Twenty-seven years after Hero Himmel's death. Central Countries, Brett Region.
Guided by memory, I tread the mountain path. Last here eighty years ago? The scenery's changed—eighty years is long for nature and humans alike. A pleasant, metallic clang echoes, growing closer. It's from our destination.
Soon, I see its source: a small forge. A dwarf, Eisen, hammers iron, the sound ringing out. This wasn't here before. Things change, but some don't.
"Long time, Eisen. Doing well?"
I wave, greeting my comrade after thirty years. Focused, he finally notices, turning. Still the same—dwarven consistency. Same gaze, vibe, wearing the cloak we gave him. Though, beneath it's likely different. A rare nostalgia hits, but—
"…Not like you. A Phantom Demon Einzarm trick?"
His blunt reply shatters it.
"That's harsh. I get it, though…"
My ears droop. Phantom Demons show dead loved ones to lure victims. I'm alive, but he suspects I'm fake. I should be mad, but I'm guilty of this too often.
My greeting was deliberate—unlike my old casual "came to play." Thirty years for Eisen feels like three hundred for me, so I tried formality. Too unlike me, it backfired.
"If it was Einzarm, it'd show Himmel."
"Maybe. You too."
"True. Before, it'd be Master, but now…"
"Right."
I recover. Einzarm would show Himmel—or maybe Heiter now. Eisen agrees. Such candid talks are rare, feeling timeless despite the years. I'm cheered up, but—
"Um…"
Fern speaks awkwardly behind me. I forgot her, lost in reunion. She's probably felt sidelined.
"Sorry. I'm Eisen, Frieren's old travel buddy."
Eisen greets her, sensing it. He's mature—unlike Himmel or Heiter, the party's father figure.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Fern, Frieren-sama's disciple, and Heiter-sama…"
"No worries. Heiter told me. Said you're hardworking, deserves praise."
Heiter briefed Eisen—pen pals, apparently. Fern's flustered, likely from childhood stories.
"Don't worry, I praise you lots."
"You? Doubtful. More scolded than praised, right?"
"Not true!"
I try to boast, but Eisen sees through me. How? We just met. Did that monk write nonsense? Fern glares, saying nothing.
"Thanks for coming, both. It's simple here, but stay as long as you like."
Eisen smiles, amused, welcoming us. Our first reunion with the Hero Party's last survivor.
"Up we go…"
We haul our luggage into Eisen's home, preparing to stay. I'd love a decade, but Fern decides our stay. I must earn her favor—work hard, boost my image. While unpacking, I sense something off, unlike eighty years ago. Familiar, like—
"…Eisen, living with someone?"
The same feeling as Aura's village house—traces of cohabitation.
"Why think that?"
"Just a hunch."
I can't explain—instinct from a millennium of life. Lately, I'm often puzzled, unlike before. Since that moment?
"You've changed. You never noticed such things."
"Praise me more."
"No, you're still you."
I puff my chest, only for Eisen to deflate me. Why? I deserve praise—I've been trying hard. My past missteps make it tough. How long till I'm appreciated? Heiter was needed—he'd pat my head, I imagine.
Eisen mentions taking a disciple, Stark, a warrior village survivor, Fern's age. They parted after a fight; he's in another village now.
Typical Eisen—knowing Stark's location but not visiting.
"So clumsy, Eisen. Feelings need words to reach others."
"You're one to talk."
"Yeah…"
My advice backfires instantly—self-inflicted damage. Oh well.
"Why take a disciple? Copying Himmel?"
Not quite Himmel's style, but maybe he followed suit?
"…Know about Linie?"
Eisen pauses, asking. Right—he didn't know I knew Himmel took a disciple. Heiter told me to ask Eisen about Linie. I know Himmel's life via his diary, but not after.
"I know. And Aura."
"Right…"
I confirm, sensing Eisen's concern. He shuts his eyes, silent. After a while—
"Why I took a disciple? Simple. You did it, so I did."
"Me? What?"
"Nothing. You taking a disciple, though—surprising."
"Heiter tricked me. He stayed himself, even old."
"Right."
Eisen's cryptic—why me? Just say Himmel. My disciple shocks him, understandably—I'm the most shocked. He once asked if I'd take one; prophetic, maybe. Heiter's doing, though. Eisen and Heiter haven't changed—same as ever. Or so I thought.
"No, they grew up. I'm the only one unchanged."
"Frieren…?"
Now I see. Himmel and Heiter said their hearts stayed young, just acting mature. That's growing up. I was the child, lapped, just starting to run toward a distant goal.
"That ring, Frieren?"
"Oh, this?"
Did I touch it unaware, or did he notice earlier? The Mirror Lotus ring—Eisen knows it. How to explain, especially with—
"Frieren-sama, I've finished unpacking."
Fern's here. Explaining now risks embarrassing myself further in front of her—too late to avoid, maybe.
"Sorry, Fern."
"It's fine. You have catching up to do. But unpack your own bag."
"…Okay."
"Good disciple, Frieren."
"Fern's scary when mad…"
"Frieren-sama?"
Her words make me straighten up. Eisen chuckles—easy for him. I hoped he'd soften Fern, but no luck.
We resume unpacking, mindful of Fern's gaze, with Eisen.
"Nostalgic—Eisen's cooking."
After unpacking, we're treated to dinner—lavish dishes. Eisen hunted a boar effortlessly, still in his prime. The taste is unchanged from our ten-year journey eighty years ago, vivid with memories.
"Eisen-sama cooked on your travels?"
"We had a rotation, but Eisen was best, so it became his job."
It started as a rotation, but Eisen's skill made him the cook—natural, maybe.
"Your sleeping in and Heiter's hangovers left me no choice."
His blunt reveal ruins my nostalgia, making me choke. Why? I don't recall—mental magic? Suppressed memories? Yet—
"Frieren-sama?"
"Why just me? Fern wasn't there!"
"I wake, dress, and feed Frieren-sama daily."
"You make her do that? Worse than before."
"…"
I'm scolded—why only me? Heiter was guilty too. It spills to my current self. I feel deflated. I must change the topic.
"Anyway, I've got something for Eisen."
"Brushing it off?"
"Usual."
I stand, staff in hand, ignoring their comments. Mages need focus, not petty details. I cast a spell, materializing—
"What's this?"
"Got it—syrup magic. Revenge from back then. Heiter cried with joy."
Shaved ice, not just any—fluffy, with exquisite syrup. Eighty years ago, I couldn't combine ice and syrup magic from a dungeon. Heiter loved this late in life.
"Delicious. Eighty-year reward, huh? Took long enough."
Eisen nods, once dismissive but now appreciating dungeon rewards. Heiter's smiling in heaven; Himmel might be jealous.
"Worth it, right? Fern loves it—ate so much she got sick once."
"Frieren-sama?"
"Eat before it melts!"
I slip Fern's mishap, covering it by gobbling ice. Her cold stare chills me, but we three enjoy the dessert together.
"Fern, I want to practice magic, so rest first, okay?"
Post-dinner, I muster courage to lie. I want to talk alone with Eisen—nothing against Fern, but some topics can't include her. I'd avoid a meltdown, though not three days of wailing. But—
"Now? It's dark out. Tomorrow's fine."
"Uh…"
Fern's valid point stumps me. She sees through my lie—half her life with me makes her sharp. She'll soon read my mana fluctuations. Still—
(Didn't want to, but no choice.)
A tough call. I glance at Eisen, using a technique even Himmel couldn't resist, taught by my master.
Seduction. Not a kiss—a wink.
Not its usual use, but proven. Eisen, my decade-long comrade, should get it. I'm growing—worthy of praise. But—
"…?"
Eisen's confused, shattering my confidence. Why? My perfect wink fails. Is it only for Himmel?
I wink repeatedly—useless. It becomes blinking. Eisen and Fern stare, bewildered. I want to hide in a forest. How long did it last?
"…Fine. Don't stay out too late."
"Okay."
Telepathy works—Fern gets it. Eisen nods, eyes closed. My earlier words about conveying feelings echo back.
"You're bad at this stuff."
"I know. Just tried."
Eisen teases at the door. No retort—I got carried away. Words first, then finesse. Long road ahead.
"Good disciple."
"Like a mom, right?"
"A mom… He said something similar."
"Eisen?"
"Nothing. Let's go—I don't want Fern mad."
Eisen, recalling something, smiles under his beard and walks. I follow under the moonlit sky for our walk, just the two of us.
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