Chapter 120 – The Time Has Not Yet Come
At dawn, before the sky had even begun to brighten, the entire village had already gathered at the entrance.
Some villagers clenched their fists in inexplicable excitement.
Others quietly wiped tears from the corners of their eyes.
Facing the four who were about to depart, Julie thumped her chest with a loud smack.
"With the Giant Axe Mercenary Company here, there's no need to worry about the village's safety!"
"There was never any need to worry," Elias replied calmly. "My barrier remains in place."
"You only need to stop by from time to time and see if the villagers require assistance. This is your advance payment."
He handed Julie a heavy pouch of coins.
The money-loving mercenary froze on the spot. Just by weighing it in her hand, she could tell there were at least thirty Strahl gold coins inside.
"G–Good heavens… that much money… Elias, you're not planning on coming back, are you?"
Hearing the distant rumble of an approaching carriage, Elias turned slightly.
"I don't know how long we'll be gone. But we should return before the 'Proof of the Holy Staff' selection—five years from now."
"Four years, Elias."
Frieren spread her hands in correction.
"Time has already passed, you know. You're as indifferent to its flow as ever."
"Alright."
Flamme took Frieren's hand smoothly.
"The carriage is here. We still need to travel to the Holy City and spend the day purchasing supplies before departure."
Just before leaving, Robin stepped toward Julie and introduced himself.
"Captain Julie, first time meeting you. I'm Robin—a greatsword warrior. Your giant axe looks impressive."
"—Thank you."
"Haha! I've never met a female warrior like you before. When I return, we must have a match!"
"Uh…"
Julie blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.
Julie nodded blankly.
After all, she wasn't actually a warrior—just a mage who happened to specialize in wielding a giant axe.
"…We'll talk about it when you come back."
Once Robin boarded the carriage and the group disappeared around the bend of the mountain road, Julie muttered to herself:
"By the way… that warrior named Robin—he doesn't have any mana at all? And he can't sense mana either?"
"That's… rather rare."
---
The carriage rolled all the way to the Holy City, where the group checked into the top floor of the Wolfwood Inn.
Flamme wasted no time. She ordered Frieren to head into the city to purchase supplies, while Robin's task was to supervise Frieren while she did so—
Flamme had no intention of letting Frieren spend the entire travel budget on the very first day.
Just as Flamme was about to assign something to Elias, she sensed it—
The Great Demon's presence had already entered Serie's palace.
"…Honestly, Elias."
Flamme immediately set off, grumbling the whole way.
"I'm going to see my teacher anyway. He could've waited and come with me. What's the rush?"
---
"—Serie."
"—Oh. Elias."
Elias now stood beneath Serie's throne.
Just like eight—no, nine—years ago, when he had passed three rounds of selection to stand before her for the first time.
"Elias, I've already heard from Flamme about your trip south. A pig from the future… an undeciphered oracle from the Goddess…"
"How fascinating."
Elias studied Serie's expression.
Was she… smiling just now?
Considering the old dwarf's conduct over the past thousand years, suspicion was only natural.
"Serie. Did you already know about the 'Goddess's Monument'?"
"…Hm?"
"You came all this way to ask me that?"
"The Goddess's Monument is something even Aivis could not fully comprehend."
"I only recently learned that it possesses the ability to send someone through time."
A flicker of confusion crossed her brow.
But in Elias's eyes, that could just as easily be an act.
"Two thousand years ago, after you touched the Goddess's Monument, you lost seven days of memory."
"—Mm… that does sound familiar."
Serie stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"So at that time, was I possessed by my future self? Although…"
She smiled lightly.
"Even now, two thousand years later, I haven't touched the Monument yet."
"…Meaning the time for you to travel back hasn't arrived?"
Elias fell into thought as well.
If the Serie he faced two thousand years ago had been the one from two thousand years in the future—or even farther ahead—
Then that "old dwarf" must already have known what would happen to Elias.
And yet she said nothing.
She had merely watched him and Aivis with those strange, unreadable eyes.
"Serie, I've always wondered. Back then, why did you refuse to say anything? Was it because time was locked?"
"…Elias, I'm curious too. But how would the present me know what my future self was thinking?"
Seeing her utterly shameless expression disguised as innocence, Elias could only sigh.
"I came intending to settle accounts. Seems the time isn't ripe yet."
"Then let me ask you this—when your moment to travel back arrives, will you try to change the past?"
Serie's smile vanished instantly, as though he had touched a forbidden boundary.
"Elias. I advise you not to cling to false hope. Especially not on your journey south."
"—Ah. Back to the survival of humanity again."
Elias lowered his gaze with a faint smile.
"Very well. But when you do touch the Goddess's Monument, I intend to be present."
"…We'll talk about it when you return."
Serie bit her lip faintly as she watched Elias leave the grand hall, her expression complicated.
"That man… is he seriously expecting me to overturn the past? Such a pointless notion…"
"—Master."
Flamme entered shortly after.
"I just saw Elias leave. He didn't look well."
"You worry too much, Flamme. When has that man ever looked well?"
Serie replied lazily.
"Still, keep an eye on him during your journey. Don't let him stray from the intended path."
"I will, Master Serie."
---
That night, while checking their supplies, Elias noticed something odd.
Frieren was hiding her storage pouch behind her back, her eyes darting left and right.
Apparently, even under Robin's supervision, the white-haired elf couldn't restrain her hands.
Elias spoke bluntly:
"Frieren. Before dawn, you will return every useless trinket you secretly bought."
"What?! Why would I—"
"Wait… how did you know I—"
He didn't argue. He simply repeated himself.
"Before dawn."
"If you fail to return them, you can stay here and spend your days playing with your junk."
The warning was calm.
But final.