Chapitre 89: Chapter 88
Chapter 88: Aura Seems to be a Disabled Person
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Although Linie looked quite guilty, she immediately bowed her head, admitted her mistake, and said all the right things.
But just like Aura's reaction to Ash's behavior, Linie's words were little more than lip service.
No, perhaps deep down, she genuinely wanted to change something about herself. However, such resolve only came when prompted by others, and it was all too easy for her to "accidentally" forget about it afterward.
This mirrored Ash's own behavior. He often said he would be more mindful next time, yet, out of habit, he couldn't resist grabbing Aura's horns. The height and shape made them incredibly convenient, after all.
Maybe it was simply a matter of routine. The strange cycle of habits between Aura, Ash, and Linie seemed unlikely to break anytime soon.
---
When the setting sun quietly disappeared behind the shadows of the mountains, the full moon rose slowly, hanging low in the sky and casting its silver rays across the land.
Inside the castle, in Ash's study, the atmosphere was quiet and serene.
Aura had claimed Ash's rocking chair, swaying back and forth lazily while staring at the ceiling in a daze. Linie, seated not far away, lay sprawled across Ash's desk. She stared at the absent-minded Aura, her innocent expression betraying a hint of curiosity.
The silence, broken only by the sound of pages flipping, was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected comment:
"Master Ash, Master Aura looks like a useless person."
"Don't say that too loudly. That useless person will get angry if she hears you."
"—I've heard it!" Aura snapped, glaring at Linie and Ash, who both clearly shared the sentiment.
But Aura didn't waste much energy getting mad. Her lazy demeanor made any attempt at defending herself unconvincing. Instead, she simply sat up and looked at Ash with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"Solitär is dangerous—you know that, right?"
"Of course," Ash replied calmly. "I know exactly how dangerous that girl is. But I can still work with her."
"Ah~ Really? I thought you were drawn to her because she's small~"
Hearing this, Aura appeared relieved. Yet, as was her habit, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and snicker.
Ash sighed helplessly. "…Please don't make it sound like I'm some kind of weirdo. I like mature women, thank you very much. And even if I were into younger ones, I wouldn't go for someone that old. Honestly, you're a demon yourself—don't you find that kind of thing weird?"
"Not at all," Aura replied breezily before shifting topics. "But, you know, this rocking chair is really nice~"
"…As long as you're happy with it."
Watching Aura slouch lazily in the chair, Ash suppressed the urge to comment further.
After all, he used to act the same way in front of her. A part of him worried that Aura had picked up his bad habits and was becoming just as unmotivated as he had been.
Shaking his head, he refocused on the pile of documents waiting on his desk. Reaching out absentmindedly, he patted Linie's head.
Despite her tendency to be mischievous and outspoken, Linie was unusually quiet and obedient in this moment. She shook her head lightly, visibly enjoying the affectionate gesture.
The lazy Aura, the well-behaved Linie, and the stack of documents—not urgent but still requiring decisions—painted a picture of peace and normalcy.
After all, routine matters could easily be delegated to his subordinates. What Ash was dealing with now were key aspects of national transformation and reform—tasks that could be approached gradually but required his direct input to finalize decisions.
"…Life, why is it so painful?" Ash muttered, his gaze shifting from the pile of documents before him to the two troublesome individuals across the room. The temptation to grab Linie's horns and shake her head in frustration briefly crossed his mind.
But he restrained himself. Punishing this little troublemaker, who had yet to commit any offense, seemed excessive.
Just then, a soft knock on the study door broke his train of thought. The door creaked open, and the familiar figure of a loli-like demon with a ghostly presence entered, smiling cheerfully.
"Good evening~ It's time to learn magic. Care to join me?" Solitär asked, her tone light and inviting.
"Forget it. I'm not interested in wasting time on nonsense like that," Aura replied bluntly. Rising from the rocking chair, she strode out of the room without sparing Solitär a second glance.
Linie, ever the silent follower, quickly trailed behind Aura, saying nothing as she left. In situations like this, where she had the opportunity and space to escape, Linie would naturally choose to avoid staying.
In the harsh society of demons, it was a given for younger demons to steer clear of those far stronger than themselves. While a moderate gap in strength might allow for casual interaction, a significant disparity often spelled subjugation.
---
Solitär's gaze never once shifted toward Linie as the young demon passed by. She even moved aside slightly, creating a deliberate distance.
Because... she sensed something. If she got too close, Linie might pose a certain level of danger.
"What an interesting child~" Solitär mused, her smile deepening as she turned her attention back to Ash with an intrigued expression.
"That kid—so young, yet she gave me a sense of threat just by passing close. How did you train her?"
"She's a fighter," Ash replied curtly.
"A fighter? That tiny child? And powerful, too?" Solitär's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Anyway, don't bully Linie," Ash said, cutting the conversation short. He wasn't in the mood to elaborate further.
Solitär simply smiled and nodded. "Understood. Don't worry. After all, she's your… captive woman, right?"
"What do you mean by 'captive'? I admit Linie is cute, but I'd never look at a child I've raised with that kind of eyes," Ash shot back, his tone laced with exasperation.
"??? What's wrong with that? Isn't being cute enough?" Solitär tilted her head innocently. "As far as I know, many human nobles have similar practices. They raise children from a young age to cultivate certain… interests, directing them toward specific preferences."
Ash frowned at her blatant statement. "Do you think I enjoy being her hand towel?"
"Ara? So, you don't like it?" Solitär teased, feigning innocence.
"…Who exactly am I in your eyes?"
"Someone who likes children," Solitär replied matter-of-factly. "From what I've observed, you and Aura are the only demons I've ever seen who would willingly adopt a child."
"I call it kindness. Aura? She calls it… interest."
"Haha~ What a delightful contrast! The dynamic between you two siblings is truly heartwarming~"
Solitär placed a hand on her chest, her expression one of exaggerated admiration, nodding to herself as though savoring the thought.
Ash, however, was unimpressed. 'This guy is really strange—stranger than me… no, stranger than Aura and Linie combined. Is this the hallmark of wild demons?'
He said nothing, his gaze lingering on the peculiar figure before him, unsure of what to make of her.
Ash rested his chin on his hand, staring at the uninvited guest with a mix of curiosity and exasperation.
"Honestly, I don't really understand how anything I said gave you the impression of a 'heart-warming brother-sister relationship.'"
"In every sense of the word," Solitär replied with a playful smile.
"Sure enough, you might be the most unique one here," he muttered.
"Me? Unique? Not at all! I think I'm quite ordinary. The only thing special about me is that I might be a bit timid, right?" Solitär clasped her hands in front of her chest and sat beside him.
Then, leaning against him, her soft body pressing into his side, she tilted her head upward and gazed at him pitifully. "So, from now on, I'll leave it to you to protect me."
"…You're at least a thousand years old. Do you still need protection?"
"No matter how much time passes, I'm still just a weak woman at heart~"
"Who did you learn this nonsense from?"
"It's not nonsense—it's from the heart, isn't it?" Solitär's gentle smile was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
Ash, however, was certain she had picked up this strange behavior from somewhere and decided, for some reason, to test it on him.
What is she even thinking? Ash pondered, though he was sure of one thing: she wasn't falling in love with him at first sight. Even Aura wouldn't buy that story.
"Anyway, let's put that aside for now," he said, redirecting the conversation. "Let's share what we have. You teach me your unique skills, and I'll teach you the knowledge of the human magic system. It's the most comprehensive collection you'll find."
"Of course! Wasn't that the agreement from the beginning?" Solitär said cheerfully.
"Then… let's get started." Ash stood up and gestured toward the bookshelf beside him. "These are all yours. You can read them whenever and however you like."
"…Books?"
For the first time, Solitär's smile faltered, though only slightly.
"Don't underestimate these books," Ash warned. "They contain knowledge most human magicians can only dream of. Plus, the library in this royal city holds nearly all modern human magic. If you wish, I can arrange for the city's best magicians to teach you personally."
"…Are they at your level?" Solitier's tone was light, but there was a hint of skepticism.
"Humans have their limits. Those who've reached the pinnacle won't be found in this royal city."
"In that case, as part of our deal, shouldn't you teach me? Or…" Solitär's smile returned, tinged with a subtle hint of danger. "Are you looking down on me as a 'weak woman'?"
Ash sighed, spreading his hands as if in defeat. "I have my own limitations, but here's the deal: I'll open the castle's entire library to you, arrange for the best magicians to teach you, and provide help whenever necessary. Does that work for you?"
"The range of 'necessary' is a bit too vague. If I think it's necessary, you'll help—how about that?"
"I'll do my best," he replied with a small nod.
"Then we have a deal."
Satisfied, Solitär extended her small hand, her smile soothing yet triumphant.
When their hands clasped, one large and one small, it sealed the pact. Another great demon had officially joined Ash's growing plans.
Even if she's a bit eccentric… now's not the time to dwell on such things.
---
In the following days, Solitär's presence became a regular sight in the royal city. Despite this, Ash wasn't always in residence. Frequently, he would lead expeditions north to the Demon King's City.
Aura's undead army was gradually relocated there. Linie and the bloodthirsty god of war, Rivale, were trained in combat. Aura and Solitär, on the other hand, honed their skills under the guidance of the corrupt sage, Qual.
As for Ash, he continued learning from both factions, dedicating himself fully to the development of both sides, ensuring his plans moved forward without a hitch.
As Ash traveled back and forth between the Royal City and the Demon King's City, balancing his studies, work, and the ever-present task of entertaining Linie, time seemed to fly by. Before he realized it, Fern's birthday was fast approaching.
Ash pondered the consequences of missing Fern's birthday. He imagined she'd be furious, Frieren would undoubtedly take advantage of the situation, and above all, he himself didn't want to miss it.
So, one morning, after calculating the remaining time, Ash made a casual announcement:
"I'm heading out for a while. I'll be back in a few months or maybe a year."
Without much fanfare, he packed up his belongings and walked out of the study.
Aura, lounging lazily in a rocking chair, showed no intention of moving. She simply waved her hand dismissively.
Solitär, engrossed in a book at the table, gave him a slight nod, barely acknowledging his departure.
Linie, crouched by a box of fresh apples, picking through them as she bit into one, glanced up at the last moment.
"Safe travels, Master Ash. If it's convenient, could you bring me some apples from the Central Region?"
"Stop eating apples all day. Have some meat for a change," Ash replied, frowning slightly. "How will you grow taller if you keep eating like this?"
"But isn't that what Master Ash likes?" Linie tilted her head in confusion, her innocent expression catching him off guard.
Ash paused, his steps halting instinctively. Turning back with a helpless sigh, he firmly denied her claim. "No!"
"But that's what Lord Aura said," Linie countered.
"She lied to you!" Ash said, exasperated. "And for the record, I do wish you'd grow taller."
Linie averted her gaze slightly, finally confessing the real reason. "But my body's already been shaped; I can't grow anymore. Besides... I like apples."
"Then just say that!" Ash groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Don't blame my so-called preferences! What if someone overhears and gets the wrong idea?"
"I'm sorry. Then next time, should I just tell them Master Ash likes big ones?"
"Don't say that!"
"Why not?"
"Because people will think I'm a pervert!"
"So what should I say, then?" Linie asked, her tone as flat as ever.
"Just—be normal!"
"Normal like what?"
"Not that normal!" Ash snapped before stopping himself. "You know what? Forget it. Just don't say anything at all."
"...Really? Wouldn't it have been easier if you'd said that from the start?" Linie replied matter-of-factly, her expression unchanging as she took another bite of her apple. "Master Ash is so troublesome."
Ash stared at her, utterly defeated.
Have Aura and I completely spoiled this kid? he wondered, massaging his temple as he reflected on his repeated failures in educating her.
Maybe I should seriously reconsider her upbringing…
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T/N: Extra Chapter as promised
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone