"That child is…?"
Frieren asked in confusion.
"Her na is Fern. She's an orphan—lost her parents in the wars of the southern lands."
"Oh? That's unlike you. You're not the type to go around helping others out of kindness. You're not Himl, after all."
At the ntion of Himl, Heiter smiled faintly and glanced toward Shane beside Frieren.
"You've changed quite a bit too."
"Back then, Eisen suggested you find a traveling companion, and you rejected it without a second thought."
Called out so suddenly, Shane lowered his head and pretended to sip his tea.
Frieren glanced at him before explaining to Heiter, "I want to understand humans. For that, I'm trying to interact more with the people I et along the journey."
She hesitated for a mont, then added, "And I'm also learning how to say goodbye properly."
Shane had once said: Ti is cruel to humans. After parting, there's no guarantee you'll ever et again, which is why farewells must be done properly.
Looking at the now-aged Heiter, she knew clearly—her farewell with him would co soon.
"I ca to see you this ti while you're still alive. If I pass by again in the future, I might not get the chance."
Hearing Frieren's words, Heiter was slightly surprised.
Even Shane was taken aback. Though clumsy, Frieren was truly trying to learn.
"Hahaha, as expected—I won the bet with Eisen."
Heiter suddenly said sothing out of nowhere.
Frieren frowned, wanting to ask what he ant—what bet?
But Heiter directly changed the topic.
"Then, when you leave, could you take Fern with you on your journey? The child has a talent for magic. Perhaps she could beco an excellent mage like you."
Shane glanced toward the kitchen, where a small girl stood on a stool, struggling to reach the stove. He understood—Heiter was entrusting her.
Frieren didn't even look at Fern before refusing imdiately.
"Sorry, Heiter. She would be a burden."
Shane broke into a cold sweat.
That kind of bluntness… really sothing.
"I think Mr. Heiter wants you to beco her teacher…"
"Then that makes it even more impossible. Heiter, we traveled together for ten years—you've seen how high the mortality rate for mages is in real combat. I won't put a child you cherish in danger. It's better for her to stay by your side."
The atmosphere at the table turned awkward.
Even though Shane had expected Frieren to refuse, such a rciless rejection still made him uncomfortable.
Sotis, he even wondered—were elves and humans truly the sa kind of species?
Frieren's near-indifferent attitude made him worry whether Heiter, at his age, could take it.
On the other hand, Heiter seed completely unsurprised by the refusal.
He slowly stood up, walked to a nearby cabinet, opened a drawer, and took out a thick book.
Then he returned to the table and gently placed it in front of Frieren.
It was a grimoire.
Heiter used a super-effective item on Frieren!
"If you won't take Fern, then could you help decipher this book? It's a grimoire unearthed from the tomb of Sage Ewig. It's said to contain lost magic—[Immortality Magic] and [Resurrection Magic]. It's extrely profound. I've spent many years on it but still couldn't understand it."
The mont she saw the grimoire, a flash of light passed through Frieren's eyes. She quickly picked it up and flipped it open.
Imdiately, she was drawn in.
A glint also appeared in Shane's eyes—that was the sign of his mind focusing intensely. He had co here for this very book: Diary of Sage Ewig!
Wait… sothing's not right—
What's going on?!
Shane was shocked.
In his vision, a line of white information appeared clearly:
————
[Diary of Sage Ewig (Forgery)]
Condition: Intact
Traits: None
Evaluation: A forgery compiled by a later sage who used the na of Sage Ewig to spread their own magical research. Although the contents do hold significant value, a forgery is still a forgery.
————
Shane couldn't believe it.
It was fake!
Even if it had high research value, a forgery was still a forgery—it was useless to him.
Had the mad sage Sharl's ritual left any lingering effects on him? Why had he been forcibly dragged into this world? That feeling of being manipulated without knowing anything—it was unbearable.
He needed answers from Diary of Sage Ewig.
He had thought visiting Heiter would help unravel these mysteries, but now everything had returned to square one.
Sigh…
Shane let out a long breath. The once-clear lead had snapped again.
He would have to search for other clues related to the mad sage Sharl or Sage Ewig… but finding them would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Beside him, Heiter was still discussing the contents of the book with Frieren, expressing his views on life and death.
But Shane had no mind to listen.
He was about to get up and step outside for so fresh air, when sothing in the corner of his vision suddenly caught his attention!
He imdiately sat back down, focusing his ntal power on Heiter.
A line of gray text slowly appeared on Heiter's body—
[Poison Dependency (Gray/Inferior)]: By using a certain toxin, the body's functions are forcibly activated, maintaining a false state of health. During this process, continuous intake of the toxin is required to sustain bodily needs. (Warning: excessive intake will severely damage internal organs.)
Heiter… actually had a gray trait.
What did this an?
He was using poison to forcibly extend his life?!
Shane was stunned.
His gaze passed over the lines of text and landed on Heiter, who was talking with Frieren. Then he looked toward little Fern, still busy in the kitchen—and in that instant, he understood everything.
No matter when, what parents worry about most is their child.
The [Immortality Magic] in the book…
Heiter must have sought out this fake grimoire just to live a little longer—to properly accompany Fern as she grew up.
He hadn't expected him to resort to such extre asures.
......
After listening to Heiter's explanation, Frieren imdiately began deciphering the grimoire without a mont's hesitation.
Watching her focused expression, Heiter quietly walked away.
He stopped at the doorway of the wooden house, gazed at the lush scenery ahead, then slowly moved to a wooden beam nearby and basked in the sunlight with satisfaction.
Shane looked once more at little Fern, hesitated for a mont, then followed him out.
He deliberately lowered his voice and asked softly,
"Mr. Heiter… are you currently taking so kind of poisonous dicine?"
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