"That sounds right. Then let's call this a man's responsibility?", After thinking for a moment, he gave a different answer with a smile.
That answer made Fern smile again, but she could not help saying, "Weren't you the one who kept telling Lady Ubel that you believe in equality between men and women?"
"How are you the same as Ubel?"
"How are we different?"
"You're different in every way. In the end, Fern is special."
The answer came without hesitation. It was also what Ash truly felt.
Yet those words, spoken so casually, made Fern's eyes and expression freeze for a brief moment.
The air was still cold, but a warmth far stronger than before suddenly rose in her heart. The heat climbed uncontrollably to her cheeks, and even her heartbeat began to speed up.
She did not understand why she suddenly could not keep looking at that familiar face, why she instinctively shifted her gaze away. From time to time, she pressed her lips together and secretly glanced at the person beside her, whose expression remained completely normal.
As if sensing this subtle feeling, snowflakes began to fall softly from the dark sky.
The light drifting snow added a touch of romance and dreamlike beauty to the moment.
The girl tried to calm herself, but the flutter in her heart was like a flame touched by snow. Instead of going out, it burned even brighter.
She opened her mouth to say something, yet feared breaking this delicate balance. In the end, she hid all her feelings deep inside, letting them quietly pile up like snow in her heart.
As for Ash, watching the snowflake that landed on his nose melt on its own, he did not think much about anything. Smiling, he looked at the girl beside him.
"If the snow's heavy enough tonight, let's rest a bit tomorrow. We can build a snowman before we leave?"
It was obvious he had not noticed Fern's subtle change at all.
Fern was not angry either. She took a deep breath and hid those feelings in her heart, letting his words take root like a seed, quietly sprouting inside her. At this moment, she showed a bright smile and nodded hard.
"Mm! Let's build a really, really big snowman!"
———
Back at the wooden house—
Frieren had already laid out the bedding for the two of them. She was staring at the falling snow outside the window in a daze. When Ash appeared beside her, she smiled.
"You're unexpectedly gentlemanly."
"Why bring that up all of a sudden?"
"It's cold, right?"
"What do you think?", He held out the hand that had been exposed to the cold the whole time. Frieren casually took it in both of hers, widened her eyes in surprise, and sighed.
"Oh~ This might be a new record. It really does get colder the farther north you go."
"To be honest, what exactly is your relationship?", Ubel squatted by the stove and could not help asking as she watched them.
"Friends," Frieren answered without thinking.
That left Ubel speechless, "Do normal friends act like this?"
"True... Then we're very good friends? No, maybe occasionally very good friends?"
Even Frieren sounded unsure of her own words. Ubel tapped her own head lightly with her fingertip and eventually gave up trying to figure out the situation.
To be honest, not just Ubel, even Sein did not really understand. But his strength was that if he did not understand something, he did not worry about it. So he walked over cheerfully and looked out the window.
"We just finished cleaning up, and now it's snowing."
"Let's hope there isn't a blizzard, or that'll be troublesome," Ash said as he quietly pulled his hand back from Frieren's.
"Normally there wouldn't be. And this time we don't need to cross any dangerous mountains. Even if it snows, it's fine," Frieren replied with a smile.
———
And then...
The next morning, everyone found themselves in complete chaos inside a sudden blizzard.
Snow filled the sky, and the wind howled fiercely. Forget building a snowman, even traveling would be asking for trouble.
As expected, they were stuck in the village.
Luckily, they were in a village this time. Supplies were sufficient, so there was nothing to worry about.
There was still plenty of time before the First Class Mage exam, so no one was in a hurry. Sein's face even showed a hint of relief.
After that, time passed slowly.
Everyone had their own things to do, at least Ash was quite busy. He would disappear for days at a time.
In the blink of an eye, the cold wave was about to pass. On the last night before they set off again in spring, at a table in the village tavern, the one discussing the future with Sein... was still Ash.
There was no help for it. In the whole team, only the two of them often gathered to drink and talk about mature women.
But this time, they were not talking about mature women.
Sein's expression was more serious than ever. After taking several drags from his cigarette, he finally looked at the boy across from him and spoke hesitantly.
"Ash, do you think I should..."
"There's nothing to hesitate about," Ash cut him off immediately, stopping that torn feeling.
"Didn't you say from the start you were traveling with us to catch up to that gorilla? Or are you planning to regret it for another ten years?"
"True. But you, in matters like this, really don't hesitate at all. And you don't soften your words either."
"What's wrong with that? Isn't being indecisive worse?"
"Normally, sure. But...", Even though he felt Ash made a lot of sense, Sein still gave a bitter smile and let out a long breath of smoke, "Even so, you're a bit too cold. If I hadn't known you long enough, I'd think you're some heartless guy."
"I told you, when it's time to cut something off, cut it off. If you don't, it'll only bring trouble," Ash waved the smoke away dismissively.
"Life is just a journey of constant meetings and partings. As long as you're alive, you'll probably meet again someday. There's no need to feel sad about it. Next time we meet, just let me hear your story."
"My story? Ah, right," Sein froze, then remembered their first meeting and could not help laughing, "Honestly, next time, could you please not just stand there watching? Hurry up and save me?"
"That depends on whether your story is interesting enough," Ash raised his glass with a smile.
Sein clinked glasses with him boldly.
"Of course it will be! That gorilla and I are going to become heroes remembered in history! He can stay 'Gorilla,' but I'm going to carve my name on the base of the statue so you all can admire me properly!"
"Is that so? Then, I'll look forward to that day. And when it comes, please introduce me to a mature and sexy older sister."
"A mature and sexy older sister?"
"What?"
"Uh, it's just... sigh, never mind."
Sein opened his mouth as if to say something, stopped himself for a long while, and in the end chose to stay silent.
Ash only looked confused, which somehow made Sein feel anxious and irritated, yet he had no idea how to vent that feeling.
———
Sein really could not stand Ash's attitude, and the situation between him and Fern.
Even though he should have been an outsider, he could not ignore that restless feeling. Just watching from the side made him anxious for them.
So, while Frieren was alone in a bookstore, immersed in a sea of books and enjoying the last night, Sein suddenly rushed in and shouted, "Frieren!"
"Huh? W-What?", Frieren, who had been reading peacefully, was startled and turned her head in surprise.
"You saw it the other day, right?", Sein took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, though his voice was still emotional, "Ash and Fern were holding hands, and Fern had her other hand in Ash's pocket!"
"I did see. So?", Looking at the wine and meat monk who had suddenly started panicking for no clear reason, Frieren had no idea what he was trying to say, "Did you drink too much? Or is putting your hand in someone's pocket illegal in this country? Or is holding hands illegal?"
"No!", That strange guess made Sein swing his arm wildly and slap the desk, "I'm leaving, so I really can't hold this in anymore!"
"You've decided to leave?", Frieren nodded slightly and smiled, "But... So, Sein, do you regret traveling with us?"
"Not at all. Traveling really is fun."
"Then didn't I say from the beginning? You could just come with us. But, why do you look unhappy? Is there something hard to say?"
"Because, that's not what I'm talking about!" Faced with someone who, for some reason, missed the point just like Ash, Sein's face showed no smile at all. He almost looked angry as he slapped the desk again and shouted in near despair, "After hearing what I just said, don't you have any other thoughts?"
"What you just said?"
"It's not about whether it's illegal!"
"If it's not illegal, then," Frieren tried to recall how the two of them had walked. Suddenly she became serious, "I understand. I'll work hard to earn some money."
"Huh?"
"Once I have money, I'll buy Fern a dress with pockets!"
Frieren sighed deeply and finally expressed her stance. She even planned to save up some private money again.
Sein froze, speechless for a long time before finally asking in shock, "What topic are we even on?"
"Weren't you saying it's uncomfortable not having pockets? And subtly criticizing me for not working hard enough and not picking good clothes for Fern?", Frieren shook her head but oddly sounded a bit proud.
"Actually, I'm not as slow as you all think. I can figure out something at this level."
"You figured it out?"
"Of course. Over the years, I've actually improved a lot."
Being able to notice a hint like that made Frieren straighten her chest proudly. She was genuinely pleased with her progress.
In the past, she definitely would not have noticed such details. At least noticing differences in others, or what needed attention, had always been difficult for her.
But Sein's expression looked like he could not bear to look at her. He seemed strangely pained, like he had swallowed a fly or was constipated, yet no words would come out.
That painful expression even made Frieren feel a little sympathetic. Smiling, she stood on tiptoe and patted his head.
"You wine and meat priest, you look like this, but you're happier about my growth than I am. That's rare."
"Does this look like a happy expression?"
"Overjoyed to tears, right? Ash told me that sometimes when people are very happy, they feel like crying. So when they're too happy, they might look like they're in pain. That's called, right, extremes meet, isn't it?"
While trying to recall what Ash had once said, Frieren felt proud of herself for being able to apply what she learned.
Sein could not squeeze out a single word of praise. He tilted his head at a forty five degree angle, looked at the sky, took a deep drag from his cigarette, and let out a voice full of despair.
"Maybe the world should just be destroyed."
'So this is why she is so strange? It is not because she is an elf, but because Ash taught her badly? But then why is Fern still quite normal, while the oldest elf got influenced first?', Sein's thoughts were completely in chaos. He was genuinely worried about what would happen to this team in the future.
Aside from the youngest, Fern, none of the other three seemed normal. Even if he wanted to say something or give some advice, he had no idea what to say, or to whom.
On the night before parting, he had wanted to say something to Frieren. But in the end, he said nothing at all. He was even a little worried that if Frieren stayed in this team, she would become even stranger under Ash's influence.
He was not completely sure whether Ash was the root of all evil, but eight or nine times out of ten, he was probably right.
———
The next day, the heavy snow had stopped.
After a brief farewell, Sein left on a different path.
But the strange expression he wore before leaving made Fern feel uneasy. She could not help watching his retreating back and tugged at Ash's sleeve.
"Lord Sein's expression was so strange. But he said he wasn't sick. Is he really okay?"
"He's a priest. Healing and curing illness is what he's best at. Isn't it stranger for you to worry about his health? I think he probably has something on his mind. But I remember when he left the tavern last night, he seemed fine."
"Ah~ I saw that uncle go into the bookstore. He probably talked with Frieren for a while. When he came back, his expression was already strange," Ubel smiled as she turned to look at Frieren.
Suddenly becoming the focus of everyone's gaze, Frieren crossed her arms and touched her chin thoughtfully.
"Last night, he felt that Fern not having pockets was pitiful, so he kept hinting that I should buy Fern a dress with pockets."
"What? That uncle is that considerate?", Ubel looked impressed at Sein's taste for older women.
Frieren grew troubled, "I didn't expect him to care about something like that to this extent. I guess I should have been more certain last night and promised him?"
"Is not having pockets pitiful?", Fern looked down at her skirt in confusion and shook her head firmly, "I don't mind. No, actually, this is better."
"So it's, an aesthetic preference and a stubbornness in a strange direction?", Frieren pondered for a long time before suddenly coming to a realization.
"Now that I think about it, Sein's pursuit of mature women is so strange that even I, as a mature woman, don't approve. So maybe he's also stubbornly convinced that girls must have dresses with pockets?"
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