Before the Flames
Ten days passed peacefully as they traveled, helping others along the way.
Himmel practiced his "hero's way" as always—clearing trade routes blocked by boulders from landslides, helping lost children find their families, driving away lesser monsters that harassed farms... No matter how big or small the task, whenever the blue-haired hero came across someone in need, he would offer a hand without hesitation, wearing his trademark smile, effortlessly charming if a touch deliberate.
"No need to thank me. Protecting the weak is a hero's duty! As for payment, whatever you'd like to give me will do," he often said, brushing the blue hair from his forehead in one smooth, natural motion. Ruby followed at his side, her little face shining with pride. Now and then, she would imitate his tone, planting her hands on her hips and declaring, "Hmph~ That's right! Helping others is Lady Ruby's creed! But you have to pay us!"
This time, they had saved a relatively prosperous town from an attack by a band of organized mountain trolls.
The battle had not been particularly difficult. Himmel's swordsmanship and Ruby's magic worked together with growing skill, while Eisen's axe and Heiter's holy light were as reliable as ever. Lowell and Frieren remained at the back to "provide support," mostly just watching, only quietly diverting stray arrows or projectiles when they threatened to hit innocent bystanders. Lupa, of course, was not yet capable of taking part in an actual battle, while Mina and Linié watched as usual.
To express his gratitude, the mayor enthusiastically offered to have statues of the entire "hero's party" cast and erected in the town square for future generations to admire.
"Miss Frieren, Mr. Lowell, please, you two must also..." The mayor had not finished speaking.
"No need." Frieren's refusal was curt and decisive. She was looking down at a magic book the mayor had given her as thanks. It contained magic that would "keep you from ever stumbling over your words when reciting tongue twisters or long sentences." Her green eyes lit up slightly, and she tucked it into her pocket with satisfaction.
Lowell smiled and waved a hand as well, his tone lazy. "Count me out. Too much trouble. Standing around as a statue sounds exhausting."
Seeing this, the mayor could only pour all his enthusiasm into Himmel, Ruby, Heiter, and Eisen. With their previous experience, Himmel and Ruby had clearly "come prepared" this time.
"Mr. Mayor," Himmel said, clearing his throat. His face wore a carefully composed expression that combined resolve and gentleness. "As for the statues' poses, we do have a preliminary idea..."
He and Ruby then struck a highly dramatic pose together: Himmel bent one knee slightly, his longsword pointing diagonally forward as he gazed resolutely into the distance, as if looking toward the silhouette of the Demon King's Castle. Ruby stood slightly behind him to one side, her staff held high and the gem at its tip shining—she had used a minor illumination spell. Her little face was full of fighting spirit, and her other hand rested lightly on the back of Himmel's shoulder, symbolizing "support" and "standing shoulder to shoulder."
"This shall be the statue of 'The Hero Who Gazes Toward the Dawn and Cares for All and the Star Mage Who Guides Hope'!" Himmel announced loudly.
Ruby nodded vigorously and added, "That's right! It has to show our determination to fight the darkness and our belief in protecting the light!"
Heiter stood cheerfully to one side with a barrel of wine in his arms, making him the "uninhibited guardian priest." Eisen remained in his usual steady warrior's stance, except that, at Himmel's request, he rested his battleaxe on his shoulder and looked straight ahead, projecting a sense of strength.
Watching from the side, Lupa's mouth twitched slightly. She raised a hand to her forehead without thinking, a helpless expression on her face. "Is this hero's sense of aesthetics... inversely proportional to his strength?" she muttered.
And so the clay models for the four statues were settled. The mayor said he would ask the finest craftspeople to finish them as soon as possible.
After that little interlude, the party continued north. The climate gradually grew colder and drier, and the wind took on the biting edge peculiar to the northern plateau.
That evening, the horizon was dyed a stark, vivid purple-red. Eisen, walking at the front on watch, suddenly stopped. The dwarf warrior's keen nose twitched.
"Smoke. And... blood," he said gravely.
Almost at the same time, the mages in the party—including Lupa, who had learned detection magic—sensed an extraordinarily powerful fluctuation of mana, full of corruption and an ominous presence, spreading from afar like a viscous tide. The mana was nauseating, carrying the scent of death and decay.
Himmel instantly tightened his grip on his sword hilt. The relaxed expression vanished from his face as his blue eyes fixed sharply on the direction the mana came from. There, a blaze could dimly be seen soaring into the sky, staining the low-hanging dusk bloodred.
"This feeling..." Heiter put away his flask, his face grave.
Ruby's little face had gone somewhat pale as well. She gripped her staff, feeling the frightening pressure of the mana. "S-such terrifying mana... Even more than that Aura..."
Frieren raised her head, a flicker of understanding passing through her green eyes, and looked at Lowell beside her.
Lowell's expression barely changed. He merely sighed softly, as if to say, "What must come will come." His gaze turned to one person in the party.
Lupa stood frozen in place.
Her crimson twin-tails trembled slightly in the wind that carried the smell of burning. Her mismatched gold and red eyes stared fixedly at the distant blaze, her pupils constricted by the intensity of her emotions. She bit her lower lip hard, almost drawing blood. Her body began to tremble faintly beyond her control, not from fear, but from bone-deep hatred and the bloody images surging up from the depths of her memories.
"It's... him..." she forced out through clenched teeth, her voice hoarse and filled with a towering hatred that threatened to overflow.
The culprit who had destroyed her village, killed her parents, and taken everything from her—the Corrupt Sage, Qual.
He was just ahead.
The air instantly grew taut, like a fully drawn bowstring. The ease of their daily travels was abruptly shattered, and cruel reality stood before them all in the most direct way possible.
Himmel took a deep breath and was the first to break the frozen atmosphere. He turned to Lupa, his voice calm and firm. "Lupa, stay calm. We're here."
His gaze swept over each of his companions before finally settling on the distant flames. There was no hesitation in the hero's eyes, only the determination to press forward.
"Prepare for battle."