First, the loot dropped by the Godrick soldiers.
Frieren waved her staff, using levitation magic to sort and categorize the items one by one, laying them out neatly on the ground – complete sets of equipment.
Armor? Too brittle. She tested it tentatively with a sword and found it couldn't even match her own maxed-out physical resilience. Just because she usually preferred dodging enemy attacks didn't mean she couldn't engage in melee. More accurately, she had yet to encounter an opponent "worthy of making me put down my staff and settle things like a warrior" – such opponents were extremely rare, few and far between.
As for using it on her still-fragile 'mage character'? Unnecessary. Less equip load meant more agility, allowing her to skip investing points in that area. If the difficulty spiked, her 'main capabilities' could always back her up.
The Brass Shield's performance was passable. It could replace the default shield her Astrologer character started with. This marked the first equipment change for her Lands Between persona. Dressed in her mage robes, Frieren held the staff in one hand and the shield in the other, trying a few jumps. It felt comfortable. Even using this 'new character,' handling monsters was feasible; what truly mattered was her own skill.
Beyond that, there were items like the Lordsworn's Greatshield and Lordsworn's Straight Sword. If she really wanted to play as a warrior, she'd use her fully leveled 'main character.' Her current mage build had no need for them. However, adhering to her collection principle, she still selected the best quality example of each item type and stored it away via the Site of Grace, filling up quite a few slots in her inventory as well.
Suddenly, an idea struck Frieren, and she asked, "Melina, from your perspective, does it look like I'm suddenly holding a weapon, and then it just vanishes?"
"Mm," Melina confirmed.
"Isn't that strange?"
"If a warrior holds a fine weapon for a long time, it becomes imbued with Runes. Living beings also contain Runes. When the two assimilate, it's akin to storage. Some powerful individuals can even absorb great axes into their bodies, carrying vast amounts of equipment. So, it's quite normal. See? Weapons also emanate Runes."
Hearing this, Frieren waved the Brass Shield in her hand. It was true. So, was this the in-universe explanation for player inventory mechanics? Or was it something genuinely possible in the Lands Between? Either way, the ability to store items was certainly convenient.
Having finished collecting the spoils from the Godrick soldiers, she turned her attention to the surroundings.
Ahead stood a moving coffer. Intrigued, the silver-haired girl walked up to it. Lifting the lid, she indeed found a weapon inside: a Flail. It was a spiked ball attached to a handle by a chain. She had always steered clear of this weapon type; swinging it around felt awkward and prone to accidental self-injury. Regardless, she stored it away as another piece for her collection. Weapons came in countless varieties, but she only favored staves.
Next, Frieren began inspecting the tents. They contained nothing more than basic supplies like pots, bowls, and torches – nothing special. However, one basement entrance caught her eye. Whenever encountering a narrow, downward-sloping passage, it was crucial to check above first. Therefore, the silver-haired girl raised her Brass Shield and scanned the surroundings carefully. Confirming there were no hidden enemies, she descended the stairs, noting the faint traces of moss underfoot.
"...Not a labyrinth? Just a hidden room, then." Frieren sounded slightly disappointed, her thirst for exploration unquenched. Nevertheless, she tiptoed cautiously towards a treasure chest.
Thump!
Suddenly, she stumbled and dove headfirst right into the chest. Even though it wasn't a mimic, her excessive caution seemed to cause her to trip, tumbling inside as darkness enveloped her view.
"Shall I help?" Melina's voice held a hint of amusement. Accustomed to seeing the Tarnished operate with machine-like precision, she finally witnessed something Frieren wasn't adept at – a classic display of a novice treasure hunter.
"Thank you, no need." Crouching awkwardly, the silver-haired girl extracted herself from the chest.
[Ash of War: Storm Stomp acquired. One of Stormveil's storm skills. Stomp the ground to unleash a shockwave of wind. Swift action, capable of staggering enemies.]
[Item Acquired: Whetstone Knife. Allows application of Ashes of War to weapons. An indispensable item.]
It had been a while since she'd seen descriptive game text like that. Player messages littered the ground nearby, also attesting to the items' importance. Some players seemed quite fond of Storm Stomp's visual flair, apparently valuing the aesthetics of the skill.
Frieren took the opportunity to ask Melina about Ashes of War. The explanation was simple and easy to understand; in reality, many warriors possessed powerful combat skills as well, some rivaling magic when unleashed. She recalled seeing a white phantom on the Gatefront battlefield using the red serpent greatsword's lifesteal ability – likely derived from some Ash of War, probably a unique one.
"Given your fighting style, you probably won't have much need for Ashes of War," Melina commented.
"Actually, I know a thing or two about warrior skills," Frieren replied modestly. "I wouldn't say I'm a complete amateur."
"No need for modesty. Among the many warriors I've seen, you rank near the top. In truth, the lines between vocations aren't so rigid. As long as you have enough Runes to strengthen yourself, any path can be pursued. Would you like to level up now? Using the Runes you just gathered."
"Please."
As usual, she invested points into Vigor and Intelligence. The growth of her new character fed back to Frieren's core self, bringing a faint warmth. Her Astrologer build was making significant progress, which was gratifying. Once this Lands Between character reached the level of a well-rounded 'quality build,' sticking strictly to a mage playstyle wouldn't even matter anymore.
The two left the basement.
Having thoroughly cleaned up the battlefield, she could now safely walk up to a stone stele. The ravages of time and weather hadn't shaken its foundation. The text inscribed upon it was worn but clear, faintly glowing. It depicted a map – specifically, the western region of Limgrave where they currently stood. The map showed beautiful landscapes, vast grasslands, and lush forests, matching the scenery she had witnessed upon emerging from the Chapel of Anticipation.
However, Frieren faced a dilemma: how could she take a map carved onto a stone monument? Make a rubbing? She didn't have the tools.
"Leave it to me," Melina reassured her with a nod. "I will redraw it while ensuring its accuracy. Furthermore, it can integrate with the magic of your Grace, allowing you to mark locations. Then you can quickly confirm nearby fast travel points on the map, making exploration much more convenient."
In that case, best to leave the specialized task to the expert. The one-eyed maiden knelt before the stele and began drawing the map with visible speed and precision. For her, this was a simple task. She was already quite familiar with the Lands Between, possessing a mental outline of its geography. She hadn't collected maps specifically before because she didn't need them herself, and only when combined with a Tarnished's Grace did a map become truly perfect.
While Melina worked, Frieren gazed into the distance. Stormveil Castle stood high upon a cliff, majestic and imposing, grand and magnificent. How many such enormous architectural complexes existed in her own reality? Having spent most of her life in the elf village, her experience was limited, so she couldn't be sure. But she was certain that such buildings represented the distilled essence of a civilization.
"It's beautiful," she murmured. "Truly spectacular. So that's the seat of Limgrave's ruler... it must be the regional capital." In the Lands Between, each map region was practically equivalent to a country; one could even call Stormveil a national capital. Though the castle walls looked immense, she knew they were still a long way from reaching the actual gate.
"Here, take the map." Melina finished her transcription and handed the result to Frieren. "Have you decided where to go next?"
"Let's head towards the base of Stormveil Castle first and take a look."
________
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