By the time Fíliya and Frieren returned to the inn, the sky had already started to dim, making Fíliya lament how quickly time passed.
Just as the two were about to reach the entrance, they ran right into Fern and Stark.
Fern and Stark were a completely different sight from that morning. Now, they walked side-by-side, a faint, shy blush visible on both their faces.
"Oh my? It seems you've already made up."
Fíliya was the first to speak, her tone teasing.
Hearing Fíliya's words, the two young people in front of her subconsciously glanced at each other, then quickly looked away.
"Fíliya… you and Lady Frieren were…"
Fern felt she had to say something to change the subject.
"What, are you two the only ones allowed a world of your own? Are we not allowed to go out?"
Fíliya said with a smile.
After she spoke, Miss Fern was completely defeated. Unable to utter a single retort, she could only grab Stark and quickly rush into the inn.
Seeing this, Fíliya immediately shot Frieren a triumphant look, because she had already seen the new accessory on Miss Fern's wrist—a bracelet carved with a Mirror Lotus.
"How about that, was I right again? Call me a prophet."
Frieren pouted unhappily. Fíliya's smug look was truly infuriating, so she too walked into the inn without another word.
Although each of them was dealing with their own minor emotions, by the time they all gathered in the inn room, they had adjusted their mindsets.
Then came dinnertime. Sponsored by Miss Fíliya, a table was filled with all the inn's signature dishes, and she even had cakes and other desserts delivered from nearby sweet shops.
Amidst the blessings of her party members, Fern finally celebrated her 19th birthday. It was undoubtedly a full and happy day, but after everyone dispersed, Fern still felt that something wasn't quite right.
Mm... that's right, it must be that.
Although the lights were out and she was in bed, Fern tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
A sliver of fantasy still remained in her heart; after all, it wasn't past midnight yet.
While receiving Stark's gift was the greatest happiness of her day, she still wanted to take that happiness to the next level. After all, the person who could add to that happiness was lying not far from her right now.
That's right... she hadn't received a gift from her master today.
If Fíliya hadn't given her a gift, Fern would have been only a little disappointed; after all, her relationship with Fíliya hadn't exactly reached the level of a best friend. But if Lady Frieren, who knew it was her birthday, didn't give her a gift, Miss Fern felt she would probably be upset for quite a while.
So, would her expectations be met?
Fern felt a little uncertain, because even now, Lady Frieren's eyes had not opened.
Lady Frieren must not be asleep... Fern thought, but she couldn't be sure, so she could only wear a resentful expression, silently staring in Frieren's direction in the darkness.
Finally, in Fern's eyes, Frieren made her next move. The white-haired elf suddenly sat bolt upright, then straightened her hair, which had gotten a little messy from sleep.
"Mm… I guess it's about time… That Fíliya, she just had to keep reminding me to give it at the exact right moment."
After muttering as if to herself, Frieren casually snapped her fingers.
Instantly, the several oil lamps placed in the room lit up, allowing light to flood back in.
"Sorry, Fern, for making you wait so long."
Frieren turned her head, a hint of apology on her face.
Seeing Frieren like this, Fern let out a sigh of relief. She knew her expectations would not be in vain; her master and friend, Lady Frieren, had indeed prepared a gift for her.
And… from what Frieren just said, it seemed Fíliya had a part in this gift too? They're so good at keeping secrets… Did they really have to wait until now to give it to me?
"Fíliya said I shouldn't steal the young people's thunder, and that I should give you this gift after midnight… Mm, it's something she and I completed together."
Frieren said as she slowly got out of bed, then took a book from her bag nearby.
When Frieren handed the book to Fern, a look of confusion immediately appeared in Fern's eyes.
Because she could feel that the book in her hand was not a grimoire… From the fluctuations it emitted, it was more like a magic item.
"What is this?"
Fern's fingers brushed across the book's cover, her tone filled with curiosity.
"Mm… Fíliya said that when you ask this question, I absolutely must not explain, and that you have to open it and see for yourself."
Frieren held her chin in one hand and spoke slowly.
This made Fern's cheeks puff out again.
Honestly, Lady Frieren, one Fíliya this, one Fíliya that… If you listen to her so much, why don't you just become her master…
Fern thought with a pout, but she also knew that if she sulked at a time like this, she would seem a bit too petty, so she could only swallow her minor complaint.
Then, she took a deep breath and finally, slowly, opened the book.
A radiant light flowed from the book, and then a wondrous sight unfolded before Fern's eyes.
She saw… her younger self and her deceased adoptive father—the priest Heiter.
It was an incredibly vivid, three-dimensional image. Every expression, every color was just as it was in her memory.
Fern felt as if she had been hit by Mind Control Magic, and the effect was that she couldn't look away at all.
For a period of time, she reread her own life from an observer's perspective within this book: from losing all her relatives and standing on a cliff in despair, ready to end it all; to being saved by Heiter, then meeting Frieren, and finally growing up under Frieren's care.
Every important milestone in her life was recreated in this book.
When she turned to the last page, Fern heard that voice, the one she had yearned for in countless dreams.
Incredibly old, yet incredibly familiar. Hearing this voice, Fern felt as if she had returned to the day of their farewell.
"Fern… even when I'm gone, you must celebrate every birthday well."
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