Frieren 84

Title: Macht of the Golden Land

Perhaps because Aura hadn’t spoken to Ash for a whole year, she felt she’d held back for too long.

On the way to the battlefield, Aura became overly excited. As they passed Weise Fortress City, she suddenly remembered something: “By the way, Ash…”

“What?”

“I recall Macht is in Weise now?”

“Macht… oh, Macht of the Golden Land? That guy’s mingling with humans?”

Ash might forget others, but he vividly remembered the strongest of the Seven Sages of Destruction.

His surprised expression made Aura cover her mouth and scoff: “Didn’t you notice because you’re busy with governance every day? Macht’s serving humans now.”

“Really? What’s the story?” Though he found her as annoying as ever, this time Ash didn’t act. He pressed, eager to know the situation.

“I heard he’s looking for something? Seems related to guilt?” Bored that her brother didn’t get mad, Aura casually shared what she’d heard when meeting him before. She added: “By the way, Schlacht and his men attacked that city a while back, and Macht killed them all. Unless necessary, we should steer clear. That guy’s troublesome.”

“The general of the Demon King’s army? …This guy really has no sense of kinship with his race.”

“Who cares about that? Do you?”

“That’s true…”

Though Aura’s retort left Ash speechless, he quickly changed direction, borrowing a passing carriage. Ignoring Aura’s stunned look, he took both of them into the city.

He had no choice. Despite Aura’s words, Ash still wanted to see what was up with that guy.

After all, demons willingly interacting with humans were rare. He was very curious about the situation.

“Ash-sama’s just like Aura-sama, both childish.” Linie commented, propping her chin in the carriage.

Her casual remark made Aura glare at her unhappily: “…Have you really been taught bad things? Now you even call me childish.”

“But Ash-sama said I could say anything?”

“Wasn’t I the one who adopted you first?”

“Uh… sorry, Aura-sama.” Linie thought briefly, then lowered her head sadly to admit her mistake.

Ash, driving the carriage, overheard and couldn’t help lifting the curtain, looking back: “Aura, don’t bully Linie. She’s still a kid.”

“Tch, pedophile. Only defending Linie.”

“…What’s a pedophile? Where’d you learn stuff like that?” Ash shook his head with a headache but was too lazy to say more to Aura.

After all, since childhood, Aura seemed perpetually rebellious. No matter how he tried to educate her, it only backfired… Now he could only give up wasting words.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Weise, a large fortress city on the empire’s border.

Nobles who lost power struggles in the empire typically went to this city. Like most nobles of this era, they recklessly plundered the people’s wealth.

Their excessive extortion was extreme, causing many citizens to starve yearly… This was info Ash got in the past. But such situations were common in this world, so it wasn’t strange.

After all, in this era, his ordinary moral standards made him seem exceptionally good.

Yet, passing through the gate, he saw a surprisingly prosperous city.

City streets, houses, and variously sized shops lined the roads. Most residents looked ordinary, not like overly exploited people who seemed exhausted, busy, sad, or numb.

Curious, he quietly passed through the streets, then took Aura and Linie to the noble’s mansion.

But as Ash stepped onto the vast green courtyard, a male demon with large horns, wearing a large cloak over his left shoulder, not too bulky for a demon and fairly tall, suddenly appeared before him silently.

Though within Mana detection range, Ash and the others only noticed him when he appeared… His Mana control precision surpassed Flamme’s level.

At least the Flamme Ash knew didn’t control Mana as strongly as this demon. He felt even more dangerous than Qual.

If the Hero Party couldn’t defeat Qual together, what about this even more terrifying figure? If Macht followed the Demon King’s orders and attacked the Hero Party… there’d likely be no outcome but their annihilation. Even now, Ash didn’t want direct conflict with him.

He’d heard Frieren say that 400 years ago, Macht easily defeated her but didn’t kill her, merely seeing her as an insignificant subordinate and letting her go. Otherwise, Frieren wouldn’t be here.

Even now, Frieren couldn’t imagine defeating Macht… She basically thought it impossible. After all, 600 years later, Frieren’s progress couldn’t match Macht’s, who was much younger then.

In magic mastery, he’d surpassed human peaks. A monster training to become a goddess—this was Macht of the Golden Land.

As for Aura, also a Seven Sages of Destruction member… Ash looked at Macht, glanced at Aura, quietly averted his gaze, and couldn’t help sighing.

Though Ash said nothing, his look made Aura a bit angry: “Ash! What’s that look? Are you looking down on me?”

Macht, staring at Ash, only now seemed to realize something, glancing at Aura. But he quickly focused back on Ash, narrowing his eyes: “So young… What business do you have here?”

“I came for Schlacht.” Ash ignored Aura. Macht, who’d only glanced at her before, focused entirely on Ash: “Schlacht? Your friend?”

“No.”

“Then why are you here? Don’t tell me you’re here for racial revenge. Though you’re odd, you shouldn’t have that much kinship.”

“Killing your own race excessively isn’t good… Well, that’s just formal talk.”

Unexpectedly, this guy instantly knew he was a demon. After testing a bit, Ash couldn’t help smiling: “I’m a bit curious about what you’re doing here.”

“Before I answer, shouldn’t you tell me who you are?”

“Ash, coincidentally Aura’s big brother.” While speaking, Ash glanced at Aura.

A line meant for humans, spoken by a demon, made Macht frown: “Big brother?”

“You don’t know?”

“I know the concept, but…”

“It’s just a feeling. I’m the one who raised her painstakingly.”

Ash took all the credit, making Aura, already a bit angry, furious: “You raised me? Wasn’t I the one raising you?!”

“Enough, enough. Adults are talking; don’t keep interrupting.” Ash looked annoyed. He casually grabbed Aura’s horn, shaking it until she got dizzy and fell into Linie’s lap. Then he looked at Macht, returning to the topic: “So? What are you doing here?”

“It’s almost time…” Macht turned, looking at an old noble observing these uninvited guests from afar, and smiled: “No harm in telling you—I fell in love with a human.”

“Uh… that’s really surprising.” Ash froze, then unconsciously looked at the old man in the distance.

Though he thought it unlikely, Macht’s gaze made him think oddly, wondering if he should respect others’ sexual orientation.

“So I hope to understand them better and try to figure out what guilt is.”

“Huh? Guilt? I thought…”

“You thought I liked Gluck? Of course I like Gluck.”

“…Let me clarify.” Macht’s strange words made Ash cover his head, trying to sort his chaotic thoughts: “The ‘like’ you mean… shouldn’t have a weird meaning, right?”

“Weird meaning?” Macht was genuinely confused by his confusion.

“…Forget it. Seems I’ve dealt with nobles too much, so my mind’s gotten dirty.”

Seeing Macht’s confusion, Ash couldn’t help shaking his head vigorously, trying to clear the weird images he’d seen at nobles’ homes, straightening his thoughts.

If asked how weird, one noble kept over ten boys, found naked and having fun.

…Such incidents among nobles weren’t rare. Ash couldn’t understand why they didn’t like beautiful girls but preferred men and boys. At least he didn’t think he’d tire of pretty girls.

His odd behavior made Macht stare for a long time, then say slowly: “…Though I think it’s unlikely, can you understand guilt?”

“More or less.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie?”

“Though I really want to doubt it… odd. Your gaze feels like a mix of human and demon.”

Macht kept staring. He paused, then grinned: “If so, if I killed a weirdo like you, could I understand it too?”

“…You reached that conclusion? You’re truly a typical demon.” Ash froze, then smiled back.

But the other didn’t answer, falling silent.

A piercing cold spread, silently seeping into every inch of space.

They seemed to reach an unspoken agreement, staring silently without a hint of doubt.

In this quiet scene, a turbulent crisis loomed. The air felt filled with omens of thunder and lightning, making every breath heavy and difficult.

Neither moved. But Mana waves swirled around, constantly clashing.

Scattered leaves on the ground were blown skyward. Even the mansion’s windows in the distance vibrated endlessly, creaking.

As a demon, Aura naturally knew demons’ volatile nature.

For example, Macht casually killed a demon general… and she was the same.

Even now, almost simultaneously with Linie, she summoned her scales and dual swords. Without mental preparation, she was ready to help Ash kill him.

But as the tension rose, and they seemed ready to act, with Aura wondering if she should strike first…

The old noble in the distance, leaning on his cane, withstood the Mana clash’s shockwave and walked toward them: “Wait a moment? Macht, are you and your friends planning to destroy this place too?”

“No way… Gluck-sama, I’m just greeting a unique, talented junior.” Macht withdrew his surging Mana, then bowed slightly to Ash: “For now, let’s stop here… If we act now, not only Gluck-sama but your two subordinates would get hurt.”

“Who’re you calling a subordinate?!”

Aura, already annoyed at being underestimated, was now furious. She rushed forward, wanting to fight.

But Ash casually grabbed her horn, forcibly pulling her back: “Enough, Aura. Let’s stop here today. Don’t we have important business?”

“…True.” Aura gave a ‘you’re lucky’ look, crossed her arms, and threatened: “Today, for Ash’s sake! And we happen to have important business, or I wouldn’t let it slide. But there’s no next time! If I meet you again… prepare to die as an apology!”