Frieren 12

Title: Gathering Souls

Amid the conflict in the snowy plains between the Tadd Kingdom and its neighbor, due to the mage unit suffering heavy losses and Ash’s standout performance, he was quickly promoted from squad leader to company commander.

Then… in the second, third, fourth, fifth… relentless, intermittent conflicts, both large and small, continued for five years.

The ceaseless war didn’t kill him. As a demon, Ash was forged in the flames of battle and unexpectedly became a general in the Tadd Kingdom.

Though the war was sporadic, he had collected 1,000 souls by the second year and made his first wish—to become the strongest. It was rejected.

Ash requested magic power and combat strength on par with a Demon King… that was also impossible. He asked for all magical knowledge, but that wasn’t granted either. It seemed the number of souls he had was far from enough for such miracles.

No choice. Besides cursing, he realized this system was essentially an equivalent exchange, and perhaps not entirely fair—at least not for him.

Thus, with only 1,000 souls, his options were limited. Ash could only continue gathering enough souls and then wish for perfect knowledge of gravity magic.

Over the next four years, he studied the complete gravity magic system from the Mythical Era—granted by the miracle—and kept refining his magic in this prolonged war.

Ash spent three years sweeping battlefields, collecting thousands more souls, and earning a second chance for a miracle.

This also made him decide to leave this kingdom, where there was no more knowledge to gain, and abandon this meaningless war.

“Life is truly unpredictable…”

After successfully reclaiming the snowy plains lost while he was sent elsewhere, Ash could only sigh. Amid the familiar yet strange wind and snow, he looked at the frozen bloodstains beneath his feet.

A woman, his deputy and captain of the mage guard team, and the only surviving teammate, Cassie, with a horrific scar on her neck, turned with curiosity and confusion. “What did you say, Sir Ash?”

“…Their main unit was heavily damaged this time, and the loaned troops from the neighboring country were basically abandoned here. They should stay quiet for a while.”

“I think so too, but… are you planning to keep attacking?”

“No, I’ll be leaving soon too. Cassie, it’s about time you went home, right?”

“Huh? Sir Ash, what do you mean…?”

“I’m planning to leave this place. This war doesn’t belong to you or me… Of course, if you want to stay, I won’t stop you.”

“…They won’t let you resign, will they?”

“I’ve already submitted my resignation. Even if they don’t approve, I’ll leave anyway. Now… what about you?” Ash turned to the woman who had followed him for five years, unsure of her choice.

Cassie wasn’t someone who benefited from this war. On the contrary, she was a victim of this prolonged conflict, as… her father and husband were forcibly conscripted and had long since died.

Thus, facing Ash’s question, Cassie fell silent for a long time before shrugging with a bitter smile: “If you’re planning to leave, how could I stay here?”

“Is that so?”

“…Are you planning to go north?”

“How did you know?”

“Because… you’re a demon, aren’t you?”

“What? You noticed?”

“I had a slight feeling but could never be sure… And your appearance hasn’t changed; you still look the same as when we first met. Some people in the kingdom also suspect your identity.”

“I’ve heard a bit about that, which is why I have to leave now. Besides…” Since he was already planning to go, Ash didn’t care much. He smiled and looked at the woman with a strange expression: “So, are you planning to report me?”

“No way I’d do something like that.” Cassie smiled bitterly, touching the scar on her neck:

“If you hadn’t stopped that cavalry back then, my head probably wouldn’t be on my shoulders now. And now I realize demons aren’t like the rumors say.”

“Don’t think that way. I’m the different one. If you meet a demon, run or kill them… That’s my last advice to you.”

“So… aside from you, they’re all dangerous?” Cassie seemed a bit uncertain.

“Of course. They’re cruel and merciless. Even demons have to be wary of other demons. I’m just… a very special case.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s how it is.”

“…”

“…”

The conversation fell silent. Neither was great at small talk.

After a while, Cassie couldn’t help asking, “…You gave all your money to me. What about you?”

“It’s fine, I’ll keep a little for travel expenses.”

“Then… can we meet again?”

“…Honestly, your words sound like a heroine’s dialogue in a story. But I prefer young girls? Married women and aunties are a bit… can I ask your daughter to say it instead?”

The slightly melancholic parting atmosphere was broken by Ash’s teasing smile, making Cassie chuckle while shaking her head:

“You misunderstood… I just wanted to say, if there’s a chance, I’d like to introduce my daughter and mother to you. They’ve always wanted to meet you to thank you in person for looking after me.”

“Forget it. There’s a huge gap between human and demon lifespans. There’s no point in meeting another human.”

“…But if demons are like you say, won’t you be very lonely?”

“You get used to it. Aren’t all demons like that?”

“But you’re not a normal demon, are you?”

“That’s true, but… I’ll definitely get used to it.”

Ash smiled with a touch of sadness but said nothing more. Cassie didn’t know what to say either, only lowering her eyes with regret.