Fern raised her head and looked into Ash's eyes. Her gaze was still full of worry.
"But..."
"You really don't need to worry. What kind of person do you think I am? Haven't I been perfectly fine all these years? I still have plenty of trump cards you don't know about," Before she could finish speaking, Ash gently pulled her into his arms while talking. Holding the soft girl in his embrace, he took a deep breath.
"In the blink of an eye, you've grown up too. Seriously... time really passes fast. The little kid from before is so warm now."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?", The girl didn't know what to say for a moment and complained softly, though she still carefully wrapped her arms around him in return without realizing it.
"It means you're comfortable to hug."
"If it were someone else, this would count as se... harassment, right?"
"What kind of harmless harassment is that?"
With his sharp senses, he could somewhat feel the heartbeat of the girl in his arms speeding up, but he only gave a bitter smile and teased her, "But Fern really is nice to hug. If some weirdo saw you, they'd probably want to kidnap you."
"Haven't I already been kidnapped by you?", Fern buried her face in his chest and muttered quietly in a voice only she could hear.
But Ash couldn't say he heard it too, because if he admitted it... Fern might get upset.
And there was no exaggeration in those words. At least Fern herself was completely certain of it. She couldn't imagine how she would live without Ash.
Even just imagining it made fear wrap around her like cold seawater.
She knew her feelings might be a little heavy, but she couldn't control her heart. She only hoped Ash could stay alive and remain by her side.
Even if the person he liked wasn't her, it didn't matter. In fact, it would probably be better if it were someone else. That way, maybe it would be better for both of them.
After all, she was only a short-lived human. If she truly revealed all her feelings, it was destined to end badly for everyone.
Ash, meanwhile, had no idea what the girl in his arms was thinking right now. He only felt the warmth in his embrace and the girl's attachment to him, lightly patting her back like he was comforting a frightened child.
———
After more or less calming Fern down, though not completely, since he now knew the goddess might send apostles at any time... or something similar, or perhaps even come herself, Ash naturally started making preparations very quickly.
But regarding Fern... he had only just promised to properly treat her, and before he even had time to gather people and make the corresponding preparations, Milli somehow learned about Frieren's arrival and dragged him off for a reunion drinking party.
Frieren was also very happy to meet an old friend here, but the situation they currently faced left her with no mood for drinking, though she never had much interest in it to begin with.
After hearing about what they were dealing with, Milli slammed down her wine cup and looked at Ash like she was examining some rare treasure.
"You know, if you stop now, it might still not be too late."
"I hope so too, but I don't think stopping now will make the goddess give up."
"Even though you know the situation is wrong and could bring unpredictable danger, you still did something this stupid... You're even dumber than the one I knew before," Milli took a gulp of wine and kept shaking her head at him, making Ash feel depressed enough that he couldn't help replying, "You think everyone can live like you? Doing nothing all day, wandering through life without thinking about anything?"
"Even though I really don't have any major goals, and I do spend all day lazing around like you said, I live easily! Living like you sounds exhausting. I don't want to turn into someone like you."
Not only did Milli not get angry at the criticism, she calmly spread her hands after putting down her drink, fully embracing her lazy lifestyle and even looking a little proud of it.
"A thousand years ago I already thought you were hopeless. Looking at it now... my judgment really was sharp," Ash no longer even wanted to comment on her. Instead, he turned to Frieren and reminded her, "You absolutely must not become someone like this. Otherwise, since you're already hopeless enough, you'll become completely beyond saving."
"I'm not arguing with you right now, but I think you should learn from Milli's attitude toward life. If you keep going like this, you'll definitely die early," Not only did Frieren ignore him, she stared at him unhappily and patiently tried to guide him, "And honestly, I've thought there was something wrong with your mindset since long ago."
"Let's talk about something more practical," Ash silently ignored the issue Frieren brought up and looked toward Milli instead.
But Milli smiled and answered first, "If you want to ask me about fighting the goddess, then you asked the wrong person. My lifespan isn't long enough to understand those things. You should ask Serie instead."
"Speaking of which, she should arrive in a couple days to attend that imperial minister's banquet."
"Isn't that a chance? I remember she's a mage from the mythical era. Maybe only she has a way to deal with the goddess or maybe not?"
Halfway through speaking, Milli corrected herself a little to avoid raising hopes too much.
Even so, Frieren's eyes lit up.
"Right! If it's Serie, she should have a way, let me go with you!"
"No need. You and her don't get along. If you two start fighting, I'll have to stop you."
"Even I know how to read the mood and situation!"
For once, she enthusiastically offered to help him, only to be treated as useless support instead. Frieren immediately puffed up her cheeks and tried to defend herself with a very unhappy expression.
Unfortunately... Ash only gave an awkward yet polite smile and patted her head as comfort without saying anything.
There was no helping it. Even if he tried, he couldn't think of anyone worse at reading the room than Frieren. Bringing her along would just cause trouble for himself.
———
After the short drinking party ended, leaving the two elves to enjoy their alcohol, Ash was greeted by Aura.
After hearing from Linie that the number of women around him had increased again, Aura immediately looked at him with the expression of someone disappointed in a useless child.
But he had no good way to explain himself. He could only silently ask her to control most of the nobles and the imperial family, including the emperor himself, and summon the nobles near the imperial capital to come pay respects to the emperor.
Thus, over the following days, nobles throughout the empire's interior were secretly corrupted and controlled one after another. But there was no good chance to recall the nobles supporting the border regions, because they needed to stay there. Recalling them all at once would be too suspicious.
There were even strange rumors spreading among the empire's upper ranks. In order to avoid civil war and peacefully move things forward, Ash gave up on acting too hastily.
Then, when the day of the banquet arrived as scheduled, Serie, who had already made thorough security preparations, strode fearlessly into the banquet hall.
Under the open ceiling of the hall, an imperial marquis quickly walked down and warmly invited her upstairs. While she wondered what tricks he was planning, he led her into a private study on the third floor.
Inside the study, seated in the main chair, was someone completely beyond Serie's expectations, Ash.
And her disciple Sense stood beside him.
"What is this? You chose to work together with the empire? And Sense, you actually completely sided with him at a time like this?", Serie's tone was full of shock and confusion. Her brows tightened, and suspicion flashed in her eyes.
Honestly, Serie wouldn't even find it strange if Sense betrayed her because of Ash.
After all, with her personality, she really wasn't as good at winning people over as Ash was. In fact, she often pushed people away instead. But Ash's position here made her even more curious.
Though she didn't really think Ash would serve the empire either.
Her immediate accusation the moment she entered the room nearly made Ash cough up blood. Black lines filled his face as he sighed helplessly, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's one thing for you to act improper despite your age, and another for your personality to be awful, but do you really think I'm the kind of person who'd betray even my teacher for profit?"
"Yes," Serie nodded without hesitation, answering firmly and directly.
At that moment, even Sense, who was usually calm, wore an indescribable expression, while Ash covered his face and let out a long sigh.
"Is our teacher-student bond really that weak?"
"Don't talk to me about feelings. Every time you talk about feelings, nothing good happens," Serie's words were filled with caution and coldness, as if the person across from her wasn't her beloved disciple but some suspicious criminal.
"This time is different!", Ash urgently defended himself, but Serie's tone remained full of sarcasm and disdain.
"You say that every time."
"It really is different!"
"You need something from me, right?"
"Just a small thing."
"Hmph! Same as always," Serie raised a brow, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. She even proudly lifted her chin slightly before turning toward the silent Sense and warning her, "I told you long ago to stay away from him. Now do you finally see it? This guy's true nature is being completely profit-driven."
"....", Sense genuinely didn't know what to say right now. One side was her sharp-tongued teacher, and the other was the senior brother who spoiled her endlessly. She could only quietly act like a doll.
"Not talking again?", Serie always treated her silence with cold remarks and even sounded slightly mocking, "After all these years, you still haven't improved at all. I honestly don't know whether you'll ever reach Frieren's level in your lifetime. You clearly have excellent talent, yet you insist on wasting it all here?"
"...", Still not knowing how to answer, Sense only lowered her gaze quietly.
Ash finally couldn't listen anymore and stepped forward himself, "Alright, alright, Serie, stop bullying my Sense all the time, okay? This kid has actually improved a lot over the years."
"Keep spoiling her then. You'll regret it sooner or later," Serie didn't care.
"More importantly, I really do have serious business."
"You mean what I said wasn't serious enough?", Serie narrowed her eyes, and a dangerous glint appeared in them.
But Ash showed no fear at all. He calmly slid both hands under the arms of the girl beside him and, amid her startled cry, casually placed her onto his lap.
"W-What is it? Lord Ash?", Sense, who always maintained silence, could no longer keep up her usual quiet attitude. She panicked and looked around nervously.
After all, the person in front of her was her strict teacher. To her... being seen by Serie like this was even more embarrassing than being seen by her parents.
The girl who was suddenly picked up became so flustered that she didn't know what to do for a moment, but, "There, there~ You're my cutest junior sister, so today I'll have to ask you to help your senior brother by being a shield, okay? You can just pretend I kidnapped you."
Ash smiled as he stroked her smooth long hair, trying to bribe her into helping him.
Sense shyly twisted her body and looked up at him with a red face.
"O-Okay... if it's Lord Ash... b-but next time, please tell me beforehand..."
"Mhm, got it. So next time if I want to hug you, I just need to tell you first, right?"
"Eh? That's not! If it's like that... I'd be troubled..."
"So being troubled means it's not impossible, right? Just think of yourself as kidnapped by me~"
He cheerfully patted Sense's head and didn't even wait for her answer before spreading his hands toward Serie.
"So are you still going to attack now? Forget me, but my weak little Sense can't handle your retaliation."
"You really are getting more shameless. You're even using your junior sister as a shield! And what do you mean 'my Sense'," Serie fiercely glared at Ash, but she really couldn't do much about him. After all, he had literally used Sense as a shield. How was she supposed to explode in this situation?
So she could only glare at Sense instead, sounding somewhat unwilling.
"And you too, Sense! He's using you as a shield, so at least have some self-awareness already, okay? Why aren't you resisting at all?"
"I'm... being kidnapped?", Sense's gaze drifted around as she subconsciously used the excuse Ash gave her, nearly making Serie laugh from anger.
"When you say that, can you at least look me in the eyes?"
"Sorry, Lady Serie."
"I'm not asking you to apologize!", Right now, Serie truly looked disappointed at her lack of spirit.
But Ash immediately covered Sense's eyes with his hand, as if afraid she would see something scary, and seriously advised Serie, "She's still young. Why are you being so hard?"
"Are you her dad or something?", Serie didn't even know how to begin criticizing that.
"I just can't stand bullies like you."
"At least I'm still human, but you aren't even human at all! What right do you have to talk about me? Right! Sense!", Halfway through speaking, she suddenly seemed to remember something and revealed a confident smile, "If you get down now, it's still not too late. If you learn his identity, you'll definitely be scared immediately—"
"I know," Before Serie could proudly reveal it, Sense unexpectedly interrupted her. Serie's smile instantly collapsed. After a long silence, she looked back at Ash.
"This girl is as boring as always. Forget it, you talk instead. What interesting thing is going on?"
"It's not exactly interesting."
"Then don't say it. I'm leaving."
"Wait! Don't leave so quickly!", Ash stretched out his hand as if trying to stop her from afar. Sense's hair also extended from his arms and pressed onto Serie's shoulder, making her turn back speechlessly, "What now? If you have something to say, then say it."
"Ahem! Aren't you curious why I'm here?"
"What else could it be? The imperial capital was attacked a few days ago. Publicly they said the invaders were killed, but thinking about it now... it was definitely you who took it down, right? How come the traps Flamme left behind didn't kill you, you evil disciple?"
"That's thanks to Milli... ah, she's the supreme commander of the Holy Wand Court. She's actually my friend. I saved her a thousand years ago," Used to Serie's sharp tongue already, Ash shrugged and casually explained.
This made Serie's gaze toward him become strange, "Your luck really does become strangely good at weird moments. Is this what you once meant by 'scourges live a thousand years'?"
"No, the scourge living a thousand years refers to an unkind teacher like you."
"Really? Really? Then let me show you exactly how unkind I can—what are you doing?"
Before Serie could finish speaking, she saw him directly wrap both arms around Sense's slim waist, even resting his chin on top of her head like he was hugging a doll. Serie's face darkened at the sight, while Ash remained perfectly natural.
"Don't mind me. I just felt the weather was a little cold, so I'm using Sense to warm myself."
"I'm leaving!"
"Sorry, sorry, wait a second, don't go so fast. I still haven't talked about the serious matter yet."
Ash, who always couldn't resist talking back, became afraid he'd gone too far and she would actually leave, so he quickly released Sense and waved apologetically.
Then... under Serie's impatient gaze, he stroked the girl's hair like petting a cat and slowly explained the situation he was currently facing.
———
Ash had nothing to hide from Serie and directly confessed the problem he was facing now.
About how he had been healed by the goddess's magic only for it to become a curse, and... how some village girl had probably drawn the holy sword and now wanted to cut him down.
"Although I've never heard about the monument Frieren mentioned, that might be something from before my era. Or maybe it happened while I was resting and I accidentally missed it," Because her lifespan was far too long, Serie often wasted time or buried herself in magic research. Hundreds of years passing without her noticing while the outside world completely changed wasn't strange at all.
But...
When she heard Ash was injured now and might even get cut down by some unknown hero somewhere, Serie completely failed to suppress the smile on her face. She didn't even bother hiding it and burst out laughing, "Serves you right! Isn't this karma? Your karma finally came? What kind of alcohol did you like again? When you die, I'll bring some to visit you. After a few hundred or thousand years, whenever I happen to remember you, I'll definitely dig you out and buy you a drink. Ah! Wait, you're a demon, right? There won't even be a corpse left~ What a shame. Then I'll just bury a few pieces of your clothing instead."
"Lady Serie... no matter what, isn't that a bit too much?", Even Sense couldn't bear watching her teacher gloat to this extent.
But Serie only snorted and still refused to hold back.
"Hmph! I haven't even started talking about you yet, Sense. Even if you're taking his side, aren't you going too far with it? You're my disciple first and his junior sister second, right? So what is this now? You're even lecturing your teacher over some random man?"
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