The return trip and idle talk

As night deepened, the magical lamps along the street lit up one by one, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone streets of Oysast. The three left the noisy tavern and walked side by side on their way back to the inn.

Lowell walked slowly with his hands behind his head, a pained expression on his face, and let out a long sigh.

"Damn it..." he muttered, clenching his fists, his tone tinged with resentment, "I wanted to rip that guy off at the hot spring inn, but I ended up getting ripped off by Himmel and his gang. It's like the hunter who gets pecked in the eye..."

Fern ate a small bite of the sweet rice cake she had just bought from a roadside stall, wrapped in leaves, a little sugar crumb clinging to the corner of her mouth. Her pale purple eyes appeared serene in the twilight.

"I think it's really great," she said, gently touching her perfectly flat stomach, her voice filled with satisfaction. "It's been a long time since I've had such a lively and enjoyable meal with everyone."

She looked at Lowell.

"Besides, Himmel only joked with you like that because he's very close to you. An ordinary person certainly wouldn't do that."

Frieren, walking on the other side of Lowell, blinked her emerald eyes upon hearing this and tilted her head to ask, "Then... what about ordinary people?"

Fern thought carefully for a moment, searching for the right words. "Hmm... maybe he'll say something... very harsh criticism? Or, something... well, something that sounds really dirty?"

Frieren repeated softly, "If it's dirty...?"

A look of pure confusion crossed her face; the word seemed somewhat foreign to her. She slowed her pace, as if seriously considering its meaning.

She walked silently for a while, her gaze falling on an elderly couple ahead of her, supporting each other as they slowly walked away.

Then, she suddenly stopped, quickened her pace, and lightly leaped onto Lowell's back, wrapping her arms around his neck with a mischievous, slightly wicked smile, "Lowell, carry me."

Lowell was jolted forward slightly by her bump and instinctively reached out to catch her. He turned his head, a little surprised, and smiled, "What, suddenly want me to carry you?"

Frieren rested her chin on his shoulder, her silver hair brushing against his cheek, and said in a close voice, "Hmm. Ruby was carried away by Himmel just Ruby too. She could have walked by herself even though she hadn't been drinking... Shouldn't that be how it is between partners?"

Her tone was natural, carrying a hint of affirmation as if she had just learned something new.

Lowell paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, steadily supporting her with his arm, feeling the light weight and warm body temperature behind him, and continued walking forward.

"That's really nice," he said, his voice filled with obvious pleasure.

Fern watched from the side, her pale purple eyes curving slightly. "Lady Frieren has become a little more perceptive, hasn't she?"

As dusk deepened, the three returned to their hotel room.

As usual, Fern skillfully helped Frieren wash up, changed her into a comfortable bathrobe, and gently dried her long, silvery hair with a towel.

As usual, Fern began to skillfully help Frieren wash up, helping her change out of her outdoor clothes and into a soft nightgown, and gently drying her long, silvery-white hair with a towel.

When they came out of the bathroom, Lowell pulled out several more ice creams from somewhere, served in pretty glass bowls and garnished with fresh berries and mint leaves.

Fern's eyes lit up slightly. "Lord Lowell has been giving us good things these past two nights."

Lowell chuckled as he shared the ice cream with her and Frieren: "Haha... With the Clone Magic, shopping is so much more convenient. I don't have to go out myself to eat whatever I want. I guess... it's because I don't want to be separated that I've become so proficient with this magic."

He pointed to the frozen treats. "Here, have a taste. Which one tastes better, this or the popsicle?"

Frieren had already scooped a spoonful into her mouth, and the cool, sweet taste made her squint her eyes in satisfaction, like a cat being stroked, making a very soft, contented sigh.

Fern also took small bites, her movements elegant but not slow, clearly enjoying it as well, eating with great concentration, her cheeks slightly puffed out.

The room was quiet, with only the soft sounds of the two eating and the faint sounds of the city outside the window.

After finishing the last bite, Frieren licked her lips, then suddenly looked up at Lowell, her emerald eyes filled with pure curiosity.

Lowell.

"Um?"

"What exactly were those 'dirty words' that Fern mentioned earlier?"

Lowell, who was clearing the table, paused for a moment. "Huh? Swearing..."

Fern looked over, somewhat surprised. "Lady Frieren... haven't you ever heard of swear words?"

Frieren shook her head, her expression serious. "No."

Fern's gaze shifted to Lowell, carrying a subtle implication that said, "Look how well you've protected her."

Lowell rubbed his nose and smiled wryly. "Oh, that... I guess it's because I dealt with all those guys who might have wanted to swear at you before they even opened their mouths."

Fern nodded. "They really protected Frieren very well."

Frieren, however, remained fixated on the initial question, "So, what exactly is swearing?"

Looking into her clear, innocent, and curious eyes, Lowell felt that explaining directly might be a bit difficult.

He thought for a moment, then changed his approach. "Frieren, imagine this: if I suddenly left you alone at the academy for no reason at all, and then didn't see you or contact you for ten years. When you finally see me again, what would you want to say to me?"

Frieren blinked, a look of confusion on her face. "Huh? Why? And... can you even do that?" She seemed completely skeptical that Lowell would do such a thing, and doubted whether he could hold back for ten years.

Lowell rubbed his forehead. "Ahem... it's hypothetical, hypothetical! Of course I can't do that, it's just an example. Just imagine that situation."

Frieren lowered her head, thought seriously for a moment, then raised her head and tentatively said in her flat tone, "Um... long time no see?"

Lowell: "..."

He couldn't help but laugh at Frieren's completely clueless expression, a laugh tinged with amusement.

"Alright... ten years isn't a long time for an elf..." He changed the number, "Then... what about a hundred years? What if I leave you for a hundred years without permission?"

Frieren's expression changed slightly. "... A hundred years?"

"Yes, that's right, a hundred years," Lowell affirmed.

Frieren paused for a moment, her emerald eyes gazing at the flickering lights.

I miss you so much.

Lowell was stunned.

He looked at her face as she calmly uttered those words, her eyes filled with nothing but simple questions and a hint of hypothetical longing, and felt a gentle touch on the softest part of his heart.

He stepped forward, reached out, and gently embraced the spirit before him, who had lived for over a thousand years yet remained as innocent as a blank sheet of paper in some ways.

"No, I won't." His voice was low, carrying a sense of promise.

Frieren nodded quietly in his arms.

"Yes," she said, "Of course I know."