"Now that I think about it, it's about time for us to leave. So I'll go say goodbye to Serie first. Don't forget to tell your little friends too."
"Let's just wait until you return, then we can go together. Lawine and Kanne definitely want to have a proper talk with you too."
"Sure."
He just waved his hand casually and left at an unhurried pace.
Originally, after the privilege granting ceremony, they should have set off for the royal capital. But the sudden war between the two countries delayed things, and then Frieren cried for three days, delaying it again. Still, it was about time to leave.
Although he could more or less guess what Serie's attitude toward him would be. After all, she quite liked that laundry magic.
———
Magic Association, at the top of the tower, inside the glass greenhouse-style sky garden—
Serie, who had nothing better to do and was tending to the flowers, only glanced at Ash before her expression turned displeased.
"Hmph! Your adopted daughter just went and did something like that, and you still dare to show up. Speaking of which, I have to take back what I said before. Your foster daughter really isn't cut out for it. No ambition at all."
"You say that, and maybe it's true, but right now you're just sulking because she took your laundry magic, aren't you?"
"She has talent just like her master but lacks ambition. That's your failure in education. Reflect on it properly."
"Yeah, I am reflecting," He nodded casually, then got to the point, "Anyway, I came to say I'll be leaving soon."
"Then leave. Why even say it? Also… fix your attitude. I'm in a very bad mood right now."
Serie looked full of disdain. Even at parting, she had no intention of putting on a pleasant face.
But she was like this with everyone. Ash didn't plan to say much. After all these years, if she could change, she would have already.
"This time, I'll probably be gone for a while again. Next time we meet, it'll either be in life or death. Take care of yourself too, Serie."
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about? What else is there besides life or death?"
"Just a joke to ease the mood."
"Boring," Serie turned her face away, clearly unwilling to talk further, making him shake his head.
"It's because of that attitude that your disciples aren't close to you."
"I already told you about this before. Your way of not maintaining distance will only lead to both sides suffering. Whether it's your foster daughter or anyone else, they'll die in the blink of an eye. And you?"
"I don't want to hear that from someone who, even now, is just tending a flower field. When Flamme was still alive, you never even praised her once, did you?"
"What did you just say? I didn't catch that. Say it again?"
"I said… I will follow my master's teachings."
Even though they had lived for thousands of years, most elves were like their height, childlike in personality. Even Frieren said Serie acted like a child… though she wasn't much different herself.
And that childish personality meant Serie was still sulking right now.
Of course, she wouldn't act like this toward Fern. Earlier she only showed reluctance, but she would still keep her promise. Yet when she saw Ash return, it was like she found an outlet to vent.
As a result, Ash couldn't communicate with her properly at all. After being jabbed a couple of times, he didn't indulge her and instinctively shot back a few remarks.
Then, before she could explode, Ash left a few polite words behind and briskly turned to leave the Magic Association.
———
On the way home, Ash ran into Frieren and Fern, who were together. They were on their way to buy some gifts, and with his arrival, they ended up buying quite a few extra sweets before heading together to Lawine's house.
Of course, the whole process was paid for entirely with Ash's wallet, though nominally it was a joint gift. After all, he had promised Frieren a pile of sweets earlier.
They had just arrived at Lawine's house, which was closer to them. Almost immediately after reporting their names to the guard at the entrance, they were greeted with the smiling face of the silver-haired girl, "Welcome, everyone! Hmm… except for Ash."
"Why?"
"You tricked people before and made Frieren suffer, you forgot already?"
Although she was dressed in an elegant young lady's dress, Lawine stood with one hand on her hip, looking quite imposing.
Normally, Ash might have argued with her, but this time he simply reached out and patted her head.
"That was indeed my fault… believe me, I've been seriously reflecting on it."
"Th-then… that's good."
This sudden, straightforward apology caught Lawine off guard. She nodded instinctively, unable to say anything further.
After that, Ash temporarily stepped away while they chatted, going to call Kanne over as well.
Then, guided by Kanne, they arrived at Lawine's bedroom.
Compared to Kanee, Lawine's carefree personality meant she didn't mind a man entering her room. She even bit into a biscuit and quietly thanked him.
Although after thanking him, she stiffly turned her face away, it was obvious she was trying to apologize for her earlier attitude. Probably because, during his absence, she had learned from Fern and the others why they had come.
"What's with Lawine? She's actually being nice to you, old man?", Kanne observed her childhood friend carefully and couldn't help whispering to Ash.
"Don't worry about it, or you two will end up fighting again later," Ash shook his head with a smile and casually patted her head.
Kanne didn't resist and instead smiled happily, "Is today some kind of special day? I get Frieren and Fern, but even you came to hang out, old man?"
"It's nothing much. Just… came to say goodbye. After this, we'll be heading to the royal capital, then making a trip to the imperial capital."
"Eh? Ah, I see. Yeah… thinking about it, it really is about time for you to set off."
Kanne had long known they were traveling and was mentally prepared for parting, but facing it so soon still left her feeling a bit down.
At that moment, Lawine spoke up as if casually asking, "Then when will you come back next time? This is your home after all, right? You won't make us wait another ten years, will you?"
"Hard to say, but we'll definitely be back in three years. After all, I promised to help Kanne pass her exam," Ash smiled and looked again at the dejected girl, "Work hard over these three years. You might not even need my help to pass."
"I'll definitely work hard. B-but! Even so, you have to come see my growth properly, old man! Ah, if possible, three years is a bit long. How about… coming for the second-class exam next year?"
As she spoke, Kanne quietly grabbed the corner of his clothes and looked up at him with pleading eyes. That slightly pitiful yet adorable expression made it hard to refuse, and he could only nod.
That alone was enough to make Kanne's face bloom again with an innocent smile.
———
In this afternoon gently embraced by the setting sun, a faint sense of parting and reluctance unknowingly filled the air.
The group chatted in the bedroom, occasionally moving out into the courtyard, looking around here and there, and greeting Lawine's parents and older brother.
After that, at Kanne's invitation, they also went to her house together.
Kanne's parents, who doted on her, had met them before. Upon learning they were leaving, they brought out plenty of snacks.
Even Lawine appeared among the group at some point after receiving a message from Ash via a communication bird, quietly brewing tea off to the side.
Her movements were gentle and practiced. The aroma of tea curled upward, blending with the glow of the sunset, creating a warm yet slightly melancholic atmosphere. Occasionally, she joined the conversation, her cool voice adding a subtle brightness to this time that was about to end.
"Lord Ash, I heard a few days ago was your birthday," Pulling him aside quietly, Lawine spoke while taking out a magic book from behind her, "This is… the birthday gift I forgot yesterday."
"This is… I've read all the magic books from your house. This is Serie's, isn't it?", He flipped through the book, a puzzled expression appearing on his face.
Lawine tilted her small head and looked away, "I searched specially in Lady Serie's library. This is magic suited for close combat, so I asked for a while… and Lady Serie gave it to me."
"I-is that so? Thank you, Lawine," This definitely wasn't something she simply got easily. Just looking at her expression, Ash could roughly guess the truth.
Serie's books were usually available for borrowing, but generally not given away to avoid losing them. Still, if someone really wanted one, and if that person was her disciple, she wouldn't outright refuse.
But Lawine wasn't good at dealing with Serie. She couldn't cling persistently like he could. Understanding that all too well, Ash found it hard to say more, yet still couldn't help but advise, "If you're honest with her, she won't actually get angry. Even though her personality is terrible, don't always assume she's truly angry. She's not that easy to anger. But… forget it. Someday when I come back, I'll definitely find a way to give you a birthday gift too."
"Someday?", Lawine seemed a bit dissatisfied with those words, muttering softly.
"What's wrong?"
"We are human," The girl lifted her head and looked straight at him, a faint trace of sadness hidden in her eyes, "And the time humans have is limited. In our short lives, we don't have the kind of 'someday' that you and Lady Serie have."
"At your age, you're already thinking like that?"
"That's what Lernen said when Lady Serie was talking to him."
"That does suit his age. And his habit of being melancholic alone."
The oddly fitting repetition left Ash with mixed feelings. He smiled wryly, gently rubbing Lawine's head, but said nothing more.
The setting sun gradually sank, painting the sky with brilliant evening colors.
Inside Kanne's house, although the lights were bright, the air carried an extra layer of quietness and loneliness.
Some guests lowered their heads in thought, others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with reluctance and attachment.
But parting was inevitable. After a brief meal at Kanne's house, everyone gradually took their leave, returning the house to its usual calm. Only the empty tables and chairs, the lingering scent of food, and a faint trace of melancholy remained.
And that loneliness after the liveliness became a memory none of them would forget.
———
Time passed, and the next morning arrived quietly.
Frieren was dragged up early. Still half-asleep, she… was lifted into the air by Ash using magic, like she was a piece of luggage.
Fern moved between rooms, doing final checks, confirming one by one whether anything had been left behind or any doors or windows left open.
"We've already given the keys to Lawine, Kanne, and Lawine. If anything happens, they'll come by occasionally and notice. Let's go already."
In the courtyard, after arranging for someone to come later to take the stone sculptures, Ash couldn't help urging Fern as he watched her busy figure.
Only then did Fern hesitate before finally giving up on repeated checks and quietly following him out of the courtyard.
But before locking the door, she still looked back one last time at the place filled with memories.
The surroundings were familiar and comforting. Every leaf, every breeze made her feel reluctant to leave.
"If… after we come back from the royal capital, you don't have anywhere else you want to go, we could settle down here."
"And you, Lord Ash? Would you come back too and settle here?"
"If possible, I would like that as well."
Unable to give a definite answer, Ash simply gazed into the distance.
Those eyes looking far away were as deep and calm as the night sky, yet seemed to hide something, making Fern, who always watched him, feel a bit concerned.
But… in the end, she said nothing. She quietly closed the courtyard gate, made sure it was locked, then followed Ash, who was floating Frieren, as they walked toward the city outskirts.
In the cold morning wind tinged with the feeling of parting, Fern walked slowly, as if reluctant to leave, occasionally turning back to look at that home.
But once you start walking, you will reach your destination someday.
———
Leaving early at a time when Frieren would never wake up, the three of them naturally didn't run into any familiar faces.
Leaving without a word was better, that was Ash's view… though Fern felt it wasn't quite right, even if they had already gathered last night.
So they carried a slight sense of regret, thinking that leaving like this might avoid the sadness of parting, but… when they reached outside the city gate, on the long stone bridge, they still saw familiar faces.
"Seriously. I knew you'd try to leave without saying anything," Lawine looked displeased. After glancing at Frieren floating in midair, she immediately glared at Ash, "Your idea, right?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"I knew Fern wouldn't do something like that! You really are a heartless old man!", Kanne didn't let him explain and angrily stepped on his foot, imitating how Lawine used to act.
"That's right! Just like that, Kanne! No need to go easy on a heartless old man!", Not only did Lawine not stop her, she angrily stepped on his other foot too.
"Fern… aren't you going to say something for me?", Unable to move, he looked at Fern with a bitter smile.
"Someone as cold as Lord Ash… deserves this kind of punishment," Fern wore an unexpectedly cheerful smile.
As for Lawine, she said nothing. She simply stood to the side, tilting her head slightly, watching him with a faint smile.
This farewell didn't carry much sorrow.
They simply exchanged greetings and agreed to meet again.
Though Kanne and Lawine did something unexpected, taking the chance when no one was looking to slip him a birthday gift.
Only at the very end did Lawine, with a mysterious smile, say, "See you in the Empire", as if she had already received a similar assignment.
Finally, as their conversation came to an end, the group stood on the long stone bridge, waving goodbye to each other.
With the blessings of the three girls, they gradually disappeared along the bridge under their watchful gazes.
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