章 71: Snipped 3 (Last)
This is the final snippet. As you've read from Snippet 1, this is a "what if" scenario where Aura is subdued by Himmel rather than by Frieren, as in the main story.
The chapter summary covers Himmel's feelings after spending three-quarters of his life with Aura through his diary, the thoughts of the other hero party members about Aura, and Frieren's regrets.
Alright, since there hasn't been much interest in these snippets, we'll return to the main story tomorrow (^_^)
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Frieren PoV
'This's not like me... either.'
Under the moonlight illuminating the surroundings, I stand alone outside the castle walls. I can only laugh at myself. This situation was only making it worse. The feeling of liberation, of omnipotence, as I let my mana flow freely, unrestrained, without a thought. How long has it been since I felt this way? Although I'd sometimes gauge my current mana in short bursts, never for this long. Perhaps in nearly a thousand years. I've finally remembered what it feels like to be a powerful mage. Whether human or demon, any mage can't escape the confidence and trust built up in the magic they've honed over years of hard work.
'Arrogance and carelessness, like she used to say… Master always had a sharp tongue.'
Yes, Master ridiculed such things. No matter how often I told her, her words never softened. Her teachings: run, hide, ambush. The epitome of that was deceiving mana itself. An underhanded, disgraceful way of fighting, one that mocked the pride of magic, and my way as the Slayer Mage. Yet here I am, doing the exact opposite.
'I wonder what Master would say now…'
Would she scold me? No, she'd surely look on with dismay, like back then. She'd call me a fool. To her, I'll always be that inexperienced disciple.
But I'm not doing this without reason.
"(She's aware of my mana restrictions; continuing this has little effect.)"
Aura has already figured out my mana concealment, thanks to none other than the hero's party. What kind of joke is that? They let slip my lifeline of information. Not that it wouldn't have happened eventually—sooner or later. She likely knows my approximate mana level, so it's better to use the resources I've spent on suppressing it elsewhere.
"(This mana… there's no doubt. It's Aura. She's coming this way.)"
Another reason is to lure Aura out, to provoke her demon pride. I've let emotion and fluctuations into my mana on purpose. Something I'd normally get scolded for as a novice. Entering the country would pose a huge risk otherwise; I might have to face multiple demons in Freesia at once. More troubling, though, would be if they used the human residents against me. That was clear from the incident with Granat. It's unlikely, but I can't ignore the possibility; that's my way.
'It seems Linie delivered the message to Aura. A request to a demon… my former self would never have thought of it.'
Apparently, Linie successfully relayed my message to Aura. She really is a strange demon, shattering all my values.
That was after I escaped from the prison. I tried to reunite with Fern and the others, but I couldn't find them. Even Linie, who is better at detecting mana than me, couldn't find them, so we decided to head to Freesia first.
"I'd like to meet Aura alone. Could you help me?"
I asked Linie this request—a thought I'd been keeping to myself throughout this journey, something I hadn't shared with anyone. Somehow, now felt like the right time. Who'd have thought I'd be asking a demon, Aura's servant, for this? Fate really is strange.
Line accepted without hesitation, not a hint of suspicion, like a child. I almost felt guilty.
"Are you really okay with this? I'm Frieren, you know."
I found myself asking again, reminding her that I am Frieren. The Slayer Mage feared by demons. Was she sure she'd let me meet Aura alone? Did she trust me because Himmel would have, or does she genuinely believe I came to make friends with Aura? Or is it that—
"Yes. Because Frieren, you aren't lying."
Looking at me with eyes that see through lies, Linie said that. I couldn't respond. Apparently, I wasn't lying. What kind of lie, I wonder? What lie is it? It seems this child understands something even I don't know.
"And I'm sure Aura would ask the same thing."
It's probably the same for Aura, too. Linie seemed to know it would come to this, almost smiling as if to say, "You two are alike." I see. In that regard alone, Aura and I are of the same mind. Not that it's anything to be happy about.
'Fern is probably angry…'
The thought of my apprentice, who's likely fuming by now, makes me tremble. After being scolded all night, it's inevitable that she'll end up with an angry braid in the morning.
But this can't be helped. This is an issue between Aura and me. I feel sorry for dragging them into it, but ultimately, it's a matter only we can settle. Even if I cover it up, it'll resurface in some form. I learned that lesson all too well. I won't make the same mistake, no matter the result.
'Eighty years…'
So much time has passed. For me, it's nothing, a brief span. But I now understand that it's different for others. For most, it refers to the years since the Demon King's defeat. But for me now, it's the time since I last saw him. Time I knew nothing of until this journey, through diaries and tales.
────Closing my eyes quietly, I recall those memories.
"Himmel entrusted his dream to her. She carries it forward, just like we and you do."
"One day, I want you to see for yourself where Himmel's dream has led."
"Like Himmel, I too believe in Aura. As a friend."
That was the relationship between Heiter and Aura. The words of Heiter, who spent as much time with her as Himmel did. At first, I couldn't believe it. But now, I know better. I know Heiter wouldn't lie. And now, before me, stands the embodiment of that dream's continuation, a fairytale country.
"So, Frieren, could you deliver this to her? This is my final request."
I was outwitted by Heiter. But I can't ignore it. He was truly a troublesome priest to the very end.
"What do you think… Eisen feels about Aura?"
"If it's you asking, you should already know the answer, right?"
"Yeah. It's the same answer as that pious priest, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
Eisen was just like Heiter. It was as if they had coordinated. I felt a bit jealous, as if someone had taken my friend, my companion, without me realizing it.
"Aura is now trapped by Himmel. And that's the one thing Himmel wanted the least. Frieren, you should understand."
Eisen was simply troubled by Aura's current state. It's typical of him, really. Unable to speak his mind directly, even though he's still the same warrior. I understand what Eisen is worried about. I can't help but understand. And it's probably only because I understand it myself — a kind of mutual hatred.
"Frieren. This time, I want you to convey it to her. You're planning to go to Freesia, right?"
Eisen and Heiter are close, no doubt about it. They asked me the same thing, almost as if they had agreed upon it. They spoke the words I already knew. They put it into words, though they didn't need to. And yet, it had already reached me.
"Miss Frieren, do you intend to defeat Lady Aura?"
Lily asked, looking anxious and concerned. She's a human woman who grew up with Aura and only knows of her through diaries. One of the few people who knows Aura, who changed from the guillotine to the scales. Through her, I could be sure. The diary's contents weren't lies, nor were they mere fairy tales. They truly happened.
"As a child, I didn't understand it. But I think the adults did. This village was ravaged by Qual and the demons. Surely, those who became Aura's victims would never forgive her."
"That's why I think Lady Aura created Freesia. She probably wouldn't admit it, though."
"I want Lady Aura to live. I'm sure Lord Himmel would say the same."
"Please take care of Lady Aura, Miss Frieren."
And so, the task was entrusted to me. It was so unlike them. To entrust such a thing to me, a sworn enemy of demons. And to accept it. It leaves me unable to criticize that kind-hearted hero.
"──── Aura, I want us to be friends."
"──── I really enjoyed it. I'm so glad I didn't end up killing you back then."
These were words from Himmel I'd never heard before, words and feelings written only in a diary.
Himmel lived on in the diary. Laughing, getting angry, crying, feeling sad, and then laughing again. But I wasn't there. The one there was her. And that hurt. It was painful. I was jealous. I was bitter. Why wasn't it me who was there?
But as I continued reading, that feeling slowly changed. Gradually. Yes, that could have been a version of me — a self that existed, back then, if I hadn't tried to understand the human heart. If I had spent my days with Himmel and the others like that, how would it have turned out? Such "what ifs." And so, the outcome was also decided.
"… Aura, will you come to see me again?"
She, too, had made a significant mistake. And I, of all people, could never blame her.
"Frieren, I actually have a friend I'd like to introduce you to."
Himmel told me, looking at me with those same unchanging eyes. It seems Himmel remained Himmel. Always chasing impossible dreams. Yet he made them come true, which only made it worse. And yet, this one thing couldn't be fulfilled. He left us behind, going on his journey before us. There was no need to rush so much. Really, he was a sinful man.
Unknowingly, I touched the ring on my ring finger. The mirror lotus ring that Himmel left for me. His memento. Eternal love. His feelings for me, which he never put into words.
Holding that, I looked up at the sky. There was a beautiful moon. A moon that hasn't changed even after a thousand years. Something that, surely, will never change. That will probably be the moon and the sun alone.
Yet time still flows on. For humans, for demons, and for all living things in this world. It's the most equal, most cruel, and most gentle force.
Nothing remains unchanging. Even life that can endure for ages. It's just a difference between those who see it off and those who are seen off.
As if floating in the moonlight, she appeared. Radiating overwhelming magical power, looking down at me. Her face was hidden by the backlight.
But that was enough. She hadn't changed at all. Just like eighty years ago. Just as my appearance hasn't changed even after a thousand years. Only one thing was different.
────The silver flower of affection shining on her chest.
"──── It's been a while, hasn't it, Aura?"
"──── Yes. Eighty years, I believe, Frieren."
It was a reunion that could have been possible in the future between "The Slayer" and "The Guillotine," sharing the same words yet bearing completely different meanings.
The moon and the sun. The mirror lotus and the flower of affection. Elf and demon. Two mages, contrasting in every way.
It was the moment that, after eighty years, "The Slayer" and "The Scales" met again for the first time.
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