Frieren in Danmachi

POV: Ares

"This is so annoying." As we approached the forest, I started feeling an overwhelming discomfort—like something was burning my skin and my insides. It was a painful sensation, but bearable.

I looked back and saw that my men were also enduring the pain. I figured we could keep going.

After a few more minutes, one of the generals spoke up. "I don't know if I can keep going."

We had already ventured deep into the forest, so his hesitation irritated me. "Just hang in there a little longer. It won't take much longer to reach the tree."

"The closer we get, the worse the pain gets. We should turn back," the general retorted.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. "Fine. You can stay here if you want. I'm going on ahead."

"Try to stay calm. Take deep breaths. You're strong. This pain is bearable—just endure it."

"It's like Martinus said. You can take it," I told them, then continued forward.

After walking for a few more minutes, we decided to tie up our horses and proceed on foot. 

'Everyone seems calmer now.' The discomfort had lessened. It seemed the tree's magic had weakened.

I smiled and looked up through the leaves toward the top of the tree.

"Huh?" That's when I saw something.

Something near the top.

My vision isn't the best, so I couldn't make out exactly what it was. But it was glowing—glowing brightly. The light kept growing, becoming immense.

"Shit…" I muttered.

"Go back! Now!"

Realizing the danger, I shouted.

The men looked confused, but they obeyed and began to run.

I looked up through the leaves. Within seconds, that light was almost upon us.

A massive beam. A desperation I'd never felt before overtook me. Time slowed. My heart stopped for a few seconds. "What do I do?" I kept repeating it in my head.

I began hearing screams of despair around me.

They too realized they were a breath away from death.

"What do I do?" Cold sweat ran down my face.

My mouth opened slowly. I was about to say something—

Time returned to its normal speed.

And in an instant, I was swallowed by the light.

Everything turned white.

I didn't feel pain. I didn't hear anything. I was consumed by the light, and my body was reduced to nothing. My consciousness lingered for a moment longer, but that was all that remained.

When the light vanished, everything around us was destroyed.

For miles in all directions, everything had been turned to dust.

I looked toward the tree. Now I could see it clearly, even from kilometers away.

White hair. Cold eyes. An expression that cared for nothing.

'She… woke up.'

A wave of despair consumed me. My body had been destroyed that easily?

How did she wake up and recover all her power so quickly?

But in the end, I won't get any answers.

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POV: Frieren

"..." I was speechless as I stared down coldly. Everything had been destroyed for miles. Nothing remained but barren land—it had become a desert. Ares, his men, their horses… all gone.

I stood there for minutes, breathing slowly, trying to calm myself.

I didn't expect the magic to be this powerful.

This… isn't normal.

I've used this spell many times in the past. It always had immense destructive power—greater than any other magic I know. But not at this level.

Is it because of these strange new abilities I received? Because I can now channel a specific amount of mana into each spell?

34,000… That was too much.

I sighed and flew down to the ground.

I landed near the tree.

That's when I remembered Serie.

I started to worry. What if she had been close to where the spell struck?

I ran to her house—she wasn't there. Sweating cold, I wandered through the village until finally, she appeared.

"Queen!" she shouted. I turned to her and saw her flying while holding the newborn elf's hand.

"Are you okay?" the unnamed elf asked as they approached.

"Yes, I'm fine. I was afraid I had hurt you. I'm glad you're both safe." I sighed in relief.

"Zoltraak, right?" Serie asked, looking at me seriously. "But why did it have such overwhelming power?"

"I don't really know. I think it's because of my new training method."

"This is because of your training method? Are you kidding?"

"I'm serious, Serie. I was just as surprised by the damage I caused."

"The damage to the forest doesn't matter now. It'll recover quickly thanks to the World Tree. I want to know what happened to Ares!"

"He's dead."

"..." Serie was speechless.

"He deserved it," I told her.

"But… isn't this bad?"

"Yes. The other gods will learn of his death. We need to be careful from now on."

"Are you planning to stay here? Why not hide somewhere for now?"

"I'm not leaving. If anyone shows up here, I'll deal with them. I'll kill as many gods as I have to."

"But now that Ares is dead, there's no way to know if he was the one who cursed you."

"If it wasn't him, the person responsible won't take long to show themselves."

I turned and started walking toward Serie's house.

She and the unnamed elf followed me.

Once inside, I threw myself onto the couch and lay down. Serie stood beside me, still staring.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"You still haven't given her a name. I need you to name her so I can start her training."

"Oh, right. I forgot. She seems to be learning fast."

"Yes, newborn elves learn quickly. That's why it's best to start training her as soon as possible."

"Why don't you choose a name?"

"Because you're the queen. You have to do it."

Then, a new message appeared:

[ What name do you wish to give this elf? ]

Do I really have to name every elf I create?

Back then, I wasn't required to give them names.

"Hmmm, how about Lyuu?"

"Seriously? You just took the name 'Ryuu' and changed one letter."

"That's not important. What matters is that now she has a name."

[ The elf's name is now 'Lyuu.' ]

[ Growth bonus applied. ]

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Next Chapters: Chapter 20 - Loki received valuable information. / Chapter 21 - Two important people. / Chapter 22 - A Battlefield.