Returning to One's Roots

By the time Rienta reached the village, the battle in the forest had already reached its climax.

Fern was excellent at suppressing Mana, but in this dense fog, it failed to achieve the desired effect.

The dense fog not only obscured Fern's vision but also continuously provided the male Demons Hemon with information about Fern's location.

On the other side.

Methode flew through the air, her blood-red [Ordinary Offensive Magic] continuously surging towards the female Demons Liz.

After dodging another [Ordinary Offensive Magic], Liz sensed something was wrong.

Such a fierce attack, yet it contained no killing intent.

It was as if they were trying to buy time.

Just as Liz's thoughts were flashing through her mind, the figure that had been casting [Ordinary Offensive Magic] in mid-air stopped.

Methode smiled and said softly:

"Oh dear, you're really perceptive."

"However, you noticed it a little too late."

After saying that, Methode's figure slowly disappeared, but his voice continued to come from all directions.

"I've just finished analyzing this 'fog'."

Following her instincts, Liz unleashed a [Magic That Turns Attacks into Whirlwinds] to the side.

Methode remained standing still, and a [Defensive Magic] appeared, blocking the attack.

"A reckless brute who only knows how to fight will never be willing to learn magic that is useful only in battle."

Methode extended his right hand and continued, "If it were one of my own people, they probably wouldn't be able to resolve this situation either."

"Because they didn't know magic was so interesting."

Methode raised her right hand and gently blew forward. "[Fog-Dispersing Magic]."

It was just a gentle breeze, but under the influence of Mana, it turned into a whirlwind.

The thick fog that had swept across the vast forest was instantly blown away.

On the other side.

Fern gripped his Staff, constantly changing direction, trying to pinpoint the location of the staff-wielding Demons by sound.

The dense fog not only suppressed [Detection Magic], but also limited her field of vision to only a few meters away.

The clanging and banging sounds kept coming from all around.

Although Fern managed to block the attacks of the Zen Staff Demons every time, he would definitely lose if this continued.

Using the dense fog as cover, the staff-wielding Demons constantly changed its position, gradually approaching the Human Mage.

Just then, the thick fog around us began to dissipate.

"Has the fog cleared?"

As a user of [Mist-Summoning Magic], Hemon looked at another battlefield with surprise. The source of the dissipating mist was over there, but he didn't pay it any mind.

What good is dispelling the fog?

It can create as much fog as it wants, at this level.

The fog dissipated, and the moon rose.

The entire forest was bathed in the bright moonlight.

Hemon turned around and looked at the spot where the Human Mage.

All that could be seen were broken trees; the Human Mage vanished without a trace.

Where did that little girl run off to...?

Hemon activated [Detection Magic], intending to search for the Human Mage's whereabouts.

A dense and immense white light, following the moonlight, struck the body of the Zen Staff Demons.

At the same time.

After the fog dissipated, the moonlight shone on Methode's side.

Hemon's Mana has vanished.

Liz felt a sudden chill in her heart when she realized that her companion's Mana had disappeared.

Carrying a long sword, he charged straight at Methode.

Methode slowly lowered her staff, completely unconcerned about the attack from the female Demons before her.

Just as Liz approached Methode and was about to swing her longsword, a massive, blazing [Ordinary Offensive Magic] struck from the sky.

A strong sense of crisis forced Liz to stop her attack and jump back to dodge it.

Liz dodged and weaved, hiding under a large tree while looking up at the sky.

Where did the attack come from?

Liz was not Demons like Rewerdi who focused solely on practicing martial arts.

It can also Detection Magic, though not as much as You'en, but it's enough for its needs.

Even with its [Detection Magic] fully activated, it still couldn't pinpoint the source of the attack.

Methode remained calm, his Staff clasped behind his back. He raised his right hand, and several streams of crimson Mana swirled around him.

Then, with a slight movement of his hand, a [Ordinary Offensive Magic] composed of crimson Mana covered the area where the female Demons was hiding.

The roaring sound continued.

A moment later.

Liz dispelled the [Defensive Magic], and it was not injured in the attack.

However, all the trees near their hiding place had disappeared.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky.

Fern stood in mid-air, his Staff poised to strike.

"[Demon-Slaying Magic]."

A calm voice rang out, and Liz realized at that moment where the previous attack had come from.

Wow, it came from such a far place?!

A thought flashed through Liz's mind as a pure white light, as bright as moonlight, pierced straight through its body.

Methode smiled as she looked at Fern in the distant sky.

Night sky.

Frieren, Staff in hand, used [Flight Magic] to fly to Fern's side.

"Launch unpredictable, ultra-long-range attacks from beyond detection range."

"Not bad, Fern, as expected of you."

Frieren looked at Fern with great satisfaction and said.

Fern let out a long sigh, saying with a hint of resentment, "I don't want to fight this kind of tough battle a second time."

After explaining the situation to Fern and Methode, Frieren returned to the village.

After learning from Stark that they had only eaten bread for dinner, Rienta took out various ingredients from her [Personal Space] and asked Stark and Genau to help her prepare a big meal to celebrate.

Seeing this, Fern didn't ask where Rienta had gone, but silently stepped forward to help.

Methode looked around; the open space in front of the church was a complete mess.

The few buildings that had survived were now completely gone.

The tattered and bloodstained clothes on Genau and Stark were clear evidence of a fierce battle that had taken place.

She had some understanding of the abilities of the candidates during the previous First-Class Mage exam.

They also knew that Rienta, who was busily preparing food, possessed Healing Magic comparable to a monk's [restoration magic].

Methode let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief, then rolled up her sleeves and joined in the cooking.

Frieren, Stark, and Genau were sitting at the wooden table drinking tea.

Soon, the dish of five meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a soup was ready.

Everyone enjoyed a late dinner, and after setting up their familiars for guard duty, they went to rest.

The next day, at noon.

Rienta pulled Genau aside to ask about the Magic That Controls Black-Gold Wings.

Stark is doing push-ups on the side.

Frieren, Fern, and Methode- Taylor were chatting together.

Methode looked at Frieren and said seriously:

"I'll have plenty of free time after this mission is over."

"If you don't mind, please allow me to travel with you."

"After all, our teamwork has worked very well before, hasn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Fern was startled and glared at Methode with a hostile expression.

Frieren turned her head, looking at Methode with some confusion, and said softly:

"That's not entirely impossible, but..."

Before Frieren could finish speaking, Fern hugged Frieren from behind, pouting and looking at Methode with obvious resistance.

Frieren tried to pry Fern's hands off, but after several attempts, she gave up when she found Fern holding her even tighter.

He continued helplessly, "However, I always feel that with Methode around, Fern will be particularly unhappy."

Methode watched this scene with a doting auntie smile, "Oh dear, you're being disliked~"

"However, I also really like Miss Fern ~"

Even when she's angry, she's still incredibly cute~

At this moment, Genau hurriedly approached the group, coughed lightly, and looked at Methode, saying:

"The Norm Knights arrived."

"We also want to join the outdoor activities and head south together."

Methode nodded upon hearing this, stopped teasing Fern, and said seriously, "I understand."

Genau looked at Frieren and the other woman and continued, "I must say goodbye here."

Frieren didn't move, but Fern nodded to Genau.

Then, Genau looked at Stark beside him and asked, "Stark, how are your injuries?"

Stark patted his biceps and replied with a smile, "There are no problems anymore."

"I see."

I owe you a favor this time.

I will definitely repay you in the future.

After saying this, Genau turned to leave.

But after taking only a few steps, Methode grabbed his clothes, "Mr. Genau."

Genau looked at Methode with a puzzled expression, while Methode said with a serious face, "Thank you."

After a brief silence, Genau spoke up, "Thank you all, you've been a great help."

Rienta tossed the Grimoire containing the Magic to Control Black-Gold Wings into her Personal Space and came to the group's side.

"Same to you."

Let's all live a little longer.

Having spent the most time with Genau during this period, Stark was the first to speak.

"Let's go." Genau smiled slightly, turned around, and left.

"Okay," Methode nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Frieren and the others and waved.

At this moment, Frieren had been silent until now, said softly, "See you next time."

Without turning his head, Genau simply said "okay".

Methode smiled and said, "Until we meet again."

He then quickened his pace, caught up with Genau, and headed towards the church.

They still have a lot to do.

In addition to resettling the villagers nearby, it was also necessary to send the five knights stationed in the village back home.