Chapter 37 — Before the Mask Shatters
«(´✘_✘`)»
"Frieren, time to get up."
The white-haired elf rolled over with visible agony, burying her face deep into the pillow.
"Mmm… Elias…
I was… helping last night…
I stayed up so late…
Let me rest… just today… okay…?"
"Stayed up?"
Elias's tone was ice-cold.
"You were awake for less than thirty minutes."
"Because… I'm… still growing…
Even losing half an hour of sleep…
will affect my height…"
Elias: (≖_≖'')
"You're not going to grow anyway."
"W–Who said that… Elias…?
I'm just growing… slowly…
Give me a few hundred years…
I'll be as tall as Master Flamme…"
"Sure."
Elias didn't even need to think to know she was lying.
After all, there was a thousand-year-old proof standing right there—
that ancient living fossil of an elf hadn't grown a single centimeter in two millennia.
So he quietly summoned his "Forced Awakening from Sleep Grimoire".
The next second—
A thunderous shriek detonated inside the room.
Frieren: «(´✘_✘`)»
"…Hah."
"So it's… completely useless now."
Elias sighed and looked down at the back of her head.
"Frieren, how about we make a deal?"
"No…
Impossible…
I, Frieren… will never… be bought so easily…"
Elias: (≖_≖'')
"I'll unlock the seals on three of the storage rooms."
Frieren: «(⊙ω⊙)»
She sprang up like a carp leaping from water, standing proud and majestic in front of him.
"You're not allowed to go back on that!"
Elias turned away calmly.
"There's no need to. Now go downstairs for breakfast."
After a long night, warm sunlight poured in through the windows, reflecting off the jade-like dining table.
Even an ordinary fried egg looked more appetizing under the glow.
Across from him, Frieren sat down and immediately launched into wolf-mode.
In thirty seconds flat, her entire plate was wiped clean.
Then she tossed both hands aside, fwoosh, and licked the last trace of milk from the corner of her mouth.
Frieren finally lifted her gaze, eyes sparkling as she stared at Elias, who had just taken his first sip of milk.
«(¬‿¬)»✧
...(´-ι_-｀)
"Frieren, I already said I wouldn't go back on my word. There's no need to get this excited."
Frieren cupped her cheeks, little feet kicking under the table with uncontrollable anticipation.
"I'm just curious—why are you suddenly willing to accept my treasures?
Could it be… you witnessed the greatness of the music box last night and admitted defeat?"
"Heh heh heh~ Elias, weren't you always mocking me? Saying my collection is nothing but worthless 'trash'?"
Elias calmly set down his cup, meeting the white-haired elf's provocation with an indifferent look.
"Frieren, 'treasure' is a relative concept."
"To that mercenary bleeding out yesterday, your 'music box that plays a hemostatic melody' was a treasure."
"For me, someone who rarely gets injured, it is useless junk."
"In the end, the reason you think those things are treasures… is simply because you're not strong enough."
The moment the words left his mouth, the face opposite him puffed up like a red, angry dumpling.
Frieren's brain spun furiously—
but she actually couldn't find a single rebuttal.
«(｡ì_í｡)»
"Ugh… how hateful…"
"Why do I genuinely feel like you… actually have a point…"
Seeing her reaction, Elias couldn't help but laugh softly:
"Don't be mad.
As long as they're valuable to you, that's enough."
"Come on, Frieren."
He walked to the sealed storage room and waved his hand, releasing the magical seal.
"You have five minutes. Pick out the magic item with the highest combat practicality."
Frieren's pointed ears twitched sharply.
"Combat… value? Elias, did something happen?"
"The Demon King's army."
Elias's voice sank into a calm, icy register.
"I have proof their forces have infiltrated the area near the Holy City."
"We don't yet know the mastermind or their purpose… but with enemies lurking in the shadows, and with you still unable to fully control your mana suppression, you must prepare."
«(⊙ω⊙)»
"Elias…
So you're… worried about me?"
(ᇂ_ᇂ|||)
"Is this the time to ask that?!"
"I'm worried that if you get yourself killed, all the village chores will fall on me!"
ƪ«(˘⌣˘)»ʃ
"Hmph~ clearly worried about me, but too stubborn to admit it.
You really are the tsundere type, Elias~"
Frieren twirled with pride, hopping lightly into the storage room.
The moment her eyes fell on the mountain of treasures, she clutched her chest.
Months of pent-up longing surged free.
«(இωஇ)»
"My dear babies…
You've suffered so long…"
Elias leaned on the doorframe, deadpan.
"Hurry up and pick. Even magic tools take time to master."
Frieren wiped her tears and asked:
"So you want me to use magic tools to fight demons?"
Elias shook his head.
"Not to fight.
To survive as long as possible."
Frieren: Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ
"What?! You want me to run for my life?!"
She clenched her fists, eyes blazing.
(ꐦÒ‸Ó)凸
"Elias! In your eyes, am I really that weak?!"
(≖_≖'')
"Yes."
«(･ω･)»
"...Fair."
Frieren accepted her fate instantly—
but another thought still bothered her.
"I don't get it. Lady Serie guards the city, you and Master Flamme are outside. Would demons really be dumb enough to stir trouble right under all your noses?"
"Dumb demons…?"
Elias closed his eyes. Sunlight fell across his face—yet his expression grew colder.
"Frieren, as Flamme's disciple, you should know—
pretending to be stupid is one of the demons' favorite tactics."
"Behind a mask of foolishness… may be the cruelest smile."
"Until the moment the mask breaks—
no one may see the truth."
Frieren silently turned away and began searching through the pile.
As expected… demons understood demons best.
With enemies this cunning, and lives on the line, she had to choose carefully.
She focused, emerald eyes sharpening with resolve.
Her hands moved delicately among the treasure heap…
Until her gaze locked onto something.
"This is…"
"A whistle only dogs can hear!
Elias, pleeease—can you transform into a big doggy again?!"
(ᇂ_ᇂ|||)
"Frieren…
I told you…"
"That was the last time.
And the ONLY time!!"