======[ Friede ]======
‘…What on earth has happened during this time?’
Friede looked down at the peacefully sleeping Brunhilde, recalling her old self in her mind.
That indifferent expression and brutally straightforward way of speaking.
The isolated attitude that constantly tried to keep others at a distance.
Even that tired expression that occasionally showed when she sat alone.
The old Brunhilde was like a statue made of ice.
Beautiful and sparkling, yet icy cold, appearing solid but seeming like it might shatter into pieces at the slightest bump.
However, the Brunhilde she met again was a completely different person.
With polite yet subtly thoughtful speech and surprisingly varied emotional expressions.
Perhaps she was trying to hide her true skills, as her swordsmanship had become oddly clumsy.
Her once isolated nature, showing no interest in others and revealing no sincerity even to those around her, had long since vanished.
Now, she appeared to be no different from an ordinary person.
‘Even back then, she was relatively kind to girls and women, but… this was on another level, right?’
If it were the past, she wouldn’t even have allowed someone to sleep right next to her.
Even while adventuring with the hero party, Brunhilde always slept a bit apart from Imelia and Irina.
It certainly had been that way, yet now they could almost hold hands while sleeping. It was shocking how much she had changed.
‘How could she change so much… Why?’
Everything in the world has its cause and effect. If her personality and actions had changed after reuniting after months, there must have been something that caused it in between.
Friede pondered that reason.
What could have made a woman who obsessively isolated herself, hiding her struggles, soften like a half-melted snowman?
‘It’s as if she laid down a heavy burden…’
The current Brunhilde reminded her of a knight taking a break after finishing a long and brutal battle.
All the tension, military discipline, and bitterness seemed to have drained away, leaving her relaxed.
‘Could it be that Brunhilde too…?’
Perhaps that was the case.
The tiresome expressions she occasionally showed were characteristic of someone carrying a burden too heavy to bear.
‘…Has she abandoned something? Something she was bearing?’
What that burden was, Friede couldn’t know. She had never been told properly.
But if she had left to join Gunther’s party for that reason.
And if, despite having left, she had fled here once more…
Whatever her purpose was, it could be assumed that she had already given up on it.
A goal that could not be achieved without being active as a knight in the hero party was something a mere adventurer would never dream of.
‘Yeah, that must be it. So, that’s what she meant last time.’
When she reunited with Brunhilde, who was using the alias Hilde, and chatted casually, Friede had once asked her a question.
What was her reason for being an adventurer? Did she dream of instant wealth like other adventurers?
At that time, Brunhilde… Hilde, after a brief moment of contemplation, replied like this.
– What’s my goal? Hmm… I want to become a reputable adventurer, gain citizenship, gather enough money to live comfortably, then retire and enjoy life, but can that be called a goal?
Her answer was more constructive compared to the typical adventurer’s hit-it-big mentality, but overall, it seemed not much different.
‘I thought she was just making excuses back then… but maybe that was her true feeling.’
Thinking that way, it made sense.
Whatever happened with Gunther, if she abandoned her original goal upon leaving his party…
If she had thrown aside all her burdens and started dreaming of a peaceful and comfortable life, then her current transformation could indeed be understood and accepted.
‘…I hope so.’
And that was something Friede wished for dearly.
Seeing Brunhilde, who had always seemed somewhat precarious, enjoying the sense of relief and freedom was an incredibly joyful sight for Friede.
If there was one slight disappointment, it was that with her face covered by a steel helmet, she couldn’t see her vibrant expressions.
‘Was it because of anxiety symptoms…?’
That seemed like a hastily thrown-together excuse.
Anxiety symptoms my foot. Friede knew the reason Brunhilde didn’t want to take off her helmet.
Unlike herself, who had completely changed since the hero days, Brunhilde’s appearance beneath the helmet was exactly the same as before.
If she took off the helmet, she’d be worried that those who recognized her might report her to the Kingdom of Rhine or Burgundy.
‘But I don’t think she needs to worry that much.’
A woman with lemon-colored hair and sharp eyes. How many people could recognize her just from that?
Those who knew Brunhilde would recognize her, but anyone who didn’t know her face wouldn’t think of the Brunhilde from the Kingdom of Rhine, even if they saw her current unmasked face.
Blonde, blue-eyed women were everywhere in the North.
So, even if she walked around with her face exposed, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
As long as she didn’t get entangled with high-ranking nobles who were likely to be closely aware of key figures from other countries.
‘Ah. But I guess there might be some people who get curious about her past.’
Friede gave a little nod, slightly parting her lips as she thought about it.
If Brunhilde walked around without her helmet, there would likely be quite a few people curious about why she was working as an adventurer.
Her face was far too beautiful for someone from a common background. Long, delicate eyelashes, a sharp nose, smooth red lips, and skin that was flawlessly white.
There was an air of nobility about her that made it impossible to think of her as common.
Anyone would assume she was born and raised in a noble family, and if such an appearance was engaged in the rough life of an adventurer, it was only natural that people would be curious about the reason.
Even without that, there would surely be many drawn to her appearance.
‘…Yeah. It’s definitely better to keep the helmet on.’
Even with the helmet, there were people like that wizard girl opposite her, openly showing their ulterior motives.
How many troublemakers would approach her if she walked around with her unmasked face? Just imagining it felt uncomfortable and unpleasant.
At least guys were easier to deal with.
It was more straightforward to push them away, plus Brunhilde herself didn’t hesitate to drive off any men with sinister intentions.
‘…Women are more of a problem than men.’
The real problem was the approach of women with ulterior motives.
Brunhilde, who could detect men’s lustful stares no matter how well they were hidden, was astonishingly oblivious to advances from women.
No, it was more than oblivious; she showed zero wariness.
Just today, she easily fell for Amy’s blatant flattery, wanting to see her face without her helmet.
If it hadn’t been for the fact that Amy, being a weak sorceress, had fallen asleep shortly after lying down, Friede feared to think what Brunhilde might have done while she was asleep.
For Friede, it was a matter of vigilance. She couldn’t let her guard down when Brunhilde was the only one awake while everyone else was asleep.
‘Yet, I can’t just tell Brunhilde not to be close to that girl… this is really troublesome.’
If they were of different genders, she might have said they shouldn’t be together, but being the same gender made that impossible.
Nor could she outright say that the girl was interested in her.
To be honest, if she were to lay it all out, Friede’s own goal was not much different from Amy’s.
If Brunhilde sensed the threat to her chastity and distanced herself from Amy, that would be the best outcome…
‘No, that’s too risky.’
Not only that, but if she actually began to be wary of close advances from women, it would become harder for Friede to grow closer to Brunhilde than she was now.
So, Friede had no means to deal with it.
She would have to maintain her vigilance regarding Amy, and the moment she attempted any improper advances, she would jump out to stop her.
In doing so, she would gradually close the distance with Brunhilde.
Not just this level of sleeping together in undesirable conditions, but eventually renting a room together when they returned to the city.
And someday, moving beyond that… creating a relationship that wouldn’t let her leave again.
That was Friede’s goal and desire.
‘…It’s okay. There’s still plenty of time. …I’ve prepared for this.’
Friede had firm confidence.
Even if Brunhilde were to suddenly disappear again, she believed she could chase after her without a problem.
Because she had already laid the means for that.
‘A tracking magic tool. I’m so glad I got it.’
The tracking magic tool.
It was a magic tool favored by couples or nobles that allowed them to determine each other’s location no matter how far apart they were.
Normally, it would only work if their blood had been mingled within the magic tool, but…
‘Actually, you don’t need blood. Any thick bodily fluid should be enough.’
As a matter of fact, it was possible to use it without blood; it just meant it would be slightly less effective.
During her time with the hero party, Friede had stumbled upon this magic tool and had left it untouched as it seemed unnecessary at the time.
Now, it had become her treasured item number two.
“Hehehe…”
That’s why Friede smiled softly to herself.
Brunhilde’s bodily fluid had been secured a long time ago. The inscription process had already been completed.
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