episode_0043

======[ Freyde ]======

‘…What on earth has been happening all this time?’

Freyde gazed down at the peacefully sleeping Brunhilde, recalling her former self in his mind.

An indifferent expression and a manner of speaking as straightforward as it was arrogant.

A solitary attitude that kept others at arm’s length.

Even the occasional weary expression she revealed while sitting alone.

The Brunhilde of old was like a sculpture carved from ice.

Glistening, beautiful, yet chillingly cold, seeming solid on the surface but as if she would shatter into pieces at the slightest stumble.

However, the Brunhilde he met again had become an entirely different person.

A speech that exuded subtle consideration and remarkably diversified emotional expressions.

A swordsmanship so amateurish it was almost bizarre, seemingly concealing her true skill.

Her isolated nature, showing no interest in strangers and not even revealing sincerity to those around her, had long since disappeared.

Now, she seemed almost indistinguishable from ordinary people.

‘In the past, she might have been somewhat kind to the same women or children… but still, not to this extent, probably?’

Back then, she wouldn’t have allowed someone to sleep so closely by her side.

Even when active in the hero party, Brunhilde used to sleep a little apart from Emeliana and Irina.

It was definitely so, but now it seemed she could almost hold hands and sleep. Her transformation was astonishing.

‘Such a change… why?’

There is always a cause for everything in the world.

If her personality and behavior had changed after several months apart, there must have been something that caused it.

Freyde pondered the reason.

Why did a woman who compulsively isolated herself, hiding her struggles, become so soft, like a half-melted snowman?

‘As if she had set down a heavy burden…’

The current Brunhilde, in a way, reminded him of a knight at rest after a long and perilous battle.

As if all the armor, fierceness, and tension had completely dissipated, leaving behind a relaxed figure.

‘Brünhilde, as expected, is it really like that?’

Perhaps it might be.

The strained expression occasionally revealed by Brünhilde was the face of someone bearing an unbearably heavy burden.

“…Was it something she discarded? What she was carrying.”

What exactly she was carrying. That was something even Freida couldn’t know. She had never been properly taught.

However, if that was the reason she left for the Gunter party, leaving behind her own self.

And if, despite leaving like that, she came running back to this place once again…

It would be reasonable to assume that whatever her purpose was, she had already given up on it.

As a knight of the hero party, it meant that without acting as such, she couldn’t achieve her goal, which meant as an ordinary adventurer, she couldn’t even dream of it.

“Yeah, that’s how it’ll be. So, I guess she said something similar last time.”

When Freida, using the alias Hilde, reunited with Brünhilde and exchanged various small talk, she had asked her a question.

“What’s the reason for being an adventurer? Are you dreaming of striking it rich like other adventurers?”

At that time, Brünhilde… Hilde, after a brief contemplation, said this.

– “What’s my goal? Hmm… to become a respected adventurer, obtain citizenship, earn enough money to live comfortably, then retire and live leisurely. But can I call this a goal?”

A response more constructive than the typical adventurist’s recklessness, but when looked at broadly, not much different.

“At that time, I thought she was just skirting around, but… maybe that was sincere.”

Thinking like that made sense.

I don’t know what happened with Gunter… but if she gave up on her original goal while leaving the Gunter party.

If she threw away all the burdens she was carrying and began dreaming of a peaceful and comfortable life, then her current transformation was something I could understand and accept.

“…I hope it was.”

And that was something even Freida didn’t wish for.

The sight of Brünhilde, who always seemed uncertain, enjoying freedom and liberation, was an immensely delightful sight even for Freida, who was watching her.

It’s a bit regrettable that due to wearing a steel helmet, one cannot see her vivid expressions.

“Is it because of anxiety symptoms…?”

It was a hastily made, crude excuse.

Anxiety symptoms? Freide knew. She knew the reason Brunhilde hesitated to take off her helmet.

Unlike her changed self from her days as a hero, Brunhilde’s appearance under the helmet remained just as it was before.

There were concerns that if she took off her helmet, those who recognized her might report her to the Kingdom of Laine or Burgund.

“I don’t think there’s a need to worry so much.”

A woman with sharp eyes and lemon-colored hair. How many could discern her true identity just from these features?

Unless they already knew Brunhilde, those unfamiliar with her face wouldn’t be able to recall the Brunhilde of the Kingdom of Laine even if they saw her bare-faced now.

Because widely known in the north was a blonde woman behind walls.

So, there shouldn’t be much of an issue if she continued to go about with her face revealed.

As long as she didn’t become entangled with high-ranking nobles who closely monitor key figures from other countries.

“But still, there might be people curious about her past.”

Freide slightly parted her lips and nodded.

Upon careful consideration, it seemed that if Brunhilde went around without her helmet, there would likely be several curious individuals wondering why she, with such a beautiful face, was engaging in adventures.

Her appearance was too noble to be considered common, with long and delicate eyelashes, a sharp nose, red and smooth lips, and flawless fair skin.

It felt dignified in a way that simply couldn’t be thought of as commoner-like.

To anyone, it looked like the face of someone born and raised in a noble family, so it was only natural for people to wonder about the reasons behind a woman with such looks engaging in rugged activities like adventuring.

Even if not for that, there would surely be many who approached her solely due to her appearance.

“…Yeah. After all, it’s better to keep wearing the helmet.”

Even now, as she walked around with her face uncovered, there were humans who shamelessly revealed their dark intentions and clung to her like the sorcerer’s concubine across the street.

How many sycophants would attach themselves to her if she were to walk around with her face exposed? Just imagining it was unsettling and unpleasant.

If only they were men. It would be easier to openly restrain them. Besides, at Brunheld, she had been adept at repelling the advances of dark-hearted men from the start.

“…Rather than men, it’s the women who are the problem.”

The issue lay in the approaches of fellow women with dark intentions.

No matter how well she concealed the lustful gazes of men, Brunheld was astonishingly insensitive to the desires of other women.

No, it wasn’t just insensitivity; it was a complete lack of vigilance.

Just today, she hadn’t easily dismissed Amy’s words, which clearly expressed her desire to see Brunheld’s face.

Thankfully, Amy, being frail like a sorceress, had fallen asleep shortly after, otherwise, who knows what Brunheld might have attempted while she slept.

As a priestess, she couldn’t afford to let down her guard. She was awake alone while everyone else was asleep.

“However, I can’t exactly tell Brunheld to avoid that woman… It’s truly vexing.”

If their genders were different, she could have at least mentioned the discomfort and the difficulty of being together. But being fellow women, she couldn’t even attempt such a conversation.

Nor could she openly state that the woman harbored ill intentions toward her.

In truth, Freida’s own intentions weren’t much different from Amy’s.

If Brunheld were to distance herself from Amy upon sensing the crisis in Freida’s words, it would be the best outcome, but…

“No, that’s too risky.”

If she were to begin actively guarding against the close approach of fellow women, Freida would find it even more difficult to get closer to Brunheld than she was now.

So, as Freida, there was no other choice.

She had to maintain her vigilance towards Amy, ready to spring into action and thwart any mischief she might attempt.

Slowly but surely, she was closing the distance with Brunhilde.

It wasn’t just about sleeping together in such an unexpected situation like now, but it was also about renting the same room even after returning to the city.

And eventually, it would go beyond that… creating a relationship where he wouldn’t leave her again, where he couldn’t leave her.

That was Freide’s goal and desire.

“…It’s okay. There’s still plenty of time. …I’ve made preparations as well.”

Freide was confident.

Even if Brunhilde were to suddenly disappear again, he was confident that he could chase after her at any time because he had already prepared the means for it.

“The location-detection charm. It was good to have it.”

The location-detection charm.

It was a magical tool favored by married mages and nobles, allowing them to pinpoint the location of their partner no matter how far apart they were, originally requiring each other’s blood to be imprinted on the object to function, but…

“In truth, there’s no need for blood. A dense bodily fluid is sufficient.”

In fact, it was possible to use it without needing blood. Its effectiveness just slightly diminished.

Freide had come across this magical tool during his days in the hero party and had left it untouched as it seemed useless at the time.

Now, it had become her treasure number two.

“Hehe….”

Thus, Freide smiled slyly.

Brunhilde’s bodily fluid had been secured long ago. The imprinting process had been completed a while back.