As honored guests invited by the Emperor of the Empire's decree, Fíliya and her party basked in Serie's reflected glory, enjoying the finest service from the moment they entered the royal palace.
After resting within the palace for a time, the group finally received permission to enter the royal mausoleum. For this occasion, visiting the grave of the Great Mage Flamme, they had of course taken off their cat-ear headbands.
"So this... is where Flamme is buried?"
Looking at the tombstone that was clearly distinct from all the others, Fíliya asked with some curiosity.
The one situated at the highest point, shaded by a lone, towering tree—that must be the place where Flamme's bones rest, right? she thought.
"Yes... It's exactly as it was back then. Its position hasn't been changed."
It wasn't Serie who answered Fíliya first, but Frieren.
Flamme was Serie's beloved student, but she was also Frieren's venerable teacher. Thus, Frieren's feelings for Flamme were in no way less than Serie's.
From Frieren's expression, one could glimpse the sorrow in her heart. If not for the mausoleum being crowded with people, her emotions would surely have been far more intense.
"Flamme's grave wasn't originally in the royal mausoleum... It's just that in the long river of history, the Empire fell and was founded anew, fell again and was founded anew again... This new Empire, in order to inherit the 'legitimacy', decided at its founding to build the new palace around Flamme's final resting place."
"Oh... so that's how it is. That's something not written in the books."
Fíliya raised an eyebrow, a look of realization on her face.
"That's natural. What book would dare to record such a thing?"
"Well... after all, the Great Mage Flamme is a symbol in the hearts of all the Imperial Remnants. Whoever wants to inherit the Empire's legitimacy must first acknowledge Flamme's status... It's just a pity that the people of the Empire today don't know what Flamme truly looked like... They even made her statue into the image of a middle-aged man... Serie, didn't you ever think of correcting this?"
Fíliya spoke, then looked at Serie with curiosity.
"It doesn't matter... Flamme didn't care how she would be seen after her death... She just loved this country and its people with all her heart."
Serie said with a calm expression, then fell silent and began to move slowly forward.
Hmm... Seeing the solemn look on Serie's face, Fíliya knew she shouldn't speak any further at this moment.
The group, led by Serie, maintained a rare silence as they walked slowly towards Flamme's grave.
In front of them, two people had already arrived and placed bouquets before Flamme's tombstone.
"This woman is dangerous..."
As her eyes met a slightly older-looking face, Miss Solitär, standing behind Fíliya, immediately whispered a warning in her ear.
"Mhm, I know this one... The captain of the Magical Special Operations Unit, Fres. I hear she can destroy a city with ease, but I don't know what her actual skill level is."
Fíliya's expression, however, was exceptionally relaxed.
When Captain Fres of the Magical Special Operations Unit turned and saw the group, she said nothing. She simply gave Serie a slight bow before retreating into the distance.
The other person remaining was, by a great coincidence, the very same Mr. Levi who had chatted with Miss Fíliya in the tavern.
But this man didn't speak to Fíliya's group either. He silently placed the bouquet in his hands before Flamme's tombstone and then, as if not seeing them at all, slowly departed.
"Tsk... what a wasted opportunity. He was just a fist's length away at his closest. If you had struck, Serie, you could have killed him in an instant."
Fíliya muttered under her breath, but it was clear Serie had no intention of responding.
Serie slowly moved forward and then, under everyone's watchful eyes, crossed her legs and sat down before Flamme's tombstone.
Her face was devoid of expression, and she remained silent the entire time.
But everyone behind her, including Miss Fíliya, tactfully and silently took a few steps back at that moment.
This process lasted for over ten minutes. By rule, no one was allowed to stay before Flamme's grave for so long. But alas, Serie herself was the rule, and no one dared to disturb that goddess at this moment.
Whether it was the contingent from the Continental Magic Association or the local nobles and high officials of the Empire, they could only wait in silence for Flamme to rise on her own accord.
Finally, a change appeared on Serie's expression. A faint smile slowly traced itself upon the corners of her lips, and one could vaguely see them moving slightly.
...In that instant, Fíliya cursed herself for not knowing how to read lips, otherwise she would have known what Serie was saying.
As for using magic to enhance her hearing... she definitely wouldn't dare make such an obvious move.
To be able to talk to herself for so long in front of a tombstone... Hmph, I guess that tough-act facade of yours is impossible to maintain now, isn't it?
Fíliya thought to herself with a hint of schadenfreude.
Finally, Serie rose from before Flamme's grave and slowly walked back to the group.
"Happy now?"
Fíliya addressed Serie with a teasing expression.
"..."
Serie merely shot her a blank stare, an expression completely different from the one she wore when facing Flamme's tombstone.
After Serie had fulfilled her wish, the next to offer flowers were Fíliya and Frieren.
Looking at the girl standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her, Frieren felt a deep sense of confusion.
Serie is Flamme's master, and I am Flamme's disciple... but why is this girl also competing with me for the order of offering flowers?
Although Frieren herself wasn't someone who cared about such things, she still felt extremely curious.
In that moment, she suddenly recalled her first meeting with Fíliya...
That's right, this girl slipped up from the very beginning, didn't she... What exactly is her relationship with Flamme?
Though many questions arose in her mind, in a place like this, Frieren held back and did not ask.
"If Flamme could see this, she would be very pleased. Her good-for-nothing disciple has finally been tinged with humanity, and is finally no longer alone."
After placing the bouquet before Flamme's grave, Fíliya suddenly seemed to have made up her mind. With a relaxed smile, her eyes met Frieren's.
What... does that mean?
Frieren's expression was clearly a bit dazed, but Fíliya immediately added another sentence.
"Hmm... although it's long past our first meeting, this is indeed the first time for this title... Hello, Senior Sister."
Fíliya narrowed her eyes, enjoying the look of utter shock on Frieren's face with great satisfaction.
...By the time they returned to the group, Frieren still wore a stunned expression. It wasn't until Fern had asked her several times what was on her mind that she temporarily pushed the shock down.
Next, the others began to offer flowers in turn. Among them, a particularly interesting scene occurred when Solitär went up with Aura and Linie.
The three demons naturally felt no affection for this great human sage who had spent her life researching how to efficiently kill their kind.
But... at this moment, with the atmosphere being what it was, they had come with Fíliya's group after all. If they didn't go up to offer flowers at a time like this, it would look suspicious no matter how you spun it. So even Miss Aura did her best to hide her disdainful expression and, with considerable solemnity, presented a bouquet to the Great Mage Flamme.
After the ceremony was completely over, a sliver of doubt began to grow in Fíliya's mind.
That is... throughout the entire memorial event to pay respects at the mausoleum of the Great Mage Flamme, the 'Emperor' of the Empire had not shown up in person.
Hmm... that is indeed a bit strange.
"Lady Fíliya."
Just as she was pondering this, she heard a voice that was not at all pleasing to her ears.
Fíliya turned impatiently and met the gaze of Mr. Levi.
"I must say, I admire your courage. To have successfully escaped this place, yet you do not treasure your own life."
"Is that so? I also somewhat admire your foolishness. Your plan has clearly been exposed, yet from the looks of it, you have no intention of stopping... Let me offer you a piece of advice: if you dare to make a move, you will die a miserable death."
Fíliya shot back at Levi with a scornful sneer.
"As long as I can achieve my goal, I do not fear death."
Levi said with a calm expression. From the look in his eyes, it truly seemed he was prepared to die.
"Hah... a fool truly is beyond saving."
Fíliya knew she and this man had nothing more to say to each other. If not for the fact that this was Flamme's resting place, she really wanted to attack him right then and there.
On account of him also offering flowers to Flamme... I'll let him live a few more hours.
Since dialogue cannot solve the problem... let our wills settle the score tonight.
Fíliya turned away with a cold smile and walked back towards her group.
____
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