[Golden Land]

Dunkel, unaware of Rienta's strange behavior, gazed at the [Golden Land] ahead with a complex expression.

Ironically, from here, [Golden Land] looks so beautiful.

Because he had previously had afternoon tea with Dunkel, Stark was very curious about what had happened to Dunkel.

Pointing to the golden city ahead, he asked, "... Is your hometown there?"

Dunkel shook his head and explained, "Strictly speaking, no."

"The Fortress City of Weise belongs to the Gluck Family, which is the city ruled by my father-in-law."

"My hometown is further north, in the village at the northern end of the Barrier."

"My wife and I lived in that mansion a long time ago."

"However, that village was swallowed up by [Golden Land] a few years ago."

Hearing this, Rienta asked, somewhat puzzled, "... A few years ago? Didn't that guy Lernen say that Macht was sealed away fifty years ago?"

Dunkel knew something about the feud between Rienta and his old friend Lernen.

Since he needed someone's help this time, Dunkel pretended not to hear the words "old guy" and explained:

"The Barrier was only meant to restrict Macht, but [Golden Land] continues to expand."

"The Barrier manager's task is to adjust the Barrier's range annually based on the size of the [Golden Land]."

Rienta nodded, reluctantly accepting the explanation.

Frieren wasn't surprised by this, and murmured softly:

"I see. So that's how the Continental Magic Association has maintained the Barrier until now."

"While it's not like Serie's style, I have to admit it was a wise move."

"If it were me, I probably would have done the same."

Dunkel, who was standing right next to Frieren, heard this muttering.

After a moment of silence, he said, "The Barrier administrator has the authority to enter the Barrier."

"I have already returned to my hometown and visited my wife's grave."

Upon hearing this, Frieren asked, "Is that so? Are you satisfied now?"

That's a very straightforward question.

Rienta, Fern, Stark exchanged glances, all seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

"..."

Dunkel was rendered speechless by such a direct question.

His reason for taking the First-Class Mage exam was indeed already fulfilled.

But when I actually returned here...

But he felt it was far from enough.

Seeing this, Frieren looked at Dunkel and said calmly:

"Let's make this clear first, we will not interfere in your fight with Macht."

Seeing that Dunkel remained silent, Frieren sighed, "This is indeed a troublesome matter."

He then looked at Rienta and the others, took the Grimoire that was offered as payment, and handed it to Rienta.

"We refuse this request, Rienta. Send this Grimoire back."

Rienta readily agreed, took the Grimoire, and placed it into her [Personal Space].

He had always resisted this commission.

Fern and Stark, who witnessed this scene, both wore expressions of disbelief.

"... What's wrong, Lady Frieren?"

This is so unlike you.

Frieren turned her head to look at the two of them. "Doesn't look like me?"

"I've always considered everyone's lives to be the most important thing."

Upon hearing this, Stark said, puzzled, "... Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

"We have fought quite a few Demons so far."

What Stark said was also Rienta wanted to say.

He had never seen Frieren with such a serious and solemn expression before.

Even when facing Aura, the [Guillotine], who was also one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, Frieren only found it slightly troublesome.

[Golden Land] - Macht.

Is it really that strong?

Even Frieren doesn't want to fight him?

Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Frieren paused for a moment before speaking:

"I lost to Macht of [Golden Land] before."

After Frieren uttered these words after defeating the Demon King, silence fell over the Cliffside at the edge of the Barrier.

Dunkel lowered his eyes and silently gazed at the Barrier in the distance.

Fern and Stark watched Frieren with serious expressions.

Rienta stood beside Frieren, and upon hearing this, she recalled something Frieren had said long ago.

And just then, Frieren also uttered those words.

Rienta's inner voice and Frieren's voice rang out simultaneously.

"To date, I have only lost eleven times in my life to mages whose magic Mana is lower than mine, four of whom were Demons."

"And Macht of [Golden Land] is one of them."

Fern murmured softly, "Just like Qual..."

The Corrupt Sage Qual.

Fern was deeply impressed by it.

After all, it was because of Qual that, for a long time, Frieren would always tell him the history of magic before going to sleep.

Frieren nodded to Fern and continued, "Besides, even now, I can't imagine myself defeating Macht."

After saying that, Frieren turned to look at the Barrier in the distance.

"The safest way to eliminate Macht is to keep it imprisoned within this Barrier."

"Whether it's hundreds or thousands of years, Macht's lifespan will end before this region is swallowed up by the [Golden Land]."

A gentle breeze swept across the edge of the Cliffside.

Fern frowned as he looked at Frieren long, silver-white hair was fluttering in the wind.

"Lady Frieren, this is too much..."

Too inhumane?

Or is it too idealistic?

But it cannot be denied that Frieren's words make a lot of sense.

Rienta wanted to say something, but then she thought better of it and remained silent.

He possesses [Longevity].

It's understandable that Frieren uses time as a means to an end.

Of the few people present, apart from him and Frieren, they were all short-lived humans.

A span of hundreds or thousands of years is simply too far away for them.

Thinking of this, a strange idea suddenly popped into Rienta's mind.

'Am I still considered human now?'

Fortunately, Dunkel's voice rang out at that moment, interrupting Rienta's increasingly erratic thoughts.

"... Frieren is absolutely right."

"Indeed, that's what I thought at the beginning too."

Dunkel paused, his expression turning somewhat wistful.

"I haven't been back here since my wife passed away."

"I'm not the kind of person who would be so meticulous as to visit my wife's grave every year."

His wife was very young when she passed away.

At the time, he was studying and striving to become Court Mage.

He did this in order to help his wife's family.

"I'll go back in a while, I'll go back in a while."

"As I kept thinking about it, without realizing it, my duties and position no longer allowed me to leave."