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67.74% Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon / Chapter 84: Chapter 83

Chapitre 84: Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Convenient and Useful Linie: The Love Education of Aura

_____

Even though Linie still had the appearance of a loli, she hadn't changed much since her teenage years—she had looked this way for as long as he could remember. Aura, too, hadn't changed in ages, maintaining her youthful appearance.

Did this technically make her a "legal loli"? But with demons, the concept of "legal" didn't really apply. In fact, demons had no laws at all.

Ash found himself mulling this over, unsure how to feel about the loli he had raised. With a bit of resignation, he patted her head and shook his own.

"You really are... Haven't I told you not to just jump onto my lap like that? You're grown up now."

"Am I?" Linie, sitting sideways on his lap, tilted her head like a curious little bird. "But Master Ash actually seems pretty happy, doesn't he?"

"Well... it's not so bad." He didn't bother to hide it, sighing a little as he stroked her hair. "After all, Fern has grown up and hit that rebellious phase. She barely lets me hug her these days."

"Is that human being disobedient? Should I go kill her?" Linie's head lifted from her book, and a terrifying, murderous glint flashed in her eyes.

Dressed in a light dress and black leather shoes, she looked like a delicate, studious girl. Anyone who didn't know her would likely assume she was a gentle, shy loli. But right now, her murderous gaze revealed the fierce nature hiding beneath her sweet exterior.

This intensity was Aura's doing; her guidance had turned Linie into a ruthless protector. The only reason Linie read books now was because Ash hoped it would help her cultivate a gentler disposition.

Now, faced with this expressionless girl radiating deadly intent, he could only sigh as he pressed her head back down.

"Girls shouldn't always be looking for fights. I told you to read more so you could find a bit of peace and become a thoughtful politician. What's with you these days… Honestly, it's all Aura's fault!"

Halfway through, he shot a hard glare at Aura across from him. But, as if nothing had happened, she looked around casually, avoiding his gaze entirely.

It was rare for Aura to hold her tongue without provoking him, but Ash suspected it was because he had held her down and spanked her into submission last time. At least for now, that kept her from mouthing off.

Deciding to drop the subject, he simply glared one last time, then let it go as the carriage started to roll away from the city center.

Gradually, the lively scene of the royal capital came into view.

The capital of the Kingdom of Ester had flourished through years of growth, now almost ranking as the world's second most developed city.

Under the sun, the stone-paved streets had a soft, warm glow. Towering buildings lined both sides, with shops scattered all around. Children laughed and played as they chased each other down the roads, while couples strolled leisurely with their children in tow. It was a scene of peace and quiet. In the busier areas, carriages moved in a steady flow, mingling with residents and tourists alike.

The market was lively, filled with the bustling sounds of vendors shouting their wares and customers bargaining over prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, shrimp, meats, fragrant wines, and a variety of daily essentials were displayed across stalls, while performers from afar entertained the crowds with juggling, singing, and dancing.

It was a scene that radiated prosperity and progress, a stark contrast to the rough strength and wealth of the past. This flourishing atmosphere was precisely what inspired so many knights to voluntarily pledge their loyalty, recognizing the new order Ash had fostered.

Ash felt a deep sense of accomplishment as he took in the sights, though Aura seemed disinterested, and Linie simply sat on his lap, engrossed in her book. He was certain now that traveling with these two was, quite possibly, as dull as company could get.

In his own bout of boredom, he rested his chin on Linie's head and nonchalantly placed a document on top of her book.

"...Lord Ash, I can't read if you do that," Linie said, shaking her head in mild exasperation.

"Oh, like you were really reading," he teased. "You were just pretending, weren't you?"

"Oh… I'm sorry," Linie murmured, her shoulders drooping as her pretense was called out.

"I'm not mad. Just put your book on your lap; it'll make a nice cushion for my paperwork."

"Yes~!" Linie's face brightened as though she'd been pardoned, a faint smile forming as she set the book on her thighs. Even though she was now serving as his makeshift desk, she swung her legs happily.

Seeing her innocent joy, Ash felt his irritation fade. Linie's childlike demeanor was both endearing and exasperating, yet he couldn't bring himself to scold her for being so compliant. Instead, he simply sighed and returned his focus to the documents.

The carriage, buoyed by Ash's anti-gravity spell, glided through the streets under the protection of the knights. Before long, they reached the camp outside the city, where the knights swiftly unloaded the carriage, securing it in the outer camp. Controlled creatures then lifted it, carrying them swiftly toward the nearest battlefield, guided by knights mounted on flying beasts.

As they soared over the countryside, they passed the fortress city of Weise—the largest city on the eastern border of the neighboring empire. But today, the once-prosperous fortress city glowed with a shimmering golden hue, and even the vast forest surrounding Weise appeared gilded, a dazzling transformation that made Ash pause in recollection.

The sight brought him back to his last visit here, to memories of the days before the city had turned golden. And a bit before that… to the very moment when he'd disciplined Aura.

...

...

About forty years ago.

Ash had been distraught watching Linie's transformation over time. He had hoped to raise a sweet, obedient child, only to see her grow into a merciless fighter. Now, he was filled with regret, clutching his chest and lamenting his failure.

"What's with that look?" Aura's expression was completely unfazed by his darkening gaze. "You can't blame me for this! I trained her for you, remember? I even found her a teacher exactly as you wanted!"

"How was I supposed to know that the king's specially chosen tutor was also secretly grooming a lover for himself? And besides, didn't I work hard to mold Linie into someone who's worthy?"

"...Is that all you have to say?" Ash's frustration twisted into a bitter laugh.

Aura, completely oblivious to the simmering tension, crossed her arms confidently and lifted her head, saying, "Of course there's more to it, but you should still thank me. After all, I focused on making sure that child would listen to you above all else. Now, she's more obedient to you than to me."

"...Thank you, but Aura, what exactly do I need an executioner for?"

"Who knows? But having more can't hurt, right?"

"Really?" Ash took a step closer, resting his hand on her horn. "Hey, Aura, did you know?"

Annoyed, Aura swatted his hand away, rolling her eyes. "Don't touch me. I'm not your pet. Now, what do you want to say?"

"Nothing, really… It's just that I realize now it's my fault for not guiding my little sister better. I have a lot to answer for when it comes to how you turned out."

Although Aura looked puzzled, a faintly expectant smile appeared on her face. "So…you finally understand how much you owe Aura-sama?"

The naive way she misinterpreted his words made him chuckle. "Yes, that's right. I owe you a lot… of education."

"Education?"

"Or in other words, a little…discipline of love."

"D-Discipline? Wait! You're not thinking of—W-Whoa?!"

The realization dawned on Aura just a moment too late. Alarm bells blared in her mind, and she instinctively tried to step back. But as a mage, at such close quarters with a warrior, she barely had time to react. In an instant, she found herself dizzy, with Ash holding her down by the thighs.

"Ash, you're not really going to do anything rash, are you? This is—ow!" Still clinging to her usual defiant tone, Aura barely finished her sentence before she felt the sting of his hand on her rear. A jolt, almost electric, shot from her backside up her spine, and her body instinctively tensed.

Her face flushed with embarrassment as she gritted her teeth, staring at him in astonishment. "—You…actually hit me?!"

"Of course. Why should I be polite to you?"

"Ow!—Y-You! This really hurts!"

"Consider it your punishment for deceiving me. Today, I'm correcting your bad habits and setting you on the right path!"

"Ouch, ouch—! I'll… I'll never forgive you for this…!"

"Forgive me or not, I'm not letting you go today!"

...

The sharp sounds of Ash's hand meeting Aura's protests filled the room, punctuated by her cries and threats as the session dragged on.

Finally, long after the sun had set, Ash released her, leaving her to clutch a pillow, venting her fury with clenched teeth into its softness.

After that day, Aura held a grudge, refusing to speak to him for a solid year. It was only after Ash, weary of the silent treatment, offered sincere apologies that she reluctantly forgave him.

One year and one month after that infamous spanking, Ash found himself traveling with Aura and Linie, planning to scout the nearby battlefield for useful remains. Along the way, they passed through the fortress city of Weise.


Chapitre 85: Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Golden land Macht: Villainous Gangster Version of Aura

____

It might have been because she hadn't spoken to Ash for a whole year after their quarrel, bottling up too much frustration. Now, on the way to the battlefield, Aura was unusually lively, and as they passed the fortress city of weise, a thought suddenly struck her.

"Speaking of which, Ash…"

"What?"

"I remember Macht is in weise now?"

"Macht… ah, Golden land Macht? That guy's hiding among humans?"

He wasn't someone who usually remembered others, but he did have a strong impression of Macht, the strongest among the Seven Sages of Destruction. Seeing his surprised look, Aura covered her mouth with a mischievous grin. "You handle government affairs every day, and you didn't even realize Macht is now serving mankind?"

"Is that true? What exactly is going on?" Although he thought Macht deserved a beating as usual, Ash didn't act on his impulse and instead urged Aura to explain more.

"I heard before that he seemed to be looking for something? It seemed to be related to guilt?" Aura's tone carried a hint of boredom as she casually recounted what she'd heard during her last encounter with Macht. She then added, "Also, Lightning Hulek and his men were all killed by Macht a while ago when they attacked that city. If it's not necessary, we should stay away from him. He's a troublesome guy."

"The general of the Demon King's army?... This guy really has no fraternity with his own kind."

"Who cares about that kind of thing? Do you care?"

"That's true…"

Though feeling slightly conflicted, Ash changed direction, taking Aura with him to find a nearby carriage. Ignoring Aura's confused look, he promptly led them both into the city.

Despite what Aura had said, he couldn't shake his curiosity. It wasn't every day you saw demons actively engaging with humans, which only piqued his interest in Macht's motives.

"Lord Ash is just like Lady Aura. Both are willful people," Linie sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she sat in the carriage.

Aura, however, frowned and glared at her, clearly annoyed. "So, have you really picked up bad habits? Now you think I'm willful too?"

"But Master Ash said I could say whatever I wanted?"

"And who adopted you first, Linie?"

"Um… I'm sorry, Lady Aura." Linie seemed to ponder for a moment before bowing her head, a dejected look on her face as she admitted her mistake.

Ash, who overheard the conversation, lifted the cloth covering the carriage and looked back. "Aura, don't bully Linie—she's still a child."

"Tsk, lolita, you only ever protect Linie."

"...What is lolita? Where did you even pick that up from?" He shook his head in exasperation but decided against lecturing Aura further. Ever since she was a child, Aura had been rebellious. Any attempt to educate her only seemed to backfire, and now he'd resigned himself to leaving things as they were.

...

...

Weise, a large city-fortress on the empire's border, was a place where nobles who had lost in the empire's power struggles would often flee. Like most aristocrats of that era, they plundered wealth from the common people, mercilessly exploiting them.

Their greed was almost insatiable, comparable to draining a pond to catch all the fish, and every year countless citizens fell into poverty and starved. Ash had gathered this information from various sources over time, though scenes like these were all too common in this world.

In a world where his moderate moral standards already made him seem virtuous, he expected the worst as they passed through the city gates. Yet, what greeted him was a surprise—a thriving and unexpectedly prosperous city lay before him.

On the main streets of the city, buildings of various shapes and sizes lined both sides, a mix of houses and shops bustling with activity. Most of the residents seemed ordinary, free of the signs of overwork, oppression, or the weary numbness Ash had expected.

Intrigued, Ash wandered quietly through the streets, bringing Aura and Linie along until they reached the lord's mansion. As they stepped into the open green space before it, a tall male demon suddenly appeared in front of them. He had a large horn on his forehead, wore a cloak draped over his left shoulder, and though not excessively built, he was quite imposing.

Ash realized with a jolt that the demon had been within his magic detection range all along, yet none of them had sensed him until he made himself visible. The precision with which this demon controlled his magic far surpassed even Flamme's, whom Ash had known to be highly skilled.

In fact, the demon's magical control was so refined that Ash felt he might be more dangerous than the Corrupted Sage. Given that even a full-strength assault by the Brave Team couldn't defeat the Corrupted Sage, Ash knew that if this formidable demon followed the Demon King's orders to destroy them, there would be no outcome but annihilation. Avoiding direct confrontation seemed the only viable option.

Ash had also heard from Frieren about how, around six hundred years ago, Macht had defeated her effortlessly. However, he hadn't killed her; he'd treated her as a minor inconvenience and let her go. Without that mercy, Ash might never have met Frieren.

Even after all this time, Frieren couldn't conceive of a way to defeat Macht, not even theoretically. Six centuries had passed, and while Frieren had progressed, she recognized that her growth was far slower compared to the young Macht of that time. Macht was a monster beyond human reach, with magical prowess refined to a level most could never attain, and with a goddess as his aspirational goal. This was the Golden Town Macht.

Ash glanced at Macht, then shifted his gaze to Aura, who was also one of the Seven Sages, before looking away with a sigh.

Though he said nothing, that one look was enough to irritate Aura. "—Ash! What's that look? Are you looking down on me?"

Macht, who had been watching Ash, seemed to pick up on their interaction and glanced briefly at Aura before focusing back on Ash. His gaze narrowed.

"You're so young… What are you doing here?"

"I came here because of the matter with Lightning Hulek," Ash replied, ignoring Aura, who was simmering nearby. Macht only spared her a glance before redirecting his attention fully to Ash.

"Hulek? Was he your friend?"

"No."

"Then what are you here for? Don't tell me you're seeking revenge for one of your own. Even though you're a demon, I doubt you share that kind of camaraderie."

"I just believe that excessive killing of one's own kind isn't beneficial… Well, maybe I'm just being polite," Ash admitted. The fact that Macht recognized him as a demon with a single look had caught him off guard. Deciding to probe a bit, Ash smiled. "I am curious, though, about what you're doing here."

"Before I answer that," Mahat replied, "shouldn't you tell me who you are?"

"Ash. I'm Aura's brother," Ash replied, glancing at Aura as he spoke.

This line—one that only a human would typically use—made Macht's expression harden. "Brother?"

"You didn't know?"

"I understand it in theory, but…"

"It's a feeling, I suppose, since I raised her with all my heart."

Claiming all the credit for himself made Aura, who had already been annoyed, grow furious.

"—You raised me? It was me who raised you, wasn't it?!"

"Alright, alright, stop interrupting while the adults are talking," Ash said, clearly annoyed. He reached out and grabbed Aura's horn out of habit, shaking her until she was dizzy, causing her to slump against Linie. Then, he turned his attention back to Macht and resumed their conversation:

"And? What exactly brings you here?"

"It's just about time…" Macht glanced back, noticing an elderly nobleman in the distance who seemed to have noticed their uninvited presence. Smiling, he continued, "I suppose I can tell you—I like humans."

"Uh… That's a bit of a shock," Ash admitted, momentarily dumbfounded before he found himself glancing at the old man nearby.

Though it seemed unlikely, Macht's comment had Ash wondering… should he be respecting other people's preferences, however odd they might be?

"So, I wanted to understand humans better and try to comprehend what guilt is."

"Huh? Guilt? I thought…"

"You thought I meant Gluck? Of course, I like Gluck too."

"…Just to clarify a bit." Macht's strange wording left Ash rubbing his temples, trying to organize his scattered thoughts. "When you say you like it… there isn't anything… unusual, right?"

"Unusual? What do you mean by unusual?" Macht asked, puzzled by Ash's question.

"...Forget it. I think I've spent too much time around nobles, and my thoughts have become a bit… murky."

Ash shook his head vigorously, as though trying to banish the disturbing images he'd encountered recently in a noble's home. To illustrate just how unsettling those scenes had been, he'd recently stumbled upon a nobleman who—despite being a man himself—kept a group of young boys in captivity. When Ash discovered this, they were all in various states of undress, seemingly unaware of anything out of the ordinary.

…These types of incidents were disturbingly common among the nobles. It was baffling to Ash that so many of them seemed uninterested in beautiful women, instead preferring the company of men and boys. He himself couldn't imagine ever tiring of the presence of attractive women.

Ash's reaction drew Macht's scrutiny, and he studied him for a while before speaking slowly:

"…It might be unlikely, but you do understand what guilt is, right?"

"For the moment, yes."

"Truly?"

"Why would I lie?"

"I'd like to question it… but you're quite peculiar. Something about the look in your eyes gives me the sense that you're neither fully human nor fully demon."

Macht continued to examine him closely, then a slow, toothy grin spread across his face. "So, if I killed someone as strange as you, do you think that would help me finally understand guilt?"

"...You actually arrived at that conclusion? You certainly sound like a classic demon." Ash blinked in surprise, then smiled.

But Macht didn't reply. Instead, he remained silent.

A coldness filled the air, a heavy, stifling quiet that crept into every corner of the space around them, intensifying by the second.

The two stared at each other in silence, locked in place, neither showing the slightest inclination to back down. Yet within this calm facade, tension brewed thickly, as if the air itself was laden with the promise of thunder and lightning, making each breath feel weighted and laborious.

Even without any outward movement, currents of magical energy began to ripple through the space between them, colliding and crashing against one another in quiet intensity.

Leaves on the ground scattered upwards, caught in the brewing storm, while the glass windows of the mansion in the distance trembled and creaked under the invisible pressure.

As a demon herself, Aura was naturally familiar with the volatile personalities of her kind.

For instance, the Macht standing before him was entirely unrestrained, killing the demon general without hesitation… and Aura was much the same.

Even now, both she and Linie had instinctively begun to shift forms—Aura into scales and Linie into twin swords—ready to support Ash in confronting this opponent, with barely a moment's hesitation.

But just as the tension reached its peak, with both sides seemingly prepared to strike, and as Aura contemplated whether she should make the first move…

An elderly nobleman approached from not far away, leaning on a cane and calmly bearing the powerful waves of clashing magic around him.

"Hold on a moment, Macht," the nobleman said. "Are you and your friends planning to tear everything apart?"

"Not at all, Lord Gluck," Macht replied, retracting his surging magic and giving Ash a slight bow. "I was merely greeting this unique and promising junior."

Turning his gaze to Ash, he added, "Let's leave it at that for now. If we were to start anything here, it wouldn't just be Lord Gluck who suffers, but also your two… subordinates."

"—Who are you calling subordinates?!" Aura's face twisted with anger. It was bad enough to be looked down upon, but to be referred to as a subordinate made her rage burn even hotter. She was ready to charge forward.

But Ash swiftly grabbed her by the horn, pulling her back firmly. "Let it go, Aura. We've got more important things to handle, don't we?"

"…I suppose," Aura conceded, arms crossed and scowling defiantly. Then, in her pride, she added a final retort.

"Today, I'm letting this slide out of respect for Ash! And besides, I have urgent matters to attend to. But don't think you'll be so lucky next time! If we cross paths again… you'd better be ready to pay with your life as penance!"

________________

As promised the extra Chapter

If you've forgotten , an extra chapter is released for every 400 power stones accumulated.


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