This is a little interlude that happened while Diego was taking the first-class exam.
"Eh, how did Dio and I meet?"
If you asked what the most popular gossip in Frieren's party was, it would undoubtedly be Diego's love stories.
Inside the inn, Stark and Sein looked at Alicia with eyes full of anticipation, eager for Dio's romantic side story.
"Alicia-sama, Stark and I have heard everyone else's stories except yours and Diego-sama's." Sein clasped his hands together and earnestly pleaded, "Please—we beg you to satisfy our curiosity!"
Stark nodded furiously in agreement beside him, eyes brimming with longing. One played the eager red face, the other the understanding black face—perfectly in sync: "If it's really inconvenient to talk about, that's fine too."
"It's not inconvenient at all. To be honest—it's actually quite romantic. Dio appeared like a god descending from the heavens…"
…
This takes place five years before Diego disappeared, after Mabel joined the party and left the Land of Warriors…
—Central Nations, outskirts of the holy city Strahl—
"Frieren-sama, where exactly are we going?" After leaving the Land of Warriors, on the back of Silver Bullet, Mabel looked around curiously and asked Frieren, "This is my first long trip—I feel so excited…"
"The holy city Strahl. We're looking for a powerful cleric to join us in subjugating the Demon King. Plus, Dio got badly burned all over by the Blazing Dragon's flames—if we can heal him along the way, that would be even better." Frieren pointed at Diego, who was walking ahead leading Silver Bullet. Through the gaps in his collar, faint unhealed burn scars could still be seen.
(ó﹏ò｡)!
Mabel lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, and apologized timidly: "Private apology—if I had agreed to lend the Freeze God Sword back then, this wouldn't have happened…"
"First of all, these are just minor, unimportant injuries—don't make a big deal out of it. This Dio can easily take down the Blazing Dragon without the Freeze God Sword." Diego didn't turn his head, simply gazing quietly at the holy city now within reach. He chuckled lightly: "Second, I'm looking for a cleric just in case any of you get injured and can't fight."
(눈‸눈)
Though it's true, having the Freeze God Sword I've guarded for so long suddenly dismissed as worthless still makes me sad!
Mabel fell into dead silence.
"Frieren, who's the best cleric in the holy city?" Diego asked. "This Dio wants No.1!"
"The best?" Frieren answered instantly: "The one living alone on the frontier—Archbishop Idlucia of the holy city. That's common knowledge among the human nations, isn't it?"
"Not that old lady. I want someone from the younger generation."
"Then it's the archbishop's adopted daughter—the holy hero personally appointed by the empire, 'Alicia Idlucia.' It's said her cleric talent is one of a kind—when she learns goddess magic, she emits a unique holy light. That's a miracle of being favored by the goddess herself." Frieren thought for a moment and gave the answer: "I recall she's about the same age as you, Dio…"
"Goddess? Tch… any cleric loved by that mark can't be good. Let's look for someone else…"
Chatting idly like this, the three arrived at the holy city. Diego delegated the task, so Frieren and Mabel went to the grand cathedral to find a suitable cleric.
Diego, as usual, headed to the local black market to check for rewarding commissions—until a familiar name caught his attention.
Capture the holy hero 'Alicia Idlucia.' Location: the home of frontier bishop Idlucia. Coordinates ××××. Dead or alive.
Reward: 3,000 Strahl gold coins…
"3,000, huh… quite generous…" Diego licked his lips, greed plain in his eyes. "Easy money. So far, the deciphered goddess magic has pitifully few attack spells in its system. Killing one defenseless cleric under the bishop's protection for 3,000 gold coins—and getting the exact location too—what a perfect commission…"
30 gold coins was already roughly the wealth of an ordinary noble. Anyone able to offer 3,000 at once was exceedingly rare across the continent.
A money-grubber like Diego naturally felt tempted. As for that human prodigy said to have the best chance of killing the Demon King? Go talk to my 3,000 gold coins.
"3,000 gold coins… Tonight I'll take Frieren and the others to the best seafood restaurant in the holy city."
With unstoppable momentum, Diego drew the Split Soul Katana from Ugly Treasure's body and flashed away from the black market.
"Food after making big money is the best."
…
—Home of frontier bishop Idlucia—
The moment he saw Archbishop Idlucia, Diego froze.
There was no imagined elite protection team, and Alicia was nowhere to be seen. Only Idlucia sat alone in a wooden chair, face pale, life force greatly depleted—completely lacking the dignity a bishop should have.
Shing!
The Split Soul Katana rested against Idlucia's throat. Diego narrowed his eyes and demanded: "Where is 'Alicia Idlucia'?"
"…" Idlucia showed no reaction to Diego's threat. Eyes still closed, her voice carried a deathly tone: "That child Alicia… was taken by demons…"
"Hah? Are you people eating dirt? The holy hero gets kidnapped by demons in the holy city itself—this joke isn't funny at all." Diego frowned, surprise flashing in his eyes.
He was dead set on claiming the bounty and could only accept the outcome of killing Alicia himself.
Idlucia was filled with self-blame and spoke slowly: "We were careless. To nip the danger in the cradle, the demons sent someone skilled in disguise many years ago to infiltrate the holy city and blend into the team protecting Alicia…"
Diego waved impatiently, cutting her off: "Spare me the details. Just tell me—does the holy hero have any means of self-protection? Is she still alive right now?"
"She does… The goddess cherishes her greatly. 'Goddess's Protection' will prevent anyone from harming her for at least three days. But today is already the third day—we have no time left…"
Diego loathed Idlucia's attitude. Rage flared instantly. He sneered coldly: "Idlucia, you don't deserve to be a bishop. You really are old—heart grown old too. Giving up on your own adopted daughter so quickly…"
As he spoke, signs of dinosaurization spread across his face. His dinosaur tail tightly coiled around Idlucia's neck, lifting her from the chair and forcing her to face him.
"Give me Alicia Idlucia's personal belongings. Before her life fades, I will devote myself fully to retrieving her!" Diego growled, cold killing intent surging in an instant.
After obtaining Alicia's personal items, Diego infected several small dinosaurs and ordered them to track Alicia's scent.
Go, Scary Monsters!
Sniff sniff… sniff sniff…
After memorizing the scent, the small dinosaurs roared and dashed out of the house, charging straight toward the center of the holy city.
Boom!
"Hmph, get out of the way!" Idlucia was slammed to the ground by Diego. He sneered mockingly: "Just keep praying that stinking goddess mark of yours will descend and save your precious adopted daughter."
With that, Diego whistled. Silver Bullet galloped over, carrying Diego as he chased after the small dinosaurs.
…
"Sniff, sniff, squeak… guh-gah, sniff!"
The small dinosaurs pressed forward.
Diego followed them all the way to the center of the holy city—right in front of the grand cathedral where Frieren and the others had gone.
"No wonder Idlucia couldn't find any trace of holy hero Alicia—she never even left the holy city!" Diego glared viciously at the cathedral, leaped down from Silver Bullet, and glanced at the small dinosaurs' movements. He let out a long breath and cursed angrily: "The empire's trash—how thoroughly have demons infiltrated them…"
"Gahhh—!!!"
At that moment, a small dinosaur suddenly pounced on a pink-clothed, yellow-haired woman about to enter the grand cathedral and began tearing into her savagely.
"Aaaahhh, help… help! What the hell is this thing?!?" The innocent pink-clothed woman struggled desperately, screaming for help in all directions. In the struggle, she caught a glimpse of Diego standing nearby and pleaded pitifully: "Quick—quick, come help me!"
But Diego merely stood there coldly, showing no intention of calling off the small dinosaur.
"Hah… hah… hah… I have to… have to hurry… find a cleric to heal me…" Seeing Diego unmoved, the pink-clothed woman mustered all her strength to knock the small dinosaur unconscious, then dragged her injured body crawling toward the cathedral.
This day felt like a nightmare…
This really is the most miserable day of my life…
The main body was just about to execute the holy hero—never expected to run into that lunatic Scary Monsters…
Good thing my human disguise technique is excellent. I need to hurry and hide somewhere Scary Monsters can't see me…
Hurry—hands, move faster! Scary Monsters is coming—Scary Monsters is coming!! I absolutely have to escape him…
"What are you doing? Where are you going?"
A large foot planted itself in front of the pink-clothed woman. Sunny-boy Diego loomed over her, whispering a warning: "Hey… don't make any sudden moves. You've already been bitten full of holes by dinosaurs—careful not to bleed out from the wounds."
"Ah… it's all my fault. I didn't watch the small dinosaur properly and let it attack you randomly…" As Diego spoke, even more small dinosaurs appeared behind him, swarming onto the pink-clothed woman. "Sorry—they're hungry again. Mind sacrificing yourself a little?"
No!! What kind of pervert human is this?! I'm just a clone—how could I possibly fight him!!
In panic, driven by the instinct to survive, the pink-clothed woman's words grew more and more full of holes: "Quick… quick, make them leave…"
"Why do you think I can make them leave?" Diego crouched down, tilted his head, rubbed his chin in mock difficulty, then said: "Don't you already know who I am? If so, is there any point in us acting anymore? You're a demon, right? You reek of corpse stench…"
As a refined egoist, Diego had never fully trusted anyone from the beginning. If asked who was the first being he truly trusted, it would never be Frieren or Sui—but the small dinosaurs created by Scary Monsters.
The nameless great demon pink-clothed woman's disguise was indeed excellent—no demonic traits visible anywhere, indistinguishable from a human to the naked eye.
But the instant the small dinosaur attacked, Diego had already labeled her as demon—just toying with a fool as he chatted with her.
"..." Cold sweat poured down the nameless great demon pink-clothed woman's face. This meant she had already 'lost.'
From the moment Diego identified her as demon, she had completely lost any chance of escaping Scary Monsters.
Should I risk it? I have to get word to the main body that Scary Monsters is here—otherwise we'll all be killed by it.
The nameless great demon skilled in clone magic raised her head, preparing to surprise-attack Diego—but her voice suddenly froze: "Trans—"
Boom! Crack—!
A clear sound of breaking bone!
"If you're going to act, just act—why think so much?" Diego's gaze turned vicious. He stomped down on the pink-clothed woman's head, snapping her neck.
The pink-clothed woman's disguise magic gradually failed, revealing demonic features. Her immense mana seemed to confirm her status as a great demon.
But only for an instant. Memories of being toyed with by Serie's clone magic surged back.
"This sensation… it's clone magic!" Having been tricked once before, Diego instantly flew into rage. He grabbed the pink-clothed woman's hair and slammed her down hard, thoroughly killing this clone. "Good… so your main body and Alicia are hiding inside the grand cathedral, right? I'm going to hunt you!"
Diego stormed into the cathedral and once again met Frieren and Mabel.
Frieren looked somewhat surprised and turned to ask: "Dio, why are you here?"
Mabel chimed in: "Didn't you say we should pick a cleric?"
"Frieren, Mabel—big trouble. A great demon kidnapped the holy hero. It's hiding right here in the grand cathedral. I just killed one of its clones—but I haven't seen its face or know its name." Diego glanced at them and quickly explained the situation: "Listen carefully—the enemy specializes in clone magic. From now on, every single one I kill is a demon."
"To identify the target, I'll just have to beat them all!"
"A nameless great demon?! Right here in the holy city?!" The two were utterly shocked.
Generally speaking, great demons' immense mana was accumulated over long years without exception.
Being nameless already said everything—despite living so long, no records of them existed in books.
That also meant anyone who had encountered them had almost certainly died.
"Follow me. The moment I give the signal later, use illusion magic on me." Diego beckoned and stepped onto the second floor of the cathedral first, laying out his full theory: "That clone tried to transmit my information right before dying—which means this guy's clone magic is the type where each clone has its own independent mind."
Step step step…
Several nuns blocked Diego's path, earnestly trying to dissuade him: "Sir, without permission, please do not enter the second floor of the cathedral…"
Pfft!
A nun's head fell. Diego's dinosaur claws cleanly dispatched her. Her appearance gradually shifted until it became the familiar pink-clothed woman, then finally dissolved into mana particles and vanished.
"You…" Seeing the nun killed, the acting bishop stepped forward to stop him.
Thud!
Acting bishop OUT!
"It's already infiltrated this deeply—the grand cathedral might not have any living people left. Were we just talking to demons all this time?" Mabel's voice trembled as she swallowed hard.
"Then next, we're facing dozens of clones each with great-demon-level strength…" Frieren was stunned by the terrifying number and couldn't help frowning. "If only we could precisely locate the main body."
"With this many clones, the Split Soul Katana's effect on the main body would be very limited. We'll just have to clean them all up." Even Diego found it somewhat troublesome.
"By the way, Dio—what's the signal?" Mabel asked curiously. After all, she had just joined the party and still wasn't great at coordinating.
Frieren's face filled with black lines. She muttered gloomily: "You'll understand when you hear it later…"
With the three working together, the clones inside the grand cathedral were slaughtered one after another. But in the process, Frieren and Mabel both took injuries, reducing their combat ability.
"Only this room left. The last clone and Alicia are inside." Diego stood before the door, gripped the handle, pressed down, and burst in. "Stay back—remember what I said."
Click…
The moment he entered, five clones struck simultaneously at Diego's vitals. But under Scary Monsters' powerful dynamic vision, Diego made minute adjustments, evading each attack and countering.
Thud… thud… thud… thud… thud…
Five demon heads rolled. Diego raised his gaze to survey the demons' setup for killing Alicia.
For real? An entire room full of that guy's clones?
33 pink-clothed…
Way too many…
But no need to panic. My movement speed and ability outclass it, and I have Frieren's magic support from behind. With the Freeze God Sword protecting her, I can fight without worry.
And I've already grasped its weakness. Once I find the main body, I'll kill it on the spot!
"wryyyyyy!" Diego transformed into dragon form and charged into the fray with the clones, shouting: "You're ready, right—here we go, Frieren, Mabel!"
With that, several clones' heads were chopped off by Diego.
At the same time, even more clones surrounded him completely.
"Frieren, Mabel—now! This is exactly why I went through all the trouble to bring you two to this room!" Diego gave the signal.
"What does that have to do with any signal?! 『Ice Storm Creation』!" Mabel was utterly shocked.
Ice Storm Creation: Creates intricate ice illusions—immersive three-dimensional mirages. A secret ultimate magic inherited by the ice tribe, commonly used by the ice tribe to tell stories of the Freeze God Sword.
"That's why I said there was no need to ask about the signal… 『Magic that can change appearance and form』!" Frieren followed immediately.
As the name implies, Diego instantly transformed into the pink-clothed woman.
In an instant, the demons' assault halted. The clones became wary of each other.
The room filled with illusions of pink-clothed women—among them hid Diego, the beast waiting to strike unexpectedly.
Completely concealed, Diego carefully distinguished between clones and main body, aiming for a one-hit kill. But to his frustration, they were perfect clones—he could only rely on luck.
"O God, with Your supreme radiance, illuminate for us—the true body among these many evil souls!"
Among the many pink-clothed women, one suddenly burst into dazzling light. Panic visibly appeared on her face as she turned and fled toward the window.
"Attack the one glowing—she's the main body!" Alicia, who had been conserving strength, broke the deadlock at the critical moment.
Pfft!
The clones guarding the main body were cleanly dispatched by Diego as he closed in relentlessly on the nameless great demon's true body.
"You hesitated, didn't you? Now all the clones protecting you are 'instantly dead'! Only you remain!" Diego revealed himself and pursued the demon's main body.
The nameless great demon smashed through the window and escaped.
However…
Whoosh!
A lightning spell pierced straight through its head. At that instant, all the clones began to disappear.
"…"
Diego slowly raised his gaze, following the direction of the lightning spell—until he saw Sui, holding an ancient magical tool.
Sui said nothing. She simply stared deeply at Diego once, then silently stowed the ancient magical tool and left the sniper perch.
"That guy's still tailing me—seriously, enough already. Now I owe her one…" Diego met Sui's gaze, huffed in annoyance, then turned back into the room where Alicia was held. "Mind your own business. I didn't need your help—I could have caught up myself. The small dinosaurs were already waiting outside…"
He then slashed through Alicia's ropes. His gaze gradually turned cold, filled with chilling intent.
Now then… time to collect my 3,000 gold coins…
Seeing Diego approach, Alicia's suspended heart finally settled. She released the goddess magic she had maintained for three days.
"Eh? You're hurt—let me heal you!" Alicia caught sight of the burn scars under Diego's collar and hurriedly took out the holy scripture to treat him.
"That would be perfect…" Diego's claws slowly reached toward the back of Alicia's neck.
Now that the goddess magic is gone, I can finish her—die for me…
At that moment, holy light fell on Diego, healing the burns.
Diego's movement froze abruptly. He reached up to touch the scar at the corner of his mouth. Shock filled his eyes.
This scar… it's gradually stopped hurting!!!
"Thank you, kind stranger." Alicia smiled at Diego—a look of complete trust.
"…I'm Diego Brando. I'm searching for a powerful cleric for my party. Starting today, you are the cleric I've claimed—you belong to me now." After a long pause, Diego lowered his eyes, looked meaningfully at Alicia, seized her wrist with an aura that brooked no refusal, and spoke seriously word by word: "You have no right to refuse. The holy hero Alicia is dead. Now there is only Alicia of Dio's party. If you understand, follow me."
"Eh? But I wasn't going to refuse anyway. To be honest, I've been troubled about finding a party to subjugate the Demon King. As a hero, I'm still too inexperienced…"
"…"
Diego's next harsh words got stuck in his throat.
…
Night fell. Diego took the three party members to the best seafood restaurant in the holy city.
How did he get the money? Anyone who tried to kill ko no Dio's party had better be prepared to be counter-tracked and killed in return.
If I kill you, that money is mine too!
The waiter soon brought the dishes.
Roar roar—today this Dio gets to eat the big shrimp I've been craving. Let's have a taste…
Whoosh!
While Diego was thinking, Mabel beat him to it—the big shrimp vanished into her mouth.
"Damn demon—daring to disguise yourself as my teammate!" Diego flew into rage, grabbed Mabel's cheeks and rubbed them hard. "This great one is going to butcher you right now!"
"Eeeek—stop—!"
Sigh—whatever, crab works too.
Seeing Mabel looking so pitiful, Diego softened and let go. He turned to get something else.
Only to see Frieren peeling crab shells and popping them into her mouth.
Diego slowly widened his eyes, pulled out his anti-Frieren weapon—the onion—and ordered Mabel: "Mabel, hold her down. Today I'm curing her picky eating once and for all!"
"Nooo—don't wanna eat onion…" Forced to eat onion by Diego, Frieren pitifully chewed the vegetable she hated.
Old hag, stop acting cute!
Does feeding her more onion make her cuter…?
An evil thought suddenly appeared, but Diego ultimately resisted the temptation and just grumbled: "Seriously, not even a shred of pity for this Dio…"
Poke poke…
"Um, Dio-san, I saw you seemed to like it, so I took the liberty of peeling some for you." Alicia pushed the peeled big shrimp and crab toward Diego.
"Alicia… you really are a good woman!"
"Eh? Wait, Dio-san—why are you eating it with stones?"
"These are gastroliths—gastroliths! Almost all carnivores do this—it helps digestion!"
…
After hearing the story, Stark listened with relish and delight. Sein, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought.
"So looking at it this way… Diego-sama really does like Alicia-sama…"
"Eh? Why do you say that?" Alicia blinked curiously.
"Look—Diego-sama loves money, right? That was 3,000 gold coins! Yet he gave it up just like that for Alicia-sama." Sein gestured with both hands.
"Ugh…"
Hearing Sein put it that way, Alicia instantly turned into a steam girl—flustered, wanting to explain but not knowing where to start.
Just then, a lifesaving knock sounded.
Knock knock knock…
"Alicia-sama, are you in there?" First-class mage Lernen knocked on the inn room door.
"I'm here—wait just a moment, I'll open it right away!" Alicia let out a long breath of relief and hurried to the door.
When she opened it, Lernen handed her a package with a gentle smile: "Serie-sama said these pastries are delicious and asked me to bring you some. Fresh from the oven—best eaten right now."
[These are freshly baked sweets—delicious beyond words. You must try them. Hurry and take them to Alicia…]
"Please thank Serie-sama for me. I'll definitely return the favor when I have time." Alicia bowed in gratitude.
"Hehe, that would be wonderful. Though Serie-sama didn't say it, she seems quite eager to see you too…"
After Lernen left, Alicia carefully unwrapped the package and took a small taste.
"So good…! Stark, Sein—hurry and wake Mabel. We have pastries today!"
"Yay!"
PS: By the way, I have a question—does Mabel count as staying up all night if she's active during the day?