Time

Rienta took the menu and, with the help of the staff, ordered a variety of local snacks and drinks.

Then we waited quietly for the food to be served.

The restaurant served the food very quickly.

It was all served in no time.

But neither Frieren nor Fern showed any intention of starting.

Only Rienta was there, eating with both hands, thoroughly enjoying herself.

The unique foods from another world certainly have a special flavor.

"Stark seems to be having a good chat."

Frieren glanced at Wirbel and said softly, "Perhaps Stark is too uncomfortable in our team."

Fern stared blankly at Stark, his lips pursed.

Looking back at Rienta, who was engrossed in eating, he frowned and said helplessly:

"Rienta, why aren't you worried at all about Lord Stark leaving...?"

Upon hearing this, Rienta stopped what she was doing.

He said calmly, "I believe in Stark."

They then continued to deal with the food in front of them.

Since acquiring [Power to Uproot Mountains], Rienta's appetite has increased several times over.

The idea that he was so hungry he could eat a whole cow was no longer an exaggeration for him.

It is, rather, realistic.

It can already be considered a qualified pirate's stomach.

As for Fern and Frieren's concerns...

Throughout the journey, he and Stark shared a room.

The night is long, and I can't sleep.

Besides studying magic, he and Stark often chatted casually.

The topics could range from small things in the team to cultivation, and the two also talked about many other miscellaneous things.

So I'm not worried about this at all.

But it's definitely better for Stark to handle this kind of thing himself.

Instead of trying to explain things to Stark himself.

After a satisfying meal and drinks.

Rienta leisurely sipped her tea, her gaze sweeping towards Wirbel.

Only the three of them remained; Stark was no longer there.

Looking at the silent Fern, he said softly:

"Fern, you can go directly and ask Stark what he thinks."

"Um..."

The balcony on the second floor of the hotel.

Fern found Stark alone.

"... Lord Stark."

"It's Fern," Stark said, looking at Fern. "I've already declined Wirbel's invitation."

Fern kept replaying the words Frieren had said in his mind.

After a moment of silence, he asked:

"Lord Stark thinks..."

"Fern, why do you think I chose to stay in this team?"

Stark interrupted Fern and continued:

"I met you all when I was on the verge of collapse."

"At that time, I was so scared that I was about to abandon the village and run away on my own."

"Isn't it terrible?"

At this point, Stark recalled the night they first met.

Night, bright moon, young girl, having a heart-to-heart talk.

Oh right, and Rienta too.

In Rienta's words, this scene is an absolutely precious memory that she can cherish for decades to come.

Stark said with a smile:

"Although Frieren said she dragged me into the group, that's not actually the case."

"It was because of Fern that night that I wanted to join your group and travel with you."

After saying that, Stark added:

"... It would be even better if you could be gentler with me."

Fern said softly, "I understand."

After a moment's hesitation, he opened his arms to Stark and said:

"Come here."

Stark was startled and quickly took a few steps back.

What are you trying to do?!

"How terrifying!!"

"..."

Fern looked at Stark speechlessly.

She had clearly put a lot of effort into mentally preparing herself.

What a troublesome guy...

Early the next morning.

The four Frieren's party and the three members of Wirbel's squad stood on opposite sides of the fork in the road.

"In the end, I still couldn't convince you..."

Wirbel looked at Stark with some regret.

"Never mind, you'll all come to the northern border someday anyway."

See you then.

After saying that, he waved to Rienta and the others, and led Ehre and Sharf toward the port of Neutral.

"Then let's set off too," Frieren said softly.

The same four people continued their journey towards the Demon King's Castle, Ende.

Frieren was squatting on the ground, wearing a simple robe.

He glanced at the man with a small mustache in front of him.

He said calmly:

"I refuse. I cannot defeat the Demon King."

"Hmm... it still doesn't work after all..."

Although the Hero of the South knew this would be the outcome, he still couldn't resist giving it a try.

But nothing changed, just as he had seen.

Then, looking at the elf in front of him with some helplessness, he said:

"It seems I can't convince you on my own."

Frieren turned her head to look at the man in front of her and said:

"Judging from your tone, it's as if you already knew the outcome."

Upon hearing this, the Hero of the South chuckled and said:

"In fact, I knew this outcome a long time ago."

After saying that, he looked seriously at the crouching elf and said:

"Telling you about my magic shouldn't be a problem; you wouldn't tell anyone anyway."

"The reason I'm called the strongest human is—I can see the future."

Before Frieren could react, the Southern Hero continued:

"One year from now, I will be killed on the Northern Plateau by the all-knowing Schlacht and the Seven Sages of Destruction of Beng."

"What a pity, I will die before I realize my ideals and ambitions."

He then added:

"However, you don't need to worry. Even if you're by my side, my future death won't change."

"In the next few days, another hero will come to visit you."

"I'm sorry."

"In the end, it wasn't me who saved humanity, but that hero."

"To defeat the Demon King, you will embark on a journey together with that young hero."

Frieren wasn't surprised that the man before her possessed the ability to foresee the future.

Because magic is such an incredible thing.

But he said he would accept someone's invitation to join in defeating the Demon King...

He said calmly, "I think it's unlikely that such a thing will happen."

The Hero of the South replied softly, "You'll understand when you see him."

He will change your life.

Seeing that Frieren still looked unconvinced, the Southern Hero smiled and said, "It's about time I left too."

"By the way, can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"When you meet that young hero, please pass on a message for me."

"The Hero of the South, known as the strongest human, will personally pave the way for him."

Even if my great achievements can only exist in the shadows of history.

I don't care.

After leaving the forest where Frieren lived, the Hero of the South did not leave immediately.

Instead, they waited quietly outside the forest.

Soon, he met the person he wanted to see.

"Rienta? Right."

Although it was a question, the tone was very certain.

Rienta stood on her longsword, calmly looking at the Hero of the South who was known as the strongest human before her.

He said:

"Oh? As expected of the Hero of the South."

"What, you're trying to stop me?"

The Hero of the South gave a wry smile, unsure how to answer the question.

In the future he envisioned, the man before him could even perceive his presence across time and space.

But.

I have to do something.

"Can you really save the world by doing this?"

I don't need to explain what I do to you.

The Hero of the South was silent for a moment, then said softly:

"But this isn't your time, Rienta isn't you."

Rienta remained calm as she said, "So what?"

"Time has proven me wrong, so I will help him correct some of his mistakes."

He is not you.

"I am him."

Rienta left.

The Hero of the South sighed and left the forest.

'Perhaps, there's something else I can do...'