"So, what are we all gathered here for? A strategy meeting?"
Inside a small room at the outpost, Fíliya sat backwards in a chair, a very comfortable expression on her face as she enjoyed a shoulder massage from Miss Sense.
The long-separated sisters should have had much to say to one another, and Fíliya would have been more than happy to engage in more intimate actions with Miss Sense. But alas, there were simply too many people present. Even she couldn't bring herself to be brazenly affectionate with Sense.
"Shouldn't you be the one to start this off? Fíliya, you caused quite a stir in the Imperial Capital, didn't you?"
Falsch habitually pushed up his glasses, his expression clearly urging her to speak.
"? Where did you hear that from?"
Fíliya tilted her head slightly, her expression showing a hint of curiosity.
"It was a message from Linie... In fact, we arrived many days before you and Lady Serie."
"I see. Can't be helped. After all, this pers— er... Lady Serie insisted on traveling slowly in a carriage. I had no choice but to temporarily act as her guard."
Fíliya's expression was slightly awkward as she corrected herself mid-sentence; she had almost habitually referred to Serie as 'this person'.
"Yes, we all know how willful Lady Serie can be," Falsch said helplessly.
"So, could you please report on the origins of that organization that's trying to harm Lady Serie? You must have obtained a great deal of information, even things that Linie couldn't confirm, right?" Falsch asked with a serious face.
"Hmm... alright."
Fíliya sighed softly. She personally disliked such a serious atmosphere, but she could understand Falsch's sentiment. After a moment of thought, she told them everything she knew.
"...So it's that kind of entity. We've been receiving reports from various branches recently about a large number of mages meeting with misfortune... I never thought there would actually be an organization dedicated to assassinating mages," Falsch was the first to let out a sigh.
"Minuse... is dead."
Following that was an emotional remark from Frieren.
"Hmm? Frieren, were you close with the [Witch of War]?"
Seeing Frieren's reaction, Fíliya immediately followed up with curiosity.
"I don't know... We met a few times, exchanged some words... Does that count as being close?" Frieren said, a trace of sorrow clouding her features.
"Hmm... If you feel sad after hearing about someone's death, I suppose that means you were close, right?" Fíliya's tone was also a bit uncertain.
"Is that so... I was just thinking that time can really wear away many things. Even for someone I couldn't stand hundreds of years ago, hearing of their sudden death, I still feel sad after all."
"Oh? That shows you've grown a lot. The old you would never have thought so much," Fíliya said, propping her cheek on her hand and looking at Frieren with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Is that so," Frieren replied softly, her expression slightly wooden.
"Heh... The little brat is getting all sentimental," Serie said, crossing her arms and looking at Frieren with a disdainful expression, her legs crossed.
But no one dared to object to her words. After all, she was a veteran who had lived for tens of thousands of years. She was the only one qualified to call Frieren a 'little brat'.
"That girl, Minuse, was an oddball even among Elves... Never did any proper business, but was passionate about meddling in human wars. It was only a matter of time before she ended up like this."
Serie followed up with a deadpan, mocking comment on the death of the [Witch of War].
"Mhm... My master once said that the ones who could kill us would likely be neither Elves nor Demons, but... humans."
Frieren's expression eased slightly, but her eyes showed that the news of Minuse's death—a fellow kinsman and an acquaintance—had still stirred considerable turmoil within her.
Seeing her teacher's rare expression, Miss Fern, standing beside her, felt a bit helpless and patted her teacher's back, a gesture of comfort that was better than nothing.
Those vermin actually did something like this... Murdering members of the Magic Association, not even sparing unaffiliated freelance mages, and even daring to strike at a Great Mage?
Fíliya's face showed surprise at these words, because the person who had spoken them was none other than Miss Sense, standing right behind her.
What shocked Fíliya was that this was the first time she had ever seen such a clear expression of [Anger] on her older sister's face.
"Sense, now is not the time to be angry. The fact that they succeeded in assassinating a [Great Mage] means their strength absolutely cannot be underestimated... Now is the time to brainstorm... Lady Serie, are you still unable to see the moment of the attack?"
Falsch, however, remained calm and continued to question Serie.
"Yes," Serie replied, nodding honestly.
"Is that so... Then we have no way of knowing what their trump card is... Fíliya... never mind. Sending you undercover would be an impossible mission."
Falsch's gaze rested on Miss Fíliya for a moment before he shook his head. He didn't mean to blame Fíliya, but he felt a slight sense of regret.
"Serie, in the future you saw in your prophetic dream, was I there?" Fíliya spoke up as the atmosphere grew somewhat quiet.
"...No. I saw futures with and without you. In the future without you, I am hit by some kind of invisible sneak attack. And in the future with you... it turns into a field of chaos, and I can see even less."
"? Doesn't that sound great? Chaos means the unknown, which means it's full of possibilities... Hmm, how dangerous is that invisible sneak attack? Should I transfer my [Self-Gold Transformation] to you just in case?" Fíliya asked with a light laugh.
No matter the nature of the opponent's attack, she believed that if she transferred [Self-Gold Transformation] to Serie, it would be foolproof. After all, in this world, the only means to destroy Gold Transformation was currently her own [Magic to Disintegrate All Things].
"Unnecessary... Who do you think I am? I am protected by all sorts of blessings you couldn't possibly imagine... Right now, I'm more worried about you all. If even I can't see the opponent's attack, it's far too dangerous for you to accompany me to the Empire's national celebration... especially you, Frieren."
"Me?" Frieren was taken aback when Serie suddenly mentioned her.
"Yes, you. Didn't Fíliya say that the three living Great Mages are on the kill list of those [Shadow Warriors]? Minuse is already dead. You should be concerned for your own safety."
...
Serie's words made Frieren's eyes widen slightly.
Once, before Fíliya had made her realize it, she had always thought her personality was absolutely incompatible with Serie's.
But now... Serie was clearly showing concern for her.
"Is that so. I am [Frieren the Slayer]... If someone wants to slay me under that name... then let them try."
Fíliya met Serie's gaze, a smile showing no hint of weakness on her face.
____
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