Frieren 61

Title: Who’s the Greater Demon?

It wasn’t when he was attacked, but the moment he met Serie that Ash had a premonition he was in for big trouble.

Under the cover of smoke and dust from the explosion, he silently rushed to the kitchen, grabbed some blood, and smeared it on himself. He tried to make himself look more pitiful to escape whatever trouble awaited. But…

“Tch… caught so easily?” Though Ash was surprised at being found out so quickly, he felt no shame since his opponent was this cunning figure. He only clicked his tongue and looked away: “…The older they get, the craftier they are. That saying does have some truth.”

“You don’t need to resist so much. I won’t force you.” Serie tried to persuade him with logic and conscience. But…

“Then I refuse.” Ash rejected her swiftly, without hesitation.

This made Serie’s previously relaxed expression turn cold again: “…What’s that supposed to mean? Refusing so quickly. Don’t you want to give me even a shred of respect?”

“Uh, I was going to say…” Ash paused for a moment, looked around, then pulled out paper and a pen from the rubble. He wrote a series of words elegantly and handed it over respectfully.

“What’s this?” Serie took the letter, and with one glance, she couldn’t help but frown.

[As I write this, my heart is filled with gratitude and respect.

Since becoming your disciple, I have received your meticulous guidance. You not only taught me magic but also provided endless enlightenment and guidance in how to live.

Your wisdom, patience, and noble morality are like a lighthouse illuminating my path. I am deeply grateful, and my gratitude cannot be expressed in words.

However, after long consideration and reflection, when faced with the precious legacy you wish to entrust to me, my heart is filled with complex emotions and struggles…]

The series of overly flattering, cliché, and hypocritical words made Serie’s head spin.

Looking at the letter, then at Ash’s wide grin, Serie’s mouth nearly twisted in frustration. The next moment, she tore the letter to shreds, threw it to the ground, and scolded: “What have you been doing for the past thousand years? Did you deliberately learn the hypocrisy of nobles? What is this nonsense? Say it to my face!”

“Then I refuse.”

“Y-you…!”

Serie’s face instantly darkened.

Sensing danger, Ash quickly stood up from the ground, crouched in front of Serie, placed both hands on her shoulders, and said earnestly: “Actually, we can talk this out calmly. How about… we cool down first and then discuss?”

“Fine. I want to hear what else you have to say.”

“…Shouldn’t you be the one with something to say?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Of course I refuse. Why should I take on this mess? That will wasn’t written for me, was it?” Facing Serie’s warning glare, Ash looked completely unfazed, even turning the tables to lecture her: “I don’t want to preach, but this approach is really not okay. Passing off Flamme’s wishes to someone else so casually is wrong! It’ll be even worse if it fails. Her soul in heaven…”

“I’ve already tested your abilities. If it were an ordinary first-class mage, they’d be dead. This isn’t casual at all. You have the ability, believe in yourself.”

“…Aren’t you worried I’d die too?” After asking, Ash let out a long sigh, as if not wanting to hear her answer, and continued: “Let’s put that aside. Honestly, I have my own matters to deal with. I really can’t.”

“Tell me about it. What do you want to do?”

Serie felt annoyed at having to come out herself to teach people and build an army, casually delaying Flamme’s will ‘just a little.’ Now, seeing Ash, free labor, she wasn’t about to let him go easily.

But Ash’s reluctance softened her stance slightly. Serie didn’t intend to force him, only pressing him with her eyes to give a reason.

Clearly, if he didn’t provide a proper excuse, she wouldn’t let him off easily.

Even when Ash admitted to controlling an Empire and intending to manage it well to gather strength, Serie’s attitude remained ambiguous. She neither agreed nor disagreed. But she didn’t seem intent on forcing him anymore, only…

“You’ve really progressed. Controlling an entire kingdom. In that case, I’ll leave the reconstruction and expansion here entirely to you.”

On a wooden chair amidst the rubble, Serie crossed her legs impolitely and flashed a wicked smile: “I want to see how sincerely you’ll honor your master.”

“That’s the people’s money, isn’t it? I can’t do something like sucking the blood of commoners!”

“Commoners? Do commoners have much money? Just find nobles. Make them donate, isn’t that great? Don’t you control plenty of nobles? Besides, this place will be yours eventually. Why not fix it up?”

“But I don’t want to take over this thing at all. This is really—”

“I won’t force you, but think carefully.” Though her words said that, Serie emphasized her tone, making Ash unable to hold back a long sigh: “I’m telling you… you’re the real demon.”

“Heh, a demon controlling people is saying that to me?” Serie shot back with disdain, leaving Ash completely speechless.

What could he do? Whether in terms of physical strength or actions, he did seem more demonic.

Under duress, he, who originally only wanted to expose a fraud, ended up in trouble. Ash was forced to stay temporarily in Äußerst, organizing the reconstruction of the Continental Magic Association’s branch.

This was seen by the people he saved at the Magic Association. They seemed to genuinely regard him as Serie’s future successor, the branch leader, and even a highly generous noble.

And besides that reputation, Ash also got the chance to keep reading Serie’s books… Faced with the opportunity to freely access all the world’s magical knowledge, money seemed less important in comparison.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

During the days of studying and dealing with Serie, several years passed in the blink of an eye.

Ash also took up residence in the Demon King’s Castle, which had lost its owner. But in the first year of staying there… he was challenged by the strongest demon warrior—the oldest living demon, the Bloody God of War, Rivale.

“There really is a successor! No wonder you dared to occupy this place!”

The demon uncle with slicked-back hair, double horns, and thick eyebrows—Rivale—laughed heartily upon seeing him. Magical energy gathered between his hands, forming a giant sword, and without another word, he swung it at Ash.

*CLANG!!!*

The giant sword clashed with Ash’s longsword. Amid the sparks flying everywhere, Ash, unable to stand firm, was pushed back at a terrifying speed.

As he forcibly stepped forward while being pushed and managed to stabilize himself, the residual force of the clash lifted the ground behind him, creating a stunning scene like a reverse waterfall.

This made Rivale grin and laugh joyfully: “Good! You’re really good! Even that dwarf Eisen couldn’t stop himself when I hit him. But you, after taking my sword, can still control your body?”

“…I’ve heard of you. But you’re stronger than I heard.” Ash looked utterly dejected.

And Rivale seemed to love fighting. His eyes, fixed on Ash, were brimming with excitement: “Come on! Youngster, as long as you defeat me with your strength, I’ll acknowledge you as the new Demon King!”

“Wait a sec… Are you serious? I’m a mage, you know? You, a warrior, are asking me to fight you in close combat?”

Ash looked at Rivale in confusion. He truly couldn’t understand how the other could say such things.

“Mage? I think you’re more like a warrior. A mage couldn’t possibly block my sword!”

“My main job is mage. I just know a bit of martial arts. Uh… how about this! What if you teach me to fight? So, if I improve, I can defeat you.”

“That’s… great!” Surprisingly, Rivale thought for only a moment and actually agreed to Ash’s crazy suggestion. He even muttered joyfully: “Training my own successor and a formidable opponent, then defeating them in every way. That’s a great idea!”

“Uh… though it was my suggestion, you actually agreed.”

“Instead of searching everywhere for opponents, it’s better to train one myself. And… I really can’t think of anyone better than you! Though you say you’re a mage, this strength—it’s not something a human could achieve!”

Rivale looked him up and down, raising his giant sword again, a bloodthirsty smile slowly forming at the corner of his mouth: “Come, let me teach you well.”

“No, wait. You don’t look like you’re teaching, more like—”

“In real combat, you grow the fastest!!”

Rivale swung the giant sword with a fierce gust. Ash gave a bitter smile, unsure how to react. But… now he could only face it.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Thus, in the days that followed, Ash studied magic with Serie on one side and trained as a warrior with Rivale on the other.

In those busy days, time always passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the 50-year promise was approaching.

But as Ash sat on the Demon King’s Castle wall, gazing at the night sky during a break, he suddenly remembered the promise made half a century ago. He also felt conflicted about whether to go or not.

After all, this time, there might be fewer friends left. And… this time, he might have reached the limit of a human’s lifespan, right?