"Wait a second!"
I call out to Himmel, who's striding ahead, exasperated. He's practically buzzing with energy—more than usual, which is saying something. In the past year, this enthusiasm ranks among his most insufferable moments.
"What's up?" he says, turning with a grin. "Tired already?"
"No, you idiot," I snap. "Slow down! Walking faster won't make the monsters appear."
"Really?" he says, tilting his head. "Feels like my usual pace."
He's oblivious, as always. We're on a mountain path deep in the forest. Apparently, monsters have been spotted here, and Himmel was hired to deal with them. Fine by me, but could he consider the person dragged along? He's charging through the woods like a kid on a field trip. Does he think this is a game?
"And why are you wearing a robe?" I ask, eyeing his outfit. "You don't need one."
He's donned a blue robe, almost matching my red one. It makes no sense. I wear mine to hide my horns, my demon nature, but him? He's a hero—shouldn't he be flaunting it? Thank goodness no one's around to see this. What kind of joke is this?
"Because it's cool!" he declares. "The legendary hero, sneaking around to help people incognito. Perfect for my autobiography, don't you think?"
"You're an idiot," I mutter.
His answer is beyond absurd. I didn't expect anything sensible, but this is next-level nonsense.
"Says the one who was all fidgety leaving the village," he teases. "Weren't you excited for this?"
"No way," I retort, though it's a half-lie. "I was just nervous about hunting monsters with you."
It's not entirely false—I am uneasy, but I can't deny a thrill at leaving that stifling village after a year. The world outside feels vast, almost dizzying. I'd be perfect if Himmel weren't here, but escaping is impossible with Azeliese binding me. My only hope is figuring out how to make him release me. How, though?
"Don't worry," he says, misreading my silence. "We're not fighting demons, so you won't have to face your own kind."
"What?" I frown. "That's a weird thing to care about. Demon, monster, whatever—anything in my way is an enemy."
He thinks I'm hesitant to fight demons? Ridiculous. Friend or foe, demon or human, they're all the same if they oppose me. Right now, this hero is my biggest obstacle, but the monsters are the immediate threat. That's all. Humans fight each other all the time—what's his point?
"Still, I care," he says. "The villagers say it's a big dog-like monster attacking travelers on the road. Our job is to take it out."
"Your job," I correct.
"The reward's a rare grimoire," he says, smirking. "The village chief even said we can take any books we like. Not interested?"
"…Are you really a hero?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
"Technically, I'm the hero who beat the Demon King," he replies, unfazed.
His cunning never ceases to amaze me. Maybe that's how he defeated the Demon King. In this year, I've seen his drive and what humans call "thoughtfulness" overwhelm everyone around him. Charisma, I guess. He pulls people in, and I'm no exception. Maybe I'm the one most caught in his orbit.
"Still, no sign of the monsters," he says, scanning the forest. "We've been searching for a while."
"Maybe you got the wrong place," I say. "Or they fled in terror from the great Lord Himmel."
"Not likely," he says, then pauses. "Unlike you."
"Really, you're such a pain," I mutter.
He doesn't miss a chance to jab at me. My sarcasm was top-tier, but he's still infuriating.
"Wait…" he says, stopping abruptly, muttering to himself. "Could it be…?"
"What now?" I ask, exasperated.
He's frozen, lost in thought. What's he scheming? I'm about to take a break when—
"Aura, what are you doing with your mana?" he asks, his tone serious. "Are you letting it flow freely?"
"Huh?" I snap. "Obviously. Why would I hide it? That's stupid."
His question is baffling. What mage hides their mana? Only an idiot would. But—
"That's it," he says, nodding. "I figured it out. It's not me. The monsters aren't showing because they're scared of you. Your mana."
"What?!"
His words hit me like a bolt. He's right. These are monsters, not demons—less intelligent, but more attuned to instinct. They sense strength, mana. A great demon like me? No monster would dare approach.
"Now it makes sense," he says. "Since we arrived in the village, monster attacks stopped. The villagers thanked me, thinking it was the hero's presence, but it was you all along."
"Whatever," I say, brushing it off. "Who cares?"
"It's a big deal!" he insists. "You've been quietly protecting the village's peace. A true village goddess… or maybe Lady Aura?"
"Hide your true motives better," I snap. "And call me that again, I'm ignoring you for a week."
"Sorry," he says, chuckling.
So, he was banking on monster-hunting to boost his reputation, only to end up "jobless" because of me. And now he's calling me a talisman? The nerve. Next time he says "Lady Aura," he's done.
"Anyway, we won't finish the job like this," he says. "Aura, suppress your mana."
"…Fine," I grumble. "If it's an order, I'll do it."
"It's a request, not an order," he says. "Is suppressing mana that hard?"
"It's not," I say. "It's not even difficult. But for a demon, hiding mana is a coward's trick, mocking magic itself. Still, they're just monsters, not mages. No point fussing."
He tilts his head, confused. Humans—non-mages—can't understand. For demons, concealing mana insults our pride. But I'm bound by Azeliese. And they're just beasts. I'll swallow it.
It works. Soon, the moment arrives. Himmel notices it too.
"Aura," he says quietly.
"Yeah," I reply. "My mana detection picked them up. About ten, give or take."
My senses pinpoint their location and strength. Ten dog-like monsters, one with stronger mana leading the pack. They're coordinated, already surrounding us, though still out of sight.
"So, what's the plan?" I ask, a thrill rising. "Cover you?"
My demon instincts stir, craving battle after a year's dormancy. It's infuriating to be Himmel's subordinate, but in this moment, I'm not so different from those monsters—bound to the strong. Still, I wait for his lead.
"No need," he says, grinning. "Fight freely. I'll handle the rest."
"What?"
His answer floors me. Fight freely? What was the point of bringing me? A master doesn't let their servant run wild—that's lower than a beast. Yet he's smirking, daring me, as if testing me. Back down? Never.
"Fine," I say, mana sparking in my hands. "Don't blame me if you get caught in my spells."
"Got it," he replies, drawing his sword, looking infuriatingly amused.
Thus begins my first subjugation mission with Himmel—
"Tch!"
I click my tongue, frustrated. The forest is a wreck, scorched by my spells, but the monsters still aren't finished. I took out three quickly, but now we're at a stalemate.
(Tougher than I thought… If I had Azeliese, these pests…)
I grimace, thinking of my scales, now gone. I'm using Zoltraak, the human-killing spell crafted by Qual, honed over this past year. But it's not working. No, I hate to admit it, but I'm not wielding it well. Zoltraak isn't suited for groups, and the monsters have gone to ground after my first attack. Worse, I'm rusty—my first real fight in a year. I've relied too much on Azeliese, controlling enemies to kill themselves or overwhelming them with my undead army. Now, stripped of both, I'm struggling, and it's infuriating.
"Struggling without Azeliese?" Himmel taunts, doing nothing but watching.
"Don't mock me!" I snap. "You think I'm some nobody? I'm a five-hundred-year-old great demon!"
Fury takes over. I charge the hidden monsters, blasting two away with Zoltraak. The rest seize the moment, darting into my blind spots. Their attack exploits my brief vulnerability. I'm a fraction too slow—
But faster than me, Himmel's sword cleaves through them.
I freeze. Was it me? The monsters? I can only hold my breath. In a blink, two beasts are cut down. Five remain, but that's not the point. It's not his speed—it's his synergy. He moved with me, as if we've fought together for years. A shiver runs through me. I knew humans excelled at teamwork, but I never truly understood. I recall our battle against the Hero's Party. My defeat came from Himmel's blade, but the real reason was their coordination, forcing openings I couldn't counter.
"Not bad," he says, grinning. "Five left. Let's see who takes down more."
His presence is undeniable—a hero through and through. And he's my ally, not my enemy. With that relief, I finish our first subjugation mission with ease—
"Mages really make a difference," Himmel says, warming his hands by the campfire, sipping coffee. "Especially on journeys like this."
"You're so full of yourself," I mutter.
He's smug, claiming mages are handy for starting fires or whatever. Being treated like a flint irks me, but fine. Civilian magic has its uses. We're camped in the mountains, off the path. The job's done, but night's fallen, so we're sleeping rough. Himmel came prepared, as expected from a decade of adventuring.
"Really, though, you saved me," he says. "I'm rusty myself. Getting back in form's tougher than I thought."
"Why lie?" I scoff. "You could've handled it alone."
"Not true," he says. "We finished faster because of you. Plus, it reminded me of Frieren… of old times with my comrades. Adventures are fun, you know."
His reasons make no sense, but he looks genuinely happy. What was fun about that fight? I was a liability, yet he talks like it was nostalgic. Adventures—journeys, I think—but what's the difference? After a year, I still can't grasp his human nonsense.
"Hey," I say, a question surfacing. "There's something I've been meaning to ask."
His eyes light up. "From you? That's rare. Ask away—I'll answer anything."
"Is that elf your lover or something?"
I throw it out bluntly, the simplest way to ask.
"Pfft—!" He chokes, spraying coffee. "Gross! Why so panicked?"
Lucky it didn't hit me, but ugh. He said to ask anything, so what's with the reaction? Did I phrase it wrong? Shouldn't have.
"C-Come on!" he sputters. "Why bring that up out of nowhere?"
"You were just thinking about her," I say. "You always get that look when it's about her. Even a demon like me can tell."
"…Am I that obvious?" he asks, deflating.
"Obviously," I say. "Only an idiot collects useless grimoires. And don't get me started on your mood swings over those letters. I ignored it because it's none of my business, but it's getting annoying."
He thought he was hiding it? Insane. Even Stroh would notice—maybe. I knew from the start, when he mistook me for her. This year confirmed it: he's smitten. I didn't care, but lately, it's grating. Hence the question. Yet he looks dejected. Why?
Resigned—or maybe eager to spill—he starts talking about her. She's a late riser, hates being called old, gets eaten by mimics. Useless trivia. Apparently, she saved him as a kid when he got lost in a forest. Their first meeting.
"Great," I say. "At least she's real, not a delusion. But targeting her since you were a kid? You were a precocious little brat. You and Stroh would get along."
"What?!" he protests. "It was pure, innocent admiration for an older girl!"
"But you wanted to flip her skirt, right?"
"…Yes," he admits, sheepish.
A hero with the heart of a brat, neck-and-neck with Stroh. The corset dress was probably meant for her, too. Great taste, really. But—
"If you're so obsessed, go find her," I say. "She's in the Central Countries, right? A hero like you could track her down easily."
It's obvious. If he cares that much, just go. A kid could figure that out. Why not? From what he's said, she's somewhere in the Central Countries. With his connections, it shouldn't be hard.
"It's not that simple," he says. "The Central Countries are vast. Plus, I have a duty to watch over you."
What nonsense. Me? I'm irrelevant. And—
"Stop lying," I snap. "Didn't you say you don't lie like us demons?"
He freezes, then sighs. "You're right. I lied. I can't call you demons liars if I do the same."
"Why apologize?" I say, confused. "Demons are liars. It's a fact."
I just stated the obvious. I'm not mad. This feels familiar, like something from before…
"No, it's my issue," he says. "I lied because I believe in a promise with Frieren."
"Promise?" I echo.
He gazes into the distance, saying the word. A "promise"—like a contract, I think. A meaningless concept for demons, who thrive on deception. Did he make some magical pact with her?
"Yeah," he says, smiling faintly. "Fifty years from now, we'll watch the Era Meteor Shower together."
I stare, dumbstruck. Did I mishear? Fifty years? That's absurd, barely a promise at all.
"Fifty years?" I say. "How old are you now?"
"Told you before," he says. "Twenty-eight."
"You might not even be alive then!"
Fifty years is an eternity for humans. Even a demon who preys on them knows that. Does this elf not get it, even after a decade of traveling together? Are elves that dense? And—
"No way," he says, grinning. "I'll still be a handsome old man, no doubt."
He's not just aware—he's committed, despite knowing he might not live. It's beyond naivety. Why make such a pointless promise? What's the value when he's gone?
"That elf's a fool," I say, "but you're an even bigger one. Perfect match."
"Flattering," he says, blushing.
He's embarrassed? He's hopeless. No one could understand him or that elf, demon or not. They're made for each other.
"Besides, she said she'd show up sometimes," he adds. "Could be tomorrow, who knows."
"I'll pray it's not for a century," I say, deadpan.
I mean it. If that elf's as scatterbrained as he says, she might forget the promise entirely. Thinking about it's a waste of time. But—
"You'd prefer that," he says. "If Frieren shows up, she'll come for your head first."
His words hit hard. Right. That elf's tied to my fate. Her arrival means my life's at stake.
"W-Well," I stammer, "you'll handle it, right?"
"…Time to sleep!" he says, dodging the question and diving into his bedroll.
"Hey!" I protest.
So much for that subjugation teamwork. Forget it—let her wander for centuries.
"Oh, almost forgot," he says, popping up. "Before we head back to the village, we're taking a detour tomorrow."
"Detour?" I ask. "Where?"
"A place you know," he says, grinning. "A special spot."
I rack my brain. A place I know? Then his next words jolt me.
"The capital."
The place where my fate was deferred a year ago.
Before Frieren, Aura sets out on a journey that will decide her destiny—