Agusheed walked alone, slowly, along a forest path in the Voll Basin.
Unhurried. Unrushed.
Step by step, just like he did a thousand years ago when he walked with her.
The rustling of fallen leaves filled the air, dry twigs snapped softly underfoot.
But Agusheed paid them no mind.
He was simply retracing their steps—
Walking through every place they once stopped together.
Ancient trees, flower beds, lakes, and the bronze statue she left in a clearing of the forest.
Reaching out, he brushed the fallen leaves from Flam's statue.
His finger lightly touched her face—and for a rare mont, he looked absentminded.
mories surged like the tide, bringing back their very first eting...
"Why didn't you kill ?"
『Why would I kill you?』
"Because you're a demon, I'm human. And I even attacked you with the intent to kill."
『Killing intent... heh...』
『Tell , human, would you kill a stray puppy for barking at you on the road?』
"...I'm not a puppy."
『I know. Just a taphor. Sa aning.』
『Killing you ans nothing to .』
『So I won't. It's that simple.』
"You're the strangest demon I've ever t..."
"A born executioner who avoids killing. Do demons like you even exist?"
In his mory...
Back then, he looked at the kneeling Flam, silent for a few seconds.
The girl's erald eyes stared directly into his own, making him turn away.
『...』
『You talk too much. I spared your life, now get lost.』
"If I don't, will you kill ?"
『...』
『I already said—killing you ans nothing to ...』
"So, even if I don't leave, you won't kill ?"
『...』
『If you're not afraid of dying, then try it.』
"Interesting..."
"Even when I push you like this, you show no intent to kill ."
"Naless greater demon, I'm starting to get curious about you."
『...』
『Strange human.』
"Thanks for the complint..."
"Say, to satisfy my curiosity—could you tell your story?"
『After all these years, has 'strange' beco a complint among humans?』
『Also, I don't want to see you again. Leave.』
"If you don't tell , I'll stick to you and cry for three days and nights."
『...』
『Whatever.』
The wind swept through, lifting leaves into the air—and the mory faded.
Agusheed gently shook his head and let out a laugh to himself.
Every ti he recalled his not-so-romantic first encounter with Flam...
He always felt annoyed at how stiff he'd been.
He cleaned the stains from the statue with magic, then resud walking along the familiar path.
On both sides of the path stood tall stone markers—
Each engraved with achievents from legendary labyrinths they had conquered.
The highest of them all—
Was the fad Tomb of the Fallen King, where the Water Mirror Demon had been sealed.
"You could have instantly defeated those two clones—why did you risk yourself to save ?"
"Why, Agusheed?"
『I just hate seeing humans or fellow demons die in front of , that's all.』
"You care more for others' lives than your own..."
"Of all the ways to survive, you chose the hardest one—"
"Agusheed, you really aren't like a demon at all."
Recalling that conversation, Agusheed's finger gently traced the engraving on one of the stones.
He etched their legacy into his very body.
"Now that I think about it..."
"Maybe it was that unconscious choice back then that made her truly decide..."
He passed the monunt, murmuring his guess.
Though no one could confirm if he was right—
If it were Flam, even if he was wrong, she'd probably just smile and kiss him—
Then gently say:
"Correct answer."
Agusheed kept walking forward.
Each step deliberately avoided the leaf piles Flam used to hop on.
The small house wrapped in giant trees was just ahead.
The Great Isolation Barrier shimred in the air.
Beside the great tree stood the ancient sign Flam had written:
『No entry without teacher's permission. Frieren and dogs stay out (๑•ૅω•´๑)』
Though rotted and worn, it still welcod him back.
"It's been a long ti. Thanks for protecting this place."
Without obstruction, he passed through the barrier.
He restored the old sign, then stepped to the front door of the cabin.
It was exactly the sa as when he left it 200 years ago.
Which also ant—his foolish disciple still hadn't lived up to Flam's expectations.
Pushing open the door, the interior was just as familiar:
A notebook left by Flam.
A wooden bed handcrafted by Agusheed.
A desk Frieren once used for studying.
That was all the house contained.
But these humble items held countless unforgettable mories for Agusheed.
He stepped forward and opened Flam's notebook.
On the first page was the familiar warning:
『Agusheed, no peeking』—which made him stop flipping further.
Even now, he still couldn't go against her wishes.
He put the notebook back.
As he turned toward the wooden bed—
A faint voice echoed in the breeze by his ear.
"Agusheed, I love you~"
He turned back to the desk, the image of Flam sitting there vivid in his mind.
She turned pages in her notebook, and out of nowhere, said those words.
Then looked up at him, her face filled with hope—while he had only responded with silence.
"I was such an idiot..."
"You said that, knowing I wouldn't understand, just to burden ..."
Back then, she had rested her chin in her palm, frustrated—
But that affection never faded.
"Agusheed."
『Hm?』
"What can I do to make you understand that I love you?"
He never answered.
Yet Flam never seed disappointed.
Instead, she beca more hopeful...
Looking toward—
A much farther future...
Agusheed chuckled softly and walked toward the bed.
He lay down stiffly, just as he used to, and slowly closed his eyes.
"Hey... Agusheed—"
In a field of blooming flowers, he saw Flam turn toward him.
With that tiless smile, she reached out to her clueless husband.
"Tell our story again... I don't quite rember."
『Mm.』
Agusheed gently took her hand and sat beside her.
He felt her lean gently on his shoulder.
Rubbing his chin softly against her pale-red hair—
Holding tightly to the hand he never wanted to let go, he replied:
『This story... might take a long ti to tell.』
A very long ti—
He even hoped the world would remain like this—
Forever.
For eternity.
Waking for just a mont, Agusheed closed his eyes once more.
And returned to his inescapable dream.
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