After subduing the thief on the spot and waiting for the market manager to arrive, Gut casually drew his daily quest reward.
[Random Reward Drawing in Progress…]
[Draw Complete]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained: A CD from the Past]
"Huh… a hit?"
Seeing a reward that differed from the usual coins and daily items, Gut blinked in surprise, then pulled up his [System Inventory] to inspect it.
Inside the inventory appeared a transparent square plastic case. Through the half-open lid, a disc printed with mysterious symbols could be seen.
[Item Name: A CD from the Past]
[Item Description: Here's a CD from the past—listen to the memories of our time]
[Item Effect: No CD player required. This disc outputs any track ever heard by the host in 24-bit/96kHz audio quality. The disc is non-parseable, has limited durability, and will disappear upon reaching its usage limit.]
[Durability: (1000/1000)]
[Note: One never knows the value of a melody—until it becomes memory.]
"So that's all…"
Reading the description, Gut felt mildly disappointed.
Compared to things like [Lifespan] or [Memory Bread], this item's utility seemed much less impressive.
Gut could think of only two uses: play soft music to aid in meditation—or curl up under the covers and silently cry to it at night with emo playlists.
Anything else?
Maybe use it at his and Serie's wedding? Play tracks like "Baby I Love You", "I Truly Believe", and "A Hundred Years of Happiness"?
No, strike "A Hundred Years of Happiness". Given their expected life spans, that'd be an ill-fitting wish.
While Gut's mind wandered, the town's market manager finally arrived.
After handing the thief over, the trio left the scene to the cheers and praise of the townsfolk.
They'd nearly walked the entire town already, and this incident drained the rest of their enthusiasm—so they returned to the inn.
Inside their room—
After washing up, the three sat on their respective beds for one last bit of bedtime conversation.
Seeing Himmel scratching his head again and again, Mut, from the right bed, curiously asked,
"Hero, I noticed you kept scratching your head tonight. Are you feeling unwell?"
"Maybe the hero uncle finally grew a brain?" Gut teased from the left bed.
Himmel shot Gut a glare, then replied,
"It's from Serie's magic. Probably stimulating hair regrowth—it's itching."
Apparently still unsatisfied with just scratching, Himmel pulled out a comb and started grooming again.
"So that's it. As expected of Lady Serie—her magic is impressive," Mut nodded in admiration.
"By the way, Gut…"
Himmel suddenly turned serious, as if to get back at the teasing earlier.
Gut, who had just closed his eyes to begin his [Body Refinement Method] training, paused and opened them to look at the hero.
"What is it, Hero Uncle?"
"Gut, what kind of teacher do you think Lady Serie is?"
"Hmm…"
The sudden question left Gut silent. After a moment's thought, he gave a summary.
"Serie-sensei is… a very not-so-frank elf."
"But… she's definitely a good teacher."
"Knowledgeable, never interferes in our choices, and even after all these years, she still remembers every one of her disciples."
"I see…" Himmel nodded, then asked a follow-up.
"And personally—what do you think of her?"
"Tch."
Gut clicked his tongue softly.
Most people wouldn't consider romance with a long-lived being. Even more so with a teacher-disciple dynamic, such thoughts would be unthinkable.
But… had the Hero already picked up on his not-so-pure feelings for his teacher?
As expected of someone like him—keen, and perhaps... a fellow traveler.
Gut met Himmel's eyes and answered,
"Hero Uncle, in this matter—our choices are the same."
"A shared choice, huh…"
Himmel murmured.
He recalled that moment at the inn's front desk, when this young man had boldly suggested sharing a room with his teacher.
Himmel could only shake his head and think—
"No, not quite the same."
"Lady Serie's emotions aren't as dull as Frieren's."
"Gut, your choice... is far braver than mine was."
Some time passed. Just as Himmel was about to start a new conversation, even more curious about this junior of his—
He heard even, gentle breathing from both sides.
"Asleep already, huh…"
He smiled and shook his head.
"Young people sure sleep well."
"But yeah… being young is nice."
Putting down the comb, Himmel stood up and turned off the light.
As darkness settled in, the hero lay down as well.
But…
Memories of his own youth—his journey with companions to defeat the Demon King—rose unbidden in his mind.
He recalled Haith drunk the night before a big battle, botching Goddess Magic.
Eisen sharing "delicious grapes" that were so sour he nearly cried.
And Frieren, insisting on opening every treasure chest during dungeons.
Scene after scene played in his mind.
And finally—one image lingered longest.
Sunset. A church. A clock ticking just shy of 5 p.m.
And the unopened Mirror Lotus Ring—its flower yet to bloom.
As the hero who had defeated the Demon King, Himmel had no lack of wealth or status.
And he was willing to give Frieren all of it—including love.
Yet, the ring she chose—the Mirror Lotus, symbolizing "eternal companionship/love"—was the one thing he could never truly promise.
Just like that nearly-5 o'clock clock; the unopened lotus; the words unsaid and buried deep at the last moment.
Still…
Knowing it could never come true, he knelt in the final moment before five and slid the ring onto her finger.
"...Sigh."
Lamenting his short human lifespan, Himmel opened his eyes again and looked at Gut.
"You're young, huh…"
"You still have time. Time to love boldly, to speak your heart without hesitation…"
"No matter the outcome, my blessings are with you."
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Powerstones?
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