Chapter 123 – A Sound with Killing Intent
Two months earlier — outside Amber City.
A gentle flute melody drifted through the hills.
Following the sound, a man climbed the slope and stopped behind a black-haired elf.
"As expected of Lord Brutus. Such a beautiful melody is rarely heard."
"My name is Pierre. I once served in the Allied Army—I have seen Lord Brutus before."
The flute fell silent.
The black-haired elf did not turn around.
"…Such ill intent in your aura. And you're human?"
Pierre bowed his head humbly.
"Unfortunately, I am not a demon. Though to be controlled by Lord Brutus would be an honor."
"—Spare me the pleasantries. Say what you came to say."
"Lord Brutus, have you ever heard the name Elias?"
"Should I have?"
Pierre chuckled softly.
"As with fine wine—the older it is, the deeper it hides. Surely you understand that."
Only then did the black-haired elf slowly turn around.
Indigo eyes fixed sharply on Pierre.
"Do you know the consequences of lying in front of me?"
Pierre kept his head lowered, still wearing that humble posture.
"Elias is the name of a Great Demon from the Age of Myth."
—Whoosh.
A sudden blade of wind sliced through the air, severing a strand of Pierre's white hair.
Yet he did not move.
Seeing the faint smile still on Pierre's face, Brutus's eyes flickered with the slightest uncertainty.
"How strange."
"As an elf, I've spent over a century investigating such matters. I'm nearly certain the Great Demons of the mythic age are extinct."
"And yet you—a human who has lived only a few decades—claim to know more than I do?"
Pierre gave a modest reply.
"You flatter me, my lord. I merely learned a few secrets during my time with the Allied Army."
"Is that so? Because as far as I know, the oldest demon still alive today is Ende, the Demon King who started the war."
Pierre smiled faintly.
"Hard as it may be to believe… the Elias I speak of is none other than that Demon King's teacher."
---
"—Yunsol?!"
Frieren instantly recalled the Great Demon Yunsol, whom Elias had sealed and killed.
"So that means… the reason Brutus broke into that tomb was—"
"—Exactly."
Flamme continued as if she had witnessed it herself.
"His ambition kept growing. He actually wanted to control a Great Demon from the Mythic Age."
"That was when Teacher Serie finally intervened and revoked his Holy Staff Certification."
"Even so, she still pitied his talent. In the end, she allowed Brutus to leave on his own."
Hearing this, Frieren couldn't help glancing at Elias.
Just imagining someone trying to control a Great Demon with music sent chills down her spine.
What kind of madman was this Brutus…?
"So, Teacher Flamme… are we still passing through Amber City?"
Flamme unfolded a map in the air.
"The terrain ahead is mostly hills. Aside from the mountain plain where Amber City lies, the rest are scattered villages."
"And the southern road passes straight through Amber City."
"So there's no way around it."
"Why would we avoid it?"
Elias spoke coldly.
"He's just a mage who fled in disgrace from Serie."
"Do you really think someone like that could control me, Elias?"
"Elias, do you really believe today's incident was a coincidence?"
Flamme's expression grew uneasy.
"Brutus deliberately spread his magic through this region. Do you think that was just for fun?"
"He must know you exist—and wants to finish what he failed to achieve back then."
"It's been many years. We have no idea how far his magic has advanced."
"A genius like that might have created even stranger magic by now…"
"That only makes me more curious."
Elias even smiled.
"Since we can't avoid him anyway, I might as well see what he's capable of."
---
After a brief rest, the four resumed their journey south the next day, heading into the hills.
The horse pulling their carriage—actually a boar transformed by Elias—was bursting with energy.
Even as the road became rougher and rougher, the carriage rattled violently forward.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
For some reason, Frieren suddenly took out a small hand drum and began banging on it, producing a stream of chaotic clanging noises.
Elias kept his eyes shut.
"Frieren. You've been doing that for an entire hour. Could you take a break?"
"Nope! I'm creating a melodic magic that can control demons."
"And besides, isn't my rhythm pleasant? It flows just like running water~"
Elias chuckled coldly.
"Heh. So you were inspired by Brutus, weren't you?"
"I'm just curious. But if I could actually control Elias… that would be very useful!"
"'Useful'?"
Elias suddenly laughed.
"I have to admit—that might be the most accurate description anyone has ever given me."
---
Frieren continued experimenting with her drum the entire day.
Only when the carriage finally stopped for camp did she suddenly raise her head.
"Hey, Elias."
"Did you feel anything just now?"
Elias began pitching the tent from his storage pouch without turning around.
"Unfortunately, Frieren."
"While you were making noise all day, I used magic to block my ears."
"…What?!"
Frieren shouted in despair.
"Then all the drumming I did today was completely pointless?!"
"…Wait!"
Suddenly realizing something, she jumped off the carriage and ran to Elias.
"Elias—if we just block our ears, why worry about Brutus at all?"
"If we can't hear the music, his magic shouldn't work, right?!"
"Elias, you're a genius!"
Elias calmly lit the campfire with magic and sighed at the white-haired elf.
"Are you serious?"
"When facing hostile sound, the first instinct is to cover your ears."
"Frieren… it took you an entire day to realize something that obvious?"
Meanwhile, Robin—who had been helping nearby—removed the earplugs he had been wearing.
"…Hm?"
"Were you calling me?"
Flamme, noticing the three of them gathered together, walked over to the campfire.
"Did something happen?"
"Oh—wait. I forgot to remove the spell."
She waved a hand near her ear, dispelling the magic that had muffled sound.
"There we go. So what's going on? Why is everyone so quiet?"
"And Frieren… why do you look so miserable? Are you feeling unwell?"
Frieren didn't answer.
Clutching her drum, she walked silently into a dark corner and squatted down.
"How could this happen…"
"It sounded pretty good to me…"
"Or maybe those three just don't understand real music…"