Percia couldn't help but snort as Frieren emerged from the town hall, stripped of her usual robes. She was wearing a modest work gown while casually holding a pickaxe over one shoulder.
Fern twitched beside her. "Maybe we shouldn't have sent her in alone…"
Frieren stopped in front of them. "They decided I have to work in the mines for three hundred years. This is where I stop." She pointed the pickaxe at Percia. "You will learn much from Percia, just promise to write me letters once in a while."
"What are you talking about, Frieren-sama?" Fern's displeasure was written all over her face. "Where are your clothes? Where is your suitcase?"
"They took everything as security for my debt…"
Two burly miners stepped up and began dragging Frieren away by the arms. She didn't resist, waving lazily with the pickaxe still in hand.
Stark sweatdropped. "So… what are we supposed to do now?"
Fern sighed deeply. "We have no choice but to buy her back." Both apprentices turned to Percia, eyes expectant.
Percia tilted her head, faintly amused. "I shall assist as much as I can."
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"…You don't truly expect me to be carrying five hundred Strahl gold coins on my person."
Fern grabbed Percia's sleeve. "B-but you're supposed to be ri— ahem, well off."
Percia raised an eyebrow. "I carry enough to stay comfortable. Just where exactly do you expect me to store five hundred coins?"
Stark glanced over the top of the contract Lord Norm had handed them. "I mean… you never carry any luggage. You always seem to pull whatever you need out of that cloak."
Percia blinked. "Well, my cloak is similar to Frieren's suitcase." She rummaged through the inner pockets. Fern and Stark watched, wide-eyed, as she produced: a grimoire, a stray chess piece, a small iron pot, and finally a large jar of olives.
"What does she need olives for…?" Stark whispered to Fern.
"…I find it easier not to think about it," Fern said flatly.
"Oh." Percia pulled out one last item: a simple leather necklace with a golden jewel that gleamed even in the dim light. "This should fetch a fair price."
She handed it to Lord Norm, who took it with careful fingers. "What is this? I've never seen a gemstone like it."
"It's a gift from a friend. One of the many spoils from the battles she fought. She always came back with something strange." Percia shrugged. "I believe she gave me that one after subjugating a dwarven militia."
Stark blinked before letting out a nervous laugh. "This friend of yours doesn't happen to be another elf we know, right?"
"Yes. It's from Serie."
"And she's okay with you giving her gifts away?"
"Probably? I wouldn't know. I've never given any of them away."
The same horrifying realization flashed across Fern and Stark's faces: If this lord accepts the necklace, he is done for.
Lord Norm glanced between them, then offered Percia a very strained smile. "My, I wouldn't dare impose on Serie-sama's kindness. Unfortunately, I am unable to accept this."
Percia sighed. "I figured. I wouldn't expect humans to be able to appraise its rarity anyway."
The lord laughed awkwardly. I simply want to live a long life...
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"Frieren will be fine. It's only three hundred years. If anything, it will be a nice workout for her."
Stark rested his head on the wooden table. "Except we don't have time for her to finish a three hundred year 'workout'." He hummed thoughtfully. "Although… it would be interesting to see her all buff…"
Fern sighed. "Can you two please take this seriously? I would prefer to buy her back within this lifetime."
Stark rolled his eyes. "Hey, you're the one talking like she's some object." He ducked under Fern's smack, hiding his head under his arms.
She ignored his whining and turned to Percia. "Aren't you worried about Frieren-sama at all? You saw the men who dragged her away. They don't exactly seem… civilized."
Stark peeked out. "What? You think they're going to use Frieren or something?"
Fern froze, then glared. "…Perv."
"What's that supposed to mean?! They're literally using her in the mines!" He ducked again as Fern's hand came down. "Hey, you brought it up!"
Percia leaned her cheek against her hand. "If you're talking about the possibility of Frieren selling her body in a promiscuous manner to get out of this, I don't think we have to worry. Frieren's not the type to stoop so low."
...Right?
The three stared at each other. Fern spoke first. "…Is it bad that I think the right grimoire might… convince her otherwise?"
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"I'm back. We can go now."
Frieren blinked as all three heads whipped around.
"Frieren-sama!" Fern jolted up, rushing over to fret. She checked Frieren's skin, tugged at her clothes, and even peered inside her mouth.
"Fern—stop it," Frieren complained as her apprentice undid her scarf.
Fern ignored her, glancing back at Percia and Stark. "I think we're in the clear."
Stark let out a loud sigh of relief. "Thank the Goddess." Percia simply closed her eyes, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Frieren could only stare at them, utterly confused.
"Um… did I miss something?"