"It's been a long time, Mr. Haight."
Whenever Frieren saw the noble's flamboyant gestures and bard-like tone, she found it amusing; it was such a contrast to his serious, diligent core.
On her way, she had already learned that the nobles had evidently managed Limgrave in an orderly fashion, not wasting the foundation she had laid.
This, of course, was pleasing, as it saved her the trouble of dealing with minor details.
"Your Majesty, we have waited for so long."
"It has indeed been some time." The silver-haired girl looked around.
The characteristically pockmarked walls of Stormveil Castle had been repaired, clean and tidy, now exuding a certain majesty.
Banners fluttered, horns were mounted, and sentries stood at attention, saluting.
The largest castle in this part of the land welcomed its master.
"I never imagined you would achieve such great deeds in Liurnia. If only I could have congratulated you in person."
"Unfortunately, Her Majesty never returned. Could the grimoires of Raya Lucaria be that captivating?" Haight joked with a hint of playful resentment.
"Indeed."
Monarch and subject exchanged a smile; no need for lengthy reminiscences, everything was understood without words.
They were old friends.
It was Haight's commission, born from the calamity of the Abyss Watchers, that led to his encounter with Frieren, after which he decisively pledged allegiance, marking the beginning of her campaign.
It had to be admitted, in a way, this choice had changed history.
If it weren't for the responsibility of the nobles who came to her with their entire families, she probably would have remained a traveler, just as in her previous game worlds.
Without deeply participating in the changing eras of the Lands Between, let alone shaping them, she would ultimately have been a mere passerby.
Looking back, Frieren believed she had made the rightest choice.
To truly explore the Lands Between, one couldn't do without helpers.
Even if it meant shouldering responsibilities and dealing with numerous troublesome political affairs, she gladly endured it.
She had indeed grown tired of the adventurous lifestyle of constant travel.
She wanted to encounter more people and events – this desire had been kindled by Melina.
Considering her role as a "Fire Keeper," Melina was rather different, always accompanying the Tarnished and forming bonds.
So, the path of conquest was the right one.
"By the way, I've prepared a small welcoming gift for you all."
Before she finished speaking, Frieren raised her staff, its tip flashing with a light that illuminated the surroundings.
Grace's Blessing.
An incantation from Miriel, Pastor of Vows, it restored the Erdtree's visage from the Age of Abundant Dewdrops.
In her hands, it had undergone improvement: anyone touched by the light felt their fatigue vanish, a surge of power welling within them.
The Great Rune's empowerment had significantly boosted her enhancement magic.
It was truly a supreme treasure containing the very laws of the Lands Between.
"It's the blessing! How many years has it been? It's the Golden Grace!"
"That uncomfortable feeling, the hidden danger of Hollowing, is completely gone! Not only that, even my soul strength is increasing!"
"A miracle of grace that only Lady Frieren can bestow, proof of a new era in the Lands Between!"
Some were even moved to tears of joy.
It was too precious.
For the vast majority of commoners, it was a symbol of hope; as long as the blessing still fluttered, it signified the revival of all things.
She's grown stronger again.
Melina cupped her hands, feeling the energy of the blessing fall upon her spirit form.
As the one most familiar with her partner, she had witnessed the evolution of this magic from beginning to end; the power it contained had increased.
As expected of an exceptionally talented sorceress, any new thing that came into her hands would receive an upgraded version.
It wasn't a rigid imitation of the Erdtree's age; it was a blessing unique to Frieren, filled with solace and gentleness for the soul.
The nobles knelt in salute.
She was no longer an ordinary Shardbearer.
She had even, in part, taken on the power once wielded by Goddess Marika when she bestowed blessings.
It was incredible, yet through the power of the Great Rune and her own improvements, she had managed it.
Soldiers and commoners alike bowed in unison, for the great Soul-Kindling King, and even more, for the hope of the world's revival.
The silver-haired girl smiled faintly. "Well, not bad, right?"
"Praise Her Majesty!"
"You don't need to be so serious. It's just a small welcoming gift. We're old acquaintances, after all."
By elven standards, this period of interaction barely qualified them to be remembered.
But she was increasingly leaning towards the human sense of time.
Haight said with heartfelt emotion, "Your Majesty, without you, I would never have had a place in Stormveil Castle in my entire life, let alone receive the Golden Grace. Your patronage has changed me."
"Haight, without you, I would probably still be a Tarnished disliked by everyone, barked at by every stray dog on the road."
"You must be joking."
From the nobles' perspective, the ambitious Frieren would one day embark on the path of conquest.
Little did they know, her personality detested troublesome affairs; she wouldn't take the initiative.
In the end, she would most likely become a tool for repairing the Elden Ring, without the grandeur of a mighty army.
Given enough time, perhaps she would be forgotten like the first few generations of Undead in the Dark Souls world, silently linking the fire to save the world, unremembered.
Although she didn't care if she left a name or not, trying a different route to clear the game was rather nice.
"Let's talk business. Show me the condition of Stormveil Castle, so I can get a grasp of the deployment situation for Caelid."
"Please, follow me."
Despite saying this, everyone knew Her Majesty was more concerned with the specific population numbers.
After all, the continuous wars in her own world had long taught Frieren a lesson: sustainable productivity was paramount, and the primary factor in productivity was people.
That was why elves could only be content with retaining sovereignty over a small corner, and even demons had to face the endlessly emerging geniuses of humanity.
In her own world, she wasn't worried at all about humans going extinct.
It was the elves who should be worried; if they fell below the reproducible threshold, even a lifespan as long as the heavens would destine them for annihilation.
Therefore, if the elf village was in peril, Frieren would strike hard.
As for human struggles, they could proceed in an orderly fashion.
The silver-haired girl gathered her thoughts and observed the detailed scenery within the castle:
She had already seen the towns and villages outside the city.
When Haight, acting as a guide, led her through the city gates, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a bustling commercial street.
Furthermore, aqueducts were built high up, and trickling streams nourished every corner of the city.
The number of wells had also increased, and there was less of an unpleasant odor in the air.
Some houses even had flower gardens exuding a delicate fragrance.
"It's much more spacious. The fortifications must have been dismantled."
It proved that giving more space within the city walls to maintain productivity was the correct approach.
Arming oneself like a hedgehog was meaningless.
Even if defenses were maxed out, could it defend against itself?
They might as well give up on its military function and honestly develop the economy.
After seeing the map of the Royal Capital in the archives, she had formed an outrageous theory:
Apart from Leyndell, the walls of all other places were mere decorations; they couldn't withstand a sustained demigod assault anyway.
Frieren had anticipated this commercial outcome.
Even after years of not personally visiting the south, she had maintained contact with Haight and other nobles through letters, making plans based on some information from her own world combined with the actual situation.
Who were they trying to defend against by arming themselves to the teeth all the time?
Now that the strategic pressure from the north and south had lessened, Stormveil Castle, situated in the middle, should focus all its efforts on development.
In the future, it would be the primary logistics hub within the controlled area, a secure rear base supplying the front lines.
Therefore, apart from commerce, the most prominent feature was the proliferation of workshops.
The sound of hammering and forging was incessant, and a dazzling array of equipment was on display, constantly being donned by soldiers coming and going.
They frequently exchanged insights among themselves, striving for further improvement.
Haight introduced, "The mining project Your Majesty ordered is in full swing. We've collected some Smithing Stones, which are just right for enhancements."
"How's the craftsmanship?"
"Since Your Majesty has been using the Grafted Blade Greatsword for a long time, it should feel quite good, right?"
"It handles very well. Both its sturdiness and impact force are strong."
"That's right. We've introduced weapons enhanced with grafting technology, using the fusion of quantity to compensate for the quality gap."
What was displayed to Frieren in the workshop warehouse were rows of grafted weapons.
Though bizarre in appearance, they felt sharp enough when weighed and could barely clash with Leyndell's weaponry without shattering on impact.
It was a good line of thought.
They couldn't let the Altus Plateau's advantage in Smithing Stones suppress them too much; otherwise, there would be no fight.
Woosh!
She swung them with such force it created a gust of wind.
Her interest piqued, she tried several grafted weapons.
Even if they couldn't compare to the Grafted Blade Greatsword, they could serve as excellent weapons, perfect for equipping soldiers.
"With such good technical reserves, why weren't they used before?"
An artisan replied, "Your Majesty, you said it yourself, it's technical reserves, far from actual production. Many of the current technical hurdles were actually overcome by magic apprentices. Moreover, our strength has also increased, all thanks to the soul's blessing. Not to mention the systematic processes of forging, mining, testing, and so on. It's vast and precise, requiring at the very least a peaceful city that can integrate southern resources..."
His enthusiastic explanation carried a hint of pride.
The current south was capable of unleashing power akin to a Storm King.
No, even far surpassing it.
Haight and his retinue, listening to the artisan's introduction, also nodded frequently.
Only those truly responsible for execution knew how difficult it was.
Details like sorting ore and transportation had to be managed; none of it could be done if monsters were rampant.
A firm belief in the creativity endowed by peace and stability, rather than constant pursuit of war – this was the difference between Frieren and other Shardbearers.
Or perhaps, she was more warlike, preferring to fight alone, shouldering most of the conflicts herself.
Ordinary Shardbearers would lead great armies on conquests, stirring up trouble.
Afraid of being besieged?
In contrast, Frieren welcomed battles of attrition where she was outnumbered, or successive waves of enemies.
One person, one steed, at most with some unseen friends, and she dared to rampage across half the Lands Between, fighting every enemy she encountered.
Therefore, Stormveil Castle in the rear developed peacefully, leading to new inventions that even the locals hadn't anticipated.
"Additionally, many Tarnished have joined us," Haight introduced. "The Roundtable Hold and the guilds are cooperating well. Thanks to their activity, Those Who Live in Death and other monsters can no longer affect the south. Some have already gone to Caelid."
As he spoke, some old acquaintances and colleagues greeted Frieren.
The south was now undoubtedly the most Tarnished-friendly region.
Everyone cooperated to encircle and suppress monsters, allowing this land to maintain its peace and tranquility.
No wonder.
These days, reports of monster attacks from the south had become increasingly scarce; they had probably been taught a lesson.
What was impressive was that even the bears in the Mistwood had been captured as grafting material.
Indeed, once humans recovered, those creatures stood no chance.
Ser Gideon Ofnir actually didn't cause any trouble.
Well, whatever crafty plans he was hatching could be dealt with later.
At least for now, the two were cooperating tolerably well.
She wouldn't pay too much attention to someone who relied on informants to be active everywhere.
His strength might be at a demigod level, but she couldn't sense any true ambition from that leader of the Roundtable.
When a person lost their spirit and fighting will, they became too boring, especially when the main theme of the Lands Between was the struggle between monarchs.
Let him continue gathering intelligence then.
"Is the research on human grafting stable?"
Under normal circumstances, Frieren wouldn't inquire about this aspect, showing undisguised aversion.
However, the situation was different now.
The main forces were deterring the Grace-Given King and couldn't be easily redeployed.
There weren't many elite units she could command, and they had to be newly created.
The elites were still stationed around the Grand Lift to prevent the Royal Capital's army from heading south, and she shouldn't rely too much on the nobles of a single region.
One shouldn't give the Liurnian faction the impression that she could only rely on them or frequently relied on them; it was detrimental to her rule.
"The research is proceeding very smoothly." Haight patted his chest. "I'll take you to see."
"...Alright."
She actually disliked such scenes, but for the sake of fully understanding the forces under her command, she still took a step forward.
A moment later, they arrived before a stone fortress.
The stench of blood assailed their nostrils.
Even in broad daylight, it gave off an eerie, gloomy feeling.
Stormveil Castle, after this period of management, had become a much more wholesome place, yet this area still retained its murderous aura.
Just as Haight was about to push the door open, Frieren suddenly pushed him aside.
"You all, stay back—"
Before her voice faded, a powerful impact accompanied by a roar burst through the doorframe.
A giant claw slammed onto the ground, dragging a draconic body into view, imposing and extraordinary.
However, with a loud thud, it got stuck.
They stared at each other, an awkward expression on its face.
It wasn't that it couldn't break the doorframe, but it was afraid of collapsing the house; the researchers inside would be in grave danger then.
"My sincerest apologies."
The Earth Dragon, stuck in the doorway, spoke human language, its face even showing a hint of human-like embarrassment as it scratched its temple.
Seeing this, Frieren retracted her mana.
She had almost unleashed a Comet Azur.
How could a mere doorframe block such a large creature?
It had rationally controlled its strength, but that created a new problem.
A muffled sound came from inside: "You idiot, you're blocking the door! How are we supposed to get out?"
"Never mind those minor details! Restrain your mana first, don't further your earthen dragon transformation, or you'll lose control!"
The researchers inside were not alarmed, clearly experienced.
Haight, still shaken, wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Your Majesty, over these years, as the Dragon Communion legion has expanded, cases of earthen dragon transformation have finally appeared. We are currently trying to maintain their normal sanity."
"The strange thing is, so far, there have been transformations, but none have truly gone mad. It's odd."
"I guess I'm holding on because Her Majesty frequently performs soul healing," the Earth Dragon rumbled, its voice muffled.
He enunciated clearly, a simple, honest look on his face.
He even bowed his head in a salute, completely different from the frenzied Earth Dragons elsewhere in the Lands Between.
"You don't mind becoming like this?" Frieren asked.
"Your Majesty, is there ever a safe way to pursue power in this world? From the moment we devoured the dragon hearts, we were prepared. What's wrong with exchanging it for greater strength to fight alongside the army? Taking a step back, thanks to you protecting our souls, everyone can still return to the Erdtree's cycle normally."
"As long as it aligns with your beliefs."
In fact, physical life or death, or a grotesque appearance, wasn't that important to them.
The most crucial thing was the safety of their souls, and now, that worry was gone.
The mighty Soul-Kindling King was most adept at sheltering souls; such a small matter was not worth mentioning.
That was why they acted so boldly.
Facing Margit, however, was an exception; the Fell Omen's Horn would absorb souls.
The next time we meet will be the Battle of Leyndell.
The battle-hardened veterans by then will all be my comrades.
I cannot let them be denied their return to the cycle.
So, I will kill you first.
Watching the antics of the crowd, Frieren made her judgment.
"Your Majesty, as long as there is a stable supply of dragon hearts and more complete incantations, even if we become Earth Dragons, we can still fight. I have made up my mind and sworn an oath; I will follow you to conquer the Lands Between."
"You are very brave. I will not let your courage be in vain."
Simultaneously, Frieren used Soul Healing.
Sure enough, that hint of ferocity in the target vanished.
The effect was immediate. This tactic was viable.
As she pondered, cheers erupted around them, especially as they marveled at the Earth Dragon, examining it from top to bottom.
The subject in question, refreshed and invigorated, threw back its head and laughed heartily.
His name was Fein, already a captain in the Dragon Communion legion, well-known in the army.
He had thought he was done for as his draconic transformation progressed faster and faster, but his soul remained intact.
That, of course, was worth celebrating.
"Your Majesty, I propose the establishment of an Earth Dragon Legion. It would both enhance our combat strength and serve as a sort of placement for Dragon Communion adherents. Imagine, Earth Dragons on the ground and flying dragons in the sky!"
"Rest assured, my current strength is sufficient to fight elite Leyndell knights, and I will become even stronger—" The Earth Dragon's face beamed with delight.
The silver-haired girl stroked her chin thoughtfully.
In everyone's eyes, Her Majesty would most likely agree.
"You're in luck, Captain."
"No more worrying about draconic transformation? Let us fight our way to the Altus Plateau!"
Amidst the soldiers' excited cheers, Frieren hesitated.
Would this make it seem like she was condoning the continuous increase of inhuman monsters?
Was it right?
Sensing her concern, Haight sincerely advised:
"Sometimes, Your Majesty, your moral standards are simply too high. Of course, that's also one of the reasons we follow you. Don't worry about them. In the Lands Between, gaining strength always comes at a price. Compared to the gravest consequence of soul annihilation, physical changes are trivial. Don't feel it's an aberration; this is one of our ways to combat this tragic world. Determination is what matters most."
"...Alright. But don't specifically promote this. Let them develop naturally. I approve."
"Fein, from now on, you are the commander of the Earth Dragon Legion."
"I am honored."
The crowd on site offered thunderous applause.
Regardless, the southern army had produced new results, significantly boosting its combat power.
The Limgrave nobles, led by Haight, had been very anxious recently, directly facing competition from the Liurnian faction, watching them steal the show.
What if they themselves were sidelined and marginalized?
As the original core followers who first submitted to the Soul-Kindling King, they shouldn't have their thunder stolen.
Therefore, the army stationed in Stormveil Castle, from top to bottom, had delved into research, producing many new Dragon Communion adherents, and even cases like Fein's Earth Dragon transformation.
"Can you help let us out now?" a weak voice came from inside the door.
"I'm ready! Push with all your might! I won't break! Even if I do, Her Majesty will—"
Boom!
Suddenly, a powerful force exploded from within the room, forcibly pushing Fein's body out.
Even the massive Earth Dragon plowed a furrow in the ground, sending dust and smoke everywhere, like a sandstorm passing through.
Who had such strength?
It was a Grafted Noble, but unlike the materials from Godrick's era with their spindly limbs, this one possessed a pair of giant bear paws.
No longer hunched over, it stood upright, its posture tall and straight, its mana reaction intense.
"Greetings to Her Majesty."
Kneeling alongside him were various other Grafted Nobles, their grafts including, but not limited to, lobster and crab limbs.
Indeed, they were no longer targeting humans for grafts, and the material performance was even better.
No wonder it could push aside an Earth Dragon.
This was the power of a bear.
Judging from their life force reaction, unlike Godrick's grafting technique which often led to degeneration and madness with too many grafts, their state was more stable.
They could be integrated into the army as soldiers.
Frieren observed them carefully and nodded. "Much more normal than before."
The values cultivated in her own world always made her harbor misgivings about grafting technology.
Now, the modified subjects had been simplified, no longer pursuing a large number of arms, but focusing on strong parts to form coordinated strength.
Their overall performance was more complete than before.
"It is all thanks to Her Majesty's blessing. Otherwise, most of the grafted would go mad, degenerate into monsters, or at best, enter a state of Hollowing."
"I haven't invested much in the grafting project. This is the result of your efforts."
"Because we firmly believe we can witness the throne with you, we will absolutely not hold you back. We want to be Your Majesty's support."
Growing excited, the group eagerly introduced the expansion of the Grafted Nobles.
Although slightly secondary to Dragon Communion, it was sufficient to serve as a special military unit undertaking important tasks.
Their goal was to compete with the Carian Knights.
No, that wasn't enough.
If they were to compare, it had to be with the strongest – the Leyndell Knights, aiming for the top tier of power in the Lands Between.
Their sights had to be set high.
We're coming for you, people of the Royal Capital.
Just you wait and see.
Back then, the last region conquered by the first king's army was also the most severely fragmented.
The king's banner was gone, the former Storm Knights scattered, and it had been occupied by a mediocre Golden Scion for many years...
That was all in the past.
Didn't Godfrey dismantle it precisely because he feared the south would ignite another war?
You were right.
Now, they supported a monarch with an incredibly impressive track record, whose rise was no less than that of the first king, and who was even more compassionate.
Let her ascend the throne and show the world.
An unexpected delight!
Originally, Frieren had come to Limgrave prepared for shortages everywhere, even to the point of having no troops available.
She hadn't expected Stormveil Castle to be managed so well; it had finally caught up in strength.
Besides, the south had a historical accumulation of Dragon Communion and grafting techniques; these were its strengths.
"By the way, where did we get so many materials? I even saw dragon grafts. Are you hunting them?"
"That would be such a pity," Haight said proudly. "We rebuilt the Church of Dragon Communion."
She had glanced at it from afar when clearing the Coastal Cave.
According to Melina, it had long been abandoned.
"I don't know much about it."
She had collected some dragon incantations, but it wasn't important.
Unfortunately, she couldn't use them herself, only collect them.
Frieren's body could no longer accommodate other powers unless you were strong enough and evil enough.
Otherwise, a harmless dragon heart was on the level of a roadside cur; meaningless.
However, Haight now told her new information: "Your Majesty, there is also a Great Church of Dragon Communion in Caelid."
"I understand what you mean. Have the army prepare for an expedition."
_____
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