Visitor

The Continental Magic Association, Oysast Headquarters, a quiet reception room.

Sense stood quietly, her long, light brown hair almost touching the ground, like a still waterfall. Her eyelids drooped, her deep blue eyes staring into the void ahead, her face expressionless.

A petite figure clung to her like a koala, affectionately rubbing its cheek against hers. Fiery red curly hair swayed with the movement.

"Ruby, could you please stop rubbing against me?" Sense's lips curled downwards.

"Hehehe..." Ruby raised her head, her face beaming with a bright smile. Her large, emerald eyes curved into crescents. Instead of letting go, she took advantage of the situation and reached out to gently pinch Sense's cheeks, pulling them apart slightly. "You missed me! It's been so long, what's wrong with letting me replenish some 'Sense energy'? You've missed me for so long, haven't you?"

"Ruby," Sense said, letting his face be pinched into a somewhat comical shape, his eyes still unfocused, "Please be a little more mature and composed. After all, you are a mage who defeated the Demon King, a being worthy of being called a legendary 'Great Mage.' Besides, considering your actual age..."

"Stop!" Ruby immediately stuck her index finger to Sense's lips, puffing out her cheeks. "Age doesn't matter, just look at my face and you'll know I'm forever eighteen! Hehe..." As she spoke, she took the opportunity to pinch Sense's expressionless cheek.

Sense: "..."

She silently straightened her slightly disheveled robes and turned her gaze toward the doorway.

Lowell, Frieren, and Fern stood there.

Lowell looked at Ruby, who had suddenly appeared, somewhat surprised. "Why did you come here?"

Ruby Sense, skipped around, put her hands behind her back, and said with a grin, "Hmm... is there anything wrong with me coming here? The Continental Magic Association is my home." She tilted her head, her tone matter-of-fact.

"Okay, that's true..." Lowell rubbed the back of his head.

Ruby chuckled, turning her gaze to Frieren, her eyes sparkling. "Lady Frieren! Long time no see! You're still the same as before, and this outfit makes you look even younger and more beautiful than before!" She looked at Frieren's pure white dress and light gray hooded cloak with genuine admiration.

Frieren blinked her emerald eyes, a slight smugness curving her lips into a smile, "Hmph~ Ruby, you've got a better tongue than before."

Fern bowed slightly, his tone respectful and steady. "Long time no see, Ruby."

"Oh dear, oh dear, we're already so familiar, no need to be so polite!" Ruby strode up to Fern, grinning as she reached out and pinched her expressionless, fair cheek. "Speaking of which, I'm also Lady Frieren's apprentice! Theoretically, you can call me Senior Sister! Come on, call me Senior Sister~"

As she spoke, she gently pinched Fern's slightly chubby cheeks.

Fern's cheek was gently tugged, a hint of helplessness flashing in his pale purple eyes. "... I don't know why, but ever since I came to Oysast, girls always like to pinch my cheeks."

"Hehe, calling me a girl!" Ruby laughed happily, ruffling Fern's hair. "Fern is so good with words~ Fern is so cute, she could sit at the same table as Sense! They both seem Bingbing on the surface, but they feel amazing to the touch, like two beautiful kittens..."

Fern and Sense glanced at her simultaneously, but neither of them said a word.

Lowell looked around and asked, "So, where's Himmel? Aren't you two together? You two are practically inseparable, second only to Frieren and me. Didn't you come together this time?"

"Of course we're here," Ruby nodded. "We took care of quite a few monsters on our way to Oysast. But he was just inexplicably called away. They said a bill for some hot spring inn was sent to the North Country Bank, and they're asking him about it... That's strange, we haven't been to any of those hot springs lately..."

Standing to Lowell's side and slightly behind, Frieren immediately lowered her head upon hearing this, her shoulders trembling almost imperceptibly, her lips pressed tightly together as she pretended to examine the ties of her cloak.

Lowell's expression froze instantly. Lowell raised his hand to touch his nose, his eyes darting towards the ceiling, and fine beads of sweat seemed to be seeping from his forehead.

"Oh, I see." He replied vaguely, trying to change the subject, "Well... the North Country Bank is quite efficient, huh..."

Just then, a steady footstep sound came from outside the door.

Himmel, dressed in casual travel clothes, walked over. His short blue hair was neat, and he had a hint of helplessness on his face. He first looked at Ruby: "I found out, it was a misunderstanding..." Then, his gaze swept over everyone, and when he saw Lowell, a bright smile appeared on his face. He stepped forward and put his arm around Lowell's shoulder.

"Lowell, it just so happens that I ran into you. The person who registered was a dark-haired gentleman with... well, in their words, a 'slightly languid' air..."

All eyes were on Lowell.

Frieren continued to study the pattern on her cuffs, as if it were engraved with lost ancient magic.

Fern looks down at his nose, and his nose reflects his heart.

Sense's eyelids drooped; it was none of his business.

Ruby blinked curiously, looking back and forth between Lowell and Himmel.

Lowell: "Uh..."

He opened his mouth, glanced at Frieren, and realized that she hadn't received his distress signal at all.

He chuckled twice, raised his hand and patted Himmel on the shoulder, his tone becoming earnest. "Well... Himmel, you see, we've known each other for so many years. As a hero who saved the world, a role model for Human race, it's not uncommon for admirers to use your name to do... well... small things like boosting local consumption. Doesn't that just show you're popular? It's a good thing! Don't worry too much about the details; broaden your perspective..."

"Hahaha... Really? As the hero who saves the world, I also have to boost border tourism?"

"That's right! That's how a hero should be! With great power comes great responsibility! Hmm... Immeasurable merit, immeasurable merit."

"Well... Lowell, it's been a long time. Is this meal on you?"

"Of course! Absolutely! It's my treat!"

"Alright! Everyone, stop hiding and come out!" Himmel smiled and waved towards the door.

Lowell: "?" He thought "we" only referred to Himmel and Ruby.

Outside the door, familiar figures such as Heiter, Eisen, Millialdai, Levi, Stoltz walked out one after another, smiling.

Lowell: "..."

He looked at the reception room, which had suddenly become somewhat crowded, and at his group of smiling old friends who were clearly planning to "rob the rich." He raised his hand to his forehead, sighed deeply, and his face was full of helplessness, as if he had "lost a lot this time." But deep in his eyes, there was a trace of genuine warmth that was hard to detect.