Chapter 70: Snipped 2
"So, you able to repay the favor to him?"
After Master Stroh left, leaving the two of us alone in the garden, Lady Aura asked me this. I felt a sense of relief that I had finally accomplished my goal, but at the same time, there was an odd feeling that I had forgotten something. I was a little late in reacting to her question. Before, Master Stroh would often step in between us, and now I was feeling an increasing sense of embarrassment. Perhaps Lady Aura had noticed that and had been considerate.
"Yes. While I couldn't repay the favor entirely, I did manage to break through that first boulder."
After taking a deep breath, I answered confidently. Repaying Lord Haiter. That had been my goal since I was a child, the reason I lived. It didn't matter if I became a mage or something else. I wanted Lord Haiter to feel at ease, knowing that I could live on my own. Lady Aura had once asked me about it too. She must have remembered. She truly is a kind person. Probably only Lady Aura and the hero's party would refer to Lord Haiter as 'that guy.'
"I see. That's good. He lived far too long for no reason. I wonder how many times he said his goodbyes to me."
"That sounds just like Lord Haiter."
Lady Aura spoke as if reminiscing, perhaps a little exasperated, yet in a way that felt like she was praising me as one would a child. It was true. Lord Haiter lived a long life by human standards, so much so that it was called a peaceful passing. Now that I think about it, when Lady Aura met Lord Haiter, she teased him, asking if he was still alive.
I remembered something else. Yes, I had come here for another reason—to do what I couldn't back then.
"Um, Lady Aura... Thank you very much for all the grimoires you gave me. I only have this one with me now, but I treasure the others at home as well."
As I took out a book from my bag, I expressed my gratitude to Lady Aura. These were words of thanks I had wanted to say for seven years. Even though she had just told me it wasn't necessary, I had to say it. Those books were precious gifts from someone dear to me, a guiding light that had supported me back then. The grimoire about magic that produced a flower field was entrusted to me from Himmel through Lady Aura. And not just that one, she had given me many grimoires.
"You're still carrying that thing around? You must have memorized it by now."
"Yes. Just like you, Lady Aura."
"…You've become quite cheeky, haven't you?"
"I've been training daily, after all."
Lady Aura looked slightly exasperated but widened her eyes at my response. She must have remembered her former self. That's right—now I'm just like the Lady Aura of back then. Even though I've already memorized it, I still carry this one grimoire. Not because of the magic written in it, but because the book itself is important. It was a gift from someone. Lord Haiter would have done the same. That little mischievous thought made me chuckle. Lady Aura sighed deeply in response, clearly exasperated. Traveling with Mistress Frieren would require this much capability, wouldn't it? In that sense, perhaps I have grown.
"Really... now that I think about it, I remember. Didn't I accidentally send you a useless grimoire too?"
"The one with the magic to produce syrup? Yes, but it's fine. Mistress Frieren was delighted…"
Lady Aura suddenly asked, as if recalling something, and I remembered as well. Among the practical grimoires, there was one that was… not useless, but strange. A grimoire about magic that produced syrup. I now understand its utility, but it seems it was indeed a mistake on Lady Aura's part. For Mistress Frieren, however, it was practically a legendary magic. I blurted that out without thinking, but it was already too late. I knew it would be taken as offensive—or at the very least, Lady Aura wouldn't be pleased.
"…Well, whatever. It wasn't mine to begin with, so it doesn't matter."
"..."
Even though she looked visibly displeased, Lady Aura let it pass. It didn't seem like I had hit a sensitive nerve. Now that I think about it, Himmel had collected grimoires in case he ever met Mistress Frieren again. That must have been one of them. Though, that doesn't change the fact that Lady Aura wasn't thrilled about it.
I definitely couldn't tell her that more grimoires had ended up in Mistress Frieren's hands. Or that we even took some from the village library. Maybe I should've been stricter with Mistress Frieren. I should've scolded her.
I suddenly noticed that Lady Aura was staring at the grimoires in my hands. Her gaze seemed to be looking at something—or someone—far away. Seeing her like that reminded me of the significance of this grimoire to me and the magic that produced flower fields.
"But thanks to this magic, I was able to offer blue moon flowers at Lord Haiter's grave. I'm sure he would have been pleased. After all, they're the flowers from his homeland."
It symbolized that I had inherited the blue moon flowers, the flowers of Hero Himmel's and Lord Haiter's homeland. I had even been able to offer a flower crown of those blue moon flowers at Lord Haiter's grave. He always loved those flowers. Whenever Mistress Frieren used that magic on our journey, he and Lord Eisen would run around joyfully. I'm sure Lord Haiter is smiling in heaven now.
"...I suppose so."
Yet Lady Aura looked down, her expression clouded. I had never seen her like this before—so lonely, so fragile. Had I said something that upset her? Or was she mourning Lord Haiter's passing?
"Lady Aura?"
"It's nothing. That drunkard. I'm sure he'd be happier with some alcohol."
"Don't worry, I made sure to offer him some."
"Ah, of course. You didn't miss a thing."
But soon, she was back to her usual self. Perhaps Lady Aura knew Lord Haiter even better than I did. After all, they had once lived together in the holy city. Lord Haiter always fondly recalled how she would scold him for drinking too much. He was such a troublemaker. So I made sure to leave alcohol at his grave. When we lived together, he had already cut back on drinking, so now he's probably enjoying it in heaven. After all, alcohol is the best medicine. Maybe it's even the reason Lord Haiter lived so long.
"And? Did that elf make it in time to see him before he died?"
Lady Aura asked casually, as if it were nothing important. Given the flow of the conversation, the question felt natural. I hadn't mentioned it, but maybe I was overthinking things. Unlike before with the magic book, she didn't seem upset.
"Yes. Mistress Frieren and I were there with him."
"…So she really is a grim reaper, huh?"
"Eh…?"
Lady Aura muttered something incomprehensible, almost as if talking to herself. A grim reaper? Why would Mistress Frieren be called that? Well, to demons, Mistress Frieren, a mage who specializes in demon slaying, might indeed seem like a reaper.
"It's nothing. That reminds me, I've been meaning to ask you something since you arrived."
Ignoring my confusion, Lady Aura suddenly turned serious. I straightened up instinctively. The atmosphere was different from before, and I could tell this wasn't going to be a casual conversation. But I had no idea what it could be about.
"Fern, would you like to live here?"
It was a proposal I had never imagined. Completely unexpected.
"Me…? In Freesia?"
All I could do was ask in shock, trying to digest the meaning of those words and the proposal. Had I misheard?
"Yes. The Solitär incident was an exception, but this is originally a peaceful country. It's safer here than in most nations. It won't turn into chaos like the southern countries."
But I hadn't misheard. Lady Aura was indeed inviting me to live here, in Freesia, her country.
This was the way of the demon nation, Freesia. I understand that the incident with Lady Solitaire was an exception. Here, all residents are forbidden from using violence, through doctrine, through blessings. Those who break that law are judged by Lady Aura of the Scale. There are no exceptions. As long as that law is upheld, there's probably no safer place in the world. No nation near Freesia would dare to attack a country backed by demons. It wouldn't turn into the chaos seen in the southern countries. Lady Aura probably knew that I had lost my homeland and family in the war.
"And we're also conducting magical research here. Humans and demons working together. Right now, we're focusing on analyzing flight magic. If humans could use it like demons, it would revolutionize human society. The Magic Association is showing interest as well. There's even talk of joint research soon. That's why we need not just demons, but also talented human mages."
Lady Aura continued on like that. It was a story about the development of Freesia. It was a grand story for mages, no, for humanity.
Humans and demons researching magic together—something that could only happen here in Freesia.
What would happen if humanity could use flight magic as naturally as walking, just like demons? Even I, who am not well-versed in world affairs, understand how great an achievement that would be. It would likely change the very way the world functions. The fact that this person can see so far into the future… truly, they must be the King of Demons. And they think that I, too, can contribute to this. Maybe they really do believe I have the genius they mentioned earlier.
"And then, there's mental magic… especially research into magic that can suppress or transform the desires of demons. It's meant as a replacement for my own magic. If that can be accomplished, my burden will lessen, and even if I die, the country won't collapse immediately."
This newly revealed research was also beyond my imagination. It was, in essence, a consideration for Freesia after Lady Aura is gone. No, it was thinking about the future of demons hundreds, even thousands of years from now. No ordinary demon would ever think such a thing. Mistress Frieren and books had taught me as much: demons do not consider what happens after their own death, much less the replacement of their magic. For demons, magic is their pride, their very soul. So, what kind of being is this person? Perhaps they exist beyond the realm of humans and demons.
And yet, I find myself drawn to that proposal. Yes, because it represents the true form of magic—not just for fighting, but for helping others. Mistress Frieren once said the same thing.
"Magic isn't only for fighting, you know. Do you really want to be a mage who only specializes in combat, Fern?"
"It's much more convenient to know a variety of magic. It's useful for everyday life, and above all, it's fun."
Magic not meant for fighting—magic that demons would consider trivial or worthless. But that kind of magic enriches people's lives and hearts. Mistress Frieren loved that kind of magic, too. Perhaps here, it would be possible to create such magic. Perhaps it could even spread. It would be a step toward a world where everyone can use magic, like something out of a fairy tale.
"More than anything, Fern, you've known us demons since you were little. Soon, there will be human children born who have always lived with demons. And vice versa. They're called the second generation here, but… many problems are sure to arise. If left unchecked, it could tear the country apart."
Then, Lady Aura speaks of another grand dream—human-demon coexistence. It is the reason Freesia exists. A dream far more difficult than the advancement of magic. I'm sure this person understands the endless hardships that lie ahead. They see it clearly. It's beyond what I can grasp, but I know it's something wonderful. After all, it was the dream of the hero who is no longer with us.
"That's why I need people who understand both humans and demons. Could you lend me your strength?"
Lady Aura asks for my help. To put it plainly, it's an overwhelming honor. Surely, I won't be of much use. But to Lady Aura, it's different—more than that.
"…I've said some complicated things, but in short, I want us to live together like we did seven years ago. I'm sure Linie would be happy."
Lady Aura speaks plainly, as if revealing her true feelings. I can tell it's not a lie, even without magic like Lady Aura's. Truly, it's something she might not have said if it weren't true. But she chose to tell me, just like she did with Master Himmel. Words don't reach others unless they're spoken. Whether human or demon, that remains the same. I've learned the meaning and value of that.
"Thank you, Lady Aura. I… I'm truly happy."
So, I answer honestly, without any lies or deceit, speaking from my heart, expressing my gratitude. But still…
"But… I'm sorry. I'm still on my journey."
I can't give the answer she seeks. I am still in the middle of my journey. If not for that, I would surely have stayed here. It would have been the life I dreamed of as a child. Even so…
"—Because I am Mistress Frieren's apprentice."
I am Mistress Frieren's apprentice now. A clumsy teacher, always needing my help. But she cares for me just as much as I care for her. A second mother, in a way. Even if the time seems short for her, I want to live by her side a little longer. That is my wish for now.
"I see… then it can't be helped. When you grow tired of it, come back anytime."
Even as I give what might be considered an impolite response, Lady Aura shows no sign of being upset. In fact, it's as if she expected this. Was it my imagination, or did she smile a little? Perhaps Lady Aura knew this would happen all along, yet still chose to ask. But why?
"Yes. Besides, unlike you, Lady Aura, Mistress Frieren needs me to take care of her."
"…Is she really okay?"
"I'm used to it by now. So, when I return from my journey, if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I think I finally understand why you're not like other children… Well, fine. I've repaid my obligation. Or should I say it's become a favor?"
Without waiting for a response, Lady Aura reveals another truth. Though she's gotten better at understanding us, Mistress Frieren still struggles with human emotions. Lord Eisen asked me to stay with her. At least until this journey is over, I must remain by her side. Lord Haiter's journey took ten years. Ours will probably take just as long. Even after that, I'll need to keep a close rein on her. Otherwise, it might be fifty more years before we see her again.
So, when this journey ends, if Lady Aura still needs me, I will gladly return to this place.
The words Lady Aura let slip—about repaying a favor—I haven't repaid Lord Haiter or Lady Aura yet…
"By the way, what's the goal of your journey? Is it that elf's pointless magic collection?"
The atmosphere shifts back to the usual, and Lady Aura asks her typical question. I suppose I hadn't mentioned it yet. At first, it was indeed a pointless magic collection, but now…
"No, we are heading to the land where souls rest, called Aureole…"
That is the purpose of our journey, as given to us by Lord Haiter and Lord Eisen: to go to heaven. As I wonder how to explain this to Lady Aura…
"…Oh, right. That priest wouldn't keep such a thing from that elf."
Lady Aura mutters with a somewhat gloomy expression, resting her chin on her hand. That's when I realize—Lady Aura already knows.
"Did Lord Haiter tell you as well, Lady Aura?"
"He told me the same thing… It was the night you learned the flower field magic. I turned him down, though."
So Lord Haiter did speak to her. Of course he did. Even though I've only read about it in journals or heard about it from others, there's no doubt what that place means to Lady Aura. It would be impossible for Lord Haiter to withhold such information from her or Mistress Frieren. But it seems Lady Aura declined. The reason must be…
"Is it because… you don't believe in heaven?"
I asked hesitantly if she rejected it because she didn't believe in heaven. It's only natural for us who believe in the goddess to think that way, but for Lady Aura, a demon, it might be different. Many humans also believe that there is nothing after death. I suppose it's not surprising. But…
"Yes… I don't believe in heaven, but I do believe there's a place where souls rest."
"What?"
That wasn't the answer I expected. No, Lady Aura doesn't believe in heaven. But she does believe in the land of souls, Aureole. Why?
"If that elf's priest researched it and passed the information on, it must be true. The writings of Great Mage Flamme, Frieren's teacher, are another reason."
It was because Lady Aura trusts Lord Haiter. More than the goddess or heaven, she believes in Lord Haiter. That made me happy, too. But now, I understood even less why she turned down his request. Why Lady Aura refused to go to the land of resting souls, Aureole.
"Lady Aura… Do you not want to meet them again?"
I gathered my courage and asked. I didn't specify who, but I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud. I couldn't delve into Lady Aura's reasons for not going. Doing so might be an insult to her.
"No… I don't want to meet them again."
Lady Aura answered. Not to me, but to someone else. Whether that was the truth or a lie, I had no way of knowing. But I understood that it was important to Lady Aura. If that's the case…
"Lady Aura… then…"
Maybe there's something I can do. It might be meddlesome. I might make her angry. Still, for Lady Aura's sake, as someone who has read the journals, for Hero Himmel's sake… Just as I was about to speak up—
"I'm back! I've just returned, Lady Aura!"
As if blowing all the air away, another benefactor, someone I missed and had been waiting for, came flying into the garden.
Without even a knock, the figure appeared energetically in the room. That voice and appearance were just as I remembered. Unlike Lady Aura's robes, she was dressed in a corset dress. Even here in Freesia, I was certain she was still Miss Linie, an embodiment of pure cheerfulness. With that same boundless energy, Miss Linie rushed straight to Lady Aura, like a child running into their mother's arms. She didn't even seem to notice me.
"Linie. You're back much sooner than I expected."
Lady Aura received her with a calm, familiar tone, as if accustomed to such behavior. There is no concept of family among demons, something beyond their understanding. These two were master and servant, yet somehow, this felt like the demon version of family. Just watching them filled me with a warm happiness, as it reminded me of seven years ago.
"Yes! Listen, listen, Lady Aura! We handled everything with Graf Granat perfectly! Lugner talked about all sorts of complicated things, and I was really helpful!"
Miss Linie clung to Lady Aura eagerly, almost like a child wanting praise after completing a task. Well, considering what Lady Aura had mentioned, Miss Linie had been sent to Graf Granat as a messenger, so perhaps that wasn't far from the truth. To Miss Linie, it must have felt like a simple errand.
"I see. Well done. And where's Lugner? I don't see him anywhere."
"..."
"Silent as always when things get inconvenient. You need to break that habit already. I suppose you left Lugner behind and returned first?"
"...Sorry."
"If you're going to apologize, do it to Lugner. I'm not Lugner."
Perhaps something had gone wrong. Feeling guilty, Miss Linie fell silent, a scene I had witnessed more than once. Miss Linie couldn't lie, it seemed. Apparently, Lady Aura had commanded and raised her that way. Because of this, whenever Miss Linie was scolded, she would simply go quiet, unable to lie. Though in a sense, that itself was almost like lying, making it all the same in the end.
"We'll discuss that later. For now, we have a guest. Make sure to greet them properly."
It seemed the scolding ended there. Perhaps Lady Aura cut it short because I was present. She then directed her gaze towards me, prompting Miss Linie to follow her lead.
"A guest? Wait…"
It was only then that she finally noticed me, turning her wide eyes in my direction.
"I-I…"
I couldn't help but shrink back. Until just now, I'd been so focused on watching their interaction that I'd lost track of my own place. More than that, I wasn't sure what to say or how to proceed. Did she remember me? Would she recognize me? My mind was filled with these doubts, almost as if I'd been pulled back to that time seven years ago alongside Miss Linie. But those anxieties quickly vanished.
"Wait—Fern!? It is Fern! So you were here first after all! You've really grown! Amazingly, amazing! Not only your height but your breasts have also gotten so big! So it's true that you can only see half the sky!"
"U-Um…"
I realized in an instant how baseless my worries had been. Miss Linie dashed over to me, brimming with even more energy and excitement than she had with Lady Aura. I was so overwhelmed that I froze, unsure how to handle her barrage of questions. She seemed amazed at how much I had changed.
I suppose it was true. Lady Aura had said the same thing. The difference in the growth rate between humans and demons was significant. Just from appearances, I must have looked older than Miss Linie by now. But aside from my height, I found myself self-consciously covering my chest as she stared. Had I really grown that much? I had no idea what she meant by "barely seeing the sky," but the fact that she recognized me so quickly and remembered me far outweighed such trivial details.
"What's wrong, Fern? Did you… forget about me?"
Miss Linie seemed worried now, perhaps fearing I didn't remember her from my childhood.
"That's not true...! It's been a long time, Li-Linie..."
I hurried to reassure her, but I stumbled over my words, remembering something important. There was something I had been meaning to say, ever since those seven years ago. Just like when I had thanked Lady Aura for the grimoire, I had something I desperately wanted to say to Miss Linie.
"? ...Wait—Could it be!?"
As I hesitated, Miss Linie tilted her head, but then, realizing the meaning behind my pause, her eyes widened in surprise before her face lit up with eager anticipation. She almost seemed like a puppy waiting for a treat, bouncing on her feet with excitement. It was both heartwarming and overwhelming.
I tried to gather the courage to speak, but my face flushed bright red. I had been so sure I wanted to say it, but now that the moment was here, I was too nervous. I couldn't even say it aloud, feeling almost embarrassed, like a child caught by their mother. When our eyes met, Lady Aura gave me a motherly look of encouragement, and that was my breaking point.
"Li... Linie..."
"Hmph!"
"Too bad. If you want her to call you properly, you'll need to be more ladylike."
It seemed the moment had passed, and perhaps because of that, Miss Linie puffed out her cheeks in frustration, as if pouting. I felt awful for letting her down, but Lady Aura seemed to understand my feelings perfectly. Somehow, under her gaze, I always felt like a child, especially when Miss Linie was involved. I needed to stay focused.
"But you've really grown, Fern! Humans grow so fast. You were always a hard worker. You've become an impressive mage. Your mana restrictions are just like mine now! As Frieren's apprentice, you'll probably surpass us in a few decades."
"That's not true… but thank you. You haven't changed at all, Miss Linie. I'm glad to see that."
"Yep! I'm a demon after all! But I've definitely grown since then, you know? Ah, not as a woman, but as a mage."
"I… I see."
Though she's a bit unhappy not being called "Big Sister" by me, Miss Linie's compliments were genuine. Since she couldn't lie, I knew her praise was sincere. In a way, I felt like a younger sibling being praised by an older sister. Despite our similarities in mana restrictions, Miss Linie's skill far exceeded mine. Even after all this time, she remained leagues ahead of me, almost at Mistress Frieren's level. I knew from my time at Master Stroh's estate that Miss Linie trained diligently every day, even while staying there. But I didn't recall her being so concerned with her womanliness. Could it be an age thing, at least for demons?
"Oh, that reminds me! Lady Aura, I brought a guest too! Come on, don't be shy!"
Just then, Miss Linie, seeming to remember something important, called out boastfully towards the entrance to the garden, as though showing off.
"...Hello."
The figure that appeared, looking as though they had been dragged by an invisible leash, had the same downtrodden expression I'd seen on Mistress Frieren's face when she was scolded.
"Oh."
It was Sir Stark. That was it—the nagging feeling in my throat had finally cleared.
"Did you just say 'Oh'!? That's cruel, Fern! You totally forgot about me, didn't you!?"
"...That's not true. I just didn't have a chance to bring it up."
"Fern, why are you lying?"
"...I'm sorry. I completely forgot about you, Sir Stark."
"Why are you so honest with her!? The way you treat me is so unfair!"
As always, Sir Stark whined tearfully, but Miss Linie's words made me realize that lying wasn't right, so I ended up telling the truth, which apparently hurt his feelings. I did apologize, but it couldn't be helped. Compared to meeting these two, everything else faded into the background.
"You're still as noisy as ever. You've grown, but only in size."
"...Yeah, yeah. I'm still a coward, I know. And by the way, that outfit doesn't suit you at all. Even Mistress Frieren would agree."
"Too bad for you. Mistress Frieren already gave me her approval—without a hint of flattery."
"Seriously? So, that's her taste…"
"Stark. Another word, and you're getting punished."
"...Sorry, sis."
Unlike me, Sir Stark seemed completely at ease around Lady Aura and Miss Linie. I couldn't help but feel a little envious. Maybe it was my own shyness holding me back. I needed to work on that, for both Mistress Frieren's sake and my own. But still, Sir Stark was sly, getting so close to Miss Linie so easily.
"Make sure to train him just enough that he doesn't fall off the cliff, Linie."
"Sure! Leave it to me, Lady Aura!"
"Come on, Aura!? You know sis training has no human heart, right!?"
But that might not be the case for Sir Stark. It seems that the situation I feared has come to pass. My body has been trembling non-stop. At this rate, I might be like this the entire time I'm in Freesia.
"That's something you should say to Linie. That aside... what are you doing here? Didn't you have a falling-out with Eisen and run away from home?"
"W-well, that's…"
Sir Stark is at a loss for words in response to Lady Aura's question. I can't blame him; he's been avoiding meeting Linie because he feels guilty. Lady Aura probably doesn't know all the details either. So I reluctantly decide to throw him a lifeline.
"Right now, Sir Stark is our party's front line warrior. He's traveling with us."
"And this guy too...? What? Is that elf trying to create a new hero party or what?"
"It's not quite like that, but…"
Lady Aura's somewhat reasonable remark causes me to falter as well. I suppose if you think about it that way, it makes sense. Both Sir Stark and I are disciples of the hero party, and Mistress Frieren is the party's mage. From an outsider's perspective, it wouldn't be surprising if it looked that way. Additionally…
"Then I'll be taking the place of hero Himmel! It sounds like a fun party! Oh, but there's no priest, huh? We should find someone. Doesn't Heiter have a disciple?"
"Unfortunately, I don't think he had any disciples as a priest… But with you here, Linie, we might be able to balance things out. We don't have a priest, but we do have two mages."
Because here, we have Linie, the number one disciple of hero Himmel. In a way, this could become the next generation of heroes. There may not be a disciple of Lord Heiter, but with the previous generation's Mistress Frieren here, we have the balance between front and back lines. Just imagining it is incredibly reassuring. I'm sure we could easily slay even a horde of dragons.
"Why are you getting so excited? There's no demon king anymore, is there? Sure, there are some scary ones, but…"
"If you're up for it, I'll take you on anytime."
"That was a joke."
Sir Stark is being scolded again for provoking Lady Aura, who has already been defeated and is equivalent to a demon king who shouldn't even exist. Even with a new band of heroes, they might not stand a chance against a new demon king.
"By the way, why did you end up being brought here by Linie? Weren't you with Fern?"
"Fern was allowed to enter, but I wasn't…"
"Huh? I thought you had permission too. Linie, you were handling the paperwork, right?"
"…"
"Right. You forgot, didn't you? I was being too lenient."
"That's harsh, sis!?"
And just like that, the reason Sir Stark was unable to enter the country is casually revealed. Linie must have wanted to handle it herself. From Linie's perspective, perhaps she wanted to look after her brother or play the older sister role. However, it seems that didn't go well. She's silent and averting her gaze. It seems Sir Stark is fated to be tossed around by Linie.
"Haha, it's really lively here."
"Master Stroh... I'm sorry."
"It feels just like when Himmel and the others were around. I almost want to thank you."
I apologize to Master Stroh, who has returned without me realizing, but instead, he thanks me. That probably isn't a lie. His kind gaze told everything. Come to think of it, it felt like it took a long time just to prepare the letter. Did he perhaps create time for me to be alone with Lady Aura? Or was there some other reason? Before I could think it through…
"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot the most important thing! Lady Aura, Mistress Frieren came to see you!"
The fact that completely blows away all previous exchanges comes out of Linie's mouth────
In that moment, it felt like time stopped. I hold my breath. No, it's surely not just me. It must be the consensus of everyone except Linie.
"That elf…? Who's she with…?"
That includes Lady Aura as well. No, perhaps she's the one feeling it more than anyone else here. In an instant, she feels like a different person, enveloped in an air that seems devoid of humanity, just like when we first met in the garden, and she questions Linie. Any ordinary mage would probably bow down at that moment, overwhelmed by her mana.
"So it's for you, Lady Aura? She said she has something important to discuss. But she was caught in Granat, so I went to rescue her! I might get scolded by Lugner, but I'm sure Himmel would have done the same!"
Despite her answer seeming normal, Linie is behaving as if she's unconcerned. Just like Master Stroh. But that's impossible. Unlike Master Stroh, Linie is a demon. She should be able to sense both mana and killing intent. And yet she shows none of that.
More than that, what's important to me is that report. It's—
(Mistress Frieren is here…!?)
The fact that Mistress Frieren has already come to this place, Freesia. It's unbelievable, but I have no choice but to believe it. After all, it's coming from Linie herself. I can imagine Mistress Frieren might faint if she knew that a demon like Linie was the one she could trust the most.
But it seems Linie brought Mistress Frieren here. Indeed, Linie is a messenger of Freesia and holds a priest's position. She must have facilitated Mistress Frieren's release. Under normal circumstances, I would want to thank her, but right now, the situation is different. The mere act of Mistress Frieren and Lady Aura meeting is like pouring oil onto fire.
That's why we've been taking utmost care to avoid that. Lord Heiter and Lord Eisen have both expressed their concerns about it. That it could happen so easily, right here. Perhaps, like Master Stroh, she might appear from that door.
(No… But maybe now is the perfect opportunity…?)
Finally, I realize. Yes, it's the opposite. This very moment is the best opportunity. Their meeting is unavoidable. The issue is whether they meet alone. I've repeatedly drilled into Mistress Frieren that they must not meet alone. There's no problem now. Here, I'm here, Sir Stark is here, Miss Linie is here, and Master Stroh is here. It's the best environment I could imagine. Here, we might be able to reunite without a major issue, even if it's not entirely smooth. We could also fulfill the promise of handing over Hero Himmel's diary. But such hopes are dashed…
"…So, you brought that elf here?"
"Yeah. But she's not here, right? She tried to enter with me, but Lady Frieren said she wouldn't come in. She just asked me to tell Lady Aura she's waiting outside."
That report, brought forth by none other than Mistress Frieren, was utterly shattered────
(Is that… Mistress Frieren's mana!?)
It was mana. Even from this far away, I could sense its overwhelming power. Anyone who could perceive mana would lose their fighting spirit in an instant at the presence of such a powerful mage.
(No doubt about it…! This is Mistress Frieren's unrestrained mana…!)
As her disciple, I knew this better than anyone else. Even I had only seen and felt the full-power of Mistress Frieren on a few occasions. It was the culmination of more than a thousand years of training that could only be achieved by the elves, or rather by a great mage.
(That's not like you... Mistress Frieren...!)
But it was far too uncharacteristic of Mistress Frieren. She had lived her life sullied and demeaned, tarnishing her pride as a mage, to deceive demons. And now, she was exposing all of that. But it didn't end there.
It was a wave of mana, a ripple. Mana has its waves. It is influenced by the mage's abilities and mental state. It also reflects the emotions of the mage. Mistress Frieren had been nearly devoid of that. Just as her name suggests, she embodied the coldness of a reaper. But not now. There was an obvious ripple, a hostility. An emotion that resembled provocation. And who it was directed toward? There was no need to think any further.
"So... you're making fun of me."
As if stimulated by that, Lady Aura's mana began to waver as well. The mana she had displayed in the garden now seemed childish. Her eyes widened. The anger of a mage whose pride has been sullied. The joy of finally finding the prey she had been searching for for so long. Long before she became "Aura the Scale", Lady Aura's face as a great demon, likely known as the Guillotine.
"—Lady Aura."
In stark contrast to that, Linie's eyes and demeanor show no hint of emotion. As if she was waiting for orders. It was the first time I'd seen Miss Linier as a servant, as a demon. I was stunned for a moment, but then I finally understood. What did it mean?
"---No need for that. You just make sure no one gets in the way."
As our eyes meet for a brief moment, Lady Aura makes it clear that she doesn't need any help. She's going alone. The way of master and servant among the demons. Witnessing that overwhelms me, yet I feel relief that the worst-case scenario has been avoided. If even Miss Linie, her subordinate, were to accompany her, I don't know what might happen with Mistress Frieren. But that's not the worst outcome. It's undeniably a situation close to that.
"Okay! Leave it to me, Lady Aura!"
Miss Linie complies with a pure innocence that seems as if she has returned to her former self. Her duality surpasses even that of Lady Aura. Surely, that's the reason why Linie is referred to as an exception.
"Stroh. Issue a state of emergency. Got it?"
"Yes. I've already given the order. Please be careful, sister."
Lady Aura removes her robe and hands it to Master Stroh. Beneath it is an outfit I've never seen before. It was a brightly colored outfit that matched Lady Aura's hair color and was somehow alluring. It was probably something Lady Aura wore when she was a Great Demon and in battle.
I understood its meaning; I thought he would stop her, but Master Stroh lets her go without a word. It's as if he knew it would come to this. Why?
"W-wait, Lady Aura──"
As I'm tossed about by the rapidly changing situation, I desperately plead with Lady Aura. I can't let her go like this; I can't allow her to meet Mistress Frieren. It would surely lead to something irreversible. Without thinking, I reach out as if to cling to her.
"---No, Fern. Don't get in Lady Aura's way. You have to listen carefully to what she says."
It's none other than Miss Linie who stops me. Before me is a sword—a fake sword bearing the name of a hero. I don't even know when she drew it. It warns me that if I proceed any further, if I hinder Lady Aura, I won't be spared. I can't help but gasp, a chill running down my spine. I realize without a doubt that Miss Linie is a demon. A servant fulfilling her master's orders. That is who Miss Linie is now. There are no exceptions. Not even for me.
"Miss Linie…! But—"
"Stop it, Fern. It's pointless to say anything to her now. There's nothing we can do except stay still. This is Mistress Frieren's plan…"
"Mistress Frieren's…?"
Just like before, Sir Stark restrains me by holding my shoulder. But his expression is one I've never seen before. Under normal circumstances, he would be just as flustered as I am, but Sir Stark remains calm. No, it's as if he understands something. Most importantly, his words. This is Mistress Frieren's thought, her wish. Perhaps Sir Stark had met Mistress Frieren before coming here. Maybe Master Stroh did too. If that's the case, I'm the only one left in the dark.
(Mistress Frieren… what are you planning to do?)
Fern can do nothing but watch. Acutely aware of her own powerlessness. Worrying for both her benefactor and her mentor.
In the remaining garden, blue petals, loved by the hero, danced in the air────
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There are still 2 snipped chapters left before we continue to the main story. Snipped 3 will focus on Frieren's point of view.
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