Staying or Leaving

29th year of Shinshi Era

The Great Forest of Zanfort, Northern Lands.

The riverbank in the morning.

"Ugh... it's so cold..."

Frieren was sitting by the river, dressed in light clothing.

As Fern washed Frieren's hair, he said:

"Just bear with it a little longer, we'll be able to soak in the hot springs soon."

After a while, I helped Frieren wash her hair.

Begin cleaning the bracelets and hair accessories.

"Good, it's become very clean."

Fern looked at the bracelet in his hand with great satisfaction.

"It's the Mirror Lotus bracelet," Frieren asked, looking at the bracelet in Fern's hand. "I remember Stark gave it to you, didn't he?"

Fern nodded and placed the bracelet aside.

Then, picking up the hair accessory, she smiled and said, "I've cleaned the hair accessory that Lady Frieren gave me too~"

"Fern always looks so happy when she's taking care of these items," Frieren remarked.

"Is that so?"

"You seem very happy now," Frieren said with a smile.

Fern said softly, "Perhaps it's because these are all precious gifts."

"It wasn't for nothing that I put so much effort into choosing a gift for you."

Just then...

Rienta and Stark, arm in arm, each carrying a fishing rod, also arrived at the riverbank.

The two decided to try fishing again.

The four people's eyes met.

"Huh?"

"Indecent."

Upon hearing this, Rienta quickly pulled the still-stunned Stark away.

Fern did not mention that she was there to take a bath before she left.

So he didn't know about it either.

Beside the campsite.

Fern is using magic to blow-dry Frieren's hair.

Rienta and Stark exchanged a glance.

The two said together:

"We're so sorry, we didn't know you two were bathing in the river..."

Fern didn't even glance at the two of them, and said calmly, "I'm not angry."

After saying that, he smiled and said to Frieren, "Alright, your hair is dry."

"..."

Although Fern didn't seem lifeless at all.

But at this point, it's best to go along with Fern.

After storing all the camping gear in Rienta's Personal Space, the four continued their journey.

But.

The atmosphere, however, was somewhat strange.

Even Frieren sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.

After walking for a while, Frieren slowed down.

After walking alongside Rienta and Stark, he asked in a low voice, "Rienta, I have a question."

"... What's wrong?" Rienta asked, looking at Frieren.

Frieren said thoughtfully, "Is the atmosphere awkward right now?"

"Huh? Frieren can actually read the atmosphere?"

"Why am I feeling a little touched...? Stark."

Rienta asked the dejected Stark beside her.

Just now, when they were by the river Frieren and Fern were wearing clothes.

It's just a little cool.

Furthermore, Rienta had experienced the information explosion, so they were already used to such sights.

But there was still some awkwardness.

After all, it's inappropriate to say it this way.

However, Stark had not had a similar experience.

What just happened was a bit too much for him.

Stark nodded listlessly.

This can be interpreted as agreement with Rienta's statement.

Frieren glanced at Fern, who was walking at the front, and then at Stark was trailing behind.

She said softly, "This happens from time to time. Is it because you two have incompatible personalities?"

Stark was taken aback and said, "I don't think that's true."

Frieren looked at Stark seriously and said:

"Stark, if you feel uncomfortable traveling with us, just let me know."

"After all, I was the one who practically dragged you into this team."

"Lady Frieren?" Rienta was taken aback and tugged at Frieren's sleeve.

He didn't quite understand why Frieren would say that.

Shouldn't arguments and noise be a normal thing?

How could it suddenly be like this...?

Frieren shook her head at Rienta.

She understood what Rienta meant, but Fern and Stark had indeed been doing this far too often.

Judging from what happened this morning...

She and Rienta almost forgot about it very quickly.

But the situation is different between Fern and Stark.

Any event related to the two of them will elicit a subtle reaction.

Moreover, most of them are malignant, which is why she asked that question.

"Frieren, I..."

Stark was about to explain, Fern, who was walking at the front, suddenly spoke up, "There's a fork in the road ahead."

Upon hearing this, Frieren gave Rienta a wink, then went to Fern's side and said:

"That leads to Neutral Port, and this leads to the Northern Plateau."

Rienta patted Stark on the shoulder and said:

"While it's quite possible that Frieren is overthinking things, if it's true, we will respect your wishes."

Stark said with a hint of helplessness, "Rienta, why do you think that way too..."

"Haha," Rienta laughed, putting her arm around Stark's shoulder.

He said, "I knew Frieren had misunderstood."

"Find an opportunity to explain it to her."

"Hmm." Stark nodded seriously.

He didn't feel uncomfortable being in this team.

"Rienta, Stark, what are you two talking about in the back?"

"Coming, coming."

After walking for a while, the Stark pointed to a building and asked:

Is that a hotel over there?

At that moment, Frieren stepped forward and pushed open the inn door.

"We're on the main road, so it's normal to find hotels there."

Looks like we won't be camping tonight.

The group followed Frieren into the inn.

I noticed that several of the customers in the store were acquaintances.

"Isn't this Frieren? I didn't expect to see you again."

Wirbel stood up and walked towards the group, nodding to Rienta and Fern at the same time.

He then raised his right hand and gave Stark a special greeting.

He said with a smile, "Stark, thank you for your help in defeating 'Freza'."

Stark replied with a smile, "Yo, long time no see, Wirbel."

Wirbel followed the four to another table.

He said, "I heard that the demons on the northern border have started rioting again, so I chose to leave by sea and head back."

"Up to the harbor of the capital, I traveled the same route as Ehre and Sharl."

The inn wasn't large, so Ehre easily overheard Wirbel's unvarnished words.

He quipped, "Wirbel was just complaining about how much he hates seasickness, that's really ridiculous. Judging by your age, you're practically an old man already."

Wirbel chuckled and said, "First of all, I'm not old enough to be called an old man yet. I was still a young man in my twenties not long ago."

"Secondly," Wirbel said, looking at Stark, "What's your thought about that matter from before?"

"That incident before?"

Frieren, along with Rienta and Fern, looked at Wirbel in bewilderment.

Wirbel explained, "The situation on the Northern Plateau is not optimistic, and we are severely lacking in a suitable vanguard."

He then looked at Stark seriously and said, "I won't force you, but I hope you can help me stabilize the northern front for two or three years."

Stark's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "Wirbel, I told you before, didn't I? I'm the midfielder for this team."

"I see. But I won't give up so easily."

Wirbel put his hand on Stark's shoulder.

Looking at Frieren and Rienta, he asked:

"Frieren, Rienta, can you give me a chance to persuade this guy?"

Fern: "Um..."

Frieren interrupted Fern, saying indifferently, "Whatever."

"Lady Frieren." Fern looked at Frieren with confusion.

Wirbel turned her gaze toward Rienta.

Rienta chuckled softly and said:

"Please go ahead."

After saying that, he gave Stark a wink.

After receiving an affirmative answer, Wirbel happily dragged Stark to find Ehre and Sharf.