Frieren 71

Title: Using Fern to Threaten Heiter

After the door closed again, silence enveloped the room.

Heiter didn’t speak right away. He turned, added a log to the fireplace, and only then looked at Ash, who was observing the room’s interior, saying seriously: “Though I think it’s unlikely, that child… you’re not mistreating her, are you?”

“Huh… What are you suddenly talking about?” The abrupt suspicion left Ash puzzled.

“Even if it’s you, if you did something like that to a kid, I’d get mad and kick you out.”

“…What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Just kidding. I don’t think you’re like that.” Heiter smiled and shook his head, then showed a puzzled expression: “Honestly, I didn’t think you’d be the type to randomly take in a child. And… that kid, she must have had some bad experiences before, right?”

“You can tell?”

“I’m old, after all. I’ve got some experience judging people. And working at the church, I often meet kids like her.”

“Really?”

Ash nodded slowly but wasn’t sure if he should immediately tell Fern’s story.

After thinking it over, there didn’t seem to be anything special to hide. An overly dramatic introduction wasn’t necessary either.

So, he chose his words and said frankly: “Do you know about the war in the south earlier?”

“Of course. I heard the fighting there was fierce. Many refugees fled here, some even to the north.”

“This kid’s from the south. She’s a descendant of an old friend. Her family died in the war…”

Fern’s family had been fairly well-off. Though not nobles, they lived comfortably. They raised her well and even hired a mage as her tutor.

But it seemed her family only mentioned that her great-grandfather knew a mysterious mage. As for Ash’s appearance, she only saw him when given a family heirloom box before they died, recognizing him somehow from it. She didn’t know much else.

Whether her parents and family were killed by chaotic soldiers or bandits… Ash didn’t say, as he couldn’t ask her, so he didn’t know what her family had said either.

Their city, due to its high elevation, was a strategic spot with wide views, advantageous for defense and attack, making it a frequent target.

Normally, if snow fell from the mountains, the townspeople would evacuate immediately. But this time, the defeat was too swift. The residents got no warning and couldn’t escape, leading to a series of tragedies.

After Ash explained the situation, in the living-dining room, only the crackling of the firewood remained.

After a long pause, Heiter took two cups from the cabinet, poured himself wine, and drank it all. Then, as if challenging his lung capacity, he let out a long sigh: “…I understand the basics. But you brought her here—do you want me to take care of her? My body’s not as strong as it used to be.”

“How about quitting drinking first?”

“What are you saying? If it was easy to quit, I wouldn’t keep being called a drunken priest by you all, would I?” As soon as the suggestion came up, the elderly Heiter shook his head like a sulky child: “What’s the point of troubling an old man like me now? Wine’s the leader of a hundred medicines. Isn’t it because of wine that I’ve lived this long?”

“…Is it okay for a bishop to spout nonsense like that?” The bizarre theory made Ash want to roll his eyes.

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t say it to true believers… But back to the main topic.” Heiter poured himself more wine, saying jokingly: “You and Frieren, the two most heartless people ever, suddenly came to me. I guessed something was up, and now it seems it’s about the kid, right?”

“Wait, why the sudden personal attack?”

“Isn’t it true? Himmel, Eisen, and I, though living apart, always kept in touch by letter. Only you two show up once every fifty years with no communication.”

“Right! The help I need is directly related to Fern!”

(What’s with this? They’re not as they seem—actually serious?)

Though shocked inside, Ash pretended not to hear, returning to the main topic seriously.

This made Heiter, whose expression had returned to kind, click his tongue rudely: “Tch… You dare ignore my complaints and still have the gall to ask me for something?”

“An old man like you fussing over petty things with a young guy like me?” Ash spread his hands, trying to lighten the mood.

“In terms of age, you’re older than me, aren’t you?”

“Who knows?” Ash spoke halfway, then changed the topic, sighing softly. A sad expression appeared on his face: “But honestly, though my body’s still strong, I can’t withstand time’s torment anymore. Of course, I know… you might not believe me if I say this.”

“Really?” Heiter raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes. But Ash smiled the next moment: “No.”

“…Is that so? Got it. Sit there, don’t go. Wait a bit.” After a long silence, Heiter suddenly stood and walked inside.

“What’s up?”

“This cane’s not comfortable. I’ll swap it for an iron one. It’ll hurt more when I hit you.”

“No… Seriously?”

Seeing the old man actually fetch a mace from his room, Ash was shocked and instinctively ran out.

But Heiter, just holding a cane earlier, now swung the mace with swift steps, as if wanting to make him bleed on the spot and die faster.

However, as he ran outside and scooped up the little girl watering the vegetable garden, he was forced to stop. He also instinctively hid the mace behind his back, afraid the child would see the dangerous object.

“W-what’s wrong??”

Fern, suddenly picked up and sat on his arm, looked at the two men coming out one after another, a bit confused.

But even so, seeing sweat on Heiter’s forehead, she grew worried about the old man who suddenly moved so fast: “Heiter-sama… You seemed to run really fast just now. Is something urgent? Is your body okay?”

“We were just racing to see who could grab Fern first~!” Ash smiled, making up an excuse for Heiter.

But Fern looked very confused. An old grandfather and Ash… playing such childish games?

Heiter likely guessed what the child was thinking. But now, facing her innocent gaze, he could only nod reluctantly, not wanting to negatively influence this understanding child. He smiled stiffly: “Hahaha… It’s been so long since I saw an old friend, I couldn’t help wanting to relive my youth.”

“…I see. That’s a good spirit.”

Fern didn’t doubt him, nodding gently in agreement. But being held made her a bit shy. She squirmed unconsciously, looking up anxiously: “Ash-sama… You won already, can you put me down?”

“Nope. Look, the guy across’s shoulders are shaking. He’s definitely not okay with it. I’ve gotta make him even less okay.”

“Haaa… I don’t really understand, but you’re friends, right? Why act like that?”

“It’s exactly because we’re friends that you gotta push them when they’re down.”

“Really? Somehow… I think I get it?”

Recalling her friends Kanne and Lawine, who always fought, Fern nodded in agreement unconsciously.

This made Heiter, watching her, start to worry. How was this guy raising the kid, and how misguided would Fern become?

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After they returned inside.

Feeling guilty, Fern ate Heiter’s beef and potato stew at Ash’s urging. Exhausted from the journey and walking in the forest, she went to bed early in the guest room.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Heiter stared at the man drinking his wine collection and forcing him to prepare stew, holding back a headache.

If it were anyone else, Heiter might’ve kicked them out. But since it was Ash… he really couldn’t do anything.

But recalling Fern’s behavior toward Ash while they were together, he tapped the table and said: “Now I want to talk about something serious.”

“Go ahead, I’m… listening.”

“No… Since I became a bishop, you’re the first to eat and talk in front of me.”

“That’s an honor.”

“It’s not a compliment… Haiz, forget it.” Heiter couldn’t do anything with him. Though he sighed, his face showed a nostalgic smile. He shook his head and said again: “You must’ve realized it yourself, right? The way you interact with Fern isn’t like an adoptive parent at all.”

“That’s how I feel too. So, actually, I came here hoping you could help me find someone reliable to care for her.”

“…Someone reliable? You can’t do it yourself?”

“Actually, I might die soon too, right? So I hope you can help me look after Fern. Or can you bear to let her wander the streets alone?”

“…” Heiter frowned at that, silent for a moment. Then he spoke with a blaming tone: “…Do you really want me to hit you?”

“Just kidding, don’t get too emotional.” Ash smiled and waved his hand: “Actually, I just feel I can’t raise Fern well.”

“Are you running from responsibility? I never thought you’d push your duties onto others.”

“I actually have reasons I can’t say.”

“Gonna say you’re dying again?” Heiter felt he could genuinely get angry now.

But Ash put down the stew, finally getting serious: “No, this time it’s serious. I just feel I can’t care for her properly. You saw it too, right? How I interact with Fern.”

“…I think that kid’s holding something back. She’s sometimes close to you, sometimes overly polite and distant.” Heiter muttered, sharing his guess, then couldn’t help asking: “…How long have you known each other?”

“Including the trip here, almost a year, I think?”

“…Is that so?” Heiter took off his glasses, rubbing his temples: “…Is the wound in her heart too deep, or are you just irresponsible?”

“The problem’s with me.”

“…What’s the problem?”

“I’m too busy. I really can’t take care of her well. So she’s basically living alone. At most, there’s a maid looking after her. So I hope you can introduce someone.”

“…I think the kid will be sad.”

“But this is the best solution for both of us.”

“The best for both… maybe so.”

Heiter didn’t say much. He didn’t ask why it was best for both or express dissatisfaction with Ash’s apparent heartlessness.

After all, he could probably understand why Ash felt this way.

Just like when their adventure ended, before parting in the capital, everyone suggested Frieren take a disciple or something to have someone to talk to during her travels.

But Frieren’s response was: It’s just a waste of time. No matter how much she taught them, they’d die in the blink of an eye.

So, he could likely understand Ash’s concerns.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Thus, on the second day, Heiter began contacting acquaintances in the Holy Capital, searching for someone suitable.

In the days that followed, people kept visiting the forest cottage. But… they came and went, then left again.

None were satisfactory for Fern. She also slowly realized why Ash brought her here.

But before the truth came out… she never voiced it.

Only after sending off another guest did she realize—no matter how much she avoided it, reality wouldn’t change.

Fern had to accept that she… was no longer needed.