"Stormhawks in large numbers are very troublesome, Tarnished. We need to get back quickly," Melina warned. "Even the First King's armies struggled against them back in the day."
"Of course."
Frieren summoned Torrent and rode like the wind back towards the battle.
Through her magical senses, she perceived that the two sides had already clashed. Crossbow bolts zipped through the air towards the sky but had little effect. The ordinary soldiers had underestimated the Stormhawks' agility. With each flap of their massive wings, they generated powerful gusts that disrupted formations. While not necessarily lethal, their ability to sow chaos was top-notch, appearing and disappearing like phantoms.
More importantly, the army couldn't focus solely on the aerial threat because a fast-moving detachment led by the Night's Cavalry was probing the flanks, attempting to tear open the formation.
The scene gradually descended into chaos.
"Frontline, hold steady! Rotate with the second reserve unit! Flanks, contract your defense!"
Edgar, remaining calm amidst the danger, issued timely commands, causing the army formation to tighten further. Thanks to their sheer numbers—twenty thousand strong—the enemy couldn't possibly surround them. Faced with an impenetrable wall of shields, the attackers were also finding it difficult.
If it were only ordinary soldiers, it would be manageable, but casualties had already appeared among the enemy assault team – the Black Knife Assassins were reaping their harvest. Night was also the perfect stage for their deadly arts.
Ice Storm!
Meanwhile, the Zamor Ancient Hero took the initiative, pursuing the Night's Cavalry directly. Although unable to catch the mounted warriors, his continuous ranged frost attacks caused significant trouble.
At the army's core, the Abyss Watchers stood guard, protecting the main officers and eliminating any possibility of a decapitation strike.
The interceptors' advantage lay in the quality of their troops. Through constant hit-and-run harassment, they managed to create an opening, charged in to inflict casualties, and then smoothly withdrew under the cover of the Stormhawks, repeating the cycle.
Both sides suffered losses, but the attackers were racking up a significant kill count. They understood one crucial thing: the Southern Army's morale and organization couldn't be overly depleted before reaching Stormveil Castle, or defeat would be certain.
Edgar issued further orders, "First formation forward, advance in sequence! Archers, concentrate all fire on the Stormhawks!"
"Yes, sir!"
They now had to risk maneuvering, unsure if further harassing attacks were coming. Hooves thundered on the earth, mingled with shouts. The light from torches formed a rapidly moving river under the night sky, stretching towards the distance. What should have been a series of minor skirmishes felt unexpectedly earth-shattering.
Elsewhere, Frieren realized the awkwardness of the situation. As she rapidly closed the distance, her Clawmark Seal began to glow. Raising her right arm, she clenched her fist, golden electricity gathering and swirling into a single point. Magic and incantations were two sides of the same coin; it was worth trying. She hadn't used them much since acquiring magic from the Lands Between, but they were convenient for long-range sniping.
Lightning Spear, thrown from afar!
The silver-haired girl swung her arm like a mighty bow drawn taut as a full moon. Crackling lightning transformed into a streak of light, piercing through a Stormhawk. The target stiffened instantly and died, its body shrinking into a smoking heap.
But the reaping wasn't over. As if linked by an invisible current, the Lightning Spear's attack path seemed to bridge the gap in the air, striking again. Several other Stormhawks were caught in the paralyzing shockwave. They had to exert all their strength just to avoid falling. Those unfortunate enough to plummet either died from the impact or were swiftly hacked apart by the soldiers below, unable to resist.
Rapid-fire Lightning Spears!
The death-dealing barrage continued. One spear after another streaked across the night sky, tearing through the darkness. The battlefield fell momentarily silent. Everyone instinctively looked up as the previously dominant aerial predators shrieked and plummeted. Some even exploded spectacularly, a testament to the terrifying power of the magic.
The origin point of the attack was faintly visible, much closer now.
Witnessing this, the leading Night's Cavalry rider's face darkened. He lamented the loss of his comrades; their mission wasn't meant to incur such heavy casualties.
"Time to withdraw! Don't linger! Scatter and leave—"
Before he could finish, Homing Soulmasses buzzed into existence in the air. Even with the inefficient magic from another world, Frieren deployed it.
"Don't think you can escape."
A blanket of fire targeted the assault team. Several elite Leyndell Knights were instantly killed. The Soulmasses were far stronger than before, enhanced by her Soul Magic mastery, possessing incredible piercing power. Ordinary armor offered no protection, often resulting in through-and-through wounds. Many riders simply died sitting upright on their horses, their souls returning to the Erdtree, vanishing one by one.
The Stormhawks had already retreated. Possessing intelligence, they weren't truly tamed; most operated under cooperation, with very few choosing to pledge loyalty to anyone. They didn't fight losing battles. They slipped away, perhaps considering switching allegiance to the new master of Limgrave later – no need to create deep-seated enmity.
"Damn beasts!" the Night's Cavalry cursed aloud.
He had no time for complaints. The pursuing Zamor Ancient Hero finally found an opening, freezing his horse's legs with a blast of ice.
Engage!
With escape impossible, only fighting remained. In the next moment, the two clashed in a flurry of blades.
"Your Golden Dynasty has been decaying for years, why won't you just die already? Isn't it time for a new king? Or is the Grace-Given King hesitant for some reason, unwilling to take the throne?" the Zamor Hero taunted.
"You don't understand the considerations of our Lord."
Regardless, the Night's Cavalry leader no longer had the luxury of commanding. He could only watch helplessly as the Southern Army, their morale surging with Frieren's return, relentlessly pursued and swiftly annihilated his small detachment.
As he pondered, a frost-wreathed curved greatsword sliced through his chest plate, the chilling edge biting deep and infusing his body with cold. He managed to inflict a wound on the Zamor Ancient Hero in return despite his injuries, but ultimately, his strength failed, and he collapsed. It was a profound regret; he would never witness the Grace-Given King's audience with the Elden Ring.
Great Heal.
Golden light emanated from Frieren's hands, enveloping her subordinate.
"My lady, I have fulfilled my duty."
"You did exceptionally well. Let's rest here for tonight. Take some time to recover."
The weary Southern Army needed to recuperate. Hearing the command, Edgar agreed. The twenty thousand soldiers made camp on the spot, halting their march temporarily. The further they challenged the Golden Tree, the more they appreciated its deep-rooted, age-old power. This rapid deployment of Night's Cavalry and Stormhawks for harassment was a prime example. If not for their own sufficient number of powerful individuals, they would have been stretched thin, likely leading to the army's collapse.
Fortunately, they had won the counterattack. The bodies of their enemies transformed into fuel for the Southern Army's aggressive spirit and momentum.
Late into the night, Frieren gathered all high-ranking officers and drew a detailed map of the Stormgate area. Melina contributed as well, helping to reconstruct the terrain as accurately as possible.
"This is how it was when I attacked last time. Use it for reference, but mainly watch out for ambush points."
Edgar nodded in admiration. "This is more than enough, very detailed. There aren't many naturally defensible locations based on the terrain, and major changes are unlikely. We'll capture it and use it as our forward base for the main assault."
Everyone voiced their agreement, opinions unified. Stormhill itself wasn't suitable for a large army's long-term encampment, making the fortified gate the only viable choice—the very gateway to Stormveil Castle. It was predictable that Godrick would dispatch heavy forces to defend this strategic location.
It was bound to be a fierce battle.
Back before the Stormgate defenses.
When the local garrison received the order to withdraw, they were perplexed, looking at each other in confusion. What does this mean?
An officer clarified, "Everyone, abandon the encampments on the plains! Move inside the Stormgate fortifications! Leave no supplies outside! Begin burning and destroying everything immediately!"
He continued, "The enemy numbers twenty thousand and has already annihilated all intercepting units. Therefore, it's our turn to fight a hard battle! Move now!"
"Yes, sir!"
An undeniable tension filled the air. Many soldiers were sweating profusely.
Is it really the Slayer Frieren, returned? Are we going to fight over Stormgate again? Is she that insane? The last assault had wiped out the entire garrison; even from afar, the devastation had been plain to see. This new Tarnished hadn't been around long, yet her reputation was already formidable. Now, even the Night's Cavalry had failed.
If those hero-killers directly under the Grace-Given King couldn't stop her, could they?
"No chatter! Get back to work! Build the defenses! Everyone, stay alert! Don't miss any sign of movement!" an officer on horseback surveyed the area. If anyone showed signs of slacking or fear, the whip would quickly follow, or they might be strung up as an example. How to deal with fear of the enemy? Simple: make them fear their own commanders more than the Tarnished. That made control easier.
But the true commanders understood this was merely a delaying tactic. The primary purpose of these garrison troops now was to screen the movement of reinforcements. Large numbers of conscripts, levied from western Limgrave, were passing through this area en route to Stormveil Castle. They served only one purpose:
Reserves. Cannon fodder.
Defending a castle required vast amounts of manpower, especially to guard every point along the sprawling walls. Elite knights, few in number, couldn't do it alone. They needed bodies to fill the lines, which inevitably led to resistance:
"I don't want to die! I absolutely refuse to go to the Stormveil defense line!"
"I'm too tired... I need a break, please..."
"We can't hold on like this..."
There was no mercy for those who wavered. Depending on the severity, they were executed or punished harshly, silencing any dissent. Under this environment of terror and high pressure, the conscripted forces continuously streamed through Stormgate. Their task was to defend Stormveil's towering walls. Ironically, many conscripting officers saw this as a good thing. The walls are high, the terrain treacherous – you'll be safer there! I almost envy you. They believed the rebels' siege equipment was rudimentary and couldn't possibly breach the greatest fortress of the south. The attack would inevitably fail after a prolonged siege, forcing a retreat.
Apart from the first Elden Lord Godfrey and Malenia, Blade of Miquella, no one had ever truly threatened Stormveil Fortress.
"Urgent report from the front!"
Suddenly, a fast horse arrived, its rider shouting, "Enemy contact imminent! All units prepare! Withdraw fully into the gate! Prepare for battle—"
The announcement initially shocked everyone. So fast? What good did those failed delaying actions do?!
Regardless of their internal cursing, there was no time to dwell. Everyone scrambled into action, frantically crowding and squeezing into the Stormgate fortifications. Fortunately, the place had been heavily reinforced, layered three times inside and out, with temporary structures added, otherwise, it couldn't have accommodated the army.
Meanwhile, on a slope of Stormhill.
Bernahl, drawn by the news, had concealed his presence and was lurking nearby. He often frequented this area to interact with Tarnished and certainly wouldn't miss today's major event. Who would have thought that the novice Tarnished he'd met once before would now be leading thousands against Stormveil Castle? Their brief exchange of skills back at the shack felt unreal now, like a lifetime ago. After receiving intelligence, Bernahl had estimated the army's marching time and come to observe.
With these walls, it should be very difficult to breach, he thought. And when I arrived, the seal on the Crucible Knight(s) had also been broken. There are quite a few strong defenders...
Is that... Margit's presence? He peered towards the inner parts of Stormveil Castle. On the main path leading into it, there was an overwhelmingly powerful presence that couldn't be ignored.
What kind of force could possibly overcome a world-class fortress that had been reinforced multiple times? The current Lands Between couldn't muster the armies seen during the Golden Conquest or The Shattering; those days were history. Bernahl was actually quite pessimistic about this seemingly reckless siege.
However, recalling Frieren's previous feats, he felt he shouldn't jump to conclusions. She wasn't someone bound by common sense. Perhaps she could create a miracle. That was why he had come specifically to watch.
Bang!
A signal flare shot into the sky. The distant scouts had given their final warning, fulfilling their duty. The enemy was upon them. A black, overwhelming tide appeared on the horizon.
The view from Stormhill was clearer. Countless shadows darkened the skyline – winged misbegotten, Stormhawks, and dragons among them, a significant number. It seemed Frieren had gathered nearly every dragon from the Lake Agheel area. Aerial units posed a threat even to high castle walls and had to be watched. However, they showed no interest in Stormgate itself and didn't need to intervene; the real main force was on the ground.
Leading them was the silver-haired girl with her distinctive pointed ears. For caution, Frieren wore the Dancer's Armor protecting her torso and arms, while the lower half remained the Astrologer's Robe. This change from her usual traveling style gave her a more martial and extraordinary appearance.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up, looking towards the distance. A familiar presence? Unfortunately, her line of sight couldn't penetrate the heightened Stormgate fortifications.
So perceptive!
Bernahl, with his keen senses, naturally noticed Frieren had detected something. But soon, the Stormgate defenses began firing their heavy crossbows, and once the battle started, such subtleties were lost in the chaos. The scene became quite intense:
The Southern Army was even larger than anticipated. How did the militarily depleted Weeping Peninsula and eastern Limgrave gather over ten thousand effective soldiers, not just listless conscripts? Based on this core, they had also rallied a huge number of Living Corpses, dragons, misbegotten, demi-humans, trolls, and followers of the Dragon Communion. In terms of sheer racial diversity, the army rivaled those of monarchs from past eras. They fought united under Frieren's banner, yet she didn't possess a fragment of the Elden Ring. In the current Lands Between, this was nothing short of a miracle – conquering thousands through pure power and charisma.
Voom!
The battle opened with an incredibly large-scale area-of-effect spell, and a rare healing type... no, even the Living Corpse targets seemed uplifted and invigorated by it.
The rumors about Soul Magic are true!
Bernahl couldn't help but believe it now; seeing was believing. With his vast experience, he instantly recognized it as a unique, previously unseen school of magic, likely Frieren's own creation. Its effects were remarkable, completely overturning common knowledge. The Carian War, led by Radagon back when he was still a hero, had proven the strategic value of a single top-tier mage – truly an army of one.
Right now, a series of support spells from Frieren bolstered the Southern Army. They had never felt so grounded, their blood boiling, filled with seemingly inexhaustible strength and excitement.
Simultaneously, amid the ringing of bells, Spirit Ashes were summoned one by one, rising from the ground to stand ready – 19 figures in total, enough to block the gate pass.
"Charge!"
Frieren directed the Spirit Ash legion to surge forward as the vanguard. Leading them was Lhutel the Headless, smashing the heavy wooden barricades (cheval de frise) to pieces. This ferocious sight stunned Godrick's soldiers, who hastily attacked.
Voom!
Enhancement magic buffed the spirits – a dual boost targeting both souls and puppets. Thanks to her continuous research, Frieren ensured the Spirit Ashes were sufficiently combat-effective even without a Spirit Tuner.
"Why are they so tough?! I can't break their armor! Bring up heavier weapons, quickly!"
"We need to build another makeshift defense line!"
The Spirit Ashes had already smashed through the obstacles set before the gate. Wood splintered, and the shockwave sent soldiers flying. Amidst the chaos of overturned men and horses, gaps quickly appeared in the formation. Although Godrick's soldiers were forced to abandon their forward defenses, the terrifying impact of the Spirit Ashes demolishing the main barricades persisted. They had charged forward relentlessly, even under a hail of arrows.
Shooting arrows turned out to be inefficient. The Spirit Ashes possessed a degree of immortality, and Frieren's enhancements granted them high resistance to ranged attacks. The defenders realized this and quickly switched to throwing large stones, hoping to overwhelm them with mass. However, Lhutel's shield deflected them, providing an impenetrable defense.
The Southern Army's first massive boulder soared towards the Stormgate ramparts, tracing a graceful parabola.
Boom!
The impact sent shockwaves and debris flying, blooming outwards from the center. The world spun for the defenders caught off guard, and a large number of Godrick's soldiers collapsed. Several were killed instantly by this single blow; the rest scrambled for cover behind fortifications.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Ashes cleared the most obstructive barricades. The Southern Army erupted in cheers, and the main force surged forward, closing the distance.
Only then did the survivors on the walls dare to peek out. They saw Trolls operating giant catapults, loading one massive projectile after another before launching them fiercely. Stones whistled through the air, striking the main walls of Stormgate.
The walls themselves were sturdy enough to hold for days, but no one could guarantee the main gate wouldn't be tested by battering rams. Already, they could feel the ground shaking beneath their feet, the foundations seeming unstable, their hearts pounding...
"Hold the line!"
"Don't worry! You're not expected to defend to the death! Our job is to cover more troops entering Stormveil Castle, then we withdraw!"
"The real decisive battle will be fought on that terrain! Stabilize the defenses for now!"
These reassurances from their commander finally instilled a bit of courage. They steadied themselves. How long this battle lasted depended entirely on how long they could hold. They also represented the army's pre-battle morale; if they collapsed, the consequences would be dire.
"Bring out the ballistae! We counterattack!"
Several strong soldiers strained to push heavy ballistae into position. Lowering the angle as much as possible, they aimed at the approaching enemy and fired devastatingly powerful bolts, each capable of embedding itself deep into stone walls.
At this point, the two sides settled into a ranged duel, exchanging volleys of projectiles. Whistling sounds filled the air, punctuated by frequent bursts of dust and smoke. Some Southern Army soldiers who had charged too far forward were forced to retreat under the heavy fire. Clearly, it wasn't yet time to assault the walls directly. Calmness was required to avoid further losses.
Commanders on both sides understood: this battle wasn't about outright victory, but about achieving their respective goals most cost-effectively. It was a contest of efficiency.
The defenders needed to cover as many conscripts entering Stormveil Castle as possible.
The attackers needed to take Stormgate as quickly and with as few casualties as possible.
They gave it their all.
____
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