Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

"Learning magic quickly? Magic with effects similar to this?" Vlame asked tentatively.

"No, that's something else entirely." Carlos shook his head and patiently explained, "If this characteristic of mine were a magical effect, I should be able to feel the consumption of magic power."

Although that's what he said, he was also very confused.

Could it be that, as a demon, he has never decided what kind of magic he should study?

This should have been something that every demon should have decided from the very beginning, right?

"Ah, so that's how it is. I really have been lazy." Suddenly, Carlos seemed to have figured something out. He said, "Isn't this a good thing? Then I'll make researching magic that can prolong human life my research focus from now on."

"...No one has ever been able to do such a thing," Celia reminded her, not expecting the other to have such a thought. "Even the former 'Sage' Evisch failed."

If successful, then humanity should have already achieved widespread longevity, and the "Sage" Evish would not have died.

"If you assume you can't do it just because others can't, how can magic ever improve?" Carlos said. "That's a thought only mediocre people have, Master."

"..." Celia fell silent.

They actually called her mediocre or something...

"Besides, you just said it yourself, it's just that 'humans' can't do it, and I'm not a human."

Carlos picked up a leaf from the ground, turned it to gold, and handed it to Frilian. "Just like how humans define curses, the demon race's magical talent is undoubtedly on another level."

Among the magic used by monsters and demons are spells that can put people to sleep or turn them into stone. Humans refer to the parts of these spells that have not yet been deciphered as "curses".

Curses, generally speaking, can only be broken by the magic of the goddess.

"I believe that I will be able to do it one day," Carlos said with great determination.

"I see. Then I'll just watch from the sidelines." Celia didn't deny his idea any further. She also hoped that Carlos could succeed. "If I can train a disciple like this, I'm afraid I'll go down in history."

"Master is interested in making a name for yourself in history?" Vlame asked curiously, having already silently memorized what she had just heard.

"If he really manages to figure out this magic, even if I don't want to, I'll probably be forced to be remembered by the world because of this connection," Celia said noncommittally. "Alright, we've arrived at the village."

On their side, everything that shouldn't be seen was hidden by magic, and because they left Frisch in such a hurry, they needed to replenish their supplies along the way.

However, as soon as they entered the village, the group was stopped by the local villagers, who all looked malnourished.

"Are you adventurers?" the white-haired old man asked them, surrounded by villagers with expectant expressions.

"Yes, is there anything we can help you with?" After calming herself down, Vlame asked.

She is willing to do anything within her ability.

Moreover, it's clear that this group of people has been troubled by this matter for a long time.

"Great, it's an adventurer!"

"We're saved!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Vlame whispered to Carlos, "It should be okay, right?"

"Why do you think I would refuse?" Carlos asked curiously. "Is that how you see me?"

It was just helping other people along the way; he used to do that all the time.

"..."

"A dangerous monster is lurking near the road leading to the outside world." Fortunately, the old man's words interrupted Vlame's embarrassment. "Because of the monster, we haven't been able to communicate with other villages for a month, and we haven't been able to replenish the supplies we need. So, please help us!"

"Are there any other adventurers passing by?" Vlame immediately recovered and asked.

"Adventurers rarely pass through here on ordinary days." The old man shook his head. "You are the first group of outsiders I have seen recently."

After all, they flew for most of the journey, hardly taking any main roads...

Vlame understood why he was there.

She slowly scanned the surrounding villagers.

There were very few young and strong people; most of them were women, children, and the elderly, and they all looked exhausted at the moment.

Vlame actually knew the reason behind it; some young people had probably paid a heavy price with their lives because of the news they had just heard.

"I see."

"Thank you so much!" the villagers cheered, but one of them added, "But be careful. There used to be soldiers regularly clearing out monsters along this road, but most of them have probably been killed by that monster."

Upon hearing this, the crowd fell silent and immediately turned to look at the person who had spoken.

The expressions on everyone's faces were fascinating.

"Yes, I won't be careless." Vlame glanced at the old man, wondering if he was afraid that Vlame would choose not to help after hearing such important information.

"I'll go with you later," Carlos said.

Nearby, Frillie was intently studying the golden leaf, while Celia would never do anything that required going out and getting her hands dirty.

After a moment's thought, Carlos realized that he was the only one who could help Vlamé.

Moreover, even if Frilian went, it would be useless, because according to Carlos's perception, that monster was extremely powerful.

"Is that monster very strong?" Vlame realized that the other party's ability to detect magic was outstanding, and it was very likely that it had already learned some information.

"Very strong." After Carlos answered, he looked at Celia, "I'm leaving Sylvia in your care."

"I understand. She is, after all, my grand-disciple." Celia replied, glancing at him.

As expected, Carlos chose to go with Vlamé, since it was clearly an opponent she couldn't handle alone.

Afterwards, the group was temporarily settled in a wooden house under the arrangement of the villagers. Then, Carlos and Vlame set off to fight the monster.

"Don't you hate it? Those people just lied to you, deliberately omitting the monster's power," Carlos asked on the road.

"Didn't we find out in the end?" Vlame laughed. "As long as people like that exist, I want to do something for them."

"What if there isn't one?"

"Aren't you still here?"

"...Is that so?" In the end, I'll still choose to help.

Carlos, who was trusted by Vlame, looked up at the sky. Did he really deserve this trust?

do not know.

The answer can only be this.

But he wanted to maintain that trust.

"Volatmeg".

"What's wrong?"

"Thank you."

"...Why are you suddenly saying things like that?"

"Because I wanted to thank you." Carlos paused, then said, "Alright, that monster is approaching us, prepare for battle."

"I felt it too."

Vlame gripped her wand tightly, her face serious, as she gathered magic into it.

'Knock knock knock—'

The sound of heavy footsteps approached from afar, bringing a heavy sense of pressure.

"Is this battle meant to be a training ground for me?" Vlame finally asked.

"Yes," Carlos said. "You absolutely have to do your best, junior sister."

"I will."

……