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Among the three races of humans, the Demon Race, and elves, only humans have the shortest lifespan.
Seventy or eighty years might just be the time it takes for the Demon Race or elves to blink a few extra times, but for humans, it's considered a long lifetime.
Heiter didn't understand why humans, who most devoutly believed in the Goddess, had such short lifespans.
So short that after finally meeting the most precious thing in his life, he was about to lose her—Fern.
As time wore on, even though he was once the most powerful monk, the elderly Heiter now showed the fragility of a candle in the wind, having nearly reached the end of his life.
"Cough, cough!"
By the door, near the lamp, Heiter let out a violent cough.
Seeing this, Frieren gently pulled the clothes he was wearing tighter around him.
"Aren't you going to rest?"
"Hmm, recently I haven't been able to sleep much."
Heiter looked at Frieren, who had suddenly appeared behind him, nodded lightly, and then smiled faintly.
"Frieren, why aren't you asleep either?"
"I just finished deciphering the secret of a Magic book. As soon as I came out of the basement, I heard you coughing."
"So I came to check."
Frieren sat down on the small step beside Heiter, resting her chin in one hand.
"So that's it."
"I'm fine, don't worry."
Heiter looked at Frieren with a smile and gently stroked Frieren's head.
"Heiter, you've changed."
Frieren didn't resist Heiter's affectionate gesture, but only after Heiter withdrew his hand did she speak, as if sighing.
"You've become like an adult."
"Ho ho."
"After all, no matter what you say, I'm an old man now."
Heiter was amused and laughed out loud, his eyes full of emotion.
"People, ah."
"After getting older, people naturally change."
"Is that so?"
Frieren quietly watched Heiter. The lamplight illuminated Heiter's back, making him appear somewhat tall.
"Yeah, ah."
"Although I meant to say that, but..."
"I actually feel like my heart is still the same as when I was little, unchanged."
Heiter said with a smile.
"It's just that many times, to act like an adult, I can only make myself appear more composed."
Heiter looked up at the vast night sky.
"Only then can I be considered worthy of my identity as an adult."
"And that's how the current me was formed."
Heiter's words carried a hint of emotion.
Although he did ultimately become the adult he had envisioned, Heiter always felt a sense of loss.
As if he had lost something precious...
For example, back then, he worried that Dragufil's overly rigid personality would cause conflict between the church and the nobles, leading him to expel him from the master's tutelage.
For example, for the safety of Baron Corist's family, Heiter contacted Idekel, with whom he hadn't been in touch for years due to indirectly involving the church in financial disputes.
For example, every time he saw Fern's figure setting off early for the mountaintop to practice Magic through the window, he always wanted to persuade Fern to stay and keep him company.
Even if it was just for a little while!
But in the end, he still let go...
For example, every time he was sick, he wanted Fern to stay by his side and accompany him, but each time he couldn't bring himself to say it. His small wish even needed Yulian or Frieren to mention it before he could reluctantly make it happen.
For example, for example...
The starlight was brilliant, but Heiter's own eyes dimmed.
He had thought about it, sometimes being a little selfish, not necessarily having to be the adult he envisioned.
But with the accumulation of time, he gradually became the adult he envisioned.
Heiter smiled faintly.
"I don't quite understand."
Frieren gently shook her head.
What Heiter said was a bit complex for her.
"Is that so?"
Heiter wasn't surprised at all, he just continued speaking to himself.
"But even if I'm pretending to be the adult I envision,"
"I think I'll keep pretending, until that day comes."
Heiter paused here.
"People need the presence of adults to support their spirits,"
"Especially Fern, that lovely child, that hardworking child,"
"I must try to live longer, to guide her by Fern's side,"
"And praise her."
Mentioning Fern, Heiter's previously listless spirit seemed to lift a little.
A happy smile spread across his face.
"But what about you?"
"Hardworking Heiter, who will praise and commend you?"
Working so hard for himself is just so that others can have hope.
Frieren pondered the answer, seeking the answer.
"Ho ho, me~?"
Heiter laughed loudly, as if trying to cover something up.
"Such an excellent monk and adult like me, of course, the Goddess will praise and commend me."
"Eh—"
"Indeed, you really haven't changed at all."
Frieren's lips curved up slightly.
The hunched, aged figure in her eyes now seemed to transform back into the laughing Heiter of yesteryear.
"Right?"
"I told you I haven't changed at all."
Heiter's faint smile turned into a slight pursing of his lips.
"It's just, I really wish the Goddess existed..."
"Then..."
"Before the Goddess praises you, I'll do it first."
Frieren stood up, gently placed her hand on Heiter's head, and said with a gentle, smiling gaze.
"Pat, pat~"
"Our Heiter is also a good child~"
"Ho ho~"
"Frieren~"
How enviable~
Yulian leaned against the window of the second-floor corridor, his head slightly bowed. Witnessing this scene, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Yulian gazed at the distant cosmos, his eyes showing a thoughtful, reminiscent look.
Opening the Magic channels between continents, breaking Flamme's Magic barrier, wantonly killing those who blocked his planned path, stirring up war in the southern nations...
Yulian suddenly realized that over these past few decades, he, as a human being, didn't know when he had slowly started to think of himself as belonging to the Demon Race.
His human soul had actually separated the word 'human' from himself.
"Keep going! Demon King."
Schlacht's words suddenly echoed in Yulian's ears.
When he ascended the throne, amidst the disdainful accusations of many Great Demons, isolated and helpless, he met his light—Schlacht!
He was the current Prime Minister, the strongest of the Demon Race!
His political schemes, strategic mind, and martial power were top-tier among the Demon Race and even the entire world!
Yet, it was this very person who quietly taught Yulian Magic and practiced combat with him.
He cultivated Yulian's calm demeanor, played the court games with Yulian, controlled the overall situation, and finally made Yulian a well-deserved King... After that...
Schlacht and the Hero of the South disappeared together!
The person he relied on and trusted the most was gone!
All that remained was the destiny Yulian, as the Demon King, had to bear...
Loneliness accompanied the Demon Race throughout their lives. Sometimes, Yulian couldn't distinguish whether he was a demon or a human.
Yulian, with a human soul, took on this destiny, felt the unique loneliness of the Demon Race, and made decisions for the sake of the Demon Race.
This was what the Demon King should endure, and what the Demon King should do.
That was a lonely throne, and it was Yulian's throne.
Yulian felt a chill rise from his heart, rapidly spreading throughout his body. After an uncontrollable shiver, he turned around and returned to his room.
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