Frieren 41

Title: Farewell and Reunion with Aura

Unable to see the future, Frieren naturally couldn’t understand what Frank was complaining about.

She only felt his words were hard to grasp and strange. To put it bluntly, he sounded like a fortune-teller trying to create mystery.

Frank could clearly sense her unspoken thoughts. But he didn’t care at all and continued his monologue: “Anyway… could you help me pass on a message? When you meet that young man.”

“What?”

“The Southern Hero, the strongest human, will personally pave the way for you, even if my great deeds will be buried in the shadows of history.”

“…Just saying that?”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

“But the meaning of those words… you’re going to die?” Frieren nodded indifferently but realized something was off in his words.

However, Frank said without changing his expression: “Correct. I’ll die midway through the demon extermination. To be precise, a year from now… in the northern highlands, I’ll be ambushed and killed by the great demon, Schlacht the Omnipotent, leading the Demon King’s elite forces.”

“You won’t avoid it?”

“If I don’t go, you’ll all be wiped out by Schlacht halfway.”

“…You don’t seem very afraid? Why? You’re going to die.”

“There’s still a year left. If I start worrying now, what’ll I do later?” Frank shrugged helplessly.

“Is that so?”

“Oh, about this future, could you keep it a secret from Ash?”

“I could… but why?”

“…The situation’s a bit complicated.”

If possible, Frank wanted to work with Schlacht and directly decide the new Demon King to end the chaos.

But faced with various real-world factors, there were many things they couldn’t change, even with the ability to see the future.

And Frieren, in the end, still had many things she didn’t understand. But she decided to keep it a secret… After all, saying it would be pointless. She didn’t know if what he said was true or a lie.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After that, Frank briefly chatted with Ash, selectively sharing his plans: “…You don’t need to worry about the Demon King issue now. Instead, just keep getting stronger. To gain the demons’ support, you need to be stronger than all of them.”

“You mean you can defeat the Demon King?”

“The Demon King is indeed very strong, but nothing in this world is one hundred percent, nor is anything zero percent. In a present where the future is already clear, what’s the difference between one percent and one hundred percent?”

Frank laughed boldly, clapped Ash’s shoulder hard, then turned and walked toward the cliff. Without looking back, he said: “Our next meeting will be in a year. But trust me, my friend—the path ahead of you will surely open.”

“Will surely open?”

At first glance, it didn’t seem too strange. But on second thought, Ash felt the words lacked something, like… who would open the path, Frank or Schlacht? Or did they have another friend?

But he had no chance to ask. Frank had already leaped off the cliff with a laugh, vanishing without a trace.

After Frank left, Frieren approached Ash’s side. Looking in the direction Frank disappeared, she said with feeling: “He’s definitely your friend; he’s weirder than you.”

“I don’t think I’m weird. But… Frieren, it looks like I have to say goodbye to you.”

“Goodbye?”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. But there’s one more person I’m worried about. It’s time to check on her.”

“Is that so?” Frieren didn’t ask further or say more. She only nodded with a hint of regret she couldn’t hide.

“Hmm~ you do seem a bit cold.”

“…Being too friendly with you would be troublesome.”

“That’s true too.” Ash smiled casually and nodded. This made Frieren unable to hold back a laugh: “From start to finish, you’re such a weird guy.”

“That’s why I don’t think so~ But… hmm, let’s talk again later~ Once my business is done, I’ll definitely come visit you.”

As he spoke, Ash habitually patted Frieren’s head, ruffling her beautiful silver hair. Then, with a smile, he walked off in a different direction from Frank, under the girl’s displeased gaze.

The girl standing there watched his retreating figure, muttering softly with loneliness: “Really… will there be a next time?”

Her faint murmur received no reply. It only vanished with the cool mountain breeze into the sky.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Three months later, in the northern countries.

Deep within a vast forest stood a quiet, ancient castle.

The harsh northern monsoon winds blew fiercely, and Ash couldn’t help but complain about the unforgiving northern environment. Still, he walked quickly toward the castle’s entrance.

This area was already demon territory. Yet, he unhesitatingly displayed his power and demon identity.

It was precisely because of his strong aura that he reached the castle gate without obstruction.

However, at the gate, a large group of demons and headless soldiers were already prepared for battle.

This wasn’t unusual. Demons killing demons was perfectly normal. So, facing an unknown great demon, they naturally heightened their vigilance.

But at that moment, the castle gate opened on its own.

Aura, a petite girl with two horns on her head, a beautiful face, and a ponytail, walked out casually, surrounded by her followers.

Seeing the familiar figure in the distance, the corners of Aura’s lips couldn’t stop curling into a bright, slightly exaggerated smile: “Isn’t that my cute, jerk of a big brother, Ash?”

“Haha…”

(This kid is so rude; I want to smack her… But didn’t I teach her to be like this? What now?)

Though Ash never expected a touching reunion from Aura, the moment she opened her mouth, he nearly tripped and fell to the ground.