The Journey

A month passed quietly in the alternation of wheels and footsteps. The group had long since left the magically rich Oysast and embarked on their journey north again. The wind in the wilderness carried the scent of earth and grass, possessing a wilder freedom than in the city.

However, the familiar, muffled sound of stone statues being dragged along was missing from the rear of the procession.

Lupa carried her pack with unwavering steps, but her heterochromatic eyes would occasionally glance at the rope that had once been tied to the stone statue, now empty, and her small lips would purse almost imperceptibly, carrying a hint of disappointment. After all, that heavy weight was not only a burden, but also proof of her willpower and strength honed day and night.

Lowell noticed her expression, and during one midday break, he walked up to Lupa and casually remarked, "What's wrong? Feeling a bit unaccustomed to walking so lightly without that big guy around?"

Lupa blushed slightly, as if her secret had been exposed, and turned her face away, muttering softly, "... No, it's just that... the training volume seems a bit low."

Lowell chuckled softly, then extended a finger and seemingly casually tapped her shoulder.

"Buzz--"

An invisible force instantly enveloped Lupa. She felt her body suddenly sink, as if she had been put into a hundred-pound suit of iron armor. Every step became extremely difficult, and even her breathing became heavier.

"Ugh!" Lupa groaned, her knees slightly bent, but she immediately gritted her teeth and stood up straight. Instead of pain, her heterochromatic eyes shone with surprise. "This is... Gravity Magic? It can be used like this?"

"Hmm," Lowell said calmly, "A weakened gravity field. If you feel it's not strong enough, just use this as a makeshift solution from now on. The strength can be adjusted, just don't crush yourself."

"Great!" Lupa excitedly tried to get used to the new weight, her little face full of the joy of "discovering a new continent".

Himmel and Eisen, who were standing nearby, were also drawn to the commotion. Himmel watched Lupa's slightly clumsy yet excited appearance with great interest, elegantly brushing her blue hair aside. "Oh? Using magic to aid physical training, what a brilliant idea. Lowell, if you don't mind, please cast a spell on me as well? As a hero, one can never let one's guard down."

Although Eisen didn't say anything, he silently stepped forward, his bronze face showing an expression of approval, clearly also very interested.

"Sure." Lowell readily agreed, and with a light tap of his finger, an invisible pressure instantly enveloped Himmel and Eisen.

Himmel swayed slightly, then steadied herself, a challenging yet refreshing smile spreading across her face, "Haha, truly extraordinary! I feel the difficulty of wielding this sword has increased exponentially!" Eisen silently assessed the situation, then slammed his battle axe down heavily, acknowledging the challenge.

Linié watched quietly, her deep blue pupils blinking, then she walked up to Lowell and tilted her small face up.

Lowell chuckled, "You're coming too?" As he spoke, he added a portion for Linié as well.

Thus, the journey that followed took a strange turn: the four "warriors" in the group— Himmel, Eisen, Lupa, and Linié —walked much more heavily and slowly than usual, their footsteps sinking deep into the earth, but their eyes were exceptionally focused, as if they were testing their own limits.

Heiter watched with a smile, occasionally sending a little blessing to Lupa, who was panting from exhaustion, to help her regain her strength.

The two mages Frieren and Ruby, showed no interest whatsoever. One continued studying her spellbook, while the other practiced her newly conceived spell, whose name was so long it required a breath, begging Frieren to teach her the spell that allowed her to recite rhymes and long sentences without making a mistake.

Lowell remained as lazy and averse to trouble as ever, as if he had merely scattered a few seeds.

That day, at dusk, the group happened to pass through a small town located at the crossroads of a valley and took the opportunity to deal with a large group of roaming Mountain Trolls that were harassing the trade route. The battle was just a warm-up for the current Hero Party, but it was clear that it solved a huge problem that had plagued the town for years.

After the battle, a middle-aged nobleman dressed in a proper formal suit and with a composed demeanor—the town's lord—came to express his gratitude in person.

His words were earnest yet dignified. "Heroes, esteemed guests, thank you for your assistance in protecting the town's peace. To express my gratitude, I have decided to erect a statue in your honor in the town square, so that future generations will remember your bravery!"

Having learned from their previous experiences, Lowell and Frieren spoke almost in unison, one waving her hand and the other shaking her head. "No need/No need." Their attitude was decisive.

The lord paused for a moment, then understood, and turned his gaze to Himmel and the others. "In that case, how about statues for the hero Himmel and these others?"

Himmel bowed gracefully, his smile radiant, "It is my honor, my lord." He glanced at Ruby, and the two exchanged a knowing look.

Soon, under the slightly confused but polite gazes of the lord and the craftsmen, Himmel and Ruby exchanged a glance, their eyes simultaneously flashing with a "ready" light.

Himmel stepped forward, left hand on her hip, right hand pointing forward (at a 45-degree angle above), her blue hair flying, her face displaying a perfect smile that blended determination and gentleness, "This is the bearing of the 'Guardian of the Northern Frontier, the Warrior Who Brings the Light of Dawn'!"

Ruby immediately stood to his side and behind him, staff raised high, her little face full of holiness and a sense of mission (as she called herself): "This is the image of the 'Star Mage Who Dispels the Winter' and Guides Hope'!"

Heiter raised his wine jug, pretending to drink heartily. Eisen, following the "script," planted his battle axe on the ground, crossed his arms, and gazed steadily ahead.

The lord watched silently for a few seconds, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly, but his good manners allowed him to quickly regain his composure. He coughed twice and said, "A very distinctive pose. As expected of a hero, truly different. Craftsman, have you noted it down?"

"I've written it down..." the craftsman said, wiping his sweat.

After finalizing the statue's details, the lord gestured for a servant to bring over a tray containing a small money pouch and a thin, slightly worn booklet. "This is a small token of the town's appreciation, ten gold coins. Also, this magic book was something I acquired by chance when I was young, though it seems rather useless."

Himmel took the purse. When the lord picked up the booklet, Frieren's ears twitched almost imperceptibly. The booklet's cover read, "Swift Dust-Removal Spell - Stone Care and Statue Polishing Guide."

"Oh?" Frieren's emerald eyes lit up instantly. Before the lord could hand it over, she naturally reached out and took it, quickly glanced at it, and then nodded in satisfaction. "Cleansing dust... Hmm, useful." She then skillfully put it into her magic pocket, her movements as fluid as if she had rehearsed it countless times.

Ten gold coins – this is the largest investment the team has made since setting off from the Royal Capital.

The dinner was held in the mayor's residence restaurant, where long tables were laden with local delicacies, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Eisen and Heiter sat in a corner, the dwarf warrior silently eating roasted meat, while the monks drank the strong liquor provided by their host, letting out satisfied sighs. A plate of golden omelet rice sat before Himmel. He elegantly sliced open the soft omelet with his knife, gazing at the steaming fried rice inside, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Ruby beside him, arguing with Frieren Ruby which berry jam was better, and his smile deepened slightly, carrying an imperceptible tenderness.

Before Lowell sat a colossal hamburger, over fifty centimeters tall, layered with patties, vegetables, and cheese—a visually stunning sight. Holding the hamburger with both hands, a satisfied smile on his face, he uttered something no one could understand but which sounded profoundly true, "Ah, a meeting in another world, enjoying this delicious meal."

Then, explaining to Frieren beside her, "I like it this way. I stack all the things I want to eat high up, take a bite, and the texture is rich and satisfying. Plus, it doesn't take much time."

Frieren stared at the "hamburger tower," her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity and eagerness. She immediately tried to imitate it, picking up bread, patties, and vegetables from her plate and carefully beginning to build. However, she clearly overestimated her "architectural" talent; before she was even halfway there, the "hamburger tower" lost its balance and collapsed with a "crash," scattering ingredients, much of which fell into Ruby's plate beside her.

"Ah..." Frieren looked at the messy table, her emerald green eyes instantly filled with tears, her small mouth slightly pursed, her face full of "grievance" and "wanting to eat", looking like she was about to cry.

"Lady Frieren!" Ruby was startled. Seeing Frieren's pitiful appearance, she felt a pang of heartache. Forgetting her own ruined lunch, she immediately put down her juice and hurriedly comforted her:

"Don't cry, don't cry! It's okay! Ruby fold it for you! Ruby fold an even bigger and more stable one for you! (ﾉ"◑ ◑)ﾉ" o(╥╥)o"

She coaxed him like a child, quickly picking up a clean plate and skillfully layering various ingredients. Her movements were fast and steady, and in no time, a hamburger tower that was even bigger than Lowell's and looked just as sturdy and tempting was completed.

"Here! All done!" Ruby pushed the stacked hamburger in front of Frieren, her little face filled with expectant anticipation, as if to say, "Praise me!"

Frieren looked at the perfect hamburger in front of her, her mood instantly brightening, tears turning into laughter. She even rubbed her cheek against Ruby's arm, then took a big, satisfying bite, her cheeks bulging out.

Lupa sat opposite, munching on a plain sandwich, watching this scene. She couldn't help but facepalm and mutter to Lowell beside her, "Who's whose master here? Master." Her tone was full of disbelief.

Lowell, finishing the last bite of his burger, glanced at her upon hearing this and lazily replied, "What, jealous? Want me to fold one for you too?"

"I didn't!" Lupa immediately blushed, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and retorted with a stiff neck, "I'm not a child!"

Sitting next to Lupa, Linié quietly ate the food on her plate. Her deep blue eyes glanced at Frieren and Ruby, then at the blushing Lupa, as if she were conducting a logical analysis. Then, she put down her utensils, picked up a piece of bread and a piece of meat, and began to carefully fold them together. Although her movements were a little clumsy, she was very focused. After folding a slightly crooked little sandwich, she handed it to Lupa and said in her flat voice:

"Lupa, Linié will fold these for you."

Lupa stared at the unappealing sandwich in front of her, then at Linié's expressionless face, which seemed to radiate "care," and was completely dumbfounded. "... Huh?"

Linié continued to articulate her logic in a calm tone, as if stating an obvious fact. "Based on recent observations, I followed Lowell before you. Therefore, I should be considered your senior. It's reasonable for a senior to take care of a junior."

Lupa stared wide-eyed at Linié, who looked completely at her with an air of "it's only natural," then glanced at Lowell, who was trying not to laugh. A series of question marks seemed to pop into her head. She opened her mouth, but for a moment, she didn't know where to begin her comment.

"???"