What if you are reborn as a demon after a funeral?

“In the past, Haita and my clothes were handled by women hired from the suburbs, but now it’s all done by Philon… If we were really father and daughter, it might not be strange, but consider my appearance and Philon’s actual relationship.”

"Hmm?? It's normal, what's wrong?" Frilian stared at his face, tilting her head unconsciously, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong no matter how hard she tried.

"...Just pretend I didn't say anything."

Forced to realize just how oblivious Frilian was in this regard, he simply ignored the slow-witted elf and pulled Philon away from the corner behind the building.

Only Frillie remained, still confused and troubled, and finally—she simply put the question she couldn't understand out of her mind and quickly caught up with the two people ahead.

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Village Chief Eustace initially harbored resentment towards Ash, but after suffering a complete defeat, despite being deeply hurt, he unexpectedly swallowed the bitterness of the crushing loss quickly.

Although Ash lacked the pride and composure of a warrior, and didn't even consider himself a warrior, he treated their insistence on keeping their white cloaks spotless as if he were watching a spectacle... While he didn't show any contempt, he certainly didn't show any respect either.

But Eustace felt he could tolerate all of this when it came to a strong opponent... After all, the opponent was far superior to him, and even in his prime, he didn't think he could win.

Moreover, when they were actually opponents, Ash felt that even the strongest warrior he knew, the dwarf warrior Azer who had passed through the village and stayed overnight, was more difficult to defeat.

Therefore... he naturally had some other ideas.

After setting out the finest wine and food, he changed his previous attitude and his usual sternness towards the villagers, trying his best to be hospitable, pouring him wine while subtly probing:

"Lord Ash, you mean... you're actually over ninety, aren't you?"

"Perhaps it is?"

Do you have any disciples?

"No."

"Then why not settle down and retire in our village? With a warrior like you joining us, if you can teach these good-for-nothing kids a move or two, it would be a huge contribution to our village, the kingdom, and even humanity. Moreover, this way, the legacy of the Southern Warriors will not be cut off."

Eustace's eyes burned with passion as he toasted him while earnestly holding his hand, as if he wouldn't let go until he agreed.

As expected, whether human or demon, people's attitude towards strangers is basically based on the other person's strength. The only difference is that the 21st century values ​​money, while this village values ​​force? — That doesn't seem strange, but he didn't know how to evaluate what the other person said.

Because even if everyone in the village dies of old age, I won't die.

Even if the village's traditions were broken and the country it belonged to disappeared, he would still be able to survive... At least he doesn't think that the village and the country will still exist a thousand years from now.

Therefore, his expression was naturally quite subtle when faced with the village chief's enthusiastic invitation.

Meanwhile, Frillie, who was freeloading on the sidelines, suddenly chimed in: "Ash doesn't have that kind of sense of righteousness. Instead of trying to seduce him this way, you might as well just find him a decent pretty girl."

"A beautiful girl? Huh... a beautiful girl?" Eustace initially agreed when he heard this, but he quickly started thinking about other things, and his mind couldn't quite process it.

After all, if the person is actually over ninety years old and a warrior with superb martial arts skills... from a conventional point of view, wouldn't it be somewhat insulting to use a beautiful girl to seduce someone?

But this elf seems to be his companion, or rather, his frenemy? — Eustace couldn't help but think to himself.

But Frillian could tell he didn't believe her, so she silently put down the chicken leg in her hand, wiped her mouth and said, "This is what he said himself. More than seventy years ago, when shooting stars appeared, the wishing girl didn't ask for anything, she just wanted a normal girl, hoping that a girl could accompany her to watch the shooting stars."

“Ah, ah... I see, more than seventy years ago.” Eustace understood in an instant.

But Philon, who was thinking about other things, was shocked when she heard this. Her purple eyes widened and she stared intently at Ash, who was still drinking beside her.

"...What's wrong? Is there anything strange about this?" Ash awkwardly turned his face away, not wanting to discuss this issue further at this time and in this setting.

But then Frillie remembered how he had been criticized for being too old and liking young girls, and couldn't help but say:

"That's true, there's nothing strange about it, right? Even if someone in their nineties likes someone who's eighteen, isn't that normal? After all, men will always like eighteen... Well, that's what Ash said."

"Master Ash...!"

"Don't look at me like that... It's a fact, isn't it?" Feeling a little intimidated by Philon's gaze, Ash silently looked at the village chief Eustace, hoping to get his support.

Although Eustace had some reservations about his disrespectful behavior, he was forced to speak up for him because he needed his help.

“Yes, indeed, that’s normal for men, even I… uh… I also…” Eustace started to say, but then noticed the shocked expressions on his two sons’ faces. Always a strict father, he couldn’t continue, his face turning red as he couldn’t utter a sound.

Even if he needed someone's help, he couldn't bring himself to say something that would make his son look down on him.

Seeing her troubled expression, Frillie couldn't help but laugh as she took another bite of her chicken leg, casually saying, "...Look at others and then look at you, I suddenly understand why Haita called you shameless on his deathbed."

"That's mainly because I hold Philon in my arms when I provoke him, right?"

"As expected of you... you always manage to easily push the limits of my imagination." Even Frilian was dumbfounded at this moment.

"Lord Ash... is terrible." Philon stared at him with the same disdain, but it seemed that her anger was directed at something else entirely, something that had once been used as a shield when joking with Haita.

However, Ash could only ignore his companions' reproaches and look at the village chief, who looked hesitant, before solemnly patting him on the shoulder:

"Don't care about other people's opinions or gossip. You must know you are a man! Eustace! A man should not be bound by the world's views, nor by age! And as a warrior, you should not care about formalities!"

"...Soldiers shouldn't care about formalities?"

"Just like your concern about the white cloak, if you are too obsessed with not getting the cloak dirty, doesn't that mean you can only fight against opponents who are far inferior to you? That's like bullying children. You'll either bully children or be bullied like children. All these kinds of formalities are unnecessary!"

.......

Ash began to coax the village chief, connecting their concern for the cleanliness of the white cloaks with the idea that men always prefer eighteen and that their own age is completely unimportant.

Eustace's two sons, the younger one, Shutark, looked like he'd swallowed a fly: "Big brother, what this person is saying to Father seems to make sense, but it also seems like he's talking nonsense and something strange... Shouldn't we stop him?"

"Ha, ha... You can't stop him, can you? Father only believes in strength. If you can defeat this person, you can give it a try."

Eustace's eldest son, in his spotless white cloak, made his father, Hugh Tortz, who was so proud of him, smile wryly. Although he was patting his younger brother's head, his gaze never left Ash... as if he had already made him the target of his pursuit.

Although he was in his twenties and had almost reached his peak as a warrior, he was about to start declining within two years.

Because he at least agrees with the statement that "men should not be bound by age".

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After the banquet, Eustace, with a sudden realization, led the three to the house used by the guests.

Although it is a mud-brick house like those in the village, and the style is quite old, it has a considerable thickness.

Its unique building materials and structural features ensure that it is warm in winter and cool in summer, which is a better choice than modern houses made of concrete and stone. In Ash's opinion, it is a very good choice.

The roof is supported by carefully constructed horizontal and diagonal beams, and is covered with a thick layer of thatch.

After talking to him in a corner, the village chief Eustace thanked him profusely after he agreed to something before temporarily leaving.

Even after Eustace left, Philen's expression showed no sign of improvement; she remained sullen and even turned her back with her cheeks puffed out.

"...Ah, you're the one who made me angry. You'll have to deal with it yourself. I'm not going to help you."

After changing into her pajamas, Frilian lay on the bed, swinging her legs and casually flipping through a book. She even nibbled on a cookie given to her by the village chief's wife, enjoying this rare moment of leisure and free food, clothing, and shelter.

This made Ash, who was still somewhat troubled about how to appease Philen, notice a mischievous smile unconsciously appear on his face, and he suddenly said without warning:

"Philan, look!—Frilian is eating on the bed!"

The Burial of Frilian: The Officially Beginning Journey: Chapter Seven - Are Friends Such Inconvenient Things? Is Life Only Painful Because of Fantasies? 4K

"Huh? Oh no...!?"

Despite being an old maid over a thousand years old, Frillie was quite agitated by Ash's betrayal, which resembled a child tattling on her. She jumped up from the bed with a start, intending to hide the biscuit behind her back.

Philen, who subconsciously turned her head to look, noticed these things first and immediately said unhappily, "--Lady Frillian!"

"As expected, they switched targets..." Even though she had been taking care of the child all along, Frillie had no temper with her. She lowered her head in embarrassment but then glared at Ash: "...You tricked me again!"

"It's all your fault for eating in bed." He unconsciously felt triumphant and gloated slightly.

But that was all it took for Philon to glare at him again: "Lord Ash is about the same!"

"...Did I do something wrong?" He looked completely innocent.

"A grown man like that, still liking young girls, teaching others strange things, even corrupting other villagers—what are you expecting the villagers to think of us?!"

"If this leads to bad behavior... shouldn't it be the people who are easily led astray?"

"Lord Ash—!"

He instinctively retorted, which made even the anger in Philon's eyes disappear.

Frillie, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle softly, "From now on, you'll have to wash your own underwear~"

"Ah... cough, speaking of which, there are no clouds in the sky tonight, tomorrow will definitely be a good day, right?"

Faced with the girl who cared for him like a mother, and whose gaze was somewhat frightening, he could only lean against the window, look up at the sky, and mutter to himself, trying to change the subject and ease the atmosphere. However...

"..."

Unsurprisingly, Philon remained unmoved, pouting and staring intently at him without uttering a word, making him want to flee the scene.

But experience told him that if he just ran away, Philon would probably only get angrier.

Therefore, he could only endure the tingling sensation on his scalp and the inexplicably oppressive gaze of Philon, all under Frilian's gloating stare, and then...

"—Excuse me, Ash... uh?"

The village chief's eldest son, the village's strongest warrior, Hugh Tortz, appeared at the door like a savior.

But when he took a clear look at the situation inside, his expression turned somewhat awkward. He hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Did I come at the wrong time?"