Frieren 77

Title: Old Men Teaming Up to Trick an Elf?

After calming herself from the overwhelming shock for a while, Frieren finally came to her senses. But she still clutched her chest, trying to make herself feel more comfortable.

Throughout the process, her gaze never left Ash. She even spoke in surprise, unable to hide her shock: “You… have a great-granddaughter? When did you get married? Why didn’t any of us know?”

“What’s so strange about that?” Ash retorted with a relaxed smile: “Isn’t it normal for humans to marry and have kids?”

“That’s true… but… no! Right now, I should be asking why you never told us??”

“Don’t you know? Actually, Fern’s grandfather is Heiter.”

“…” The completely unexpected answer left Frieren speechless for a long time. She was so shocked that she slammed both hands on the table and leaned forward.

However…

“Don’t get too emotional. It was partly a joke.” Feeling that if he kept teasing her, this old elf’s blood pressure might spiral out of control, Ash casually placed his hand on her head, pushing her back, and smiled as she froze: “Actually, Fern is an orphan from the war in the southern countries.”

“…Huh???” The utterly unrelated answer made Frieren’s face darken instantly: “Which part was the joke?! All of it…”

“But Heiter really sees her as his granddaughter.”

“No way!” Frieren immediately denied it without thinking: “You two aren’t the type to willingly help—”

“Her ancestor was my deputy and my first friend. I don’t know how to raise a kid, so I brought her here. They ended up getting along well.”

“…”

Frieren, whose words were cut off before she could finish, had a slightly scrambled brain at the moment. She wanted to say something, but this sudden information left her unsure whether to be angry about being lied to or to complain about something else first.

But Ash casually sipped his tea and smiled: “Compared to our issues, why are you suddenly here?”

“…I was just passing through after buying something in the Holy Capital. I remembered I owe you a lot, Heiter.” Frieren glanced at the old man coming out of the kitchen after hearing the noise, paused, and continued: “If you’re still alive, I wanted to settle it before you die.”

“Wait a second, don’t just settle debts with Heiter—what about what you owe me?”

“I don’t remember…”

“Oh, oh~ If Milie were still here, she definitely wouldn’t say that.” Ash pretended to have chosen the wrong friend, letting out a long, fake-regretful sigh.

This made Frieren instantly recall that a thousand years ago, she also owed Ash a lot. But because their relationship was too close, and they often bickered, she never thought about it.

Now she was forced to admit she owed Ash more. But because of his attitude, Frieren narrowed her eyes unhappily: “…I was going to settle it, but now, if I don’t hit you, you should feel lucky.”

“Hehe~ Your relationship is always so good.” Heiter, sensing they might argue, sat between them quietly. The wrinkles on his cheeks deepened, and he smiled gently while nodding: “I’m jealous.”

“Not good at all, just a bad relationship.” Frieren immediately turned her face away, not wanting to deal with either of them.

“A bad relationship’s fine too, but by the way…” Heiter didn’t care. He glanced at Fern obediently peeling potatoes in the kitchen, then at Ash again. He quickly recalled his previously successful tactic and unconsciously showed a meaningful smile.

Without needing words, Ash understood what Heiter was thinking. He nodded slightly.

So, the two stood up together, making Frieren confused: “What’s going on?”

“Come here.”

“I have a favor to ask.”

Ash and Heiter spoke one after the other, perfectly in sync.

Their excessive coordination made Frieren shiver slightly, with a strong sense of foreboding… After all, these two were arguably the strangest characters in their team.

But she didn’t think they’d harm her. So, after hesitating, she followed them to the room Ash was borrowing.

“This is a magic book from Eiwisch, a sage.” Ash handed over the book on the table. Heiter continued with a smile: “It contains lost magic for reviving the dead and immortality.”

“I’ve heard many rumors about such magic, but… does it really exist?” Like Ash, Frieren doubted the existence of immortality magic.

She opened the book and glanced at it. She only saw intricate diagrams and some scribbles that looked like stains or paint. This made her nod slightly: “Using pictorial ciphers? People back then really liked this kind of encryption, but this…”

“My request is for you to help us decipher this book,” Heiter said with a smile.

“By the way, I also want to ask you to teach Fern magic during that time.”

Ash’s magic was essentially self-adapted, suited for demons. Thus, it wasn’t suitable for teaching humans.

Though he tried teaching Fern again, he felt awkward doing so and quickly gave up.

Besides, Schlacht had told him not to teach others the future magic he’d been taught. Ash worried that if he accidentally messed up and disrupted the future, deviating from Schlacht’s desired outcome, it would be troublesome.

Facing two old men full of tricks, Frieren didn’t think too much. She flipped through the book and nodded immediately: “That’s not a big deal. It’ll take about five or six years to solve. But are you two afraid of dying?”

“Who isn’t afraid of death?” Heiter calmly turned away, hiding any expression, and said slowly: “I didn’t show it before because I wanted to look cool in front of you all. Now, the closer I get to death, the more scared I am than before… Of course, I just want a bit more time. Not to live forever.”

“For that child?”

“Of course. And the scriptures also say to live healthily, and a long life is the pinnacle of health.”

“…Drunken priest, how dare you say that.”

“Haha~ Ash said something similar before. You two are really rude to this old man.” Heiter didn’t care. He laughed and left.

Frieren, holding the book, turned to Ash and asked, confused: “What’s your reason? Are you also afraid of death?”

“Of course. What human isn’t afraid of death?”

“…Really? Then try to live until I solve it.” Frieren nodded slightly. But as she stroked the magic book, she showed a sad expression, adding: “But don’t get your hopes up too much. I don’t think such magic really exists.”

“It’s fine. Whatever the outcome, we won’t blame you. And during this time, I’m counting on you to look after Fern.”

“That’s no problem… But can you stop touching my hair for no reason? You’re really annoying.”

Ash had just nodded in agreement, but his hand was already on her head. This made Frieren very annoyed, and she swatted his hand away. She seemed genuinely irritated by this habit, as she’d said.

But as she watched Ash leave and the door close, she felt a slight loneliness in her heart.

Where had Milie gone? Maybe she was dead? Or maybe they’d never meet again.

After her master’s death, Ash was the only one left from the friends she had a thousand years ago.

If suddenly there was no one to annoy her, no one to touch her hair… at first, she’d be a bit pleased, but on second thought, Frieren felt an inexplicable loneliness.

And as this “old elf girl” felt sad alone in the house, on the other side…

The two old men outside quietly raised their hands and high-fived.

“Drink?” Ash raised a wine bottle. Heiter hesitated briefly, then raised his glass: “Hmm… just a little.”

Not only did they high-five to celebrate, but they even decided to drink a bit for this overly smooth plan.

Of course… they couldn’t be called immoral for tricking their old friend.

It’s just that if they asked Frieren to teach a student normally, she definitely wouldn’t agree. Past evidence was enough to prove that.

Though the two tricked Frieren to achieve their goal, and leaving her there to teach Fern might seem excessive, it wasn’t really.

Five or six years was long for humans, but for Frieren…

As she’d said in the past, teaching a student might see them die in the blink of an eye. That amount of time could be spent with a bit of laziness.

As an apology, Heiter made an extravagant dinner. Of course… maybe also because he was happy to have old friends visit.

Frieren surprisingly kept her promise. She wholeheartedly taught Fern. And Fern, with a teacher far better than any academy, studied diligently.

Meanwhile, Ash truly felt free. He occasionally went north, disappearing for one or two months, then returning as if nothing happened.

He often vanished like that, never explaining in detail to anyone. But they also quietly never asked.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Winter came again. Frieren, who couldn’t stand the cold, had no intention of going out in such weather. She just curled up by the fireplace.

And Ash, just back from outside, habitually wanted to hold Fern in his lap as a warmer. But Fern, who’d just brought him hot tea, firmly refused and avoided him.