Chapter 5: Sousou
A horse-drawn carriage was slowly making its way down the endless road.
This was not the kind of carriage used by farmers or peddlers, but one meant to transport people. The box-shaped passenger compartment had seating for four, with two people facing each other. It was not overly spacious, but still a luxurious mode of travel.
Currently, there were two passengers –
an elf with silver hair, and an elderly woman.
The two sat across from each other, silently gazing out the window. Outside, a lush green meadow stretched out. The tall grass and plants were sparse, making for a clear view. With each passing breeze, the soft grasses rustled and rippled.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had such a peaceful journey,”
said the elderly woman.
Wrinkles lined the corners of her eyes, and her body was thin, but her bearing exuded a rugged strength, like an ancient tree weathered by the elements. Her back was straight and proud, and her gaze held deep insight and ambition.
This was Flamme, the legendary great mage.
“I suppose so. I think we’ve had trips like this before, though,”
“Oh? How long ago was that, Frieren?”
Despite Frieren’s youthful appearance, she had an aura of maturity. She paused to consider Flamme’s question before responding.
“I think it was around 10 years ago. When we were summoned by the northern royalty, remember?”
“Ah yes, I recall now. We went to erect a protective barrier against a demonic invasion. That was quite the masterpiece – it should hold for a thousand years without being broken.”
Flamme let out a chuckle.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Oh, it’s just that to you, 10 years ago must have seemed like ‘just a little while ago’. For an elf who lives close to eternity, 10 or 20 years must fly by in the blink of an eye. It’s an incomprehensible sensation to me.”
Frieren narrowed her eyes slightly.
“I guess that goes for you too, Master.”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“Claiming a barrier will last a thousand years without being broken is the kind of overconfidence or dreaming only a true master could pull off. But you, you can actually make it happen. That you accomplished such a feat in just a few decades is more incomprehensible to me than anything.”
“Heh, you’re laying it on thick. Flattery won’t get you anywhere,”
“I’m just telling you the truth.”
“what a cute girl”
Flamme seems to be in a good mood.
Flamme always maintained a detached, aloof demeanor. Frieren still found her hard to grasp – or perhaps, unfathomable. Flamme was obsessed with magic and loathed demons, yet never showed strong emotion. And yet, she could also display a childlike innocence.
She was a truly enigmatic person.
“Speaking of which, Master,”
“Hmm?”
Frieren ask casually.
“Where exactly are we headed in this carriage?”
The truth was, Frieren couldn’t recall not only the destination, but even when she had boarded the carriage. She found herself here, but the memory of getting on the carriage was hazy.
“Ah, so you’ve forgotten,”
Flamme said with an understanding smile.
“Don’t worry, you’ll remember eventually.”
“ …… ”
If that’s what Flamme said, it must be correct.
Unconvinced, Frieren discreetly probed for any trace of magic that could be affecting her memory or causing an illusion. It was possible Flamme had done something, though she hoped not.
However, her search revealed nothing.
“Even in a situation like this, you remain vigilant. You truly are an excellent mage – befitting of being my disciple,” Flamme said, having noticed Frieren’s actions.
Frieren felt a bit sheepish at being caught.
“It’s an honor to be praised by the great mage Flamme,”
“I’m not just flattering you. Your caution is completely justified. But for now, there’s no need to worry about it. Relax and enjoy the carriage ride,”
“Okay…”
Unconvinced, but too tired to dwell on it, Frieren decided to trust Flamme.
“But how am I supposed to enjoy it? What should I do?”
“Hmm, why don’t we reminisce about some old memories?”
“Old memories…”
Frieren quickly reviewed the memories she had of her time with Flamme.
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“I don’t have many fond memories, to be honest,”
“Oh, surely there must be something,”
“Well, you’ve mostly just taught me about battle and combat…”
“That’s because that’s what you needed to learn. But it wasn’t all bad, was it?”
“Hmm…”
Frieren crosses his arms and groans.
“Ah, I remember now – how about that time we had a sparring match…”
The memory was from about 20 years ago.
“The goal is to render your opponent incapable of fighting,”
Flamme stated simply, standing tall.
The two stood facing each other in a quiet forest. Frieren’s training mainly focused on building up her magical power, but they would occasionally engage in these sparring matches. So far, Frieren had been defeated every time.
“Come at me seriously, Frieren.”
“I’ll do that, but are you sure, Master? Didn’t you stay up all night studying magic yesterday?”
“That’s just the right handicap.”
“I see.”
Seeing Flamme stifle a yawn, Frieren immediately unleashes her magic. It’s a simple attack of just concentrating her magical power and firing it. But for Frieren, who already boasts enormous magical power, it becomes a powerful strike.
However, Flamme easily deflects it with a basic defensive spell. She seems completely unfazed.
“Don’t try to fight me head-on,”
Frieren temporarily stops her attack.
“Have you given up already?”
“No way.”
Frieren hides herself in the shadows of the trees. While suppressing her magical presence to avoid detection, she circles around to Flamme’s blind spot. Then she fires off another spell. She repeats this hit-and-run tactic, aiming to wear Flamme down through this war of attrition. No matter how many attacks Flamme blocks, sooner or later, she’s bound to slip up in this prolonged battle.
Flamme scratches her head, looking a bit annoyed.
“That’s a plain fighting style, but not bad.”
Flamme starts running, trying to close the distance to Frieren. Her general position has been revealed from the trajectory of the attacks.
Seeing this, Frieren also takes off running.
While fleeing from Flamme, Frieren occasionally squeezes in an attack. After a while of this cat-and-mouse chase, they reach a certain spot where Frieren suddenly shifts to an all-out offensive.
Even the formidable Flamme stops pursuing and focuses on defense. Knowing her attacks will be blocked, Frieren steadily pushes Flamme back.
And they emerge from the forest. Beyond that is…
“This is as far as it goes.”
Frieren has cornered Flamme at the edge of a cliff.
There’s nowhere left to run. Flamme glances back at the cliff behind her.
“So you were luring me and guiding me here. I can’t be careless in this place.”
Even just a few steps back would send her plummeting down the cliff. Yet Flamme maintains her composed demeanor. In fact, she seems to be enjoying this, as if taking pride in her disciple’s growth.
Frieren gathers magical power in her hand, intending to deliver the finishing blow. But then Flamme raises both her hands.
“…What are you planning?”
“I concede. At this range, even I would be in mortal danger if you fired that.”
Frieren makes an exasperated face.
–Rendering the opponent immobilized is the way to win.
She calmly recites the rules of their mock battle in her mind and states them.
“I’m not falling for that trick. You’re trying to make me let my guard down again, aren’t you? I’m sick of hearing the master’s pleas for mercy.”
“Heh, you’ve learned, haven’t you? You used to get caught by that all the time.”
“That’s why I won’t let my guard down anymore.”
It’s time to finish this decisively. Frieren steels her resolve and prepares to cast a restraining spell.
At that moment, Flamme raises the corners of her mouth in a taunting manner.
“Then, how about this?”
Bam! Flamme fires off a magical slash attack. Frieren immediately braces herself, but it’s not a counterattack. Flamme has cast the spell at her own feet.
Bewildered by this, Frieren watches as the ground beneath Flamme’s feet begins to crumble.
“Wh-…!”
At this rate, they’ll both fall. Frieren rushes in to try to pull Flamme to safety. She manages to reach out and grab Flamme’s body, but they both end up plummeting off the cliff.
The ground rushes up with tremendous force, the whistling wind enveloping them. Amid it all, Flamme speaks.
“Now, save me, Frieren. If you don’t, your master will die.”
“Don’t make such a high-handed plea for your life…”
Frieren adjusts her posture in midair, keeping her eyes on the ground.
Flight magic…is not something she can use. That’s a specialty of the demon race. Maybe in a few hundred years, Frieren could learn it too, but not now. So what can she do?
After hesitating, Frieren casts magic at the ground while still holding onto Flamme. Adjusting the power, she fires it repeatedly, using the recoil to dampen the impact of the fall.
Frieren’s plan seems to have worked. But she still couldn’t completely dissipate the momentum, and she lands hard on her behind. Only Flamme manages a graceful landing.
“Ow, ow…”
Rubbing her sore backside, Frieren shakily stands up.
Seriously, what a reckless move…Just as she’s about to voice her complaint, she notices Flamme is no longer there.
It’s too late by the time she realizes what happened.
“I win.”
Magical ropes wrap around Frieren’s body. Her arms are firmly restrained, and no matter how much she struggles, they don’t budge. Not even her magic can sever them.
Frieren comprehends everything.
Flamme had used herself as bait to create an opening.
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