Ruby's Death

In reality, this occurred approximately sixty years after the hero Himmel defeated the Demon King. (In the original story, this occurred approximately 55 years after the Demon King's defeat, and 5 years after Simmel's passing.)

The Continental Union College is located on the edge of Nodkare, the capital of the Kingdom of Nasser. Its white stone walls gleam warmly in the sunlight. The college gates are open, and the young students coming and going have youthful energy on their faces.

Lowell led a boy across the spacious courtyard.

The boy's Levi. He had delicate features and looked around curiously, with a hint of nervousness that was barely perceptible.

"Come here, little Levi," Lowell said casually, his black hair fluttering in the breeze. "Look, that's Canaan Tower over there, the Star-Torch Corridor over there, and the warriors' training grounds over there..."

He walked along, casually pointing things out.

Dealing with Todd was incredibly easy. Levi, Fern, and countless destroyed villages, the endless war—all because of Minusi...

Since Minusi was influenced by Todd, then after Future Sight, it would be best to seal her away.

It's also great that Minusi can occasionally act as a teacher.

Todd is a staunchly chaotic evil, truly impossible to subdue.

With her, the source of all evil, gone, my peaceful days will be much longer.

If the Southern Lands were to wage war again without Todd's influence, since Himmel is in charge and Anthony's relationship with the Central Kingdom is relatively good, we could simply allow them passage, enabling Anthony's army to launch a surprise attack from afar, route the enemy from a hundred paces away, penetrate deep into enemy lines, and strike at their rear.

In the original story, Solitär was capable of single-handedly destroying an entire city, not to mention now that she's been strengthened. Whether it's high-end or low-level combat power, our side is now incredibly well-equipped.

If it weren't for the fact that Todd and Aura are indeed difficult for others to deal with, I wouldn't even bother to touch them. Putting aside others, I would definitely protect the little mushroom's driftwood.

Levi looked in the direction Lowell pointed, his eyes filled with longing.

He asked in a low voice, "Lord Lowell, you said... it's true that I'll be able to meet Lord Himmel today? Why... would you allow an ordinary person like me to be Lord Himmel's apprentice...?"

"Of course." Lowell nodded, glancing at the boy's tense profile. "He is, after all, the honorary principal, and he often comes to the academy to visit. You could say this is his second home. As for you, young man, I see you have extraordinary talent, a martial arts prodigy one in a million. Maintaining world peace depends on you... Well, I'm willing."

He was too lazy to make things up, and too lazy to go on and on to tell the truth that you were talented enough to assassinate Serie; he just gave a perfunctory answer.

A flicker of excitement crossed Levi's face, quickly replaced by worry. "But... Himmel, he must be eighty-one years old this year, right? Is his health... alright?"

His voice lowered, as if afraid of hearing a bad answer that would tarnish the image of his idol. After all, even among the wise rulers in history, there were quite a few who lost their integrity in their later years.

Upon hearing this, Lowell frowned slightly, revealing an expression that mixed with helplessness and regret, and sighed:

"Hmm... sigh. Age catches up with everyone. After all, he's an octogenarian, and his energy is definitely not what it used to be. And his partner, Ruby, is getting old too. Her hair has turned white, and she's not as agile as she used to be."

He paused, observing Levi's reaction. "So, do you still want to see them? It might not be what you imagine."

Levi immediately straightened his back, his eyes resolute. "If possible, of course I want to see them! I'm just... just worried about their health. No matter what they become, they are heroes who saved the world, people I've always admired!"

Lowell looked at him and patted him on the shoulder. "Really... that's good. They're in the lounge up ahead."

The two walked to a building covered in green vines, and Lowell pushed open a heavy wooden door.

The room was softly lit, and a small flame flickered in the fireplace.

Two elderly people sat side by side on the sofa.

An old man, with white hair and beard, and a face covered with deep wrinkles, but whose handsome features could still be vaguely discerned, was dressed in an old-fashioned warrior's outfit. His blue eyes were somewhat cloudy, and he was bowing his head with concern.

Beside him stood an old woman, her fiery red curly hair now gray, held up with a simple wooden hairpin. Her face was loose, dotted with age spots, and her once bright blue eyes had dimmed. She leaned against the old man, her breathing weak.

It was the elderly Himmel and Ruby.

"Ruby, Ruby..." Himmel's voice was old and hoarse, trembling as she gently shook her partner beside her, "How are you? Say something..."

Ruby did not respond; her eyes were closed, and her head was tilted limply to one side.

Himmel raised her head and looked at Lowell and Levi as they entered, her cloudy eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness:

"Lowell... you're here. Ruby... she said she was a little tired and wanted to rest for a while, but then... no matter how much I called her, I couldn't wake her... it seems..."

Levi froze at the doorway, his pupils contracting, his mind going completely blank.

He saw the aged, aging hero couple, which already shattered his expectations. But what was even more terrifying was that Ruby, the legendary Great Mage, the eternally vibrant and talented mage in the stories, was now...

He had just arrived here when the legendary Hero Party was about to die before his very eyes?

A tremendous shock and inexplicable grief choked him, rendering him speechless.

Lowell's face was grave.

Frieren was sitting quietly reading by the window, looked up. Her silver hair flowed with moonlight, and her emerald eyes swept over the stiff Levi, then looked at Ruby, who was "unconscious" on the sofa, and Himmel, who looked "grief." Her face was expressionless, and she just shook her head very lightly, as if she had already gotten used to it, before returning her gaze to the pages of her book.

Himmel continued his performance, his fingers trembling as he reached out to check Ruby's breath, his voice trembling with tears. "Ruby... wake up..."

Just as his fingers were about to touch Ruby's nose—

"Pfft..."

A very soft, barely suppressed laugh came from the side.

It was Lupa. Time had left no trace on her face; she still looked to be around twenty years old.

She quickly covered her mouth, but her shoulders still trembled slightly.

They finally settled in Bengbu.

Levi: "?"

The Heroic Great Mage Ruby dead. How could this person be like this?

Where is your conscience?

Almost simultaneously, Ruby, the "old woman" on the sofa, Ruby opened her eyes. Her clear, bright blue eyes were completely pierced by any cloudiness. She nimbly slapped the armrest of the sofa, used the momentum to leap into the air, and spun 720 degrees in the air, a soft magical aura flashing around her.

"Heave-ho!"

Her gray hair instantly transformed into vibrant red curls, her loose skin became firm and smooth, and her age spots vanished without a trace. She landed steadily, and the old-fashioned robe she wore transformed into the easy-to-move mage robe she usually wore.

She pointed her finger with a grin at Himmel, who was still "grieving" beside her, and turned him back to normal.

His white hair turned blue again, his wrinkles smoothed out, and his back straightened. Himmel instantly transformed back into the handsome and dashing blue-haired warrior.

The "sorrow" on Himmel's face vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile tinged with helplessness. She even casually tidied a stray blue hair that had fallen across her forehead.

Frieren closed the book, glanced at Levi who was still in shock, and added calmly, "They do this all the time."

Lowell finally lowered his hand, walked over to Levi, and vigorously ruffled his hair. "How about it, surprised? Unexpected?"

Levi stared, mouth agape, at Himmel and Ruby, who had instantly become sixty years younger, his mind completely blank. The heavy feeling of parting from life and death still lingered in his heart, but in the blink of an eye, it vanished, leaving only the absurdity of them looking at each other.

Ruby hopped in front of Levi, hands on her hips, a triumphant smile on her face. She cleared her throat and announced in a crisp, loud voice:

"Aha! Number one!" she exclaimed, holding up her index finger. "I'll never miss a fun prank!"

Himmel obediently stood beside her and replied in a clear voice, "Second," he held up two fingers, "We will absolutely not allow any pranks to hurt anyone!"

The two exchanged a smile, then simultaneously struck a cool pose and shouted in unison, their voices amplified by the magic:

Third! Every encounter must be filled with joy and surprise!

The room was suddenly illuminated by the magical lighting they had secretly set up, and the soft glow focused on the two of them, like a spotlight on a stage, with background music even playing in the background.

"Hero Himmel!"

"The Great Mage Ruby!"

"Come on!"

Frieren picked up the teacup beside her, gently blew on it, glanced at the two clowns, and commented indifferently:

"You two idiots, you're not young by human standards at all."

Levi stood frozen in place, staring at the two heroes whose smiles shone brightly in the light, seemingly untouched by time. He then glanced at Lowell, who was covering his mouth to stifle a laugh, and Frieren, who had a "I knew this would happen" look on her face. After several seconds, he slowly, extremely slowly, blinked his bewildered eyes.

"... ha?"