Frieren 88

Title: Aura Looks Like a Failure

Though Linie looked deeply remorseful, quickly lowering her head to apologize, she only said it well.

But just like Ash with Aura… Linie was only saying it.

No, perhaps she truly intended to change, but only when scolded, then “accidentally” forgot.

In this way, Linie was just like Ash. He always said he’d be more careful next time, but out of habit, he couldn’t stop grabbing Aura’s horn… He couldn’t help it; its height and shape fit perfectly in his hand.

Perhaps because of this habit, the strange cycle between Aura, Ash, and Linie seemed unbreakable for now.

As the sunset quietly vanished behind the mountain’s shadow, a full moon rose leisurely, hanging high in the low sky, casting countless silvery rays…

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the castle, in Ash’s study, Aura, having claimed his rocking chair, swayed freely, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Linie, sitting nearby, propped her chin on Ash’s desk, watching Aura daydream. She unconsciously showed an innocent expression and suddenly broke the silence in the study, where only the sound of flipping book pages could be heard: “Ash-sama, Aura-sama looks like a failure.”

“Don’t say that too loudly. The failure will get mad if she hears.”

“I already heard!” Aura glared sharply at Linie and Ash, who clearly thought the same. But now, she had no time to be angry at them.

After all, her lazy appearance wouldn’t convince anyone even if she defended herself. She had no intention of doing so now either. She just sat, staring seriously at Ash: “Solitär’s dangerous, you know that, right?”

“Don’t worry. I know exactly how dangerous she is, but cooperation is possible.”

“Ara~ really? I thought you couldn’t resist falling for her because of her small body~”

Hearing her brother say that, Aura felt relieved and, as usual, covered her mouth, mocking with a small laugh.

Ash sighed resignedly: “…Don’t actually think I’m weird. I like big ones. And even if I liked small ones, I wouldn’t like someone that old. By the way, you’re a demon—why talk about liking? Don’t you feel weird?”

“Not at all. But speaking of, this rocking chair is really nice~”

“…Good if you like it.”

Seeing Aura truly looking like a failure, lazily swaying in the chair, Ash held back from commenting.

After all, he used to be like that in front of her. He was slightly worried Aura became a failure by copying him. Now, he could only lower his head, deal with documents, and casually pat the expressionless little girl beside him.

Though often disobedient and blunt, Linie was very compliant and docile now, even comfortably nuzzling her head.

A lazy Aura, an obedient Linie, and a pile of not-too-important documents awaiting decisions—everything felt cozy and no different from usual.

After all, routine matters could be left to subordinates. What Ash handled now were decisions about national transformation and reform, which could be done slowly but needed his input.

“…This life, why is it so painful?” Ash glanced at the documents, then at the two troublesome figures beside him, unable to resist wanting to grab Linie’s horn and shake her head to vent his frustration.

But he couldn’t bear to punish her when she hadn’t done anything wrong.

At that moment, the study door was gently knocked. Then, the familiar Greater Demon entered lightly, smiling: “Good evening~ It’s time to study magic. Will everyone learn together?”

“Forget it. I’m not interested in learning weird stuff.” Aura, annoyed at seeing Solitär, got up from the rocking chair and walked out.

Linie, without a word, quickly followed Aura, leaving the room… The carriage situation was an exception, but with space and a chance to leave, she naturally didn’t want to stay.

In the cruel demon society, besides the unique Ash and Aura, young demons like her, when meeting someone far stronger, were better off avoiding them if possible.

If the power gap wasn’t too wide, they could talk. If it was too vast… they’d need to prepare for enslavement.

Throughout, Solitär never looked at or spoke to Linie. She only slightly stepped aside as Linie passed, avoiding getting too close.

Because… she could sense that at close range, Linie might pose a certain danger.

“Interesting kid~” As they passed, Solitär deepened her smile. She looked at Ash, showing keen interest: “That kid, though so young, gives me a threatening feeling when close enough. How did you train her?”

“She’s a soldier.”

“A kid that small is a soldier…? And she seems impressive.”

“Anyway, don’t bully Linie.” Ash had no intention of saying much, casually ending the topic.

Solitär nodded with a beautiful smile: “I understand. Don’t worry. After all, she’s the girl you raised, right?”

“What do you mean ‘raised’… I admit Linie’s very cute, but I don’t look at the kid I raised since she was little like that, okay?”

“?? What’s the problem? Isn’t cute good? From what I know, don’t many human nobles do that? Raise them from childhood to suit their interests and hobbies?”

Facing her seemingly natural confusion, Ash retorted with an annoyed face: “Do you think I like being used as a hand towel?”

“Ara? So you don’t like it?”

“…In your impression, what kind of person am I?”

“Someone who likes kids. And as far as I know, among demons, only you and Aura adopt children.”

“That’s called affection. As for Aura… it’s because she’s interested.”

“Hehe~ such a big difference. Your sibling bond is truly touching~”

Ash’s casual response made Solitär place her hand on her chest, nodding repeatedly with an enchanted expression.

(This person is really weird, weirder than me… No, weirder than Aura and Linie. Is this the hallmark of wild demons?)

Ash didn’t speak. He just looked at the odd person before him, unsure what to do.

But he said nothing more. He propped his chin on the desk, staring at this uninvited guest: “Honestly, I don’t get how my words made you feel a ‘touching sibling bond’?”

“From many angles.”

“So the most unique one should be you.”

“Me? I’m supposed to be very ordinary. Oh, the only special thing might be that I’m a bit cowardly?”

Solitär clasped her hands in front of her chest, sat beside him, leaned against him, pressing her soft body to his side, looking up with a pitiful gaze: “So, I’m counting on you to protect me.”

“…Does someone a thousand years old like you still need others’ protection?”

“No matter how much time passes, I’m just a frail woman~”

“Who did you learn this from?”

“Everything… from the bottom of my heart~” Solitär giggled sweetly, like a blooming flower.

But Ash knew full well she must’ve learned these weird things somewhere and, for some reason, used them on him.

Now he truly didn’t understand what she was thinking… At least he was sure Solitär didn’t think she’d fallen for him at first sight. After all, even Aura didn’t believe her words.

“Anyway, let’s drop that for now. Let’s exchange knowledge. You teach me your signature move, and I’ll teach you the most complete human magic system you’ll ever get.”

“Of course. Wasn’t that our deal from the start?”

“Then… take a look.” Ash quietly stood, patting the bookshelf beside him: “This is all yours. Read whenever, however you want.”

“…Books?”

For the first time, Solitär’s smile seemed a bit unsteady.

Ash added: “Don’t underestimate these books. Most human mages would kill for them. Plus, in this castle’s library, I have nearly all modern human magic. And if you like any mage here, I can have them teach you.”

“…Are they on your level?”

“Humans have limits, and those who reach them wouldn’t be in this castle.”

“Then, per our deal, you should teach me, right? Or… are you bullying me because I’m a frail woman?”

Solitär’s smile didn’t change, but it seemed to carry a hint of danger.

“I have my difficulties. But how about this?” Ash spread his hands, slightly frustrated: “I’ll fully open the castle library and arrange the best mages to teach you. I’ll also help whenever needed… How’s that?”

“…‘Needed’ is too broad. If needed, you must answer. How about that?”

“I’ll answer as best I can.”

“Then it’s a deal.”

After all, she only asked for the latest, most complete knowledge. Solitär wasn’t too demanding. She extended her hand with a reassuring smile.

As their large and small hands met, it marked another Greater Demon joining Ash’s plan.

Though Solitär was odd… for now, it was better not to dwell on these issues.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the capital, Solitär gradually settled in. But Ash wasn’t always there. Occasionally, he led his group north to the Demon King’s city.

He moved Aura’s undead army there, had Linie learn from Rivale, and let Aura and Solitär study under Qual, the Sage of Corruption. Meanwhile, Ash learned from both sides, growing comprehensively.

Traveling back and forth between the capital and the Demon King’s city, studying, working, and occasionally teasing Linie, time passed quickly. Fern’s birthday was approaching.

If he accidentally missed Fern’s birthday, the consequences… Ash estimated she’d be furious. Fern would make things worse too. But most importantly, he had no intention of missing it.

So, one morning, after calculating the timing, he said he’d be gone briefly and return in a few months or a year. Ash packed simply and left the study.

Hearing his voice, Aura, still lying in the rocking chair, swayed lazily without intending to get up, waving casually.

Solitär, reading at the desk, only nodded slightly, indifferent to it.

Linie, crouching on the floor among a box of fresh apples, picking through them, took a bite at the last moment and looked at him vaguely: “Safe travels, Ash-sama… If possible, bring me apples from the capital when you return.”

“Don’t eat apples every day; eat meat too… How will you grow tall otherwise??”

“But doesn’t Ash-sama like me like this?”

Linie tilted her small head, puzzled. Hearing her, Ash instinctively stopped, turned back, and denied firmly: “No!”

“But Aura-sama said so.”

“She lied to you! And I hope you can grow taller.”

“But my body’s already formed; there’s no way to grow more, and…” Linie slightly turned her face, finally stating her real reason: “I like eating apples.”

“Then just say that! Don’t use my tastes as a shield! What if someone misunderstands?”

“Sorry. Then… next time I meet someone, should I say Ash-sama likes big ones?”

“Don’t say that!”

“Why?”

“I’ll be seen as a pervert!”

“Then what should I say?”

“Be normal!”

“Like normal things?”

“Not that kind of normal! I want… forget it, better you don’t say anything.”

“…Shouldn’t you have said that from the start? Ash-sama’s really troublesome.”

Linie bit her small apple expressionlessly, her words as blunt as ever.

(Is this kid really spoiled by Aura and me? Should I properly educate her next time?)

Ash showed a resigned expression, holding his forehead, pondering the root of his repeated educational failures.