Chapter 71: Holding hostage: Escape from Responsibility?
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After the door closed and the room fell silent once more, Heiter didn't speak immediately. Instead, he added a piece of firewood to the fireplace beside him, casting a thoughtful glance at Ash, who was quietly observing the room.
"Though I doubt it, that child… she hasn't been mistreated by you, has she?" Heiter asked with an unexpected hint of suspicion.
"Huh? What are you suddenly talking about?" Ash looked at him, clearly confused.
"No matter what, if you were mistreating a child, I'd have every right to get angry and throw you out."
"...Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
Heiter chuckled and shook his head. "I was only joking. I don't believe you'd do that." He then grew more serious, his expression puzzled. "Honestly, you don't strike me as the type to just take in a child. And besides… it seems she's had a difficult past, hasn't she?"
"You can tell?"
"After all, I've lived a long life and have some experience reading people. Working in the church, you often encounter children who carry similar burdens."
"Is that so?"
Ash nodded thoughtfully, briefly wondering whether to share more about Fern's story. After some consideration, he realized there was no need for secrecy or any elaborate explanation. He decided to tell him directly.
"Have you heard about the war that broke out in the South recently?"
"Of course. I heard the fighting was fierce, with many refugees fleeing to our area and even farther north."
"Well, Fern is from the South, and she's the descendant of an old friend of mine. Her entire family… they all perished in the war."
Fern's family once lived well enough; they weren't nobles, but they were comfortable, with enough food and means to ensure the children were educated, even hiring a magician to tutor them. Her family had only mentioned, in passing, that her great-great-grandfather once knew a mysterious magician. When Ash handed her a family heirloom, it was the first time she saw the face of this figure who, for reasons unknown, was connected to her family's past.
But as for what exactly happened to her family—whether they encountered rebel soldiers or bandits—Ash didn't elaborate. Those details remained unspoken, likely because he couldn't ask her to relive such horrors, nor did she seem to know the specifics.
Her family's town lay high on the snowy peaks, a place of strategic value due to its expansive view and defensive advantages. Because of its position, it had often been a contested stronghold. Usually, if they lost control of the area, the townsfolk would evacuate immediately. But this time, defeat came too quickly, and no warning reached the people in time. The lack of evacuation led to a tragic series of events.
...
As Ash recounted the story, a quiet settled over the room, punctuated only by the crackling of the firewood. After a long silence, Heiter finally rose, took out two cups from the cupboard, poured wine into each, and downed both in one go. Exhaling deeply as if trying to release the heavy weight in his chest, he sighed:
"...I understand the basics of her situation now. But you didn't bring her here expecting me to raise her, did you? My health isn't what it used to be."
Ash gave a wry smile. "How about you start by quitting drinking?"
"What are you talking about? If quitting were that easy, I wouldn't have been given the title of 'wine-drinking Priest' by everyone now would I?" Heiter, now an older man, shook his head repeatedly, looking a little annoyed at Ash's suggestion.
"Why make things difficult for an old man at this point? Besides, wine is the best of all medicines. Isn't it because of drinking that I'm still here today?"
"...Is it really okay for a bishop to talk nonsense like this?" Ash muttered, feeling the urge to roll his eyes at such a strange justification.
"It's fine. I wouldn't say that to anyone who might actually believe it... But let's get back to the main point." Heiter poured himself another glass and smiled wryly. "For you and Frieren—two so-called 'heartless and unfeeling' people—to suddenly come visit me, I assumed something was wrong. It seems related to that child, right?"
"Wait a minute, you're suddenly making a personal attack here?"
"Is it untrue? Even though Himmel, Eisen, and I live in different towns, we've kept in touch through letters. Only the two of you have made just one visit in fifty years, with no messages in between."
"Alright, alright! The matter that requires your help is indeed related to Fern!"
Is that really true? Ash was momentarily surprised by the idea that these people might actually value friendships beyond appearances. But he simply pretended not to have heard it and continued speaking seriously.
Heiter, however, gave an annoyed smack of his lips, looking completely unashamed. "Tsk... It's so shameless of you to ignore my complaints and then boldly make demands."
"Why is an elder like you arguing over such trivial matters with someone younger than yourself?" Ash spread his hands, as if trying to ease the mood.
"In terms of age, aren't you actually older than me?" Heiter quirked a brow.
"Who really knows?" Ash replied, then paused, his expression shifting to one of slight sadness. "But honestly, my body may still be holding up, but it can't withstand the test of time forever... Though, I doubt you'd believe that."
"Really?" Heiter raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before Ash broke into a laugh a moment later.
"Just kidding."
"...Really? I get it. Just stay there and wait for me," Heiter responded after a long silence, standing up and disappearing into the house.
"What's wrong?"
"The cane isn't effective enough. I'm getting something iron, so it'll hurt more when I hit you."
"Uh—wait, are you serious?"
Seeing Heiter actually bring out a heavy mace from his room, Ash was stunned and instinctively dashed out of the room.
Surprisingly, Heiter, who had seemed to need his crutch earlier, was now wielding the mace and walking briskly after Ash, as if he were determined to beat him into the ground then and there.
However, when Ash ran outside and instinctively picked up the little girl, who had been watering the vegetable garden, holding her on his forearm, Heiter had no choice but to halt. He quickly hid the mace behind his back, clearly not wanting the child to see such a dangerous item.
"—W-What?"
Fern, who was suddenly lifted and placed on Ash's arm, looked baffled as she glanced between the two men rushing out of the door.
Despite her confusion, when she noticed the sweat on Heiter's brow, she felt concerned for the old man who had suddenly started walking with surprising speed.
"Lord Heiter… it looked like you were in a hurry just now. Is something serious happening? Are you okay?"
Ash quickly smiled, making up a reason. "We were just racing to see who could catch Fern first~!"
But Fern looked bewildered. These two… were they really capable of playing such childish games?
Heiter could probably guess what the child was thinking, but now, faced with her innocent gaze, he could only nod with a stiff smile. Not wanting to leave a bad impression on this sensible child, he chuckled awkwardly.
"Ha, haha... It's rare to have an old friend visit, so I couldn't help reminiscing about my youth."
"...Is that so? I suppose it's a good thing to be so lively," Fern replied, not doubting him at all. However, feeling a bit uncomfortable from being held, she squirmed slightly and looked up at Ash in confusion.
"Master Ash... Now that you've won, can you let me go?"
"No, look at his shoulders—they're shaking. He must be unwilling to give in. I have to make him even more unwilling."
"Haa... I don't quite understand, but aren't you two friends? Why act like this?"
"It's exactly because we're friends that I want to add insult to injury."
"Is that so? I feel like that makes a strange sort of sense." Thinking of her friends, Connie and Rabinie, who were always bickering with each other, Fern nodded in agreement without realizing it.
Seeing this, Heiter couldn't help but start to worry—was this guy leading Fern down a strange path?
...
...
Once they finished their antics, they returned to the house.
At Ash's encouragement, Fern shyly enjoyed Heiter's beef stew with potatoes. After a long journey and trek through the forest, she was exhausted and soon fell asleep early in the guest room.
In the quiet of the living room, Heiter sat with a hidden look of exasperation, watching Ash shamelessly drink his treasured wine and nag him into preparing more braised meat.
If it had been anyone else, Heiter would've long since kicked them out. But with Ash... he felt helpless, unable to do anything. Recalling Fern's obvious attachment to Ash during their brief time together, he tapped his fingers on the table meaningfully and spoke up.
"Now, I want to talk about something serious."
"I'm listening."
"No... you're the first person to drink, eat, and chatter on in front of me like this since I became a bishop."
"It's an honor."
"I wasn't exactly complimenting you... Ah, never mind." Heiter sighed, though a familiar smile softened his face. Shaking his head, he continued, "You know, don't you? The bond between you and Fern... it doesn't feel like that of a simple foster parent and child."
"I feel the same way, which is why I came here. I was hoping you could help me find someone reliable to take care of him."
"...Someone reliable? Can't you do it yourself?"
"Honestly, I might not have much time left, so I'm hoping you'll take care of Fern for me. Or could you bear to let her end up alone on the streets?"
Heiter frowned at Ash's words, falling silent for a moment. Then he spoke in a reproachful tone. "...Are you really asking for a beating?"
"It was just a joke—don't get too worked up." Ash waved his hands with a light smile. "In truth, I just feel I'm not suited to taking care of Fern."
"Are you trying to evade responsibility? I didn't expect you to pass on your duties to others so easily."
"I have my reasons."
"Are you about to claim that you're dying again?" Heiter felt his patience wearing thin, the urge to truly scold Ash bubbling up.
But this time, Ash set down his braised meat, his demeanor suddenly serious. "No, I mean it. I simply don't think I'm the right person to care for her. You've seen it yourself—the way Fern and I interact."
Heiter pondered, then spoke slowly, "From what I can tell, the child seems to be holding something back. Sometimes, she gets close to you, but other times, she keeps an unnecessarily polite distance. How long have you known each other?"
"With the journey included, close to a year now, I'd say."
"...Really?" Heiter removed his glasses and rubbed his temples. "Is it because she's deeply hurt, or because you're... well, irresponsible?"
"The problem is with me."
"...What exactly is it?"
"To be honest, I'm extremely busy, and I can't properly look after her. Most of the time, she's on her own, with only a maid occasionally checking in. That's why I'm asking you to help find someone suitable."
"...The kid might be hurt by this."
"But it's a solution that benefits us both."
"Benefits you both... I see."
Heiter didn't press further or ask why this arrangement was supposedly "good for both of them." He could guess why Ash felt this way.
It reminded him of the past, back when their adventure had ended and everyone had urged Frieren to consider taking on an apprentice—someone to keep her company on her endless journey. But Frieren had only replied, "It's a waste of time. No matter how much you teach, they're gone in the blink of an eye."
Heiter understood Ash's hesitation through that memory, so the following day, he started reaching out to contacts in the Holy City, hoping to find a suitable candidate.
...
In the days that followed, various people began visiting the cabin in the woods. They would come, spend time, and leave. But no matter who they were, Fern remained unsatisfied, gradually realizing why Ash had brought her here in the first place.
Yet, she didn't openly acknowledge it. She simply sent each visitor away, even as she grew increasingly aware of the reality she couldn't escape.
Despite her efforts to avoid the truth, she was finally forced to face it.
She had to accept that she was no longer needed.
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T/N: As I promised that for every 300 power stones, I'd release an extra chapter, and you've already made it happen! So, as a heartfelt thank-you, I'll be uploading an additional chapter for you all.
Your support means everything to me.