The Village

The process of entrusting the task is simple.

It was just clearing out a bunch of ordinary Bird-Shaped Magical Beast.

For Rienta and her group, the most difficult thing was probably figuring out how to find the Bird-Shaped Magical Beast's lair.

Following the directions given by Gain, the group walked upstream along the Toya Gorge.

Putting aside the bottomless ravines on the side, the scenery along the way is quite beautiful.

There was even a small lake along the way.

However, this leisurely time did not last long.

After walking for about an hour, the road ended.

To continue, one must follow a narrow path along the edge of the valley, barely wide enough for one person to pass at a time, clinging to the wall.

"Be careful, or it'll be the end of the story."

After giving her some instructions, Frieren walked straight towards the path at the edge of the valley.

Fern and Stark followed.

Seeing that Frieren and the others were about to continue along the path, Rienta quickly stopped them.

He couldn't quite understand it.

Since we're not directly above the valley, the wind isn't strong.

Logically, shouldn't we use [Flight Magic] at this point?

"Lady Frieren, let's use [Flight Magic] to get through this part of the journey."

"..."*2.

"That's right!" Stark was taken aback upon hearing this, then turned around, put his arm around Rienta's shoulder, and said with a smile, "Rienta's smart after all!"

Rienta tried to signal to Stark, but unfortunately, the docking failed.

"Stark, are you implying that Fern and I are stupid?"

Ahead, Frieren's calm voice rang out.

Stark immediately realized what was happening and turned around, his body slightly stiff.

Frieren looked at him calmly.

Stark had seen that look before; it was during his first battle after joining the squad.

He called Frieren a 'stinky old hag,' and that's the look Frieren gave him back then.

Although the treasure in the [Red Mirror Dragon]'s lair didn't last long at the time.

But even now, Frieren hasn't forgotten this.

Fern frowned slightly, silently watching the somewhat inhuman Stark.

Their gazes, almost tangible, fell upon Stark.

"Rienta, what should I do? I think I said something wrong!"

Stark leaned close to Rienta's ear and whispered something.

Does it look like it?

That's interesting.

Rienta and gave a wry smile, rubbing her forehead in exasperation.

He reached out and patted Stark on the shoulder, then sighed.

Then, using [Telekinesis], he continued flying upstream with Stark.

He didn't know what to do in this situation.

They decided to pretend nothing had happened and simply ran away with Stark.

"Huh? Are we just leaving like this?"

"Shut up, Stark!"

"Why are you suddenly so fierce..."

"You still dare to talk!"

The voices of Rienta and Stark echoed in the sky.

Below.

Frieren's lips twitched slightly. She exchanged a glance with Fern, and both of them saw helplessness in each other's eyes.

"..."*2.

"Let's follow them."

"Um."

Frieren and Fern each summoned their Staff and unleashed [Flight Magic], flying towards Rienta and the other two, who were already some distance away.

Half an hour later, the group canceled their [Flight Magic] and landed back on the ground.

Seeing that Stark was eager to say something, he realized that Shutark seemed to want to make a move.

Rienta quickly interrupted the spellcasting and looked at Frieren, asking:

"Speaking of which, why did Gain build a bridge over the canyon?"

Frieren was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Perhaps it's because of regret."

Let's talk as we walk.

After explaining the reason to everyone, Frieren followed Gain's directions and continued upstream into the valley.

Many years ago, she and Himmel passed through this place on their journey to defeat the Demon King.

At that moment, Gain sat there looking rather forlorn, gazing at the unfinished bridge.

Frieren asked Gain when the construction would be completed.

But Gain replied, "I'm afraid it will never be finished in a lifetime; the construction funds have run out."

'I clearly have plenty of time...'

She didn't quite understand at the time, but Himmel seemed to have.

Then Himmel asked Gain and Rienta the same question.

Why build a bridge in such a place?

Gain said his village was nearby, and once, the Demons attacked.

The nearest human garrison is in the city across the valley.

If only there had been a bridge here back then.

The village should be saved.

After hearing Gain's explanation, Himmel immediately Gain over the reward their team had received for helping a nobleman retrieve a sword from the Demons.

Frieren didn't know the exact amount of money.

But she knew that the money bag Himmel gave to Gain was almost all of their squad's funds.

Gain didn't accept it immediately because he didn't know how to repay it.

Himmel, however, said that the bridge would be his reward.

At the time, only Gain was working on the bridge, and progress was slow. Therefore, even after the bridge was completed, Himmel probably already...

Gain was being blunt, but it was the truth.

Unexpectedly, Himmel's answer was:

"Let Frieren accept the reward."

"Please build this bridge very sturdily, so that it can last for a thousand years."

Frieren didn't understand why at the time.

But now, I think I understand a little.

The story is over.

They also found the nest of the Bird-Shaped Magical Beast.

Looking around, dozens of enormous Bird-Shaped Magical Beast were resting on the edge of the valley cliff.

Judging from the Mana emanating from them, they were indeed a group of ordinary Bird-Shaped Magical Beast.

Rienta raised her hand and cast [Rho Aias] on Stark.

They then joined forces with Frieren and Fern to launch an indiscriminate attack on the nest of the Bird-Shaped Magical Beast in the distance.

Stark was responsible for dealing with those who got too close to the group.

Beams of Mana, lightning bolts, and sword shadows suddenly appeared.

The entire nest was enveloped in a dazzling light.

The shrieks of Magical Beast echoed intermittently from the lair.

This battle.

No, it should be called "stomping noobs," and it didn't last long.

Under the combined attack of Rienta and the other two, the Bird-Shaped Magical Beast lasted for less than a minute.

This is because several Bird-Shaped Magical Beast occasionally fly out of the valley.

After the battle, Rienta and the others waited in the same spot for a while.

After seeing that no more Bird-Shaped Magical Beast appeared, they returned along the original path through the valley.

By the time Rienta and the others returned to the bridge, it was already completely dark.

The full moon hangs high in the sky.

Gain stood quietly on the bridge.

The bridge has been completed for some time now.

However, it has never been put into use because of those Bird-Shaped Magical Beasts.

Fortunately, Frieren arrived.

He believed that Frieren could definitely resolve this matter.

Just as Himmel believed in him.

"Gain, it's all cleaned up."

Gain turned to the crowd. "Thank you so much, Frieren."

After thanking Frieren, Gain paused for a moment, placed one hand on the bridge railing, and rubbed it a couple of times.

"Thanks to you, I can finally travel freely between the two banks of the 'Toya Gorge'."

Frieren tilted her head, not really caring about those things, and instead asked:

"Gain, what are your plans next?"

Gain approached Frieren and handed Frieren a Grimoire.

[The magic that perfectly flips a pancake].

This was the payment they had agreed upon beforehand.

"I plan to enjoy my retirement in the village."

The group exchanged bewildered glances, none of them understanding what Gain meant.

Moreover, Frieren had just stated that Gain's existence had been destroyed by the Demons.

Gain offered no explanation, but simply led the group toward the distance of the valley.

It took about ten minutes to walk.

A cluster of stone houses appeared before them.

A campfire was crackling and popping nearby.

The villagers were carrying various foods and drinks, seemingly preparing for a banquet.

At this moment, a villager spotted Rienta and her group and greeted them warmly.

"You're back."

"The timing is perfect."

Congratulations, Gain! We're having a victory celebration tonight!

Gain stopped, glanced at the busy villagers, turned to look at Frieren, and said softly:

"Frieren."

"Two hundred years is enough time to build a new village."

Frieren was taken aback by what she heard, and looked at the villagers who were preparing for the dinner party in the distance and the stone houses scattered around.

For her in the past, time was just time.

But the last hundred years or so are more than just time.

Frieren tilted her head and chuckled softly:

"I see..."