Chapter 121 – One Final Meeting
After spending the entire night alone on the deserted streets—knocking on doors one by one to return the items she had secretly bought—
Frieren finally fell asleep in the departing carriage, her head resting on Flamme's lap.
"…Honestly, Elias."
"As her teacher, even I'm not as strict with her as you are."
"You spoil her too much, Flamme. Especially over trivial everyday matters."
"At least for now, Frieren isn't causing trouble. That's the best possible start to our journey."
Robin leaned against the edge of the carriage, watching the wind ripple across the vast green plains.
"I wonder what the South is like."
"My father once mentioned that several generations of Robin Green lived there. He said it's a complicated and divided place."
Flamme nodded, confirming his ancestral recollection.
"That's right. The South is the complete opposite of the northern Empire."
"With its many races, there are dozens of cities that each call themselves nations. Conflict has been constant for years."
"The recent peace only came because the demon race launched a full-scale war. The southern states had no choice but to unite."
"If I'm not mistaken, once the war ends, it won't take long before the South falls back into chaos."
Robin clicked his tongue.
"So they're not going to be easy people to deal with… No wonder you made Frieren and me train precision in both attack and defense."
"You're only realizing that now?"
Elias spoke with his eyes closed.
"When demons fight, they tend to decide victory through brute force."
"Humans, under the same circumstances, are exceptionally flexible—one might even say cunning."
"In such battles, attrition and strikes to vital points become essential lessons."
"That's enough, Elias. The journey has just begun. There's no need to be so grim."
"For the next few months, we won't even leave the Central Lands. More importantly…"
Flamme's eyes shifted toward the white horse pulling their carriage.
Though it looked like an ordinary horse, she distinctly remembered that no such white horse existed in the village.
"Even without sensing mana, your intuition still caught it, Flamme?"
Elias opened his eyes and smiled.
"That's right. It's a wild boar. I used 'Elias' to turn it into a horse."
"…Hm?"
Flamme frowned.
"Turning a boar into a horse… What's the significance?"
Elias gave a faint, cold laugh.
"I'm hoping to attract the pig that traveled through time. It lost its memories of time travel, but it should be traveling the same road as us."
"If we find it, perhaps we can change something."
At those words, Flamme immediately recalled Serie's warning before departure.
"Elias, you know that once time is fixed, it cannot be altered."
"But what if the so-called 'destruction of humanity' is a lie?"
Elias countered at once.
"The instruction for me to seek the 'Twin-Sword Hero'—perhaps that, too, is merely someone trying to use me."
"Regardless, we must find that hero first."
Flamme replied patiently.
"Perhaps the key to humanity's survival lies with him."
Robin listened, half-dazed. It sounded like they were arguing about something far beyond him.
Just then, he heard it—
Rapid hoofbeats approaching from ahead.
"…Someone's coming."
"More than one."
"And fast."
A cavalry squad quickly closed in on the carriage.
They did not pass by.
Instead, they blocked the road.
Elias remained motionless with eyes closed, while his cloaked clone atop the horse prepared to act.
Flamme's voice sounded in his mind.
"No need, Elias."
"They're cavalry from Voloros, the city near the Holy City."
The cavalry captain dismounted and approached the carriage, offering a respectful bow to Flamme.
"Lady Flamme?"
"Our city lord has heard of your journey south and has sent me to escort you into the city."
Flamme gave a polite nod.
"Please convey my regards to Lord Archer Meek. However, it's still early—we intend to continue on to the next relay station."
Thud!!
The cavalry captain suddenly dropped to his knees before her.
"Lady Flamme! The city lord is gravely ill. He wishes to see you one last time!"
"—What? He… huh?!"
For a split second, Flamme froze. Her eyes met Elias's just as his voice sounded in her mind.
Flamme… what's this city lord to you? A relative?
"—Absolutely not!"
She ground her teeth.
"He's just a strange old man. I once completed a commission for him, that's all."
"Out of nowhere he tried to match me with his son. He even came to the Holy City a few times looking for me."
Elias's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Sounds like a fine marriage prospect, Flamme. Marry the city lord's son and you'll become the lady of the city."
"Surely that's more comfortable than being ordered around by Serie all day."
"—A fascinating suggestion, Elias. If I ever lose my sanity, I'll consider it."
She exhaled quietly.
"But if he truly is dying, then out of courtesy… I should at least see him."
"Fine. Let's be quick. Best to leave before he breathes his last. Funerals are a waste of time."
"—Elias, that's heartless… but this time, I agree."
Flamme nodded to the cavalry captain.
"Lead the way."
---
When the man on the sickbed caught sight of that orange hair, he weakly reached out a trembling hand.
"Flamme… you came…"
"I feared I might never see your beautiful hair again before I died…"
The other three stood awkwardly behind her. Frieren even looked a little drowsy.
"City Lord, I'm grateful for your regard. I'm deeply sorry about your illness."
Flamme's tone was gentle as she clasped his hand.
Then—
Her expression changed instantly.
"Hey. You're pretending, aren't you?"
Archer Meek gave a sly grin.
"It's a sickness of the heart."
"The thought that you'll never marry my son… it's killing me."
Flamme flung his hand away at once and turned to glare at the three figures stifling laughter behind her.
"What's so funny?"
"Let's go!"
"We still have a journey ahead of us!"
Just as she spoke, the door burst open with a dramatic bang.
A young nobleman in extravagant attire stepped inside, bouquet in hand, bathed in the glow of a spotlight spell. A smug, romantic smile graced his face as he advanced.
"Ah~ Lady Flamme~"
"Since our last cruel farewell, my heart has known no peace."
"Day and night, my longing has poured forth into a poem—an ode woven with yearning."
"Would you care to hear it?"
"…No."