Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 108.5: The sickly girl is not considered a human being?

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Although Ubel still felt that Ash's apology lacked sincerity, she didn't expect much from him in the first place. With her chin resting on one hand, she gave him an impatient look, urging him to explain himself.

"Fern might be sick. Check her temperature for me. My hands are too cold to do it," Ash said, trying to sound earnest.

"Honestly... isn't this favoritism a bit too obvious?" Ubel raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"As an apology, how about we have a proper chat once we reach the Magic City? Would that make it better?" Ash offered, a small grin tugging at his lips.

"This is acceptable~ Let's leave it at that."

Even though the reward was just a conversation, Ubel's irritation quickly transformed into joy. After all, her primary goal in joining this team was to have meaningful discussions with them.

Her task was straightforward. She extended her warm hand and placed it on Fern's forehead. After a moment, she nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm~ She does have a fever," Ubel confirmed.

"...As expected. But is it just a cold, or could it be something more serious?" Ash asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"How should I know?" Ubel shrugged helplessly, then gestured toward the others.

Just as Ash was about to check Frieren's face next, Frieren suddenly sat up and protested weakly.

"Wait! I'm already awake!"

Ash paused, caught off guard, but before he could respond, Frieren opened her eyes and grabbed his cold hand, stopping him in his tracks.

Although she wasn't thrilled about being woken up so early, Frieren had overheard their conversation in her groggy state and couldn't fall back asleep. With a resigned sigh, she reluctantly climbed out of the not-so-warm bed. Picking up her holy book from the previous night, she used simple goddess magic to diagnose Fern's condition.

"…It's just a common cold," Frieren concluded after a moment. "But we need to move to a warmer place soon, or her symptoms might worsen. She also needs medicine."

The goddess's magic couldn't cure diseases—it could only diagnose them. Still, as Frieren spoke, a nostalgic expression crossed her face. She turned to Ash with a faint smile.

"Now that I think about it, I once fell ill in this area, and you took care of me back then," she said softly.

"Hmm… that's true," Ash replied, nodding.

"I remember catching a cold near here. When I woke up, I was already in the Magic City," Frieren continued, her voice filled with curiosity.

"..."

"But how did I get to the Magic City?" Frieren asked, her expression puzzled.

Ash remained silent for a moment, her question drawing his thoughts back to an old, dusty memory.

---

About 80 years ago

When Frieren suddenly caught a cold and developed a fever, the hero team found themselves completely helpless.

No matter how much Heiter, their healer, was favored by the goddess, healing magic couldn't cure illnesses.

None of them were familiar with the area. They debated whether they should find a nearby place to warm up and then search for medicine or carry Frieren on someone's back to the Magic City and look for treatment there.

Marching with a feverish patient was risky, but what if they couldn't find medicine or shelter nearby? It could spell disaster.

While the group continued their heated discussion without reaching a conclusion, Ash silently stepped forward. Without a word, he reached out and gently lifted Frieren, still curled up in her portable quilt.

"Ash… you… what are you doing?" Frieren asked weakly, her eyes fluttering open as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Ash smiled softly and reassured her, "It's okay. Just close your eyes and rest for a while. You'll be fine soon."

"…???"

Frieren didn't fully understand what Ash was planning, but out of trust, she closed her eyes obediently. And then—

Under the stunned gazes of everyone, the defenseless girl in his arms was swiftly petrified. In the blink of an eye, she turned into a stone statue.

Himmel froze, his mouth slightly agape, unable to process what had just happened. Even the usually stoic Eisen was so shocked his mind went blank.

"What… what are you doing?" Heiter stammered, his face pale.

Their bewildered reactions made Ash sigh, his tone almost teasing as he complained, "What's with your reactions? Considering the uncertainty of her condition, wouldn't this be the safest approach? This way, Frieren won't feel any discomfort, and we can head straight to the city for medicine. Isn't that the most effective and convenient solution?"

"It might be convenient, but there are some serious issues with this approach, don't you think?" Himmel said, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to stave off a headache.

"Even though we're close to the Magic City, it'll still take a few days to get there, right? Carrying a stone statue the entire way would slow us down," Heiter added, his expression a mix of disbelief and resignation.

Ash raised an eyebrow and countered, "If we travel at full speed, we can make it in half a day."

"—That's true for someone like you or Eisen! But I'm a priest, not a warrior, and I'd be the one carrying her! Do you think I can manage that in half a day?" Heiter's voice rose in exasperation.

"Look."

Before Heiter could finish his argument, Ash casually cast a spell, causing the petrified Frieren to float in midair. With a slight push, he guided her suspended form toward the cave entrance. Then, without waiting for a response, he dashed out, the floating statue trailing behind him like a balloon.

The others stood frozen, watching the bizarre scene unfold. They exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions growing stranger by the second.

Rationally speaking, Ash's method was the safest and most efficient way to ensure Frieren's condition didn't worsen. However, the sight of him pushing a floating stone statue up a snowy slope like a makeshift sled was anything but dignified.

Eventually, the group collectively decided to neither object nor comment. They silently turned their backs, each pretending not to see the ridiculous sight.

With their tacit approval, Ash accelerated, the floating Frieren bobbing slightly with every step he took. Occasionally, when he hit an incline, the statue would lift into the air, only for Ash to catch it effortlessly and continue on his way.

From their vantage point at the cave entrance, the others could see his silhouette shrinking in the distance. The sight of the stone statue bouncing and floating behind him like an oversized balloon was surreal, to say the least.

Himmel and Eisen stayed behind, their slower pace matching Heiter's. They stood silently, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and bewilderment.

"...I think I finally understand why Ash, despite being handsome, strong, and admired by so many, has never succeeded romantically," Heiter muttered, adjusting his glasses as he averted his gaze.

The others lowered their heads, suppressing their laughter.

The three reached a silent agreement. For Frieren's sake—and their friendship—it was best to keep the truth of this incident to themselves.

---

Meanwhile, away from the others…

Once he was out of sight, Ash stopped holding back. With no need to hide his abilities, he simply lifted the petrified Frieren into the air and soared toward the Magic City.

It took him just over an hour to reach his destination.

After finding an inn, he gently placed the statue down in a corner of the room. He then purchased the medicine Heiter had mentioned and enlisted the help of a local pharmacist to prepare it.

After returning, Ash released the petrification spell on Frieren.

"This is… Huh? The ceiling?"

Frieren, still feverish and groggy, stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling above her. Her already sluggish brain seemed to grind to a halt, struggling to process her surroundings.

"Oh, Frieren… you're finally awake?" Ash asked, feigning concern as he reached out and lightly grasped her feverishly warm hand.

"So… so cold!" Frieren instinctively recoiled from his icy touch, glaring at him with a mix of frustration and helplessness.

"You bastard… just wait. The next time you're sick, I'll grab your hand with my freezing cold hands too," she muttered, her voice tinged with playful resentment.

"Ah, sorry, sorry," Ash said, scratching his head apologetically.

He had flown to the Magic City in a rush, dealt with numerous chaotic matters upon arrival, and hadn't rested since. Only now did he realize how cold his hands had become, and he smiled sheepishly at her.

Seeing his slightly awkward expression, Frieren let out a soft sigh, her irritation dissipating. "I should just close my eyes for a while… Where is this?"

"Actually, you've been unconscious for three days. We're already in the Magic City," Ash replied.

"Three days…? You must be joking, right?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"But… I thought I just… ah, never mind. As long as you didn't mess around during that time…"

Faced with his serious expression, Frieren felt a wave of confusion wash over her. Unable to muster the energy to think too deeply, she sighed again, closed her eyes, and decided not to press further.

She didn't even notice that, apart from her portable bedding, the inn's blankets felt unusually cold—almost as if they'd only just been laid out.

Ash hesitated for a moment before bringing the medicine he had prepared to her bedside. "Don't worry, I didn't do anything rash. Anyway… how about drinking some medicine first?"

"Um… ah, thank you," Frieren murmured.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to sit up, but her body was too weak. With Ash's assistance, she managed to prop herself up halfway, leaning against the edge of the bed.

It was only then that she noticed how cold Ash's entire body seemed. Puzzled, she frowned. "You… did you go out for hours just to chill yourself to the bone?"

"No, it's not like that. Why do you always think I'm up to something?"

"Because you always grab my hand on purpose to freeze me."

"This time is different," Ash said, shaking his head. "Himmel mentioned that holding hands helps in situations like this. He did the same thing for Heiter when he was sick last time." He chuckled at the memory. "Although Haita wasn't exactly thrilled, it worked pretty well. At least, he wasn't as dramatic as you are."

"That's because your hands are so cold! How on earth can they get that cold?"

"Well, rather than discussing my hands, how about you drink the medicine first?"

Frieren reluctantly took the potion, sipping it slowly. She grimaced at the bitter taste and shot Ash a suspicious look. "After this… you'd better explain everything to me," she said softly.

"Explain what?"

"I just… I feel like you're hiding something from me," she murmured, her hazy gaze sharpening slightly as she observed him.

"Alright, alright. Drink the medicine first. Come on, be good."

Ash blew on the potion before handing it back to her, prompting Frieren to glare at him with a mix of irritation and disbelief.

"Are you… treating me like a child?"

"It's a little hot, so…"

"I've never seen you act so gentle before," Frieren muttered. Years of friendship had given her plenty of reason to suspect this guy had done something questionable behind her back.

Ash shrugged, his tone surprisingly candid. "I'm just worried you'll be angry later."

"…What?"

"Let's talk about it after you get better," he said vaguely, avoiding her gaze.

He had no intention of telling her about the petrification—not yet. Meeting her suspicious stare, he simply held out the potion again, urging her to drink.

After a while, Frieren finished the entire bowl of medicine, took a sip of water, and then lay down again, exhaustion pulling her deeper into the bed.

Ash, his hands warmed from holding the medicine bowl, slipped them under the quilt and grabbed Frieren's hand once more. The dazed elf girl cast him a suspicious glance, her voice weak but her annoyance clear.

"What are you trying to do… again?"

"I just want to reassure you. People tend to feel uneasy when they're sick," Ash replied with an almost innocent smile.

"With you holding my hand, I feel… even more uneasy," Frieren murmured, her breath shallow as she stared at him, her lips pursed in weak protest.

"Don't say that. We've been together for so many years. Even if you don't trust others, you have to trust me, right?"

"Then tell me what you did. Quickly. I promise I won't get angry…"

"Oh, don't overthink it while you're sick. I'll definitely tell you everything once you recover~"

Ash held her hand gently, noting how even now, her skin retained its softness. With his free hand, he reached over to brush her silver hair, slightly disheveled from sleep, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Frieren turned her head away in resistance, too weak to pull her hand back or dodge his touch. She could only let out a feeble complaint.

"I've told you so many times… don't treat me like a child… and don't touch my head…"

"I heard that for many children, being gently patted on the head by an adult can bring a sense of security and love," Ash began, his tone light and playful. "This kind of physical contact can convey warmth, support, and protection, making children feel valued and cared for."

Frieren stared at him, her protest momentarily drowned out by his unexpected explanation.

"Especially when children feel uneasy or anxious, or when they need comfort, this kind of closeness can make them feel safe and at ease," Ash continued, clearly enjoying himself. "Personally, I think head pats are even more effective than hand-holding. But since Himmel suggested hand-holding as a tradition, I'm trying to respect that. With this two-pronged approach, do you feel twice as safe and comforted? Even if you're a little shy, I'm sure deep down you appreciate it…"

"…..."

Frieren was left speechless, both exasperated and amused by his rambling pseudo-lecture. Her fatigue made it hard to muster the energy to argue, and despite herself, she felt an odd sense of relief.

Why does this feel comforting? It's so annoying to be treated like a child… but maybe I'll let it slide for now. I'll deal with him later when I'm better.

With that thought, Frieren closed her eyes, her breaths steadying. Though a mix of embarrassment and comfort lingered, she decided against pushing him away for the time being.

However, for the sake of her pride, she silently vowed to "retaliate" once she recovered.

---

The next day arrived in a blink. After sleeping through the entire night and most of the day, Frieren's fever and cold symptoms had almost completely subsided.

Yet, she found herself struggling to recall the events of the previous day. Questions buzzed in her mind, leaving her suspicious, but she had little energy to dwell on them.

According to Ash, Himmel and the others had grown impatient and ventured into a nearby labyrinth shortly after arriving in the Magic City. They'd temporarily lost contact, and she hadn't seen them since.

Even when they returned a few days later, their expressions were strange—guarded, hesitant, and oddly reluctant to discuss what had transpired during her illness.

Frieren couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had happened, but no matter how much she pressed them, they refused to share the truth.

It wasn't until 80 years later, when a similar incident occurred, that Frieren finally pieced together the events of that strange, feverish time.