[But I can guarantee that Dio would be very happy to receive this bottle of potion. I stake my dignity as a mage on it.]
Frieren-sama is being way too rude. Stark-sama would never be happy to receive such a lewd potion. He's not the same as Diego-sama.
Frieren-sama is no help at all. Looks like I really have to ask him directly what he wants…
But that would give away the birthday present…
Fern walked along the street, deciding to find Stark and subtly probe him for hints.
"Excuse me, have you seen a red-haired warrior around here?" Fern politely asked one person after another along the direction Stark had gone.
Auntie at the market: "A red-haired warrior? Thanks to him helping me push my cart, I remember he headed toward the square."
Kids playing under the locust tree: "We were just playing with him a little while ago. He said he was going to the dessert shop to eat a super super super super super huge sundae."
Child holding a cat: "He's the one who rescued this little one trembling in the tree."
Old man at the farm: "Thanks to him, the rampaging cow finally calmed down."
All along the way, Fern listened to stories of Stark's good deeds. Unconsciously, the corners of her mouth curved upward, and her steps grew lighter.
Stark-sama really is so dependable…
Finally, Fern found Stark on a long bench. He was holding an enormous sundae and devouring it happily, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky with a sigh.
Stark-sama clearly didn't listen at all!
"That cloud looks kind of like boobs…"
All three of them are seriously so lewd!
Tap tap tap tap!
Fern's eyes lost their highlight. She strode quickly behind Stark, cheeks puffed out, voice carrying a trace of chill: "Stark-sama, didn't I clearly tell you not to eat so many sundaes?"
Stark jumped in fright.
Fe-Fe-Fe-Fe-Fern?!
No matter what, apologize first!
"Sorry…" Stark's smile froze. Tears welled up as he reluctantly set the sundae down—but then he suddenly remembered something and clung to the giant sundae again. "Wait, no—today Fern can't scold me."
"Why can't I scold Stark-sama?"
"Hmph hmph, don't you know, Fern?" Stark proudly put his hands on his hips, entering Stark Treasure's explanation mode. "You see, warriors, on their birthday, get to activate their once-a-year Indulgence Day. Whether it's skipping training or eating and drinking like crazy, it's all allowed on this day."
"What kind of made-up common sense is that?"
"Because that's what Master said! It's warrior common sense!" Stark didn't think twice. He scooped a spoonful of sundae and held it to Fern's mouth. "Here, Fern, have some too."
Indirect kiss…
No, this guy is completely like a little kid…
"Ah—"
Fern froze like a statue. Only when the sundae touched her lips did she snap back, opening her mouth to eat it.
"Hehe, how is it? Delicious, right? This is the one I had the dessert shop make according to Diego Master's secret recipe."
"It's really delicious…"
Wait—why did I just go along and eat it?
Why would I do something like that?
Aww—I'm so lewd too…
Fern realized something was wrong. A deep blush quickly spread across her face. She felt a twinge of regret and couldn't bring herself to meet Stark's eyes.
Chew chew… "Mmm! Delicious! Delicious!! Delicious!!!" Stark was still lost in sundae bliss. In just a few bites, he finished the entire thing. "It's about seventy percent as good as Master's."
Now Fern can't steal it from me anymore. And since she ate some too, she can't scold me. I'm so smart!
"Stark-sama, is there anything you want?" Fern remembered the real purpose. Since beating around the bush would seem suspicious anyway, why not just ask directly? "After all, today is Stark-sama's birthday."
"Let me think… I already had my yearly sundae, so…" Stark pinched his chin, thinking hard. Scenes from past birthdays flickered before his eyes.
...
Stark's very first birthday…
"Stark, happy birthday!"
Mabel carried over a sundae even bigger than the dining table. Tiny Stark next to it looked like the dog in Journey to the West trying to lick an entire mountain of noodles.
"You have to finish it all, okay! That way you'll have energy for tomorrow's training." Mabel covered her mouth and laughed happily. Influenced by Diego's appetite, she was completely unaware of how terrifying this portion was for a child. She boasted proudly, "Hehe, I might actually have talent for making desserts. Relying on the memory of Dio's cooking, I got it right on the first try."
(In truth, it was made using Diego's memories.)
Big Stomach King Championship: tragic news.
Master… do you really think I can finish a sundae three times bigger than I am?
Under Mabel's expectant gaze, Stark gritted his teeth and started eating.
"Ah, right—warriors need more than this tiny amount, don't they? I'll go make more!" Mabel stood up worriedly and hurried back to the kitchen.
Important note: Mabel had zero experience taking care of children.
"Wait, Master!" Stark was sweating buckets. He grabbed the hem of Mabel's clothes. "It's enough already. Let's eat it together…"
"By the way, Master, why did you suddenly make so much sundae today?" Stark looked up curiously. "You even stopped training."
"What are you talking about? Birthdays are supposed to be happy! It's absolutely necessary to relax properly!" Mabel lovingly ruffled Stark's hair and spoke again. "After you finish, I'll take you to pick out a birthday present. You can buy anything you want—Master still has some secret savings!"
"Eh… but… back in my hometown, birthdays were always for intense training…" Stark's expression fell as he murmured, "I'm just… a failure who only knows how to run away. My dead family never once celebrated my birthday. I never received a present either…"
Before Stark could finish, Mabel reached out to interrupt. "What does your past have to do with me wanting to celebrate your birthday? You're the noble descendant of the Ice Clan—Mabel's disciple. You don't need to stick to old rules. Just listen to your Master. Forget all those unpleasant memories from before…"
Master's words gradually became unclear. Why…?
"…Stark, why are you crying?"
Drip…
A single tear fell.
"Huh…?"
Stark instinctively reached to wipe it, but Mabel was faster. She already had a tissue and gently wiped the tear away.
"Is my sundae really that delicious?" Mabel asked with a smile. "Good, then I'll make even more!"
"Pfft—no no no, Master, it's enough! Really enough! We can make more after we finish this." Sadness came quickly and left quickly too. Stark hurriedly stopped her.
In the end, the giant sundae still went to waste. The two only managed to finish half.
Encounter with the Sundae Boss—an enemy they couldn't defeat even with all their strength.
With his belly round and full, Stark thought to himself.
Mabel: Weird… this amount Dio could finish by himself…
Under Mabel's careful care (he nearly burst), Stark had long since emerged from the shadow of his hometown. Now he could happily celebrate his birthday.
And good news: Stark could now finish a giant sundae all by himself! He could even eat a second one!
...
"Mm, Fern, I've decided. Let's go pick out a present together!" Stark showed a bit of a smile.
Fern's expression froze for a moment, then softened. The corners of her mouth curved into a gentle smile. "I understand. I really can't do anything with you, Stark-sama."
"Let's go."
The two walked side by side. The distance between them steadily shrank—just like how they were gradually coming to understand each other's hearts.
In the jewelry shop, Stark looked carefully for a long time before pointing at a bracelet.
"Then this one!"
"That one's too expensive. No."
"Oh."
For some reason, in the end they bought a bracelet with a butterfly pattern—one that looked especially similar to Fern's butterfly hair accessory. The price was actually a little higher than the one Stark had first pointed out.
After buying the gift, the two returned to the inn. As soon as they entered, they saw Frieren wearing an apron, carrying a huge basin of super-large berry sundae and placing it on the table.
"Welcome back. You're pretty late."
Stark jumped up. "Yes! Another giant sundae to eat!"
"Frieren-sama! Why did you make another sundae?! Stark-sama's stomach is going to get ruined!!!"
I, Fern, am officially angry!
"Huh? Why not?" Frieren looked puzzled. "I found the recipe Dio gave me in my suitcase. His berry sundae is really delicious. You two haven't tried it yet, right? Hurry and taste it."
I, Stark, am officially happy!
"But why make so much just to taste it?" Fern didn't understand. Her cheeks puffed out in anger.
"Because Dio said the secret to making it delicious is to make it as big as possible." Frieren brought the recipe over to Fern and pointed at Diego's handwriting. "Look, it says right here."
Chew chew…
Fern turned her head. Stark was already seated at the table, devouring it heartily.
"Why is Stark-sama eating again?"
Frieren asked curiously: "How is it? Good?"
"Delicious, delicious…" Stark's voice was muffled because he was still stuffing more sundae into his mouth. "It's just as good as Master's…"
"Then it's settled. No one can resist Dio's personal recipes." As she spoke, Frieren pulled the mysterious purple potion from her clothes and grinned mischievously. "And this potion still has a little left…"
"Frieren-sama, do you want me to pour it on your head again?"
"No? Then never mind." Frieren sighed, then carried three huge plates of jumbo hamburger patties from the kitchen. "And these just arrived. Mabel sent a letter with a hamburger patty recipe inside. She told me to make them for Stark."
Stark had no reason to doubt her. He pulled one of the plates of hamburger patties in front of him, cut off a piece with knife and fork, and put it in his mouth.
The savory, charred aroma exploded in his mouth—but Stark had no heart to enjoy it. The taste was far too familiar.
"Big brother…"
The recipe had been sent by Stoltz through Mabel, with instructions to make it for Stark, who had always been working so hard. This was a special birthday gift from the Warrior Village.
Today's score: Diego wins!
(Diego "very carelessly" used the dinosaur mark on the battle axe to see Frieren's naked body in full view.)
(Stark was completely baffled. For some reason, Diego Master had suddenly started talking to him again, saying weird things like "As expected of my disciple,we're going to be master and disciple for life.")