A Date

Early the next morning.

Inside a hotel room.

"Ugh..."

Fern looked at the two outfits in her hands, caught in a dilemma.

After thinking for a while, he looked at the sleepy-eyed Frieren and asked:

"Lady Frieren, which one do you think looks better on me?"

Frieren was completely clueless in this regard—only half of her knowledge was truly profound.

He muttered, "Anything will do..."

"Instead of that, please braid my hair before I leave the house..."

Fern: "..."

It would be strange to expect an accurate answer from Lady Frieren about something like this, wouldn't it?

How could I have...?

Fern sighed helplessly and placed the two long dresses she was holding on the bed.

He then went to Frieren and began to fix her hair.

Given her good mood today, Fern decided to braid Frieren's hair into a three-strand braid.

Fern worked quickly and finished in no time.

By this time, Frieren had also become much more lucid.

After seeing that Fern had braided his hair into a three-strand braid.

She murmured, "Don't do that..."

"I apologized, okay? Don't braid my hair into three braids just because you're angry."

Fern didn't answer, but his hands moved even faster.

At the same time.

In another room of the hotel.

"Looks handsome, Stark."

Rienta looked at her masterpiece with great satisfaction.

The meticulously groomed Stark certainly has the air of a protagonist.

Unlike his previous role as Wirt, the eldest son of the Alden Family.

At that time, Stark was trying hard to maintain the demeanor of an aristocrat.

There can be no flaws in either speech or behavior.

To prevent the guests from noticing anything amiss.

But today's Stark doesn't have so many cumbersome constraints.

Just be yourself.

When I went to Rienta out the location yesterday, I noticed some shops in the city that offer custom-made clothes.

After scouting the location, he used his financial resources to have the shop specially customized an outfit for him.

Although it was the kind of clothes that Stark usually wore.

But it's more refined.

There are many simple patterns added to the edges.

Stark stared blankly at himself in the mirror, seemingly no different from his previous self.

But it looks better now.

It's like it's glowing.

Etc.

Glowing?

"Rienta, what are you doing?!"

Stark looked at Rienta with a shocked expression.

Rienta lightly, canceling the Special Effects Magic cast on Stark.

He said seriously, "Don't worry about that now, it's almost time."

"It's time to invite Fern."

"You can't expect Fern to come to you, can you?"

"That makes sense." Upon hearing this, Stark hurriedly left the room.

Rienta breathed a sigh of relief and gave a wry smile.

Actually, he was planning to give Stark a complete makeover.

Even if he doesn't have that ability.

But he's rich.

How could a big city not have talent in this field?

But Stark was somewhat resistant to this.

Rienta didn't quite understand at the time, but she still respected Stark's decision.

I didn't understand some of it until evening.

Perhaps the two-month etiquette training he had undergone left him with psychological trauma.

And.

If we were to follow his advice completely...

That was all to help Stark have a perfect date.

Or perhaps it's because of some regrets I have...

That remains to be seen.

Rienta stood by the window, looking towards the hotel entrance.

Fern wore light makeup, a floral maxi dress, and carried a handbag.

He walked side by side with Stark toward the street.

It's very harmonious.

It seems that's how it should be.

Life doesn't need too much advice.

What's more, it's someone else's life.

On the street.

Stark looked at Fern, who was dressed up meticulously.

He asked, "Fern is dressed differently today than usual, why is that?"

Fern was used to Stark's oblivious nature.

But he remained silent for a while after hearing this question.

He then explained softly, "... Because Lord Stark said today is a date..."

"... That's true."

Stark cursed himself inwardly.

Rienta was just helping me get dressed up a moment ago.

How could you ask such a stupid question?

But.

Fern looks like this today...

Why is he so cute?

Stark's gaze became somewhat fixed.

Until his gaze met Fern's, which was filled with some confusion.

Stark then realized what was happening.

He quickly looked away, took a few quick steps, and said in a somewhat unnatural tone:

"Anyway, let's go quickly."

Fern also noticed Stark's gaze.

But isn't that precisely why she dressed up?

Seeing Stark's somewhat stiff steps, Fern felt a surge of joy.

He then said softly, "Lord Stark's movements seem a bit stiff."

Haha, really?

At this moment, Stark was somewhat afraid to look at Fern.

They simply walked straight ahead.

After walking for a while, Stark noticed that Fern had stopped.

Looking at Fern behind him, he asked in confusion, "... What's wrong, Fern?"

"Where are we going?" Fern asked.

Stark carefully recalled the locations he had scouted yesterday.

He said, "I heard there's a trading market nearby. Let's go check it out first."

Fern said thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, Lady Frieren also frequents that place quite often."

"... Um."

The two started moving again.

On the way to the market.

Stark remembered Rienta's instructions.

There shouldn't be any awkward silences.

You need to be more proactive.

So he said, "I've heard that you can sometimes buy some very rare magical items in the trading markets of Large Towns."

Upon hearing this, Fern said softly, "I see. No wonder the inn rooms are filled with strange magical tools."

"I can just imagine how messy your room is," Stark said with a laugh.

Fern said with a hint of helplessness, "A while ago, Lady Frieren even fell asleep right there in a pile of magical tools..."

"To like magical tools to this extent is actually a little frightening..."

I think so too.

Fortunately Rienta usually conducts her magic research in her Personal Space.

"..."

Soon, the two arrived at the trading market.

As a fortified city, Havel's trading market is very lively.

The two strolled around for quite a while.

We stopped at a jewelry stall.

Fern picked up a necklace and said, "It seems couples get a discount on this jewelry."

"Dating is really profitable," Stark remarked.

"... Stark's words were far too blatant."

Fern put down the necklace he was holding and continued strolling through the trading market with Stark.

Leaving the jewelry stall, Stark looked around at the dazzling array of somewhat ordinary goods and said:

"It seems like I haven't seen anything unusual."

Fern said softly, "Wouldn't it be more surprising if the streets were full of vendors selling magical items?"

"Indeed." Stark smiled, then looked at Fern and said, "Since we've come all this way to town, let's explore other places."

Fern loves to eat delicious food.

This was something Rienta had told him a long time ago.

I've been browsing the market for quite a while now.

Stark took Fern to the pastry shop and bought some pastries that looked delicious.

Then we went to the Plaza to see the statue of the hero Himmel.

Then came dessert.

At last.

The two arrived at the park.

Fern leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant view.

She said softly, "You can see Himmel's statue in every town."

"The statues here are posing really well too." Stark imitated Fern and leaned against the railing.

"Yes."

"Frieren said that the Hero Himmel statue has over a hundred different poses."

"It feels like we went a bit too far... but Rienta would probably approve of Himmel's approach."

I think so too.

The two fell silent, quietly admiring the scenery in the distance.

After a while...

"It's so quiet here, a really nice place," Fern said softly. "The scenery is beautiful too."

"Yes," Stark agreed with Fern.

But his gaze couldn't help but drift towards Fern.

He had seen the scenery here yesterday, and it was indeed very beautiful.

But compared to Fern in front of her.

That's far inferior.

Stark reflected on his date that day and realized that Fern hadn't smiled at all.

So he asked, "Fern, did today's date not go as you wished?"

Fern was taken aback upon hearing this, and said, "That's not true."

Stark continued looking at Fern, saying, "I haven't seen you smile all day."

"... That's true."

Fern for a moment, then said softly, "I really enjoyed the places we visited today."

"However, Lord Stark is acting quite differently than usual."

"Today was supposed to be a rare date..."

After hearing Fern's words, Stark hesitated for a moment.

In the end, they chose to tell Fern the truth.

"I'm sorry, Fern."

"Actually, the places we visited today were all chosen for me by Rienta and Frieren."

"We need to get Rienta and Frieren..." Fern stopped mid-sentence.

"I wanted to make sure Fern had a good time today," said Stark, somewhat disappointed.

"After all, today is a rare date..."

Fern was not surprised by this answer.

Or rather...

She was already surprised that Stark had even invited her on a date.

These are the kinds of details.

Stark and Frieren are roughly at the same level.

"I see."

Seeing that Stark looked very disappointed.

Fern chuckled softly; this was the clumsy Stark she remembered.

He said, "Lord Stark, although today has left me with some regrets."

"However, at the same time, I am also incredibly happy."

"So Lord Stark went to all this trouble to make me happy."

"Fern..."

Stark wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

He just stared blankly at the smiling Fern.

The two sat down on a bench nearby.

Fern looked at the sky and murmured, "What a beautiful day."

"When I was a war orphan, I never imagined that one day I would be able to spend such a peaceful and comfortable time."

"Yes." Stark also thought of his village that had disappeared because of the demons.

"I have to thank Lord Heiter for adopting me."

Stark: "I also want to thank my master."

After returning to the hotel.

Fern put her long hair up and went to the hot spring area.

As expected, they encountered Frieren had been obsessed with soaking in hot springs ever since she entered the city.

Fern came to Frieren's side and entered the hot spring as well.

Looking at Fern's smiling face, Frieren knew that today's date must have been a success.

He asked, "Fern, you seem quite happy about it. Did something good happen?"

"Nothing."

"Really nothing?"

"Ahem, of course."

"How are you, Stark?"

"I've been exposed, Rienta."

"As expected."

"?"

"As long as they didn't betray us, that's fine."

"..."

"?"

The next day.

Rienta other three left Havis and continued their journey towards Ende.

"... And another three-strand braid..."

"This kind of three-strand braid is only braided for me by Fern when she's in a good mood."

"I can't see any difference at all..."

"I said, Master."

"What's wrong?"

Why did Master take me in back then?

"Because, if it were the hero Himmel, he would definitely do the same."