Holding a Girl in His Arms

The next morning.

Dugu Qing slowly woke up. His clothes were damp and limp from the mist, and his whole body was wet and cold.

"I let my guard down! Looks like I need to invent a spell that keeps the morning mist and dew from soaking me while I sleep."

Dugu Qing jumped down from the branch and headed for a nearby pool.

He used Fireball to heat the water for a while, bringing it up to thirty-seven degrees.

Dugu Qing jumped into the pool and washed away the dampness clinging to him.

He washed his clothes while he was at it, then used the Wind-Riding Spell like a hair dryer to evaporate the water before putting them back on.

"Dugu Qing, I found some fruit. Would you like some?"

Fern had found some berries in the woods. They were a variety of blueberry with an excellent flavor, and they could boost the human immune system.

After eating the blueberries, Dugu Qing lay on a rock and practiced Meditation to increase his mana.

"Another new day."

After waking and eating a simple meal, Frieren continued on the journey with Dugu Qing and Fern.

The Central Countries, the Tark Region, Moongrass Village.

The three emerged from the forest and, while looking for lodging, came across a bronze statue of the hero Himmel.

The hero depicted in the statue was handsome and dashing, with a commanding presence.

Frieren looked at Himmel's bronze statue, nostalgia, thoughtfulness, and acceptance flashing through her eyes.

She wanted to do what she could for him, as a comfort to her past self as well.

Fern had seen the hero when he was short and stooped, with a long white beard and a bald head, leaning on a cane.

Fern had never thought much of it before!

An old man was an old man! Who didn't grow old?

Now Fern, who secretly loved the elf, saw what the hero had looked like in his youth: tall and upright, bright and radiant.

The sense of crisis buried deep in her heart erupted at once.

Fern's eyes turned red, her body hair stood on end, and even her hair stuck straight up.

Even the hero Himmel, who defeated the Demon King, the young man who symbolized hope and the future, couldn't defeat time. My talent and ability are both inferior to Himmel's, so how could I possibly defeat time?

Perhaps in less than fifty, forty, or even thirty years, I'll turn into an old woman with wrinkled skin and a misshapen figure!

And the elf! She'll stay young forever, with a lifespan that's nearly eternal!

Thinking of what the future might hold, Fern clenched her fists. Her heart was torn, and she was filled with anguish.

"Fern, are you all right?"

Noticing Fern's shoulders trembling violently,

Dugu Qing placed a hand on her shoulder and patted it gently.

"I-I'm fine."

Fern struggled to compose herself, pretending nothing was wrong as she quietly put some distance between herself and Dugu Qing.

If the difference between their races meant the two of them were destined to meet but not be together,

then perhaps silence, or staying apart, was the best choice!

"Are you adventurers passing through?"

An elderly woman walked out of a house carrying a bamboo basket and asked who the three of them were.

Frieren nodded.

The elderly woman told them a little about Himmel, then gave the three of them a new quest.

Clean the statue.

Frieren used magic, and with a wave of her hand, the bronze statue was clean and tidy again.

The elderly woman who had given them the quest was filled with emotion and went on to talk about Azure Moon Grass.

There used to be a great deal of Azure Moon Grass in the village, covering the hills and fields. It had been beautiful...

Remembering the past, Frieren decided to search nearby. Perhaps she could find the kind of grass that grew in Himmel's hometown.

A few days later.

Frieren found Azure Moon Grass in bloom atop an abandoned watchtower.

Blue and ethereal as the moon, the Azure Moon Grass bloomed freely on the unwatched tower, forming a sea of violet blue.

It filled the world with a sweet, fresh fragrance, refreshing the spirit and dispelling all worries.

Frieren transplanted the Azure Moon Grass in front of the bronze statue and waved goodbye.

The three continued on their way.

Fern trudged along behind Frieren. After a few steps, her head lolled to one side and she fainted.

"Fern."

Dugu Qing caught Fern and felt her forehead.

Her forehead was alarmingly hot.

"She has a fever."

"You can use Goddess magic, right?"

"Yes."

Dugu Qing raised his hand and cast a healing spell, soothing the excessive heat within Fern's body.

"Mm~"

The heat left Fern's body, and she slowly woke, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"What happened to me?"

"You had a fever. How are you feeling? Are you better now?"

Fern nodded and tried to move her arms, but she still had no strength. She looked at Dugu Qing, a bitter smile touching her lips.

"The human body is as frail as ever!"

Frieren examined Fern's pupils, then looked at Dugu Qing.

"Dugu Qing, Fern needs time to recover. Carry her on your back, and we'll find some shade to rest in."

Startled, Dugu Qing pointed at his own nose.

"Me?"

Frieren nodded calmly.

Dugu Qing's fingers trembled. He glanced at Fern's shapely, full figure, his brows twitching slightly, and refused with righteous indignation.

"No! Men and women shouldn't touch each other. How can I hold her?"

"Why not? Just hold her for a little while."

Frieren had no qualms whatsoever.

Fern looked at Dugu Qing expectantly. If an open, proper romance that lasted nearly forever was impossible, then...

To spend all the time she had in this life traveling the world with her beloved, growing old in the most romantic way, and fulfilling her dream of being with one person for a lifetime.

That would be wonderful too, wouldn't it?

"But..."

Dugu Qing stood rooted to the spot, looking deeply conflicted, like he had run into a difficult part of a math problem.

Frieren looked up. White clouds, like tufts of cotton, were scattered across the sky.

The sun was nearing the middle of the sky, and the ultraviolet rays in the air were growing stronger.

There wasn't much time left.

To protect her skin and keep it snow-white, Frieren lifted her eyes, smiled at Fern, and scooped her up in her arms.

"Lady Frieren!"

Fern stared at Frieren in shock.

A princess carry! This was the kind of romantic scene found only in knightly novels.

Frieren truly was an old... great mage who had lived for over a thousand years. With a casual move, she had created a touching romantic scene.

"Here, take her."

No one had expected Frieren to turn around and deposit Fern straight into Dugu Qing's arms.

"A woman... alive... in my arms!"

Dugu Qing's face turned bright red in an instant, and clouds of steam rose from his head like a steam engine.

His red lips parted slightly, his expression faintly annoyed as he stood at a loss.

If he moved, Fern was soft and fluffy like cotton candy, and felt wonderful to hold.

If he stayed still, Fern's fragrant, long, straight purple hair lay against his chest.

The feeling of it brushing lightly against his body was like an electric shock.

And Fern's expression was so strange...

She won't get angry, will she?

She definitely will!

Dugu Qing imagined that if he were suddenly pushed into another man's arms for no apparent reason, he would probably fly into a rage and cut the man down with his sword on the spot!

Fern... won't kill me, will she?

How terrifying!

No, I have to do something to ease the situation!

Wait, maybe I should hold her differently.

Holding a gorgeous woman in broad daylight—if someone saw us, it would be so embarrassing.

In the space of a spark, countless thoughts flashed through Dugu Qing's mind.