I've Been Waiting for This Moment!

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The rain pattered softly. The large tree above them had thick branches and leaves that shielded them from most of the rain, though occasionally a drop would slip through and sizzle in the fire. The rhythmic sound of raindrops created a calm, almost hypnotic atmosphere, the crackling of the fire providing a comforting counterpoint.

After a moment of silence, Frieren was the first to speak, her voice soft but clear in the quiet of the forest.

"Hey, Aura."

Aura glanced over at her, one eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

"Why did you leave without saying anything last time?"

Aura blinked, taken aback by the question. "Huh?"

"Do you hate me?"

'Hey, hey, hey, don't make such an aggrieved expression, Frieren, I will not be able to help but want to bully you!'

Aura couldn't believe it. The strong mage from the future, who would coldly order her to commit suicide at the drop of a hat, was now showing a teary expression in front of her, a demon.

Do elf ears really droop like a cat's when they're sad?

Aura's pupils dilated. Even facing Serie hadn't made her this shocked. After all, the one who made her fall into this state of being penniless, wandering alone, and bound by an obedience spell—was none other than Frieren, her most hated enemy..

But…this elf's expression was too touching. Her trembling ears, disheveled hair covering her eyes, and tightly pursed lips showed how much Aura answer mattered to her.

Anyone, no matter how cold-hearted or unfeeling, would feel a pang of sympathy.

"I really, really hate you—"

But Aura had no sympathy for such sentiments.

"Go die, Aura!"

"Wait, Frieren… I was just joking. I like you the most! Last time, I left without saying anything because I had a headache! I have a mental illness that flares up occasionally!! Please, don't say such hurtful things!!"

But Aura has a very strong desire to survive!

After much pleading, Frieren finally said, "I forgive you, Aura." Only then did the magical power surging towards Aura's heart, threatening to explode internally, subside.

It was so humiliating!

Even when she had to kneel and beg Serie for her life, Aura hadn't felt so aggrieved. Nothing was more shameful than having to please Frieren, who had once "killed" her.

"Forget the clothes you burned. I have spares anyway."

Aura waved at her bag, and the bag opened automatically. The bag was made of animal fur, closed, and had a good waterproof effect. The spare clothes inside did not get wet. The wool blanket she was wearing was also taken out of the bag by Frieren.

Spare backless tops, waist skirts, and knee-high boots floated out of the bag one after another and automatically covered Aura's body as if they had life. She was not a demon who was completely unable to take care of herself. Most of her clumsy shortcomings could be solved with magic. The reason why she asked Zanze to help her put on clothes and shoes before was just because it was simpler. Using magic was very brain-consuming.

And Zanze's skill in combing hair is much better than using magic.

"You said you were cold, right? You can have the wool blanket."

Aura finished dressing behind the wool blanket that floated in midair, acting as a privacy screen. Aura finished dressing and flicked her finger toward Frieren. The blanket that had just been wrapped around Aura was thrown over Frieren's head.

The elf didn't feel disgusted. She took off the wool blanket from her head in two or three strokes and wrapped her body several times, leaving only her head exposed, and stared intently at the fire.

"Why are you here?"

Aura asked curiously. This place was quite far from the lake where she had last seen Frieren. She had intentionally avoided that direction to prevent running into her, yet fate had brought them together again.

Moreover, her life was saved by this elf.

"..."

"Why don't you speak?"

"..."

"Are you lost?"

"..."

"Ara, how embarrassing for an elf~"

"..."

"Aren't elves supposed to be the darlings of the forest? Isn't the forest like your home? How can someone get lost at home~~"

"That's a rumor..."

"What? Speak up, I can't hear you."

"I said," Frieren took a deep breath and found this demon more and more annoying. It was obvious that this demon had no intention of hurting anyone. She should be a good demon as she claimed, but why did she hate her more and more the more she looked at her?

"I'm afraid you'll die in a place where no one is around"

"Huh?"

"So I kept looking for you."

"Huh?!"

"I walked too far this time, but luckily, I found you."

"Huh!!!"

"You looked scared last time. People with mental illnes can easily die outside, right?"

"..."

Even though there was no malice in Frieren's words, Aura was still very annoyed!

She had mental issues? Frieren had mental issues!

As a member of the hero's party, Frieren always had to open the treasure chest monster on the roadside and then be ambushed alone. No one could imagine that this obsessive-compulsive person was a magician who could defeat Aura the Guillotine one of the Seven Sages of Destruction!

Then there was Flamme, who has nothing to do all day long but suppresses her magic power, like she's suffering from paranoia!

And Serie, who loves to stir up wars for no reason. She has lived for so many years and has done nothing but want wars. She doesn't even care about the reproduction of her own race which is almost extinct. They deserves to be extinct because of her frigidity!

You three, teacher and student, are all mentally ill!

After cursing a few words in her heart, Aura's tightly twisted mouth finally relaxed. She sighed, but ultimately said nothing.

Seeing Frieren shivering from the cold, she stretched out her hand towards the campfire which had been soaked by the rain and whose flames were gradually dying down. Her magic power fluctuated and the flames immediately surged.

The temperature under the tree rose immediately.

Even the water drops that penetrate through the layers of leaves and fall into the air are evaporated into water vapor.

For Aura, this was just one of the little tricks in applying magic that she had accumulated over the past five hundred years, but it caught the attention of Frieren and attracted the interest of this elf who loved magic more than anything else.

"Where have you been for the past month?"

"None of your business."

"Tell me, Aura."

"...I went somewhere to practice magic."

Aura couldn't resist the obedience spell, but luckily, Frieren's request was polite rather than forceful, so she didn't have to reveal everything about her month of imprisonment by Serie.

She only told part of the truth.

It is true that she practiced magic. After all, he was working as an assistant to the magician who was closest to the goddess. No matter how incompatible the magic system of the demons was, Aura finally learned something.

"Is your magic very powerful?" Frieren looked at her, eyes wide.

"Extremely powerful."

"Better than mine?"

"Better than yours."

"Really? Your magic seems weak."

"Hehe—"

'It's finally my turn to say this!'

"Frieren," Aura stood up and suddenly released her magic power which was normally weakened due to being subject to magical constraints.

"The one standing before you is a mage who has practiced magic for over five hundred years!"

Seeing Frieren's shocked look, Aura was satisfied and felt that it was worth it even if she died at this moment.