Y/n's POV

We had made it to the Laub Hills in the Northern Lands. We successfully escorted Tische to the village he was headed towards, the same village I had taken Liebe after rescuing her. I checked to see if her and her sister's house had still stood, but found it to be repurposed into a church.

While we were there, Tische introduced us to another villager with a wagon used for transport. He put in a good word for us, and we secured a free ride to a point close to the next town, Laub Village, which was not far ahead.

Fern was asleep while Frieren read a grimoire. Sein and Stark were enjoying the scenery, and I began sketching Frieren, Stark, and Fern in my journal. Fern leaned over, her head falling onto Frieren's shoulder, causing her to wake up.

"You four seem close. How long have you been traveling together?" Sein asked us.

Frieren paused to think. "Well..."

"My travels with Mistress Frieren began four years ago, although I've known her longer," Fern replied to Sein.

"It's been about a year for me," Stark added.

"I came along not too long after Stark joined," I responded.

Sein smiled, turning back ahead. "Makes sense,"

After a while, the villager transport had to stop as the rest of the way was hilly and narrow terrain. We found ourselves walking down a long set of steps, overlooking the village in the distance.

"You know, there's something this party is lacking," Sein started, stopping in his place.

"What?" Stark asked, curious.

"Wanna take a guess?"

"Let's see," Frieren put her hand to her chin in thought. "We have a warrior, and a swordsman as our front-liners, a priest, and two mages,"

"Could you mean a thief?" Fern asked. "Someone to out-swindle the mimics she's always falling for?"

"When it comes to treasure chest, the reward always outweighs the risk," Frieren smiled.

"Is it an older lady?" I guessed, crossing my arms.

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT IS! What we lack is a nice-looking older lady!" He clenched his fists with determination. "Most parties won't even leave town until they've found a broad! That's the way! Unless you're vixenless like us!" Sein yelled. We then began moving again.

"C'mon, Sein, don't forget about Frieren," Stark said.

"She's more of an elderly child than a lady," he practically cried.

"That sounds insulting," I remarked.

"Wouldn't you know, gramps?"

"Gramps?!"

"H-Heyyyyy~ look, we can see the next village!" Stark pointed ahead. Off in the distance was indeed Laub village.

...

As we arrived in Laub Village, an unsettling silence greeted us under the evening sky. The only sounds were the wind, our footsteps, and the animals. "It's painfully quiet," I remarked, before we all noticed the bodies scattered around. Suddenly, I felt a feeling of unease, and alert. It was odd. Was it an ambush of some kind I was sensing, or something else entirely?

Fern and sein moved to separate bodies, checking for signs of life.

"They're still breathing," Fern announced.

"Yeah, this one, too," Sein confirmed.

"What's the deal with this place? Why did they all fall asleep? Stark asked.

I crossed my arms and nudged a nearby sleeping villager gently with my foot. "It's likely a curse of some kind. It's improbable they all naturally fell asleep," I speculated.

"I agree; it's likely a curse no doubt," Sein responded.

"I thought as much," Frieren said, squatting beside him.

"This may sound dumb, but what exactly is a curse?" Stark asked curiously.

"Most of mankind can use certain spells and have a general understanding of them. However, there are still some phenomena we don't fully grasp, such as inducing sleep or turning people into stone. These are what we call curses—essentially placeholders for the unknown," I explained.

"Well put, Y/n," Frieren acknowledged. "Humanity's magic can't explain the principles behind them or how to lift them,"

Stark gasped. "Does that mean it's too late to save these people?"

"Unlikely. Most curses have a source of some kind. If the source is destroyed or defeated, these people should wake up. Additionally, most curses are handled by members of the clergy, who are highly resistant to curses,"

"So, priests and the like?"

"That's correct,"

"Well, Sein?" Frieren turned to him.

"Don't rush me. I need to determine the type and source of this curse," Sein replied.

"So, even a mage at your level can't really defend against curses?" Stark asked the elf.

"I can't really detect them, let alone defend against them. Although, I do feel as if I'm under attack for some reason, so I can conclude that the curse still lingers here," Frieren responded.

"Even I'm not resistant to curses. I feel the same as Frieren: Oddly alert," I added.

"My soul feels itchy," Fern shuddered.

"You can't just say scary things like that and expect me not to turn into a sniffling baby!" Stark exclaimed.

Sein eventually walked back to us with an update. "This isn't a low-grade everyday curse we're dealing with,"

"Can you lift it, or can't you?" Frieren asked.

"I would need the right tools. Honestly, it would be easier to tackle it at the source than to treat its symptoms. It's coming from a monster, and I know where it is. Follow me," Sein said, turning to head towards the monster's direction.

"I like how you cut to the chase," Frieren said, starting to follow, as did I.

"Mistress Frieren!" Fern called out. We all turned to see Stark had succumbed to the curse, slumping against a wall, asleep. "It's Mister Stark,"

"That didn't take long," Frieren remarked, turning to Sein. "Any chance you can temporarily wake him?"

"I told you I don't have the proper tools. As is, I can only keep him up for five seconds," he explained.

"That's practically nothing," Fern said sadly.

"In any case, we should hurry," Sein urged.

The sun continued to set as we made our way through the woods to find the source of the curse. I carried Stark, who was still out cold, on my back. We traveled over streams, boulders, and around trees. Looking back, I saw Fern looking drowsy—likely the next to succumb.

We stopped to take a break and rest our legs, and soon enough, Fern also fell asleep against a tree.

"Seems we're being picked off one by one," Sein sighed.

"It's looking grim," Frieren said, trying to shake Fern awake, but to no avail.

"Luckily, the monster isn't far from here. We should set the two against the tree and let them rest while we take care of it," Sein suggested. We nodded in agreement, setting Fern and Stark against a tree, bundled together.

Frieren then used a protection spell on them. "We're getting close, I can feel it,"

"Good...Say...Sein...?" Frieren began, her voice trailing off. Just as I expected, she started to fall. I quickly caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground face-first.

"Damnit," I muttered as she fell asleep. I sighed, frustrated, and picked her up, carrying her bridal style.

"Her too, huh?" Sein asked.

"Yeah, and I'm not too far behind," I said, yawning. I could feel myself getting sleepier and sleepier. I grit my teeth and tried to keep myself awake as long as possible. Once we reached a clearing, we saw an enormous flower. "Ah, a chaos flower. Should have known..."

"Indeed. It's a subspecies of chaos flower. It must be feeding off the sleeping villagers," Sein explained.

I placed Frieren in a safe and comfortable spot against a tree and sat down next to her, feeling my own drowsiness taking over. "Sein?"

"Yes?" He quickly turned to see me right next to Frieren.

"Wake me up when you're ready to kill this thing...I don't want you tackling it alone..."

"You can't defeat it in five—," his voice faded as my eyes closed, and I was whisked away into the realm of slumber.

I slowly awoke standing at the base of a gently sloping hill, a forest behind me. The sun was shining warmly overhead. The sky was a clear, vibrant blue, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh grass. The sounds of fauna flourished in the background. Frieren stood beside me, her eyes fixed on a small tower at the top of the hill.

She grinned. "I smell a treasure chest in that tower,"

"You always smell a treasure chest, Frieren. Just you wait till you're in the jaws of a mimic," I teased, crossing my arms.

"Remember, Y/n, the reward always outweighs the risk," She chimed, waving her finger in the air.

"Of course," I laughed.

Together, we walked up the hill, the climb easy and pleasant in the warm sunlight. As we approached, we noticed a treasure chest sitting just inside the entrance. It was wooden with iron reinforcement, a typical chest.

"You think it's a mimic?" I asked, half-jokingly.

She smiles. "Only one way to find out,"

She stepped forward and tried opening the chest. As it opened, it predictably snapped around her waist, her entire head and torso lodged inside. Her legs frantically squirmed around. "It's dark and scary in here! It's dark! I'm scared!" She yelled helplessly inside the mimic's maw, her voice amusingly muffled.

"Who could have seen this coming?" I rolled my eyes with a smirk. "Come on," I summoned my greatsword and lodged it into the mouth of the mimic, prying its hinges open. I then pulled Frieren out, saving her from the monster.

I did away with my greatsword and helped the elf up off the ground. "Thanks," she said, her usual calm demeanor returning. She started fixing her hair and making sure the hair clip was still present.

"What did we learn today?" I put my hands on my hips.

"Not a thing," she countered.

"Haha, funny,"

We both stepped back from the now harmless mimic and looked out over the hill. The view was breathtaking—a large clearing amongst a sea of trees. As I admired the scenery, I could feel Frieren's gaze on me, as if she was contemplating on telling me something. Then, with quiet determination, she turned outward and summoned her staff. Slowly, she floated a few inches off the ground, her eyes closing in concentration.

Suddenly, the entire hillside erupted in a riot of color as flowers of all shapes and sizes bloomed around the tower. The air was filled with their sweet fragrance, and the sight was nothing short of magical. I turned to Frieren, who was finishing her concentration on the spell. She was beautiful. She then landed on the ground before looking at me. "What do you think?"

"Wow...Where did you even learn how to use this spell?" I asked her, still awed by the sight.

"Flamme the Mage. It was one of her favorite spells...I thought that you would like something like this, just as Himmel did,"

"It's beautiful, Frieren," I walked out and sat amongst the flowers, still taking it all in. The realization hit me like a gentle wave, warm and undeniable. This serene moment, the time we've spent together—it's all too clear. I cared for Frieren deeply, more than I'd allow myself to admit until now. I started creating a flower crown for her.

As I finished with the crown, I placed it softly on her head. 

"That it is," she agreed, sitting next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder.

For a moment, there was silence between us, the only sound the gentle rustling of the flowers in the breeze. The dream soon began to blur and fade. The vibrant colors and the warmth of the sun melted away, replaced by the sounds of reality creeping back in.

My eyes snapped open with determination. I stood up and summoned my blade.

I only had five seconds.

Five.

"Y/N! ONLY THE CORE!!!" Sein shouted.

Four.

"I'll do you one better!" I gritted my teeth and lunged forward with incredible speed. I swung, slicing my greatsword through the thick base of the plant.

Three.

I then quickly leaped high into the air as the plant began to topple over. I had to be quick before it could regenerate.

Two.

I hurled my greatsword at the core of the plant. It impaled the center of the monster and embedded itself into the ground, pinning the plant.

One.

I landed gracefully as the plant base started to disintegrate into pure mana. The flower and the remaining stem stood laid intact, severed from the main body. Most chaos flowers dissolved from the ground up, rather than from the top down. The energy from the flower flowed into me, and I felt a surge of strength.

"That was simple," I remarked, walking over, and dislodging my greatsword from the flower and ground, turning it back into mana. I brushed myself off and looked at the flower.

"Why did you cut its stem before the core?" Sein asked me.

"Because," I reached down and ripped off one of the large petals. "These things are great!"

...

Frieren's POV

"Mmmmm..." I slowly awoke as the sunlight pierced through my eyelids. As my eyes opened, I could see Y/n's face above me as I found that my head was in his lap. It was warm, and comfortable. "Hello there," I said calmly.

"Good morning," he greeted me. I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes, and stretching.

"It seems you took care of the chaos flower. Good work,"

"It wasn't hard at all. Sein woke me up and I chopped it down," he shrugged. "I still have the flower part intact,"

"Interesting. Are Fern and Stark awake?"

"Yeah, they're over by Sein," he pointed to where the three were talking next to the large flower. Y/n and I got up and walked over.

"Mistress Frieren!" Fern rushed over to check on me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I responded.

"Say, Frieren," Stark got my attention. "What are we going to do with this?" he kicked the large flower with his foot gently.

Y/n stepped forward with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, I was planning on making a meal with it and having all of us eat it,"

Fern, Stark, and Sein stared at him, taken aback. "EAT IT?!" they all yelled in unison, incredulous.

"Yeah," Y/n continued, unfazed. "Chaos flower petals are quite nutritious and tasty when cooked. Besides, it'd be a waste to just leave it here,"

"Gross.... Mister Y/n, there must be something wrong with you," Fern glared with disgust.

"Why would you want to eat a monster that tried to kill us?" Sein asked.

I, however, seemed intrigued. "It's not a bad idea," I said thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, some chaos flowers could have certain properties that can be beneficial,"

"You don't think eating these would put us to sleep?" Stark asked.

"That's why you cook it first," Y/n remarked. "I promise, it's tasty. I've had it numerous times,"

"That's not very good reassurance," Fern countered.

"I'm willing to give it a try," I stated.

"Mistress Frieren, are you seriously considering eating a monster?"

"I'm hungry," My stomach growled as I shrugged.

Fern sighed. "Well, if Mistress Frieren thinks it's okay, I suppose we could give it a try," Fern conceded reluctantly.

"I'm still not convinced," Stark grumbled, but he followed along as we began to prepare the chaos flower for an unconventional meal.

As Y/n finished cooking the petals over the open flame, he handed each of us one cooked petal. Y/n started chowing down on his happily while the others still seemed skeptical.

"Are you sure about this?" Fern asked.

I took a bite and I was hit with a burst of flavors. It had a crispy and savory char to it, but fruity sweetness as well. A smile spread across my face as I continued eating.

"It's delicious," I remarked, taking another bite. "You should try it,"

Fern hesitated, then cautiously took a small bite. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wow...It's actually good!" she exclaimed, taking a bigger bite. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Mister Y/n,"

"No worries,"

Stark and Sein exchanged glances before reluctantly trying their petals. Stark chewed thoughtfully for a moment before nodding in approval. "Not bad at all," he admitted.

Sein, still a bit wary, finally took a bite and was similarly surprised. "I never would've guessed a chaos flower could taste like this,"

Y/n grinned, pleased with their reactions. "See? I told you it was worth trying,"

We all sat around the fire, enjoying our unconventional meal. The tension from earlier began to fade as we shared more stories and laughter, the camaraderie growing stronger.

After a while, Fern looked over at Y/n. "How did you know about cooking chaos flowers?"

"I was taught by a man named Schnecke long ago. He was a survivalist and an excellent archer. Lived on eating animals and monsters he hunted. He taught me about making the most out of what I find the wild. He died choking on tavern food," 

"Must have been a great teacher," Stark said, impressed.

"That he was," Y/n said with a fond smile.

Y/n's POV

We stood before the entire village, a crowd of grateful faces looking back at us. A distinguished and beautiful older lady emerged from the mass to greet us.

"Thank you very much," the woman bowed her head. "I won't forget what you've done for us,"

"It's nothing. I can assure you we didn't do much, ma'am," Sein smiled.

"Hush now. I've never been happier to have my sleep disturbed," she wore a very warm smile. This was the type of woman that Sein was looking for.

We said our goodbyes and made our way onward to the next town. On the road, Sein struck up a new conversation. "You did well to defeat the chaos flower. There's no question that you're an incredible swordsman,"

"That may be the case, but you're the reason we made it out of there alive, regardless of who defeated the flower. It could have been Frieren in my place, even if the flower reflected magic, she also could have taken care of it. I, no, we appreciate it, Sein," I elbowed his side. He grinned, happy to be praised.

"That lady from the village sure was pretty," he said.

"You're still on that?" Stark groaned.

...

...

...

That dream...

...

...

...

"So that's Vorig, huh?" Stark asked. We had been travelling a good while, and happened upon the Fortress City of Vorig, located in the Northern Lands. I had been here once or twice in my time, and it looked practically the same from the outside.

From the outside, only the walls that surrounded Vorig and the Orden Estate rising above the rest of the city could be seen. The walls were quite large in scale, with many watchtowers situated on them. Inside of the walls, there were presumably buildings and shops that stretch to the city walls.

"More importantly, it's the midpoint on our journey to Äußerst," Frieren explained.

"We're only halfway there? This really is a long journey," Fern said.

"Well, while we're here, we can replenish our supplies," Frieren started making her way towards the city.

"Mistress Frieren," Fern tried to stop her. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our funds are a bit lacking,"

"Oh, really? I thought we had more,"

"Don't worry. I still have some coin on me after our time in the Raad Region," I jingled my coin pouch, a few coins clinking together.

"Good," Frieren smiled.

"Hey, you there!" we heard someone call to us from behind. Turning around, we encountered a distinguished carriage and a nobleman striding toward us.

"What now?" Sein thought aloud.

The nobleman seemed to be a middle-aged man of comparable height to Sein. He sported neatly groomed brownish-red hair, with long bangs draping over the right side of his face where an eyepatch concealed his damaged eye. His eye color was red. His attire consisted of a black and blue military uniform suited for a nobleman.

He wore a black shirt adorned with dull gold and silver linings, featuring a central red jewel connected to the shoulder by three aiguillettes on the right side. This was complimented by green fabric with intricate gold details under a dark blue coat, embellished with thick dull gold linings in the middle and gray accents on the shoulders, cuffs, and waist. The outfit was paired with dark blue pants and tall black boots.

Had to have been an Orden.

"That looks like a noble's carriage," Stark observed as the man and his presumed servant approached him. They then inspected him. "Excuse you! What is going on?!" They took his measurements and appraised his physique, all too touchy in their scrutiny.

"He has good physique; his looks aren't bad either. Get in," the nobleman said, fixing Stark with a direct gaze. "I'll take you to my mansion,"

"DOES ANYBODY CARE TO EXPLAIN?!" Stark cried out.

Our ride with this man was marked by silence. Observing the expression on Frieren's face, I sensed that she, too, recognized who he was.

...

...

We were all seated in inside Orden's mansion. The insides were quite spacious and had many rooms, including a ball room. Fern, Frieren, and Sein occupied a couch, while Stark sat opposite Lord Orden. I stood next to stark, preferring to remain on my feet. There was a large table in between all of us. He offered us all tea; I declined while the others accepted.

"Who are you, lad?" Orden asked.

"My name is Stark," he said, defeated sounding.

"Lord Orden, sir. You cannot hold us without reason," Frieren interjected.

"I see I need no introduction," Orden replied smoothly.

"This is the Orden mansion, home to one of the three great families of the Northern Lands. Your grandfather was stern too; unexpressive, tactless, forceful, pushy," I counted on my fingers.

"I don't know what kind of nonsense you're trying to engage me in, but I'm preoccupied at the moment. Stark and I need to have a word," Orden stated firmly.

"If you can talk to my warrior, you can talk to me," Frieren countered.

"Tell me, Stark, do you need your mommy's permission to have a conversation?" the Lord taunted.

"Lot of talk from someone who practically dragged him here," I crossed my arms.

"Shall I have Gabel remove you from this room?" he glared at me. I stayed quiet, holding my ground.

Typical Orden.

He turned his attention back to Stark. "I have a job for you, and I will pay you well,"

Seeing the look in Frieren's eyes, I knew this wasn't going anywhere with her. We had enough money for supplies.

"No. No chance. We're leaving, Stark," Frieren stood up. "We don't need your money,"

"Best words I've heard all day," I smiled.

"We will also provide you with a feast of many meats and delights," Orden offered, attempting to sweeten the deal.

Frieren hesitated, then looked back at him. Damn it, he got her. "I suppose at the very least we can hear you out,"

Lord Orden stood. "If you will follow me," he said, leading us down a corridor. As we walked, Orden engaged Stark in conversation. "So Stark, from where do you hail?"

"I'm from a warrior village in the Klee Region, sir," Stark replied.

"I know the place. My family line originated from the very same region,"

We arrived at a large portrait painting of a young lad positioned on the wall in the grand staircase. "My eldest son, Wirt. He is a hero of this city, and the heir to my title,"

"He looks like you, Mister Stark," Fern observed. It was strange how similar they looked to each other.

"Indeed, he does. If we changed you and cleaned you up, only a close family member could discern the difference," Orden remarked.

"I have a feeling that's going to play into your job offer," Frieren said.

"About a month ago, we took a vast army of demons on head-to-head. My son lost his life on the battlefield. He and the enemy commander killed each other. Very few even know he's dead, as it happened in a large-scale melee. Gabel is aware, as well as some of my most trusted men," Orden explained.

I had a strong sense of where this was heading. Stark was about to play a significant role in some elaborate ruse. Orden led us further down another hallway.

"So, what is it you want Stark to do?" I inquired.

"Vorig is a powerful fortress city, a key player in this region's defense. Until we can rebuild the forces we lost, we cannot allow morale to slip,"

"Oh, so you're wanting to cover up your son's death until then," I surmised.

"In three months from now, all the most influential figures will gather at a soiree. We'll show them there that Wirt is alive and well,"

"And our reward?" Frieren interjected.

"I will give you ten Strahl gold coins," he replied. Ten Strahl gold coins was a substantial amount of money. To any adventurer, it would be an easy three meals a day for a year, and then some.

"Sweeten it with a grimoire!" Frieren insisted, clearly aiming to expand her collection.

"You can have your pick at the library after our work is done," he agreed.

"There's just one problem! I'm not your guy! People are going to notice the large scar on my head!" Stark exclaimed.

"The people believe Wirt is recovering from damage taken on the battlefield. That's an honorable battle scar," Orden assured him.

"Stark, we get to eat lots of food," Frieren whispered to the boy, trying to entice him.

"More pathetic," he pouted.

"Gabel, I leave the boy's etiquette training to you," the Lord declared. Gabel bowed to Orden, marking the beginning of this elaborate three-month undertaking.

...

For the first two months, I witnessed Stark endure the trials and tribulations of becoming someone he wasn't: the Lord's son. I saw him being fitted for a noble's outfit, learning to ride a horse, mastering the art of dance, and diligently studying politeness and etiquette. It was a relentless, day-in-day-out routine, and I couldn't help but feel bad for the boy.

Meanwhile, Frieren, Fern, and I explored the city, stocking up on supplies, searching for suitable attire for the Soiree, and indulging in most of Orden's sweets. Sein, predictably, was busy hitting up women in taverns and getting drunk, which I couldn't blame him for.

One day, we were summoned to Lord Orden's mansion. We sat in the room we had first spoken about this job In. We were comfortably settled on the couch, surrounded by an array of delectable sweets.

"You will be joining Stark at this soiree, Miss Fern," Lord Orden stated simply.

Fern paused mid-bite, looking at Orden with wide eyes. "You're saying I also have to learn all that etiquette stuff?"

"Well, it is a soiree. Did you really expect a man of his age to attend such a function alone?" His gaze shifted to Frieren. "I suppose his mommy could escort him instead,"

"Good luck, Fern," Frieren replied, taking another bite of a pastry.

"You'll need it," I added. She then sulked, practically dreading the idea, but reluctantly agreed.

...

During the following month, Fern faced her own trials and tribulations in her transformation into a poised woman of nobility, a challenge she did not find easy. Meanwhile, Frieren and I spent extensive time in Orden's library, perusing grimoires.

"So, Frieren, are you excited for this extravagant party?" I inquired, flipping a page.

"I'm sure there will be lots of cake. Plus, I'm getting a grimoire out of it," she replied. "People always find ways to celebrate something, don't they?"

"Well, it brings people together. For instance, I feel like this will help Stark and Fern bond more, albeit in this unusual circumstance,"

Frieren smiled at this. "I suppose that's true. It makes me happy seeing them get along well," she admitted. It was nice seeing her convey her feelings like that.

"I agree, though I think it's funny when Fern gets annoyed with him and pouts," I looked up from the grimoire at Frieren. "Have you been to one of these before?"

"I've been to a few. Last time I went to a gathering like this was with the hero's party. Himmel kept asking me to dance with him, and I just kept eating cake. Heiter kept drinking and Eisen was outside practicing his combat, not really caring about the event,"

"That sounds about right. I've been to one or two myself...Do you even know how to dance?" I laughed, flipping another page.

"I haven't danced in a long time. Flamme taught me once, but I haven't needed to dance since,"

"Did she teach you to dance along with the secret blow-a-kiss technique?" I teased.

"Oh, hush. From my memory, it seemed to have quite the effect on you as it did Himmel,"

"Well, what can I say? It was too powerful," I shrugged.

Frieren chuckled softly, which caught me by surprise as it was a rare occurrence. "Maybe I'll find a grimoire for dancing one day,"

"Maybe you'll find one here after all of this is over,"

"Perhaps," There was a considerable pause between us, filled with the quiet rustling of page. Frieren seemed to be lost in thought, her usual composed demeanor tinged with a hint of timidness. When she finally spoke again, her voice was uncharacteristically hesitant. "Hey, may I ask you something, Y/n?"

"Yes? What is it, Frieren?"

"Are you still planning on severing your immortality once we arrive in Aureole?" her question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of its implications.

I was taken aback. This was a topic I hadn't expected her to revisit. I wondered why she brought it up. I shook my head and closed the grimoire, setting it aside. She still had her eyes glued to the pages of her grimoire.

"Yes, I am," I said, the certainty in my voice surprising even myself.

Frieren's expression flickered with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "I see..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Is...there a reason why you ask?"

"Not really...Just curious..." her response was calm, unchanged from her normal demeanor, although it felt...distant. A subtle, unspoken tension lingered between us as we returned to our reading, the weight of the conversation settled heavily in the air, leaving us quiet and contemplative.

As I stared at the pages of the grimoire, the words blurred together. The thought of severing my immortality, and what it truly meant, loomed large in my mind. It wasn't just about me; it was about the bonds we had formed, the experiences we had shared. I glanced at Frieren, who was silently absorbed in her book, yet I could sense the same weight pressing on her.

This was more than just a decision about my life. It was a choice that would affect her as well.

...

Did she...not want me to do it?

...

I wish I could have been more hesitant with my answer...

...

The night had finally come, and the soiree was in full swing. The ballroom of Orden's manor had been transformed into an opulent showcase of nobility and elegance. The walls were adorned with an array of weapons and deer antlers, interspersed with candelabra's casting a warm glow. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their light reflecting off the polished floors and illuminating the room with a golden radiance.

Nobles filled the room, both men and women; some danced gracefully, some engaged in lively conversation, and others indulged in the lavish spread of food. Women in flowing gowns of satin and lace moved elegantly among the crowd, their laughter like delicate chimes. Men in tailored suits and polished boots stood in small groups, engaging in polite conversation and occasional bursts of hearty laughter. A large buffet table, laden with a sumptuous array of dishes, sat near the entrance.

I was dressed in formal attire I had acquired from the city.

I haven't worn anything this nice in a while.

As I walked into the ballroom, I scanned the crowd, searching for my comrades. Soon enough, I spotted Frieren and Sein sitting together at a table. Frieren was happily indulging in a slice of cake, while Sein was watching the dancers. He was dashing in his formal wear while Frieren was radiant in her white dress. Her hair was tied into a single, elegant ponytail. The phoenix hair clip sat beautifully, contrasting, yet complimenting her attire.

I made my way over, and Frieren noticed me as I arrived. "Oh, hello," she greeted me.

"It's good to see you two all dressed up," I remarked, standing by them.

"You don't look bad yourself, gramps," Sein quipped with a grin.

"You look older than me, Sein; and the numerous times I've had to bail you out of a tavern these past few months doesn't help." I retorted.

"Fair enough," he rolled his eyes.

"Is the cake good?" I asked Frieren. She simply hummed and happily took another bite. "I'll take that as a yes,"

The soft strains of a waltz filled the ballroom, adding a touch of enchantment to the already magical evening. I watched as couples swayed gracefully to the music, their movements a seamless blend of elegance and poise. Among them, I spotted Fern and Stark dancing together. It was such a sweet sight. Fern was wearing a beautiful white dress with gold inlay, while Stark was wearing a regal military uniform, posing as Orden's son, Wirt. Fern's usual seriousness had melted away, replaced by a rare smile as she and stark guided each other through the steps.

A thought struck me as I observed them, and I turned to Frieren. She was still sitting, her eyes fixated on the deliciousness of the cake.

"Hey, Frieren, care to dance?" I asked, holding my hand out to her. As I would normally think, she would decline, opting to eat more food.

She looked up at me, her expression a bit hesitative. "I'm......not sure...," she replied, her gaze drifting back to the half-eaten slice before her.

"There's always more cake," I said with a smile. "And besides, it's a lovely night at a fancy ball. It would be a shame and a waste not to dance at least once," I held my hand out for her to take.

She glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on Fern and Stark for a moment. When she looked back at me, it was clear she was thinking deeply about the offer. It was as if she was trying to register what the offer meant. Her elven ears, usually poised and still, gave the faintest twitch, betraying her momentary hesitation. Then, as if coming to a decision, Frieren's lips curved into a soft, warm smile. Her ears perked up slightly as she reached out and took my hand slowly and gently. "I think...that would be nice," she accepted, standing up.

"Looks like the ancient duo are stepping out onto the dance floor. Try not to break a hip, you two," Sein chuckled. We chose to ignore him of course, though we would get him back later.

As we stepped onto the ballroom dance floor, the soft waltz enveloped us, the melody swirling through the air like a gentle breeze. I guided Frieren into position, one handing resting on her waist while the other held her slender fingers in a firm, yet tender grip. I looked into her eyes, searching for a sign that she was ready. She met my gaze and gave a subtle, reassuring nod, a quiet signal that we could begin. Though it had been years since I last danced, the rhythm of the music quickly coaxed my body into a familiar cadence, a long-forgotten ease returning to my movements.

At first, Frieren was hesitant. Her steps faltered a little, her usually poised demeanor momentarily replaced by a rare uncertainty. It was as if she was trying to find her place. It was likely because I was taller and her, and that she hadn't danced in a while. I could feel the slight tension in her grip, her fingers tightening around mine as she sought to find her balance.

But then, something shifted. Almost as if a switch had been flipped, Frieren's movements smoothed out, the initial shakiness dissolving into an effortless grace. She adjusted her steps with a fluidity what was almost mesmerizing, and suddenly, she was moving in perfect unison with me.

I glanced at her, surprised by how quickly she had found the rhythm. Her expression was calm, serene, but there was a subtle light in her eyes—a quiet confidence that hadn't been there just moments before. The way she moved was both natural and precise, her body responding to mine with an unspoken understanding.

"For someone who says they haven't danced for a long time, you're doing quite remarkable,"

"As you would say, I had to surprise you a little," she smirked with a hum. I returned the smirk as we continued.

As we danced, we drew nearer to Stark and Fern, who were moving in their own circle nearby. Stark, usually so reserved, appeared surprisingly at ease, his strong arms guiding Fern with a gentle steadiness. Fern, for her part, seemed to have left behind her usual seriousness, her face lit with a rare, carefree smile. Their dance was light, almost playful, filled with the unspoken language of two people learning to trust and bond with each other.

The sight of them brought a quiet smile to my lips, and I noticed Frieren's gaze lingering on them as well. There was a wistfulness in her eyes, a silent reflection of how the two were getting along so well, regardless of the situation they were in.

But soon, our focus shifted back to one another, and as we continued to dance, the space between us began to close, almost imperceptibly at first. Frieren's initial hesitance melted away, her steps growing more assured as she gradually leaned into me, her presence becoming more tangible with each passing moment. We had noticed the crowed of nobles watching us, practically quietly cheering us four on.

Meanwhile, Stark and Fern danced with a rhythm that was uniquely their own, their movements reflecting the tentative yet growing bond between them. There was a certain innocence in their dance, an unpolished but genuine connection that spoke of two souls discovering something new in each other. The two noticed Frieren and I and exchanged smile, continuing their steps along with us.

By contrast, Frieren and I moved with a different kind of grace—less about discovery and more about deep acknowledgement. With each turn, each movement, each twirl, Frieren inched closer, until our bodies moved almost as one. Her hand slid from my shoulder to rest lightly on my upper arm, her fingers curling slightly into the fabric of my suit. The warmth of her breath against my neck was a gentle reminder of just how close we had become.

I glanced down at Frieren, and my heart swelled at the sight of the warm, gentle smile that graced her lips. It was a rare expression for her, one that spoke of contentment and quiet joy. She was truly enjoying our time together. Unable to resist, I found myself smiling as well, the simple act of being with her bringing me more joy than I had anticipated.

The final notes of the waltz began to play, and with them, Frieren drew even nearer, her head tilting slightly as she rested it against my chest. I could feel her heartbeat steady and calm, matching the rhythm of our dance. The closeness was both surprising and comforting, a quiet intimacy neither of us had expected.

When the waltz finally ended, we all came to a stop, lingering in the moment. I looked down at Frieren. Her ears and face had a very subtle shade of pink as her head rested against my chest. I had a sense of calm wash over me.

Frieren looked to me. "That was... that was lovely......Thank you, Y/n,"

I smiled, touched by the quiet emotion in her words. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed it, too," Without thinking, I reached out to gently pet her head, a simple gesture that felt entirely natural. She leaned into my touch, humming happily. "Now, I believe we have cake to get back to, then a grimoire to pick,"

"Now you're speaking my language,"

We both walked back to the table, the atmosphere between us lighter but still tinged with the intimacy of our dance. As we arrived, I noticed that Sein was nowhere to be seen. "Say, where did Sein go?" I asked, glancing around.

Frieren sat down in her chair, scanning the crowd until, her eyes finally landed on him. "Well, how about that..."

Following her gaze, I spotted him dancing with a charming older lady, clearly enjoying himself. I chuckled, shaking my head in admiration. "Good for him. Proud of the man. Though I do feel a little bad that we're planning to get back at him later for calling us old,"

"I don't," Frieren replied with a shrug, already absorbed in taking another bite of her half-eaten cake, her eyes gleaming with glee.

I sat down next to her, deciding to partake in some food myself. The lavish feast before us was too tempting to resist, and besides, we wouldn't be eating this well again for a while.

...

The following day, Frieren and I spent the better part of it meticulously selecting the grimoire she desired. We combed through the entire library, leaving books scattered everywhere—some arranged in neat stacks, others sprawled across the floor. Gabel watched us with a growing sense of unease, and even Fern eventually stepped in.

The next day, Frieren and I spent half of it just trying to pick out the grimoire she wanted. We went through the whole library. Books were scattered everywhere; some in neat stacks and some strewn out. Gabel was watching us, and even Fern stepped in.

"Hmmmmm.... Y/n, should I rule out grimoire Y or grimoire Z?" Frieren asked, her tone contemplative.

"Grimoire Y doesn't have as good of a cover as grimoire Z. Grimoire Z seems more kept up and maintained," I replied thoughtfully.

"That's true, but if a grimoire is more rugged, then it has been used a lot more, which could mean it would be a worth-while pick," she countered.

"Hm... fair point," I conceded.

"Mistress Frieren. Mister Y/n, you've been deciding for half a day. You're distressing Mister Gabel," Fern interjected, her voice laced with concern.

"Please hurry," Gabel insisted worryingly.

"Look, you drain the poor man's life force," she whispered. Fern, perhaps sensing the futility of further intervention, stood up and walked over to where Stark and Sein were waiting by the windows. Frieren and I exchanged a knowing smile before finally settling on the grimoire she wanted. With our choice made, we prepared to take our leave.

Before departing, we ensured our supplies werer replenished for the journey ahead. It was especially fortuitous that we were provided with ten Strahl gold coins as well.

As we approached the gate, we were met by Lord Orden himself. "Sir Stark, and your esteemed companions, you have my utmost thanks for all you have done. You are welcome within our walls at any time,"

"Aww, he's gone all soft," I teased.

"Do not make me regret that decision on your account," he responded sternly.

"I jest," I said, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender.

"I wish you all well on your travels," he nodded, his tone warm as we exited the gate, setting our sights on our next destination: The Klar Region.

To Be Continued...