Frieren 38

Title: Frieren the Vengeful

Though Frieren was still a bit slow when it came to human emotions and there were many things she didn’t understand, when she patted Ash’s head, she clearly saw the wary expression on his face.

This reminded her of their time learning together. She gave a small smile with a hint of nostalgia and shook her head: “What are you thinking? Aren’t we friends? No way I’d actually attack you.”

“……”

(Since when did she learn to say such sappy things? Didn’t she just attack me ferociously a moment ago?? Where’s her shame? Did she learn this from me?)

As Ash thought this, he felt something was off.

Because even he wouldn’t lie so blatantly with wide-open eyes!

This made him even more suspicious that Frieren was unwell. He couldn’t help but reach out to touch her forehead.

“…What are you doing?” Frieren looked annoyed.

“You don’t seem to have a fever. Did you eat something weird this morning? Or get hit by some strange curse? Should we go to the church?”

“……”

(What a hassle. Should I just hit him?)

Seeing Ash genuinely worried about her, Frieren, who had intended to be gentle, felt her fist clench again.

But she quickly took a deep breath, managing to suppress the discomfort in her heart, and forced a smile: “By the way, how did you know I was here?”

“…Changing the subject out of nowhere?”

“Do you really want me to hit you?”

“Of course not…” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be hit. Ash just thought it was a good idea.

But if he got hit because he wanted it, that would be weird. So he instinctively shook his head repeatedly and, under Frieren’s curious gaze, said hesitantly: “You might not believe me, but before coming here, I didn’t know you were here.”

“…No, I believe you.”

(No way he didn’t know. Is he trying to hide how long he’s been looking for me? Ah, this guy has that side to him too.)

For some reason, Frieren’s eyes softened.

“…Seriously?”

“Of course, you’re my teacher-uncle, aren’t you?”

“Eh, this is the first time I’ve heard you call me teacher-uncle. But don’t, I’m not used to it…”

“Alright, alright. What do you want to eat? My treat, okay?”

“Anything, I’ll eat what you eat…”

A thousand years had passed. Even the most stubborn elf would change. So, Frieren had become softer?

With that thought, Ash feeling a bit melancholic about the passage of time, followed the silver-haired elf, intending to stay here and mooch food and drink for a while.

Compared to Ash, who had been living luxuriously with two god-tier figures, Frieren seemed like a true ascetic.

Behind this mountain, her home was just a small wooden cabin she built herself.

The cabin’s frame was made of sturdy round logs, its surface covered in moss and signs of age.

The interior walls were very natural, mostly retaining the wood’s original form. Upon entering, a fresh, slightly woody scent greeted him.

Though the space wasn’t large, the layout was tidy. Every piece of furniture reflected simplicity and practicality.

On a wooden table carved from a single piece of wood, there were candles and a few books. On a nearby wooden dining table, there were clay bowls filled with wild fruits freshly picked from the forest.

In the corner, a wooden bed was covered with soft animal pelts. Next to it, a wooden cabinet held simple clothes and daily necessities.

“You’re so strong, but why is your life so… primitive?” While looking around the room, Ash casually picked up a wild fruit resembling a grape from the table and popped it into his mouth. As he bit down, his whole face scrunched up: “Sour! Gross~!”

“You’re supposed to eat it mixed with other wild fruits. Besides, I’m not interested in money.”

“…But living a bit better isn’t wrong, is it?”

“By the way, you’re human. At your age, you must be married, right? Show me your kids too.”

Frieren was crouching by the stove, lighting a fire, but she also looked at him expectantly.

“…Though I’d love to show you, the only normal girl I’ve ever talked to was the emperor’s concubine. Someone else’s wife, after all…”

“Back then, you really climbed in on purpose?”

“No, that was a misunderstanding!” Ash felt he had to clarify this matter of his taste properly.

But Frieren seemed unconcerned: “Whatever, that empire’s probably long gone. No harm in saying it outright, right?”

“No, I’m serious. I like normal, pretty girls.”

“…At your age, still preying on the young?”

“But guys always like pretty 18-year-old girls.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“What? What’s wrong with that? Or is it because you’re too old, so—”

“That’s the second time. There won’t be a third.” Though she was joking casually with him a second ago, the moment age came up, Frieren’s face turned serious, and she held up two fingers. This startled Ash for the umpteenth time today: “No way… you’re still keeping count?!”

“Of course.”

“You’re too vengeful?! It’s been a thousand years! It should’ve reset by now!”

“No. No third time. Remember that well.”

Though she was laughing earlier, when it came to age, Frieren was utterly uncompromising. With a sulky face, she emphasized how important this was.

This time, even Ash could only raise both hands in surrender.

With that, Frieren finally dropped her serious expression, the corners of her lips lifting with a hint of pride, and she busied herself preparing lunch.

Though there was a slight odd incident, lunch here consisted only of wild vegetables, mountain mushrooms, and simple smoked meat.

But at the dining table, the two chatting and laughing seemed incredibly harmonious, more so than ever before.

As if the long passage of time hadn’t created the slightest distance between them. Everything felt like it had returned to a thousand years ago.