"Wake up, Frieren-sama. It's morning."
I shake her, but she doesn't stir—just a childish groan. Typical. This routine's so normal I can't recall when it started. I try again, but—
"Onions… hate…"
She mumbles, tormented by some onion-filled nightmare.
"Honestly… so sloppy."
A millennium-old elf, yet like this. Are all elves so? No, it's just Frieren-sama. I give up for now.
Sleeping in at Eisen-sama's, though—she's too carefree. She was the same at Heiter-sama's, so maybe it's expected.
(That sound…)
A metallic clang from outside, like when we arrived—soothing. Drawn to it, I step out.
There's Eisen-sama, working at the forge, same as our first meeting.
I'm captivated. His skilled hammer strikes spark with each clang—a picturesque scene. Dwarves are deft, I've heard, and Eisen-sama proves it. I stare, then snap back.
"Good morning, Eisen-sama."
"Morning, Fern. Sleep well?"
"Yes, soundly."
I greet him carefully, not to disturb. He might've noticed me watching. I'm a bit nervous.
"Frieren's sleeping in?"
"Till noon, probably."
"Typical."
It's my first time alone with Eisen-sama. I'm not great with people, and without Frieren-sama, it's awkward. He's a Hero Party member, Heiter-sama's friend—how do I act? Plus—
"Eisen-sama… sorry about yesterday. I was rude."
I apologize for my outburst. I was out of line, suspecting Eisen-sama, influenced by this journey. But—
"No matter. She is shameless."
"She's definitely sloppy."
He jokes, easing my tension. Maybe he's playful despite his stern face.
"Do this daily?"
"A hobby, like training. You mages practice magic; this is mine."
I ask, noting the forge. A daily routine, like past physical training. The mightiest warrior, yet aging? Dwarves live three hundred years, Frieren-sama said. Eighty years post-Demon King, he's likely old. She dodged my question—probably forgot.
"What are you making?"
"A sword."
He shows an unfinished sword, its quality clear even to me. Warriors maintain weapons, right?
"You used an axe, didn't you?"
Why a sword? Does he wield both? But—
"It's for Linie. Her birthday's soon."
"For Linie-sama?"
I'm surprised—Linie's name again. She mentioned her bond with Eisen-sama.
"Does Linie-sama visit often?"
"Every six months, especially near her birthday. Gift-hunter."
"Very like her."
I smile. So childlike, unlike Frieren-sama. She'll be thrilled with this sword.
"Heiter said Linie gave you a hard time."
"No, she was kind. We played a lot."
"Good."
Eisen-sama shares my fondness. Heiter-sama wrote about it. It's embarrassing being known before meeting. I was shy with Linie, but those memories are precious.
"What's your relationship with Linie-sama?"
I ask. Himmel-sama was her master, but Eisen-sama? Frieren-sama didn't say—maybe she doesn't know.
"Don't know. Nor does Linie. Maybe… like a daughter, as Frieren said."
He speaks gruffly after a pause, hiding embarrassment. It's true, I'm sure.
"That's wonderful."
"No idea what she thinks."
"She sees you as a father—said you're dependable."
I share Linie-sama's words. Demons lack family, I know from books and Frieren-sama. But something close exists between them—her words confirm it.
"A father… she did call me that at first."
My words trigger a memory; he closes his eyes. A father—Eisen-sama feels like one. Maybe that's why I'm nervous, like with Aura-sama.
"You're kind, Fern, as Heiter said. He adored you like a daughter."
"Heiter-sama…?"
"His letters showed it. He was proud of your mage skills."
His gentle words ring true, warming me. Heiter-sama was my second father, though I never said it.
"I have a question…"
"What?"
I muster courage for something I've wanted to ask. About—
"Himmel-sama. He lived with Aura-sama… Was he and Frieren-sama…?"
His shamelessness, spurred by my dawn-return misunderstanding. Asking Frieren-sama's too cruel—she'd dodge. I'm done with her mana's sway.
"Got it. You thought Himmel was shameless."
"Yes… I know it's rude."
He understands instantly, kind despite my impertinence. A decade with Frieren-sama explains it. But—
"You're not wrong. He was."
"What?"
He affirms it casually, stunning me. I expected denial.
"He charged headfirst once decided. Aura and Linie were like that. He knew how it looked—rumors of a hero seduced by demons reached me."
He shares Himmel-sama's shameless reasons—outrageous acts, women's foe. Was he truly shameless?
"Same on our journey. Constant detours, taking random quests, obsessed with dungeon floors."
Not just shameless—sloppy tales. Frieren-sama told similar stories. Maybe she's influenced.
"His statues too. Redone endlessly—Frieren was exasperated. Forced to learn 'cool poses.'"
Statues were the worst. I saw many, hearing Frieren-sama's complaints. Making her call time long is a feat.
I'm drawn into his tales, captivated by Eisen-sama. His gruff face and beard hide joy—his gestures, eyes, voice show it.
"But he touched hearts, changed lives effortlessly. We were the same. A silly, fun journey."
The ten-year journey's importance shines through.
"We loved Himmel for it. Still proud."
That's the feeling of all who knew him—proof he's a true hero.
"That's why I wondered why I survived, not him. He could've saved more."
He confesses, eyes closed, to himself. I widen my eyes—I've heard this.
(Like Heiter-sama…)
I recall Heiter-sama, who saved me from despair after war's losses, saying it's wasteful to die.
He spoke of Himmel-sama—upright, never abandoning the needy. He regretted surviving over Himmel-sama, who'd save more.
Yet Heiter-sama realized dying would erase Himmel-sama's courage, will, and memories.
He taught me to live with those memories, saving me. That's why I'm here.
"So I took a disciple. Himmel would've. Heiter too."
Eisen-sama did the same, saving Stark-sama, my age. He's like me.
"Then Himmel-sama saved me too."
"Maybe."
Himmel-sama saved me, and others he touched, who better others' lives. That's his heroism.
"But don't idolize him. He was a childish, silly hero. Aura scolded him often."
"Right. I can picture it."
Eisen-sama reminds me Himmel-sama was human—flawed, charming. Skirt-flipping's beyond me, but Aura-sama likely scolded him.
"Curious? Borrow Himmel's diary from Frieren. It's clearer."
"His diary?"
I'm stunned—Himmel-sama kept a diary, held by Frieren-sama. That explains her sudden knowledge of Aura-sama and Linie-sama, not from Heiter-sama.
"She probably hid it to avoid embarrassment."
I see Frieren-sama's silly face, lying poorly. She's done it before—terrible at deception. But there's more.
"It's a diary… Shouldn't only Frieren-sama or Aura-sama read it?"
I recall Frieren-sama crying over a book alone as a child—likely the diary, not for my eyes. Only they should read it.
"Maybe. Heiter'd say so. But I disagree. You should read it, Fern—not for Himmel, but Frieren."
"For her?"
"It's her mistakes' record. You, who'll live longest with her, should know—so she doesn't repeat them."
He explains somberly. I understand Frieren-sama's errors and her journey to atone. Eisen-sama wants me to know for her future, trusting I'll stay with her longest.
"Having someone to talk about Himmel helps her. He built statues so she's not alone."
Himmel-sama did the same. I'm no better than Frieren-sama. We must learn together as master and disciple.
"Himmel-sama was a hero. Don't worry—I'll carry their will."
I'll bear Himmel-sama, Eisen-sama, and Heiter-sama's hopes, heavy but not to drop. If I falter, I'll share; if I can't, I'll pass it on—to not be left behind by her eternal life.
"She won't show me the diary."
"No issue. I give you my right to read it—she can't refuse."
"Impressive. Don't you want to read it?"
"Don't need to. I saw it all."
He declares proudly, easing my initial awkwardness. The Hero Party's remarkable.
"Fern, where are you?"
My master's voice ruins the moment. She's unchanged—maybe changing. Sleeping in won't change in a millennium.
"She's up. Carefree."
"Right. Here, Frieren-sama."
I bow to Eisen-sama, exasperated, and head to her, my steps oddly lighter.
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