Fifty-ninth year before the Sinseki Era, the first year of the Hero party's departure.
On the fifteenth day of training on the Heaven Vein Dragon's back,
Hero Himmel defeated the remains of the Northern Strongest Dragon - the Imperial Prison Dragon.
—
Witnessing the mad dragon he had personally released slowly falling from the raging sky...
Agusheed wasn't particularly surprised by this result.
—Himmel was inherently an absolute genius.
Combined with the Equal Contract's forced requirements for effort and the sword techniques given over these days,
If he had lost, that would have been the strange thing.
However, it must be admitted...
The Escald Flow Secret Technique that Himmel used at the end did surprise Agusheed slightly.
Not regarding power, but purely technique.
At least from Agusheed's personal perspective,
That strike just now had captured some of the grace of when the fourteenth head of the Escald family once wounded Rivale.
Recalling that last Sword Saint of the Escald family who had entrusted all his lifetime experience to him—
Agusheed compared his figure with Himmel's.
Hmm...
"Although this experience wasn't entrusted to a descendant of the Escald family—"
"At least there's now a passable inheritor."
"And this inheritor's wish is to subjugate the Demon King..."
"In the end, this does align with that child's deathbed request to me."
Murmuring softly to the end, Agusheed's face showed some satisfaction with Himmel's performance for the first time.
But only a little, absolutely no more.
Because ultimately, in Agusheed's eyes,
Himmel's current strength was still weak—
So weak that his chances of victory against Grand Demons were only fifty-fifty.
And Himmel before training was even less worth mentioning...
Agusheed even seriously doubted that without his special training,
Whether the current hero party could handle even one normal-level Sage of Destruction was questionable.
"However... seventeen years old..."
"Being able to do this much, he barely passes."
Murmuring softly about the blue-haired hero's age he had learned from Frieren,
The strongest Grand Demon lowered his eyes slightly.
He gazed at the distant figure collapsed on the ground,
Silently contemplating the future of their journey in his expectations.
"Forget it..."
"Anyway, subjugating the Demon King was their own decision from beginning to end. What future they walk toward is their own business—"
Agusheed glanced distantly toward Frieren's direction,
Then withdrew his gaze, once again focusing on Himmel.
"I've given them the power to protect themselves."
"So even if they die from their own choices during the Demon King subjugation process,"
"Even though their deaths would definitely make Frieren sad—"
"After that, it would have nothing to do with me."
Yes...
From the beginning, Agusheed's purpose in training them was to give Himmel and the others sufficient self-protection power.
Not hoping these little brats could use this power to protect Frieren.
Because on Frieren's side, Agusheed had placed sufficient contingencies.
Even if encountering the Demon King,
That thing could ensure Agusheed could arrive in time to rescue Frieren.
So agreeing to their training request—
Was only because Agusheed didn't want to see Frieren cry in the future due to their deaths.
Absolutely no intentional venting reasons (guilty conscience).
"Venting..."
Agusheed murmured this boomerang-like word,
Shaking his head slightly with a self-deprecating smile.
"Speaking of which, Frieren and the others have been here for more than half a month..."
"It's time I went to discuss some serious matters with a certain someone—"
The strongest Grand Demon lightly brushed away the scattered dust on his shoulder, then slowly stood up.
After retracting the Severance Magic ready at his fingertips,
Agusheed unhurriedly walked toward where Himmel had fallen.
—
"I won..."
Although his strength wasn't completely exhausted, Himmel still collapsed on the ground without regard for his image.
Taking in the sight of the giant dragon falling from the sky,
The blue-haired hero breathed deeply in light laughter and relief, then let out a long sigh—
Feeling he should have passed the test, he should be happily celebrating now.
But those undisguised footsteps slowly approaching him step by step made him abandon this thought.
To avoid making any more mistakes, Himmel simply lay quietly here,
Waiting for Agusheed's figure.
Near evening, the sun in the dusky twilight cast drowsy light.
Under such circumstances, the black shadow became particularly obvious.
So even from his upward-looking angle,
Himmel could sense Agusheed's approach through the shadow.
"How was it, Mr. Agusheed..."
"Does this count as passing your test and meeting your expectations?"
When Agusheed's figure slowly appeared in his vision,
Himmel lying on the ground didn't get up.
Under Agusheed's condescending gaze, he instead spoke first.
Rather than seeking credit, it was more like seeking some kind of confirmation.
If purely regarding defeating the Imperial Prison Dragon's remains,
Then Himmel had indeed passed Agusheed's test and met his expectations.
But regarding another matter that the blue-haired hero didn't voice but buried in his words...
Agusheed could only say he was still far from it.
However, the strongest Grand Demon didn't say this directly—
Agusheed just slowly stopped beside Himmel,
Then looked down at his gaze that unconsciously shifted to one side.
"What kind of answer do you hope I'll give you?"
"..."
At the crucial moment, Himmel fell silent instead.
Because he wasn't sure whether what Agusheed was talking about was the same thing he meant.
So he tried his best to turn his gaze back, then looked directly at Agusheed.
Agusheed's expression was always so calm—
At least from what Himmel could see, he rarely saw Agusheed show other expressions.
Seeing Himmel before him remain silent,
Agusheed's tone remained as indifferent and casual as always,
Almost making Himmel overlook the counter-question slowly emerging from his mouth.
"—Do you think my test was strict?"
Test...
Whether it was strict...
Contrary to Himmel's expectations, Agusheed didn't directly enter the topic,
But instead kept him in suspense at this moment,
As if somewhat anticipating what answer this young child would give.
"Strict."
After struggling for a long time, Himmel still gave a factual answer.
The lessons of the Equal Contract were vivid in memory...
He felt that perhaps being honest would better evoke Agusheed's sense of approval.
However, such things as approval couldn't be seen on Agusheed's face.
Under Himmel's gaze—
Agusheed's expression didn't change, nor did he pause for a moment at his answer.
"Then, Himmel..."
"Do you know why I was particularly strict with you?"
This could no longer be called a hint—it was completely direct.
If he chose to play dumb at this moment, Himmel felt his brain must be filled with mush.
So his answer was obvious.
"I know."
Brief and powerful,
Even his gaze toward Agusheed became firm.
Agusheed chuckled lightly.
Contrary to Himmel's imagination, he still showed no emotional fluctuation.
He just slowly crouched down,
Looking at Himmel's eyes, asking that question with casual indifference.
"Himmel, do you love her?"
Love her...
Love?!
This this this... isn't this a bit too direct?!
Are Mr. Agusheed's questions this intense?
The future father-in-law's direct and explosive question left Himmel momentarily unsure how to respond.
He could only turn his reddening face away—
Struggling to think about how to give a polite and non-awkward answer.
As for Agusheed watching this scene...
He also realized he might have used inappropriate wording.
"Right... the word 'love' is too early for both you and her..."
Agusheed chuckled very lightly.
After his light laugh, he lowered his head slightly,
Under the gaze of Himmel lying on the ground, with unprecedented oppression and suffocating pressure—
After modifying his wording, he slowly asked again:
"Himmel..."
"Do you like that child?"
"Or rather, do you harbor feelings for Frieren in your heart?"
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