Accessories

The town, nestled on the edge of Bond Forest, was small, with low brick and wood houses lining the cobblestone streets. A merchant's trinkets shop stood at the town entrance, their signs faded by wind and sun, clearly passed down through generations.

The store displays a variety of ornaments, which shimmer slightly in the sunlight.

"Are these really all you need?" The merchant looked at Frieren and Fern, who were trying on the items, his tone tinged with gratitude and a hint of uncertainty. "Although I was supposed to give you a ride... you actually saved my life. Even if it's a family heirloom, it's no problem..."

Frieren and Fern each held a necklace and stood in front of an old mirror inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Frieren wore an extremely thin silver chain, adorned with a teardrop-shaped moonstone that emitted a soft glow. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the effect of the necklace against her silver hair and fair skin in the mirror, her emerald eyes sparkling.

Fern's necklace was a slightly more delicate one, adorned with a small, openwork amethyst in the shape of a butterfly, perfectly complementing her hair color. She gently stroked the cool gemstone, her pale purple eyes revealing undisguised delight.

The two were so engrossed in the joy of their new jewelry that they didn't even have time to pay attention to the merchant, admiring themselves in the mirror again and again.

"Haha... you can tell from their vain expressions." Lowell chuckled. "With jewelry, personal preference is the most important thing. Heirlooms, no matter how expensive, are useless if they don't fit well. We appreciate your gesture, it was just a casual monster kill, the reward is generous enough. We'll also help you clear some monsters on our way north, to make your future trade easier."

"That's wonderful... And," the merchant thanked him, then turned and took two spellbooks from under the counter, and pulled a parchment from his pocket, "Here are four folk spells, which were originally intended as payment for you."

He opened the notebook and pointed to the childish handwriting and simple diagrams:

"These are four types of magic: 'Find Lost Accessories,' 'Eat Grass Like a Cow to Grow Muscles,' 'Become Lucky for a Short Time,' and 'See Through Clothes.'"

He had barely finished speaking when Frieren practically appeared in front of the counter, snatched the notebook, and exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, "Oh! Hey..."

"... Is this guy really that interested in spellbooks?" Sein leaned closer for a look, his lips twitching. "Finding lost trinkets sounds somewhat useful, but what's with this Eat Grass Like a Cow to Grow Muscles' nonsense... Even if it really worked, I wouldn't want to eat grass..."

"Speaking of which, that See Through Clothes magic seems pretty good. Can I take a look...?"

"No." Fern interrupted him.

Frieren didn't even look up, intently turning the pages of her book, her tone tinged with smugness. "Hmph~ Sein, you really don't know anything. No matter what magic I learn, Lowell will praise me, right?"

Lowell looked at the spellbook and remained silent for a moment.

After a long pause, he said tactfully, "... Well, although... but... you'd better not build any more muscles..."

Fern walked over and calmly echoed, "I second that, Lady Frieren."

Frieren pouted and mumbled an "Oh," but her hands didn't stop turning the pages of the book.

"This magic that lets you See Through Clothes... it seems like it can tell if someone is carrying a weapon. It might be useful at some parties, to spot if any warriors have infiltrated."

"..." Fern was silent for a moment, "How about this, Lady Frieren, I'll learn this."

"Oh, are you interested?" Frieren looked at her. "Then you can keep it safe."

"I wouldn't say I'm interested... but if it's in your possession, someone might take it and look at it someday."

"What's wrong with taking it to see...?"

"..."

"Sorry, I didn't say anything."

After thanking the merchant, the group went to a small, clean-looking restaurant in town.

Pushing open the wooden door, the aroma of food wafted out. It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was quite crowded.

A young female clerk with black hair, glasses, and an elegant purple dress greeted us warmly, "Welcome! Towards delicious food and legends! Welcome to the Adventurer's Tavern."

Frieren looked at the shop assistant's face and blinked. "Oh! Towards Food and Legends! Long time no see!"

The shop assistant paused, looking at Frieren's unfamiliar face with some confusion. "Uh... who are you?"

Frieren stepped forward, patted her on the shoulder, and said in a familiar tone, "What, Katherine? Have you forgotten me after eighty years? I'm Frieren. We ordered desserts here eighty years ago when you were here. The strawberry tart back then..." She gestured.

The shop assistant's expression shifted from confusion to realization, then she smiled somewhat sheepishly, "Ah... well, you might be referring to my great-grandmother. She did help out here when she was younger. My family says we look quite alike... and my surname is indeed Katherine."

Frieren's expression froze instantly, and her hand, which was about to clap a second time, stopped in mid-air.

"... Uh... really?" She withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly, coughed twice, and glanced at the menu on the wall. "Ahem, never mind then... order, order..."

Lowell couldn't help but chuckle, turning his face away to giggle. Sein, on the other hand, burst out laughing without any restraint. Fern gently patted Frieren's head.

Frieren narrowed her eyes, deciding to turn her embarrassment into appetite, and pointed at the menu. "I want this, this, and this super-sized honey roast meat set meal!"

"Hey, can you finish all that food?" Sein.

"It's okay, there's always Lowell if we can't finish it all," Frieren matter-of-factly.

Lowell nodded. "Yes, I'll eat."

The food was quickly served, its aroma filling the air. The group, who had been traveling all day, ate quietly, the noise of the inn becoming background noise.

Frieren ate intently, occasionally squinting her eyes slightly when she tasted something she liked.

Lowell ate slowly and deliberately, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Frieren, and he would naturally reach out to her when she needed a tissue or a glass of water.

Fern sat upright, eating in small bites, like a concerned little adult.

Sein watched this seemingly ordinary yet exceptionally harmonious scene, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

This kind of journey doesn't seem so bad.