Shattered

Are you going to stay behind alone?

"After all, it won't take long. I'll join you after the Norm Knights come to collect the bodies."

"I see."

After saying that, Frieren turned and walked out of the village.

After a brief hesitation, Fern and Methode followed in Frieren's footsteps.

Looking at Genau remained in place, Stark suddenly felt that he should stay as well.

That's exactly what he did. After walking up to Genau, he said:

"I want to stay in the village too."

Genau glanced at Stark and said coldly, "Are you an idiot?"

"We're going to fight the Demons next, how can we be without a vanguard?"

Although Rienta was not present at this time, judging from Frieren's strength, Stark felt that the man in front of him should need him more.

"You're the same way, aren't you? What will you do if the Demons return to the village?"

Genau's tone remained unchanged. "It's alright, I can fight even without a vanguard."

Hearing this, Stark remained unmoved, sticking to his own ideas, and looked at Frieren, saying:

"Frieren and the others must be in the same boat."

Frieren and the other two stopped when they heard Stark say that he also wanted to stay in the village.

Meeting Stark's gaze, he said softly, "That's true, but there are limits."

Even if things get out of control, you can still escape, right?

"That's true."

By this time, Frieren understood why Stark had chosen to stay in the village.

After receiving an affirmative answer, Stark looked at Genau:

"But you can't abandon the village and run away."

Upon hearing this, Genau remained silent for a moment, then turned to look at the soldier who insisted on staying in the village with him, his tone unconsciously softening considerably.

"Stark, there are only corpses here."

"But you stayed behind to protect the body, didn't you?"

Genau's lips twitched slightly; he hadn't expected that this warrior, who seemed so impulsive at first glance, would possess such a delicate mind.

A ray of warm sunshine seemed to enter my long-frozen heart.

"Whatever you want."

"Speak, "Genau said, turning and walking toward the church.

Seeing this, Stark waved to Frieren and the others, then chased after Genau.

The three of them Frieren and her companions, locked eyes. After a brief silence, they continued on their original plan, heading towards the abandoned fortress that might harbor Demons.

Just then...

Frieren, Fern, Methode, and Genau all sensed a Mana at the same time.

A familiar Mana.

It is the Mana of Rienta, which has been lost for a long time.

The direction they were heading was the abandoned fortress they were on their way to.

Upon sensing the familiar Mana, Fern couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but then summoned his Staff and looked at Frieren with a slightly anxious expression.

"Lord Frieren!"

Frieren summoned her Staff almost simultaneously with Fern and whispered, "Rienta may have encountered Demons. Head to the abandoned fortress at full speed."

She was very confident in Rienta's strength, but her opponent was a Demon General used Four-Sword Style.

Even Stark had no experience fighting against such an opponent, Rienta, whom she had watched grow up, had virtually no combat experience in this area.

Although Methode reacted a step slower than Frieren and the other woman, she answered without hesitation after hearing Frieren's words:

"I'm fine."

The three used Flight Magic to fly towards the abandoned fortress.

Also noticing Rienta's appearance, Genau looked at Stark was carrying a pile of wood, and said:

"Stark, your companion has appeared, in the direction of the abandoned fortress that Frieren and the others are about to explore."

"Huh? Rienta already knew about our plan? That's amazing!"

"...??"

"Mr. Genau, could you please start a fire?"

"... OK."

On the walls of an abandoned fortress.

Rewerdi had vanished, but a huge Purple Lotus had appeared in his place.

At the center of the lotus is Rewerdi is only the size of a palm.

Rienta had seen this lotus flower once before, only the color was different.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's an advanced version of his Defensive Magic, [Rho Aias].

Come to think of it, my [Rho Aias] seems to be exactly the same color as the 'Mirror Image' Rienta from the First-Class Mage Exam.

Is it because of the 'Crystal Demon'?

While they were pondering, Frieren and her two companions arrived at the top of the abandoned fortress walls.

"Rienta!"

Rienta's thoughts were interrupted by the shouts, and she suppressed her chaotic thoughts.

He first nodded to Frieren, then looked at Fern, who looked somewhat anxious, and said with a smile in a soft voice:

"Oh, it's Fern. Have you had dinner yet?"

"... I've already eaten, I ate hard bread."

"Feel sorry."

As they approached the abandoned fortress, Frieren and the others saw the torrent of swords and blades.

They also discovered that a powerful Mana belonging to the Demons had disappeared.

But at this moment, Rienta's expression was not happy.

This is nothing like Rienta.

Frieren looked at the lotus flowers on the city wall and asked:

"Rienta, why does this lotus flower look so much like your [Rho Aias]?"

Rienta's expression was enigmatic as she softly replied, "This is indeed the [Rho Aias], but it's not mine."

"I don't understand you."

Rienta was about to answer, a crisp sound rang out from the sky.

At this moment, the sun has long since set.

The four looked towards the bright, starry night sky, towards the direction from which the crisp sound came.

Suddenly, a strange black dot appeared in the starry sky, which should have been empty.

A very conspicuous black dot in the darkness of the night.

Click... Click...

The night sky was like a mirror about to shatter, with countless black cracks spreading outward from that black spot.

A massive magic circle suddenly appeared on the abandoned city wall, enveloping Rienta and his three companions.

Just as Methode and Fern were about to leave, a very familiar and gentle voice sounded from behind them.

"Fern."

Fern was startled when he was called. It was Rienta's voice, but he was right next to me. How could the voice be coming from behind me?

At this moment, a giant Purple Lotus had already enveloped everyone.

Frieren noticed it, but merely raised an eyebrow and didn't pay it any mind.

Because this Magic Array Pattern is very familiar.

And...

Fern turned around and looked at another Rienta.

A Rienta looks exactly like her Rienta, except for her clothes.

His eyes looked a little strange.

Rienta stepped forward silently, blocking L996 Rienta's view of Fern.

"Fern is my sister!"

Rienta said so.

L996 Rienta smiled helplessly, and Mana condensed his words into threads that reached Rienta's ears.

"Don't worry, of course I know this isn't my Fern."

Upon hearing this, Rienta breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately changed the subject, asking:

Why did you save that Demons?

"And this night sky..."

Before Rienta could finish her question, the cracks in the night sky seemed to have spread to their limit.

Snap! Bang!!

The night sky.

It cracked.