Frieren 51

Title: Stunted Progress, Anticipated Adventures

Under normal circumstances, replacing a emperor should have been a mode of boundless enjoyment.

But for Ash, it quickly turned into a mode of endless overtime work. This made him wonder why he took on such an unprofitable task in the first place.

However, since he had already taken over the nation, he’d feel bad if he didn’t manage it well. So, he was forced to start working.

And so, a month passed in the blink of an eye.

On the night before he was scheduled to leave… he was still working overtime, arranging various matters for the Empire after his departure. At the same time…

“Come here~” Ash lightly patted his thigh, and the cute little girl who always stayed in the corner, Linie, immediately understood.

Linie sat on Ash’s lap, willingly acting as a warming cushion on this cold northern plains night.

Feeling the warmth in his arms, Ash finally sensed a bit of human warmth in this cold world. But…

“Linie, you have to work hard and not disappoint me.”

“Yes, Master Ash.” Linie nodded obediently, without the slightest resistance.

Judging by her actions alone, she was indeed very compliant. But… it seemed she hadn’t made much progress in this past month.

Perhaps Ash was too impatient. But in his memory, the biggest change in this child was probably that she understood his gesture when he patted his thigh and would climb onto his lap willingly?

This odd progress left him with mixed feelings. Ash even began to question his life choices.

Aura, reading a magic book nearby, noticed Ash’s overly grim expression and couldn’t resist mocking him: “Ash, you’re really training your future woman, aren’t you? Just like this emperor.”

“…Don’t treat me like some pervert. I’m not playing a ‘nurturing’ game!”

“So you’re not nurturing her, but going straight for it? I heard many nobles in this country have such tastes… no, most nobles in human countries have those tastes, right? I didn’t expect you to develop such interests after becoming a noble. Truly, appearances are deceiving, huh~”

Aura covered her mouth and giggled, practically writing ‘taking pleasure in others’ misfortune’ on her face.

This made Ash unable to resist glaring at her: “…Stop spouting nonsense. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you’re even a demon.”

“Compared to me, you’re not much better.”

“Fine… I’m too lazy to argue with you. In short, help this kid find a decent teacher later.”

After this period of guidance, Ash was certain he didn’t have much energy to teach a child. He could only choose to hand Linie over to someone else. But…

“…Why are you looking at me?”

Ash only glanced at her while speaking, and Aura immediately turned her face away, as if silently saying not to dump this task on her.

This convinced Ash—the main character was indeed a failure.

But now, he set down the child in his arms, quickly stepped forward, and pressed Aura’s head with one hand. Forcing her to look at him, he said firmly: “I’m just asking you to find a teacher for this kid! Don’t shirk responsibilities like this! By the way, I’m leaving tomorrow. Remember to find a good teacher and control them… I might not be back for a while. After this, the Empire and Linie are in your hands. Got it?”

“You don’t trust me?”

“…It’s exactly because it’s you that I can’t trust.” Though Ash didn’t trust Aura, he also couldn’t trust anyone else. For now, he could only press his hand on her head, shake it briefly, and sigh in resignation: “But… I’m really begging you.”

“Ash is always so naggy. Why haven’t you changed after five hundred years?”

“…You think I want to be like this?”

“What, you don’t… Fine. I’ll take care of it properly. That’s it, right?”

Aura frowned but gave up arguing further.

This surprised him. While fixing her messy hair, Ash said with relief and a smile: “Aura, you’re finally starting to understand the feelings of an older person.”

“…The feeling of bullying someone younger?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Have I ever bullied you?”

“……”

Aura didn’t speak. She just stared at him with a blank expression.

Only then did Ash reluctantly raise both hands in surrender: “Alright, maybe a little. But you can’t just learn the bad stuff from me, right? The good stuff too…”

“—‘Good stuff’ like what?”

“Uh… give me some time to think…”

Ash thought he must have been a good example at some point, but being put on the spot like this… he couldn’t think of anything.

It must be because he didn’t have enough time, right? —With that conviction, Ash gave an awkward but polite smile. He stood up again and patted Aura’s head.

“Anyway, it’s late. You’d better go to bed soon. Otherwise, you won’t grow taller.”

After saying that, he turned and prepared to leave without hesitation.

But Aura suddenly grabbed the hem of his clothes and smirked: “Don’t rush off. It’s fine for me, being five hundred years old. But don’t you want to tell me about your good qualities?”

“…Don’t force me to hit you before I leave.” Ash dropped his smile and turned back with a blank expression. Aura reluctantly let go, clicking her tongue in annoyance: “Tch… in the end, it’s still about strength, huh?”

“As long as the result is achieved, the process doesn’t matter.”

“That’s usually what villains say.”

“Talkative. I have a lot of work to do. I don’t have time to argue with you!”

Not wanting to talk further with this rebellious kid, Ash pulled Linie, who had been quietly listening to their argument, and hurriedly left the place.

Aura was left alone, staring at his retreating figure, a mischievous smile on her face.

“You’re so busy and want to be a good emperor, but you lack reliable people… of course, you need a loyal enforcer! Linie happens to be a good kid~! Hmm! I’m really so considerate~!”

To avoid being scolded, she decided to complete the task, but not entirely.

Create a loyal enforcer, but… no need to train her in governance. After all, she could later claim that demons only know how to fight.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The next morning.

Eager to escape work and have some fun, Ash left the royal palace as soon as dawn broke.

“…There’s an old elf mage, and I heard there’s a dwarf too? But according to typical story patterns, there’s got to be a beautiful female hero! A gentle healer big sister! And a cute dwarf! I’m really curious~!” Ash muttered with an unconscious smile, quickening his steps without realizing it.

It wasn’t because he was a pervert. At least, he felt he was normal.

It’s just that, over the years, he never had the chance to interact with beautiful women, or even ordinary women… He really wanted to experience the thrill of youth.

Thus, as Ash left the royal palace and Aura, his mood was exceptionally cheerful. His steps even became lighter, as if the breeze carried the spirit of a belated youth.