"So, Frieren..."

Stark looked with barely concealed shock

At Kraft standing at the door, smiling gently at them.

"You mean this strange elf uncle wearing monk's robes—"

"Is the previous owner of the Hero's Sword?!"

Sinseki Era year 28, northern nations, Tick region—

In the capital of the Human-Demon Republic Freesia,

Frieren's party and the original owner of the Hero's Sword—

Had met.

"Although I'd heard from Heiter long ago that you were overseeing all the Goddess Church affairs in Freesia..."

"I really didn't expect to run into you at this time, Kraft."

The white-haired hag looked disappointedly toward the door, and after confirming Agusheed hadn't come,

She puffed out her cheeks somewhat angrily.

"I thought it would be Agusheed coming—"

Although she had avoided further punishment,

The little daughter who felt unimportant to her old father began throwing a tantrum.

Kraft wasn't surprised by his young kinsman's reaction.

In fact, he was somewhat accustomed to it.

Facing Frieren who had turned her head away in a sulk,

This elf monk maintained his usual gentle smile on his face.

"Originally Agusheed was going to come personally."

"But Macht used the argument that—"

"'Coming in person would be beneath the Demon King's dignity,' so he stayed at the royal palace."

"So to see you, he could only send me here to bring you all before him."

This explanation was quite convincing.

Because Frieren knew too well the personality of that strongest Seven Sages of Destruction member now serving beside Agusheed.

So after getting an explanation that satisfied her—

The white-haired hag bounced up from her chair again, full of energy.

Her twin tails swayed left and right with her excited mood.

"Alright..."

"If that's the case, then let's hurry up and depart—"

"Destination, the Demon King's Palace!!"

Completely ignoring the feelings of the two little ones behind her at this moment,

Frieren was about to rush out the door on her own,

Running toward the Demon King's Palace standing at the northernmost part of Freesia's capital.

Then, just as she took her second step—

Her collar was caught by the big mushroom behind her.

"Frieren-sama... that's too rude..."

"You can't just wear casual clothes to meet Agusheed-sama..."

"Otherwise we'll be hanged for disrespecting the 'Demon King.'"

Fern pulled her silly teacher back and said helplessly while holding her forehead.

"At least put on proper attire..."

With a sigh, Fern took down Frieren's coat hanging on the rack,

Wrapping her up like a dumpling as if dealing with a child.

"How troublesome..."

"Why do such unnecessary things..."

"Anyway, no matter what I do wrong, Agusheed definitely won't mind."

The white-haired elf, spoiled by her old father, said matter-of-factly.

But despite saying this, she still obediently put on her coat according to Fern's wishes.

"Is this okay now?"

Frieren, having put on her boots and coat, spun around twice in place,

Then looked at Fern and Kraft with impatient eyes.

"This should be formal enough, right, Mr. Kraft?"

Fern bowed slightly to the elf monk with respectful tone.

Because she had heard about this person's deeds from Heiter-sama long ago,

She had always held reverence for this Hero and Priest equal to that for Himmel.

"At least I think even Macht couldn't find any flaws with this now."

Kraft nodded slightly with a smile.

Under the expectant gazes of Frieren and Fern—

He slowly raised his hand, indicating for the three to follow behind him,

So they could enter the Demon King's Palace smoothly and unobstructed.

And just as he was about to lead Frieren and Fern out of the inn room—

Standing at the very back,

The tomato who had been shocked by Frieren's explanation since Kraft entered and was just now recovering—

Made the three stop with his loud shout.

"Wait—"

"Frieren, Fern, setting aside what the Demon King's Palace is and who Agusheed is for now—"

"After all, from your conversation it sounds like they're your acquaintances..."

"But what did you just say about the owner of the Hero's Sword?"

"Isn't the owner of the Hero's Sword supposed to be Hero Himmel?!"

Stark, unable to understand the meaning in Frieren's words, trembled his lips.

Although the terrifying aura emanating from that elf uncle made him know Frieren was probably telling the truth,

He really couldn't believe that the owner of the Hero's Sword—

Wasn't Hero Himmel who defeated the previous Demon King, but this elf uncle who looked like a monk.

"Eh—"

"You didn't know, Stark?"

"Eisen never told you? No wonder you were so shocked just now..."

Frieren, who was about to walk out the door, slowly turned around.

She looked at Stark, who seemed genuinely ignorant of this, with some surprise on her face.

Frieren's surprise and Fern's face-palming made the tomato feel isolated at this moment.

But even so—

Stark, enduring the pain of being despised by the old hag and ignored by his girlfriend, still persistently pursued the question he cared about most.

"Frieren, setting everything else aside—"

"Why did you just say this uncle is the owner of the Hero's Sword?"

"Could it be that after Hero Himmel died—"

"The Hero's Sword chose this uncle as its new owner?"

Stark's questioning was loud, even with a hint of trying to deceive himself.

But the elf monk's consistently gentle gaze made even he not believe his own explanation.

"Stark-sama..."

Seeing her boyfriend's distressed expression, the big mushroom sighed slightly and was about to step forward to explain.

But a hand slowly stopped in front of her at that moment.

A Freesia carved from mithril floated on the necklace held loosely in that hand.

"This is the token Agusheed gave me. You can take this to the Demon King's Palace to find him first."

"As for this child's confusion, let me answer it for him."

This former hero's tone was very calm, yet carried an undeniable meaning.

Taking the necklace handed over,

Fern looked hesitantly at Stark, who was biting his lip.

"In that case, I'll stay behind too."

Finally, having made her decision, Fern said this.

After handing the necklace to her silly teacher, the big mushroom slowly walked in front of Stark.

"After all, Stark-sama is really too worrying to leave alone..."

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Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: /michaeltranslates