After a symbolic struggle, Fíliya finally collapsed onto the ground.
Frieren admitted it so rationally—this magic that caught her... well, it wasn't a particularly sophisticated spell, but it was simple and effective... Although it wouldn't be hard to break free by force, since Frieren had gone to this extent, she might as well humor her.
With this thought in mind, Fíliya forced herself to look up and asked Frieren.
"What magic is this? It feels quite interesting."
"Bird-Catching Magic, it's a type of folk magic that has been passed down for a long time."
Frieren explained calmly.
"Eh? How can this Bird-Catching Magic catch a person..."
At this moment, Fern and Stark also caught up. Upon hearing Frieren's explanation, Stark immediately asked a curious question.
The two of them were quite glad they were some distance away from the city gate; otherwise, this commotion might have attracted the guards. It was good they hadn't caused unexpected trouble.
"Mm, because it's a magic that has existed since ancient times... its targeting criteria are relatively loose? As long as the target resembles a bird, or possesses certain bird-like characteristics, it can be captured."
Frieren gave her own explanation.
"...But that still doesn't make sense, does it? Look at me, where do I look like a bird?!"
Fíliya, tied up tight, didn't forget to retort even in this situation.
"Fern, think about how Fíliya used Flight Magic that day."
Frieren ignored Fíliya and turned to look at her apprentice.
"I see... I understand what you mean. Flying in that free-spirited manner, Fíliya does indeed resemble a 'bird'."
Fern covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
"Right? That's what I thought, so I tried it... and it actually caught her. Magic... is quite mysterious, isn't it?"
A smug smile finally appeared on Frieren's face.
"...No way... even that works?"
Hearing this outrageous explanation, even someone as scatterbrained as Fíliya felt this matter was incredibly absurd, yet this absurd thing had successfully happened to her. Well... just as Frieren said, this magic really was quite... mysterious.
Miss Fíliya finally gave a helpless smile.
"Alright, can you untie me first? This thing is binding me pretty tight."
"You won't run?"
Frieren looked down at Fíliya from above.
At this moment, Frieren even felt an inexplicable restlessness in her heart. It was just... she felt an impulse to lift her foot and step on this guy a few times. Fortunately, she successfully suppressed this itch in her heart.
"I won't run. Since you all want to see it so badly, then just watch..."
Fíliya sighed.
Thus, Frieren withdrew her mana, and Fíliya was able to stand up.
"So, what exactly are you hiding from us so secretively? Is it something shameful?"
Frieren narrowed her eyes at Fíliya.
"Sigh... actually, it's not mainly about me. I'm used to that kind of situation, but if you follow me, you might also be surrounded by strange looks, you know?"
Fíliya said with a serious face.
"Hm?"
The other three exchanged glances, each seeing curiosity in the others' eyes.
"Alright, just follow me."
Fíliya said, walking straight ahead to lead the way.
...Once they reached that familiar commercial street, Fíliya took a deep breath, waiting for 'judgment' to descend. But something unexpected happened again. Although the voices were familiar, the content of their words was completely different from what she had anticipated.
"Fíliya... it's Fíliya, she's back!"
A cry of surprise rang out like a thunderclap, igniting the atmosphere of the place. However, unlike the scenario Fíliya had envisioned where everyone would flee and avoid her like the plague, this time those familiar faces... surged forward with great enthusiasm.
What... is going on?!
She was slightly dazed.
"Fíliya, you child, why were you gone for so long?"
"I asked around. They said the Magic Association assigned Fíliya a very arduous mission..."
"Tsk, does the Association have no one else? How could they assign such a dangerous mission to a child? Even those First-Class Mages don't disappear for two years at a time..."
"But... anyway, it's good that you're back... it's good that you're back..."
What on earth is this situation? Am I under an illusion? No, if it were an illusion, I would definitely sense something... So everything before my eyes is clearly real. ...Strange... truly strange.
Fíliya bit her lip lightly and spoke subconsciously.
"Um... you, you... shouldn't you all hate me?"
"What is this child saying? Why would we hate you?"
"Well... when I did magic experiments before, I often messed up your business... and also..."
Fíliya was interrupted before she could finish.
"Oh my... what child doesn't make mistakes? The past is in the past... We've watched you grow up, so how could we really hate you? We usually avoided you just because we were afraid you'd cause some trouble again... But with you disappearing for so long this time, everyone was worried."
Is... is that so?
Fíliya blinked blankly.
"By the way, you've been away for so long, you must miss the taste of home, right? Come, come, try my, Old York's, special crackers!"
"Yo, you old geezer, giving that kind of stuff as a gift? Fíliya finally came home, and you're feeding her that? Come, Fíliya, come eat at my place instead, and bring your friends too."
Fíliya looked at the woman grabbing her wrist, feeling a bit in a trance. She certainly remembered her name.
Aunt Miranda, who ran a small restaurant.
Miss Fíliya, in her dazed state, was actually dragged by the woman into that small restaurant, and Frieren's party naturally followed behind her.
Fíliya didn't remember at all how she finished the meal. She only knew that when she wanted to pay the bill, the aunt refused her with a serious face, and even pushed her shoulders with both hands, ushering her out.
"Fíliya, I heard the First-Class Mage exam is starting again. You're a quirky kid, so you'll definitely be fine, right? You must pass. That way, when we say we know a First-Class Mage, we'll have something to brag about."
"Uh... oh... oh, I got it."
Fíliya replied with a slight blush on her face, her tone hesitant.
The group continued walking on the road, and Frieren finally couldn't hold back anymore.
"I see. So, Fíliya, you were afraid of us seeing that scene just now, right? To think you'd feel ashamed about something like that... Heh, you really are still a child."
"You really are surrounded by 'love,' you lucky fellow."
Frieren added. This extra remark was, of course, to strike back at Fíliya, since Fíliya had used similar words to tease her a dozen days ago.
Uh... Fíliya just felt the corner of her mouth twitch slightly. She really wanted to retort loudly, but on second thought, she decided to let it go... Let her misunderstand however she wants; she couldn't be bothered to explain.
"That's my house over there. Do you want to stay with me?"
Fíliya pointed to a building not far away.
"Eh? Is that okay? Won't we be disturbing you, Fíliya? It might be better for us to find an inn. Äußerst is a big city, so inns must be easy to find."
Fern said hesitantly.
"Tsk, if you keep being polite, I'll spank you, you know?"
Fíliya glared at Fern with ill intent, scaring Fern into immediately reaching behind her to cover her bottom.
"Then... then we'll impose on you?"
Stark's face was also a little red; after all, he had never stayed at a girl's house before.
"It's fine, my house is pretty big. Stay, you can all stay. However... Stark and Fern stay for free, but Frieren pays one silver coin a day."
Fíliya said, turning to glare fiercely at Frieren, clearly in retaliation for Frieren daring to tease her just now.
"I'm going to find an inn."
Frieren glared back at Fíliya, refusing to show weakness, and even turned as if to leave.
"Hmph, trying to escape?"
Fíliya leaped up, landing directly beside Frieren, then placed her hand on Frieren's shoulder.
"What are you doing... Charging me money just means you don't welcome me, so I'm leaving... Mm?!!"
Frieren prepared to struggle as she spoke, but she suddenly realized she couldn't move at all.
I see... Frieren had indeed felt a subtle ripple of mana when Fíliya leaned in just now; Fíliya must have made her move then. Tsk... she just took advantage of my guard being down to sneak attack me. If I had been alert beforehand, how could I have fallen for this trick!
Frieren really wanted to make an angry expression, but her body was completely under Fíliya's thumb due to the Sensory Control Magic, so she could only protest with her eyes.
"Heh heh, you used magic to tie me up first, so this is an eye for an eye. Also, you're staying today whether you want to or not. Come on, come home with me."
As Fíliya spoke, she picked Frieren up in a princess carry and walked towards her house.
___
🔥 New stories are available now! 🔥
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 180 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan