3

Two days after Frieren got Isekai'd - Lugunica Kingdom, Roswaal's Mansion

Frieren awoke early on her third day.

That was a good rest… I almost don't want to get up.

She stirred in the sheets, rolling on her stomach and burying her face in a pillow.

Roswaal should be back by tomorrow… I don't know what I'll do if he hasn't found a lead.

But I can't sulk all day. Let's see what else I can learn about this world.

Proof of the rising sun leaked through the window's curtains, a silent alarm that urged Frieren into motion. She rolled out of bed, lethargically gathering her day clothes and entering the washroom.

She drew a warm bath, a gentle stream of water filling the tub halfway. She tossed in her clothes along with an aromatic cleaning solution, then dipped her hands into the water and stirred gently. Iridescent bubbles formed at the surface, catching the soft light filtering in from the bathroom window.

Fern chose right with that cleaning spell. Mundane tasks are tiring.

She finished washing her clothes, emptying the tub and waving a palm to cast a drying spell that she earned as a reward. How long had it been since she learned it?

At least I have this.

With her clothes cleaned and neatly folded on the counter, Frieren drew a bath once more. She slid off her nightgown and eased into the water, draping her hair over the tub's side. The warm fluid enveloped her body in a soothing embrace, relaxing her as she closed her emerald eyes in calm bliss.

I wonder how long Subaru and the others have until their next task. I don't want to sit here like an awkward freeloader.

I mean, perhaps I could get used to this—it's nice. But I won't. It doesn't suit me.

Two days… How many more? Fern and Stark don't have infinite time to wait.

And I can't just stay here, hoping a solution will come.

With newfound motivation, Frieren stirred from her trance and took a milky bar of soap. It glided over her skin, washing away the grime of the past days and leaving a floral scent in its wake. She rinsed off, drained the tub, and dried herself with a towel.

Frieren dressed, her body and clothes a clean slate for what was to come.

Frieren found herself in the manor's library, its high ceiling accommodating a wealth of knowledge. She wove between shelves, her gaze drifting over the spines of countless books as she searched for something intriguing. But unfortunately for her, none of the text was recognizable.

Figures. What a shame, of course I can't read their language.

She stopped, her eyes settling on a thin, leather-bound tome etched with gilded lettering.

Frieren arbitrarily opened the book to a double-page illustration of a fantastical dragon.

Hmm. Dragons exist here too. I wonder how dangerous they are.

She turned the page. The left side was littered with spaced segments of unreadable text—but on the right, there was a portrait of a familiar half-elf.

Emilia? Wait… no, Subaru said the Witch of Envy resembled her. Perhaps this is a history book… though, it's fairly small.

Frieren's fingers slipped to the next page. The following picture spanned both halves of the spread, prompting her to turn the book sideways for the intended view. It depicted a tower, its wide base tapering inward as it stretched into the sky. Two curved pillars flanked its sides, reaching to form an arch over the core structure. Smooth, stalactite-like appendages hung from the crown of the tower.

Where might this be? This tower must be related to the Witch.

Just as she began to flip to the next page, a voice called out from the library's entrance.

"Hey Frieren! Whatcha up to?"

She looked up to see Subaru standing in the doorway, a cheerful smile on his face and one hand lifted in a friendly wave.

Was he looking for me?

"I was searching for something to read, but I can't understand this language."

Subaru stepped closer, his nose twitching at her pleasant scent.

"You smell really good!"

"Hm? Thanks… it's just the soap." She looked back to the book.

Glancing down with her, he said, "Oh, I remember this! It's a children's book full of nursery tales I studied to learn this world's language."

It's quite fancy for a children's book.

"How much time did that take?"

Subaru briefly paused. "Not too long, I had a great teacher."

If he's a good teacher too, I'm sure I could learn it quickly. Then I can peruse this collection.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in teaching me?"

"Sure. I could give you lessons at night if you want."

"I'd like that," Frieren agreed, flipping back to the illustration of the Witch. "Is this the Witch of Envy?"

Subaru sighed. "Yeah, this bit describes the heroes that sealed her away," he said, pointing at the sparse text.

A party of heroes…

"And this?" Frieren asked, turning back to the pages that depicted the tower.

The name Subaru saw was familiar, garnering his attention.

"It's titled: Pleiades Watchtower — The Great Library Pleiades."

"What relevance does it hold to the Witch?

"Supposedly, that's where the heroes sealed her."

"Then why is it called the 'Great Library'? What kind of books does it have?"

Subaru shrugged. "It doesn't say."

Such an important place is bound to have valuable treasure. The knowledge stored within must be priceless.

She twitched at the thought.

"I see, thanks for explaining," Frieren replied, closing the book and returning it to the shelf. "What are your plans for today?"

"Nothing much. I was getting ready to meet Garfiel at the track for our morning jog. You?"

"I was going to read everything I could, but it looks like I'll have to wait."

"You can always join us if you'd like," Subaru joked, recalling her less-than-enthusiastic experience performing radio calisthenics.

Frieren's icy stare answered for her: not happening.

Subaru chuckled and gave her a light tap on the back. "Suit yourself. I'll cya later, then," he said, turning to leave the library.

"See you." She raised a hand in a quiet wave as he left.

Frieren lingered a moment longer, then took her leave as well.

"Miss Frieren?" A gingerly voice chirped from behind her.

Frieren, on her way to the mansion's garden, turned to see who had spoken.

"Hello, Petra," Frieren replied, looking down to meet the girl's gaze.

It's nice to be taller than someone for once…

"H—How are you doing?"

"I'm good, thanks fo—"

Her reply was cut short by a commotion outside. She turned to the window and saw Garfiel effortlessly sprinting down the track ahead of Subaru, who chased after him, shouting, "It wasn't like that!" as Garfiel laughed hysterically.

"What is it? What is it?" Petra pleaded.

"It looks like Subaru and Garfiel are having some fun."

"Let me see!" Petra begged, reaching up with outstretched arms, her cyan eyes wide with pleading, puppy-like urgency. The window was perfectly positioned for Frieren to see through, but it left poor Petra, whose growth spurt had yet to arrive, stranded below.

Okay, fineeeee.

Frieren hoisted Petra to the window, holding her steady as the girl pressed her face to the glass, giggling as she left behind little smears of oil. "Get him, Subaru!"

"Ram should've known this ruckus was Barusu and Garf's doing," scoffed the maid, who had silently appeared beside Frieren to watch the spectacle. "What a hopeless pursuit. With those puny legs, Barusu can never hope to catch that animal."

"Subaru will find a way!" Petra retorted. "He always pulls through!"

"The girl is right, in fact!" Beatrice interjected at the now-crowded window, having brought a step stool to observe the disturbance. "After all that's happened, underestimating Betty's contractor would be nothing short of foolish, I suppose."

Ram rolled her eyes, releasing a sharp huff through her nose.

Where did these two come from? His charm is something else.

Subaru's blooming personality had quickly grown on Frieren; he had shown her nothing but compassion and generosity, even in the face of her initial hostility. It wasn't hard to see how he gained the loyalty of so many passionate friends.

Frieren only traveled with two or three companions at most, not to mention her centuries spent in solitude, so being surrounded by such a lively entourage felt strangely foreign.

Subaru gave up the chase once Garfiel mirrored his position on the opposite half of the track.

Frieren let her lips form a smile as she lowered Petra to the floor.

She's heavier than she looks… or maybe I'm just that weak.

"Thanks for the lift! I'd better get back to work," Petra said, skipping down the hall.

Beatrice took her leave as well, silently departing for the library.

The two remaining girls briefly sat in awkward silence.

Frieren and Ram.

The millennium-aged elf. A well-traveled prodigy and innovator in the realm of magic. The mage that helped slay the Demon King. A distant, enigmatic legend motivated to rectify her greatest mistake.

The Oni. The supposed second coming of the Oni God, whose potential—whose future—was torn from her skull. An aloof, seemingly callous maid who devoted her life in service to the conniving Margrave.

But they shared a notable similarity—tragic upbringings, massacres that defined their motivations and shaped their actions, the knives that carved their very identities.

…

"Something has been bothering Ram since your arrival."

Her words echoed through the empty hallway, replacing silence with unease. Another confrontation with the Oni wasn't out of the question, but Frieren had thought their tea time went well. Of course, Ram had voiced her suspicions during lunch, but nothing about Frieren's situation was ordinary.

"What is it?" Frieren responded, turning to meet Ram's unreadable gaze.

She crossed her arms. "Your eyes held malice during our first encounter. Ram would like to know the meaning behind that."

She could tell? I should've composed myself better… No point in lying now.

"Your village… The same thing happened to mine, except it was demons that attacked it. Subaru told me you were an Oni… and that made me suspicious."

Ram relaxed her gaze. She also carried hatred for those who destroyed her home—feelings she once felt for the man who let it happen in pursuit of his selfish goal. But she had long since come to terms with that.

"But he vouched for you, told me I could trust you. He was understanding, even when I got angry." Frieren frowned, her eyes drifting to the floor. "Then I met you, and while you're a bit abrasive, you've given me no reason to mistrust you. I judged you unfairly based on my preconceived notions about demons. I'm sorry if that caused you any discomfort."

"It takes a lot more than that to make Ram uncomfortable, and it's not like anyone got hurt, though Barusu could do with some punishment."

Frieren's eyes returned to Ram's. "You berate him even after he testified for you?"

"Barusu is a spoiled puppy. Ram is merely compensating for the overzealous praise he greedily laps up." She shifted, an unreadable microexpression flickering over her face. "Insults don't seem to faze him anyway."

What a perplexing relationship.

"You must like him though. Surely he brings value to this group."

"Barusu has miraculous timing," Ram plainly stated.

"That's it?"

She sighed audibly. "Ram is done with this indulgence. If you have nothing more to say, she'll take her leave."

He's not even here to listen. Nobody is. It's not like I'm fishing for gossip… I'm too old for that!

"One more thing. When I was showing Zoltraak to everyone, I mentioned that I modified it to kill demons. Didn't that concern you?"

"Ram is not foolish. You clearly differ from our elves, and your magic too. Why would your demons not differ from ours as well?"

Is she calling me foolish? Her reasoning makes sense… I guess I deserve it.

"I see. Wait here a moment, I'll be right back." She began walking to the guest room.

Ram remained silently at the window, her hands clasped below her waist, watching the elf depart.

Frieren entered the room and opened her suitcase. She sifted through its contents, pushing aside countless knickknacks until she found it: a small ring crafted with a floral design that she recovered from a dungeon.

It was truly a masterpiece. The center stone was a brilliant sapphire, with silver petals blooming outward, each adorned with smaller blue gems. The piece caught light beautifully, scattering cerulean glints from every stone as she turned it in her fingers.

I hope she'll like this.

Frieren closed her suitcase and hurried back to Ram, presenting the ring to her in an apologetic gesture.

"What is it?" Ram asked, arching a brow.

"Just a ring," Frieren replied. "It's designed after a blue hydrangea. An appraiser told me that it symbolizes frigidity and remorse. I think it suits you."

"Ram appreciates the thought, but it's unnecessary." She bowed her head.

"I insist," she said, leaving the ring on the windowsill. She offered a small, but genuine smile and turned to leave.

A faint smile tugged at Ram's lips as Frieren disappeared around the corner. Blue wasn't her color—but the ring was magnificent. She pocketed it, her annoyed demeanor returning as she decided to work for once. With a sigh, the maid produced a cloth and cleared the glass of Petra's gleeful smears.

The vast garden in front of the mansion had many features, but only one held Frieren's interest: a gravel path that wound through a particularly lush patch of flowers, leading to an elevated decorative stone.

The perfect place for meditation.

Frieren followed the trail, sitting on her knees atop the rock. Closing her eyes, she steadied her breathing and allowed herself to slip into tranquility. Her mana reserves were near capacity, but even so, a quiet moment of meditation was always welcome.

Frieren's body was still, her mind at peace. A small gust swept through the garden, lightly rustling her hair and earrings. Prompted by the wind, a small blue bird fluttered down and perched itself on her head. She remained like that for a good while, content in the quiet calm.

Until Garfiel arrived.

He had just finished his run with Subaru and was returning to the mansion for some water. But the sight before him, the statuesque elf in harmony with nature, stopped him in his tracks. The demihuman took in the view, his mouth slightly ajar, breath stunted.

She was oblivious to her onlooker, until he called out, "Whaddya doing, Frieren?"

The bird on her head flew away.

"Meditating. It requires complete silence," she hinted, eyes still closed.

Garfiel didn't take the hint. "Ya really are an old hag huh?"

Those words caused Frieren to open her eyes, a reminder of her current party's warrior.

Old hag, huh? Strike two.

Frieren, recalling his "granny" comment from yesterday, decided to start keeping count of Garfiel's insensitive nicknames.

"What an awful thing to say," she pouted, looking at the boy. "How do you think that makes me feel?"

"Old?" he asked, his lack of social awareness showing.

…

I can't believe it. I miss Stark.

With a sigh, Frieren closed her eyes, trying to reclaim her peace.

"Fine, fine! If it bothers ya that much, my amazin' self will come up with somethin' else."

She didn't respond, instead choosing to hum audibly.

"Cold shoulder huh?"

"Hm hmmh hmmmhmmm~~~," she hummed, swaying gently from side to side.

Garfiel shook his head and continued to the mansion. "Great. Now I gotta think of somethin' else…" he mumbled to himself.

What is it with young boys and commenting on my age? Maybe I should just say I'm twenty.

Frieren continued meditating uninterrupted for an hour.

The rest of the day passed quietly—Roswaal had not returned. Frieren ate lunch with the others, practiced some Earth Magic, and reread an old tome on the founding of the Imperial Mages.

When night came, Subaru made his way to Frieren's room.

knock knock.

"Come in."

He entered, placing a collection of books on the desk.

Frieren got out of her bed. "Ready to teach me?"

"Actually, there's someone I want you to meet first."

Another person? How have I not met them yet?

"Okay, lead the way."

They made their way down the hall, stopping at a tall door. A vase of fresh flowers sat on a table next to it.

Subaru gave three gentle taps with the back of his hand.

knock knock knock.

He waited a moment.

…

No answer.

The pair stepped quietly into the room, which was in immaculate condition. Their eyes settled on a blue-haired sleeping beauty. A blanket obscured most of her figure, leaving only her head visible as it poked out. Pale moonlight streamed in from the window beside the bed, casting a soft glow over her. The girl's resemblance to Ram was unmistakable.

Right. Ram said Roswaal saved her sister, Rem, too. But why isn't she moving?

"This is Rem, Ram's sister, but I'm sure you could've guessed that."

"Ram told me her name yesterday. Is something wrong with her?"

"It's a long story." Subaru grabbed a spare stool for Frieren, placing it next to his usual one.

They took their seats, and Frieren said, "It's okay, I'd like to hear it."

Subaru looked at Rem, then back to Frieren. "Remember the White Whale?"

"A little…" Frieren answered, embarrassed at the memory of being too sleepy to hear his story.

"Rem and I fought with many others to kill it. The battle was tough, but we pulled through. There was another threat close to Arlam, and Rem was fatigued, so I left her with another Royal Candidate named Crusch, and went to handle it with my other friends."

"Another threat?"

"It was the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. He was completely insane and very dangerous. But with the help of Julius, the knight of another candidate, I managed to kill him."

"Why was he near the village?"

"They had a plan called 'The Ordeal.' They wanted to use Emilia's body as a vessel for the Witch of Envy to possess."

That's insane. Such magic exists? How vile.

"Good thing you stopped it then."

"I have a feeling it wouldn't have worked anyway," Subaru said, a distant look on his face.

…

"So what happened to Rem?"

"Crusch's convoy was attacked by the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony."

It all comes back to the Witch Cult? Subaru must hate them.

"I knew I shouldn't have left her." He looked down at the ground. "She means so much to me, and I left her behind." Subaru pulled back the blanket covering Rem, taking her hand in his. He noticed a ring on her finger—a beautiful ring that had not been there before. "What's this?"

Ram found a use for it after all.

Frieren smiled as she explained, "It's a ring I gave to Ram—an apology for assuming the worst about her. It symbolizes coldness and remorse, so I thought it was fitting. It seems she thought the color suited Rem better."

Or perhaps Ram herself felt sorry.

"Coldness for Ram's personality and remorse for your assumption," Subaru derived. "I think that's perfect. And the color suits Rem well. Thank you for that."

"You're welcome. I'm glad that Ram found value in it."

Frieren watched Rem's chest rise, then fall. "She's not dead is she?"

"Rem is still alive, but she's been asleep for over a year."

"How's that possible?"

Subaru clenched his free hand as his face contorted with pain and anger. "Gluttony has a power similar to the White Whale which removes people from the memories of others."

His eyes redden.

"I'm not exactly sure how it works, but they used it on Rem, everyone forgot her, and she was left in this state. I had to tell Ram, and everyone else, who she was. Something similar happened to Crusch, but she lost her memories instead of everyone forgetting her, and she was still able to function."

Crusch lost her memories?

That's horrible. Detestable. Gluttony can strip people of everything? Their sense of self? How does that ability work?

I don't know which fate is worse.

I hope I never meet him. If I were to lose my memories…

The notion that such a villain could devastate another person, stripping away what made them themselves, sent a shiver through Frieren. If she were to lose her memories, everything she had worked towards in her long life—her knowledge, her magic, her relationships—would vanish.

But wait…

"Why do you remember Rem?"

…

"I don't know. Maybe a Divine Protection? Maybe because I'm from another world?" Subaru shook his head. There was another, more plausible hunch, but he couldn't explain it.

He paused for a moment.

"Regardless, I'm the only one who remembers, and if I couldn't, Rem would be lost. No one would fight to bring her back. She would've been forgotten and it would've been all my fault."

Subaru's eyes began to water.

"She saved me. She Trusted me. Believed in me."

His voice began to crack as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"I was her number one—and I—I let her down. I couldn't fix it, no matter what I did. I couldn't save her."

This is horrible. I can't begin to imagine the pain he feels.

I can't just sit here… he needs support.

Frieren rose and stepped behind Subaru, placing her left hand on his shoulder, the other settling on the crown of his head. She combed her fingers through his hair, slow and careful, interlacing the motion with soft pats.

"Subaru, you couldn't have known."

"BUT I DID KNOW!" Subaru's emotions burst out, his sobs becoming guttural.

Frieren flinched, her hand pausing mid-motion. But only for a moment. She resumed, steady and quiet, letting Subaru vent his grief.

"I knew I shouldn't have left her! I knew something was off, that I was missing something—that I was being slothful! I KNEW! I knew! I knew... I knew…" His shoulders quaked and his head fell back into Frieren's chest.

She let him.

"So you made a mistake," she said softly. "All you can do now is work to fix it."

"No one knows anything about Gluttony, let alone where he is. No one knows how to undo what he did. Even if I find him, it might not even be possible to save her."

"Still, you're trying your best aren't you? Even if you haven't saved her yet, can you say that Rem would hold that against you?"

Subaru didn't respond at first. His breath hitched, slower now, his tears following suit.

"I know she wouldn't… but how can I forgive myself?" His voice wavered. "I knew. It was my job to protect her."

Frieren paused. She sat back in her stool, her gaze meeting Subaru's dark, damp eyes.

"Everyone carries regrets… Things they wish they'd done differently. You don't have to forgive yourself. Not yet. Just promise you'll try your best to make it right. That's all anyone can do."

…

"Sorry… I didn't think I'd get this emotional. It's been so long, I thought I could handle a simple introduction."

"It's okay. Do you feel better now?"

"Yeah. Thank you."

Frieren smiled and stood up. She reached over, giving Subaru a few head pats that were a bit too rough. The boy's head bobbed in response.

"You're welcome."

Together, they left Rem, Subaru giving her a longing glance as he closed the door.

Back in the guest room, Subaru had brought the spare stool, sitting next to the desk while instructing Frieren on this world's alphabet.

Two small candles flickered side by side, one taller than the other, casting a warm glow across the desk, their radiance intermingling with silver strands of moonlight.

Their session started a little awkward, but Subaru quickly caught his tempo and confidently taught Frieren.

Half an hour later.

Frieren had quickly caught on to the alphabet, writing each character from memory with ease. Before moving on to vocabulary, Subaru wanted to learn more about her.

"Besides helping establish humanity's core magic system, what else have you done in your world?"

"I guess my most notable accomplishment would be my role in slaying the Demon King."

"How are you just now telling me about this? That sounds like a huge deal!" Subaru praised.

She shrugged. "I guess it never came up, and I didn't do it for attention."

"What was the fight like?"

Frieren stopped writing. "It was a tough battle. I had to use techniques I rarely employ. Honestly, I couldn't have done it without my friends."

"Fern and Stark?"

"No, this was over eighty years ago. I had a different party back then."

"What were they like?"

"We had a corrupt, alcoholic priest named Heiter. He actually adopted Fern, and seeing her potential, asked me to mentor her as his dying wish."

"I'm sorry to hear he passed. Otto also lets loose with alcohol, but he's a reliable friend."

"Heiter was… dependable—at least when it counted. He was an incredible mage. In his youth, his mana capacity was well beyond that of typical humans. After years of traveling together, he was able to tell that I was suppressing my mana, a technique that he later taught to Fern."

"How hard is it to tell?"

"Very. I've been in suppression for most of my life, so it takes phenomenal skill to recognize."

Subaru wondered how that felt. Was it like constantly flexing a muscle, or was it more subconscious? He didn't ask.

"Who else was there?"

"Our warrior was a dwarf named Eisen. Dwarves have long lifespans, and he spent centuries refining his talents. He's one of the most formidable warriors I've ever met. He adopted and mentored Stark, asking Fern and I to take him with us when our journey began."

"A dwarf? Your world seriously sounds straight out of a fantasy RPG!"

Subaru had made a similar comment before, so Frieren elected to continue.

"Even as skilled as he was, I'll never forget how he trembled before powerful opponents."

Subaru listened intently. It comforted him to know that even the strongest of warriors could be afraid.

"But fear motivated him—kept him alive. He channeled it. Turned it into something useful. That's what truly made him a warrior."

That statement resonated with Subaru deeply. The past year had gone by smoothly, a period of peace that this world rarely offered. However, the boy couldn't shake his stochastic feelings of inadequacy. His past held perils previously inconceivable to him, and he knew the future would hold even more. But Subaru didn't have to be fearless. He just had to keep going—and he didn't have to go alone.

…

"Eisen sounds like an inspiring guy," he said. "Thanks, I think I needed to hear that."

"Then I'm glad I got to tell you," Frieren replied, the pair sharing smiles.

"Was there anyone else in your party?"

"There was one more, a human. Our leader and hero, Himmel." A distant look softened her features as she prepared her explanation.

"Hero? Is that just a title, or was he special?"

"Well, there's a weapon called the Hero's Sword that resides in a cave, buried in stone. Supposedly, it was made the Goddess of Creation."

"Just like Excalibur!" Subaru exclaimed, recalling a myth from his world.

No clue.

Frieren continued, "Many heroes tried to take it, including Himmel, but nobody succeeded."

"So he wasn't special?"

"Not in that way, but he didn't care. Himmel declared that even without the relic, he would slay the Demon King, and in the end, he fulfilled that promise."

"Another inspiring story! The hero subverts the 'chosen one' trope!" Subaru gleamed, finding value in the tale.

I don't know what he means, but I'm glad he liked it.

"To answer your question, he was special. His true strength was his character."

"His character? What do you mean?"

"Our journey could have been much shorter," she answered, a trace of fondness in her voice. "But Himmel constantly took detours. Every village we passed, he insisted on helping whoever needed it. And every dungeon we found, he had to explore top to bottom."

She paused, recalling his words.

"He always said it was the journey of a lifetime, so we ought to enjoy it."

"That's a good reason, isn't it? For a human, slaying humanity's greatest enemy would be their crowning achievement."

It was Frieren's turn to listen.

"If it were me… I'd want to look back on that memory fondly—remember every step I took with my friends. Every laugh, every struggle… everything that made it ours."

He values people… and the memories he shares with them.

"And I'd want to be remembered by those I helped. I won't be around forever… it'd be nice to know that I made an impact."

Frieren blinked, her mouth slightly open.

Himmel wanted to be remembered… Wanted me to remember him.

Well, he got his wish…

Such a simple goal. Is it the same for every human? Wanting to be remembered…

Something tells me Subaru will be. I've seen it in him. That desire to help.

She looked at him for a long moment, then asked, "Being remembered… Why does it matter?"

The question surprised Subaru. Leaving your mark—being remembered—was so natural to him, so obvious, so human, that he'd never thought to question it.

Subaru opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He let the silence linger as he fumbled through his thoughts.

…

"I guess… it's scary. Scary to think that one day, I'll be gone. That I'll leave behind everyone I care about, hoping that I did enough."

Subaru searched Frieren's eyes for a reaction. Nothing yet, she was carefully listening. He continued, his voice soft.

"Being remembered means that you mattered to someone. That you lived a life worth something. That even if you're gone, a part of you stays behind."

He chuckled at himself, almost embarrassed.

"I know it probably sounds selfish or dramatic, but I think that's part of what keeps me going. Wanting to be the kind of person people won't forget."

Frieren was still, her eyes on Subaru as she mulled over his words. Leaving behind a legacy never mattered to her—partly because of her disinterest in attention, and partly because of her prolonged lifespan.

If I died now… or never returned to my world… would I be satisfied with what I've done? For how long would I be remembered… hundreds, thousands of years? Does it even matter? Either way, I'd be gone.

There are still things I want to do.

I want to reach Aureole… for one last chance to speak with Himmel.

I have all the time in the world to do that.

But I want to do it with Fern and Stark.

Their time is short… too short to sit idly, to leave things undone.

What do they want?

"I see… I can't say that I completely understand your reasoning, but I can tell that you truly feel that way. You're not being selfish, nor dramatic."

While Frieren didn't share Subaru's fear of being forgotten—at least, not in the same way—she chose to indulge him. She offered him a small smile.

"You helped me when I was lost, and you continue to help me now. For that, I'll remember you for the rest of my life."

Subaru grinned back. "Awww thanks! I bet you're gonna live for a looooong time, so that means a lot!" He stretched his arms wide as if trying to measure her lifespan.

Frieren gave a quiet nod, and for a moment, everything was still. Then Subaru leaned forward, deciding to ask something that was on his mind from earlier.

"You mentioned a negative trait for each of your party members. So… what's yours?" He raised a finger. "Wait! Let me guess…"

Oh boy.

"You sleep too much? Can't wake up? In other words…. you're kinda lazy?"

Frieren gave him a deadpan stare.

"...Let's get back to studying," she muttered, picking up her pen.

One and a half hours later.

Subaru had just finished covering the basics of Lugunica's written vocabulary. Before they could move on to sentence structure, Frieren had a question of her own.

"How did you and Beatrice grow so close? She seems entirely devoted to you."

Subaru put down the book he was reviewing. "Beako wasn't exactly receptive to me at first."

Frieren nodded. "That doesn't surprise me."

"I first met her at the old mansion, where she was guarding the Forbidden Library."

"Why was she guarding it?"

"The library held an unbelievable amount of knowledge, so her mother asked her to watch over it."

Subaru skipped over the deeper context, not wanting to delve into the camp's history with the Witch of Greed. He already told Frieren that the Witch Cult was analogous to the demons from her world, and he didn't want any more misunderstandings.

Beatrice is an artificial spirit, so her mother is just her creator, right? How does one even go about creating such an… accurate imitation of humanity?

He quickly added, "Anyway, this library wasn't exactly part of the mansion."

Then how did it burn down?

"What do you mean by that?"

"Beatrice had this crazy ability—she could link the library to any door in the mansion. I just happened to walk into it my first day there."

Incredible... What were the limits of that magic? Such a utility could revolutionize travel.

"You met her by chance?"

"That's how it felt, but I've been told I have a high spiritual affinity, so maybe I was drawn to her. Like fate or something."

Subaru drifted into thought, remembering each encounter, each crossing, with Beatrice—how she helped him, held his hand, even sacrificed herself.

"When the two assassins came and the mansion went up in flames, I knew I had to save her."

If the mansion burned down then there would be no doors… then the library would be destroyed? But it wasn't part of the mansion… Where could it have been?

"She must've been devastated about the library."

"You have no idea. Her mother had told her to wait for someone—'That Person,' she called them. Beako waited for four hundred years until I convinced her to leave."

"So you were 'That Person?'"

"No, I don't think they ever existed." Subaru clenched his jaw at the notion that, out of pure greed, Echidna had subjected Beatrice to such a horrible experiment.

How could her mother leave her like that?

Four hundred years isolated in a library packed with books wouldn't be horrible for me.

But for Beatrice… I wonder how she felt.

"How did you convince her then?"

"She was ready to die there, tired of waiting for somebody who wouldn't come. So I asked her to save me instead. I told her I'd make her life worth living. She was afraid, though. Afraid I'd die someday, and she'd be alone all over again."

That makes sense. After all that time alone… to finally meet someone, to grow attached, just for him to die a few decades later… that would be devastating.

"I promised her that every day would be memorable. 'Choose me.' Those were the words I pleaded with." Subaru rubbed his right hand, remembering the moment.

"And she did?"

"She chose me," Subaru confirmed, smiling. "We've been contracted ever since."

She hadn't taken to him at first, and yet… he still saved her—-from a burning building, no less. His compassion really is something else.

As far as she knew, Subaru was an ordinary human. He couldn't use magic on his own, his physique was fairly average, and she couldn't see him being particularly intimating in combat. Nonetheless, here he was, a seemingly normal boy who risked his life for others. To Frieren, that was nothing short of extraordinary.

"That's a very sweet story Subaru," Frieren said, returning his smile. "Your bond makes sense now. That was quite the heroic thing to do."

"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't save her," Subaru replied. "It was something I had to do."

Frieren nodded, and Subaru resumed his teaching. They studied through the night, only stopping once the moon had drifted out of view beyond the window.

They learned a lot from each other.

Frieren, most notably, was beginning to grasp the written language of Lugunica. With just a few more days of instruction, she would reach a readable level. She valued the insight Subaru offered on human nature, and was grateful that he trusted her enough to introduce Rem. The context he gave about his bond with Beatrice helped her understand their connection more deeply.

Subaru, in turn, strengthened his resolve through Frieren's words. He didn't need to be the "chosen one", or "That Person," or anyone special. He just had to keep moving forward, trusting his ability to overcome whatever lay ahead. Of course, it helped that he had a secret redo button—traumatic as it was to use.

Frieren had nurtured the seeds planted during his last tea party with the Witches. And now, more than ever, he understood that he didn't have to face everything alone.

The pair concluded their session, exchanged friendly goodnights, and retired to bed.

Eccentric. Powerful. Calculating. Abnormal. Suspicious.

All words that aptly described Roswaal L. Mathers, the Margrave who was returning to his estate after a brief visit to the Royal Capital.

The meeting had gone smoothly, or at least it appeared to. Not that it mattered, he was too preoccupied with the recent situation to care.

Frieren, who was on her fourth day in this world, was an unforeseen enigma to the mage. An elf from another world. It wasn't the most absurd thing he'd encountered in his long life.

But the way Subaru explained it, so confidently, as if it were a matter of fact. As if he understood.

That got the clown thinking.

He hadn't uncovered anything about the monument during his stay in the capital—and he had tried. Any distraction that threatened to divide Subaru's focus needed to be dealt with.

Violently?

No.

Roswaal needed the boy's goodwill, however little of it remained, to achieve his goal. He had learned that the hard way.

So he had three options:

Help Frieren return to her world.

Let her figure it out on her own.

Or groom her into staying with the Emilia Camp.

The former option had its merits—one less variable to account for, and Frieren was sure to agree—but it carried too much uncertainty. Roswaal hadn't previously heard of this monument, nor had he uncovered a shred of information about it. Every potential lead or resource he could pull from was, for the moment, impractical.

The middle option was safe, but the Margrave's greedy side argued against it. The story Subaru told about Frieren handling the boss wolgarm intrigued him, and though Roswaal didn't know much about her, he could tell she had potential.

So he settled on the latter.

One thing was clear—Subaru had a natural knack for drawing people in. So, the clown would stick to the truth: he had discovered nothing.

The most fruitful course of action was to let Subaru work his magic. If he found a way to send Frieren back, good. If not, he would certainly win her over, and when he did, she would no doubt become a valuable asset.

All while Roswaal manipulated things behind the scenes.

At least, that's what the Margrave believed.

Frieren moved through the day with quiet anticipation. Roswaal had claimed his trip would take two days at most, so she situated herself outside, assisting the others with their chores.

She was helping Subaru and Petra tend the vegetable garden, using her staff to shuffle produce, fertilizer, and pails of water around.

That was when the Margrave returned.

He streaked across the sky, coming to an abrupt stop above the gravel road before floating down in elegant flourish. A black top hat rested neatly on his head, his business attire still adorned.

Frieren immediately dispelled her staff, turning to approach him.

"Welcome back Roswaal. Did you find anything useful?"

"Jumping riiiiiight into it, are we~~~," he said, a courteous smile on his face.

I don't see how anyone can get used to him.

"I apologize if I came off as rude. I'm just… anxious."

"Of cooourse you are, I don't hooold it against you. Unfoooortunately, each avenue I explored yielded noooothing."

Frieren stared at him with dismay, a frown forming on her lips.

This isn't good, I can't just wait here. Maybe I can analyze the monument more… or find a way to the capital for my own research.

"Thank you for your hospitality then. I need to get back as soon as possible, so if you don't think there's anything you can do, I should probably get going."

"I don't think that's a gooood idea." His expression stiffened slightly.

That sounded ominous… I don't have a solid plan, so I'll hear him out.

Subaru and Petra glared at him with apprehension. The boy stood up from the garden, ready to intervene if anything went awry.

"Why not?" Frieren asked.

"Where would you goooo? I triiiied everything I cooould at the Royal Capital, and there isn't much else clooose by."

I'm in a bad position here. On my own, it'd be tough to find my way around… but I've done it before.

There was that book…

"What about the Pleiades Watchtower? I read that there's a library there."

The question caught Roswaal off-guard, shifting his demeanor to sternly practical.

"That is cooooompletely unrealistic. You're new to this woooorld. The watchtower is weeeeeks away by carriage, and whooo's to say the trip, let alone the tower, wooould be safe? Are you even certain this library cooontains what you're searching for?"

Weeks? Well, it was worth a shot. If nothing else works, I'll make the trip myself.

"Where is—"

"I'll help her with whatever she decides," Subaru interrupted. He was tired of breaking promises, and he had given Frieren his word.

He would definitely be helpful, but I don't want to put him in danger.

"You don't have to do that, Subaru," Frieren said, gratefully smiling at him.

"No way I'm backing down! I promised you I'd help, so that's what I'm gonna do."

"Yoooou have other obligations, Subaru," Roswaal said, taking control of the conversation.

"You mean Emilia? I don't wanna leave her alone… but I'm sure she can handle herself for a few weeks." He paused to catch his thoughts. "She could even come with us. It's been pretty quiet this past year anyway."

But Roswaal had a response that threw a wrench in Subaru's plan. Even without his imperfect Book of Wisdom, the missing puzzle piece had fallen into his hands at the Royal Capital.

"At the capitaaaal, I ran intoooo an associate, Joshua, the younger broooother of Julius. He was sent by Anastasia with an invitatioooon for Emilia to visit the Watergate City of Priestella. He should be arriving in a few daaaays to deliver it formally."

"What does Anastasia need Emilia for?" Subaru scoffed, wary of whatever scheme the fox may be planning.

"She claaaaims a merchant there possesses a mana crystal suuuuitable for Puck to inhabit."

Puck, the spirit that saved her from the forest?

"Emilia will definitely wanna go then…"

"And as her knight, youuuu must accompany her. I haaaaave an important meeting with the Western Lords, so I wooon't be attending."

Beatrice will want to go with him.

Otto, as the Internal Affairs Officer—whatever that means—probably has an obligation to attend.

Garfiel too, he said he was the group's shield.

The maids will probably be busy with work…

And this weirdo has meetings.

Not that I expect any of them to help me. It was Subaru's promise, after all.

Looks like I'm on my own…

I guess I can walk to Costuul. Hopefully, I can find a traveler that'll take me to Arlam or the Royal Capital.

I'll have to find work to pay them…

Subaru looked down, torn between the elves. Roswaal was right, he was obligated to help Emilia, and he wanted to. But Frieren was stranded, with no one to rely on. He stayed quiet for a moment, then an idea struck him.

"Wait! Anastasia has a huge network of connections. If anyone can find information about the monument, it would be her!"

Roswaal smiled. Frieren would surely be more receptive to the idea if it came from Subaru.

"Thaaat's a goood point," he added. "The merchant's reach far exceeeeds mine. She seems like the beeeeest option at the moment."

Frieren took a second to think about her situation.

It's almost like I'm being led along… Roswaal claims that staying with them is my safest bet. Before Subaru interrupted our conversation, did he have another suggestion?

It's true that I don't have many options…

There was that word on the monument… "return." Why didn't Subaru want me to say it? There was also that reaction he had when I described his strange mana…

But apart from that, he and his friends have shown me great kindness. If they wanted to harm me, why wait? They could've done it while I slept.

If Subaru believes Anastasia's my best lead, then I'll trust him. He has to go anyway, and I'd rather have his help than none.

"I see… Subaru, I'll go with you if that's what you think is best."

"I do," he replied, casting a wary glance at the clown before turning back to her. "Roswaal didn't find anything at the capital, so I think this is our best shot."

"Oh my, how sweeeet~~~," Roswaal teased. "If you have nothing moooore to ask, then I'll taaaaaake my leave."

Of all the people here, he talks the strangest. And his face… Why must he paint it like that? On top of that, I have to crane my neck just to look him in the eyes! Honestly, he's quite unnerving.

"Thank you for your help," Frieren said, offering the Margrave a brief bow of her head.

"You're veeeeery welcome~~~," he replied, turning to make his way indoors.

As Subaru and Frieren watched Roswaal depart, Petra, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, scurried over.

"You're leaving again!?" she cried out, the childish disappointment in her voice evident.

Subaru knelt down to her height. "I'm sorry, Petra. It'll only be for a bit!" he said, ruffling her hair and unsettling the red bow neatly tied atop her head.

She pouted in response, then quickly threw her arms around him.

Frieren watched them in silence, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile.

Cute.

Once Petra was satisfied with the embrace, the trio resumed their gardening. The rest of the day passed uneventfully.

It took three days for Joshua Juukulius, accompanied by Mimi Pearlbaton, to arrive at Roswaal's mansion.

During that time, Subaru continued his lessons with Frieren, helping her achieve fluency in Lugunica's written language. He also informed his companions of his plan to seek Anastasia's help with her situation.

Joshua and Mimi met with the Emilia Camp, explaining the details of the invitation Anastasia had extended. Frieren did not attend the meeting; she felt it was premature to include herself in the group's formal affairs.

The ambassadors had not yet encountered the elf, nor had anyone informed them of her presence. In her absence, Subaru and the others figured it would be best to save the details for Anastasia herself.

After that meeting, Emilia had another with Roswaal, seeking his blessing to attend the event. He gave it, of course, and outlined who would accompany her to Priestella.

Frieren's assumptions proved mostly correct. Beatrice, Otto, and Garfiel would travel with them to the city and Ram would stay behind at the mansion. Petra and Frederica, however, would travel with Roswaal to the Meeting of the Western Lords.

When Emilia finished, the party gathered their luggage and met at the stables. They had decided to head out immediately following Joshua and Mimi's departure.

Otto prepared Patrasche and Frufoo, his personal earth dragon, for the journey, adorning them with leather sets of gear. The carriage he hitched them to was more lavish than the one Frieren had previously ridden in; it was the vehicle Emilia used for occasions relating to the Royal Selection.

It was a large carriage, with two curtained windows on each side. The frame was crafted from dark, stained wood, lined with golden accents that traced its body and wheels. Two satchels were secured to each flank of the vehicle.

Subaru and Beatrice took their seats on the cushioned bench at the head of the carriage.

Garfiel loaded everyone's belongings before choosing to stand on the vehicle's metal side skirts for the trip.

Emila and Otto climbed through the back door, seating themselves across from one another.

Frieren was last. Upon entering, she was immediately struck with the luxurious interior of the carriage.

At the front end sat a built-in cabinet, atop which rested a silver tray bearing a bottle of wine with several glasses. Above it, a sliding window allowed for communication between the driver and passengers. Two cyan benches lined the interior, each with diamond tufting patterned along their backs.

Frieren took her seat next to Emilia, settling closest to the sliding partition. She tucked her suitcase into the space between the cabinet and the bench.

"How long will it take to arrive," she asked, the question open for anyone to respond.

"Around ten days, if we make good time," Otto answered, well-versed with the most efficient trade routes.

Ten days… Fern and Stark will be waiting for a while. I'm in for an earful when I get back.

At least the carriage is nice. This space is practically a room.

Subaru guided the earth dragons, steering the vehicle down the path toward the main road where Ram, Petra, and Fredrica stood, ready to see off their friends.

Otto opened the windows on his side, Emilia and Frieren standing to peer out.

"Garf, I want you to behave yourself! Don't embarrass the others, okay?" Frederica said, reaching up to wipe a smear of lunch off his face.

"Whaddya mean 'embarass?' Cap'n is proud to have such amazin' muscle with him."

"Garf…"

"Yeah, yeah, big sis. I'll behave," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

Petra stepped forward and rose onto her tiptoes, draping her hands over the driver's bench for support.

"And make sure you take care of each other!" she ordered, her serious eyes looking up at Subaru.

"We will Petra. Don't worry, it's just a little business trip," he assured.

"Betty will ensure he makes it back safe, in fact," Beatrice said, arms folded with an air of pride.

Petra smiled, satisfied with their responses. She fell back into line with the other maids.

"And Ram? I didn't expect you to see us off," Subaru said, grinning at her.

"Ram only came with a warning: do not let Barusu drag you into trouble," she said, directing the statement to everyone.

"Trouble finds me, not the other way around!"

"Regardless, Ram expects everyone's safe return. Do not disappoint." She gave him a cold glare.

"Well, at least you care," Subaru said, taking her small show of concern as a personal victory.

She scoffed back.

Everyone said their goodbyes, the carriage departing to the Watergate City of Priestella.

Day 1

The beginning of their journey went smoothly. There were no hiccups along the way, and everyone was in good spirits.

Frieren maintained a hopeful mindset, the prospect of a new city with a well-networked merchant easing her doubts. Still, lingering thoughts of failure poked at the back of her mind.

Fern and Stark—the two pupils entrusted to her.

She had grown quite fond of Fern during their years together. They teetered between roles, taking turns acting like the adult or the child.

Fern had grown up fast, Frieren thought. If this was what it was like to have a sibling—or a child, a grandchild, whatever—then she was content with their relationship. Especially since Fern would pamper her.

Stark was growing on her, too. He struggled with confidence, but he was more than capable of anything she had asked of him.

When he clashed with Fern, Frieren found it comical—except when Fern got truly upset. That was terrifying... With body language alone, Fern could subdue Stark—a cold fire that Frieren had been burned by before.

She smiled.

Sein's insight into the pair's feelings intrigued her. Budding romance was rare in Frieren's life—barring one unfortunate scenario—but having a front-row seat wasn't unwelcome.

They worked well together, and Frieren didn't want to lose them.

Such a short amount of time I've spent with them, yet I already feel attached. What was different? Was it just my attitude?

To a degree, her efforts to understand humans were successful. She shared many moments with the two, both tender and tense. And in their presence, she often found herself reflecting on the past—on moments she once lived through but failed to comprehend.

What if I can't get back?

The recurring question echoed like static at the edge of her thoughts.

…

Frieren and the others made small talk, swiftly burning through daylight. When night fell and the earth dragons grew tired, they stopped in a clearing beside the road to rest.

Otto neglected to pack camping supplies, claiming they could just use the carriage.

So they did.

Emilia stayed inside, inviting Frieren to join her while the boys slept outdoors.

Frieren declined, saying she wanted to spend the night on the carriage roof. The myriad of stars above glimmered in faint pulses. She gazed at them, tracing patterns in her mind to pass the time. A day spent sitting in the carriage had left her restless.

Garfiel and Otto slept upright on the driver's bench, while Beatrice claimed the spare spot inside.

Subaru would join her soon, but he couldn't sleep yet. He spotted Frieren on the carriage roof. They hadn't talked much since their departure, and he figured now was a good time to check in.

Frieren, who was lying on her back, heard Subaru climbing up. She shuffled to the side, making room for him to sit next to her.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, taking the offered spot.

"Not tired," she replied, shifting her gaze to him. "I was connecting the stars to ease my mind."

"You're making constellations?"

"Constellations?

"In my world, they're groups of stars that form recognizable patterns. They're named, oftentimes after mythological figures."

"I see. I suppose I'm making constellations, then. But I haven't named any yet." She looked back to the sky. "You can't sleep either?"

"I'm getting there." He craned his neck to look up with her. "What do you see?"

Frieren pointed toward the sky, directing Subaru's gaze to a collection of stars.

"That bunch looks like a stag," she said.

"What? No way you see that. It looks like an onion."

Frieren shivered. She hated onions.

"It doesn't look like an onion. Such a heinous vegetable has no place among the stars anyway. You're ridiculous."

"I'm ridiculous? There aren't even antlers!"

"Right there." Frieren moved her finger, tracing what she perceived as horns. "See?"

"There's only one! That's a leaf sprouting from the bulb."

"There's two."

"Nope, there's definitely not."

Unbeknownst to them, they were looking at different sets of stars.

They continued stargazing, bickering over the abstract shapes above them until Subaru felt sleep creeping in. He took his leave, slipping down the roof and retreating to the carriage to accompany Beatrice in her slumber.

Frieren, tired from their constellation squabble, fell asleep shortly after.

Day 2

The carriage came to a halt as the group passed out of the Mathers Domain on the second day. A checkpoint stood ahead, marking the border of the neighboring territory, guarded by soldiers representing its ruling lord.

Emilia peered at the guards through the window, showing them her face and presenting the Mathers family crest.

After a few wary glances, the soldiers stepped aside and allowed them through.

"What was that about?" Frieren asked.

"Some lords enforce strict security on the borders of their territory," Otto answered.

"But we've been granted entry due to my status as a Royal Candidate," Emilia added.

"Would they have let us through if you weren't here?"

"If you brought this crest, they probably would've let you through as a sign of goodwill," Emilia said.

"Otherwise, we would've had to pay a toll," Otto finished.

They ventured through the territory of various lords, stopping at checkpoint after checkpoint until they reached a stretch of uninterrupted passage which they rode through for the rest of the day.

Day 3

The third day brought a few obstacles for the party. Small, dispersed groups of witchbeasts appeared along the road at various intervals.

Each time they emerged, Frieren and the others were prepared to fight, but it was Garfiel who dispatched them. With ease, he lunged from beast to beast, quickly clearing the road. He spent the day running alongside the carriage, on high alert for any threats.

He's a solid fighter. Incredibly fast… and absurdly strong. I don't understand how it's possible for someone to punch straight through monsters like that.

The group plowed through witchbeast territory that day, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake. They passed the Royal Capital, its silhouette obscured by a mountain range, and continued onward.

Day 4

On the fourth day, Otto and Emilia discussed the current state of the Royal Selection. They reviewed each candidate, adding tidbits of context to help Frieren understand.

Crusch Karsten—the amnesiac candidate who led the offensive against the White Whale. With the help of the Iron Fang, she and Subaru achieved the long-overdue victory which bolstered her reputation and launched the previously unknown boy into the spotlight.

Priscilla Barielle—the fiery candidate who was improving relations between the war-torn nation of Vollachia and Lugunica, swaying the southern region of the country to her side.

Anastasia Hoshin—the tycoon candidate whose empire of influence stretched from Kararagi to Lugunica. A cunning, self-made merchant and economic powerhouse whom Otto considered to be the greatest threat to Emilia's candidacy.

Last but not least, Felt—the wildcard candidate thrown into the Royal Selection, backed by the kingdom's strongest knight. Emerging from the slums with no political experience, she adopted a populist platform, vowing to bring anarchy to Lugunica by uprooting the establishment and disavowing the noble class.

Frieren wasn't interested in politics, but learning about the world's history and Emilia's opponents was intriguing enough. She listened to Otto's analysis of each candidate, asking questions when an unfamiliar subject arose.

By the end of their conversation, she had a greater understanding of the geography and cultural climate of Lugunica, with some tidbits of knowledge related to Kararagi and Vollachia.

The day ended with Frieren content with the lesson.

Day 5

The midpoint of their journey arrived, and in celebration, Subaru announced a special dinner he had been planning.

Otto parked the carriage in a field adjacent to the road, relieving the earth dragons of their gear. He unpacked their rations, leaving the pair to enjoy their meal.

Subaru and Garfiel prepared a firepit, placing stones in a circular formation with sticks piled in the center. Emilia manipulated the temperature, igniting the wood.

A pot of boiling soup sat in the center of the pit. Subaru had packed a large container of udon, which he emptied into the pot.

Once it was heated, he portioned servings to his companions, cracking an egg in each bowl. The yolk, he recalled, represented the moon, a perfect reflection of the one glowing above them.

He had a vegetable similar to spring onions, which he sliced into small bits. Subaru garnished each dish with a sprinkle, except Frieren's, recalling that she hated them.

The completed dish was one from Subaru's world: tsukimi udon.

The party dug into their food, savoring every bite. Subaru's cooking had become superb, so every meal he prepared was a treat. His contracted spirit made sure that fact was acknowledged.

After dinner, Emilia, Subaru, and Beatrice returned to the carriage to sleep.

Frieren chose to stay with Garfiel and Otto at the campfire, drifting swiftly into a pleasant slumber, her full stomach adding to the comfort.

Day 6

On the sixth day, Otto traded places with Subaru, taking control of the carriage. Frufoo vented her frustrations, claiming that the less experienced boy handled her too rough. Patrasche disagreed.

While Subaru had spent the last year diligently practicing his driving, his skills were still rough around the edges.

Beatrice followed her contractor, sitting on his lap in Otto's old spot.

Garfiel took a break from dangling off the carriage's side, choosing instead to perch on the roof, where he could easily scan for threats.

But there were none, and the day passed quietly.

Day 7

During the seventh day, Frieren shared stories about the various creatures she'd encountered in her world.

"—known as the Spiegel. It defended itself by creating clones that mimicked our mana and abilities."

"You had to fight replicas of your allies? That sounds suuuper scary!" Emilia said.

"Yeah, I would not wanna fight you," Subaru added.

"Nobody did. Fern and I ended up fighting it."

"So, did you kill yourself?" Subaru bluntly asked.

"Subaru! Don't say it like that!"

"Sorry Emilia-tan…, Sorry Frieren." He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Did you kill your clone?"

"It was an intense fight, but with Fern's help, we pushed my clone to its limit and I finished it."

"Did you get hurt?" Emilia asked, concerned.

"Betty does not see how one could escape a fight with themselves unscathed, I suppose."

"I did get a minor burn on my arm. Fern got it worse, though. She was hit with an attack I rarely use. It caught her off-guard and shattered her staff. That was when I found the opening."

"That does sound intense! What if we were in that situation—with, say… Reinhard? That fight would be amazing to watch," Subaru speculated, recalling the immense power the strongest knight had displayed back in the Loot House.

Reinhard? I wonder if I'll meet him. If he's the first person Subaru thought of, he must be powerful.

For the rest of the day, Frieren continued telling tales of monsters from her world. She certainly had plenty to share.

Day 8

On the night of the eighth day, Frieren asked to sleep inside the carriage, tired of the bugs that circled her when she slept on the roof.

Subaru offered his space, taking a spot on the floor. He braced his back against the bench Emilia was resting on.

"Betty's Subaru offers our spot to a girl he just met, in fact. He needs to learn who to prioritize, I suppose."

"Beatrice, she's our guest! You can give up your spot for the night," Emilia scolded.

"Hmph!" Beatrice huffed, crossing her arms with exaggerated flair. She plopped down next to Subaru, leaning against him.

Wherever he goes, she'll follow, even if it isn't where she'd choose to be.

"I'll sleep on the floor if you'd prefer," Frieren said.

"It's okay," Subaru responded. "We can handle the floor tonight." He wrapped an arm around Beatrice, who gave a content sigh.

Everyone smiled, and before long, sleep found them.

Day 9

Subaru, only learning of Frieren's success thus far, asked her if she'd ever lost a battle.

"There was a demon named Macht, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction. I narrowly survived my battle with him six hundred years ago."

"They have a special title?" Subaru asked.

"Yes, the Seven Sages are the most powerful ones who directly served the Demon King."

Subaru was surprised that there were seven underlings to the king. That, and the Sin Archbishops, reminded him of teachings from his world.

"He claimed that he wanted to understand humans, but in his efforts, he cursed the Fortress City of Weise, transmuting the entire area into gold."

"An entire city gone from one curse? That's horrible!" Emilia commented, drawing parallels.

"Macht was one of the strongest demons I've faced. In our fight, he used his ability on me, turning my arm into gold. I managed to escape, and it took me a century to dispel the curse."

The discussion of magic intrigued Beatrice.

"You can remove curses after they activate? They must function differently, I suppose."

"Is he still alive?" Subaru asked.

"No, I went back recently with some other mages. I focused on dispelling his curse, and a human mage named Denken killed Macht."

"That human must be really strong!"

"Their difference in power was astronomical, but I'm not surprised Denken won. His motivation to purify the city of Weise was unmatched—he found a way because he had to."

"So Weise was saved?" Emilia asked.

"Yes, and despite its centuries of stagnation, the city reintegrated with the world surprisingly fast."

Frieren finished her tale, its theme of human perseverance settling within Subaru.

The carriage continued through the ninth day, its occupants sharing small stories they'd accumulated during their lives.

Day 10

The final leg of their journey, day ten, arrived. For the most part, the party had followed their schedule to a tee. Each member sat in quiet anticipation, their thoughts fixed on their own goals.

Except for Garfiel—he was running alongside the carriage, fueled by excitement. He hadn't traveled much in his short life, so this trip was an exciting opportunity to explore an unfamiliar place.

Subaru had taken the reins from Otto, who returned to the interior space, while Beatrice followed her contractor to the front.

"Are you nervous?" Emilia asked, breaking the silence.

"A little…" Frieren replied.

In truth, a little was an understatement. Priestella was her best lead, and she dearly hoped that the journey would be worthwhile.

"Don't worry," Emilia said with a reassuring smile. "I'm sure we'll find something useful."

"There is the question of compensation," Otto added. "I doubt Anastasia will provide information for free, especially to someone she doesn't know."

Emilia looked down, disheartened. "But she invited us… surely she'll provide aid if she can. Frieren needs help—it's the right thing to do."

"Not everyone is as generous as you, Emilia." Otto gave her a sympathetic look. "We should prepare some kind of payment, just in case."

"Don't worry about it," Frieren said, retrieving her suitcase and giving its side some light pats. "I have plenty of artifacts. I'm sure something in here will catch her eye."

The carriage continued, slowing as it climbed a hill. When they reached the crest, the travelers were greeted with a breathtaking sight.

An enormous city in the center of a lake, its circular walls rising high above the water. Four bridges extended outward, connecting it to the land in each cardinal direction. Within the walls, the dense city tapered downward to a central basin, fed by four long canals.

On Frieren's seventeenth day in this world, they had arrived.

The Watergate City of Priestella