Outside the walls of Raya Lucarian Academy.
Frieren stood on high ground, overlooking the dense sea of troops. Banners blotted out the sky, and soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, impossible to count at a glance.
Even larger than the army during the Land of Shadow expedition.
The sheer sight of them gave her a headache, not to mention Melina, who stood beside her, constantly conferring with officers from various units and handing over reports one after another for Frieren's review. It was a double torment.
For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of being overwhelmed by humanity.
Whether living as an elf in her homeland or adventuring across different worlds, she had always experienced vast, sparsely populated lands. Now, The Lands Between showed her a vibrant side.
The world was still prosperous.
The mobilization of such a colossal legion proved the South's recovery was robust and its resources abundant.
Frieren, however, was more concerned with the difficulty of command. How many minds would it take to command such a force? Just as many struggled to grasp her magical talent, she couldn't fathom the generals' gifts for leadership.
Ranni, who stood beside her, added insult to injury:
"A hundred thousand troops have currently assembled."
"...If we were to slightly stretch manpower from various regions, we could arm two hundred thousand for the expeditionary force, which would barely be enough for a siege."
The silver-haired girl rubbed her forehead, sucking in a sharp breath.
Two hundred thousand!
The Lands Between did not inflate numbers like the real world; they were straightforward and accurate. Support troops were not even counted, as every individual was combat-ready and at least minimally armed.
Truly a land brimming with martial prowess and perennial warfare; its armaments were well-stocked.
Frieren had assumed that all industries were withered and the people were suffering. Yet, years of careful management had rapidly revived vast southern lands. Once freed from threats like the Deathborn and walking dead, they burst with vitality. Their foundational strength was immense, their resources deep enough to endure heavy strain.
She looked troubled.
Ranni comforted her, saying:
"Don't worry. Leave the general command to me, and Melina will handle the logistical coordination. You only need to defeat Godfrey."
Hearing this, the silver-haired girl finally let out a sigh of relief.
Both were of the type with deep scholarly roots, possessing millennia of experience.
The Carian Royal Family's elite education spoke for itself; it was undoubtedly among the foremost in The Lands Between. What child wouldn't succeed with such tutelage?
Even Melina, with partially sealed memories, was well-read. During her years assisting Frieren, she had gained practical experience, making this complex dispatch no issue for her.
Moreover, a host of elite and valiant generals cooperated closely.
"Lord Brother has returned." Following the sound, the Holy War Army arrived.
The return of the farthest troops meant that the high command was complete and ready for a meeting. The more complex the deployment, the more meticulous the planning required, for details would decide success or failure.
Moments later.
All the generals gathered together.
The personnel were similar to those during the Land of Shadow expedition, with a few additional individuals. Frieren, seated in the center, solemnly scanned the room. This time, she had also summoned Haight and Trina. The former was familiar with the South's material movements, while the latter was to provide some reference.
Besides her two capable assistants and the Mimic Tear, also present were the Full Moon Queen, the Twin Moon Knight, Messmer, the Undead Legion of Farron, and Florisaxx.
The individuals directly responsible for command were the same as last time: Edgar, Multhir, Gaius, with the addition of Moongrum.
From demigod powerhouses capable of dominating battlefields and deciding victories, to numerous veteran frontline officers rich in command experience, the roster was complete. The talent pool was solid, each one forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
They had either collaborated once in the Land of Shadow or were old acquaintances, requiring no adjustment and able to act immediately.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Frieren nodded, considering the formalities concluded.
"Edgar, you just withdrew from the Altus Plateau. What's the situation up there?"
"The Royal Capital intends to expand its defensive perimeter. Outer defense lines have already been constructed at the former Kingly Alliance battlefield, and they are consolidating resources from outposts and villages across the Altus Plateau. However, I do not believe this is a sign of withdrawal; they certainly wouldn't mind testing the lift's forces first."
Simultaneously, he unrolled a map.
Marked ruins, tunnels, caves, and gaols were strewn across it. Some had been cleared by the Royal Capital forces, while others had been converted into fortresses, appearing as impenetrable bastions.
What a pity that she couldn't go collecting them herself. The Royal Capital had already collected them for Frieren. This only gave her more motivation to conquer Leyndell, for a plethora of unmissable collectibles awaited her.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Royal Capital army will launch small-scale offensives," Edgar asserted.
Messmer concurred:
"A defensive stance suits Morgott's style, not Godfrey's. He will at least try to break through at one location."
Everyone had an answer in their hearts: the lifts were a good choice.
"There remains one other possibility."
Suddenly, Ranni pointed to the map's northernmost tip, an isolated land overseas, connected to the mainland only by a single bridge.
"Whether from the perspective of enhancing combat power or upholding the Golden Order even at the cost of the world's decay, obtaining Malenia's Great Rune is a better choice. Furthermore, the Haligtree just suffered a defeat and is now merely defending based on its terrain advantage."
Whether this terrain advantage would be sufficient against the current Royal Capital forces remained a question.
After speaking, she looked at Trina.
"My opinion is consistent with Princess Ranni's. In fact, that is why I came, hoping Your Majesty could resolve the Haligtree issue first."
Frieren nodded, as this was her exact intention. After all, she had made a promise with the Valkyrie to witness her swordsmanship.
Since Trina could provide intelligence support, they instantly agreed.
Both had decided to bring things to a head.
Ranni continued:
"If that's the case, our itinerary must change, because the Haligtree cannot be defeated by sheer numbers. Sending a select few elites to conquer it would be more reliable, and it would also ensure a standoff with the Royal Capital on the main front."
Meanwhile, Melina traced a new route on the map.
"Through Altus Plateau, proceeding through the Consecrated Snowfield north to the Haligtree. After defeating Malenia and acquiring her Great Rune, we will locate the Forge of the Giants on the Mountaintops of the Giants." She met Frieren's eyes, "That will determine whether our plan can reach its final step."
"Of course, it can."
The silver-haired girl said solemnly:
"The journey through the snowfield is paramount. We hope to accompany you, to walk this path together, which might originally have been your last."
According to the normal plan, the Kindling Maiden should have bid farewell here, as only a deity could accompany the king to the very end.
Now, Frieren's decision seemed like a denial of that very notion.
She would not follow the predetermined path of the past. Instead, she intended for Ranni and Melina to witness her forging a new way, one that would bypass the Erdtree and involve no sacrifices. The strong should have it all.
The two exchanged a look and nodded seriously, their agreement settled.
"Your Majesty, if the Forge of the Giants is not lit in the proper manner, it may not lead to Farum Azula. In that event, I can assist with teleportation," Florisaxx offered.
"It is decided."
With this agreement, they determined the Soul Cinder King's next itinerary.
After the discussion, Frieren asked, with an air of official announcement:
"Are there any objections? If not, this will be my personal marching route. You will be responsible for the remaining Royal Capital war first, and we will rendezvous beneath the walls of Leyndell."
Silence.
Everyone was still reeling from shock, looking at Frieren, Melina, Ranni, Trina, and Florisaxx—five individuals, unbelievable.
A clear path to a decisive battle lay before them.
This journey would involve successively defeating Malenia the Valkyrie, the Fire Giant, Maliketh the Black Blade, and perhaps even a casual spar with Dragonlord Placidusax. It was terrifying.
Any single powerful enemy would require careful consideration before deciding to engage, yet Frieren decided to fight them one by one.
Moreover, winning would not be the end.
She would have to face the Royal Capital army, at the peak of its military strength, after all of this was completed.
Should there be any mishap, all efforts would be in vain. Every battle had to be won, and won beautifully and honorably, to ensure combat strength was consistently maintained.
What gave Frieren such confidence?
"You don't need to worry. In the early stages, you just need to engage in guerrilla warfare on the Altus Plateau, denying Godfrey any opportunity for a breakthrough. Once I arrive, we will formally begin the siege. I will tear open a breach for you, just as I did when attacking the Spiral Tower."
With words spoken to this extent, it would surely make them appear cowardly. The assembled generals all assented, responding:
"We obey."
Frieren's decision was astounding, yet it had to be acknowledged as the best available option, leaving no room for hesitation.
Since her goal was to become the Elden Lord, an easy path was not an option. Hardship would only transform into meritorious service, becoming the solid cornerstone of a new dynasty.
They supported His Majesty's judgment.
Then the rest became much easier, as she would shoulder the entirety of the most difficult part.
Afterward, Frieren shared intelligence about the Prince of Death, the Death Dragon, and Giant-King Yhorm. These opponents also warranted attention, especially the curse-death mist of the first two, which would require targeted countermeasures.
"...The above represents my estimated additional enemies."
Rennala suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, Ranni must have previously mentioned to you that we researched ancient texts. I believe the rumored meteor and beast cast down by the Greater Will have always been present. The Mother of Fingers is one of them, but where is the other?"
Her question was thought-provoking, as everyone instinctively felt that things would not go so smoothly.
The Erdtree had its hidden trump cards.
The Omen brothers who appeared last time were cunning enough; what would emerge this time? In any case, it had to be assumed that additional enemies existed.
"I understand. I will be responsible for vigilance and will handle it."
There's one more thing to note. Now that I think about it, there are many aspects of Radagon that I don't understand. Ranni also finds him strange. Is he truly present? What special connection does he have with Marika?
"—Marika is Radagon."
Melina's startling conclusion stunned everyone present, and the entire meeting room fell into silence.
This was quite offensive. Messmer, at first, couldn't sit still, but then, upon careful thought, he slumped back in confusion. Sometimes people aren't ignorant; they simply choose not to think.
There were no fools among those present, and many had access to countless secrets, often understanding with just a hint.
Indeed.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, some things now made sense.
She continued, "While in the Royal Capital, Frieren and I passed by a statue of Radagon. It was covered by a hazy veil, similar in nature to the seal on my eyes. I was very curious, but unfortunately, there was no time to verify it."
"Now that I think about it, it should be possible to dispel it using the principle of regression. The final form would be a statue of Marika; that would be the premonition."
"Furthermore, my memories vaguely contain images of them alternating within a single body..."
Melina stated her judgment.
"Two sides of the same coin, just like Miquella and I," Trina affirmed, confirming the point. "True gods are capable of such things. In fact, I wanted to tell you that Malenia also separated another self; she is Millicent the swordsman."
The continuous stream of shocking news left everyone in stunned silence, utterly speechless.
There was no need to cite analogies; many demigods were present, confident that with some effort they too could create clones. The principle was similar and should be viable.
"So, Radagon is likely inside the Erdtree? Along with Marika, who the Two Fingers claim was punished for shattering the Elden Ring?"
Frieren's words hit the mark.
She was the cleanest, least implicated, not at all immersed in the complex mix of emotions, and thus made a rational judgment.
Rennala nodded, "That's right. He is loyal to the Golden Order, a devoted subject of the Erdtree, and inherently irreconcilable with Marika, who shattered the Elden Ring. He is destined to be your enemy, Soul Cinder King, and also your enemy, Ranni."
As the most senior person present, she set the tone for the situation.
How could the Full Moon Queen not be moved by the piercing truth? Her heart ached, but was it useful?
It was not.
Now, with the younger generation looking to her, she absolutely could not falter. Rennala, of course, understood the heavy burden of being a monarch. She had to set an example and, more importantly, maintain morale, never showing indecision.
Regardless, she was mentally prepared.
"Your Majesty, you are the true head of the Carian Royal Family. Do not concern yourself with Radagon. If he appears on the opposing side, then defeat him."
Ranni also declared loudly, "Father King treated us very well, but I don't believe the man who later became completely engrossed in the Golden Order is the same person I once knew. Don't mind it, Frieren. In this war, it's not just the Carian family's efforts; the fates of millions are on our shoulders."
The two of them were the first to make their stance clear, setting the tone and steadying the morale within this high-level meeting.
Everyone was implicated through kinship.
Frieren inwardly sighed but offered no retort, merely responding seriously, "Of course, I have a reason to obtain the Elden Ring, and no one can stop me."
Now that the key figures had made their decisions, the rest would be easy.
Everyone avoided the convoluted internal relationships of the Golden Lineage and instead focused on meticulously planning the frontal assault. Since Frieren would be responsible for the other northern front, the Altus Plateau could only be handled by them.
Messmer advocated for conservative action, which was seconded.
In the early phase of Frieren's operation, they would defend with the Magic Academy as their base, as the Golden Dynasty was highly likely to launch probing attacks.
Their frequent troop movements corroborated this; First Lord Godfrey would surely not be satisfied without testing their strength.
The priority was to hold the Volcano and Academy strongholds, then to use superior forces to gradually chip away at the Altus Plateau, all while maintaining contact with Frieren to confirm the plan...
Truly complex.
Halfway through, it went in one ear and out the other for her; she simply memorized it as inert knowledge.
Thus, the meeting, which she could not ignore yet was fraught with headache-inducing problems, continued, becoming one of Frieren's most arduous memories.
____
New Story: FGO: Building a Lostbelt from Scratch, the Winner is Canon
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