Chapter 67: Searching for an Adoptive Parent: Serie's Daily Life
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To accommodate Fern's limited stamina, Ash chose a different approach. Even though humans could now use flying magic, it was an exhausting technique that demanded significant physical endurance. Even expert fliers like Frieren couldn't sustain flight for extended periods without feeling the toll on their bodies.
Thus, to preserve secrecy and Fern's strength, Ash refrained from flying her the whole journey. By day, she traveled by carriage, and at night, after she fell asleep, he would quietly cast a spell that temporarily sealed her within a hardened, petrified state. In this form, she became an unbreakable stone that he could carry with ease. Under cover of night, Ash would then take to the sky, crossing mountains and rivers at a steady pace, until—after a month—they arrived at the northern magic city.
"Is the north of the continent really this close? It only took a month by carriage to get here?"
Fern, who was often shuffled between different carriages each time she woke up and barely ever had a full night's rest, stood at the edge of the bustling metropolis. She shivered slightly in the crisp air, blinking at the impressive cityscape before her. Her sleepy eyes were full of surprise. Having been asleep during most of the journey, she hadn't noticed anything odd.
Ash answered casually, "This is only the northern kingdom, so it's relatively close to the Kingdom of Esther in the south. You were almost in the central kingdoms before, so naturally, the distance wasn't too far."
"The Kingdom of Esther…? I heard of it from a merchant who passed through once."
"Oh? You heard of it?"
"Yes. They said it's been thriving for the past hundred years, with the strength to rival the Empire, and it's becoming known among the nations."
Though she didn't fully understand what an "Empire" was, Fern shared what she had overheard. Her innocent recounting of rumors made Ash smile, his expression filling with pride.
"Isn't it impressive?"
"Um… I don't really know. It sounds strong, though."
"That's right!"
A sense of accomplishment swelled within Ash. For years, he had poured his energy into a series of reforms, modernizing the Kingdom of Esther with policies suited to its needs. While democracy wasn't feasible in their time, he had effectively centralized power and brought meaningful changes to the governing systems across the kingdom.
His efforts alongside Aura had even led to the peaceful annexation of two neighboring territories. And that wasn't all. By learning ancient agricultural magic from a long-lost elven drunkard, Ash had trained a new generation of agricultural magicians, turning the Kingdom of Esther into the first nation free from hunger.
In time, he formed the Magic Knights, a formidable force that matched the Empire's elite. Though Fern couldn't grasp the scope of his accomplishments, children throughout the southern regions knew of them, which made him eager to bask in her admiration. But instead of awe, she only looked at him blankly.
"...What's wrong?"
Fern's lack of interest left him feeling strangely empty. He shook his head, brushing it off, and walked ahead. "...It's nothing. Let's go in first."
"???" Fern tilted her head, puzzled, but quickly caught up to him with a small trot.
...
...
It wasn't long before they reached Ash's city residence—a simple home, far from the grand estates of the nobility. He disliked the idea of maintaining large, desolate places that felt like abandoned ruins without constant care.
The residence was a modest yet comfortable building with only three rooms, though only one room was actually in use.
"I feel like... this place hasn't been lived in for a while," Fern observed, brushing her fingertips along the tea table in the living room and frowning at the dust gathered on her hand.
Unfazed, Ash simply opened the door to his room. "You can stay here tonight. I'll arrange for someone to clean it tomorrow."
"Alright." Fern nodded and began curiously surveying the sparse room. Aside from a bed and quilt, there was little else to be seen. She couldn't help but ask, "Is this Master Ash's home?"
"Let's call it that," Ash replied.
"Just... tentatively?"
"I don't have any permanent address."
"I see."
To Fern, this "evil magician" was surrounded by mysteries, so there was much she didn't understand. But she held back her questions and instead showed her sensibility, immediately heading into the room to clumsily hang the quilt to dry.
"You don't have to do that. Tomorrow... Actually, I'll just find someone to handle it later."
"It's okay. I'm free now."
"…Suit yourself, then. I'm going out for a bit and should be back before nightfall."
"Alright, take care on the road."
Ash, unsure of how to interact with a child, scratched his head before heading out. As he walked away, Fern, well-behaved and with her head slightly lowered, watched him leave with an expressionless gaze.
Once he was gone, Fern glanced around, rolled up her sleeves, and set about clumsily tending to the unfamiliar household tasks.
Meanwhile, Ash made his way to the Magic Association, recalling that Serie happened to be in the city giving lectures to the new first-level magicians under her mentorship.
He quietly began asking people around the Association if any of them would be willing to adopt a child. After all, he thought it better for a human to raise Fern than for her to be left in the care of a demon like himself.
He was even willing to provide lifelong support if someone took her in. But, as he suspected, none of the magicians seemed particularly interested in raising a child.
By the afternoon, as the crowd thinned out, he approached Serie and asked directly, "Serie, don't you ever think of raising a child? It must get lonely always being on your own, right?"
"What nonsense are you talking about, idiot?" Serie looked at him as if he were mad. "If I were to raise a human child, I'd probably end up being the one who dies."
"...So it's completely out of the question?"
"Why are you even asking if you already know the answer?"
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try. Even if the chances are slim, maybe you'd take her on a whim. After all, didn't you adopt Flamme before? This child seems to have some magical potential. Don't you even want to consider it?"
"Flamme was a one-time thing, a whim. I'm not planning to do it again." Serie declined outright, then sneered at him. "But it's so unlike you to show this much concern for an orphan."
"What are you talking about? I'm not as cold-hearted as you. If I see a child who might starve on the roadside, of course, I'll help them out."
"Cold-hearted? Really? Is that what you think of me?"
"...Just a joke, don't overreact."
"Don't worry; I won't do anything drastic. But I'd say it's about time… let's see how much progress you've made recently!"
As Ash displayed a wary expression, Serie's smile turned ominously sinister.
What followed was hardly unexpected.
Even though Ash was no longer the feared man of a thousand years past, he once again found himself facing Serie's "unreasonable" violent outburst in the magic city.
Of course, it wasn't simply a random attack. Over the years, she had wanted Ash to eventually take over her responsibilities and had purposely crafted situations that would earn him favors from her subordinates—making it easier for him to step into her role in the future.
With this in mind, whenever Serie planned to renovate an area, she would often strike without warning, especially while Ash was mid-sentence. Of course... she might also attack even when he wasn't speaking.
Thus, in the blink of an eye, dazzling lights filled the air, rubble flew, beams collapsed, and side halls crumbled in this branch of the Magic Association.
This sort of scene unfolded roughly once every decade. The older magicians had long since learned to flee at the first sign of trouble, while the newer, slower ones… relied on Ash to rescue them.
...
After a round of Serie's merciless bombardment, the entire designated demolition site lay in ruins.
Amidst the swirling dust, Ash was hunched under a destroyed section of wall, supporting it with his back, while a trembling young magician stood before him.
Ash, his face streaked with blood, had shielded her completely, leaving her unharmed. However, when he clearly saw the young magician's face, he sighed in exasperation:
"What is this, Sense? Speaking of which... don't you have the strength to protect yourself?"
"N-No... My hands and feet are shaking..."
With long brown hair and a doll-like appearance, Sense looked younger than her years, giving off a lolita vibe. Her actual age was a mystery, and she was known for her usual blank expression, but at this moment, fear was evident in her wide eyes.
Even though Ash's warm blood occasionally dripped onto her face, making her pupils tremble, she remained frozen in place.
Then, Serie's dissatisfied voice cut through the dust: "Sense, do you really consider yourself a first-level magician?"
"...Maybe because you used too much force and the kid felt your magic?" Ash replied, exasperated.
"But you felt it too, yet you managed not only to escape but also to protect others," Serie noted, casting a disdainful glance at the still-trembling Sense. She scoffed, "You may have the title of first-level magician, but this is the best you can manage."
With that, she swaggered off, leaving Sense crestfallen, her head hanging in defeat.
Ash sighed, resigned to cleaning up after Serie's antics. With a loud crash, he pushed the destroyed wall away with one hand, wiped the blood from his face, and squatted beside Sense.
"Don't let it get to you. Though Serie may be harsh, she recognizes your abilities—otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed you to reach first-level magician."
"Really?"
Though she seemed unconvinced, Sense's gaze softened, unconsciously revealing a hint of admiration and longing as she looked at Ash.