Confession

At night.

Frieren four of them sat silently around the campfire, none of them speaking first.

The wood crackled and popped as it burned under the flames.

After a long silence, Himmel looked at Frieren and said earnestly:

"Frieren, could you please explain the situation to us?"

Although they already had a guess, and it was very likely to be the truth, they still wanted to hear Frieren say it herself.

Seeing that everyone was staring at her intently, Frieren knew she couldn't hide it any longer.

"Actually, I came back from eighty years in the future."

"Just as I thought."

Himmel nodded, asked no further questions, picked up a stick beside him, and stirred the campfire, making it burn brighter.

Frieren looked at Himmel and asked, "Do you believe what I'm saying?"

Sitting opposite Frieren, Heiter chuckled and said, "After witnessing magic on that scale firsthand, we have no choice but to trust you."

Himmel added, "And your behavior is indeed quite different from usual."

Frieren murmured softly, somewhat disappointed:

Is it that obvious?

"I thought I had hidden it very well."

Upon hearing this, Himmel and Heiter exchanged a glance, both unable to suppress a smile.

Whether now or in the future, Frieren remains as easy to understand as ever.

After confessing, Frieren much more relaxed.

Having just gone through a battle, and having been fed by Rienta and Fern, she suddenly felt a little hungry.

Frieren: "Himmel."

Himmel: "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Frieren: "I'm hungry."

Himmel: "Here, I have some bread."

Frieren took the bread, but found it hard to eat, and asked with a pained expression, "Isn't there anything else?"

Himmel paused, scratched her head, and said with a smile, "Just make do for now. I'll treat you to something good when we get to the next town."

Frieren sighed and began to work on the hard bread in her hand.

"Click, click..."

Himmel watched Frieren silently.

He knew, of course, that Frieren liked good food, but she rarely disliked hard bread.

Even if they dislike it, they won't say it directly.

Everyone is well aware of the team's financial situation.

He didn't think it was because Frieren had changed.

Because Frieren remains as easy to understand as ever; whatever her mood, it's always very clear.

Eighty years.

This is a very long period of time for humankind.

He is now twenty-three years old.

It's highly likely he won't live another eighty years.

Frieren had mentioned before that after defeating the Demon King, she would go and see the world.

This is the border of the Empire, far from the Foel Basin where Frieren has lived for hundreds of years.

Since the future Frieren came to this place again and touched the [Goddess's Monument], it can explain a lot of things.

He didn't know about other things, but when it came to food, the future Frieren would definitely rarely eat hard bread.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made that expression.

Early the next morning.

Himmel and his companions hurried toward a nearby town.

On the road.

Himmel remarked with some emotion, "The future eighty years from now... it's truly unimaginable."

Heiter said casually, "I'm afraid we'll all be gone by then."

Frieren was silent for a moment, then replied softly, "More or less."

After walking for a while, Heiter suddenly stopped and asked:

"Speaking of which, Frieren, did we manage to defeat the Demon King in the end?"

"This..."

The answer to this question isn't important, is it?

Before Frieren could speak, Himmel immediately interrupted Frieren.

"Of course it's important." Heiter turned his head to look at Himmel:

"Since the Demons appeared in human history and began its war with humanity, the Demon King has reigned at the pinnacle of the Demons for over a thousand years."

Countless world-renowned heroes have challenged it, but none have been able to defeat it.

Eisen nodded and said, "Indeed, even the [Hero of the South] couldn't accomplish this feat."

Heiter looked at Frieren again, his expression unusually serious.

"Frieren."

"Even eighty years from now, humanity will probably still be fighting the Demon King's Army, right?"

"Have we contributed to this war between humans and Demons?"

He didn't insist on asking whether the Demon King had been defeated, but instead used a more roundabout way to inquire.

Himmel could understand Heiter's feelings, but he did not approve of Heiter's direct questioning.

Even if we knew the answer, so what?

Heiter wanted to say something more, "But..."

Himmel interrupted again, saying, "If the journey to defeat the Demon King is destined to fail, then shall we not even try?"

"That can't be right, can it?"

"No matter the outcome, we will continue to fight."

"After all, we are a group of heroes."

Heiter was silent for a moment, then let out a long breath and murmured softly, "... That's certainly true."

The discussion about the future has come to a temporary halt.

Soon, it was noon.

The group lit a fire by the river, Eisen caught a few fish for lunch.

Eating hard bread all the time is definitely not a good idea.

Most of the time, they rely on local ingredients, with Eisen preparing the dishes.

The main reason we didn't cook last night was because we didn't have the right ingredients.

Today, Eisen made stewed fish. Soaking the hard bread in the soup makes it taste much better.

Soon, the aroma filled the air.

Himmel looked at Frieren and asked a crucial question.

"Frieren, do you know how to get back?"

Frieren took the stewed fish that Eisen handed her, placed it on the ground, and said while breaking off pieces of bread:

"I have absolutely no clue."

"I originally thought that touching the [Goddess's Monument] again would allow me to return, but unfortunately, that method didn't work."

Heiter held the freshly cooked stewed fish and gently stirred it with a spoon.

"After all, it's the Goddess's magic; there are still many mysteries surrounding it."

Himmel sat upright on the ground, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "In other words, the most important task now is to find a way back."

Frieren nodded and replied, "That's right."

Himmel was not a magician and knew absolutely nothing about magic.

Of the group, only Heiter is most likely to be able to help Frieren.

After all, Heiter is a monk, possessing the [Goddess's Protection], and can use the [Sacred Scripture].

But it seems that Heiter doesn't have any clue at the moment either.

That makes sense, considering it involves magic related to time.

After thinking for a moment, Xinmei said, "Anyway, let's go check out the nearby towns first."

"There's Church and Mage Association there; maybe we can find some clues there."

"And while you're at it, I'll treat you to a nice meal."

My royalties from last month arrived; it was a little over a hundred yuan.

Hey-hey.

This time, they can only maintain vital signs.

Frieren's popularity is indeed low.

After seeing my royalties, the book lovers in the group all urged me to start a new book soon.

Ha ha.

I'm really at my wit's end.

I was hoping to earn some rent from this.

Oh well, that's it.

If it really comes to that, I'll log my computer onto Xianyu (a Chinese online marketplace) and type on my phone.

I have to finish this book no matter what.