Facing a basement required utmost caution; narrow, cramped spaces were the most dangerous.
So, Frieren, as always, crouched low, maintaining her magic sense while meticulously checking the stairs step by step, displaying a craftsman's spirit.
In Melina's view, it was largely unnecessary.
The aura response indicated that even if there were monsters, they wouldn't warrant such caution from the Tarnished. It was purely habit, something Frieren seemed to enjoy. Melina had seen similar quirks often enough to be numb to them.
Dust in the basement prompted Frieren to blow a gust of wind with magic.
Clatter!
A treasure chest instantly appeared before her. Nothing else seemed amiss nearby, so she eagerly went to open it.
"It's been a while since I ran into a Mimic."
Amidst these slightly regretful words, she found a strangely shaped shield. Picking it up for closer inspection, she saw a human face carved onto it, with thorns wrapping around the eye section and the shield's edge, giving it an aggressive look.
She weighed it a few times, rolled around on the spot to test mobility, then shook her head.
"Feels inferior to the Brass Shield. Good as a collectible, though."
Besides, her shield skills were mediocre anyway; she typically only used one when protecting others, effectively limiting her own strength voluntarily.
But Frieren's enjoyment never came solely from power levels. The history embedded within a treasure and the story behind it were equally important, holding immense value for understanding every facet of the Lands Between.
[Briar Greatshield]
[A witch, pierced through the eyes by guilty thorns.]
[A shield crafted to commemorate the witch.]
[It is said the witch will be born again in this place.]
[This shield pacifies the soul, boosting Robustness.]
[The thorns upon its surface can also be used to attack.]
Interesting. From a gameplay perspective, finding this alongside the low-Intelligence-requirement Demi-Human Queen's Staff conveniently suited the player – quite well-designed.
However, wielding the Demi-Human Queen's Staff was already quite convenient; she didn't need a shield for now.
She took out the Brass Shield and tapped it against the Briar Greatshield. Their hardness was roughly similar, but the key was that the former felt comfortable to use. The silver-haired girl murmured, "It would be even better if it could be reinforced with Smithing Stones."
"There are master smiths at the Roundtable Hold who can help. However, they haven't accepted new members into the Great Grace for a very long time," Melina advised.
"Let's wait. I don't know enough about fellow Tarnished yet. Roundtable Hold can come later, at least not until I possess a Great Rune."
All told, Frieren had only met three Tarnished connected to the Roundtable Hold. She still lacked intel and shouldn't rashly go to the supposed Great Grace space, independent of the Lands Between.
Didn't expect my partner to have such high standards for herself.
Surely you don't think Roundtable Hold is full of elites like Bernahl? Perhaps it once hosted many experts, but it's not what it once was. After considering, Melina thought it wasn't necessary for now.
Frieren currently had decent resources and didn't need to rely on the Roundtable Hold.
Besides, seeking an audience with the Two Fingers and contacting Sir Gideon Ofnir after obtaining a Great Rune should yield more information.
In Melina's eyes, the silver-haired girl seemed engrossed in observing the shield, admiring her new weapon. In reality, she was reading player comments:
[Briar Shield? Ugly, rejected!]
[Strength is temporary, nerfed in patches, but aesthetics are eternal!]
[Just some early-game equipment, barely usable. The entire Weeping Peninsula starting area doesn't have anything special anyway.]
[Demi-Human Queen's Staff is good though, enough for a mage for a while, especially early on when attribute points are scarce and mostly go into Vigor. Recommend equipping it.]
[Looks decent, usable.]
[Recommend mages go to Caelid's Lake of Rot to pick up the Meteorite Staff.]
[Isn't that a bit early? Actually, you could grind levels and collect items wandering around Liurnia first.]
[Just honestly stay in Weeping Peninsula and Limgrave, loot Runes, do some side quests, build up levels before opening new maps.]
[No no no, bite the bullet and get to Caelid, especially Sellia, Town of Sorcery!]
[Night Comet gets high praise!]
...Everyone had their own opinions. Overall, it gave Frieren some reference points. For example, neighboring Caelid apparently held many good items, wasn't far, and could be visited anytime.
But she disliked apocalyptic wasteland settings. Scarlet Rot didn't sound like anything good; rather than collecting, she should be more concerned with how to cleanse that contamination.
Moreover, it was the territory of Starscourge Radahn, reputedly the strongest demigod. Long-term planning was essential.
Even if he himself wasn't in his right mind, the Redmane Knights were still holding strong.
Actually, from a geopolitical perspective, unifying Limgrave, Caelid, and the Weeping Peninsula into a single rear base of operations, with Liurnia of the Lakes as a natural buffer zone, seemed best – sufficient to defend against the Altus Plateau.
Wait and see.
Exploring surrounding areas could wait. For now, Frieren had to set off again, first tackling the most threatening location on the peninsula: the Evergaol.
She remounted Torrent and left the forest.
At the woodland edge, she encountered civilians who had repeatedly relocated further away to escape the Demi-Human chaos. Seeing the trophy head of the Demi-Human Chieftain and the noble insignia, they finally knew: times had changed.
The implication that the nobles would align with a Tarnished, recognizing her as their ruler, seemed unbelievable to them.
"No, let me clarify," Frieren quickly explained. "I haven't claimed kingship yet. And the Castellan of Morne is currently cooperating with us; it's not submission."
"Doesn't matter! For years, we waited for Godrick's soldiers but only received Your Ladyship!"
"Lady Frieren, please be our queen!"
"Long live—"
Ignoring her detailed explanation entirely, the crowd celebrated exuberantly, thunderous cheers like mountains calling and seas roaring, shaking the deep forest, like a rebirth.
For them, it was also a form of venting. After all, they had been ignored for too long, feeling like abandoned pawns. Now someone had saved them; how could they not shed silent tears? The Demi-Human scourge was finally over.
Moreover, everyone valued the power Frieren displayed. No pomp and ceremony were needed; that invincible, imposing aura itself was proof of her right to rule.
The creatures of the Lands Between were most sensitive to the power of Runes – it was the real deal.
"Then let me offer you some benefits."
The silver-haired girl waved her staff. Enhanced by the new weapon, the still-incomplete soul healing became even stronger, spreading outwards in warm ripples.
Those suffering from Hollowing or on the verge of transformation felt instantly revitalized. The decay was halted, even suspended, improving slightly. Those mildly afflicted directly reverted to normal – a true miracle.
This time, they no longer shouted, only wept with joy, for hope.
Frieren smiled and asked, "I'm heading to the Evergaol in the Weeping Peninsula. Does anyone know the fastest way?"
"I do—"
The forest folk eagerly raised their hands, completely unafraid of the sealed one's fearsome reputation, willing even to follow their monarch to death. After all, as long as the soul returned normally to the Erdtree, they'd still be valiant souls after rebirth.
Compared to danger, everyone preferred to follow the queen who commanded unheard-of soul magic.
What's there to fear? With this miracle, it was enough. In the Lands Between, people didn't fear death, only improper death.
The result was Frieren now being followed by a large contingent of people and horses, a vast and mighty procession.
____
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