Aesc and the group had accepted a commission from a nearby village to subjugate a monster.
However, when they reached the monster's den deep in the forest, they found that it was already dead.
"This monster seems to have just recently died," Fern said after using magic to examine the corpse.
"The wounds are fresh."
Stark crouched down, inspecting the wound on the monster's neck. "What a clean strike... Whoever did this must be an exceptionally skilled warrior."
"There are many wounds, but they were likely inflicted by a single person."
Aesc circled the monster's corpse thoughtfully. "So, this monster was taken down by one warrior alone?"
"But more importantly... what do we do now?"
Stark's question drew the group's attention.
"We accepted the commission to come here, but the monster was already defeated when we arrived. Technically, we don't have the right to claim the reward, do we?"
Stark glanced at Frieren and added, "But Frieren has already accepted the payment, hasn't she?"
"Hmm... That's true, it's a bit of a problem," Aesc muttered, stroking her chin and pondering.
Still, there's no need to overthink it. Worst case, we can just return the reward.
After all, the payment was just a book—not anything particularly significant. Returning it wouldn't be an issue... Now, if it had been food, and we'd already eaten it, that'd be another story.
Suddenly, Stark suggested, "Wait... what if we just take credit for killing the monster? We could tell the village chief it was our work."
This earned him a cold, piercing glare from Fern, filled with unmistakable disapproval.
"Just kidding! I wouldn't actually do that! So, please stop looking at me like that—it's terrifying!" Stark exclaimed in panic.
And with that, the group began their trek back to the village.
As they neared the village, however, they all suddenly halted, turning their attention toward the forest.
"Hmm? You're adventurers, are you?"
An unfamiliar voice came from the woods. Though tinged with age, it was remarkably strong and resonant.
From the forest emerged an elderly man with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His posture was upright, and he carried two swords at his waist. He was clad in lightweight armor that covered his body without restricting movement.
"So strong!"
While Frieren and Fern, both mages, felt nothing unusual, Stark instantly recognized the man's extraordinary strength just from the way he stood.
In fact, among all the people Stark had encountered, only his mentor Eisen and Aesc could surpass this old warrior in skill.
Yes, Aesc... Though it was hard to believe, Stark's instincts told him that in a battle of warriors, Aesc would completely overwhelm him.
Well, it's because she's an elf who's lived for who knows how long...
Stark could only comfort himself with this reasoning.
"Why do I feel like someone's badmouthing me?"
Aesc's cold voice sounded from behind, making Stark freeze on the spot.
Terrifying—!
Especially when Stark recalled a certain incident: Aesc smashing the heads of several monsters with a staff, leaving red and white fluids splattered everywhere. Just the memory made Stark's legs go weak.
"I initially thought it might be some village kids who wandered too far and got lost. Even though the monster here has been slain, the forest is far from safe," the old warrior remarked as he sized up the group. His tone was calm and steady. "But since you're adventurers, I suppose I don't need to worry."
"I am Fedewar, a warrior," he introduced himself.
After a brief exchange of introductions, Aesc asked, "Mr. Fedewar, may I ask... was it you who defeated the monster in the forest?"
"Oh? You've seen it already?"
Fedewar seemed slightly surprised, then nodded. "Yes, that was my doing."
"Eh? So it really was you, sir?" Stark exclaimed, only to scratch his head and groan in frustration. "We just accepted a commission to defeat that monster, but now it's already been taken care of... And we even accepted the reward."
"Ah, is that so? Then it seems I acted unnecessarily," Fedewar replied in a gentle tone that starkly contrasted with his intimidating aura. "In that case, why not just tell the villagers that you were the ones who defeated the monster? That should settle it, right?"
"Eh?! Can we really do that?!" Stark asked in shock.
Fern: "..."
Stark: "No! That's not what I meant! I really wouldn't do something like that—it was just a joke!"
"If I hadn't been here, I'm sure you all could've handled that monster with ease," Fedewar said, casting a fond look at Fern and Stark before turning his gaze to Aesc with a mix of awe and curiosity. "So even if you took credit, it wouldn't really matter. I don't intend to let the villagers know it was me anyway."
"The monster was defeated by you, and we would never claim someone else's accomplishment as our own," Aesc replied with firm resolve.
After holding Aesc's gaze for a moment, Fedewar nodded.
"It seems I was being presumptuous."
"I have another question," Aesc said, staring at Fedewar intently. "Do you... happen to know Frieren?"
Her words drew puzzled looks from Stark and Fern.
"Hmm... You've noticed?"
"Yes. When you heard Frieren's name earlier, your expression changed ever so slightly."
At this, Stark interjected in confusion, "Isn't that normal, though? Frieren is the mage who traveled with the hero Himmel's party. It's only natural that people would recognize her name."
Aesc turned back to glance at Stark with a faint smile.
"You're not wrong. But... let's call it my intuition."
"Intuition, huh..."
Fedewar squinted, stroking his beard as he chuckled softly.
Then, he began to tell his story.
"It's a bit embarrassing, but when I was young, the only thing I was good at was fighting. Even the kids five or six years older than me couldn't beat me in a brawl. I was arrogant and overbearing back then, but deep down, I felt lost... because fighting was all I knew how to do."
"Then, one day, a merchant caravan passed through our village. The ones escorting it were none other than the hero Himmel and his companions..."
"I remember sneering at them back then, saying things like, 'A hero escorting merchants instead of slaying the Demon King? What a coward!'"