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As Lugner said, regarding the adventurer who tried to assassinate him, they could be released once he left.
Thus, on a beautiful, sunny day, in the mansion's dungeon, Frieren, Yulian, Fern, and Stark were acquitted and released by order of Count Granat.
"Remember to abide by the law once you're out."
The guard captain opened the cell door, watched them leave, then turned and re-entered the mansion's dungeon.
"That was really close..." Stark said nervously, looking back to confirm the guard captain had returned.
"We almost missed our chance for acquittal and would have become escaped prisoners again."
"I didn't expect the demon envoy to proactively suggest releasing us."
Fern walked in small steps, a look of suspicion on her face.
They had planned to assassinate the demon envoy, yet the latter not only didn't pursue the matter but actively proposed their acquittal... "Indeed... it is a bit strange, isn't it?"
Yulian paused, then spoke.
He recalled that during his conversation with Lugner that night, he had indeed casually mentioned asking Count Granat to release Fern and the others.
He hadn't expected to be released along with them.
What a reliable subordinate... "Demons..." Frieren murmured, head bowed.
"Mistress Frieren, perhaps the demons of today are different from before."
Fern smiled, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Times have changed, Frieren."
Yulian smiled faintly and added.
"Perhaps..." Frieren looked up, gazing silently at the sky, deep in thought.
The situation in the Northern Plateau was currently very severe; to pass through, they needed to be accompanied by a First-Class Mage.
After purchasing supplies, Fern's face showed a relaxed smile.
"Mistress Frieren, you must have a First-Class Mage certificate, right?"
Fern looked at Frieren beside her, asking, though she felt her question might be redundant.
Mistress Frieren, such a powerful Great Mage, must have a first-class, no, even higher-level... "Mage certificate..."
Frieren blinked her large, gem-like eyes, her expression confused.
"What is that?"
"Mistress Frieren, you don't know about the First-Class Mage certificate?!"
Fern's eyes widened, all the ease gone from her face.
"It's the Mage qualification certificate certified by the Continental Magic Association!"
"Frieren, you can't possibly not know!" Stark shouted in shock.
"Even I, a warrior, know about it!"
"It's this, Mistress Frieren." Fern suspected Frieren had forgotten what it was, so she quickly pulled out her Third-Class Mage certificate and handed it to Frieren.
"Mage Fern, having successfully passed the Third-Class Mage examination, is hereby awarded this Third-Class Mage certificate..."
"Signed: Continental Magic Association."
Frieren looked at it carefully but ultimately shook her head.
"I don't have this, but..."
Frieren pulled a peculiar, black, silver pendant from her pocket.
"I have the Proof of the Sacred Staff, issued by the organization that managed magic users in the past."
"What... what is this...?" Fern stared at the small, black pendant in Frieren's hand, falling silent for a moment.
"Does Mr. Yulian have one?" Fern looked at Yulian beside her, holding onto a last shred of hope.
"Continental, Magic, User, Council?" Yulian repeated Fern's words uncertainly.
"It's the Continental Magic Association." Fern said plainly, repeating it, then sighed.
"It seems Mr. Yulian doesn't know either."
"Fern, where did you take your Mage certificate exam?" Frieren frowned.
It seemed they had to find a way to get a First-Class Mage certificate to continue their journey.
"I took it when I was in the Holy City, but if I were to go back now..." Fern looked troubled.
Going back to take a First-Class Mage certificate exam and then returning here, who knew how many years would pass again... "That, the Continental Magic Association, right?"
Yulian looked at Fern's disheartened, almost despairing expression, asking uncertainly.
"Mm..."
"I remember there's a City of Magic in the Northern Lands; maybe they'll have this Mage association there." Yulian bit his finger, thinking.
If he remembered correctly, there was indeed such a place.
"City of Magic?" Fern looked up curiously.
"It certainly sounds like it would have a connection with the Continental Magic Association."
"It definitely has a connection." Frieren gave a firm answer.
"If I remember correctly, it might even be something like the headquarters of that Continental Magic Association you mentioned."
"Doesn't Mistress Frieren know this?" Fern scratched her head, feeling confused by Yulian and Frieren's vague words.
"Anyway, let's go." Yulian rubbed Fern's head and smiled faintly.
"To reach there, we have to pass through the Decke Region and the Schwer Mountains."
Frieren's eyes sparkled.
Serie, we'll meet again... Twenty-eight years after the Era of Humans.
Northern Lands.
Decke Region.
This was a world covered in white snow.
Currently, the heavy snow fell relentlessly, obscuring their vision and erasing the footprints of Frieren, Yulian, Fern, and Stark.
"So cold!" Yulian rubbed his hands, his face a little pale.
Not just Yulian, but even Frieren, Fern, and Stark couldn't help but shiver in the frigid temperatures, their hands and feet so cold they were almost numb.
"It looks like..."
"the harsh winter of the Northern Lands is quite a bit more terrifying than the demons." Frieren smiled faintly, making a joke, but was quickly criticized by a pouting Fern.
"Mistress Frieren, your cold joke isn't funny..."
"it just makes me colder." After complaining about Frieren, Fern's face showed worry.
"If we continue like this, I'm afraid we won't last much longer..."
"So cold..." Stark nodded in agreement.
Just as he attracted their attention, Stark suddenly collapsed the next second.
Fortunately, Yulian was quick-witted and immediately supported him, preventing Stark from being buried in the snow.
"I remember there should be a small shelter hut at the foot of the mountain; we need to hurry there." Frieren gently held her forehead.
"In what direction exactly?" Yulian asked, carrying Stark on his back.
The next second, Frieren also collapsed.
"Mistress Frieren!" This time, it was Fern who quickly supported Frieren.
"It seems to be in..." Frieren, in Fern's arms, struggled to open her eyes, pointed in a direction, and then fainted... "Frieren!"
"Hey, Frieren!" Yulian looked despairingly at the direction Frieren had just pointed.
That was clearly the way up the mountain!
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