Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

AN: This's just a spin-off from my main story. All of my stories are related each other. You can expect a crossover from them in the future. 

I know many of you will be confused when reading the first two chapters and might expect to see how Aura gets subdued by Himmel, as well as the interactions between Aura and Himmel, and whether there are any differences compared to Aura and Frieren. If that's what you're looking for, then start from chapter 3, but I still recommend reading from chapter 1.

Here's a little bit context: She earned the title 'The Scales' because of Aura's fair and impartial judgment of others, regardless of their social status—just like the Aura in my main story when she became an examiner. As for 'Master Stroh,' who appears in chapter 1, he is the boy wearing a straw hat who lifted Frieren's skirt in the anime. You could say he is Aura's foster little brother in this story.

Fern PoV

"Lady Aura. It's Stroh. There is an urgent matter. May I have a moment?"

Master Stroh knocked on the door with a somewhat solemn air about him. Unintentionally, I too grew tense. On the other side of this door was Lady Aura. That fact alone. It had been about seven years, hadn't it? I wonder if she would even recognize me. Surely, Lady Aura hasn't changed at all. After all, she is a demon, a long-lived race.

At the same time, something felt off. This place. It was a garden. I had seen it through the windows as I made my way here. A garden full of trees and flowers. Surely, just like the castle gate, it was created by Lady Aura's magic. But why would she be in such a place? I had thought for sure she'd be in the chapel or her private chambers. Could she be out for a walk?

"—Come in."

A voice I hadn't heard in a long time. And yet, it sounded as if it belonged to a completely different person. Yes, it was as cold and ruthless as a demon's voice. A cold voice, so far removed from the one I remembered.

Yes, I had forgotten. No, I had never known.

That Lady Aura was, unmistakably, a demon.

"────"

In that moment, I gasped—

My heart pounded. I grew dizzy, nearly fainting.

I couldn't breathe under the overwhelming, violent waves of mana washing over me. It was just like when I had faced Solitär a while ago. No, this was far beyond that. This wasn't deceitful words meant to trick me—this was direct violence.

I wanted to run away right then and there. If I stayed here, I'd be killed. The murderous intent embedded in that magic was strong enough to make me prepare for death. For the first time in my life, I felt it—the magic of death filled the air. Its aim was directed right at me. This was no ordinary demon. This was the bloodlust of a powerful demon, and I couldn't endure it.

"What do you want? If it's something trivial, I won't forgive you, even if it's you."

Lady Aura turned to face us with an irritated look, her gaze piercing. Her appearance hadn't changed from the last time I had seen her. Yet she seemed so different now. It was terrifying. Frightening. As if a beast were wearing Lady Aura's skin. Her eyes were those of a predator staring down its prey. Though her gaze wasn't directed at me, but at Master Stroh.

"No, actually, we have a rare visitor. They have expressed a strong desire to meet with you, Lady Aura."

Master Stroh acted as if he didn't notice the tension at all. No, he probably couldn't sense mana, after all. Even so, this murderous intent was different. Any living creature would instinctively react to it. And yet, Master Stroh continued to act as usual, as if nothing had happened. This wasn't something an ordinary person could do. Like Lord Heiter, he too was an extraordinary priest.

"Huh? Are you joking? Letting an outsider in here?"

Lady Aura's anger grew even fiercer in response to Master Stroh. If it were anyone else, they would have already been killed by the immense mana pressure she was emitting. Master Stroh absorbed and deflected it all, maintaining his calm smile as he looked at me, signaling that I could come forward. Yet, I couldn't take that first step.

I finally understood. Why Mistress Frieren had told me never to trust demons. I hadn't truly grasped the meaning of it. What it meant that Lady Aura was a demon. What it meant to be a demon. Lord Heiter and Lord Eisen had known. They had recognized and trusted Lady Aura, understanding that truth. Just as Lord Himmel once had.

So I had to move forward. This wasn't like earlier. The one before me was not that demon. This was Lady Aura. I knew that. I believed in that. So—

Step by step, I moved forward slowly. This time, I didn't stay behind Master Stroh but walked ahead of him, staring directly at Lady Aura. Without averting my gaze. My body was still trembling, but I didn't hide it. This is who I am right now.

"—Could it be... you?"

The moment she saw me, her mana wavered. Her eyes changed. It was as if she had transformed from a demon into a human.

"Lady Aura, perhaps the mana you're releasing is too overwhelming? Even the demon guards fled because of its intensity."

As if on cue, Master Stroh spoke up, saying something so out of place that I couldn't help but widen my eyes in surprise. His comment was far too inappropriate for the situation, lacking any sense of tact—just like Lord Heiter used to be.

"—Don't compare someone's mana to a foul smell. I'll kill you."

"My apologies. Unfortunately, I can't sense mana. But as it stands, our guest might start to dislike you if you continue."

"…You schemed this, didn't you, Stroh?"

"What ever could you mean?"

"Hmph... Don't pretend to be something you're not."

At that moment, the oppressive mana receded, as if the earlier waves of power had been a lie. It changed into something more familiar. It became the mana of the Lady Aura I knew. More than that, the exchange between them brought back memories. Those brief days, just one month long. Lady Aura, who was calm but somehow motherly. Miss Linie, who treated me like a younger sister. And Lord Heiter, who teased them both with a smile. Those days we spent together.

"Um…"

Just like back then, my shy self didn't know how to approach or start a conversation. Seeing me like that, she seemed somewhat exasperated.

"—It's been a while, Fern. You've grown. Has it been seven years?"

There she was, completely unchanged—Lady Aura. Despite being a demon, she spoke to me in words that were considerate of a human like me.

"—Yes. It's been a long time, Lady Aura."

That was the long-awaited reunion with my benefactor that I had been yearning for.

"Humans really do grow quickly... It reminds me of Lily."

As she sipped her tea with elegant movements, Lady Aura once again said this to me. It's different from seven years ago. This must be how Lady Aura conducts herself here in Freesia. But her words, her tone, have not changed. It's not the face she shows as a demon. No, surely both sides are part of who Lady Aura is, just like we humans have two sides to us.

"Oh my, have you forgotten about me, sister?" (Stroh)

"You're still the same brat as ever. At least you've outgrown lifting skirts." (Aura)

As proof, when Master Stroh, who was standing next to Lady Aura, made a teasing remark, she responded with an exasperated but playful retort. It was just like old times. Lord Haiter used to tease Lady Aura like that, always leaving her flustered. They must enjoy Lady Aura's earnest responses. Seeing them like that, I couldn't help but smile.

"Hmm? Is something funny?"

"No, it's just that Lady Aura hasn't changed at all. You're still the same as before."

Noticing my smile, Lady Aura gave me a curious look. Indeed, she hasn't changed. She's the same Lady Aura I remember and know. I was worried that the rumors and stories I had heard might suggest otherwise, but those concerns were unfounded. I could feel my tension slowly easing, just like in the old days.

"The old days... huh? So that's how seven years feels."

"Ah, the privilege of youth. We can only envy it."

"Don't lump me in with you."

It seemed my words had caught Lady Aura's attention. There's a big difference between what we short-lived species consider 'the old days' and what long-lived species like Lady Aura do. Especially with Mistress Frieren—it's particularly severe with her. She's started to meet us halfway recently, but when we first met, it was a real struggle. She didn't honor any promises made by our sense of time. Compared to that, Lady Aura is truly remarkable. She perceives time in terms of years, like seven years.

Apart from that, I suppose she might have felt like she was being treated as elderly. Master Stroh had teased her again. Lady Aura has lived for five hundred years, but I have no way of knowing if that makes her old or not.

"But this garden really is beautiful. The flower field in front of the castle gates was also impressive. That's your magic, isn't it, Lady Aura?"

In an effort to change the subject, I looked around and asked. We were currently having tea in a corner of the garden. I imagine this is where they host guests for tea when visitors come. The flowers blooming here were just as beautiful as those near the castle gates. Undoubtedly, they were the result of Lady Aura's magic.

"You're very perceptive. It's even renowned across the country. It's become a tourist attraction now. But it wasn't here from the beginning, you know."

"Huh? Is that so?"

Master Stroh answered my question, but his response was unexpected. This flower field wasn't here from the start. I had assumed it was. Freesia has only been around for about thirty years since its founding, if I recall. So maybe they didn't come up with the idea right away. However, the reason was—

"Yes, if I recall correctly, it was after sister went to see Lord Haiter to revise the sacred texts. I was quite surprised when I saw sister's flower magic again after so long. I imagine something good must have happened."

"…Stroh."

"My apologies."

It seemed I was involved in this, too. I finally understood what Master Stroh was implying. At the same time, I remembered Lord Haiter's words. When I brought him the first flower I created after Lady Aura taught me her flower magic:

"Well done, Fern. You've even made Aura's heart bloom. It's something we could never do."

He had gently stroked my head as he praised me. I hadn't understood the meaning of his words back then, but now I do. I understand what this flower magic meant to Lady Aura and what it meant for her to entrust it to me.

Of course, to Lady Aura, it must be something she doesn't want to admit, something embarrassing. She's making a face that's hard to describe, like an older sister caught in a prank.

"You two really do get along well, don't you?"

Yes, truly, these two have a close relationship. It makes me a bit envious. Like real siblings, despite being of different races and looking nothing alike.

"We're just tied together by circumstance."

"We've known each other for a long time. I have fond memories of when she made me submit upon our first meeting."

Ah, this must be the creed of Freesia. The embodiment of coexistence between humans and demons. Even if they have different lifespans, values, or ways of living, they can live together. It's the continuation of the dream that Hero Himmel once envisioned.

"But we're grateful you've come, Lady Fern. Sister has been in a foul mood for the past three days. She's been venting her stress in this garden, and we couldn't have a proper conversation."

"It was just training."

"It's practically the same."

And with that, Master Stroh exposed what had been going on with Lady Aura earlier. Apparently, she had been training in the garden. That explained why her mana had been so turbulent. She must have been simulating a battle in her mind. No wonder the killing intent had been so overwhelming. The real question was, who was she imagining fighting? I didn't need to ask. The answer was obvious from the past three days.

"Enough about us. Now then..."

"…?"

As I pondered what to do, I caught Lady Aura's gaze. She continued to look at me silently, without saying anything. What could it be? Did I do something strange? I started to feel anxious.

"Hmm... So, you've become that elf's disciple after all."

Lady Aura spoke calmly, with an almost emotionless tone. It felt as if she had seen through something invisible. But more importantly, what caught my attention was how she referred to that elf. She deliberately avoided saying her name. There was no doubt that Lady Aura's feelings toward Mistress Frieren were woven into that choice of words.

"How did you know?"

"I could tell by looking. There are only two mages who suppress their mana like that—her and Linie... oh, and if I include that old nuisance, I suppose there are three."

I chose not to address that, but instead pursued the other topic. It was a reminder of the incident with Solitär. It must seem unnatural to demons, especially to those like the two great demons. Only Mistress Frieren, Miss Linie, and I practice this kind of mana suppression. Compared to those two, though, my ability to conceal mana is far inferior. It seems there's yet another person who does this as well. Judging by the way she called him an old nuisance, it must be someone quite elderly.

"Linie would be pleased to see this."

"She'd probably claim you were copying her."

The conversation naturally shifted to Miss Linie. Just as they said, Miss Linie would no doubt be pleased to see my mana suppression. In a way, it's like inheriting the art of mana suppression, making Miss Linie and I fellow disciples of Mistress Frieren. I could easily imagine the scene.

"By the way, is Miss Linie not here? I was hoping to meet her."

I asked again, curious. Since arriving at the cathedral, I hadn't seen her. She had always been with Lady Aura, so I had been looking forward to meeting her just as much as I had been to seeing Lady Aura.

"Unfortunately, she's not here right now. She's gone to Graf Granat as an envoy. She'll be back tonight, so please meet with her then."

"Yes, certainly."

It seems that Miss Linie isn't here, but is currently in Graf Granat. It seems she's an envoy as well, likely serving as one of Lady Aura's aides. If that's the case, perhaps we unknowingly passed each other in Graf Granat. We must have just missed each other. It's unfortunate, but if I stay here, I should be able to meet her.

"Still... you showed some signs back then, but I always knew you were a monster."

"Huh...?"

While resting her chin in her hand, Lady Aura speaks as if recalling something from the past, though her eyes seem focused on something not here. It appears she's talking about me. But I don't understand what she means and can only feel confused. After all, being called a 'monster' by someone like Lady Aura, one of the Great Demons—how many beings in this world could possibly fit such a description? It's hard to believe those words came from her. Did I mishear her?

"Sister, I think that was a poor choice of words."

"Quiet. I just misspoke, that's all. What I meant is, you're a genius."

"Me, a genius? No, there's no way..."

It seems she did misspeak. But in essence, it means the same thing. In other words, Lady Aura is calling me a genius. Why would she say such a thing? It doesn't suit me, not in the slightest. That title belongs to great figures like Mistress Frieren, the Great Mage, or Lady Flamme, the legendary mage. But...

"A third-class mage, the youngest in history, and you say that? Why not go ahead and take the first-class exam already? If it's that guy Serie, she'd pass you in a heartbeat just by taking one look."

To Lady Aura, however, it seems that's not the case. In fact, it seems she knows more about me than I do about myself. She even knows I became a third-class mage and that I was the youngest to do so. From the way she speaks, she likely has connections with the Continental Magic Association. Perhaps they're even long-standing acquaintances.

"Serie? Who's that?"

I can only tilt my head in confusion at the name. From Lady Aura's perspective, I'm probably supposed to know of her. But I have no clue.

"You mean the elf didn't tell you? How absurd... She's the founder of the Magic Association. She was the teacher of your teacher's teacher. She's an old hag who knows how many years she has lived."

With a somewhat exasperated expression, Lady Aura explains who she is. To me, it seems that from her perspective, I'm essentially a great-grandchild in terms of lineage among disciples. Not to mention, She's the same kind of elf as Mistress Frieren. That alone tells me how extraordinary she is. If such a person exists, it would have been nice if Mistress Frieren had told me. Then again, knowing her, she probably just forgot. Maybe she even dislikes this Serie.

"She sounds like an incredible figure."

"You don't need to show her any respect. She's a recluse who almost never appears in public. Must be an elf thing. Be careful around her though. Show any weakness, and she'll use you as she pleases."

"Sounds like you speak from experience."

I bet Lady Aura isn't fond of her either. I can tell from her tone and body language. Somehow, I get the feeling that this Serie might be similar to Lady Aura.

"I don't think I have to worry about that. I'm still far from being skilled."

"You're as childlike as ever. Or should I say, humble? You're nothing like Haiter, that drunkard priest who used to drink all day."

"That's not true. Besides, alcohol is the best medicine."

"...You're definitely his daughter."

"Indeed."

"...?"

They both give me the same look, but I can only tilt my head in confusion. Being called Haiter's daughter should be the highest form of praise, but for some reason, I feel a sense of unease. Did I say something strange? At the same time, I recall often being scolded for not acting childlike. Even now, I must still seem like a child to Lady Aura. Even to someone like Master Stroh, I imagine I'm still seen as a child. And I don't mind that. In fact, it makes me somewhat happy. Perhaps in front of this person, my heart will always remain a child.

"So, why did you come here alone? Isn't the elf with you?"

"Well..."

Once the conversation settles, Lady Aura asks me again. The force behind her question makes me hesitate. It's clearly a change in the air around her. I think it's because this is about Mistress Frieren. There's unmistakable hostility in her gaze. But I can't avoid answering. After all, what I'm about to request is about Mistress Frieren. As I hesitate, feeling overwhelmed...

"Before that, there's something I'd like to report. It's related to that matter as well."

"And what is that?"

Master Stroh interjects, almost as if coming to my rescue. This man is truly remarkable. Is every priest this impressive? His eyes seem to tell me to leave this to him. I have no choice but to accept his offer.

"It's about Lady Solitär. Until just a while ago, she was with Lady Fern."

"Tell me everything."

But the content of his report turns out to be quite different from what I had expected. I thought he would be talking about Lady Frieren. As I listen to Master Stro's report, along with Lady Aura, my thoughts unwillingly drift back to the events I would rather forget.

"I see... Fern, I apologize. It was my fault for being too lenient. I won't let her do as she pleases anymore."

"It's not your fault..."

With a harsh expression, Lady Aura speaks to me, different from how she was before. It seems she feels it was her own failure. Though I was careless as well, to Lady Aura, it appears the responsibility lies with her. Perhaps this is her face as a ruler, as the queen of Freesia.

"And how does the elf tie into all this?"

"Yes. It seems a few days ago, a request to detain Lady Frieren was sent from here to Graf Granat."

Master Stroh continues speaking, even as I still don't understand how this connects to the previous matter. He speaks concisely and clearly, a far cry from my clumsy explanations. But as he continues, Lady Aura's expression worsens. Her brow furrows, and her face twists as if she's dealing with a situation far beyond her expectations.

"So, that elf is currently caught, right?"

"Yes..."

"It seems that way."

It was probably half exasperation. Lady Aura leaned back deeply in her chair, crossing her arms as she spoke. Seeing her like that, I felt a sense of unease. But at the same time, I realized something. Lady Aura was probably not involved in this matter. If this had been her order, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

"As I recall, the negotiations with Graf Granat were left entirely to Lügner, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"I see... Without a doubt, this is his idea. He's such a troublesome ally, isn't he?"

"I believe you're right."

From their conversation, I was able to get a general idea. No doubt about it. This whole series of events was the work of that demon, Solitär. That's why Master Stroh brought it up first. Even Lady Aura has a hard time dealing with him. That demon must be a dangerous existence.

But that doesn't matter now. I must do what I need to do. I can't continue to rely on Master Stroh forever. I have to handle my own matters. That's something even a child would understand.

"Um... Lady Aura, could you please lift the order to restrain Mistress Frieren?"

After taking a deep breath to steady myself, I mustered my resolve and made the request to Lady Aura. I fully understood what this meant for her, how unreasonable my request was.

"──── Me? Why should I? That elf got caught because of her own actions. Besides, it doesn't go against the interests of Freesia. It's none of my concern."

After widening her eyes for a moment, Lady Aura gave an expected reply. Yes, this is all our own doing. It's not something that concerns her. Besides, Lady Aura has no reason to help Msitress Frieren. In fact, quite the opposite. For the past three days, Lady Aura has released an overwhelming amount of mana, making it clear how significant Mistress Frieren is to her. Truly, I shouldn't have even brought up the subject. I could feel her mana starting to become agitated again. Though it hadn't reached the point of murderous intent, the pressure behind it was filled with emotion.

"No... Mistress Frieren was captured because she tried to save me..."

Though I felt like I was being crushed by the pressure, I bowed my head and pleaded. That's right—if it had been just Mistress Frieren, this wouldn't have happened. She could have escaped. She couldn't resist because I was there. That's why I must save her as soon as possible, even if it means being disliked by Lady Aura.

Silence. With my head bowed, I couldn't see what expression Lady Aura was making. The only thing I could sense was her magic power. Eyes speak louder than words, and for a mage, magic power does the same. I could feel her confusion, her hesitation, as if scales were tipping back and forth.

"Are you sure, sis? After all, Lady Fern came all this way to ask for your help."

"..."

A weight was added to the scale. A heavy, definite weight, enough to tip the balance.

"Besides, don't we bear some responsibility for not being able to fully control Lady Solitär?"

"...You planned this from the start, didn't you?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

As if knowing this would happen all along, Master Stroh offered his assistance at just the right moment. I couldn't be more grateful to him. Perhaps even Lady Aura, who might have wanted to grant my request but couldn't, saw his help as a lifeline.

"…Fine. It annoys me to be used by that guy anyway. Stroh, bring me a letter. I'll sign it, so bring a pen."

"Understood, Lady Aura. Please wait a moment."

Lady Aura snorted, adjusted her seating, and issued the order to Master Stroh with great authority. Master Stroh responded smoothly, as though in perfect sync. This must be the formal relationship between the two. I noticed he had started addressing her as 'Lady' instead of 'Sister.' More importantly, this was proof that the two of them had granted my unreasonable request.

"Th-thank you so much, Lady Aura!"

"I told you before, there's no need to thank a demon. I'm only doing this for myself."

Even though I thanked her, Lady Aura refused to accept it, just as she had before, offering only a warning instead. I knew, as Lord Heiter once said, that this was her kind lie. The same Lady Aura I've always known.

"You should stay here for a while longer. It would be troublesome if Solitär kept following you. Even if that elf is heartless, she'll probably come to pick up her apprentice."

Casually, while eating an apple pastry from the table, Lady Aura made the remark. To her, it was probably nothing out of the ordinary. So I couldn't thank her again. Instead, I kept my gratitude in my heart. In return...

"Yes. I will continue to rely on you, Lady Aura."

Following the customs of Freesia, I conveyed my gratitude. Words that even a demon like Lady Aura could understand, something I learned from Miss Linie's diary.

"That child has finally become someone to be imitated... how annoying." (Aura)

Her words must have reached her. Like a mother being exasperated by her child's antics, Lady Aura muttered her familiar catchphrase with a nostalgic sigh as she closed her eyes.

"So, you able to repay the favor to him?"

After Master Stroh left, leaving the two of us alone in the garden, Lady Aura asked me this. I felt a sense of relief that I had finally accomplished my goal, but at the same time, there was an odd feeling that I had forgotten something. I was a little late in reacting to her question. Before, Master Stroh would often step in between us, and now I was feeling an increasing sense of embarrassment. Perhaps Lady Aura had noticed that and had been considerate.

"Yes. While I couldn't repay the favor entirely, I did manage to break through that first boulder."

After taking a deep breath, I answered confidently. Repaying Lord Haiter. That had been my goal since I was a child, the reason I lived. It didn't matter if I became a mage or something else. I wanted Lord Haiter to feel at ease, knowing that I could live on my own. Lady Aura had once asked me about it too. She must have remembered. She truly is a kind person. Probably only Lady Aura and the hero's party would refer to Lord Haiter as 'that guy.'

"I see. That's good. He lived far too long for no reason. I wonder how many times he said his goodbyes to me."

"That sounds just like Lord Haiter."

Lady Aura spoke as if reminiscing, perhaps a little exasperated, yet in a way that felt like she was praising me as one would a child. It was true. Lord Haiter lived a long life by human standards, so much so that it was called a peaceful passing. Now that I think about it, when Lady Aura met Lord Haiter, she teased him, asking if he was still alive.

I remembered something else. Yes, I had come here for another reason—to do what I couldn't back then.

"Um, Lady Aura... Thank you very much for all the grimoires you gave me. I only have this one with me now, but I treasure the others at home as well."

As I took out a book from my bag, I expressed my gratitude to Lady Aura. These were words of thanks I had wanted to say for seven years. Even though she had just told me it wasn't necessary, I had to say it. Those books were precious gifts from someone dear to me, a guiding light that had supported me back then. The grimoire about magic that produced a flower field was entrusted to me from Himmel through Lady Aura. And not just that one, she had given me many grimoires.

"You're still carrying that thing around? You must have memorized it by now."

"Yes. Just like you, Lady Aura."

"…You've become quite cheeky, haven't you?"

"I've been training daily, after all."

Lady Aura looked slightly exasperated but widened her eyes at my response. She must have remembered her former self. That's right—now I'm just like the Lady Aura of back then. Even though I've already memorized it, I still carry this one grimoire. Not because of the magic written in it, but because the book itself is important. It was a gift from someone. Lord Haiter would have done the same. That little mischievous thought made me chuckle. Lady Aura sighed deeply in response, clearly exasperated. Traveling with Mistress Frieren would require this much capability, wouldn't it? In that sense, perhaps I have grown.

"Really... now that I think about it, I remember. Didn't I accidentally send you a useless grimoire too?"

"The one with the magic to produce syrup? Yes, but it's fine. Mistress Frieren was delighted…"

Lady Aura suddenly asked, as if recalling something, and I remembered as well. Among the practical grimoires, there was one that was… not useless, but strange. A grimoire about magic that produced syrup. I now understand its utility, but it seems it was indeed a mistake on Lady Aura's part. For Mistress Frieren, however, it was practically a legendary magic. I blurted that out without thinking, but it was already too late. I knew it would be taken as offensive—or at the very least, Lady Aura wouldn't be pleased.

"…Well, whatever. It wasn't mine to begin with, so it doesn't matter."

"..."

Even though she looked visibly displeased, Lady Aura let it pass. It didn't seem like I had hit a sensitive nerve. Now that I think about it, Himmel had collected grimoires in case he ever met Mistress Frieren again. That must have been one of them. Though, that doesn't change the fact that Lady Aura wasn't thrilled about it.

I definitely couldn't tell her that more grimoires had ended up in Mistress Frieren's hands. Or that we even took some from the village library. Maybe I should've been stricter with Mistress Frieren. I should've scolded her.

I suddenly noticed that Lady Aura was staring at the grimoires in my hands. Her gaze seemed to be looking at something—or someone—far away. Seeing her like that reminded me of the significance of this grimoire to me and the magic that produced flower fields.

"But thanks to this magic, I was able to offer blue moon flowers at Lord Haiter's grave. I'm sure he would have been pleased. After all, they're the flowers from his homeland."

It symbolized that I had inherited the blue moon flowers, the flowers of Hero Himmel's and Lord Haiter's homeland. I had even been able to offer a flower crown of those blue moon flowers at Lord Haiter's grave. He always loved those flowers. Whenever Mistress Frieren used that magic on our journey, he and Lord Eisen would run around joyfully. I'm sure Lord Haiter is smiling in heaven now.

"...I suppose so."

Yet Lady Aura looked down, her expression clouded. I had never seen her like this before—so lonely, so fragile. Had I said something that upset her? Or was she mourning Lord Haiter's passing?

"Lady Aura?"

"It's nothing. That drunkard. I'm sure he'd be happier with some alcohol."

"Don't worry, I made sure to offer him some."

"Ah, of course. You didn't miss a thing."

But soon, she was back to her usual self. Perhaps Lady Aura knew Lord Haiter even better than I did. After all, they had once lived together in the holy city. Lord Haiter always fondly recalled how she would scold him for drinking too much. He was such a troublemaker. So I made sure to leave alcohol at his grave. When we lived together, he had already cut back on drinking, so now he's probably enjoying it in heaven. After all, alcohol is the best medicine. Maybe it's even the reason Lord Haiter lived so long.

"And? Did that elf make it in time to see him before he died?"

Lady Aura asked casually, as if it were nothing important. Given the flow of the conversation, the question felt natural. I hadn't mentioned it, but maybe I was overthinking things. Unlike before with the magic book, she didn't seem upset.

"Yes. Mistress Frieren and I were there with him."

"…So she really is a grim reaper, huh?"

"Eh…?"

Lady Aura muttered something incomprehensible, almost as if talking to herself. A grim reaper? Why would Mistress Frieren be called that? Well, to demons, Mistress Frieren, a mage who specializes in demon slaying, might indeed seem like a reaper.

"It's nothing. That reminds me, I've been meaning to ask you something since you arrived."

Ignoring my confusion, Lady Aura suddenly turned serious. I straightened up instinctively. The atmosphere was different from before, and I could tell this wasn't going to be a casual conversation. But I had no idea what it could be about.

"Fern, would you like to live here?"

It was a proposal I had never imagined. Completely unexpected.

"Me…? In Freesia?"

All I could do was ask in shock, trying to digest the meaning of those words and the proposal. Had I misheard?

"Yes. The Solitär incident was an exception, but this is originally a peaceful country. It's safer here than in most nations. It won't turn into chaos like the southern countries."

But I hadn't misheard. Lady Aura was indeed inviting me to live here, in Freesia, her country.

This was the way of the demon nation, Freesia. I understand that the incident with Lady Solitaire was an exception. Here, all residents are forbidden from using violence, through doctrine, through blessings. Those who break that law are judged by Lady Aura of the Scale. There are no exceptions. As long as that law is upheld, there's probably no safer place in the world. No nation near Freesia would dare to attack a country backed by demons. It wouldn't turn into the chaos seen in the southern countries. Lady Aura probably knew that I had lost my homeland and family in the war.

"And we're also conducting magical research here. Humans and demons working together. Right now, we're focusing on analyzing flight magic. If humans could use it like demons, it would revolutionize human society. The Magic Association is showing interest as well. There's even talk of joint research soon. That's why we need not just demons, but also talented human mages."

Lady Aura continued on like that. It was a story about the development of Freesia. It was a grand story for mages, no, for humanity.

Humans and demons researching magic together—something that could only happen here in Freesia.

What would happen if humanity could use flight magic as naturally as walking, just like demons? Even I, who am not well-versed in world affairs, understand how great an achievement that would be. It would likely change the very way the world functions. The fact that this person can see so far into the future… truly, they must be the King of Demons. And they think that I, too, can contribute to this. Maybe they really do believe I have the genius they mentioned earlier.

"And then, there's mental magic… especially research into magic that can suppress or transform the desires of demons. It's meant as a replacement for my own magic. If that can be accomplished, my burden will lessen, and even if I die, the country won't collapse immediately."

This newly revealed research was also beyond my imagination. It was, in essence, a consideration for Freesia after Lady Aura is gone. No, it was thinking about the future of demons hundreds, even thousands of years from now. No ordinary demon would ever think such a thing. Mistress Frieren and books had taught me as much: demons do not consider what happens after their own death, much less the replacement of their magic. For demons, magic is their pride, their very soul. So, what kind of being is this person? Perhaps they exist beyond the realm of humans and demons.

And yet, I find myself drawn to that proposal. Yes, because it represents the true form of magic—not just for fighting, but for helping others. Mistress Frieren once said the same thing.

"Magic isn't only for fighting, you know. Do you really want to be a mage who only specializes in combat, Fern?"

"It's much more convenient to know a variety of magic. It's useful for everyday life, and above all, it's fun."

Magic not meant for fighting—magic that demons would consider trivial or worthless. But that kind of magic enriches people's lives and hearts. Mistress Frieren loved that kind of magic, too. Perhaps here, it would be possible to create such magic. Perhaps it could even spread. It would be a step toward a world where everyone can use magic, like something out of a fairy tale.

"More than anything, Fern, you've known us demons since you were little. Soon, there will be human children born who have always lived with demons. And vice versa. They're called the second generation here, but… many problems are sure to arise. If left unchecked, it could tear the country apart."

Then, Lady Aura speaks of another grand dream—human-demon coexistence. It is the reason Freesia exists. A dream far more difficult than the advancement of magic. I'm sure this person understands the endless hardships that lie ahead. They see it clearly. It's beyond what I can grasp, but I know it's something wonderful. After all, it was the dream of the hero who is no longer with us.

"That's why I need people who understand both humans and demons. Could you lend me your strength?"

Lady Aura asks for my help. To put it plainly, it's an overwhelming honor. Surely, I won't be of much use. But to Lady Aura, it's different—more than that.

"…I've said some complicated things, but in short, I want us to live together like we did seven years ago. I'm sure Linie would be happy."

Lady Aura speaks plainly, as if revealing her true feelings. I can tell it's not a lie, even without magic like Lady Aura's. Truly, it's something she might not have said if it weren't true. But she chose to tell me, just like she did with Master Himmel. Words don't reach others unless they're spoken. Whether human or demon, that remains the same. I've learned the meaning and value of that.

"Thank you, Lady Aura. I… I'm truly happy."

So, I answer honestly, without any lies or deceit, speaking from my heart, expressing my gratitude. But still…

"But… I'm sorry. I'm still on my journey."

I can't give the answer she seeks. I am still in the middle of my journey. If not for that, I would surely have stayed here. It would have been the life I dreamed of as a child. Even so…

"—Because I am Mistress Frieren's apprentice."

I am Mistress Frieren's apprentice now. A clumsy teacher, always needing my help. But she cares for me just as much as I care for her. A second mother, in a way. Even if the time seems short for her, I want to live by her side a little longer. That is my wish for now.

"I see… then it can't be helped. When you grow tired of it, come back anytime."

Even as I give what might be considered an impolite response, Lady Aura shows no sign of being upset. In fact, it's as if she expected this. Was it my imagination, or did she smile a little? Perhaps Lady Aura knew this would happen all along, yet still chose to ask. But why?

"Yes. Besides, unlike you, Lady Aura, Mistress Frieren needs me to take care of her."

"…Is she really okay?"

"I'm used to it by now. So, when I return from my journey, if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

"I think I finally understand why you're not like other children… Well, fine. I've repaid my obligation. Or should I say it's become a favor?"

Without waiting for a response, Lady Aura reveals another truth. Though she's gotten better at understanding us, Mistress Frieren still struggles with human emotions. Lord Eisen asked me to stay with her. At least until this journey is over, I must remain by her side. Lord Haiter's journey took ten years. Ours will probably take just as long. Even after that, I'll need to keep a close rein on her. Otherwise, it might be fifty more years before we see her again.

So, when this journey ends, if Lady Aura still needs me, I will gladly return to this place.

The words Lady Aura let slip—about repaying a favor—I haven't repaid Lord Haiter or Lady Aura yet…

"By the way, what's the goal of your journey? Is it that elf's pointless magic collection?"

The atmosphere shifts back to the usual, and Lady Aura asks her typical question. I suppose I hadn't mentioned it yet. At first, it was indeed a pointless magic collection, but now…

"No, we are heading to the land where souls rest, called Aureole…"

That is the purpose of our journey, as given to us by Lord Haiter and Lord Eisen: to go to heaven. As I wonder how to explain this to Lady Aura…

"…Oh, right. That priest wouldn't keep such a thing from that elf."

Lady Aura mutters with a somewhat gloomy expression, resting her chin on her hand. That's when I realize—Lady Aura already knows.

"Did Lord Haiter tell you as well, Lady Aura?"

"He told me the same thing… It was the night you learned the flower field magic. I turned him down, though."

So Lord Haiter did speak to her. Of course he did. Even though I've only read about it in journals or heard about it from others, there's no doubt what that place means to Lady Aura. It would be impossible for Lord Haiter to withhold such information from her or Mistress Frieren. But it seems Lady Aura declined. The reason must be…

"Is it because… you don't believe in heaven?"

I asked hesitantly if she rejected it because she didn't believe in heaven. It's only natural for us who believe in the goddess to think that way, but for Lady Aura, a demon, it might be different. Many humans also believe that there is nothing after death. I suppose it's not surprising. But…

"Yes… I don't believe in heaven, but I do believe there's a place where souls rest."

"What?"

That wasn't the answer I expected. No, Lady Aura doesn't believe in heaven. But she does believe in the land of souls, Aureole. Why?

"If that elf's priest researched it and passed the information on, it must be true. The writings of Great Mage Flamme, Frieren's teacher, are another reason."

It was because Lady Aura trusts Lord Haiter. More than the goddess or heaven, she believes in Lord Haiter. That made me happy, too. But now, I understood even less why she turned down his request. Why Lady Aura refused to go to the land of resting souls, Aureole.

"Lady Aura… Do you not want to meet them again?"

I gathered my courage and asked. I didn't specify who, but I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud. I couldn't delve into Lady Aura's reasons for not going. Doing so might be an insult to her.

"No… I don't want to meet them again."

Lady Aura answered. Not to me, but to someone else. Whether that was the truth or a lie, I had no way of knowing. But I understood that it was important to Lady Aura. If that's the case…

"Lady Aura… then…"

Maybe there's something I can do. It might be meddlesome. I might make her angry. Still, for Lady Aura's sake, as someone who has read the journals, for Hero Himmel's sake… Just as I was about to speak up—

"I'm back! I've just returned, Lady Aura!"

As if blowing all the air away, another benefactor, someone I missed and had been waiting for, came flying into the garden.

Without even a knock, the figure appeared energetically in the room. That voice and appearance were just as I remembered. Unlike Lady Aura's robes, she was dressed in a corset dress. Even here in Freesia, I was certain she was still Miss Linie, an embodiment of pure cheerfulness. With that same boundless energy, Miss Linie rushed straight to Lady Aura, like a child running into their mother's arms. She didn't even seem to notice me.

"Linie. You're back much sooner than I expected."

Lady Aura received her with a calm, familiar tone, as if accustomed to such behavior. There is no concept of family among demons, something beyond their understanding. These two were master and servant, yet somehow, this felt like the demon version of family. Just watching them filled me with a warm happiness, as it reminded me of seven years ago.

"Yes! Listen, listen, Lady Aura! We handled everything with Graf Granat perfectly! Lugner talked about all sorts of complicated things, and I was really helpful!"

Miss Linie clung to Lady Aura eagerly, almost like a child wanting praise after completing a task. Well, considering what Lady Aura had mentioned, Miss Linie had been sent to Graf Granat as a messenger, so perhaps that wasn't far from the truth. To Miss Linie, it must have felt like a simple errand.

"I see. Well done. And where's Lugner? I don't see him anywhere."

"..."

"Silent as always when things get inconvenient. You need to break that habit already. I suppose you left Lugner behind and returned first?"

"...Sorry."

"If you're going to apologize, do it to Lugner. I'm not Lugner."

Perhaps something had gone wrong. Feeling guilty, Miss Linie fell silent, a scene I had witnessed more than once. Miss Linie couldn't lie, it seemed. Apparently, Lady Aura had commanded and raised her that way. Because of this, whenever Miss Linie was scolded, she would simply go quiet, unable to lie. Though in a sense, that itself was almost like lying, making it all the same in the end.

"We'll discuss that later. For now, we have a guest. Make sure to greet them properly."

It seemed the scolding ended there. Perhaps Lady Aura cut it short because I was present. She then directed her gaze towards me, prompting Miss Linie to follow her lead.

"A guest? Wait…"

It was only then that she finally noticed me, turning her wide eyes in my direction.

"I-I…"

I couldn't help but shrink back. Until just now, I'd been so focused on watching their interaction that I'd lost track of my own place. More than that, I wasn't sure what to say or how to proceed. Did she remember me? Would she recognize me? My mind was filled with these doubts, almost as if I'd been pulled back to that time seven years ago alongside Miss Linie. But those anxieties quickly vanished.

"Wait—Fern!? It is Fern! So you were here first after all! You've really grown! Amazingly, amazing! Not only your height but your breasts have also gotten so big! So it's true that you can only see half the sky!"

"U-Um…"

I realized in an instant how baseless my worries had been. Miss Linie dashed over to me, brimming with even more energy and excitement than she had with Lady Aura. I was so overwhelmed that I froze, unsure how to handle her barrage of questions. She seemed amazed at how much I had changed.

I suppose it was true. Lady Aura had said the same thing. The difference in the growth rate between humans and demons was significant. Just from appearances, I must have looked older than Miss Linie by now. But aside from my height, I found myself self-consciously covering my chest as she stared. Had I really grown that much? I had no idea what she meant by "barely seeing the sky," but the fact that she recognized me so quickly and remembered me far outweighed such trivial details.

"What's wrong, Fern? Did you… forget about me?"

Miss Linie seemed worried now, perhaps fearing I didn't remember her from my childhood.

"That's not true...! It's been a long time, Li-Linie..."

I hurried to reassure her, but I stumbled over my words, remembering something important. There was something I had been meaning to say, ever since those seven years ago. Just like when I had thanked Lady Aura for the grimoire, I had something I desperately wanted to say to Miss Linie.

"? ...Wait—Could it be!?"

As I hesitated, Miss Linie tilted her head, but then, realizing the meaning behind my pause, her eyes widened in surprise before her face lit up with eager anticipation. She almost seemed like a puppy waiting for a treat, bouncing on her feet with excitement. It was both heartwarming and overwhelming.

I tried to gather the courage to speak, but my face flushed bright red. I had been so sure I wanted to say it, but now that the moment was here, I was too nervous. I couldn't even say it aloud, feeling almost embarrassed, like a child caught by their mother. When our eyes met, Lady Aura gave me a motherly look of encouragement, and that was my breaking point.

"Li... Linie..."

"Hmph!"

"Too bad. If you want her to call you properly, you'll need to be more ladylike."

It seemed the moment had passed, and perhaps because of that, Miss Linie puffed out her cheeks in frustration, as if pouting. I felt awful for letting her down, but Lady Aura seemed to understand my feelings perfectly. Somehow, under her gaze, I always felt like a child, especially when Miss Linie was involved. I needed to stay focused.

"But you've really grown, Fern! Humans grow so fast. You were always a hard worker. You've become an impressive mage. Your mana restrictions are just like mine now! As Frieren's apprentice, you'll probably surpass us in a few decades."

"That's not true… but thank you. You haven't changed at all, Miss Linie. I'm glad to see that."

"Yep! I'm a demon after all! But I've definitely grown since then, you know? Ah, not as a woman, but as a mage."

"I… I see."

Though she's a bit unhappy not being called "Big Sister" by me, Miss Linie's compliments were genuine. Since she couldn't lie, I knew her praise was sincere. In a way, I felt like a younger sibling being praised by an older sister. Despite our similarities in mana restrictions, Miss Linie's skill far exceeded mine. Even after all this time, she remained leagues ahead of me, almost at Mistress Frieren's level. I knew from my time at Master Stroh's estate that Miss Linie trained diligently every day, even while staying there. But I didn't recall her being so concerned with her womanliness. Could it be an age thing, at least for demons?

"Oh, that reminds me! Lady Aura, I brought a guest too! Come on, don't be shy!"

Just then, Miss Linie, seeming to remember something important, called out boastfully towards the entrance to the garden, as though showing off.

"...Hello."

The figure that appeared, looking as though they had been dragged by an invisible leash, had the same downtrodden expression I'd seen on Mistress Frieren's face when she was scolded.

"Oh."

It was Sir Stark. That was it—the nagging feeling in my throat had finally cleared.

"Did you just say 'Oh'!? That's cruel, Fern! You totally forgot about me, didn't you!?"

"...That's not true. I just didn't have a chance to bring it up."

"Fern, why are you lying?"

"...I'm sorry. I completely forgot about you, Sir Stark."

"Why are you so honest with her!? The way you treat me is so unfair!"

As always, Sir Stark whined tearfully, but Miss Linie's words made me realize that lying wasn't right, so I ended up telling the truth, which apparently hurt his feelings. I did apologize, but it couldn't be helped. Compared to meeting these two, everything else faded into the background.

"You're still as noisy as ever. You've grown, but only in size."

"...Yeah, yeah. I'm still a coward, I know. And by the way, that outfit doesn't suit you at all. Even Mistress Frieren would agree."

"Too bad for you. Mistress Frieren already gave me her approval—without a hint of flattery."

"Seriously? So, that's her taste…"

"Stark. Another word, and you're getting punished."

"...Sorry, sis."

Unlike me, Sir Stark seemed completely at ease around Lady Aura and Miss Linie. I couldn't help but feel a little envious. Maybe it was my own shyness holding me back. I needed to work on that, for both Mistress Frieren's sake and my own. But still, Sir Stark was sly, getting so close to Miss Linie so easily.

"Make sure to train him just enough that he doesn't fall off the cliff, Linie."

"Sure! Leave it to me, Lady Aura!"

"Come on, Aura!? You know sis training has no human heart, right!?"

But that might not be the case for Sir Stark. It seems that the situation I feared has come to pass. My body has been trembling non-stop. At this rate, I might be like this the entire time I'm in Freesia.

"That's something you should say to Linie. That aside... what are you doing here? Didn't you have a falling-out with Eisen and run away from home?"

"W-well, that's…"

Sir Stark is at a loss for words in response to Lady Aura's question. I can't blame him; he's been avoiding meeting Linie because he feels guilty. Lady Aura probably doesn't know all the details either. So I reluctantly decide to throw him a lifeline.

"Right now, Sir Stark is our party's front line warrior. He's traveling with us."

"And this guy too...? What? Is that elf trying to create a new hero party or what?"

"It's not quite like that, but…"

Lady Aura's somewhat reasonable remark causes me to falter as well. I suppose if you think about it that way, it makes sense. Both Sir Stark and I are disciples of the hero party, and Mistress Frieren is the party's mage. From an outsider's perspective, it wouldn't be surprising if it looked that way. Additionally…

"Then I'll be taking the place of hero Himmel! It sounds like a fun party! Oh, but there's no priest, huh? We should find someone. Doesn't Heiter have a disciple?"

"Unfortunately, I don't think he had any disciples as a priest… But with you here, Linie, we might be able to balance things out. We don't have a priest, but we do have two mages."

Because here, we have Linie, the number one disciple of hero Himmel. In a way, this could become the next generation of heroes. There may not be a disciple of Lord Heiter, but with the previous generation's Mistress Frieren here, we have the balance between front and back lines. Just imagining it is incredibly reassuring. I'm sure we could easily slay even a horde of dragons.

"Why are you getting so excited? There's no demon king anymore, is there? Sure, there are some scary ones, but…"

"If you're up for it, I'll take you on anytime."

"That was a joke."

Sir Stark is being scolded again for provoking Lady Aura, who has already been defeated and is equivalent to a demon king who shouldn't even exist. Even with a new band of heroes, they might not stand a chance against a new demon king.

"By the way, why did you end up being brought here by Linie? Weren't you with Fern?"

"Fern was allowed to enter, but I wasn't…"

"Huh? I thought you had permission too. Linie, you were handling the paperwork, right?"

"…"

"Right. You forgot, didn't you? I was being too lenient."

"That's harsh, sis!?"

And just like that, the reason Sir Stark was unable to enter the country is casually revealed. Linie must have wanted to handle it herself. From Linie's perspective, perhaps she wanted to look after her brother or play the older sister role. However, it seems that didn't go well. She's silent and averting her gaze. It seems Sir Stark is fated to be tossed around by Linie.

"Haha, it's really lively here."

"Master Stroh... I'm sorry."

"It feels just like when Himmel and the others were around. I almost want to thank you."

I apologize to Master Stroh, who has returned without me realizing, but instead, he thanks me. That probably isn't a lie. His kind gaze told everything. Come to think of it, it felt like it took a long time just to prepare the letter. Did he perhaps create time for me to be alone with Lady Aura? Or was there some other reason? Before I could think it through…

"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot the most important thing! Lady Aura, Mistress Frieren came to see you!"

The fact that completely blows away all previous exchanges comes out of Linie's mouth────

In that moment, it felt like time stopped. I hold my breath. No, it's surely not just me. It must be the consensus of everyone except Linie.

"That elf…? Who's she with…?"

That includes Lady Aura as well. No, perhaps she's the one feeling it more than anyone else here. In an instant, she feels like a different person, enveloped in an air that seems devoid of humanity, just like when we first met in the garden, and she questions Linie. Any ordinary mage would probably bow down at that moment, overwhelmed by her mana.

"So it's for you, Lady Aura? She said she has something important to discuss. But she was caught in Granat, so I went to rescue her! I might get scolded by Lugner, but I'm sure Himmel would have done the same!"

Despite her answer seeming normal, Linie is behaving as if she's unconcerned. Just like Master Stroh. But that's impossible. Unlike Master Stroh, Linie is a demon. She should be able to sense both mana and killing intent. And yet she shows none of that.

More than that, what's important to me is that report. It's—

(Mistress Frieren is here…!?)

The fact that Mistress Frieren has already come to this place, Freesia. It's unbelievable, but I have no choice but to believe it. After all, it's coming from Linie herself. I can imagine Mistress Frieren might faint if she knew that a demon like Linie was the one she could trust the most.

But it seems Linie brought Mistress Frieren here. Indeed, Linie is a messenger of Freesia and holds a priest's position. She must have facilitated Mistress Frieren's release. Under normal circumstances, I would want to thank her, but right now, the situation is different. The mere act of Mistress Frieren and Lady Aura meeting is like pouring oil onto fire.

That's why we've been taking utmost care to avoid that. Lord Heiter and Lord Eisen have both expressed their concerns about it. That it could happen so easily, right here. Perhaps, like Master Stroh, she might appear from that door.

(No… But maybe now is the perfect opportunity…?)

Finally, I realize. Yes, it's the opposite. This very moment is the best opportunity. Their meeting is unavoidable. The issue is whether they meet alone. I've repeatedly drilled into Mistress Frieren that they must not meet alone. There's no problem now. Here, I'm here, Sir Stark is here, Miss Linie is here, and Master Stroh is here. It's the best environment I could imagine. Here, we might be able to reunite without a major issue, even if it's not entirely smooth. We could also fulfill the promise of handing over Hero Himmel's diary. But such hopes are dashed…

"…So, you brought that elf here?"

"Yeah. But she's not here, right? She tried to enter with me, but Lady Frieren said she wouldn't come in. She just asked me to tell Lady Aura she's waiting outside."

That report, brought forth by none other than Mistress Frieren, was utterly shattered────

(Is that… Mistress Frieren's mana!?)

It was mana. Even from this far away, I could sense its overwhelming power. Anyone who could perceive mana would lose their fighting spirit in an instant at the presence of such a powerful mage.

(No doubt about it…! This is Mistress Frieren's unrestrained mana…!)

As her disciple, I knew this better than anyone else. Even I had only seen and felt the full-power of Mistress Frieren on a few occasions. It was the culmination of more than a thousand years of training that could only be achieved by the elves, or rather by a great mage.

(That's not like you... Mistress Frieren...!)

But it was far too uncharacteristic of Mistress Frieren. She had lived her life sullied and demeaned, tarnishing her pride as a mage, to deceive demons. And now, she was exposing all of that. But it didn't end there.

It was a wave of mana, a ripple. Mana has its waves. It is influenced by the mage's abilities and mental state. It also reflects the emotions of the mage. Mistress Frieren had been nearly devoid of that. Just as her name suggests, she embodied the coldness of a reaper. But not now. There was an obvious ripple, a hostility. An emotion that resembled provocation. And who it was directed toward? There was no need to think any further.

"So... you're making fun of me."

As if stimulated by that, Lady Aura's mana began to waver as well. The mana she had displayed in the garden now seemed childish. Her eyes widened. The anger of a mage whose pride has been sullied. The joy of finally finding the prey she had been searching for for so long. Long before she became "Aura the Scale", Lady Aura's face as a great demon, likely known as the Guillotine.

"—Lady Aura."

In stark contrast to that, Linie's eyes and demeanor show no hint of emotion. As if she was waiting for orders. It was the first time I'd seen Miss Linier as a servant, as a demon. I was stunned for a moment, but then I finally understood. What did it mean?

"-No need for that. You just make sure no one gets in the way."

As our eyes meet for a brief moment, Lady Aura makes it clear that she doesn't need any help. She's going alone. The way of master and servant among the demons. Witnessing that overwhelms me, yet I feel relief that the worst-case scenario has been avoided. If even Miss Linie, her subordinate, were to accompany her, I don't know what might happen with Mistress Frieren. But that's not the worst outcome. It's undeniably a situation close to that.

"Okay! Leave it to me, Lady Aura!"

Miss Linie complies with a pure innocence that seems as if she has returned to her former self. Her duality surpasses even that of Lady Aura. Surely, that's the reason why Linie is referred to as an exception.

"Stroh. Issue a state of emergency. Got it?"

"Yes. I've already given the order. Please be careful, sister."

Lady Aura removes her robe and hands it to Master Stroh. Beneath it is an outfit I've never seen before. It was a brightly colored outfit that matched Lady Aura's hair color and was somehow alluring. It was probably something Lady Aura wore when she was a Great Demon and in battle.

I understood its meaning; I thought he would stop her, but Master Stroh lets her go without a word. It's as if he knew it would come to this. Why?

"W-wait, Lady Aura──"

As I'm tossed about by the rapidly changing situation, I desperately plead with Lady Aura. I can't let her go like this; I can't allow her to meet Mistress Frieren. It would surely lead to something irreversible. Without thinking, I reach out as if to cling to her.

"-No, Fern. Don't get in Lady Aura's way. You have to listen carefully to what she says."

It's none other than Miss Linie who stops me. Before me is a sword—a fake sword bearing the name of a hero. I don't even know when she drew it. It warns me that if I proceed any further, if I hinder Lady Aura, I won't be spared. I can't help but gasp, a chill running down my spine. I realize without a doubt that Miss Linie is a demon. A servant fulfilling her master's orders. That is who Miss Linie is now. There are no exceptions. Not even for me.

"Miss Linie…! But—"

"Stop it, Fern. It's pointless to say anything to her now. There's nothing we can do except stay still. This is Mistress Frieren's plan…"

"Mistress Frieren's…?"

Just like before, Sir Stark restrains me by holding my shoulder. But his expression is one I've never seen before. Under normal circumstances, he would be just as flustered as I am, but Sir Stark remains calm. No, it's as if he understands something. Most importantly, his words. This is Mistress Frieren's thought, her wish. Perhaps Sir Stark had met Mistress Frieren before coming here. Maybe Master Stroh did too. If that's the case, I'm the only one left in the dark.

(Mistress Frieren… what are you planning to do?)

Fern can do nothing but watch. Acutely aware of her own powerlessness. Worrying for both her benefactor and her mentor.

In the remaining garden, blue petals, loved by the hero, danced in the air-

Frieren PoV

'That'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.

Chapter Text

Aura PoV

Looking down—or rather, looking down upon—the space that was once our exclusive domain.

There stood an elf. A mage with silver hair tied in two, holding a staff: Frieren the Slayer.

There was no mistaking it. She hadn't changed a bit since then. Most of all, her eyes—that cold, murder-filled gaze, freezing like ice. She knows that we are wild beasts whose words could not be understood. It's been a long time since someone has looked at me like that.

I descend slowly to the ground, holding scales in hand, ready for battle. She must understand that. Her expression is completely blank, showing no emotion—like a doll. I almost feel like I'm facing another demon.

I mimic her and keep my face blank as well, but inside, I feel as if my guts are boiling.

'This absurd mana… As expected, a monster's disciple is a monster…!'

It's that mana. The immense power coming from the elf, Frieren, before me. What I'd only heard of until now has become a reality. Magic comparable to the former Serie. Even that power was restrained from what I know about Serie, but it's no less monstrous. Before me is Frieren, with mana roughly double my own—a greater demon who has lived five hundred years. She's a great mage who has lived over a thousand years. That old priest wasn't lying after all. I had hoped it was false.

"...!"

I suppress the demon's instinct to flee, bracing my body. Heiter's words echo in my mind.

"You are a cautious, cowardly demon. You hid yourself away after losing to Himmel. If you knew of Frieren's power, you'd avoid fighting her."

To flee. To survive. Demon pride and dignity don't matter. That is the most rational choice for me now. Even then, he likely saw through me from the start. Brute force is for fools. It's a mantra I've repeated to myself, preached to Lugner many times. Yet here I am. Why? Demon pride? Or…

"You haven't changed much, Aura."

"Of course. I'm a demon. But you've changed. What happened to that impressive mana concealment of yours?"

Frieren begins, saying something so trivial. What nonsense. Demons don't change in a mere eighty years. Does she really not understand that, after living more than a thousand years? No, maybe she's just been living idly all this time. She isn't even using her one rare skill—Mana concealment. What is she thinking?

"So, you knew?"

"Yes. Your companions started chatting away even though I hadn't asked them. You're blessed with great companions, aren't you, Frieren?"

It seems she knew I was aware of her mana concealment. I see, so she judged it useless. It's really ironic, since the one who revealed this to me was none other than a member of the hero's party. What a bunch of idiots. I can sympathize with her on that point.

"Yes, I think so too. But it's not a big deal; it's within my expectations."

"…Hmm. And? What do you want from me? You didn't come here to show off your mana, did you?"

She's unfazed by my taunts, calm and collected. Truly unsettling. There's no point in continuing this pointless exchange. It's time to get to the point. Why is she here? Why did she go out of her way to summon me? The answer is obvious. The Slayer comes to a demon—just as demons attack humans.

"I came to see you, as I told Linie."

The mage before me says such incomprehensible things as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"…Huh? Are you stupid? What nonsense."

That's all I can say, half exasperated. A mage coming just to meet a demon? If such a mage existed, they would have to be insane. What, is she here for tea? Even a demon could come up with a more convincing lie. Are all elves this foolish? Well, maybe so. She's foolish enough to make a reunion promise with a human fifty years out.

"Yes, it does sound stupid. But I had to meet you in person, to speak with you directly—not to hear about you or read about you, but to see for myself."

This fool keeps murmuring more incomprehensible things. At least she seems aware of her own foolishness. It's too late for that. Apparently, she wanted to talk to me—a demon. I can't make sense of it. Talking with a demon would be a waste for her.

"Because I'd rather get it over with quickly."

I can sense it, even through her calm demeanor. She doesn't want to be here either. She's here, even though she dislikes it. This foolish creature. She came here on her own and says she hates it. Even a child would show more maturity. It makes Linie look like an adult in comparison.

"…How noisy. So, you're here just to mock me?"

For me, that's as good as a declaration of war. In response, I raise my scales. Instantly, a horde of monsters swarms around us, as if drawn by it. Like predators finding prey. But their movements are controlled, something wild beasts can't achieve. But I can make them do it. They are my limbs, my loyal servants.

"So you really were controlling them with Spell of Obedience: Auserlese. And this many… Demon magic is truly astonishing."

Surrounded with no way out, Frieren stands still, only moving her gaze. She's likely analyzing the situation with magic detection. The encirclement was in place before I arrived. She's truly a bird in a cage. Did she think this was a perch?

"You say things you don't mean. Fighting monsters should be easier for you. This is my new immortal army."

A lie fitting for a demon. She doesn't mean a word of it. I know that, because she's here, despite knowing what's coming. This, too, is within her expectations.

Yes, this is my new immortal army. In both numbers and quality, it far surpasses what I once had. Enough to conquer a domain like Granat in a single night. The only difference now is that my soldiers are monsters, and they still have their heads.

But against Frieren, my old immortal army would have been more effective. Against dead humans, she would not have been able to go all out. Just like the heroes of the past.

"…I see. That's how you see things now."

"…? Ah, but I forgot—it doesn't matter to you. You blew away even dead humans without a thought. The mage of the hero's party—what a joke."

Or maybe I've overestimated her. I remember it well—how she once tore through my immortal army. No hesitation, no mercy. Coldly. It was hard to tell which of us was the true demon.

"That's right. I got scolded by Himmel later."

"How lucky for you. You won't be scolded anymore. Never again. Or should I reunite you with him in heaven? It would save you the trouble of going to Aureole, the resting place of souls."

Despite being scolded, she showed no sign of regret, as if being scolded had a purpose in itself. Why does she even care about that? There's no need for it anymore. If that's the case, she might as well head off to this 'heaven' of hers. Actually, there's no need for that either; I could make this place her journey's end, sparing her from a pointless, aimless wandering.

"Oh, how benevolent. It's enough to make me cry. As expected of someone who is imitating the Goddess. Is it the Aura religion? I read the scriptures. It's in the worst kind of taste. It makes me sick."

Frieren spat out those words at me, her gaze steady and contemptuous. Apparently, she had looked into my country's religion, though it clearly didn't sit well with her. "worst kind of taste," she said. Well, she wasn't wrong. In fact, it was almost a compliment.

"That's a cruel thing to say. I had that priest make it just for them. But humans are even more foolish. Maybe they have no taste either, since they truly believe in that scripture and are completely deceived—unaware they're being controlled."

She probably doesn't know that the scriptures were made by that stinky priest. If he found out, he'd be depressed for three days. Or maybe he'd just laugh it off. Truly a fool. He's no different from the humans who follow me, believing in that fairy tale and make-believe. That's why demons can deceive them, without them even realizing they're being controlled. Truly wasteful, idle creatures.

"Control… I guess it does look that way from a demon's point of view."

It seems this one understands demon thinking. It's ironic that the mage who has killed the most demons probably understands them better than anyone. Or maybe she's just more demon-like than demons themselves.

"Oh, and the country's name too, right? Freesia. Named after the same flower as that accessory of yours. How utterly tasteless."

Maybe she'd noticed from the beginning. Her gaze fell to my chest as she spoke. Sharp as always. It was an insult, of course, but it didn't matter. I'd named this country knowing full well. The country, built on the opposite of affection, a reminder to never forget.

But what surprised me was something else. It was—

"Oh… So you've finally learned the language of flowers? Though it's far too late. The hero lamented it, you know. Said it was heartless to never visit, even though he gave you a ring."

The heartless person before me realized its meaning. This guy had the habit of using magic to create flower fields, but didn't know the language of flowers. She finally understood the language of this accessory. After a thousand years of trying. It was no wonder even Serie was astonished.

But my eyes were drawn instead to that ring she now wore so conspicuously on her left ring finger, with its mirror lotus design. She'd probably rushed to put it on after realizing its meaning. How foolish. What use could it possibly serve now?

She had never known—never tried to know the meaning behind the flowers or the act of giving a ring.

She never knew why the hero didn't convey it, nor the days he waited for her. And yet—

"Yes, this is my mark of sin. Something demons could never understand. It has nothing to do with you."

Without a single change in her expression, the elf in front of me spoke those words coldly, without emotion or mercy. Nothing to do with me. And all I could do was stand there, dumbfounded.

Yes, that's right. This is her issue. It has nothing to do with me. It's something demons cannot understand. But why am I saying these things? Why am I concerned? Why am I so fixated?

How can she say this with such conviction? It's beyond belief. Is she really—■■?

"-Aura. What do you think of the hero?"

I couldn't answer, and Frieren posed the question as if it were nothing, with that ice-cold gaze bearing down on me. I was almost consumed by it. Impossible. Me, swayed by someone like this?

"…Why ask that? Himmel isn't here anymore."

After a moment's hesitation, I answered, careful not to misspeak. Or rather, I was compelled to say it. Just an ordinary truth, nothing strange. That's what's normal. Any demon would answer the same way, would think the same way. So, I'm not wrong. And yet—

"I'll admit it. Aura, you've surpassed the Demon King."

As she looked at me, closing her eyes once, she acknowledged me with incomprehensible words, as if accepting me. Impossible. What is she saying? What is she plotting? Is she lying?

"But you could never become the Demon King. Nor the enemy of humanity. You're not like the other demons, the monsters."

It was an insult. Saying I wasn't a threat, that I was no match. Cowardly and overly cautious—those were her taunting words.

"Isn't that nice of you… as if you know anything about me."

What could she possibly understand? An elf like her? What does she know about me, a demon? And yet—

"…You're a liar, Aura."

The slayer mage in front of me affirmed something so simple.

"What? What are you talking about? Of course, I'm a liar. I'm a demon, after all. Lying comes naturally to us."

Without realizing it, I replied, eyes widening slightly. Yes, I'm a liar. A demon. Anyone could tell you that. Even a child would know. Why say that now? When she's far more of a liar than I am.

"I see… You truly don't realize it, do you…? How pitiful."

She cast her gaze downward slightly, murmuring words I couldn't understand. I knew the words themselves, but the meaning eluded me, as if I couldn't comprehend that they referred to me.

"Pitiful…? Me…?"

She's pitying me? Me? She, this elf?

I don't understand. None of this makes sense. The creature in front of me—is this even a creature at all?

Its mentality is completely alien to that of humanity. Though it has a human form and speaks human words, it's utterly incomprehensible. Which of us is the monster?

But I understand what this is—what this exchange means.

Yes. This is a demon's way of tricking humans. Using words to disturb them, that's a classic demonic tactic. Because words are used, our demon brains try to understand their meaning.

'This feeling… It's just like with him…!?'

Only now did I finally realize. I was truly foolish, far too late to realize it. Yes, I've seen this before. It happened recently, just like this.

This was not a conversation—merely observation. This elf was merely stimulating a caged animal to observe its reaction. An animal named Aura. Just like that researcher-wannabe Solitär.

Without realizing it, I felt a chill run down my spine. A tremor surged through me. Sweat began to form.

Calm down. Stay composed. It's a trap. Don't react. Just like back then. Otherwise, I'll make the same mistake. And yet—

"That accessory. I hear you got it from Himmel."

I couldn't stop myself from reacting to those words. It was almost reflexive. Before I knew it, I was holding it tightly, as if to hide it, as if afraid she would take it—pathetic, disgraceful.

"...What of it?"

My voice trembled as I managed to respond. I couldn't tell what expression I had right now.

My heart raced. I felt dizzy, light-headed—just like back then.

Don't let her say it. Don't let her finish…

"Himmel is already gone, so why do you wear something like that?"

I'm no longer able to stay the demon that I am.

"What?"

I don't understand. What did ■■■ just say? Did ■■ say ■■?

It's like the words of that long-ago ■■■■. No, it's different. There's a clear ■ intent. If I react to it, it will mean acknowledging that I'm not ■■. Just like back then, when I lost ■■■■■.

"... I..."

The scale wavers, not from weight, but from the trembling of my hand. That meaning. Something I've held back, endured all this time. Though I've desperately kept it from spilling out, I can no longer bear its weight.

"... That's not... it..."

A voice escaped me before I realized, as if I wasn't myself. My vision was tinged red. Something utterly new surged wildly throughout my body, like I was going to fall apart. Even so, precisely because of that—

I remember. That scene. That face. That voice. That gaze.

"────Aura, I want you to be my friend."

The proof of friendship he gave me. That's why—

"You don't get to say that────!"

I can't let this one say those words────

That cry marked the beginning of the first and final battle between "The Scales" and "The Slayer."

Chapter Text

One Year After the Demon King's Defeat

Größe Forest, Central Lands.

A single figure walked along the mountain path. Clad in a white robe, the petite woman looked like a young girl at first glance to anyone unaware of the truth. But she was neither a girl nor a human. To those capable of perceiving it, her immense, overwhelming magic was proof enough that she couldn't possibly be human.

"Aura the Guillotine"

That was her name—a title belonging to one of the few great demons who survived even after the Demon King's defeated.

'I'm sure it should be around here...'

As she walked, she glanced around to confirm her surroundings. But all she could see was the same winding mountain path stretching endlessly ahead. Was she even on the right road? The thought crossed her mind, but there were few humans she could ask for directions.

More irritating than her uncertainty, however, was the robe she wore. It obstructed her view, hindered her movements, and, above all, symbolized her current predicament—a situation she found endlessly aggravating.

'Those obnoxious humans... Have they deluded themselves into thinking they've grown stronger just because they killed the Demon King?'

The world had drastically changed about a year ago with the Demon King's defeat. That event plunged the demon race into despair. Aura had doubted the news when she first heard it. The Hero's party might have been strong, but for them to defeat the Demon King? Preposterous. And not only that—several great demons, including her peers among the "Seven Sages" and numerous generals, had fallen as well. It had seemed like desperate human propaganda. But she could no longer deny it once humanity began systematically hunting down the remaining demons.

'They're all really idiots... If they just rampage without thinking, they're no different from any other monster.'

She recalled, with scorn, the foolish demons who had been hunted down after the Demon King's death. Some sought revenge; others unleashed pent-up rage now that the Demon King no longer restrained them. And some gave in to pure instinct, wreaking havoc aimlessly.

The result was inevitable: extermination. No matter how superior demons were to humans, those who acted without strategy would always meet their end. The only reason such chaos hadn't occurred before was the Demon King's immense power and fearsome presence, which had united demons under his rule. The simple-minded beasts who failed to understand this were culled within a year in the Central Lands.

"Oh, a traveler, are you? A lone woman on these roads—how unusual."

From behind her, there was an elderly human male. At last, someone had taken her bait. For some time now, she had sensed two humans following her along the path. Ordinary people, judging by their lack of magical aura.

Aura turned, offering a disarming smile. "Yes, I'm an adventurer. I've been looking for a nearby village to stay in."

Aura PoV

At that moment, I cast aside my prior thoughts and gave in to my demonic instincts—the essence of what we are meant to be: deceivers of humans. I adopted the guise of a petite woman to exploit my appearance. The man before me, near death—no, a mere human—was entirely defenseless and unguarded. If my intent had been predation, he would have already been devoured. A strange sense of nostalgia washed over me. I remembered how, shortly after I was born, I used such methods to consume humans. After mastering the magic of subjugation and becoming a high-ranking demon, I had ceased such primitive actions. But to demons, this was an elemental behavior.

"You should come to our village! It's close by! Right, Chief?"

Another human chimed in enthusiastically, a boy of about ten years, wearing a straw hat. He clung to me innocently, pestering the village elder he called "Chief." The child had no idea of the danger he was in. Though his behavior stirred a flicker of appetite within me, I suppressed it. My current objective wasn't food.

"That would be very helpful," I replied with a smile. "I haven't had a proper meal in days."

"Hmm… Well, this must be fate. Please, do come to our village," the elderly chief said.

"Yay! So, miss, are you an adventurer? What's your job? Tell me all about it!"

The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement as he pressed me for details. It seemed my adventurer disguise was effective—or perhaps the villagers simply lacked suspicion altogether. I had claimed the title as a convenient cover for traveling alone, but it seemed to have worked.

As we walked, I chatted casually with the two humans, weaving lies about where I was from and the journey I'd been on. They didn't doubt me, not even a little, perhaps because the concept of doubt simply didn't exist in their minds.

"Oh, you're a mage? That's quite something!" the elder remarked.

"…? What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, a few years ago, a mage came to our village. Not just any mage, but one from the hero's party. What was her name…?"

"…Frieren," I said, the name slipping from my lips before I could stop myself.

"Yes, that's it! Ah, age is catching up with me if I can't recall names so quickly anymore," the elder said sheepishly.

I didn't care about his embarrassment. My eyes narrowed instinctively, like a predator closing in on its prey. Of course, that was why I had gone through this ridiculous charade in the first place: to gather information.

"I see. So, why did the hero's party come here? Were they just passing through?"

"Well… Ahem. About a few years ago, a demon called Qual wreaked havoc in these parts. It was the hero Himmel's party that sealed him away for us."

The elder recounted the tale, deeply moved. But it was irrelevant to me. I knew far more about that demon than the human before me ever could. Amidst this chatter, I noticed the boy had gone unusually quiet. The child, who had been so annoying just moments ago, now seemed oddly subdued. Could he have realized my true nature?

"Oh, that reminds me!" the elder suddenly said. "Back then, you lifted Frieren's skirt and got scolded by the hero, didn't you?"

"Wha—?! Why do you only remember that? It was just a momentary lapse in judgment!" the boy shouted, his face reddening.

So, my concern had been unfounded. Embarrassed by his own misstep being brought up, the boy scrambled to explain himself. Perhaps my being a woman only added to his fluster.

What an utterly trivial farce.

"So, you were a naughty boy, weren't you?"

I whispered mockingly, a smile curling at my lips. At the same time, I removed the hood from my head. In that instant, both humans froze, as if paralyzed. Their faces twisted in terror, their gazes fixed on the two horns on my head—the unmistakable mark of a demon.

Before either could scream, I raised my scales. That alone was enough. No human present could escape from me.

This was the cunning deception of Aura the demon.

"...So, it really was sealed, huh? Qual."

Away from the village, in a clearing in the forest, I stood before a massive stone statue. My small frame gazed up at it with evident delight.

The statue resembled a hermit of the wilds, wholly inhuman in appearance—unnecessary for deceiving humans because the sealed demon was that powerful.

'Qual: Elder Sage of Corruption.'

As his epithet suggested, he was a genius even among demons. Though not one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, his strength rivaled theirs.

'So, they couldn't defeat Qual and had to settle for sealing him…'

I circled the statue cautiously, inspecting it for signs of critical damage but found none. Touching it directly, I confirmed he was alive and sealed, as well as the strength of the seal itself.

'Without a doubt, this is Frieren's magic. This seal won't break for at least 50… no, 80 years.'

The remnants of her magic confirmed it. No human could have cast such a spell—only Frieren, the elf mage of the hero's party.

'My, my. The information those villagers gave me was accurate after all.'

Without me, a great mage who has lived for over 500 years, this seal would never be broken.

Breaking Qual's seal was my purpose here. While I had heard rumors, I delayed confirming them until now. Waiting for the hero to disappear might have been ideal, but for humans, a century was an impossibly long time, and the odds of being discovered during that time were not zero. Worse, another monster like the Hero of the South might appear.

Forming an alliance—or at least a cooperative relationship—with Qual was my backup plan.

Qual was ideal for this. A genius even among demons, he created the spell Zoltraak, designed to kill humans. It revolutionized demon magic and significantly influenced human magic systems as well.

If I could secure his cooperation, it would be optimal. Even if I couldn't, his revival alone would divert human attention, aiding my survival.

"Too bad, Frieren. I've lived for over 500 years."

Confident in my superiority over the absent elf, I prepared the magic to release the seal.

"—That's far enough."

A voice, impossible, reached my ears.

"...Huh?"

I don't understand. Why did I make such a foolish sound?
I don't understand. Why have I frozen in place?
I don't understand. Why is my body trembling?
I don't understand. Why have my eyes been captivated by a mere human?

There is only one thing—an emotion of pure fear.

There's no way Himmel could be here.

"-Long time no see, Himmel. I wonder what you're doing in a place like this."

A provocative smile accompanied the words, befitting the demeanor of a great demon such as myself, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction. I flaunted my overwhelming mana—a force so absolute that ordinary adventurers would lose their will to fight and flee at the mere sight of it.

But in the face of this power:

"That's my line, Aura. It seems you're not an imposter."

The man stood there, unshaken, meeting my gaze with an air of majestic composure. To an outsider, he might appear as a charming young man. But I knew better. This man was anything but simple. In his hand was a sword—the Holy's Sword, said to have been left behind by the goddess. Despite its grand title, it emanated no discernible power. Not that it mattered. What mattered was—

'Why is Himmel here!? What kind of sick joke is this!?'

It was unmistakably Himmel. From any angle, he was him. His sword was already drawn, ready for battle. The situation was so tense that he could strike at any moment. Unconsciously, the old wound on my arm, inflicted during our previous encounter, throbbed painfully. Cold sweat ran down my back.

"Oh, as you can see, I'm the real deal. Too bad for you. Aren't your companions with you?"

Suppressing the desperate urge to flee, I forced myself to speak casually, addressing Himmel. If I showed any sign of vulnerability, he would strike me down in an instant. My demonic instincts for survival screamed at me. Even the magic I was preparing to cast on Qual remained incomplete.

"No, it's just me here. And it seems you don't have your vaunted immortal army with you, either."

Whether he sensed my unease or not, Himmel responded without a hint of agitation, his answer frustratingly straightforward. His confidence was maddening, as if to say he didn't need anyone else. And yet, it wasn't just confidence that marked him as the Hero. He had already deduced that my immortal army wasn't present.

'He's as insufferable as ever! But it's not the worst-case scenario—yet...'

I felt my stomach churn with rage but forced myself to remain calm. He was correct—the immortal army wasn't here. Most of them were lost in past battles, and moving with them drew too much attention. Leaving them behind was a calculated decision to avoid detection by the Hero's party, but it had backfired spectacularly. Still, Himmel didn't have his companions either, meaning this situation was unexpected for him as well.

"Oh? Who's to say they aren't lying in wait somewhere?"

"That's unlikely. A coward like you wouldn't be without a guard in a situation like this."

"...Quite the insult. So, what brings you here? Don't tell me you came chasing after me?"

"It's just a coincidence. I came to check on Qual's seal in this village. I didn't expect to find you here... though it seems I arrived just in time."

We exchanged biting words, and the absurdity of the situation—a chance encounter—made me feel nauseated. Why now? Why here? It felt like a curse had been placed on me. As I glared at Himmel, I couldn't help but tense up under his piercing gaze.

"Stop that magic immediately. I won't let you revive Qual."

"Oh my, even the great Hero is afraid of Qual? Understandable, given that you couldn't defeat him and had to seal him away instead."

"That's true. But things are different now. This time, I won't let you escape."

"...!"

A surge of anger and fear nearly consumed me. I almost lashed out recklessly but restrained myself. I had to remain calm. Of course, Himmel wouldn't let me escape—that much was obvious. I recalled our previous battle, where I had no choice but to flee. I underestimated Himmel's strength, and before I could cast my enslavement spell,Auserlese, he had struck with blinding speed. His terrifyingly straightforward strategy—to strike before any magic could be cast—was childishly simple yet devastatingly effective.

But this time was different.

'At this range, I can activate Auserlese... The problem is—'

I knew the Hero's strength. I wouldn't repeat my past mistake. Himmel was already within the effective range of my spell, and the distance was greater than during our last battle. Recalling that humiliating defeat only strengthened my resolve. Yet, I needed one more advantage, one more piece to secure my victory. Then, it struck me—the unease I'd felt since our reunion.

"By the way, why did you bother calling out to me? You might've won if you'd attacked me outright. Is it because sneak attacks aren't a Hero's style?"

During our initial encounter, I hadn't noticed Himmel. He could've easily ambushed me. Why didn't he? Was it arrogance? Or some foolish Heroic pride?

"...No. Aura, I wanted to ask you something."

"Ask me something...?"

The question caught me off guard. What could a Hero possibly want to ask a great demon? We were enemies, fundamentally incompatible.

"The village chief and a child from the village have gone missing. Do you know anything about it?"

The sudden drop in temperature was almost palpable as Himmel's killing intent sharpened. His gaze and aura screamed that he wouldn't forgive silence. And yet, a smile crept across my lips. Fear and hesitation vanished, replaced by the primal instinct of a demon savoring its prey. I had found the missing piece I needed.

"—I killed them. An old man and a child are useless, even as slaves."

I uttered the most effective lie I could against the Hero. And with that, our rematch began.

The outcome would be decided in an instant: whether my enslavement spell, Auserlese, reached him first, or his sword struck me down. A pure and simple contest of speed. Unlike before, there were no uncertain variables—no other Heroes or immortal armies. Just a one-on-one duel.

The magic was already in my hands. I abandoned the idea of unsealing Qual, as it would take too long and leave me fatally vulnerable.

"—Spell of Obedience: Auserlese!"

This spell was my life's work, perfected through relentless study. With all my power, I unleashed it, a shining force that struck Himmel. Unavoidable, unblockable, a guaranteed trump card. Even a great mage couldn't defend against it. Proof of its success came as a sphere of light, his soul, began to rise from his body—just as mine did. Two souls placed on the scales. Faster than ever before.

'—I won!'

In that moment, I was certain. My countless efforts since my humiliating defeat had borne fruit. The shortened activation time of Auserlese gave me the upper hand. This victory, achieved through tireless research, was the pinnacle of a great demon's pursuit of magic. Everything was in my favor.

"―――Huh?"

Was that truly my voice, sounding so foolishly stunned?

I don't know. I can't comprehend what just happened. The scales I was just holding in my hands—gone. Where? My eyes dart upward. I see the Hero's sword and Himmel in motion, the scales soaring high into the air.

In an instant, I realize what has occurred. Himmel severed the scales from my grasp. Impossible. What kind of magic could do that? To close such a distance in a blink?

Third Person PoV

Aura failed to notice. Himmel was no longer the same as before. Several years had passed since their last battle, and the journey to slay the Demon King had honed the Hero's strength immeasurably.

Aura did not understand. She failed to grasp the difference in the weight of years between humans and demons.

"―――It's over, Aura."

Like a flash of lightning, Himmel shifts his grip on the sword and swings back for a finishing blow aimed at her neck. No matter how powerful a demon, decapitation is fatal. It is both an act of victory and a requiem for the countless heroes whose necks had been mercilessly severed by her blade. His godlike speed leaves no room for begging.

"―――No, Himmel. The one who's finished... is you."

The sword stops mid-swing. Aura, the demon infamous for her "Guillotine" moniker, stands triumphant, her smirk both cunning and alluring. But the power halting the blade isn't the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese.

It's Himmel's own will.

'Is that... a child...? No, it can't be...!'

Himmel halts at the sight. Beyond Qual's seal, in the thicket, a boy emerges. Himmel recognizes him. A mischievous child with a straw hat, so lively he once played pranks on Himmel's companions. Relief washes over Himmel; the boy is alive.

But relief twists into despair. The boy clutches a dagger in his hands. That alone is enough for Himmel to understand everything—and to accept his defeat.

"Aura, you...!"

"Bingo. You catch on quickly—it's a relief, honestly. Now, drop that dangerous toy, would you?"

Aura's voice is honeyed poison, contrasting Himmel's anguished expression. Despite not using the Spell of Obedience, he has no choice but to comply. The stakes are too high. Resistance would spell death for the child—or worse. A glance reveals another figure beside the boy: the village chief, also presumed missing. Both clutch daggers in trembling hands.

"...So, your earlier words were a lie."

"A lie? Naturally. We demons lie all the time. Surely a Hero like you knows that better than anyone. But look on the bright side—both of them are safe. You should be grateful to me!"

Aura's triumphant tone reveals the truth: the villagers are under the control of the Spell of Obedience. If Himmel resists, she could easily order them to take their own lives.

Even Aura herself had not anticipated this level of success.

'To think this would work so perfectly...! A single hostage is more effective than an army of the undead against a Hero.'

Keeping the two alive had been a whim. The chief was spared for control over the village; the boy, to be eaten later. Yet, by chance, Aura learned a critical truth: to Heroes, the life of a single child is a greater burden than facing a horde of undead.

The Spell of Obedience had revealed its true potential against humans. It was a long-forgotten demon strategy Aura had neglected after growing too powerful.

"I-I'm sorry, Hero... I..."

"Please, Hero, don't worry about us...!"

"Silence." Aura cuts them off with a smirk. "Himmel, resistance is futile. If anything happens to me, they'll be ordered to take their lives. If you flee, the same will happen. But you're a Hero—there's no way you'd run, is there?"

Her declaration is as final as a checkmate. But even that is a lie. If Aura were to die, the spell would dissolve, and the villagers would be free.

Had Frieren, the mage, been present, she might have seen through the lie. But she wasn't here. Her absence was Himmel's sole—and fatal—weakness.

"…Promise me. Do what you will with me. But in exchange..."

"Of course, I promise. I'm quite the stickler for keeping promises, after all."

Their agreement, empty and hollow, passes between them. Aura retrieves the scales and reactivates the magic. This time, Himmel kneels, sword discarded, as the scene replays with one key difference.

The scales tip. Slowly but surely, they lean toward Aura. The judgment, unfair in its fairness, falls on the Hero.

"...Ha... Hahaha! I've done it! I've made the great Hero Himmel submit to me!"

Aura erupts into triumphant laughter. It's only natural. She has conquered Himmel, the slayer of the Demon King, the legendary Hero.

'With Himmel under my control, I have nothing to fear...! No one can stand against me!'

Aura's grin widens at the realization. She no longer needs to hide, to skulk in the shadows. She has claimed the very force that had hunted her.

The villagers, paralyzed by despair, can only watch in silence.

"...Guh...!"

But then, Himmel, doubled over in pain, raises his face. Aura's laughter halts, her eyes widening in shock.

"...So, you still resist. As expected of a Hero," she muses, regaining her composure.

The Spell of Obedience allows the strongest of wills to resist momentarily, though never completely. Even so, this degree of defiance surprises her.

"My victory is assured. All that remains is for me to personally sever your head."

Aura steps forward, gripping Himmel's sword, intending to end him with his own weapon. A cruel irony.

Even so, Himmel's eyes burn with determination. Yet, the scales of fate remain unyielding.

"Don't worry," Aura sneers. "Your companions will join my undead army soon enough. You won't be lonely for long."

Her careless taunt adds weight to Himmel's soul—and seals her fate.

"What!?"

Aura gasps in shock.

The impossible unfolds before her. Himmel, under the Spell of Obedience, catches her descending blade with his bare hand.

'This... this can't be...! My body—it won't move!'

Aura froze in place, her eyes wide open, utterly unable to move. The reality of her situation, the sensation of it, sent chills through her very being. And finally, Aura realized the truth—the nature of the predicament she was now in.

"Spell of Obedience: Auserlese"

This magic places the soul of the target and the caster on a scale, measuring the magnitude of their mana. The one with the greater magical power subjugates the other. The magic of the Seven Sages of Destruction surpasses human knowledge and logic. Because of this, while human magic can be analyzed and understood, the magic of demons is closer to a curse.

Even Aura, who wielded this magic, did not fully comprehend its principles and conditions. And so, she had never questioned it.

Why is it necessary to draw out the soul when determining the amount of mana? If it's simply a matter of measuring mana, then extracting the mana alone should suffice.

Aura did not know. She was unaware that mana is contained within the soul itself. But that's not all—the soul also holds a person's mental strength. It is this mental strength that allows individuals with strong wills to temporarily resist the magic. In fact, this mental strength could tip the scales.

This magic, so close to being a curse, relies on unconscious, instinctive imagery. It is a magic unique to demons, never once broken until now. Yet it carried a significant flaw—a vulnerability born of its unparalleled strength. A single failure would result in immediate defeat. And now, for the first time, Aura was forced to confront that risk.

The balance, which had been tipped in her favor until just moments ago, was now leaning toward Himmel.

It was the weight of Himmel's soul—the strength of his feelings for his three absent companions—that tipped the scales.

This was the proof of the hero, whose soul surpassed even the immense mana Aura had cultivated over 500 years of rigorous effort.

And so, in this fateful rematch between Aura the Guillotine and the hero Himmel—Aura was defeated.

Himmel PoV

Am I still alive? My head should have been severed, and I should've become a puppet. Yet here I am, with my head still attached, stunned to find my hand moving. Moments ago, no matter how much strength I mustered, I couldn't move a single finger, but now that restriction is gone. Pain twists my face—the palm of my hand is bleeding, apparently from instinctively catching the descending sword.

"...!"

Instantly, I leap back, sword in hand, assuming a defensive stance. The battle isn't over. I don't know what just happened, but the immediate priority is the enemy before me. But what should I do about the villagers held hostage? However, my opponent—

"..."

—has frozen in place like a lifeless doll. It's as if she were the sealed Qual standing behind me.

'...What...is this?'

I maintain a position to shield the villagers, prepared to counter if the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese is invoked again, but Aura remains motionless. She neither raises the scales in her hands nor attempts to retreat. Most unsettling of all is her expression—utterly devoid of emotion. While demons are often said to lack emotions, Aura was not one of them. For her to remain completely unresponsive in this situation is beyond strange. That's when I realize: it's not just her expression. She isn't blinking, either. She's like a wind-up doll that has run out of power.

"...What are you up to, Aura? Another scheme to deceive us?"

Unable to shake the overwhelming sense of unease, I pose a question, even though I know she can't answer.

"『—No, that's not it. The Spell of Obedience: Auserlese has been broken. Without your orders, I can neither move nor speak.』"

Aura reveals her situation in a voice that's completely different from her usual self—cold, detached, like a machine.

"I...broke the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese? How? And what does that have to do with your current state?"

"『Your soul outweighed my magic. That's the reason. The scales of my Spell of Obedience: Auserlese are a symbol of fairness. Whichever side tips heavier becomes the master. There are no exceptions.』"

Her words are as impartial as a judge's ruling, devoid of any will or emotion. Yet this detachment lends them a strange credibility. Watching her like this, I recall something Frieren once said: the magic of the Seven Sages of Destruction transcends human knowledge and logic. But even their magic has rules. Aura's Spell of Obedience: Auserlese is no different—it becomes more potent by accepting the risk of ensnaring its own caster. If that's the case, it explains the current situation. The question now is—

"In that case... Aura, I permit you to speak."

I need to understand the limits of my control over her.

"—!? Agh, gah! Guhah! This...this can't be...! Wh-why...why am I—!?"

As soon as I utter my command, Aura begins to speak, as though she's regained her breath. Her demeanor shifts completely, as if her true self has returned. Confusion and shock flood her expression. But even now, I can't be certain if it's an act. There's one way to find out—order her to do something she would never willingly do.

"Aura, release two of the villagers."

"Ha? As if I would ever—"

Before she can finish, the scales in her hand glow.

"Ah! I can move again!"

"It's true! Are you hurt, lad?"

The two villagers, once immobilized, regain their freedom. Proof of their liberation lies in the daggers they once held, now fallen to the ground.

'Thank goodness... truly...'

A wave of relief washes over me. I almost made an irreparable mistake out of my own naivety. Even if I defeated Aura, what would happen to the villagers if they remained bound by her magic? That concern is now gone. At the same time, this confirms it—she is indeed under the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese. Her words were true. She was compelled to follow my order, even against her will.

With this, there's no need to hesitate anymore.

The demon before me—Aura of the Guillotine—must be defeated.

"...Wait? Wait a moment! What are you planning to do...?"

Perhaps sensing my intent or realizing her imminent fate, Aura gasps, her eyes wide with fear. Fixing my gaze on her, I grip my sword tighter and take a step forward.

"W-wait! Please! I did as you said, didn't I!? So why—!?"

One step at a time. There's no need to rush. She can no longer resist or escape.

"Ah, I'll apologize...! I was wrong! Th-that's right! You can give me orders! Tell me not to hurt humans! That's what I should do, right!?"

"...Answer me honestly. 'Is that the truth?'"

"—'Yes, it's true.'"

Aura calmly spoke the truth, just as she had before. It seemed that her words were indeed sincere. For the first time, she might have heard a demon speak the truth. It was ironic that this was only possible thanks to the Demon's Spell of Obedience. And that's why she asked this question in her final moments.

"—Still, you demons can't stop deceiving humans, can you?"

"—'Yes, that's true.'"

Humans and demons. The insurmountable wall between them. She asked this question to confirm it.

"—Ah! No, that's not it!? I won't do it again, I swear...! Please, don't kill me, please!?"

Trying to cover up the words that had slipped from her mouth, the demon in front of her begged for mercy with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," "I'll repent," "I don't want to die."

How many times had I heard these pleas? Empty words, devoid of any true emotion. I had heard them countless times throughout the ten-year journey.

I cut those words off and raised my sword. I wouldn't let her go this time. In truth, I could have just ordered her to commit suicide. But no, I would deliver the punishment myself. This was my duty as a hero, the responsibility I bore for once letting this demon escape.

Third Person PoV

"—It's over, Aura."

As the words "Help me" were about to be spoken, and the hero was about to strike down with his sword,

"—Wait, Sir Hero!"

A pure voice, that of a young boy, stopped him.

"Wait!? What are you...?"

"Cutting off her head is too cruel...! The demon sister has apologized, so please forgive her... Sir Hero..."

Despite the village chief's attempts to stop him, the boy with the straw hat begged desperately. His hands and body trembled. It was understandable. Only moments ago, he had lost his freedom due to magic and was nearly killed. But it wasn't just that. The demon, about to have her head severed before his eyes. He pitied her. Despite nearly losing his life to this demon. His pure heart—despite it all.

"…I see. Sir Hero, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to give her a chance to atone...?"

The village chief, seemingly moved by the boy's words, made his suggestion. Those words made a certain memory resurface.

—The first time she set out on her journey, and met a demon child.

"Sir Hero! Please, finish her off!"

"This is just like the demons, isn't it? Not all of them have to eat humans to survive, do they? Why not give them a chance to atone?"

"Stop joking around! My daughter... give me back my daughter!"

—That was the first unforgivable mistake he made. The lost life.

"…Mother..."

—The demon child disappeared into the flames, lying to herself even as she vanished.

"…I see. So, you must have felt the same way back then, Frieren."

Finally, he understood how Frieren must have felt back then. At the same time, he realized how much care she had taken for him. The demon's plea for help. The dream he had abandoned during those ten years. His only regret, the one thing he still held onto. Ironically, it was the same ideal the Demon King had once held. The coexistence of humans and demons. An irreconcilable way of life. It was a dream far harder to achieve than defeating the Demon King.

"Himmel, if you don't kill her now, you'll regret it."

He could hear Frieren's familiar warning. A gentle voice, even though it was spoken without emotion, always looking out for him. She would probably be frustrated with him again, but just once more. The bigger the challenge, the better. After all, he was the hero...

"—What should I do...!? I can't take it anymore...!?"

With death approaching, she could do nothing but tremble. There was no way out. The situation had become so dire she could only resign herself. The Spell of Obedience: Auserlese had paralyzed her body. Luckily, she was still able to speak, but it meant nothing. The person in front of her was the hero who had defeated the Demon King and killed countless demons. Her pleas would never reach him. Still, the only thing she could do now was deceive the human with words. But even that was doomed to fail, as her magic would expose the lie. What a cruel irony.

The final flicker of hope came when the villagers begged, stopping the hero's sword. But even that proved useless. After a brief hesitation, Himmel readied his sword once more. It was the end. Just as the image of her life flashing before her eyes began to form,

The hero sheathed his sword instead—

"…Huh?"

She couldn't help but utter those words in surprise. After all, how could she possibly be spared in such a situation? Everything was unfolding in ways she couldn't understand. Before her stood the hero, smiling as he conversed with two villagers. She couldn't hear the details, but only the relief that she was alive.

'I don't know why… but I'm alive! Humans are truly foolish…!'

At the same time, she couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. They probably couldn't understand the mindset of a demon. Letting go of someone who had tried to kill them? But that was precisely why she was still here. Now, she just needed to escape and focus on survival. Even if she was ordered not to hurt or eat humans, that was fine. It was humiliating, but better than being killed. Besides, Himmel didn't know that the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese would lose its effect if he died. If Himmel died, she would be free. It would only take a hundred years or so, but that didn't matter. She had originally planned to lay low until Himmel's death anyway. However...

"…Well then, let's go, Aura."

"…Huh?"

At that perfect timing, when she thought she had it all figured out, he spoke words that made no sense at all. She didn't understand. Was he talking to her? Where would they go? As she continued to be confused,

"- I want you to be my friend."

The hero said with a cheerful tone. This was too absurd. His words were a contradiction. A bond of friendship disguised as a master-servant relationship.

And so, the outcome of this reunion began. The start of a distorted master-servant relationship that would continue for fifty years...

Chapter Text

Aura PoV

"…What a nightmare."

Unintentionally, those words escaped my lips. Yes, if this were a dream, I'd wish to wake from it. How much better it would be if this were all some mistake. But it's no dream. Proof of that is right before my eyes, reflected in the mirror.

A face with an expression as lifeless as the end of the world. My hair, a messy tangle from bedhead, and my shabby nightclothes. If you look closely, there are even dark circles under my eyes. In over 500 years of life, this is undoubtedly my worst awakening.

'How did this happen…!? It's obvious—it's all that damn hero's fault…!'

Even my still-groggy mind recalls last night's events. I ended up being goaded by the hero into reading the entire grimoire. If that had been all, it would have been fine. The problem was that hero. He just kept talking while someone was reading the grimoire. Where did he get the grimoire? What can it be used for? It was just a non-stop parade of useless information. At this point, I began to suspect he was trying to harass me. In the end, he must have sensed my anger, because he went to bed first. At that point, I could have stopped too, but doing so felt like admitting defeat. Who knows what kind of comments he'd make if I didn't finish. Being forced to do it under orders would have been even worse. In the end, I ended up struggling with the grimoire until the early hours of the morning.

'At least he's not here… That's a relief. If I had to see his face first thing in the morning, I'd feel sick…'

I glance around the room, but there's no sign of the hero. He must have gotten up earlier and gone somewhere. Good riddance. The thought of him just disappearing crosses my mind, but I know it's hopeless. Because of the binding curse, I can't escape. I haven't tested it, but I'm certain I can't leave this village. Which means he's still somewhere here, tethering me like an invisible chain to a beast. A pitiful creature, neither free nor even a proper pet. I push away that thought and start getting ready in the washroom. Washing my face, tidying my hair, and changing clothes—just like a human would. Mimicking them to blend in. The only difference is that I'm not even allowed to deceive anyone anymore.

'Is this… supposed to be breakfast…?'

After finishing my grooming, I notice a meal placed on the desk. A breakfast consisting mostly of fruit and water. Judging by the sun's position through the window, it might even be closer to lunch, but that doesn't matter. I pick up one of the fruits and bite into it without ceremony. It's not bad, but it's not particularly good either. Just chewing and swallowing to fill my stomach. Compared to my true form of feeding—devouring humans—it's wholly unsatisfying. A demonic craving that will never be sated. Eating humans has been forbidden. We demons don't need human flesh to survive, nor will we starve without it. But what happens if I go without it for too long? Even I don't know.

As I continue eating without enthusiasm,

"Good morning, Aura! Finally woke up, huh?"

The mere sound of his voice makes me lose whatever appetite I had left. Truly, he's infuriating. Almost as if he's doing it on purpose.

"…Thanks to someone, I had a great night's sleep. It's already noon, though."

"Ah, don't worry about it. Back when I traveled with Frieren, starting the day at noon was practically routine."

He brushes off my sarcasm as if he doesn't even recognize it as such. And yet, he still manages to provoke me. After last night, he seems to think mentioning Frieren will get a rise out of me. Annoying doesn't even begin to describe it. Why should I, of all beings, be subjected to this indignity? I suppress the urge to retort and focus on finishing the meal.

"Done already? Didn't like it, huh?"

"No. But my appetite's gone now."

"I see… Maybe you'd prefer some meat? What's your favorite food?"

"…It doesn't matter. I can eat what's here, so don't concern yourself."

He mutters to himself, lost in his own thoughts, as if he misunderstood the reason I stopped eating. When he asks my favorite food, I almost blurt out "human children" but bite my tongue. Even with this hero, careless words would be a mistake. Better to avoid drawing unnecessary suspicion.

That's when I notice something. His appearance. It's different from yesterday. The realization came late because it's such a trivial detail.

"Oh, you finally noticed! So? What do you think? I look pretty handsome, don't I?"

"Sure. Why don't you check that mirror over there? You'll see something amusing."

Ignoring his exaggerated pose, I clear away the remnants of breakfast. Being subjected to this first thing in the morning feels like some kind of torture. It's tiresome, but it's clear he won't stop until I acknowledge him, so I reluctantly play along.

"And? What's with the ridiculous outfit?"

I take a proper look. He's not wearing his usual clothes but something lightweight, the kind a regular villager might wear. He's not even carrying his sword. Most notably, there's a straw hat perched on his head. It doesn't suit him at all.

"Ridiculous? Not at all! I told you yesterday, didn't I? It's for work. Now, let's go!"

He doesn't care about my opinion. Urging me along, he doesn't give me a chance to refuse. Like a dog being dragged by its owner, I find myself being led out of the room without knowing where or why.

Before I know it, we're outside the inn, standing on the outskirts of the village. Before us stretches an overgrown field, though it shows signs of human cultivation. Villagers are gathered all around—men, women, the elderly, even children. Practically the whole village is here.

"What is this?"

"Can't you tell? It's fieldwork. The entire village is pitching in to prepare new farmland."

"Hmm…"

I glance at his hands and see he's holding farming tools. When did he get those? To be fair, this does suit him better. Much better than a sword ever did.

As I observe, an elderly man approaches.

"Oh, hero! You really came to help us. Are you sure, though? We'd be honored just to have you stay in our village."

"Of course. I've heard there have been more monsters and bandits in the area recently. It's only fair I lend a hand, considering how you've been kind enough to host us."

The old man nods appreciatively, but I pay no mind. This human seems vaguely familiar… Ah, the village elder. Humans are difficult to distinguish, much like animals. Normally, there's no reason to bother remembering them—they're just food that disappears soon after.

"Hero, and who's that with you?"

"Oh, she's Aura. I was hoping she could lend a hand with the work as well. Would that be alright?"

"If that's what you wish, Hero. I'll inform the others."

The elder glances at me briefly, then returns to his conversation with the hero. Whatever scheme they're plotting now, there's nothing I can do about it.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"…Huh?"

To my surprise, the elder addresses me directly. He doesn't seem to recall how I controlled him and nearly killed him yesterday. Does this man lack basic survival instincts?

"You should answer him. He's just being considerate."

The hero leans in and whispers an order, as if to remind me of my place.

The village chief speaks to me, a human addressing a demon. I can't understand it. Yesterday, he was under my control and nearly killed, yet here he is, undeterred, speaking to me again. Does he lack the ability to learn? Even from the perspective of a predator, his lack of intelligence is concerning.

"…He's showing concern for you. You should respond properly,"
the hero whispers, as if giving an order, seemingly displeased with my attitude. I don't like it, but I have no choice but to comply.

"…Unfortunately, I couldn't sleep much. Someone here wouldn't let me."

"Wha-!? Aura, what are you-"

"…Hero?"

I decide to retaliate in the most effective way possible. It's not a lie. As a demon, speaking only the truth is unthinkable, but here, I deliver nothing but the facts. The results are immediate. The hero panics, stumbling over his words in embarrassment. It's amusing.

But then I notice something: the gazes of the other villagers. Different from those of the hero and the village chief. Suspicious, hostile, and filled with disdain.

"Those horns… she really is a demon."

"What is the chief thinking… and the hero, too? Allowing a demon into the village?"

Whether they know I can hear them or not, such words drift my way. Oddly, I feel relieved. It seems the village chief is the strange one here. This is the proper relationship between humans and demons: hunters and hunted, predators and prey. If I were in perfect condition, I'd strangle and devour every one of them right now. But I can't. It's utterly infuriating.

"Aura…"

When did he return? The hero is looking at me, his expression vaguely suspicious. I let my guard down. It must have shown in my demeanor or presence. Before I can figure out how to cover it up—

"Oh! It's the big sister from before! You really came to the village!"

A human child wearing a straw hat runs toward me. Even I can't forget him. Just like the village chief, he's one of those foolish humans who fails to understand that I am a demon.

"So… are you here to do this 'work' thing too?"

"I'm not 'you,' I'm Stroh! But I'm glad! That means you made up with the hero, right?"

"Made up…?"

Flitting around me like an annoying gnat, the child speaks nonsense. I understand the word "made up," but not why it would apply between me and the hero. The logic behind it is so incomprehensible I start to question whether this creature is even alive.

"Oh, yeah! Big Sis and I made up and became friends. She even promised not to do anything bad anymore. Today, she's going to help out in the fields, too."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Really!? That's great! Everyone in the village was saying we shouldn't get along with Big Sis. But if the hero says it's okay, then it must be fine! Let's work hard together!"

Before I can argue, the child runs off, waving to me as he scurries back to the villagers. His boundless energy leaves me dumbfounded. What could he possibly be so happy about?

"…Fine. So? I just need to do this fieldwork, right? Hand me the tools already,"
I demand, resigning myself to the situation. Any further exchange would be a waste of time. Better to get it over with.

But—

"Tools? You don't need tools. You're a mage, after all."

The hero looks at me with an expression that screams, What are you even talking about? His words instantly snuff out what little motivation I'd mustered.

"What are you saying? Are you mocking me again?"

"Of course not. Magic. Use magic. Why do you think I gave you those grimoires? Obviously, it was so you could use them for fieldwork."

"…Huh?"

For a moment, I'm at a loss for words. No, I'm utterly dumbfounded. At both myself for having wasted so much effort and the hero's sheer audacity.

"'Magic to pull out weeds' and 'Magic to cultivating the soil.' They were in the grimoires, weren't they? With those, even you can do fieldwork."

At last, I understand what he's been expecting of me. But how was I supposed to know? The idea of using magic for something like fieldwork would never have occurred to me. I've never seen or heard of a demon doing such a thing. Only humans would come up with something so absurd. That's fine. It's degrading to magic, but at least it's within the realm of understanding.

What I can't comprehend is this—

"…Then why did I need to learn all the spells in the grimoires?"

Why was it necessary for me to memorize every single spell in that mountain of books, staying up all night to do so?

"…"

"…"

An awkward silence. The hero's eyes widen, as if he's just realized something. There's no doubt about it. This idiot didn't think it through at all.

"――Alright then, let's get started! Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone! Let us join you too!"

The hero, carrying a farming tool, leaves as if to erase everything that just happened. And I am left behind, at a complete loss for words.

'――Just you wait.'

'Someday, I will repay this grudge. I swore it deeply in my heart――'

――――――――

'At last, it's over...'

By the time I looked up, the evening sun was already beginning to set. Letting out a deep sigh, I rubbed my shoulders in relief. The once desolate and overgrown field was now replaced with a freshly tilled one, without a single weed in sight. Whether this outcome was right or wrong, judging from the reactions of the villagers, it seemed to be satisfactory.

It had been like a storm, an utterly chaotic experience. I'd thought it would be simple and quick if I could use magic, but I soon realized how wrong my calculations were.

Due to the challenges of folk magic.

Magic relies on imagery. Mana capacity and skill level play a role, but without a clear mental image, magic cannot even be activated. And the tasks at hand—pulling weeds and tilling soil—were predictably disastrous. Of course, I couldn't distinguish weeds from useful plants, so I ended up uprooting everything indiscriminately. Not knowing the proper balance, I also left the field riddled with holes. Meanwhile, the hero found great amusement in my struggle.

While being lectured by a straw-hatted child on how to distinguish weeds and till soil, I somehow managed to keep working. But the hero kept provoking me with challenges like, "Let's see who can finish first!" Honestly, it was hard to tell who was the child between us. Despite his antics, his work speed was astonishing, making him infuriating to deal with. In the end, the two of us did the majority of the work, leaving the villagers little to do.

"You're pretty good. I think you even overtook me near the end. Well, let's call it a draw, shall we?"

"...Do as you like."

The hero seemed oddly satisfied, humming cheerfully. I didn't even have the energy to give a proper response. At that point, I would have much preferred reading a grimoire to this exhausting labor. All I wanted now was to return and rest. But then—

"Um..."

"Hm?"

A small, unfamiliar voice—clearly a young girl's—spoke up. Looking over, I saw the village elder with a young girl hiding timidly behind him. She seemed about the same age as the straw-hatted child. Come to think of it, I had felt someone's gaze during the fieldwork. Thinking it harmless, I had ignored it, but perhaps I was mistaken.

"Th-this is for you..."

For some reason, the girl nervously held something out toward me. What was this about?

"...What is that?"

It was a flower. A plain, white flower. Now that I thought about it, there had been similar ones among the plants I uprooted earlier. But why was she offering it to me? Was she asking me to plant it? I didn't understand her intentions and could only stare blankly at the flower.

"...She's giving it to you, Aura. It's her way of saying thanks for helping with the work, right?"

The hero interpreted for me with a cheerful smile. The girl nodded shyly in confirmation. This only confused me further. Why was I being thanked? I had only worked because the hero ordered me to, and it had nothing to do with this child. Despite my confusion, I took the flower as instructed. It was small enough to fit in my palm—a delicate, white bloom.

"At times like this, you say 'thank you.'"

"Thank you...?"

"A word of gratitude."

Gratitude. The concept was clear enough. But why express it in this situation? I hadn't asked for this flower, so why should I be the one to express thanks? It made no sense.

Before I could make sense of it, the girl had already hidden behind the elder again. "Maybe she's just shy," the hero murmured, but I didn't care. My thoughts were entirely occupied with the question of what this flower meant.

"Well then, Hero, we'll be taking our leave now. Thank you again for everything you've done. On behalf of the village, we extend our deepest gratitude."

"Likewise. If you ever need help again, don't hesitate to ask."

The hero and the elder exchanged incomprehensible pleasantries—neither commanding nor subordinating the other. Was this gratitude? Or something else entirely? I couldn't find an answer. A demon like me could never hope to understand human emotions.

"Alright, let's head out too..."

Himmel PoV

But then I suddenly remembered. Speaking of which――――

-In an instant, white flowers blossomed all over the place.

I gasped. No, perhaps I had forgotten how to breathe altogether. That's how beautiful those flowers were. Ordinary white flowers, the kind that could be found blooming anywhere. And precisely because they were so ordinary, the sight of their petals shimmering under the evening sun stood out so clearly. Their sheer abundance only added to the splendor. Perhaps it was because she hadn't mastered control over her spell yet. A field of flowers, vast enough to blanket the entire area, had bloomed in the village.

"Beautiful..."

I murmured the words before I could stop myself. At the same time, two memories surfaced in my mind. One was from my childhood: a flower field I had stumbled upon in the forest after getting lost. The other was a flower field I had seen with my companions. Both were the same—a vision granted to me by a mage I admired, someone precious to me.

That mage wasn't here now. I wondered where she was and what she was doing. Surely, she was still traveling, tirelessly collecting magic, just as she always had.

When I glanced to the side, there was another mage—not her—standing there. She gazed at the flower field, looking bored and indifferent. She had merely tried the spell out because she happened to have the flowers on hand. That was all there was to it. She was probably disappointed.

"Spell to produce a field of flowers."

It was one of the grimoires I had collected, hoping to give it to her someday when we met again. I knew she would likely say, "I already know this spell," but even so, I couldn't let it go.

To Aura, this spell meant nothing. But to me, it was the spell that first made me realize how beautiful magic could be, the spell that marked the beginning of my journey with Frieren. That's why...

"Thank you, Aura. This is my favorite magic."

I expressed my gratitude. Even if this magic meant nothing to her, it meant something to me. I hoped, even if only faintly, that a fragment of my feelings reached her.

"...You're really strange to like this kind of magic."

As expected, she replied with exasperation. But I didn't mind. There would be other opportunities in the future. Someday, we might laugh together over how trivial this was.

Thus ended the first day Aura and Himmel spent together in the village—and the beginning of something new.

――――――――

One Month Later

Aura PoV

"Guten Appetit."

"...Guten Appetit."

As usual, the hero cheerfully declared this and began eating his breakfast. A moment later, as if copying him, I mimicked the action. Even now, I couldn't understand this series of gestures. I had asked him about their meaning before, but ultimately, I learned nothing. What I was doing now was little more than a conditioned reflex, something I had to do because of his orders. Yet, for some reason, it made him happy. He always seemed to enjoy it, claiming something about how meals were more pleasant when shared with others.

'I really don't understand... Why do I have to look at this guy's face even during meal times...?'

It's been almost a month since I was captured by the hero and confined to this village. For a long-lived demon like me, this period should have passed in the blink of an eye. Yet, this past month has undoubtedly been the longest of my life. Not only was my freedom of movement taken away, but I was also forced to live the same way as these incomprehensible humans. And the pinnacle of this misery was what I was facing now—this morning torture of sharing breakfast with the hero. Despite my attitude, he remained unbothered, calmly stuffing bread into his mouth. Just where does this man's sheer nerve come from?

"What's wrong? Not hungry?"

"...It's nothing. Don't mind me."

Brushing off his inquiry—spoken with his mouth still full of food—I reluctantly started eating. Was it my nature as a demon? Or simply a matter of adapting? Either way, I found myself slowly growing accustomed to this life. Deception is a demon's specialty; no creature surpasses us in tricking others. If fooling humans means behaving as they expect, then so be it. The real issue is that the act itself—once meant only to facilitate predation—was beginning to become a goal in and of itself.

Discarding such thoughts, I bit into the sliced apple in front of me. The crunching sound echoed as I chewed. Its texture and taste were entirely unlike that of human flesh. Even so, it undeniably satisfied my appetite and cravings—sensations I hadn't experienced a month ago.

"Judging by that face, it looks like you're doing fine so far."

"...Staring at a woman while she's eating? What poor taste you have."

"My bad. But it's reassuring to see you like this. Though I wonder if eating only apples is really the best idea."

Of course, the hero would pick up on such things. As expected, it seemed he'd already seen through most of my situation. The greatest problem I faced living in this village—or rather, living among humans—was that I could no longer eat them.

While demons can survive without consuming humans, the craving itself is overwhelming. Even though my compulsion was suppressed by the Spell of Obedience: Auserlese, the residual hunger was a constant source of frustration and stress—akin to withdrawal symptoms. The hero, misinterpreting my irritation as a "woman's problem," had even made some idiotic attempts at comforting me. And the solution we eventually settled on was this apple.

Spell of Obedience: Auserlese was used to create a substitute for devouring humans. In essence, I was made to associate eating apples with eating humans, through the use of my magic. It was akin to a human's form of self-hypnosis.

I had my doubts about whether the experiment would work, but the results were surprisingly effective. While it didn't compare to the satisfaction of consuming an actual human, it was more than sufficient for suppressing my urges. Apples were chosen because they were not only easy to eat but also a specialty of this village. Though I felt conflicted about being burdened with yet another restriction, it was a small price to pay for the benefits.

"It seems you've completely become an apple lover. Oh, by the way, my favorite food is Ruff Omelet."

"Good for you."

The hero, completely unprompted, shared his favorite food. I hadn't fallen in love with apples, yet somehow he had drawn that conclusion. He never listens to anything I say. Knowing it was pointless to argue, I let the comment slide.

"By the way, I'm thinking of buying a new bookshelf. What do you think? We've got more books piling up lately."

"Do as you like."

"I can't decide that alone. This is your room too, after all. Not to mention, most of the books are yours."

Before I could respond, he'd already shifted the topic. This new subject, however, wasn't entirely unrelated to me. Scattered across the floor were books I had carelessly left lying around—grimoires as well as books from a variety of other genres. They weren't particularly meaningful; I read them simply to kill time. I wasn't being forced to work every moment of the day, so reading had become part of my routine when I had free time. I wasn't reading out of genuine interest, just flipping through anything available. Truthfully, there were things I wanted to do more, but they were impossible during the day.

As I mulled over this, a familiar, disruptive presence arrived.

"Good morning, big sis! Let's play!"

The little boy with the straw hat who had been a thorn in my side ever since I helped out with farming barged in with his usual unthinking smile. Not long after, a second intruder arrived.

"G-Good morning, big sis, Sir Hero."

This one, a shy girl, followed timidly. Ever since I accepted that cursed flower, she had been hanging around me more often. If I had known it carried such a meaning, I would never have taken it.

"Good morning, you two. You look lively today. Are you here to invite Aura to play?"

"Yep! Big sis, let's go to the forest today! You said there's magic for catching bugs, right?"

"I-I'd like to see the flower field magic. I found some unusual flowers yesterday."

"...You kids..."

Completely ignoring my circumstances, they barged in and decided the agenda on their own. Unlike Sir Hero, these children had a different kind of incomprehensible nature. Perhaps it was unique to human children. Whatever the reason, their antics were nothing but trouble for me.

"Why not play with them? I'll join you after my patrol around the village."

"...Another order, is it?"

"Not an order—a request."

As usual, there was no point in resisting. Orders must be obeyed. Now, on top of farming, I was being roped into babysitting. Just as I was lamenting my situation, the children grabbed my hands and pulled me, eagerly shouting, "Hurry, hurry!" Half-dragged along, another long day began for me.

Himmel PoV

"Well then."

After seeing Aura off, carried away by the storm of chaos that was the children, I muttered to myself. This sight was becoming a daily occurrence, yet it still felt fresh. It was hard to believe—the woman being bossed around by those little kids was Aura the Guillotine. Even a month ago, I wouldn't have believed I'd ever witness such a scene. Though, of course, the road ahead remained difficult.

"Good morning, Sir Hero. Apologies for my kids causing trouble so early. I keep telling them not to bother you..."

"Good morning, village chief. Don't worry about it. She just stays inside reading all the time anyway. Going outside once in a while isn't a bad idea."

The village chief, who had followed the children here, came to the front door to greet us. He seemed to think the children were causing us trouble, but there was nothing to worry about. If anything, we were the ones imposing on him.

"It helps to hear you say that. Still, it's strange. Looking at her like this, it's hard to believe she's actually a demon."

"That's true... Aura's case is unique, and that makes it all the more difficult to see her that way."

I agreed with the chief's words while also reflecting on the terrifying nature of demons. Aura was special. It was only because of the shackles of the obedience magic that she could live in this village. In a way, I, as a hero, was bound by similar shackles. It's ironic that this temporary coexistence is possible because of the restrictions preventing Aura from harming humans—and perhaps because of mine as well.

"By the way, how is Aura regarded in the village? It seems people find it hard to speak openly with me as the hero."

"Well... most of them are still opposed to her. But it's understandable. This village has long suffered under Qual's threats. There is a deep-seated aversion to demons. It will take time, but I believe people will gradually grow accustomed to her."

"An aversion to demons..."

I could only nod at the chief's reasonable response. This region, centered on this village, had once been ravaged by Qual, the Elder Sage, in his reign of terror. The fear and hatred toward demons here are immeasurable. Given that, I could only feel grateful that the village had accepted my unreasonable request. Under normal circumstances, they would've had every reason to drive her out.

"...Sir Hero, to tell the truth, I have some regrets. I worry that our request back then may be causing you undue suffering."

"That request back then... Are you talking about Aura?"

"Yes. Even now, I believe Stroh's words at that time were not wrong. Yet, I can't help but feel guilty for placing that burden on you."

As he spoke, the chief's face grew solemn. He must have been referring to when Aura pleaded for her life and I chose to save her. But he had no reason to feel guilty. It might have started with the pleas of the chief and Stroh, but the decision was mine.

"You don't need to worry about that. I'm a hero. The greater the challenge, the better."

I could say that with confidence. The path ahead would undoubtedly be difficult, but it had only just begun. Memories of my past journey resurfaced—Frieren, who, like Aura, had been indifferent to human emotions and nuances. Yet, through our travels, she had grown. Aura, too, was slowly adapting to various things. I believed it would work out in time.

"...Sir Hero, do you truly understand what it means for her to be a demon?"

The chief's words, spoken as though lamenting for me, caused me to unconsciously hold my breath. It was clear that his concern was genuine.

"Chief...?"

"Over the past month, I've had some contact with her. Recently, she's even come by to borrow books from me often. And through those interactions, I've felt it—not because she eats humans. But because she is not human... She is a demon."

The chief spoke slowly, his words carefully measured. At the time, I couldn't yet grasp the full meaning behind them.

"So please, Sir Hero, don't bear this burden alone. This is our problem too."

The chief's concern was not for Aura but for me—about what it meant for Aura to be a demon.