A few officers exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions caught between concern and bewilderment.
Frieren blinked slowly, unsure why humans reacted so strongly to such simple words.
Frieren's gaze moved from face to face, studying their reactions with calm, unreadable curiosity.
Somewhere behind them, a phone rang in the distance, sharp and out of place in the heavy silence.
One officer toyed with his handcuffs, metal clicking softly as if preparing for trouble.
"Hold me here?" Frieren fixed her gaze on the chief as if challenging the one who governed this strange place.
"Yes, lady," the officer laid his newspaper on the counter.
"That means I can't explore this new world anymore?" Frieren said.
"Exactly…" the chief muttered, suspicion threading through his tone.
"This 'new world' talk… what's going on in that girl's head? but still I will keep up with her," the chief thought.
"She's not stable" he thought, clenching his fists together.
She straightened slightly, unsure whether their tension was fear… or expectation.
She stared at her surroundings, which were filled with many policemen, then blinked.
Using my magic right here? It would bring nothing but trouble, she thought.
A faint rustle of uniforms passed behind her, the weight of their attention pressing on her back.
No danger… yet, she told herself, though her instincts whispered otherwise.
Her fingers curled inward, hiding the soft glimmer of mana that wanted to bloom.
The soft glow of mana recoiled at the contact, vanishing into her sleeves when an officer's hand brushed against her hood.
"Let me see your face clearly, lady," he said.
Her ears twitched once more, then emerged fully, delicate yet alive with subtle motion.
She remained still, letting him look, her expression unreadable.
The officer shouted, and then the others followed.
"Oh my!" the chief twitched in his seat, looking on.
the younger officer gasped.
From their sight, it was as if a new creature had appeared in front of them.
Frieren blinked. "See…? There's nothing harmful," she said.
The room fell silent for a heartbeat, the officers frozen in awe and confusion.
Frieren's gaze swept calmly over them, unbothered by their fear. "It seems you fear what cannot harm you," she murmured, a faint hint of amusement in her voice.
The chief said, "C-calm down! It's… surely not real, right?" He stared from behind, not daring to step closer.
"How could a fake ear have veins?!" the officer shouted.
Ah… it's getting worse, Frieren sighed.
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the edges of the room, noting every twitch and gasp.
No one dared move closer.
"Ring the bell, Joe!!" the chief shouted, his voice tinged with fear.
Frieren heard the bell echo through the building.
"I really don't understand… why would slightly larger ears frighten you so?" she sighed.
Frieren's ears twitched slightly, sensing the mixture of awe and panic around her.
"Hmm…" she stared at her surroundings.
She tilted her head, weighing the room's attention against the ease of her plan.
Every pair of eyes on her only sharpened her awareness, making her decision more precise.
Then an idea snapped into her mind. A subtle hum of magic stirred at her fingertips.
This should work… and they won't even realize it, she thought, whispering amidst the chaos.