Solitar (Seeking Follow-up!)

Shane and Frieren rushed toward the northeast corner of the city.

Along the way, they saw many soldiers and monks sprinting toward the three directions where the explosions had originated.

The suspicion in Shane's heart grew larger.

This was a blatant open trap.

They either had to accept being lured away from their post, or watch as the residents were slaughtered.

Damn it!

What exactly were these shameless members of the Demon Race trying to do?

As they drew closer to the location of the labyrinth on the map, Frieren suddenly stopped, holding her staff and assuming a combat stance.

Shane's heart instantly leaped into his throat.

Directly in front of them was a collapsed pit sealed off by a barrier, and standing before that barrier was a young girl.

She had long, blue-green hair, pale green eyes, and a pair of small horns growing from her forehead. She wore a light yellow wrap skirt paired with a red shawl-style top, and a ruby pendant hung around her neck. Her figure was petite and slender, and a gentle smile graced her face, making her look completely harmless.

Solitar.

The girl's name surfaced in Shane's mind, and his palms immediately began to sweat from fear.

This was a cruel and cunning murderess who had lived for who knew how many years.

He gripped his sword hilt tightly, forcing himself not to tremble.

The girl heard the commotion behind her; she turned her head and gave Shane and Frieren a slight smile. "Oh my, discovered already?"

Her voice was as sweet as a girl-next-door's, her tone playful and cute.

If not for the pair of demon horns she bore, Shane believed no one would feel any hostility toward her.

Bang—

Without a word, Frieren raised her hand and unleashed a precise magical attack.

The girl dodged with a laugh.

Her movements were light, like a butterfly.

"Oh my, why so angry? Is it because I didn't say hello beforehand?"

"Let's try that again, then."

"I am the Great Demon Solitar. It is a pleasure to meet you, Frieren."

Frieren did not stop to let Solitar finish speaking; on the contrary, while Solitar attempted to make small talk, Frieren's attacks never ceased.

Unfortunately, those precise strikes were all dealt with by the girl one by one.

They caused no effective damage.

"I have no interest in who you are."

"Don't be so cold. Chat with me a little; I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time."

Frieren stopped responding to the girl's incessant chatter, the magical onslaught from her hands growing increasingly fierce.

The two figures crossed and maneuvered through the air and across the ground, magical lights flashing one after another, leaving Shane stunned as he watched from the side.

This was the first time he had seen Frieren going all out.

She was truly strong.

"Ah, humans really are such clever and cute creatures. In such a short time, humans have already mastered the [Flight Magic] unique to our Demon Race. It's truly surprising."

"Hm? What magic is this? Ah, such precise mana control."

The girl grew happier and happier, intentionally guiding Frieren to use more magical formulas to attack her.

She was like a cat teasing a mouse.

Watching from the side, Shane felt that something was increasingly wrong.

When Solitar once again turned her back to the barrier behind her, intentionally letting Frieren nearly strike her, Shane finally realized: she was using Frieren!

Bang—

Frieren's attack struck the barrier once again.

The barrier sealing the entrance to the [Inverted Land] rippled with magical energy, becoming precarious.

"Frieren, don't hit the barrier! She's using you!"

Shane shouted a warning.

Although he didn't know what Solitar's goal was or why she was doing this, he knew that whatever the Demon Race wanted, it certainly wasn't anything good!

Sure enough, after Shane shouted those words, Frieren paused her attack.

Solitar wore a look of disappointment. "Why stop? A few more times and that barrier would have shattered. What a pity."

As she spoke, she turned her face toward Shane and asked with a smile, "Handsome young man who has been watching from the sidelines, what is your name? And how did you figure out what I was thinking?"

"..."

Shane gripped his sword tightly, refusing to engage in conversation.

The young girl before him was no mere chatterbox; she was a "devious Demon" skilled at concealing her actions behind a veil of words.

Speech was her tactic.

Just as she had done when toying with Frieren.

Shane would not be fooled.

He observed his opponent's movements with caution, his entire body coiled and ready to flee at a moment's notice.

"Hmm? You don't like to chat?"

The girl looked somewhat dejected, but a smile immediately returned to her face, her sweet voice continuing:

"What a pity. I quite enjoy chatting with clever humans. At the very least, let me hear your last words."

Before the words had even faded, a massive greatsword condensed from magic shot toward Shane.

Whoosh—

Frieren's [Defense Magic] unfurled before Shane.

Crack—

That terrifying magical greatsword pierced through the [Defense Magic], its speed undiminished as it continued to strike directly at Shane.

!!

Shane was shocked.

Driven by the instinct to survive, his body instinctively swung his sword to parry.

Bang—

The magical greatsword was deflected, striking a nearby residential building and carving a deep trench that shattered every house in its path.

[Deflection Field (Blue Rare)]: Summon a chaotic field to block one long-range enemy attack for you.

This life-saving trait had saved Shane once again.

"Hmm? That sword of yours... it's quite interesting." Solitar stared at Shane, looking thoroughly intrigued.

Frieren arrived at Shane's side, and after confirming he was unharmed, she began to scrutinize her own defense magic.

She realized that the opponent's attack was different from before.

Shane also realized that the opponent had been acting this entire time!

It seemed Solitar cared deeply about what was inside the barrier.

"Frieren, I can create an opening for you, just one. Do you have the confidence to land a killing blow?"

Frieren glanced at Solitar, her expression turning serious.

"Even if I lack the confidence, I must try."

Shane nodded.

Frieren and Shane's conversation did not go interrupted; Solitar waited with interest for a few seconds before laughing happily.

"Oh? Have you two come up with a good strategy?"

"I quite like the coordination between human companions. It always brings me such joy, so what will it be this time?"

As she spoke, she looked at Shane with anticipation.

"I can feel your fear, but it's so strange. Although your face is plastered with the expression of someone wanting to run away, the calculations in your eyes are so numerous they truly shock me."

"Weak, yet struggling with all your might—it is simply too amusing."

Shane remained unaffected by Solitar's mad ramblings. He gave Frieren a look, and she raised her hand to unleash a fully charged [Destruction Thunder Magic].

The continuous, wide-range attack left Solitar with no time for idle chatter, forcing her to defend with all her might.

Seizing the opportunity, Shane threw the longsword from his hand.