Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 113: I Want to Become a Father Closer to Sense than He Is! [2]

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The moment Sense stepped into the hall, she found herself facing exactly what she had anticipated.

Her mother, a noblewoman who had hurried downstairs in anticipation of her return, was already waiting for her with great excitement. As soon as the topic turned to Ash, her eagerness became impossible to miss.

"Sense, you came back with Master Ash today. What did you do? Why didn't you invite him in for a cup of tea? That's quite rude."

Her mother's smile carried an unspoken meaning that made Sense sigh internally.

She was well aware of how the atmosphere at home had quietly shifted ever since she had inadvertently revealed Ash's relationship with the local lord.

In this world of strict social hierarchies, magicians, despite their extraordinary powers, still lacked sufficient status compared to the nobility.

But Sense's case was different. As Ash's junior and someone he openly cared for, her position had become quite special.

Even the local earl, upon learning of her connection to Ash, had shown an unusually deferential attitude toward her family.

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This unusual treatment stemmed entirely from her relationship with Ash—a connection that appeared simple but was, in reality, far more complex.

Even Sense, a core member of the Magic Association, had only begun to suspect Ash's true identity when she witnessed the earl's reverence for him during the Magic Association's reconstruction more than a decade ago.

Who exactly is Lord Ash? Could he be a prince?

This question had lingered in her mind for years. She had wanted to ask him directly several times, but Ash clearly had no intention of sharing, so she let it be.

Her curiosity about Ash's identity didn't interfere with their relationship. She found comfort and reassurance in his presence, and that was enough for her.

But her family saw things differently.

Her father, a nobleman, had noticed the lord's peculiar behavior toward Ash during one of his visits. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he had attempted to inquire indirectly, only to be warned against asking further.

In situations like this, parents often lean toward arranging a marriage. After all, who wouldn't want to elevate their family's status?

Sense's parents were no exception. Her age had always been a source of concern for them, and as a potential match, Ash was nothing short of perfect. Naturally, they were eager to encourage this relationship.

- But when you think about it, isn't it obvious? Who would be interested in someone like me? Master Ash probably just sees me as a child.

As her mother continued to press her for updates, Sense found herself staring out the floor-to-ceiling window, her expression blank. She felt as small as a child, her presence often causing misunderstandings with Ash. Letting out yet another silent sigh, she reflected on how much she'd sighed today—more than she had in the past year combined.

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Before heading home, Ash stood outside the Sense family's mansion, feeling a pang of envy.

Though he had more wealth and properties than most could dream of, the carefree life of the local nobles—eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves without a care—was something he couldn't help but admire.

"...If I fail, maybe joining Sense wouldn't be such a bad idea," he murmured, looking at the brightly lit mansion.

But the thought quickly gave way to a self-deprecating smile. Turning away without hesitation, he dismissed the idea entirely.

After all, when his plans fully unfolded, would Sense even still be alive? That question lingered heavily in his mind. The same could be said for many of the people he knew—perhaps only Frieren and Serie would remain, just as before.

"However, if I'm remembered as nothing more than a kind and ordinary person, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad ending. After all..."

The moonlight poured over Ash, illuminating his face and reflecting the complexity in his expression.

He tilted his head toward the sky, gazing at the unchanging moon, and whispered his greatest secret: "—I am not human."

Reflecting on his identity, he couldn't help but regret some of the things he had said to Sense earlier.

Though he enjoyed spending time with her and others who reminded him of lively, innocent creatures, he knew the passage of time was vastly different for them. For him, it was a fleeting moment; for Sense's, it was an unstoppable countdown.

So, was it really okay to continue like this?

"But since I've already decided to look after Fern in her old age, what's the harm in saying goodbye to one more person?"

No. It can't be like this, can it?

He muttered to himself, offering a solution only to immediately reject it, shaking his head vigorously.

In the end, no satisfactory answer came to him. Deciding to leave the problem for another day, he shrugged it off, resigning himself to muddling through as always.

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When Ash arrived at his familiar doorstep, he hesitated briefly.

Since the door lock had been broken by him previously and replaced with a new one, he had no choice but to climb over the wall to get in.

The moment he landed in the courtyard, his surroundings surprised him.

The once untidy yard, ravaged by wind and littered with yellow mud, sand, and fallen leaves, was now immaculate. The ground was clean, fresh, and entirely transformed.

The vegetation, which had previously grown wild and unchecked, was now neatly trimmed and well-maintained. Everything looked so pristine that Ash briefly wondered if he had walked into the wrong house.

Before he could process the sight, a familiar figure appeared.

Kanne, the lively girl who reminded him of a mischievous puppy, emerged from the house carrying a bucket of water. Her face and clothes were streaked with dirt, giving her the appearance of a stray pup that had been rolling around in the mud.

When their eyes met, Kanne froze for a moment. Then, setting down the bucket she was holding, she marched toward Ash, her face brimming with dissatisfaction and anger.

"—Look at the state of your house! It's been a complete mess, and you've been fooling around outside until now?! You come back only after everything's nearly done? Do you even have the nerve to show up like this?"

Ash couldn't help but smirk and tease, "The way you're talking, it's almost like I'm some irresponsible husband."

"H-Huh?! What are you even saying?!" Kanne's face flushed as she stamped her foot in frustration. "Who would marry an old man like you?! Besides, I hate adults like you the most! Even if—Uwaa?!"

Her angry retort was cut short as she lost control of the water she had been using to clean the walls. In her outburst, the water splashed out of the bucket, drenching her completely. With a startled yelp, she stood there looking like a drenched puppy.

Ash's gaze briefly flickered over her unexpectedly well-proportioned figure now revealed through her wet clothes. But instead of averting his eyes or showing embarrassment, he simply spread his hands and said with a wry smile:

"I've been meaning to say this since we first met. While it's true I'm an 'uncle,' hearing it so bluntly still stings a little, you know."

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Note: I saw the chapters was way shorter than usual so 2 chapters