"Wow… the royal capital has changed so much."
"It's been fifty years, after all."
"Where are we going now?"
"Let's walk around first. Maybe someone will still recognize us."
"No way. You didn't even show your real face."
"Yeah, but you're here too."
Shichen held Frieren's hand and strolled leisurely along the town's stone-paved roads.
Human society really did develop fast. What used to be little villages—almost primitive—had become this advanced.
Naturally, it all began after the Demon King was defeated. With the most dangerous enemy gone, humanity could finally develop without fear.
And the one who earned the credit for defeating the Demon King was, of course, the Hero.
Not because the title "Hero" defeated the Demon King—but because whoever defeats the Demon King becomes the Hero.
After traveling with that man—the Hero—Shichen had become completely certain of that.
The capital was magnificent. People flowed through the streets. There were no signs of poverty. Everyone wore bright, happy smiles.
This was what an era of peace looked like.
Shichen tugged Frieren along for a long while, but no one came up to talk to them.
Even though they were the party that defeated the Demon King—the world's heroes—not a single person recognized them.
Sure, Shichen hadn't shown his face, but Frieren was unmistakable.
She'd been the Hero's party mage, and an elf on top of that—her features were obvious.
It had only been fifty years, hadn't it?
"You're kind of embarrassing," Shichen couldn't help saying to Frieren. "No one recognizes you."
"Blame me, then." Frieren's face didn't change.
"Sigh. Okay, fine—fifty years of peace, it's normal people don't remember us. But our statues are still here. Doesn't anyone get curious and actually learn who we were?" Shichen grumbled.
"Because in a peaceful age, people don't need a hero," Frieren said calmly. "They don't need legends."
"Yeah…"
Shichen shook his head, then shrugged it off. "Come on. Let's check our statues—see if they're damaged. If they are, we'll fix them."
"…."
They soon reached the plaza, and right at the center stood five prominent statues.
In the middle was a man—handsome features carved so clearly that even the mole under his left eye was distinct.
Even as a statue, with a calm expression, you could somehow feel his kindness and strength.
He was the Hero—Himmel.
To Himmel's left stood a middle-aged man with glasses, looking mature… though in reality he'd been a heavy drinker.
His name was Heiter—the party's priest and healer.
To Himmel's right stood a dwarf, beard bristling, rugged and rough-looking, an axe in hand and power in every line of his body.
That was Eisen—the party's warrior.
On Eisen's other side was Frieren, expressionless as ever, with her twin-tails and pointed ears rendered unmistakably.
Behind Frieren stood a hooded figure whose face wasn't shown.
That was Shichen.
The Hero's party's "mysterious member."
No one outside really knew what he did in the party—only the party themselves did.
But the public did know one thing: if the Hero's party couldn't handle something, the mysterious member always could.
That everyone returned alive… was thanks to him.
Of course, the reason the journey took so long was also because of him.
The Demon King should've been an urgent campaign—yet it took ten full years.
An eternity.
Still, the result was good, so everything felt worth it.
Mostly, Shichen simply hadn't treated the Demon King as an emergency. And rushing from place to place was boring.
The people were human. The Hero was human too.
Shichen didn't want to see the Hero grind himself into exhaustion for the sake of the world.
And honestly, the ten long years traveling with Frieren were what Shichen wanted most of all.
Besides, he hadn't actually left everyone behind for ten years—when he reunited with them, only a few months had passed for them.
Making everyone wait ten years would've been completely backwards.
"The statues look fine," Shichen said after inspecting them. "No one's vandalized them. No need to repair anything."
"They're your work," Frieren muttered. "How could they be damaged?"
She was right—Shichen had made them himself. He didn't trust anyone else to do it properly.
And the statues he created wouldn't deteriorate unless someone deliberately destroyed them.
Even if someone tried, it would be nearly impossible in this world.
The only real worry was graffiti.
But after fifty years, apparently no one had done it—so it probably wouldn't be a problem in the future either.
Which made sense. These were the heroes' statues—the ones who brought the age of peace.
You'd have to be an exceptionally bitter little brat to deface them.
"Let's go find an inn," Shichen said. "We'll visit Himmel tomorrow. Honestly, we should've asked for a house back then."
"As if you're lacking houses," Frieren said. "Just build one."
"Frieren," Shichen scolded with a straight face. "We're here to experience life, not to indulge. Do you understand?"
"…Then don't share a room with me."
"No."
"…"
Shichen booked a single room and spent the night resting with Frieren. The next day, they went to see Himmel.
Last night, they'd simply slept while holding each other.
Mostly Shichen held Frieren—she was like a soft, warm pillow, and it made falling asleep easy.
"Himmel's probably a little old man by now," Shichen teased on the way.
"A little old man? What does that look like?"
"You'll see."
They soon reached Himmel's home—and as if he'd known they were coming, Himmel was already waiting at the door.
He really did look like a little old man: shorter, bald, with a small tuft of white beard.
Most obvious of all was the mole under his left eye.
"Shichen-nii, Frieren—you're here," Himmel said in an aged voice.
"You are…?" Frieren stared, confused.
"Idiot. It's Himmel," Shichen said, flicking her forehead.
"He really did turn into a little old man…" Frieren said, genuinely shocked.
"A little old man?" Himmel looked puzzled.
"Shichen said you've already turned into a little old man."
"Oh, that's what that means…" Himmel laughed, unbothered.
"I guess I really am one now. You and Frieren haven't changed at all, though."
"Want to go back to how you were?" Shichen asked.
"No. This is fine," Himmel said, shaking his head.
"Suit yourself… Where are Eisen and Heiter? Not here yet—oh, there they are."
Shichen looked down the road. Two men—one tall, one short—were walking over at an easy pace.
"Eisen doesn't look any different," Frieren said, watching them from afar.
"He just has more beard hiding the wrinkles," Himmel said, clearly offended.
"I see."
"Shichen-nii! Frieren! You're already here!" Heiter waved cheerfully.
"Shichen-nii. Frieren." Eisen was as quiet as ever.
"Long time no see, Heiter. Eisen." Shichen smiled at the two men, who looked changed and unchanged at the same time.
After ten years together, he'd come to see them as true friends—and they really did match his idea of what friends should be.
"Long time no see," Frieren added.
"Man… fifty years, and you two still look exactly the same," Heiter sighed.
"Isn't that normal?" Shichen said proudly. "Do you even remember who I am?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing," Himmel said.
"Your Shichen-nii will always be your Shichen-nii."
"True," Heiter said, not even arguing.
After all, Shichen had saved him more than once.
"Alright, enough sentimental nonsense," Shichen said. "Let's go. Today's on me—eat, drink, enjoy yourselves, and then we'll watch that 'once-in-half-a-century' meteor shower."
"Ugh, I don't want to watch you and Frieren flirt all day," Heiter groaned theatrically.
"Stop whining!"
Shichen smacked Heiter's shoulder, then took Frieren's hand and led the way toward the center of town.
Himmel and the others exchanged a look, laughed, and followed.
It felt like being back fifty years ago.
All day, Shichen refused to treat Himmel and the others like old men, dragging them all over the city until night fell.
Then the half-century meteor shower arrived.
Fifty years ago, they'd watched it together too.
"Looks like there won't be a next time," Shichen said softly, staring up at the brilliant streaks of light.
"Yeah." Himmel nodded, smiling.
"Next time, it'll be just you two," Heiter added.
"Mm." Eisen grunted in agreement.
"Perfect," Shichen joked. "No more of you guys interrupting our alone time."
Himmel chuckled. "So what will you do next, Shichen-nii? Will you come back again?"
"With you guys gone, there's not much point in me and Frieren coming back," Shichen said plainly.
"Then…"
"But before we go," Shichen continued, "I want Frieren and me to retrace our journey from back then."
"I see," Himmel said quietly.
~~~
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