The winner had been decided.
"...I am sorry, Lord Brother Miquella."
When the power of the Outer God of Rot dissipated, it was ultimately Malenia who was left with regret. Her broken body burned at a speed visible to the naked eye, though it was not thoroughly destroyed; what remained still had its uses.
In the end, only the same dying words could be heard: "You did well. It is time for us to rest."
Facing death, Miquella showed neither sorrow nor joy. He merely took one last deep look at Frieren, and then allowed his mana and vitality to return to silence.
Farewell.
Only after the two had completely lost their vitality did Frieren breathe a sigh of relief.
She, too, had suffered heavy injuries; after all, forcefully taking the Corruption Goddess's enhanced version of Waterfowl Dance just now had been quite dangerous. However, thanks to her risky move, she had firmly occupied the rhythm of the battle, preventing it from dragging on until it became uncontrollable. Only thus did she win the victory.
Her risk was worth it.
Besides, in the moment immediately following her heavy injury, she had relied on the stealing flames to replenish a portion of her vitality. Now that she was out of combat, there were plenty of ways to recover.
Before Frieren could use Sunlight Heal, the light of a Minor Erdtree had already shone in first.
Immediately following was a string of hurried footsteps. Melina and Ranni walked in, supporting Millicent and Trina respectively. As for the Haligtree Army at the breach outside, they were no longer important. With the Soul Cinder King here, she alone was equivalent to an army of ten thousand.
Even excluding her, the multiple Demigods present were enough to sweep through them once.
"I will strengthen the healing Incantations targeting you."
"It is good that you are fine. To think you actually defeated Malenia in her Outer God form." Ranni said thoughtfully, "The Order of Rot has completely disappeared. The Lands Between does not need this path."
"That is exactly what I thought."
Although Malenia had long abandoned her claim as an Empyrean of the Order, it did not mean she could not possess an Order. Coupled with the support of the Outer God of Rot, she would always be a calamity.
For the Empyrean of the Stars and the Soul Cinder King, who aspired to a new order in the Lands Between, this was an unstable factor.
There was no need for an Order of Rot, just as they had strangled the potential Order of Those Living in Death, the Order of the Fell Curse, and the Order of the Frenzied Flame.
This journey was incidentally to eliminate other competing Orders.
It was over.
After adjusting her breathing slightly to recover a portion of her strength, Frieren instructed: "I have preserved the final life force of Miquella and Malenia. Even for their other halves, absorbing it is equivalent to completion. Make haste; I will guide and preside over it. Melina and Ranni, stand guard."
After speaking, she held the staff with the highest reinforcement in the Lands Between in both hands, actively using mana to link the four people together.
There was no room for hesitation.
Seeing this, Millicent and Trina exchanged a glance and immediately responded to the mana.
They actively accepted Frieren's guidance. Coupled with the connection between a half-body and the main body, they quickly established a link with that final strand of life force.
At the same time, a wisp of the First Flame made it flourish even more.
This was an ingenious move. It could be explained as removing the hidden dangers that the Haligtree Twins might have left behind, or explained as leaving a hidden piece on the board. Necessary checks and balances were indispensable. Interpret it however you wish, but gifts are never free.
The two collected their thoughts and gradually absorbed the life force, and the power of their main bodies began to climb steadily.
Completion!
Use surging pressure reaction returned, and their status rose continuously. Originally, the half-bodies were in a deficit, but now they were constantly transforming and evolving, advancing triumphantly toward the life level of their main bodies.
"There has never been such a case in the Lands Between. Is this not equivalent to a Demigod splitting off a half-body and then being reborn?"
Ranni suddenly realized: "Just like how you, Melina, completed your physical body."
"Correct. The severity of lacking a physical body and the severity of splitting a half-body are about the same. Aside from using Great Runes, that flame of Frieren's is also indispensable."
They witnessed it together.
Sure enough, the silver-haired girl raised her hands, holding a full six Great Runes.
Just now, she had obtained Malenia's Great Rune. Added to the Great Rune Rennala had entrusted to her for safekeeping, as well as the sponsorship from Godrick, Mohg, Radahn, and Rykard, more than half of the Elden Ring belonged to her.
And she herself had obtained the key module [Account Inheritance] that she would eventually get in the previous worlds.
As the name implied, it ensured that other powers integrated perfectly. Back then, if she hadn't relied on the First Flame to suppress the process of transforming into an Ancient God, and used the Ancient God to actively cancel out the burning of the First Flame, Frieren would have been gone long ago.
It was as important as the save function.
The two together constituted the key to a perfect ending, neither could be missing. Now she could mobilize the power of more non-Astrologer accounts.
However, Frieren restrained herself. The urgent task was to guide the new Haligtree Twins.
Great Runes, manifest!
With a thought, a total of six Great Runes fully emerged and merged, piecing together more than half of the Elden Ring. In reality, Miquella also held a Great Rune, but it was too damaged—he had used it too ruthlessly. There was no need to merge it in; the current ones were sufficient.
Light shone upon the Haligtree. Magnificent and supreme power broadcasted outward, sweeping away even the remnants of the Scarlet Rot.
Under the support of the power of Grace, the twins welcomed their rebirth.
Millicent and Trina's life aura and status reaction climbed steadily, finally stabilizing at the level of Demigods. Although a bit weak, it was correct.
Stable.
"Now I will help you sort out your mana. Pay attention, take it slowly."
Frieren continued to display Grace. She didn't expect them to be able to help as combat power immediately, but at least they shouldn't be a hindrance. They had to stabilize their level.
The Haligtree Army outside the breach was already disheartened. Things had developed to this point; did they still not know what had happened? There was no suspense. Not only had the Soul Cinder King won, but she was also going to make those two half-bodies official.
"Have you all considered it?"
Unknown when, Ranni had returned to the breach, asking condescendingly. This sentence conversely dispelled the tension and stirred people's hearts.
"As far as I know, Saint Trina once worked with you for a long time."
She spoke very euphemistically, actually giving them a way out. Hearing this, the group of Haligtree Army soldiers looked at each other, looking left and right. Finally, under Loretta's lead, they laid down their weapons one after another.
Ranni nodded with satisfaction. As long as communication was possible, it was fine.
Melina added: "Her Majesty will bestow Grace upon the Haligtree and hopes that Lady Trina will preside over it. Make your preparations."
It was not asking for an opinion, but a notification. Distinct from Ranni's gentleness, she had to display the majesty of Royal Authority.
With the good cop and bad cop routine, the Haligtree Army wavered even more. Thinking about it carefully, they had to accept.
They had no choice.
Once they showed any sign of continuing to resist, they would be made an example of on the spot and would have to submit anyway. There wasn't much difference, so they might as well not make things difficult for them. Besides, Saint Trina also had claim rights; she wasn't an outsider.
Taking a step back, they could treat it as the internal strife between Miquella and his half-body reaching a surprising result, settled under the leadership of the Soul Cinder King.
Moreover, Millicent's identity was equally persuasive.
Loretta looked around to confirm the attitude, then bowed deeply in Ranni's direction and answered:
"We are willing to submit."
It was smoother than imagined; they didn't encounter any die-hards.
Seeing this, Ranni and Melina exchanged a glance, seeing relief on each other's faces. After all, it was better than starting a war.
They had actively recruited the Haligtree Army according to the plan. In the strategy of besieging Leyndell, Royal Capital, there was no place for them, but they also couldn't be allowed to become an obstacle. Maintaining the status quo was the best result.
It should be over on that side too.
Turning their heads, impressively, the light of the Great Runes was gradually receding, and Grace descended upon the newborn twins.
In the warmth, Millicent opened her eyes first. She looked at her arm in disbelief; it had actually grown back. She no longer needed to maintain a disabled body.
The red-haired swordswoman looked at this divine doctor with surprise and doubt.
Frieren said disapprovingly: "Malenia was originally whole, only infected by Scarlet Rot. Now that the Outer God has been destroyed, the Scarlet Rot in the entire Lands Between is weakening and even disappearing. With me directly healing you, of course you would recover."
"Your swordsmanship will advance further."
Hearing this, Millicent's nose soured. She could only nod with a "Mmh", too excited to speak. If she said too much, she would probably be moved to tears.
The long pain finally welcomed its end. This was a metamorphosis, the result of persistence.
It was even more a gift from a friend. She hadn't expected that a chance encounter in Caelid back then would extend to today. It was unexpected. Back then, everyone joined hands to defeat the Outer God of Rot; today, they drew a period to it.
"...From Caelid to the Haligtree, it truly was long."
"So I wouldn't abandon you, Millicent. You are one of the important witnesses of my journey. We stepped onto the path of becoming Lord together."
Frieren was also in a cheerful mood.
She liked saving the people she met along the way. It didn't even concern benefits; she had no demands, simply doing it for happiness.
This journey regarding the Haligtree was so long, making one feel thoroughly satisfied.
Moreover, this battle was an extension of the war in the Land of Shadow. Since life and death weren't thoroughly decided under the Spiral Tower, a conclusion had to be made. Both Malenia and Miquella had prepared themselves mentally, giving Frieren a thrilling battle.
Even at her current realm, if she had been careless and let the Goddess of Rot catch a flaw, she would likely have had a hard time. It was full of danger.
Glancing at the messages on the ground, sure enough, they were also full of excitement:
[I succeeded]
[Can't beat it, absolutely can't beat it. How can there be such high damage and such fast attacks? I really want to give up]
[Elegant. Indeed designed very well, but don't design it like this next time]
[Don't hesitate anymore. Strike hard with the wheelchair]
[Humanoid BOSS has low poise, can suppress her continuously. At worst, trade health with the Valkyrie. If that fails, learn some monkey tricks to stack buffs. Regardless of the target, go up and finish it with a heavy attack]
[Here is the moment of choice. To help or not help Millicent? But I really want the talisman]
[Fight. Continue to challenge until victory]
[Have successfully memorized the moves. I've even learned to dodge Waterfowl Dance. I am terrifyingly strong now]
[If not for the Unalloyed Gold Needle, I wouldn't want to play the Haligtree map at all. I've forgotten how many times I fell to my death. Also, why are the average stats so high?]
[Hidden strong enemy. Taken down. This is the strength of a Tarnished]
...Sure enough, they were varied, but basically pointed to high difficulty. Whether it was Malenia in swordsman form or the Goddess of Rot form, both were fast and ruthless, posing a considerable threat to Frieren.
It was quite dangerous.
Moreover, she had to constantly guard against the outbreak of the Outer God's Scarlet Rot. It would be difficult to handle if it affected friendly forces, so her concentration had to be highly focused.
Thinking carefully, this counted as another Outer God falling.
The Lands Between under the new Dynasty did not need a messy group of Outer Gods; they would only destroy stability. Although the Order of the Stars was inclusive, it didn't welcome just any trash. A clean-up was needed before the new order stabilized.
While she was pondering, Trina woke up late, a pair of purple eyes shining.
Her body was no longer a broken half, but extended normal limbs from under the petals, looking more like a beautiful woman draped in a violet coat. Clearly, she had completed the completion.
Benefiting from the Godhood status Miquella once possessed, absorbing his half-body allowed her to advance further on a complete foundation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty Frieren."
"We made a promise. It was just a small effort."
"...You are always so free and easy. I am a bit unbelieving even now, that I could actually leave that Garden of Deep Purple prison and return to the Haligtree."
Back then, when Miquella abandoned his half-body, it broke Trina's heart, and she worried even more for her own safety. She feared she would be sealed away forever, just like how Marika sealed the Land of Shadow.
Loneliness over endless years. Aside from the companionship of the Putrescent Knight, who else was there? Would she go mad?
It was terrifying.
But that day, light shone into the bottom of the valley of the Garden of Deep Purple. Frieren had actually found it. This beam of light pierced through the underground, and also pierced from the Land of Shadow to the Haligtree, crossing almost the entire vastness of the Lands Between. Her Majesty kept her promise; she did it.
Trina held Millicent's hand and murmured:
"Actually, I realized your existence a long time ago, but Miquella no longer cared. Now, we are finally reunited."
"That is wonderful. So, should I call you... Elder Sister now?"
"If you are willing."
The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words. However, reminiscing would be saved for later.
Immediately, they nodded to Frieren and walked toward the breach with large strides. There were still important matters to finish.
When Trina and Millicent stood out, one on the left and one on the right, the entire field fell silent. There could be no mistake; every member of the Haligtree Army could feel the intense bloodline aura. They were authentic half-bodies.
It even seemed like a rebirth, a metamorphosis.
Different from the weariness and decay of the Valkyrie Malenia toward the Scarlet Rot, and different from Miquella's divinity and sense of transcendence, the two were more alive, existing vividly.
Trina spoke first: "The war of the Haligtree has ended. We will become the foundation of the new Dynasty's peace."
After her voice fell.
The Haligtree Army, from top to bottom, lost their will to fight and bowed in submission one after another.
They had to react fast and make a decision early, because between the twins walked out a silver-haired girl with long pointed ears wearing a crown. Clearly having fought a great battle, her aura was perfect, appearing unscathed. It was simply exaggerated.
Before the King, there was only submission or death. At this point, it was better to join the new Dynasty.
Frieren's sharp gaze swept around. No one met her eyes. She could feel the submissive hearts knowing their place; no one would jump out.
"According to the agreement, I will grant you Grace."
She raised her hands, holding more than half of the Elden Ring pieced together from a full six Great Runes. Under the gaze of the multitude, she mobilized her mana. In an instant, golden light flew into the clouds, turning into Dewdrops of Grace to scatter over the Haligtree.
It was back.
A scene of the Era of Plenty, comparable to the peak of the Golden Dynasty, reappeared before their eyes. This was the symbol of hope.
_____
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