The golden arm
After waiting for two and a half hours, Li Yan obtained all the information about Frieren over the past few decades. That foolish Elf became timid after meeting Macht and stayed in a small rural village every day, no longer going out.
"What an idiot, he didn't even think to ask the Kingdom and his Grandmaster for help."
Li Yan chuckled and cursed, his expression gradually deepening. If it weren't for Macht's usefulness, he would have already lost control and killed him. Anyone who dared to harm his closest loved ones had to die.
"Is this generation of Lionheart King putting in any effort? Have the old butler, the Mechanical Magic Puppet, keep a close eye on him lately. If he's not working hard, give him a good beating. Frieren got injured and no one told me. Does this generation of Lionheart King no longer respect his ancestors?"
Li Yan spoke coldly, and the Mechanical Spider recorded Li Yan words and continued its relaying function.
The arrival of Macht, the golden transformation of Frieren's arm—these things all rushed into Li Yan's mind. Feeling somewhat irritated, Li Yan looked at Lionheart King's recent schedule and various matters, and resolutely decided to give his descendant a proper education.
In the middle of the night, the modern-day Lionheart King screamed in agony, and the next day he sat in his study working, clutching his aching backside.
Having learned of Frieren's whereabouts, Li Yan put on a mask. He felt that it would be better to give Frieren some hints first, so that she could guess what Frieren was doing, rather than meeting her with his true face at the beginning.
Solitär, that Little Fool, was assigned by Li Yan to look after Macht, to familiarize Royal Capital with the Macht, and to prevent him from encountering Serie and other warmongers.
Macht's current job is to teach the descendants of Lionheart King. Although the current Lionheart King wanted to object, he touched his slightly sore backside and couldn't help but raise his hand in agreement. The decision made by his Elf ancestor must have its reasons.
On a country road, Li Yan stepped into a small village alone. This village had not yet been developed because the terrain was not commensurate with its development potential, and it still retained the simplicity of hundreds of years ago.
In the small village, many children were playing and laughing. Li Yan, who entered the village wearing a mask, quickly attracted the attention of many adults and villagers. Although Li Yan was dressed properly and tall, he did not look like a proper adventurer because of the fox mask he was wearing.
"Who are you? What brings you to our village?"
A village guard on patrol asked, "There have been quite a few absurd things lately. Although the country is stable, there are still a few bad apples."
"I am an adventurer who came out of curiosity, seeking an old friend. Her name is Frieren, an Elf, short and small, with white hair."
Li Yan drew Frieren's height and appearance. The patrolling guards guarding the village looked at Li Yan thoughtfully, but seeing that Li Yan was not carrying any dangerous items, they did not pay too much attention to him.
"Are you looking for Frieren? She lives on the west side of the village. She should still be sleeping at this time. I suggest you go around noon."
Seeing that Li Yan seemed to have no ill intentions, the guards patrolling the village left. He was just a young man wearing a mask who had come to reminisce with an old friend. He didn't have time to waste. There were no other places in the village that had been patrolled yet, so he had to patrol them properly. Protecting the village was his responsibility.
After the patrol guards left, Li Yan scratched his head and walked towards the west side of the village. He knew that Frieren loved to sleep in late, but he didn't expect that she would get used to it after no one was watching.
After asking around among several playful children for directions to Frieren's residence, Li Yan arrived at Frieren's current location without any trouble. Seeing the locked door, Li Yan didn't rush and began his daily exercise outside.
As noon approached, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the small village. A sudden noise came from inside a small house, like the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground. Li Yan stopped exercising, his lips twitching slightly. The sound was familiar; it sounded like Frieren had fallen to the ground while still half asleep.
Li Yan gently approached the door and knocked. The noise inside immediately subsided, and after a while, a soft whisper could be heard.
Who is it?
Frieren's soft, slightly frightened, and wary voice almost made Li Yan burst out laughing. After just one encounter with Macht, Frieren had become so timid, whereas she used to be very brave.
"Open the door, it's the water meter reader."
Li Yan continued knocking on the door, coughing, hoping to catch a glimpse of Frieren's golden arm.
"I don't remember we had a water meter at home. I used to use Levitation Magic to fetch water every day."
A soft murmur came from inside the room, followed by the rustling of clothes being put on. After a long while, the door slowly opened, and Frieren peeked out.
"Who are you? My house doesn't have a water meter."
Frieren stared warily at the masked man outside the door, her staff, hidden behind her back, gripped tightly in her hand. She was no pushover.
"Hmm, I'm from the Royal Capital. I heard that Lady Frieren's arm was injured by the Seven Demons Seven Sages of Destruction, so I came to visit Lady Frieren on the orders of Lionheart King."
Li Yan spoke in a high-pitched, serious voice, saying that over the past few centuries, Frieren had visited his grave, and he had seen Frieren kick his black and white photo album several times. He had no idea what he had done to offend Frieren.
"I'm fine, you don't need to come."
Upon hearing that it was someone from the Royal Capital, Frieren breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door without any hesitation.
Seeing the tightly closed door, Li Yan's lips twitched slightly. Were the people of the Royal Capital so repulsive to her? Her unfilial descendants should be showing great respect to Frieren, so was Frieren acting this way because she was afraid her Grandmaster would find out?
"Lady Frieren, if you don't come out and let me see your arm, I'll have to go find Lady Serie. She's very busy, and I shouldn't bother her, but since you're unwilling to see me, I have no choice but to bother her."
"Lady Frieren, you don't want Lady Serie to find out, do you?"
Li Yan pretended to be regretful and muttered to herself at the door. Nowadays, Frilian is not afraid of anyone, but perhaps she has some difficulty speaking to her grandmaster, Celia. If her grandmaster Celia knew that Frilian had completely given up because of one setback, she would probably come to check on her immediately.
Of course, this concern is not the same as that concern. Mocking with concern is more in line with Serie's style. After mocking Frieren, Serie might go after those who hurt Frieren, after all, Frieren is the most precious family member Flamme left her.
No! Don't!
Frieren quickly opened the door, her previously calm face instantly turning bright red. "Don't tell Serie, she'll laugh at me. I'll just show you. It's just that my arm has turned gold; it won't affect my life at all. I'll be able to analyze this gold-plated arm in no time."
Perhaps because of the mention of Serie, Frieren was unusually proactive, actively displaying her golden arm. Beneath her porcelain-white skin lay a curse of gold, which shone brilliantly in the sunlight.