The Sword Demon
As she walked out of the Earl's mansion, Frieren couldn't help but complain.
The Northern Countries have been plagued by Demons invasions for many years, and their people are known for their fierce nature. Most of their nobles are difficult to deal with, especially Earl Dacht, who years ago threatened the Himmel team that if they did not retrieve the sword, he would imprison them.
Compared to the civilized Central Countries and the courteous Southern Countries, their pragmatism prevails, and they are willing to use any means to achieve their goals, making them far inferior.
The steward caught up and pointed out the direction the Demons had fled in after stealing the sword.
The adventure team rested at the inn for the night, and the next morning, yawning, they set out from the city to search for the Demons who had stolen the sword.
A kind passerby offered information.
Following the scent of Demons, the adventure team tracked them down for days, slaying many rampaging monsters, until they arrived at a village shrouded in smoke and fire.
The once vast village was now nothing but ruins, deserted and empty. It seemed that the entire village had long since become food for the Demons.
The expressions on everyone's faces fell silent as they realized the difference between the Northern Highlands and other places.
This place is far more brutal and treacherous; the law of the jungle reigns supreme, and strength is paramount.
Everyone perked up and carefully observed the village.
On the desolate graveyard, crows cawed, and a dark figure emerged from under a tree.
She was dressed in a black robe, her face was covered by a hat, and she had long golden hair.
Frieren looked at the woman in black robes and inquired about the village's situation.
The woman in black robes claimed to be a passing monk, mourning the dead villagers, and invited Frieren and the others to pray for them.
Dugu Qing only believed part of what the stranger said.
Upon hearing this, Fern Stark were overcome with grief, closed their eyes, clasped their hands together, and prayed devoutly.
The woman in black robes flashed a murderous light in her eyes, the killing intent disappearing in an instant.
Frieren became alert, looking at the loose yellow soil of the grave in front of her, which showed signs of being disturbed, and gradually a guess began to form in her mind.
She summoned her wand and unleashed Ordinary Attack Magic.
The grave exploded, revealing empty ground.
Stark and Fern were stunned and speechless.
The body is gone! What happened?
Frieren looked at the woman in black robes and exposed her true colors.
"You're the Sword Demon who killed the entire village, aren't you! You ate everyone and then put on that hypocritical act, it's disgusting."
Cannibalism is an extremely evil act.
Dugu Qing shuddered, looking at the woman in black robes with disgust, finding her utterly repulsive and unforgivable.
"To survive, cannibalism is sometimes the only option."
The Sword Demon removed his hat, drew his sword from his waist, and coldly scrutinized Frieren with a blank expression.
Dugu Qing felt a surge of anger in his chest, believing that speaking even a single word to this Demons would be a desecration of life.
He drew his longsword and sped off.
His immense power erupted with a thunderous roar, unleashing unparalleled might.
With a flash of sword light, the body of the Sword Demon was shattered.
"Such a fast sword!"
The head of the Sword Demon fell to the ground, rolled across the surface, and his pupils were frozen in utter astonishment. Even in death, he could not believe that he had been defeated so easily.
Dugu Qing glanced at the blood on the sword's edge and disdainfully cast Cleansing Magic.
The demonic blood on the blade disappeared, but Dugu Qing took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped it several times before sheathing the sword.
"Dugu Qing, this is the first time I've ever seen you angry!"
Fern looked at Dugu Qing in surprise.
"Because this kind of thing is unforgivable!"
Dugu Qing's expression was complicated. The thought of the countless cannibalistic Demons in the north, engaging in such evil deeds, made it impossible for him to calm down.
I wish I could transform into countless forms to vanquish the evil spirits.
"The sword has been found, let's go back!"
Frieren put on her silken gloves, picked up her sword, and turned to leave.
The adventure team returned to the city, returned the sword to Earl Dacht, and received a reward: the magic to turn red apples into green apples.
After a day of rest, the group set off again, heading further north towards Ende.
In the 29th year of the Xinshi Era, in the Northern Countries, in the Etwas Mountains.
The air temperature rises sharply as the area approaches a volcanic region.
The thick clouds in the sky were blown away by the wind, making the sunlight even brighter, and all the flowers bloomed proudly.
Dugu Qing felt as if he had arrived in the warm, spring-like south. He picked up his ink-paper umbrella, held it quietly, and floated in the air, following behind Frieren.
Stark shielded his eyes from the glaring sunlight, feeling utterly helpless.
"It's so hot! It feels like summer."
Frieren, unfazed by such occurrences, calmly introduced the situation.
"Because this is a volcanic area, near the Etwas Mountains, it's considered a relatively warm place among the Northern Countries."
Upon hearing the word "volcano," Fern immediately thought of hot springs, and his expression brightened.
"Then we can soak in the hot springs."
Upon hearing the Etwas Mountains, Stark instantly recalled the hot springs that his teacher, Eisen, had occasionally mentioned in his spare time.
At that time, young Stark felt that the Etwas Mountains were far to the north, bordering the heartland of the Demons, so distant and unreachable.
Now he had actually arrived in the northern part of the country, a place he remembered vividly from his childhood, and was about to engage in another great battle with the Demons.
He slightly opened his arms, his blood boiling, feeling like he had become the great hero he had admired since childhood. He kept urging Frieren to go to the hot spring and soak in it.
"Okay! I'll look for it."
Frieren led the group through the forest in search of the hot spring village they had passed by many years ago.
A wooden house appeared ahead, and the group excitedly went forward to ask the old man in front of the door about the whereabouts of the hot spring village.
The uncle regretfully told everyone that the village's hot spring had dried up, the villagers had moved away one after another, and now the hot spring village had disappeared.
Frieren lamented the fragility of humanity.
The uncle told everyone that there was a secret hot spring in the back mountain, but he hadn't been there for over thirty years and didn't know if it was still there.
Frieren had been there many years ago and knew that the hot spring there was very shallow, only enough to cover the feet; it was absolutely forbidden to soak in it.
Fearing that Fern, Dugu Qing, Stark would be disappointed, she suggested they obediently head to the next town.
But Stark rallied his spirits and insisted on going to the hot springs on Mount Etówas.
The secret hot spring was located deep in the mountains, a long way away. Frieren worried that Stark really went, he would make a scene and sulk for days, so she reminded him again.
Stark insisted on going.
Although Frieren didn't know why, she could only agree.
The uncle's family of five, young and old, walked out the gate and watched Dugu Qing and the others leave.
Goodbye!
Dugu Qing Stark waved their hands and headed into the depths of the jungle.
The group stepped over fallen, towering ancient trees and crossed deep ravines.
Climbing steep and treacherous stone steps, an adventurous journey without fatigue.
As night fell, Frieren's wand emitted a blue light, dispelling the darkness.
The group found a clean clearing behind a large rock.
Dugu Qing and Fern skillfully started a fire and cooked.
Stark and Frieren spread out their bedding and arranged the blankets and pillows.
A gentle evening breeze blew by.
Breathing in the fresh forest air and enjoying warm food, with the burning campfire reflected in their eyes, everyone felt that all the day's fatigue was well worth it.