The Coachman's Request (Part 1)

Out of Rogley

The three had not walked far on the main road when they encountered a horse-drawn carriage.

After Galan's communication, and learning that the group was heading to a nearby town...

The other party readily agreed to give the group a ride.

"Thank you so much for giving us a ride."

Galan sat in the carriage

He supported Lia, who was swaying from side to side in the bumpy ride, while thanking the old man.

The coachman was a very kind old man.

He was wearing a brown velvet coat and a straw hat.

He owns a small farm nearby and lives a mostly self-sufficient life.

Over the years, I've made a little money selling fruits and vegetables to buy daily necessities.

However, recently, due to the Demons stirring up trouble in the vicinity...

He also reduced the frequency of his trips.

"At this time of year, it's rare to encounter anyone on the main road other than caravans."

The old man chuckled, brandishing his riding crop.

"If I don't take you, I don't know how long it will take to get to the next town."

The wheels spun on the uneven ground.

Frieren sat leaning against the carriage, her arms wrapped around her calves.

He quietly watched the two people opposite him.

Galan still carried the Alchemy Longsword on his back, with only a large suitcase beside him.

Before setting off, he had basically disposed of all the inventory he had accumulated over the years.

Most of it was sold through Rock's channels, and the proceeds were used to fund the rest of the journey.

Some were left to Glenn

That guy wasn't fully recovered, but he couldn't resist taking on all sorts of jobs.

If I don't leave him some weapons, I'm actually worried he'll ruin me.

After all this tidying up, apart from some essential supplies...

He didn't bring much with him.

After all, it's best to travel light when going on a long trip.

Lia brought even less.

Apart from some small items

Several changes of clothes were placed together with Galan.

There were also some snacks that had been prepared earlier, but they didn't last long under Frieren's fierce onslaught.

She flipped through a book of annotated "History of Magic" in her hands.

I am carefully studying each key point.

"Lia."

"--Hmm?"

Frieren pulled one hand out and rested it on her knee, supporting her chin.

It was like examining a small animal.

Do you... like magic?

She was really curious.

After all, Lia seemed to have shown a strong desire to learn magic ever since they met.

What could possibly have sparked her interest in magic?

"Hmm... it's just so-so, I guess?"

Lia put down her book, a thoughtful expression on her face.

It's not a matter of liking or disliking.

"... But learning magic will make me stronger... hmm."

Is that so?

Frieren pouted slightly.

He seemed not to be very satisfied with the student's answer.

Well... if it were Serie, she'd probably be very satisfied with this answer.

In her eyes, a qualified Mage should pursue greater power.

In that chaotic era of war

She so thoroughly enjoyed the war, and the unparalleled power brought by the mighty magic.

The reason I took Flamme as my disciple was precisely because I saw her amazing potential.

I hope that this human disciple will one day reach my level.

"Is it simply for power? And why do you want to become stronger?"

With a spirit of getting to the bottom of things,

Frieren decided to find out more about Lia's thoughts.

After all, this can provide some reference for what teaching methods she should use next.

Hearing Frieren's question

Lia paused for a moment, then turned her head and looked into the distance.

The expression on his face seemed to be both a remembrance and a mourning.

"Long ago, on the orders of the Demon King, the village where I grew up was massacred by Demons, and I became the sole survivor of that disaster."

"I was originally going to die at the hands of that Demon General. I used up all my Mana but still couldn't defeat him, and the village priest couldn't beat him either."

"But just when I thought I was going to be killed, someone suddenly appeared and saved me..."

Hearing Lia recount her past, Galan couldn't help but prick up his ears and turn his head.

They listened silently together with Frieren.

"Later, he took me with him and took me to many places. He taught me a lot and helped me understand many things that I couldn't understand before."

"He also made me realize that only when I am strong enough can I protect the beautiful things around me..."

At this point, she suddenly turned her gaze back to the two of them.

Frieren's pupils widened slightly without being noticed.

Because this time, she saw that familiar look in Lia's eyes.

That kind of gaze... similar to that of Flamme in the past.

"Really... I understand."

Frieren lowered her eyes, her face remaining expressionless.

Her thoughts are impossible to fathom.

Galan looked at Frieren.

She wondered if it was because of their similar experiences that she felt empathy for Lia.

But... did Lia have such a story before...?

But why hadn't she ever told me this before? And where did the person who saved her go after that?

It seems that whenever the past was mentioned,

She always says that she has lived in seclusion in such-and-such place for a long time.

As for what happened before that,

She would then use the excuse that "it's been too long and I've forgotten" to leave herself speechless.

It seems that these long-lived species all have their own unique understanding of time.

She could still recount many things that happened a hundred years ago.

But things that happened decades ago seem so long ago to her, so long that she can't even remember them...

"By the way, are you adventurers?"

The old man, who had been silently urging the horses along, suddenly turned around as if he had thought of something.

"No... you could say that."

Galan suddenly remembered that he was carrying a weapon on his back.

Staff was also placed beside Frieren.

In addition, there was their attire.

They certainly look like an adventurer team.

"Recently, strange noises have been coming from the farm at night, which is quite unsettling. When we went to check during the day, we found that several sections of the surrounding fence had been damaged, and the number of livestock in the sheds had also decreased."

"But I can't find the culprit anywhere. There shouldn't be any large wild animals out here at this time of year..."

"I wonder if you would be willing to take on this job and help me find the murderer?"

Upon hearing this, Galan turned to look at Frieren.

After all, she is the current leader of this team, so this matter should be decided by her.

Frieren pondered for a moment and asked:

What is the fee for the commission?

Forty copper coins--

The old man tentatively said a number.

After all, he wasn't wealthy, so it would be difficult for him to offer a generous reward.

"Hmm--Do you have any Grimoire at home?"

Hearing this, the old man paused for a moment, then said somewhat embarrassedly:

"... Indeed, I don't have any impressive Grimoire, only one [spell that makes animals sleep more soundly]..."

"Then let's use this as payment. We'll accept this commission."

Looking at Frieren's satisfied expression and the astonished old man...

Galan clicked his tongue in amazement.

I thought to myself, "So this is how it's going to happen..."