Frieren 17

Title: Who’s Really the Weird One?

In this world, elves were generally considered human, sometimes even calling themselves human, so they held no prejudice against humans.

Their long lifespans and magical research made this village different from the first human village Ash had encountered, appearing somewhat prosperous… or perhaps not. They could at least eat their fill?

But because they were always deep in the forest, it was impossible for them to have gourmet food.

“…I didn’t expect elves to have such great barbecue skills, though.”

“Because we’re laid-back.” Frieren, looking listless, gave a reasonable yet frustrating answer that made Ash want to complain.

Ash’s expression, as if he wanted to say something, made Frieren unconsciously raise an eyebrow: “What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing. I was just thinking, if only I could adapt to this place quickly.”

“There’s no point in adapting; you’ll leave soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Everyone who comes here is like that. I heard no one stays longer than a hundred years.”

“…That’s because they’re dead, right?”

“Oh… seems like it?” With a slightly emotionless tone, Frieren mumbled to herself while staring at the fire in front of her. “Human lifespans are so short; they grow old and die before getting close.”

“I’m not trying to complain… but how slow are you at adapting?”

“What’s slow adapting?”

“Slow adapting is… never mind.” Feeling that human and his own adaptation methods differed slightly, Ash decided to end this pointless conversation and changed his question: “By the way, can I ask? When will you teach me magic?”

“Rest for a bit.”

“Let me confirm first—how long is your ‘bit’?”

“Thirty years?” Frieren didn’t think much and gave a timeframe she thought was reasonable: “Thirty years, and you’ll get used to the village and can start learning properly, right?”

“Are you serious?” Ash asked, bewildered, while Frieren looked confused: “Why would I lie?”

“…Okay, I suddenly feel like hitting someone.”

“Huh? Do you have violent tendencies?” Frieren instinctively moved away from him, slightly regretting giving him a place to stay.

Her wary attitude made Ash cover his forehead with one hand, trying to suppress the surging emotions in his heart. He restrained himself from smacking his own forehead:

“That’s not it! You’re the weird one—! Normally! In thirty years, I could master the C language from beginner to expert!”

“What’s the C language? Sounds weird.”

“…”

Ash couldn’t explain what the C language was, so he was at a loss for words. He could only cover his face, feeling dizzy thinking about the next conversation and life in this village.

Though he was also a long-lived race, he still couldn’t get used to the vastly different sense of time from his past.

But since he was already here, he didn’t want to leave just like that. While eating, Ash forcibly made a deal that they’d start learning magic tomorrow.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The next day, the promised time arrived.

Ash planned to ask Frieren to teach him magic, but since she didn’t show up, he went straight to her hut. When he opened the door, he saw…

“…What the heck is this?”

The lower half of the silver-haired elf’s body was still in bed, but her upper half had fallen off, her face pressed against the floor… She was literally supporting half her body with her face. Just looking at it made his own face hurt.

After a moment of shock, Ash crouched beside Frieren and poked her face:

“Wake up, Frieren, the sun’s up.”

“…”

“Hey.”

“…”

“Dead?”

Frieren didn’t react at all, making him a bit dizzy. Ash flicked her long ear.

Still… no reaction.

“…Even so, you won’t wake up? Fine, no choice then.” After thinking for a moment, Ash grabbed her ankle and lifted her up.

The elf, of unknown age with a petite body, was hoisted upside down.

Under gravity’s pull, her white skirt fell, revealing plain white underwear as simple as her clothes.

“…I used to wonder why underwear exists in this era. Wait, shouldn’t I be wondering why this elf doesn’t react at all even when her underwear’s showing? Are all elves like this?”

Staring at the unadorned fabric, Ash felt no hint of sensuality and instead grew more dizzy.

The elf’s complete lack of reaction, no matter how much he shook her, made him slightly suspect something was wrong with the elf race.

But as soon as he said that, a flat voice came from the side: “…No, Frieren just likes to nap.”

“Just that? This is the first time I’ve seen someone nap this much.” Ash turned and saw an elf girl in simple clothes but wearing a dark cloak. She looked more mature than Frieren, standing at the door.

“This is my first time meeting a newcomer?” The girl observed him curiously.

“Yeah, you could say that. I’m Ash, and you?”

“Millieald, nice to meet you.”

“Is it? Your name’s too long; can I call you Millie?”

“It’s not that long, is it? Your name’s the one that’s too short.”

“By the way, can you do magic?”

“Huh? Isn’t this conversation moving too fast?”

“I don’t think so.”

“But before that…” Millie tilted her head, looking at Frieren, whose legs were held upside down, eyes still closed. She couldn’t help asking, “Shouldn’t you put Frieren down first? Her face is red.”

“It’s red; shouldn’t she have woken up normally by now?”

“She’s awake but doesn’t want to get out of bed.”

“Why, though? Her underwear’s showing, okay?” While speaking, Ash shook the upside-down girl in his hand like carelessly lifting a rabbit.

Millie pointed out the issue with a flat expression: “She’s never left this place, so she’s a bit slow about that. And in our eyes, you’re no different from a three-year-old.”

“What a hassle… Weird person.”

“Indeed, by human standards, she might be a bit weird.” Millie glanced at Frieren in his hand but quickly looked back at his face: “But by human standards, your actions are weird too, right?”

“By the way, can you do magic?”

“…Are we back to the original topic?”

“Because it’s important.”

“You’re really interesting.”

“Can you stop dodging the question?”

“Hmm… By the way, put her down first, okay?”

After arguing with Millie, Ash finally tossed Frieren back onto the bed. For now, he didn’t want to deal with a girl who wouldn’t wake up even when her skirt was flipped.