The Legend of Aureole

Seeing the forlorn Frieren, the old captain understood how important the book was to Frieren, and reluctantly parted with it.

"It seems you need this book more than I do. In that case, I won't take it from you. You can have it; there are plenty of other valuable books here anyway!"

The old captain turned and walked away, selecting his favorite books.

Frieren looked at Dugu Qing, Fern, Stark, utterly puzzled.

Was my expression obvious?

Fern nodded slowly. "A little."

Dugu Qing was somewhat surprised. In his view, elves didn't need to save money to buy a house, didn't need to be hospitalized when they got sick, and didn't need to worry about complicated interpersonal relationships... they should be carefree!

Frieren, always the same, gentle and elegant... why does she suddenly seem a little different now?

Unable to figure it out, Dugu Qing shook his head, stopping himself from thinking further.

Friends' problems should be solved by friends; you shouldn't worry about them unnecessarily.

The group boarded a small boat, and with the gentle breeze, they left the island in the middle of the lake and headed towards the opposite shore.

Frieren sat in the middle of the ship, flipping through Himmel's diary. She quickly read more than half of it, murmuring softly.

"What?! It's all just everyday stuff, it doesn't offer any clues about our next meeting..."

A giant octopus tentacle burst from the lake, slammed down, and wrapped around Frieren's body.

Stark was shocked and looked at the enormous octopus monster.

Sweat beaded on the old captain's forehead. "It's Kraken, a very powerful monster."

Dugu Qing placed his hand on the tip of his nose, gently waving it to dispel the fishy smell in the air, and summoned the Clear Radiance Sword.

He leaped high into the air, flicked his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, unleashed several golden sword energies that had solidified into tangible form.

Sword energy crisscrossed, descending from the sky with a deafening roar, piercing through the massive, thick body of the demon.

The demon shattered instantly, turning into countless fragments that drifted away in all directions with the raging wind and torrential rain.

"We can eat grilled octopus now."

Stark reached out and caught a clump of octopus slices from the air. He smelled it, almost vomited up his dinner from the night before, and threw it away in disgust.

"How disgusting."

Fern looked at Stark, took a step back in disgust, and created some distance.

Frieren untied the tentacles from her body and repeatedly cast cleansing spells to wash away the fishy smell before she stopped.

The group reached the other side of the river, bid farewell to the old captain, and arrived at a port village.

Travelers flocked from the village to Golden Land.

Frieren, Dugu Qing, Stark, Fern also stayed at the inn in the village.

During the meal, the four people sat in the hall, leisurely enjoying their food.

The faint sounds of gossip from the guests could be heard.

"Have you heard? There's an old man with white hair on Eight-Way Street who claims to be all-knowing and all-knowing. Many adventurers go to visit him."

"That kind of person is obviously a liar!"

"That's right, that's right."

After finishing her meal, Frieren felt bored in her room. Remembering the rumors she had just heard, she closed the door and went downstairs.

A moment later, Frieren arrived at Eight-Way Street, where she saw Dugu Qing, Fern, Stark, who had arrived early.

Dugu Qing's question was, "Old sir, do you know what the great calamity that will destroy the world is?"

Stark winked and made exaggerated expressions.

"Grandpa, look at me, will I be able to find a beautiful girlfriend in the future?"

Fern looked at Dugu Qing beside her, hesitant to speak, a shyness on her face that was hard for others to understand.

Frieren hurried forward, puffing out her cheeks slightly, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.

"What?! Why are you all here?"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qing refused to take the blame and pointed at Stark.

Stark was furious. "I'm not taking the blame!" he shouted, pointing at Fern.

Fern wasn't about to tolerate Stark and immediately retaliated with her finger.

The three of them pointed at each other, remaining silent for a long time, before finally everyone burst into laughter.

Frieren walked up to the stall. "Since you're here, ask me whatever questions you have!"

Dugu Qing, Fern, Stark all looked at the white-bearded old man setting up his stall.

The white-haired old man, his face gaunt and wrinkled, held a magic wand, stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes gleaming with a wisdom honed by years of experience.

"I don't know about the immense calamity that will destroy the world, but I can certainly predict fortune and misfortune..."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qing was greatly disappointed. He turned and left the stall, then happily began eating snacks at a nearby food stall.

Frieren, without any hope, casually asked the question.

"Old sir, do you know about Aureole?"

Upon hearing the word "Aureole," the white-haired old man's half-closed eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at Frieren with surprise.

"Aureole, what an ancient name. Indeed, I have heard the legends of Aureole, and in my youth, I even longed to enter Aureole!"

Frieren smiled with delight; she hadn't expected that the old man she'd just met on the street would actually know something about Aureole.

Did you go in?

The old man's thin hand, stroking his beard, trembled slightly, and an awkward smile appeared on his face.

"Well! Aureole is located on Bright Mountain within the Demon King's Castle. Even if ordinary people reach the summit, they cannot find Aureole. Only those who are righteous, brave, kind, virtuous, and have made contributions to the world can glimpse the Ascension Stairway and enter the entrance to Aureole."

The old man spoke in great detail, as if he had personally visited Aureole.

Fern Stark couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

"Old sir, have you perhaps been to Aureole?" Frieren tilted her head slightly, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

The old man smiled sheepishly, his eyes filled with melancholy, and gently shook his head.

"Aureole is an eternal kingdom created by the Goddess of Creation. Great warriors, wise sages... can all enter Aureole after death and enjoy ultimate bliss."

"Legend has it that Aureole are Seven Heavens in total. The Goddess of Creation resides in the Heaven of Eternal Light, ruling with an absolute power. Her War Angels govern the Three Chaos Realms, while her Love Angels govern the Three Order Realms. Mortals who ascend to heaven can freely choose their place of residence."

"Back then, I was driven mad by love, fighting my way into the Demon King's Castle, hoping to see my deceased lover one last time. I never imagined I wouldn't even see her on the Ascension Stairway. Truly shameful, truly shameful..."

Recalling the painful past, the old man's expression darkened, his eyes reddened, and he looked utterly helpless.

"Our goal is also Aureole! Perhaps, when we get Aureole, we can help you deliver a message to your loved one!"

Frieren looked at the old man with sympathy and kindly offered a suggestion.

Faced with the sudden temptation, the old man hesitated for a long time, but ultimately did not agree.

"Forget it, she's doing well in Aureole. She's probably already forgotten about me. Why should I bother her..."

The old man sighed deeply, packed up his stall, leaned on his magic wand, and strode away.