Are You All Right?

One year later, in Xinshi Era 26.

Dugu Qing was seventeen, but he looked exactly as he had at sixteen.

Fern was sixteen. She had grown tall and more full-figured, becoming a great beauty renowned far and wide.

Countless young men in the Holy Capital, all from distinguished families and possessing exceptional looks and character, were drawn to her. They approached her of their own accord and pursued her with all their might.

But Fern rejected them all. Every day, she stayed in the forest, studying magic with Dugu Qing and Frieren.

Early morning, the beginning of a new day.

A quiet room on the second floor of Dugu Castle.

Dugu Qing finished a night of cultivation, rose from the White Ice Mist Bed, and walked to the door. Suddenly, he looked back.

The White Ice Mist Bed, thin as a cicada's wing, turned to mist in the faint morning light, rose into the air, and vanished.

"It wore out faster than I expected. But for someone like me, who spends most of his time cultivating mana, thirteen years is already a good run for the White Ice Mist Bed."

The White Ice Mist Bed, practically a cheat, was gone.

Dugu Qing could take its disappearance in stride now, not because he had good self-control or had reached a high realm, but because, after thirteen years of cultivation, the mana in his body had reached over 130 years' worth.

The Southern Lands, the Central Lands, the Northern Lands—all of humanity combined.

Dugu Qing no longer feared them.

The imperial capital, the Holy Capital, the royal capital, a duke's bedchamber—with his abilities, he could come and go as he pleased.

He could go anywhere in the world.

Even humanity's most elite first-class mages were beneath his notice.

But what of it? What could he do?

Being invincible under heaven was lonely too!

Surely Frieren felt the same way!

"After breakfast, I think I'll go visit Heiter's house!"

Dugu Qing pushed the door open and looked at the rising sun in the east, tilting his face up to bathe in the slightly cool morning light.

His fair, jade-like face radiated a holy, flawless air, otherworldly beyond compare.

Clang!

Suddenly, a loud bell rang out from the direction of the distant Holy Capital.

The peals rose and fell without pause, ringing 109 times.

"Looks like someone important died."

Dugu Qing took his time going downstairs, eating, bathing, and changing clothes before heading to Heiter's house.

Only then did he learn that Heiter had died: the hero's former companion, a bishop of the church, the priest who had defeated the Demon King, and the hero who had saved all humanity.

People from the church came to hold a funeral for Heiter.

When Heiter's body was brought into the Holy Capital from outside the city, on its way to the Hall of the Worthies,

Mourners from all over the world brought traffic on the central avenue to a standstill.

Every important figure in the Holy Capital attended Heiter's funeral.

Dugu Qing followed Frieren, and together with Fern, they went to the cathedral.

In the church square stood a statue of the Goddess of Creation, towering and majestic, yet beautiful and holy.

At the end of the Imperial Way, in the center of a fountain, stood a statue of Himmel the hero.

Wearing a white mage's robe and carrying her staff, Frieren came to bid Heiter farewell.

Her gaze happened to fall on Himmel's statue once more.

An inexplicable impulse welled up in her. She wanted to ask whether Himmel was doing all right in heaven, whether he could hear the troubled thoughts in her heart, and whether he was happy now!

Back then...

The more she thought, the sadder she became, the more she regretted, and the more anxious she grew.

Frieren shook her head. Forget it. Think too much, and life was like an onion, peeled away layer by layer until perhaps nothing remained.

Better not to think about it. She would just get on with her days!

After seeing Heiter off.

"Let us remember him!"

The grand funeral ended, and Heiter was buried in the same forest as ancient sages and philosophers.

A powerful barrier protected the forest from above, keeping monsters out and ensuring the bodies would remain undisturbed.

Three days.

Frieren and Fern decided to leave Heiter's house and set out on another adventure, taking the opportunity to clear their heads.

Dugu Qing came to Heiter's house and was quite surprised to find Frieren up early for once.

"Frieren, what's the occasion today? You're actually up this early?"

Dugu Qing froze when he saw Frieren fully dressed and equipped, suitcase in hand.

Frieren actually got up early! Could it be the end of the world today? An alien invasion? Or has the Demon King come back to life?

How rare!

"Fern and I are going out for a while, Dugu Qing. Come with us! Join us on our adventure."

Frieren looked at Dugu Qing with a serious expression.

Fern looked at Dugu Qing expectantly, hoping he would agree and set out on the adventure with them.

"I..."

Dugu Qing fell silent.

He could learn magic by traveling with Frieren and Fern, but wandering from place to place, not knowing where his next meal would come from, fighting monsters and risking death at any moment was a little too harsh.

"My life is good as it is, Frieren, so I have to refuse."

After thinking it over, Dugu Qing decided to stick to his own wishes.

Yes, the outside world was wonderful, with endless delicacies to eat and endless magic to learn, but life at home was stable too!

All he had to do was sit and meditate in the forest.

When he was thirsty, he drew a bucket of water; when he was hungry, he caught a fish.

He didn't have to worry about money, take on new tasks, fight powerful enemies, or worry about getting hurt...

Wonderful!

In Dugu Qing's eyes, a life like this was close to perfect, though it wasn't without its flaws.

But he didn't want to give it up, and he had no reason to.

"N-not coming?"

Fern had been waiting happily for Dugu Qing to agree. She hadn't expected him to refuse outright.

Fern trembled all over, as though struck by a bolt from the blue. Her mind shook, her face turned deathly pale, and the light faded from her eyes as she stared at Dugu Qing in disbelief.

Why! Why?!

We were all so happy together!

Why would you refuse, Dugu Qing?!

Did I do something wrong? Or do you hate being with me, Dugu Qing?!

Fern's eyes flickered between light and shadow, her expression shifting.

But neither Dugu Qing nor Frieren noticed.

"I see. Never mind, then. Fern, let's go."

Frieren's expression was indifferent, her face perfectly calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

If Dugu Qing's refusal was a bolt from the blue for Fern, then Frieren taking her away was nothing less than the end of the world, a catastrophe breaking loose.

Heavens!

Once we leave Heiter's house, Dugu Qing and I will be worlds apart. We might never see each other again!

No! Absolutely not!

The words of refusal rose to Fern's throat. She looked eagerly at Dugu Qing, as though a single word from him would make her break with Frieren and stay here forever.

Even if she spent her whole life as Dugu Qing's neighbor, unknown to the world, Fern would be content.

"Take it slow on the road, and stay safe."

Dugu Qing smiled calmly, seemingly giving his consent.

Fern wanted nothing more than to punch Dugu Qing and Frieren both. Stay safe, my foot! Is safety what I'm worried about?! I'm worried about you, you fool!

And Frieren, just because Dugu Qing refused, can't you try to persuade him to stay a little longer?!

Legend had it that in ancient times, a ruler had visited a thatched cottage three times to invite a wise man out, and only then had he succeeded.

Dugu Qing has only refused once!

Frieren! King Phoebe! Quick, show me the resolve of a great mage!