(′~`●) Winter of Year 27 of the Xin Era (III)
"Yes..."
After a long while, Frieren gave the faintest nod. Her voice was as soft and delicate as a snowflake landing on the ground.
"Back then, I didn't know."
"I just thought it was a very precious, very powerful magical item—a heartfelt gift from a companion."
"I..."
"Maybe I should treasure it?"
At that, Irene felt as if she were about to faint.
Still holding her forehead, she paced back and forth, feeling like there was far too much to process and she needed time to digest it all.
"Oh my god!"
"You accepted the ring, let him put it on your ring finger in that standard, deeply ceremonial way, and now you're telling me..."
"You had absolutely no idea what it meant?!"
"So until you defeated the Demon King, until the party disbanded, until he... until that poor Himmel grew old, until his life came to an end... you never once understood the true feelings behind that gesture?"
"You two..."
"Just missed each other like that?"
Even though it had nothing to do with her, Irene still felt it was hard to accept. The whole thing seemed far too absurd and far too tragic.
If she saw a plot like that on one of those magical devices called televisions, she'd blast it with magic!
"..."
Frieren lifted her eyes and silently watched Irene, who was beside herself with agitation.
Yet, faintly, her green eyes now clearly reflected something belated—a mixture of bewilderment, dawning realization, and a hint of complicated emotion too elusive to name.
Perhaps only she herself knew what it was.
"..."
In the end, though, she still said nothing. She only pressed her lips together slightly, then lowered her head again and stared blankly at the plain