Erii: A Journey Through the Heavens Begins with Frilian

A few hours later.

Philon stared speechlessly at the fast-sleeping Frilian and Erii.

With a yank of her hands, she ripped off the blankets from both of them, and then forcibly turned on the super lazy Frillie.

Under Philon's relentless onslaught, Frillie kept her eyes tightly shut, her little mouth pursed, and murmured in her sleep, "Mama~~~".

"Who are you calling 'Mom'?!" Philon was on the verge of tears.

Before she met Erii, she had to wake Frilian up almost every day, and comb her hair, dress her, and even wash her face!

In this respect, she truly resembles a worried and anxious mother!

After meeting Erii, Philon not only had to continue the above process, but also occasionally had to lift Erii out of the bathtub while she was sleeping, and often taught Erii various common sense about life, such as not taking off your clothes and jumping into a stream to bathe in the wild.

Erii, dressed in a shrine maiden's outfit, silently watched the master and apprentice, murmuring "Mother" in her heart.

"Is this what a mother is like? Is this what it feels like to have a mother?" She had no concept of this, and her understanding of family affection was limited to her older brother, Genjiro, and her knowledge of elders came only from the patriarch, Tachibana Masamune.

Mom, what an unfamiliar word!

Ten minutes later.

A huge sun slowly rises from the sea.

The sunrise painted the azure sea with unparalleled brilliance, like a large piece of orange-red amber candy.

Villagers climbed onto rooftops or high walls, gathering in small groups to gaze at this vibrant scene and welcome the first day of the new year.

The children's laughter echoed through the streets and alleys, dispelling the misty, chilly fog, and the village came alive with joy.

Three figures were leaning on the railing at the edge of the cliff, the sea surface they had cleaned was spotless.

"It's beautiful, but it's no different from any other sunrise," Frillie thought to herself. "Simmel still doesn't understand me."

She turned her head and suggested, "Philan, Erii, go back to sleep..."

Her words abruptly stopped, and Frilian froze in her tracks.

Philon and Erii were gazing intently at the sun and the ocean, their eyes sparkling with a warm glow, and the corners of their mouths curving upwards.

"Ms. Frillian, you are so beautiful," Philon said softly.

"I love it," Erii added. "It's the first time I've ever seen such a beautiful sea."

"Really? It's just a sunrise," Frillie replied dismissively.

"But you seem quite happy," Philon said, turning to the side.

"It's all because you two laughed..." Frillian's words came to an abrupt halt again, as if her heart had been struck by something heavy.

She paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Take a closer look, and it's indeed quite nice."

The unspoken words of Simmel, the meanings hidden between the lines, are now gradually unfolding.

The scenery seen by one person may be different from the scenery seen by a group of people.

It's different who you watch it with.

Erii secretly glanced sideways, taking in Philon and Frilian.

"Thank you," she said silently.

……

The New Year celebration lasted all day, and the whole village was filled with a festive atmosphere.

After a hearty meal, the three of them went to bed early, and got up early the next morning to pack their luggage.

"Goodbye!" Lina waved goodbye.

Mark, the village chief, Berg, and the others shouted in unison, "Come again soon," "See you later," and "Have a safe journey," as they watched the three walk away into the distance.

Adventure and travel begin again.

When they arrived at their destination, it was already springtime, with lush green forests stretching endlessly. The abundant oxygen levels made Erii feel a little lightheaded.

"Aize, I've come to play with you," said Frilian, the leader, her tone exceptionally relaxed and lively.

Erii, walking along the mountain path, peered out and saw a small figure standing in front of an even smaller grave.

"This isn't the attitude of someone you haven't seen in thirty years." Aize's voice had a mature masculine quality, giving people a sense of reassurance.

He turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the two girls following behind Frillian.

"Dwarfs!" Erii exclaimed excitedly.

They really look like the dwarves from Lord of the Rings!

Even a third shorter than Frilian, the little dwarf of Azebe, she wore armor covered in scars, and a dark red cloak wrapped around her entire body.

Beneath the iconic bull-horned helmet are a pair of eyes weathered by time, filled with the composure and restraint befitting a seasoned warrior.

Below his eyes, he was completely covered by a thick beard that hung down to his waist.

"It's only been thirty years," Frilian replied.

"Hmph~ That's not wrong." Aize snorted, probably only an immortal being could be so nonchalant.

Under his guidance, Erii and her group visited his home.

A solid wood dining table, four chairs, a wood-burning stove, and blackened, air-dried smoked meat—the environment is simple and unpretentious, even somewhat rudimentary, and is filled with the hardcore, brutal pragmatism of soldiers.

Aize poured the three of them some hot tea that he had picked and dried himself, and chatted with Frilian about his recent situation.

He looked at Philon and Erii, "I never expected you to take on apprentices and make new friends. It's unbelievable."

Frillie held the cup with both hands and drank her tea obediently, saying, "It's as if I have no interpersonal skills."

"Is there something on my beard?" Aize suddenly asked, casually touching his exceptionally clean beard.

Erii shook her head, feeling a little reserved in the face of this stern and legendary warrior.

Moreover, she keenly sensed that the small man in front of her possessed a terrifyingly powerful physique!

The gaunt muscles resembled constantly compressed steel bars, the suppressed power within the body silent yet emitting a scorching breath like a dragon at rest.

Strong.

Very strong.

He's much better than my brother teaming up with those other family heads!

"If all hybrids had a physique like Mr. Aize, then dragons would have gone extinct long ago," Erii thought.

"Mr. Aize, please forgive me. Erii is seeing dwarves for the first time. She was the same when she first saw Ms. Frilian," Philen said.

Erii nodded vigorously, "Mmm-hmm-hmm."

"I see." Aize nodded to Erii.

At this moment, Frilian asked, "Aize, is there anything I can help you with?"

Aize immediately understood what the other person meant. "You asked Haita the same question, didn't you? I'm far from dying, it's not time for me to entrust my last wishes yet."

"But there is one thing," he continued, "about the notes of the great mage Vlame."

"I am well aware that all that exists are fakes," Frillian said calmly.

"Hita investigated this before; the clues are in the Vol Basin. Let's go look for them together," Aize suggested.

"When? I didn't know," Frilian asked.

"I kept in touch with Haita through letters until he passed away," Aize said.

"Oh, you're more humane than I thought," Frillie said bluntly.

Aize remained silent.

After finishing their tea, the four set off for the Wol Basin to search for Vlamé's notes.