It possessed both vitality and brute force!
The Wicker Man's all-out attack made Frieren raise an eyebrow. She ceased her kiting tactics, instead condensing a stream of blue light. Comet Azur pierced through the fire tornado and struck the behemoth's head directly.
It had voluntarily exposed its weak point; how could she pass up such a golden opportunity?
The Comet Azur of a Quasi-King sorcerer was terrifyingly powerful. The sheer force of its flight dispersed all the flames before it even hit, subsequently cracking the furnace mask.
The force was so immense that the hill-sized war machine staggered backward and plopped onto the ground.
How frightening!
Instinct warned the Wicker Man that the petite, silver-haired girl was far from simple, possessing an incalculable amount of energy. But a golem built for war knew no retreat. The next moment, it pushed itself off the ground and stood up again.
Frieren didn't rush to press her advantage. Instead, she pointed her staff toward the sky.
"This posture is just right."
A massive, chalk-white dark moon materialized above the Wicker Man's head. It was too late by the time the creature noticed something was amiss and looked up.
The moon, exceeding three meters in diameter, smashed directly into the torch's interior. It was incredibly heavy, a true mass-based attack. Extreme high and low temperatures mingled, unleashing a magnificent change of state.
Steam hissed from the Wicker Man's head as a focal point, then filled the air and fell as raindrops.
It even formed a rainbow that connected to the Ellac River waterfall.
Melina couldn't help but remark, "Even against the same enemy, you always have new moves to test out."
She could tell this dark moon was unusual. As a spell primarily focused on breaking through magic defenses, it logically shouldn't possess such immense mass. It could only be that the caster had performed an extravagant modification.
Inefficient, but effective.
Only the strongest sorcerer could conduct such an experiment.
After this heavy blow, the Wicker Man, having just struggled to its feet, plopped down into a half-kneel once more. The river beneath its feet even stopped flowing for a moment as the boiling flames vaporized the water. But snowflakes were also drifting down from its head—a world of ice and fire.
The drastic temperature change further compromised its structural integrity, and the Wicker Man began to crack and fall apart.
In a sense, Frieren had found a simple and effective method, but it was one that ordinary people could not afford to use. The magic consumption of that last move was not to be underestimated; its current weakened state was well-deserved.
Collapsing Stars.
A casual spell cast at its leg made the Wicker Man lose its balance.
At the end of its rope, it could no longer support its own weight. As it continued to disintegrate, it finally collapsed to the ground, revealing a furnace mask.
But the Wicker Man still struggled, trying to get up.
Dragon-Wounding Slash—
A red blade of energy materialized mid-air and struck the behemoth's face. This was the last straw that broke the camel's back, finally causing the golem to fall with a thunderous crash. At the same time, Frieren rushed forward and aimed her Carian Greatsword at its eye, a critical weak point.
A fierce execution made the Wicker Man's body convulse, and then all signs of life vanished.
The golem that guarded the entrance to the Cerulean Coast had completed its long duty. Now, it was just a pile of rotten bones and wreckage, as black as extinguished embers.
[Greenspill Crystal Tear] has been obtained.
Frieren was pleasantly surprised as she held a new Wondrous Physick ingredient. She hadn't expected it to drop something good, just like the Wicker Man in the Fire-Kissed Ruins:
[Sap from the Shadow Tree, scattered and then pooled at the bottom of a Furnace Golem.]
[A crystal tear formed over a great expanse of time.]
[When mixed in the Flask of Wondrous Physick, it temporarily negates all stamina consumption.]
[The effect disappears after a short time.]
She didn't have many skills that required intense stamina consumption in a short period, unless it was for continuous melee combat. But with an abundance of magic, she rarely needed stamina, so she considered it a collector's item.
After carefully storing it away, the silver-haired girl stretched her back and limbs. It was a decent warm-up after returning to the Lands Between.
"Are there any other records besides the Wicker Man? Since the Crusade Army sent scouts here, they must have gathered some basic information."
"A group of Demi-Humans is active on the Cerulean Coast. Other than that, there are no significant threats."
Melina gave a definitive conclusion after checking her information.
No wonder.
Even in the weak region of Limgrave back then, the Demi-Human forest hadn't caused much destruction. These little guys were too weak to be a major force. The Crusade Army, composed entirely of elite warriors, naturally looked down on them, and over time, the Cerulean Coast became a forsaken land.
Without a strong regional enemy, it garnered no attention. They probably thought a group of Demi-Humans posed no threat.
"So Miquella has all the more reason to hide something here?"
"I think so too. Looking at the entire layout of the Land of Shadow, there are very few places that are both safe and inconspicuous. The Cerulean Coast is a good choice."
"Let's go."
On Torrent's feet, they quickly traversed the river valley. What came into view were countless blue flowers swaying in the wind.
Now they understood what was meant by the Cerulean Coast.
Without seeing it in person, it would be hard to imagine such a vast garden—no, it should be called a sea of flowers intertwined with the ocean, together forming a beautiful horizon, with the sound of waves echoing and a fragrant aroma in the air.
Frieren couldn't help but dismount and touch the flowers, feeling their vibrant life force.
Though rooted in the perilous Land of Shadow, there was always a paradise where life could stand tall and tenacious.
It was a rare sight.
Their very existence symbolized the potential-filled vitality of the Lands Between. Looking at this place alone, one felt no atmosphere of decay; instead, it stirred the heart and inspired a surge of heroic spirit.
"It would be a pity to let such a land remain under seal to rot."
Melina agreed, "Indeed. If the seal isn't broken, the Land of Shadow might be excluded when the world is repaired with the Law of Stars in the future."
"That is precisely our goal. If we can break Miquella's hypnosis attached to the barrier, things will be much easier."
"I really don't understand why it was sealed."
"We should have an answer once we understand the entire ascension ritual."
The truth can never be hidden; it will surface sooner or later. Besides, Frieren's adventurous style wasn't concerned with secrets. Everyone has their own story; what matters is the experience.
Even the Mimic Tear voluntarily emerged from the Spirit Calling Bell, marveling at the beautiful scenery.
"It's a bit less grand than the Mohgwyn Dynasty, but still quite impressive."
"According to the map location Ranni analyzed, the entrance to the Mohgwyn Dynasty shouldn't be far from here..."
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Melina had a flash of inspiration. "Could it be that the Crusade Army's reconnaissance found no traces because they overlooked what was underground? Is it possible that the Cerulean Coast also has a massive subterranean structure? If so, that would be the perfect hiding spot."
Her speculation made her two companions' eyes gleam. Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed possible.
The clue might be the river!
The flow of water might be able to trace an imperceptible difference in elevation.
A vast spiritual power rose up, so immense that both Melina and the Mimic Tear felt a jolt.
The next moment, Frieren spread out her perception.
By sacrificing precision and altitude, she could greatly enhance the range of her spiritual power. This was not difficult for her, as she was skilled in such techniques. She set her target as the surface area of the Cerulean Coast, extending her perception to its maximum scale along the roots of plants and the flow of surface water.
She closed her eyes and immersed her mind, channeling all enhancements into her spiritual senses.
Her two companions stood guard carefully. Although they knew Frieren was powerful, they had to be cautious, especially since spiritual power could easily provoke hostility.
Some Demi-Humans also began to stir restlessly, looking over.
A moment later, the silver-haired girl opened her eyes and said, "There doesn't seem to be any hidden magic on the surface, and I didn't find the Velvet Garden the White Spirit mentioned... On the other hand, the river's flow proves there is an underground space."
"So there's an underground cavern, but where's the entrance? It's best not to force our way in. If we can avoid alerting anyone, we should be careful."
With this conclusion, everyone's confidence grew. After all, it was better than searching for a needle in a haystack.
The Cerulean Coast was quite large. If Miquella was determined to hide something, it would be very difficult to find. Therefore, they had to use the process of elimination to narrow down the area, otherwise, they could be searching forever.
The group moved deeper at a brisk pace.
Suddenly, the Mimic Tear pointed to a huge stone structure not far away.
"Mother, Miss Maiden, do you think that's a boat or a coffin? It looks so strange."
In fact, they had noticed these square, box-like structures earlier. Some did resemble ships, with carved handrails, stairs, and even what could be called a deck... but what kind of ship is made of stone? It was a bit too absurd.
It was hard to say what it was.
Frieren hesitated for a moment and said, "The style looks a bit familiar, but I don't know its specific function. Why would they be scattered there?"
"Isn't it a sarcophagus? The Velvet Garden is at the end of the stream."
Melina's guess was met with agreement from the other two.
They had too few clues, so they could only take it one step at a time, exploring through a mix of deduction and guesswork.
However, Frieren didn't mind this adventurous atmosphere. In the grand scheme of things, every journey was about understanding the Lands Between; there was no rush to get to the bottom of everything. Since they decided to pay attention to the sarcophagi, they would check them one by one.
"ROAR!"
However, the mood-ruining Demi-Humans also roared, expressing their rejection of the guests.
They snarled and brandished their claws menacingly. Dozens of the bolder ones had already surrounded them, and more Demi-Humans were arriving after hearing the commotion.
In their simple minds, the sound of the Wicker Man falling signaled danger, and the newcomers were danger itself. They had to be warned and driven away, or a fight was inevitable.
"You think you're worthy of a yawn?"
Unable to restrain itself, the Mimic Tear casually flung out several Night Comets. They streaked across the sky and hit their targets, instantly exploding like flowers, spattering blood. Logically, a spell emphasizing piercing and stealth shouldn't have this effect; it was purely because the enemies' bodies were too fragile.
The weak Demi-Humans were no match for it; every spell she cast wiped out a swath of them.
They never expected to run into such a tough opponent and fled in terror. However, the other party continued the slaughter, clearly intending to completely wipe out the Cerulean Coast.
Having a demigod perform a cleanup was a bit of an overkill.
Ding-a-ling!
Frieren shook the Spirit Calling Bell, summoning her army of ashes. Though only numbering a little over twenty combat units, their strength was comparable to a personal guard.
"I'll leave the cleanup to you. While you're at it, help me find any possible underground entrances."
It had been a long time since she had used her ash army. The difference now was that the summoner was even stronger than before, so the enhancements bestowed upon her subordinates were superior. Even the weakest living corpse ashes could cut through Demi-Humans like vegetables.
With helpers, the Mimic Tear was happy to focus on the main target:
A Demi-Human Queen roared at the sky and charged from the coast, her eyes locked on the three with murderous intent. She wanted revenge for the fallen Demi-Humans.
"The Lands Between is never short on those who dare to fight."
The silver-haired girl bent her knees slightly and continued her wide-range perception.
"No, Mother. Their brains are just broken; they don't understand the power gap, which is why they dare to challenge a king."
Glintstone Sorcery!
The Demi-Human Queen brandished her staff and released a stream of blue light, but it was met by the Mimic Tear's Carian Retaliation. As it caught the magic, it launched a counterattack—Carian Greatsword!
The sweeping blade of energy sent the opponent flying, leaving a wound deep enough to see bone.
Luckily, it blocked with its staff in time, or it might have been cut in two.
The White Maiden's interest was piqued, her burning gaze fixed on the Demi-Human Queen's staff. It looked to be of good quality, a potential toy. It should be offered to her mother, who loved collecting things.
A Night Mist billowed from her sleeve, blanketing a huge area of the flower fields and concealing all magical reactions.
Crack!
Ice crystals floating within it exploded like sea urchin spines, hidden projectiles growing wantonly in the mist, making the Demi-Humans cry out in pain.
They were reduced to lambs for the slaughter.
In reality, the Mimic Tear had only used a low-intensity Night Mist. To Frieren and Melina's perception, it was practically non-existent. They could clearly watch the Demi-Humans stumbling around in confusion, often running into the ice-crystal spikes and killing themselves, thinking they were being hunted by the enemy.
Only the Demi-Human Queen seemed to sense something, calling out and ordering her subordinates to get away from the mist.
It wasn't that easy.
They soon discovered that the Night Mist was dynamic, pursuing them as they moved. Not only was it large in area, but it also continued to spread, with the floating ice crystals becoming deadly traps. This was a spell the Mimic Tear had developed for large-scale combat, giving it new variations to adapt to different environments.
She had always been worried about lacking means for large-scale battles on a frontal battlefield in the future.
At the very least, she couldn't hold them back. Since Frieren was known for her firepower-first approach, she couldn't fall too far behind, and Night Mist was an experimental spell with good results.
After a moment of wavering, the Demi-Humans even began to trample one another.
On the battlefield, a tight formation without organization can easily lead to chaos and internal casualties from trampling.
The Mimic Tear was directly attacking their discipline.
The already amateurish Demi-Humans were routed, fleeing towards the coast on instinct.
"We can't let them continue to entrench themselves here. Let's finish this in one fell swoop."
With Frieren's command, the squad quickly followed. In reality, there were very few left, just a few slightly stronger Demi-Humans gathered around the Queen. Unfortunately, their fighting spirit was broken, and they only knew to flee.
It was less of a pursuit and more of a herding, until the waves of the sea blocked their path, forcing them to turn and face their pursuers:
Night Shard!
Unrelenting night sorcery enveloped the remaining stragglers!
The Mimic Tear's wide-area version of this spell emphasized penetration even more, so the Demi-Humans' shields were useless.
With a series of cracking sounds, they crumbled. The defensive line of flesh and blood collapsed in an instant. A single wave of magic cut them down like wheat. The targets in the front row fell without a fight, dying instantly.
Some of them were even equipped with shields, short swords, and steel armor.
Having basic equipment made them strong among Demi-Humans, but it was not enough against the queen of the night.
"ROAR!"
The enraged Demi-Human Queen leaped out, condensing a blade on her staff and bringing it down on the White Maiden. The killing intent was palpable, enough to split a heavy cavalryman in two.
But it was met with a crisp clang.
A precise parry made the opponent stumble. However, the Mimic Tear didn't follow up with an execution, instead kicking it away.
She turned her head and gave Frieren a look that sought praise. The latter smiled and nodded, "You've learned."
"Of course."
The Mimic Tear remembered the experience of failing to parry the old Royal Guard at the bottom of the Fire-Rushing Valley and had practiced diligently. Against an enemy of the Demi-Human Queen's level, it was an easy task; the rhythm of the battle was completely under her control.
Unfortunately, its simple brain couldn't comprehend what had happened.
Or perhaps rage had clouded its mind. Right now, the Demi-Human Queen only wanted to kill according to its instincts.
The tall, slender figure dashed forward, raising its staff to gather magic and charging with the full weight of its body. It was an unadorned attack, each step pounding a small crater into the ground.
BAM!
However, it hit nothing but air. The Mimic Tear had moved lightly, simultaneously forming blades of night in both hands and slashing out in a cross pattern.
A perfectly timed jump-slash tore open its chest. Ribs shattered, organs spilled out, and blood flowed freely. The wound seemed shallow, but in reality, night-ice shards had penetrated its entire body.
Frozen from the inside out, it slumped to the ground, motionless, its pupils dilated.
"The Cerulean Coast is clean now."
The Mimic Tear smiled smugly. She had tried new magical variations in this battle, and they had worked well. She was no longer just a pure mage but was moving closer to Frieren's style, fighting with the techniques of a battlemage to minimize her weaknesses.
After confirming the corpse was dealt with, she took the Demi-Human Queen's weapon. It wasn't a staff, but a sword.
"Mother, I've found a spoil of war. Please accept it."
"Thank you."
Frieren had noticed its peculiarity earlier. As expected, it was quite heavy in her hand, unlike the typically light staffs. It was indeed a sword, and one with some history:
Its twisted structure was actually made of glintstone, making it highly compatible with such magic. She had read about it in texts before; Demi-Human Queens used to bestow these upon their sword fighters, but unfortunately, most of them went mad after the Shattering.
[Starlined Sword]
[A sword with fine, unsorted glintstones embedded in its blade, resembling a line of connected stars.]
[The weapon of Demi-Human sword fighters.]
[Upon being granted this sword by their queen, the sword fighters swore an oath—]
[To find the truth at the end of the line of stars.]
[Weapon Skill - Kij's Star-Lined Formation]
Frieren held the sword in one hand and infused it with magic. Recalling the swordsmanship the Demi-Human had displayed, she tried to swing out a blade of energy. As expected, it was brilliant as a star's trail, continuous and unending. Not only that, but there was a follow-up part that even allowed her to leap into the air and then slam down with a slash.
It had a chase-down capability and could quickly break poise, but it lacked power. There were too many other weapons that could serve as alternatives.
To avoid missing any hidden mechanics, she checked the player reviews as usual. The consensus was that it was mostly a "pretty toy," with little practical use—all style and no substance.
Oh well.
Demi-Humans were at the bottom of the hierarchy in the Lands Between and lacked resources, so the weapons they crafted were what they were.
The silver-haired girl gave it a flourish to test it out and then stored it away. Learning the essence of the weapon skill was enough; enriching her repertoire of moves in battle was a small gain.
"Now that it's cleaned up, let's continue."
Without the harassment of the Demi-Humans, the squad could search for traces carefully, not missing any residual magic in the vegetation. After all, Miquella's magical signature was quite unique; if it was present, it would be hard to miss.
Due to the commotion from the previous battle, some wild monsters came to investigate one after another, all of them being put down by the ash army without exception.
There was even a troll among them, but it posed no problem for them.
Frieren focused on her search.
Unfortunately, Miquella had been cautious, and she found no traces. Or perhaps she wasn't close enough?
It was indeed difficult to see through the concealment of a demigod skilled in illusion and hypnosis. The current search area was not large enough; it had to be expanded...
"We can investigate the Southern Nameless Mausoleum."
Melina pointed to a mark on the map. The Crusade Army hadn't investigated much, and the exact locations were few and far between. Fortunately, the mausoleum was one of them. Whether for investigation or collection, she felt that her partner's style would lead her to take a look.
"Alright."
Wandering aimlessly was not a solution; they needed a target. The small mausoleum building on the opposite shore was a good choice.
The group quickly headed towards the coast.
But they didn't go directly there, instead taking a roundabout route to collect things along the way. In the end, there was no need to even run over personally; all the low-level collectibles were automatically picked up and absorbed.
Frieren couldn't help but look disappointed when she checked the treasure map module.
The vast Cerulean Coast had so little to offer?
It was truly remote, and truly poor. Its greatest value was its scenery. In fact, the player comments she checked said the same thing; most found this empty area a bit shabby:
[Like I'm short on these low-level smithing stones?]
[What a lame glow! Ran over just to find a big Grave Glovewort.]
[Gave up on collecting. Decided I'm just gonna have a nice photoshoot here today. Starting up Elden Ring: Fashion Souls edition.]
[Bastard, he's mocking us.]
[Knew it. Scanned the area and found nothing, so the real deal must be underground. Called it, you little punk. Dropping in to wreck your shit now.]
[Actually, the underground is pretty empty too. Ah, whatever.]
The most valuable piece of information was probably the confirmation of an underground space. Frieren had guessed as much based on experience; these things followed a pattern and wouldn't just give you an empty area for no reason. Since the surface was barren, it meant a lot was hidden underground.
But it was indeed a bit disappointing. After wandering around, most of what she found was trivial.
As a king, she no longer lacked these scraps. Smithing stones were now supplied by the Ancient Dragons, and Grave Gloveworts by the Mohgwyn Dynasty. She was not short on either; she had plenty.
Hopefully, there would be something good ahead.
Full of anticipation, the group arrived at the coast. Following the location of the Southern Nameless Mausoleum, they indeed found a cavern entrance.
The Mimic Tear said excitedly, "We've found the underground passage!"
However, Melina threw cold water on her excitement, "It's not that easy. The small temperature difference on the surface indicates a narrow space. This might only lead to that small island."
____
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