Time flies by like a fleeting shadow.
In the blink of an eye, a week had passed, and it was time for Frieren and her companions to resume their journey.
"You're coming with us?"
In front of the small cabin, Frieren and the group, already packed and prepared for departure, stared at Aesc, who had also changed into travel attire.
Her silver chest plate shimmered under the sunlight, and the short white skirt revealed her long, shapely legs wrapped in black stockings. A white cloak draped over her shoulders, its interior patterned like a mysterious, starry sky. Her long sleeves nearly brushed the ground, and her hands were gloved in pure black.
"What's wrong?"
Aesc's emerald eyes gleamed with a teasing smile. "Am I not welcome?"
"That's not what I meant," Frieren replied expressionlessly. "It's just that, as you can see, our group already has enough mages. If you're insistent on joining, you'll have to take on the role of either a warrior or a monk."
Before Aesc could respond, Fern and Stark, standing beside Frieren, exchanged confused looks.
"Isn't Lady Aesc a mage?"
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Stark asked bluntly, "Isn't it a bit much to ask a mage to take on a warrior's or monk's duties?"
"That's because you don't know Aesc," Frieren said flatly, unsurprised by his confusion. "Although she's technically a mage, Aesc has the miraculous ability to use healing magic, remove curses, and detoxify poisons—skills typically reserved for monks. As for combat… her fighting style involves enchanting staves, swords, and even her own body with magic and then engaging in melee combat. She's arguably better than most warriors."
"It's practical," Aesc added with a shy smile, scratching her reddened cheek. "You just enchant a weapon—like a staff or a spear—and charge in. Simple, direct, and intimidating. It's especially useful for conflict resolution. Once I've beaten up a few troublemakers, the rest usually don't dare to act up."
Fern and Stark stared at Aesc in stunned silence, a mixture of awe and slight fear flickering in their eyes.
Frieren, however, regarded Aesc's smiling face silently for a moment before speaking.
"Are you sure about this? It'll be a dreadfully boring journey."
"Oh?" Aesc's gentle smile deepened. "Now I'm curious… just how boring can it be? I won't know unless I experience it for myself, right?"
Their gazes met, and then Frieren smiled faintly.
"What a ridiculously boring reason."
"Who's arguing that?" Aesc replied with a chuckle.
---
28 years after the death of the hero Himmel.
The snow-covered mountains stretched endlessly, blanketed in a pristine layer of white.
The sky was a tumultuous gray, with heavy clouds hanging low, threatening to press down at any moment.
A fierce blizzard howled through the peaks, its icy winds mercilessly sapping away all warmth.
In the blinding snow, three pairs of eerie green eyes flickered ominously.
Their massive, imposing bodies exuded an oppressive aura. White fur, like flames in the snow, rippled in the wind. Long, razor-sharp claws and fangs gleamed as their deadly weapons.
A golden-haired girl stood firmly before them, her gloved right hand gripping a staff tightly. Floating beside her was a spear taller than she was.
"Frieren, Fern, Stark—once I and Stark create an opening, you two need to strike in one decisive blow!"
Aesc's voice carried through the storm, but as she turned to glance at her companions, her expression stiffened.
In the raging snowstorm, Frieren was nowhere to be seen. Only two strands of her silver-white hair stuck out from the snowbank like seaweed swaying in the wind.
After a few chaotic minutes, the creature lay cold and lifeless in the snow, and Aesc, Fern, and Stark dug Frieren out from the snowdrift.
Before Fern or Stark could react, Aesc smacked Frieren's cheeks twice with firm slaps.
"Hey! Frieren! Wake up! Don't fall asleep here—you won't wake up again if you do!"
"Lady Aesc! Stop hitting her! She's already awake!"
After the commotion subsided, Frieren, now fully conscious, sat up, her cheeks bearing two angry red handprints.
She winced, touching her stinging face. "Aesc… you really didn't hold back, did you?"
"You deserved it," Aesc replied bluntly. "Who told you to collapse like that without a word while we were in the middle of fighting a monster? If you'd been eaten, I think even that demon lord you defeated would've cried out of frustration. Your infamous title, 'Frieren the Slayer,' would've been a joke."
"I wouldn't have been eaten," Frieren muttered. "Not with you around."
"Your faith in me is so heavy that I don't know whether to laugh or cry," Aesc replied, meeting Frieren's gaze.
Frieren stroked her chin thoughtfully before giving a small smile. "If you don't know whether to laugh or cry… then laugh. After all, there's no harm in laughing, right?"
"Don't think you can gloss over this with that nonsense. Apologize for wasting my concern!"
The blizzard intensified.
The world around them was a blinding white as they trudged through the deep snow.
With Frieren fast asleep on Aesc's back, Fern and Stark struggled to follow behind.
"How much further do we have to go…" Stark groaned, rubbing his arms. "I can't feel my hands or feet anymore…"
"Lady Frieren said we're almost there," Fern replied, her voice calm but strained.
Frieren, oblivious to it all, snored softly on Aesc's back, sleeping soundly. The cold seemed to make her especially drowsy, almost as if she had a habit of hibernating.
"I wish I could do that," Stark muttered enviously, eyeing Frieren. "Just climb onto someone's back and nap…"
Fern turned to him with a glare full of disdain.
"Pervert."
"Why?!"
By nightfall, the group found refuge in a small shelter.
Staring at the tiny, battered cabin standing firm against the blizzard, Aesc couldn't help but remark, "This place is surprisingly sturdy, considering the storm."
Inside, they used magic to light a fire. The warm, flickering flames crackled softly, chasing away the chill and fatigue.
Aesc sat against the wall, while Frieren lay with her head resting on Aesc's lap, still fast asleep. Aesc's gloved hand gently brushed through Frieren's hair, her touch tender, like a mother soothing a child.
Watching this peaceful scene, Fern murmured, "Lady Frieren seems so at ease when she's with you, Lady Aesc."
"Well," Aesc replied with a soft laugh, "I suppose it's because I'm reliable."
She paused, her smile deepening. "But honestly, it's natural for companions who've journeyed together to trust one another. That's why Heiter, despite being a drunken monk, always had faith in us. He knew that even if he drank himself unconscious, Himmel and the rest of us would handle everything. Just as we trusted him to step up when we needed him most."
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T/N: IT IS CASTORIA!!! (what is bro yapping about smh)