Strange People?

My flesh...

Galan stood frozen in place, while Garly stood there, tears welling up in her eyes, watching the charred Lion Dog scattered on the ground.

Now, they have turned into black coal mountains, lying haphazardly on the ground.

Only those Healing Fang that weren't completely charred still vaguely resembled what they looked like in life; they were all charred like this, and they looked inedible.

Lia stuck out her little tongue, stood slightly awkwardly behind Galan, and patted him on the shoulder.

It seems she felt apologetic for overcooking.

"Anyway, at least this task was completed relatively easily. Everyone worked hard."

Frieren closed the book, stood up, shook her head to brush off the fallen leaves, and gave a "finally free" look, as if she had ended it all.

With Lia's comforting words, Galan quickly rallied. After all, things had come to this point, and he couldn't bring himself to do it. He sheathed his weapon, turned around, and glanced at the Grimoire in Frieren's hand. He couldn't help but marvel at her passion for magic; even in this situation, she was always engrossed in her book.

Hakif, you bastard...:

The three of them quickly tidied up their belongings and prepared to return to report to the female shop owner.

Before leaving, Lia unusually used [the Water Ball Creation Magic].

They extinguished the flames that had been accidentally ignited on the trees by the pillar of fire.

This was also the first time Galan had seen her use elemental magic other than wind and fire.

It's hard not to find it a bit strange.

After a quick cleanup of the scene, the commission was successfully completed.

"This was surprisingly easy; it turned out I only had to run a few steps as bait before it was over."

"But this is a very important matter for the shop owner."

"Oh, so enthusiastic about helping others! I didn't know you'd become such a hero!"

Galan swung his arm and laughed as he teased Lia responded with a couple of "humphs" and a wave of her little fist.

"Hmm, it seems there's a stone tablet nearby, not too far from us."

Frieren suddenly closed her eyes and murmured.

Upon hearing this, Galan looked at her curiously, "How did you find that? Have you already learned that [Stele-Finding Magic]?"

"Almost there. This magic isn't very complicated. I just tried it out briefly, and I already felt a connection."

Frieren opened her eyes and revealed a smug smile. Whenever others praised her newly learned magic, Frieren would always be very happy, as if her efforts had been recognized and it seemed to prove that what she had done was meaningful.

A stone tablet? In a place like this?

Lia also raised a question.

Aren't stone tablets usually erected in eye-catching places for people to view or worship?

How could there be a stone tablet in such a remote and desolate place, so far from Singer Town? Could it have been built for monsters to see?

Regardless of whether they have the artistic talent to appreciate stone carving, Galan thinks they deserve a thumbs up just for being able to refrain from marking a spot on the side.

What a waste of precious resources, like casting pearls before swine...

"Should we... go take a look?"

Lia seemed intrigued by the unknown stone tablet, her eyes revealing intense curiosity.

Frieren's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a hesitant look flickered in her eyes. She seemed to have been persuaded by Lia and wanted to go and see for herself, and also to verify the effectiveness of her newly learned magic.

Is that stone tablet far away from us?

Seeing that both of them showed interest in the stone tablet whose existence was uncertain, Galan didn't say anything more. Although he really wanted to go back to the Inn and take another nap, he still felt uneasy not being by Lia's side. Strangely... it seemed like he was considering Lia in everything he did now...

When did I become such a henpecked husband? Hmm, not "henpecked husband" doesn't quite fit...

It seems like we haven't explicitly defined our relationship yet. To be honest, if we consider a confession as the mark of a confirmed relationship, we're not even really a couple, are we?

Thinking of this, Galan unconsciously reached into his pocket and squeezed the pair of silver rings that Zack had given him. He had actually planned to give them to him while shopping so that it wouldn't seem too awkward.

Well, in the end, it's because I was too cowardly.

Even something as simple as giving a gift is so hesitant. But letting the girl make the first move is definitely not going to work; I have to take the initiative myself.

But there really isn't a suitable opportunity right now, so we'll just have to wait...

Galan shrugged helplessly, then pulled his hand away and followed the two who had already set off to search for the stone tablet. The group walked in a different direction than before and suddenly noticed that the surrounding trees had many more leaves. "It's a coniferous forest. No wonder they haven't gone bald this season."

Galan casually plucked a small section of twig and examined its needle-like leaves.

Perhaps it's a dawn redwood? Or a pine? A cypress?

Actually, these varieties are relatively easy to identify, but unfortunately, his knowledge is quite limited.

Aside from being able to name a few people, he doesn't have any other skills.

"Could there be other monsters around here? After all, so many Lion Dogs have appeared."

"Hmm... it's not impossible."

Seemingly sensing that the atmosphere around them was becoming increasingly strange, Lia asked, her voice slightly breathless.

The woods were eerily quiet except for the sound of a few people's footsteps.

Even though it was still daytime, the dense foliage overhead was gradually covering their heads, making it difficult for sunlight to reach the area where they were.

"I previously heard people at the Inn say that man-eating monsters have appeared in the forests around here, and many people who passed through have mysteriously disappeared."

Frieren suddenly brought it up, as if deliberately trying to scare Lia. "Oh, is that so? No wonder no one dared to accept the shopkeeper's commission; after all, it requires passing through this forest."

Galan, who was following behind, heard their conversation and felt a chill run down his spine.

To be honest, even if a powerful Demons stood in front of me, if the other party had a form, I could simply run away if I couldn't win.

Anyone can run away.

But the thought of something ghostly or indescribable is still a bit creepy.

After all, who hasn't been traumatized by horror movies when they were a child?

I bet if you encountered that, your legs would go weak, and you wouldn't even have the strength to run.

"Galan?"

"Um?"

Seeing Frieren suddenly turn around and look at him, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed, as if this old man had seen through his little scheme.

Well, being afraid of ghosts isn't shameful!

If you want to say it, then I will!

"If you encounter any strange people next, don't hesitate, just take action."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly saying that? And who are you referring to as the strange person?"

Frieren's sudden, seemingly random remark caught him off guard, leaving him completely bewildered and unsure of her meaning. "It's just a guess, but I have a feeling—anyway, just stay alert—"

She didn't answer Galan's question and silently turned her head away.

Hey, let's get this straight! Don't get stuck at the crucial moment!

Strange people will appear? Could it really be ghosts?