village already had the ability to protect itself, such as the guest before her:
The red-haired girl who came running waved and called out "Master!" from afar, full of vitality. Her golden-curved figure was even taller, and her beauty couldn't be concealed even by a mage's robe.
She was increasingly blossoming into a young woman. In contrast, Mirialdele walked while tilting her head back to drink, looking as uninterested as usual.
The two stood together, speaking of time's changes and constants. The years flew by, and Frieren was surprisingly moved, just a little. Indeed, witnessing the rapid growth of short-lived species made one clearly feel the passage of time.
To perceive it is to grow old.
This was for a fellow short-lived species. In the eyes of an ordinary elf, it was more like, how did you suddenly undergo such monstrous development!
"You're finally back! Did you feel the magic power on me?" Flamme raised her head and puffed out her chest, smiling. "I've become much stronger."
"Yes. You can now formally learn magic."
"Does the soul magic and life-creating sorcery I've been researching not count?"
Frieren shook her head. "They belong to an immature system still under research. Next, I will teach you combat, survival techniques purely for killing, different from those Academy types or even the half-baked mages active on the battlefields today."
Hearing this, the red-haired girl looked even more expectant. After all, she had personally witnessed the pinnacle of this path: Frieren's famous battle that sealed her legend.
The fusion of various magic and even combat techniques was displayed to the fullest. It was an absolute combat-specialized type, defeating a large demon army single-handedly. The upper limit was terrifyingly high...
"I almost forgot. Master, you probably haven't had lunch yet, right? I happened to bring some ingredients."
She patted the woven basket in the crook of her arm, which was full of wild vegetables, mushrooms, and meat, already preliminarily processed. No wonder she hadn't rushed over immediately upon sensing her awakening; she had been preparing a sumptuous meal.
So thoughtful.
"I also brought you a bottle of good wine."
"Mirialdele, you actually always bring good wine."
As the host, Frieren invited the two into the small wooden cabin. They prepared lunch together, coordinating with tacit understanding.
Although there wasn't much conversation, they had eaten together several times already and were quite familiar with the routine. Washing vegetables, cutting them, and cooking flowed like water, with clear traces of magic involved. Many ingredients simply floated in the air, and by the time they landed, they were already arranged.
Truly integrating magic into life was both a form of training and an attitude.
After a period of busyness.
Different dishes were placed on the table, a dazzling array, steaming hot, with aromas wafting through the air. Some spicy, some sweet scents flowed into their nostrils, making their tongues tingle and prompting them to taste.
With Frieren, seated in the main position, giving the signal to start, everyone began to meticulously enjoy the delicious meal.
Compared to the very beginning, everyone's cooking skills had improved. Who could blame them? When taking care of the child Flamme, they were always criticized for the bad food, so they ended up having to practice intentionally.
"Master, did you gain anything from your slumber this time?"
"There was some anti-magic magic, ice-type magic, and so on... But don't bite off more than you can chew. You should first prepare for the combat magic lessons."
"No, I mean, since you acquire magic through dreams, there must be content to the dreams, right?" the red-haired girl asked curiously. "Like some interesting stories, even if they're disjointed."
Even Mirialdele perked up her ears.
"Alright, speaking of dreams... there was once a Great One who cursed people that after death, they would be trapped in a nightmare within a city called Yharnam, endlessly repeating the last thing they did in life..."
_____
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