"Eh?! Fíliya, you... know a member of the Demon Race?"
The first to cry out in surprise was Fern. She wasn't the only one; even the young man beside her, Stark, revealed a look of shock.
Mmm, good. They both showed quite excellent reactions.
Fíliya nodded, then looked toward Frieren. After all, the reactions of the two younger ones were within her expectations; only this white-haired elf surprised her somewhat.
She saw Frieren resting her chin in her hand, as if in thought, though her expression seemed to hold a bit more relief than before.
"No wonder... that explains a lot of doubts."
Frieren murmured, then nodded.
"Eh? Frieren, isn't your reaction a bit too plain? It makes it impossible for me to use the speech I prepared... I thought you'd dig to the bottom of it."
Fíliya pouted.
"Why would you think that?"
Frieren raised her head.
"Uh... because your title is 'The Slayer' (Zoltraak), isn't it? You're the person who has killed the most demons in history, right?"
Fíliya blinked dryly, her face full of curiosity. Frieren's current reaction had indeed exceeded her expectations.
"That's because I've lived a long time... It's only because I've lived long that I've killed so many demons. I'm not a battle maniac like Serie; I wouldn't chase demons all over the world when I have nothing better to do. Compared to hunting demons, collecting magic is much more interesting."
"Besides... fighting a Great Demon is a very dangerous thing. Unless it's a situation where I absolutely must fight... I'm too lazy to get involved with Great Demons."
Frieren gave her answer with a calm expression, and then added further:
"I just find it incredible. Is there really a demon in this world that can be communicated with...? In these hundreds of years, I've met countless demons, but every single one of them was an uncommunicative monster."
"Heh heh, that just proves the training was good. I spent less than two years endowing that guy with 'humanity,' you know?"
Fíliya said with a face full of pride.
"Is that so."
Frieren remained expressionless, not bothering to retort to the strange wording in Fíliya's statement.
"Then, if one day I happen to run into that demon you know doing evil, I won't be able to pretend I didn't see it, you know?"
Fíliya's face finally showed a fluctuation of emotion; she narrowed her eyes slightly, her words seemingly carrying a clear warning in response.
"Mm, that is only natural. If such a situation really happens, please be sure to let me lend a hand as well."
Fíliya chuckled lightly.
"Oh?"
Fíliya's reaction caused Frieren to raise an eyebrow. She thought she had understood the person before her well enough, but it seemed she was still far off? Frieren thought.
"However, relatively speaking, if I find that she clearly didn't do anything wrong, yet is being bullied by you... don't blame me for being protective, alright?"
Fíliya mimicked Frieren's tone from just now, issuing a warning to the elven mage who bore the name of 'The Slayer.'
"Oh?"
Fíliya's words generated a strong interest in Frieren. It was the first time she had felt such a strong, opposing will from Fíliya.
This was truly a fresh experience.
"It seems you have great confidence in that demon?"
"Of course."
Almost the instant Frieren's voice fell, Fíliya supplied her answer.
"Is that so? I'm actually getting a little curious now. Just what kind of demon is it that can make you care so much?"
A subtle smile appeared at the corners of Frieren's mouth as well.
"Mmm, I feel there will be an opportunity in the future. But for now, let's keep a little sense of mystery, shall we?"
"Mm."
Frieren gave a sound of assent, then turned to look at Fern.
"Fern, has the employer woken up yet?"
"Eh?! Oh... not yet. Even though the carriage landed very smoothly, the employer still fainted... Is it acrophobia?"
Fern was clearly stunned for a moment when Frieren called on her, and only then did she turn back to the carriage to check on the employer's condition.
"Then let's rest here for a while and eat something."
Frieren proposed.
"...Okay! Then I'll gather some firewood."
Seeing the atmosphere finally liven up, Stark volunteered and stepped forward.
"Then I'll take out the ingredients and prepare."
Fern also quickly chimed in.
Seeing the two young ones busy with their own tasks, Frieren casually picked a pleasing rock nearby and sat down.
Fíliya naturally tailed behind Frieren.
"Fufu is actually quite gentle, letting me off so easily."
Wearing a smile, Fíliya slowly sat down next to Frieren.
But Frieren just rolled her eyes at her, and then slowly scooted a bit away. As if in a huff, she didn't want to be too close to Fíliya.
"Eh? What's this? You acted so composed just now, but you're actually still angry?"
Fíliya immediately read Frieren's mood.
"Heh..."
Fíliya sneered.
Now that neither Fern nor Stark were around, she could finally behave a bit more... authentically.
"Please stay away from me. Don't act like we're close."
Frieren turned her head, not intending to make eye contact with Fíliya.
"Mmm... Don't be like that. If the drop in attitude is this intense, I'll be very hurt, you know?"
Fíliya put on an innocent expression, then bumped Frieren with her shoulder.
"Tsk."
Frieren glared at Fíliya again.
"Knowing full well that I am 'Frieren the Slayer,' you actually dare to mention demons in front of me? And what was that tone of yours just now? Truly fresh... I haven't tasted the feeling of being threatened in decades. If Fern and the others weren't present, I really would have wanted to smack you a couple of times."
"Mmm... It's not too late to smack me now, you know? Come on, do it. Don't pity me."
As Fíliya spoke, she thrust her face directly in front of Frieren, as if to say, 'do whatever you want.'
"I have never seen such a brazenly shameless person."
Frieren looked disgusted.
"Eh? Aren't you seeing one right now? Hurry up. If you don't hit me now, it'll be too late, okay?"
Fíliya chuckled lightly.
"Tsk... Go away. I don't want to talk to you right now... I hate the Demon Race the most. Since you chose a demon, I'm clearing your affection points in my heart."
Frieren said with a straight face, turning her body to the other side.
But Fíliya stuck to her again like sticky candy.
"Mmm... Then, Teacher Frieren, please instruct me. How exactly can I grind these lost affection points back up? This is very important to me!"
Fíliya asked with a face full of sincerity.
"...How should I know? That's for you to figure out."
Frieren's tone remained cold, but a smile immediately surged onto Fíliya's face.
Because the meaning of Frieren's words was already very obvious.
The possibility of grinding back the affection points was clearly not zero. Since that was the case, wouldn't it be easy to handle?
___
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