If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

Xin Shi Ji, 19 years.

A relatively remote small mountain village.

"Finally, we've seen a village. We've been wandering in the forest for three months now. Although we haven't encountered any danger, I'm ready to take a bath."

"It's all Frillian's fault for always going in circles."

"There's nothing I can do. I didn't expect the material to lose its activity so quickly. I'll be more careful next time."

"You always say that."

The two bickering were an elf with silver hair and twin ponytails and a human male wearing an ordinary robe. They didn't seem as intimate as one might imagine, but they always gave people the feeling of an old married couple who had known each other for a long time.

We arrived at the inn in the mountain village.

This hotel only has two or three rooms, and each room is only big enough to fit a bed and a table.

However, we can't ask for more.

Dinner was curry beef rice.

"Delicious." After eating and drinking her fill, Frillie slumped in her chair. "Truman's cooking is really good. Thank you for the treat."

"We have not been hospitable."

Truman cleans up the mess.

Even in such a remote mountain village, he insists on cooking for himself, which can be described as an obsession.

Frillie stood up.

"Then I'll head back now. I need to process the materials as soon as I get them."

"Wait, Frillian," Truman called out to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Can you come over in a little while? I have something I want to talk to you about."

"Then why don't you say it now?"

"Aren't you in a hurry to get back and process the materials? Besides, I need to prepare a little. Come find me after you're done. I'll leave the door open for you."

"It'll be very late."

"I will wait for you."

This seems to be a very important matter.

Through their long time together, Frillian had come to understand that Truman wouldn't make such a request unless it was something extremely important; they were better at handling things calmly while traveling.

"I understand, I'll be quick."

"Thanks."

After leaving Truman's room, Frillie returned to her own room. She opened her suitcase and accidentally spilled all the bottles and jars inside.

That was so careless.

Frillie hurriedly picked them up and put them back in her suitcase, wiping the sweat from her brow and letting out a long sigh.

"Phew, let's start processing the materials."

But just like a suitcase shaking inexplicably, no matter what Frillie did, she couldn't handle the materials properly, and almost ruined the precious materials several times in a row.

"I can never seem to calm down."

Frillie looked at the bottles and jars in front of her. They didn't actually contain any materials that were in urgent need of processing; it was just that she didn't have anything else to do that night.

It would be bad if the material were destroyed.

Let's stop for today.

Truman has something to say, let's go to his room.

Having convinced herself, Frillie got up and left the room. Truman's room was right next to hers, so she quickly went to the door and knocked.

"Truman, I'm here."

"Frilian, please come in."

Push the door open and enter.

What comes into view is Truman standing by the small window of the room, looking up at the starry sky. I wonder what the night looks like to him.

"Has the material been processed?"

"No. I don't know why I can't concentrate, and it would be bad if the footage got ruined, so let's wait until tomorrow. Besides, Truman, you'll be furious if the footage gets ruined."

"After all, it would be frustrating to have months of hard work wasted. Come on, let's do it."

Truman gestured for Frillie to sit on the bed.

He sat in a chair.

The two were face to face.

Sitting on the bed, Frillie asked, somewhat puzzled, "Is there something you want to say, Truman?"

Truman paused for a moment.

"Frilian, I'm going to punish you."

"Punishment? I'm sorry, did I do something to upset you again? I apologize."

"No, Frilian, you did nothing wrong. You just went about your adventures, your life, and your interactions with people in your own way. You did nothing wrong. It's just..."

"only?"

"I think I should leave."

This question startled Frillie for a moment, but she quickly recovered and blurted out, "You don't want to go on adventures with me anymore?"

That's exactly what I mean.

"...I understand. You've had a tough 80 years."

Frillie said this very calmly.

Truman looked at her calmly.

half an hour.

Truman slowly moved closer, and Frillie, sitting on the bed, did not try to avoid him. She believed that Truman would not hurt her... The two could smell each other's scent, and the closest distance between them was only a few centimeters.

Then Frillie felt a sharp pain in both ears and instinctively reached out to touch them, only to catch a glimpse of a pair of gold earrings out of the corner of her eye.

"What is this?"

Farewell gift.

"I wasn't prepared."

"It's alright. I didn't tell you beforehand anyway." Truman smiled. "Frilian, for the past 80 years I've been following in your footsteps. Now that we've parted ways, can I ask you for a favor?"

"I owe you a huge favor, of course you can."

Frillie nodded seriously.

Truman's long-term dedication has been an inexhaustible debt of gratitude.

"Then... when you meet me again, let's go together to find the magic book I hid. Consider it a lesson I'm giving you."

"With you? That doesn't make sense. If it's the magic book Truman hid, what's the point of going with you to find it?"

"You'll understand when you meet me again."

"Although I don't know what you're up to, I promised you I'd find that magic book you hid with you."

"Thanks."

Truman smiled gently.

The remote inn only had ordinary oil lamps, making the room look somewhat gloomy and dim, but Frilian's silver twin tails reflected a soft glow.

"Frilian, your silver hair is beautiful, but have you ever thought about changing the color? Like black or something."

"That's surprising, Truman. Your favorite colors are gold, blue, and purple, so why did you say black?"

"Gold is too tacky and doesn't suit you, blue sounds silly, and purple already has a suitable candidate... What, you hate black?"

"Won't."

Frillie shook her head and said, "I understand. I'll go find some magic that can turn hair black."

"In the end, it still comes down to magic. Oh well, I'll look forward to it then. You have to show me next time we meet."

"Um."

The conversation has come to an end.

"Well then, I'll head back now." Frillie stood up, pushed open Truman's door, and stopped before leaving. "Truman, have you been happy these past 80 years?"

"It's been great. Going on adventures with Frilian has been incredibly meaningful. So, Frilian, how about you?"

"It makes a lot of sense. I can't even imagine how pathetic I would be without Truman around."

"Then please become independent as soon as possible."

"I will."

Frillie walked out of the room and slowly closed the door, only to see her hand trembling as she gripped the doorknob.

What?

It turns out my hands were shaking.

Frillie didn't pay any attention, returned to her room, casually drank a bottle of potion, and then fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up again, it was already evening of the next day.

The setting sun was not dazzling.

The sunlight makes people feel lazy.

Frillie sat up abruptly. After a brief moment of thought, she quickly got out of bed and ran to the next room without even putting on her shoes. She opened the door to find it empty.

The tidy room contained only neatly folded bedding. Fresh air rushed in through the window, which had been opened at some point, completely dispelling the scent of someone who had once been there.

Oh right, Truman is gone.

Upon realizing this, Frillie's heart skipped a beat for some reason, and her hands trembled even more violently.

"What bad timing!"

It seems she'll need to drink a stronger potion.