Mirror Lotus

Frieren opened the chest and took inventory of her collection. By chance, she spotted a silver ring shaped like a flower bud in a corner.

It was the Mirror Lotus Himmel had given her back then.

Lost in memories, she gently picked it up.

"Wow! It's a Mirror Lotus. It means eternal love! How romantic."

Fern's eyes lit up, and she lightly slapped her thigh.

I spent so long shopping with Dugu Qing yesterday. How could I forget to ask him to buy me a Mirror Lotus bracelet? What a shame. I have to make up for it next time.

"Eternal..."

Frieren's movement faltered, and she fell silent.

The image of Himmel's serious expression as he knelt on one knee, held her hand, and slipped the ring onto her left ring finger appeared in her mind as clearly as a mural.

Back then, Frieren had merely thought Himmel was playing house, just fooling around.

Now that scene held a different meaning, and she became lost in it, receiving a regret shaped by the merciless passage of time.

But the one who had sent it was already dead, separated from her by life and death.

Frieren felt that her past self had been a little foolish and had missed many things. Her chest felt so tight that she panicked.

"Forget it. Maybe he didn't know either!"

Clutching the ring, Frieren looked wistful as she tried to comfort herself.

Anyway, if I keep going north, I'll definitely see Himmel again, right? In that case, I'll leave it until then!

Accepting didn't matter, rejection didn't matter, and being together didn't matter either.

What mattered was...

Boom!

Something heavy struck the roof of the carriage with a tremendous crash.

Fern opened the carriage window, her purple hair whipping about, only to see a huge green monster bird.

Its entire body was emerald green, with long, narrow wings, sharp claws, and a thick coat of feathers.

It had seized the carriage in both claws and was lifting it, horses and all, gradually flying higher into the sky.

The silver-white ring was flung away by the jolt and blown into the forest.

Ripples disturbed Frieren's tranquil heart. She hung her head in dismay, all will to fight gone, and let the giant green bird carry the carriage through the air.

The carriage's owner climbed inside and discussed what to do with Stark and Sein.

Frieren joined the discussion in a low voice and assigned tasks.

Sensing the weightlessness, Dugu Qing slowly woke up.

Frieren told Dugu Qing to carry Sein, Fern to carry Stark, and said she would carry the merchant as they escaped the carriage.

The carriage's owner said in terror, "If we do that, the carriage will be smashed to pieces. The horses and the goods will all be ruined. I'll go bankrupt..."

"You'd go bankrupt just like that? How badly is your business doing?"

Fern pouted and voiced her disdain.

"It can't be helped. The villagers are poor and hardly buy anything. It's already remarkable that I've managed to stay in business."

The merchant spread his hands and looked pleadingly at Frieren.

"All right! Sometimes I should do something challenging."

Frieren flew out of the carriage, wand in hand, and calmly raised her hand. Magic burst forth in an instant, severing the giant green bird's head in a single blow.

The green bird turned to ash and vanished without a trace.

With nothing holding it up, the carriage plunged, falling faster and faster as it hurtled straight toward the ground.

Stark clung tightly to the carriage rail and screamed in terror,

"I don't want to fall to my death!"

Fern huddled in a corner, worry flickering in her eyes.

Startled by Stark, Dugu Qing rubbed his eyes and stood up.

He flew out of the carriage and hovered in the air.

He stretched out one hand and activated Overlord's Power, lifting the carriage onto his shoulder as easily as if he were carrying a violin, then slowly descended.

He set the carriage down gently on the ground.

"That's wonderful! We're saved."

The merchant climbed out of the carriage and looked at the undamaged carriage, supplies, and horses, his eyes filling with tears of excitement.

"With Dugu Qing here, there's no obstacle we can't overcome!"

Frieren put her hands on her hips and praised him from the heart.

"Dugu Qing is so strong."

Sein stared in surprise at Dugu Qing's slender frame and thin arms. He had never expected such tremendous strength to lie hidden in that delicate-looking body. It was incredible!

The merchant patted the horses and suggested they take a break.

Thinking about the Mirror Lotus she had lost, Frieren searched the woods.

The merchant offered the promised reward of his own accord. It was a spell that could find lost accessories, just what Frieren needed.

Frieren took the spell and looked it over briefly. She quickly learned the simple everyday magic and found the lost ring in the distant woods.

Her old friend was dead, but his gift remained in the world, settled and solidified, bringing Frieren considerable comfort.

She clutched the ring and set out once more.

Half a day later, the merchant reached his destination.

The group rested in the village for a night and continued their journey the next day.

Sein followed the mountain path onward.

Suddenly finding things a little boring, he looked at the others expectantly. "Say, there's something missing from this party. What do you think it is?"

Frieren rested her chin on her hand and considered.

"We have a hero, a vanguard, a mage, and a priest."

"Is it a thief?" Fern said as she walked. "Lady Frieren falls for mimics, and Dugu Qing is greedy for money too. He's always urging Lady Frieren to climb into treasure chests..."

"Money can solve a lot of problems!"

"That's right. Treasure chests hold infinite possibilities!"

Dugu Qing and Frieren exchanged a glance and reached an agreement in harmony.

"No, what we're missing is something more important: a mature big sister!" Sein clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, gazing ardently at Dugu Qing. "Dugu Qing, if you've got nothing else to do, at least turn into a beautiful woman and give us something nice to look at!"

Before he had finished speaking, Dugu Qing kicked out.

A fierce force surged violently.

Before Sein could react, he was sent flying backward and plunged headfirst into the woods.

"How scary!"

It was the first time Stark had ever seen Dugu Qing angry. He hid behind Frieren, trembling.

"Sein, you've gone too far! That was so offensive!"

Fern shielded Dugu Qing behind her and glared angrily at Sein.

"I'm the one who got hurt!"

Rubbing his backside, Sein emerged miserably from the woods.

"Don't make jokes like that. Otherwise, I won't hold back next time."

Dugu Qing drew back his long, straight leg and gave Sein a warning look.

Sein wanted to hit someone, but when he thought of Tsunade's alluring figure, how could he bear to fall out with Dugu Qing?

He swallowed his grievance.

"I was wrong. When we reach the next village, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Whatever."

Dugu Qing flew into the sky and drifted north at a leisurely pace.

Watching the graceful figure in the sky, Sein quietly tugged on Fern's sleeve and whispered,

"Hey, have you noticed? Dugu Qing is beautiful even without transforming."

Fern couldn't take it anymore. Pushing off with her left leg, she kicked hard at Sein's stomach.

Sein hurriedly dodged and laughed smugly,

"Heh heh heh, you missed."

"What is it with you? Why are you always thinking about big sisters?"

Fern stamped her foot and chased after him in long strides.

One fled and the other pursued. The atmosphere was especially lively, and the loneliness of the journey was dispelled.