Outside the Imperial Capital, Eiseberg—
As always, adventurers and caravans from all over the country formed a long line at the towering city gates.
However, unlike usual—
Today, the line was moving very slowly.
Everyone entering the city was subjected to strict body checks.
Aside from essential self-defense weapons and medicines,
Any dangerous magic items or goods were strictly forbidden from entering the Imperial Capital.
Despite the severity of the checks, there was no protest or complaint in the growing crowd—
Because everyone knew the reason wasn't the guards being difficult.
It was that His Majesty the Emperor's birthday was approaching—
Whether a resident of the capital or a traveler from afar,
No one wanted any incident to happen around the time of the Emperor's birthday.
As the supreme ruler of the Unified Empire, there were few in the world who could withstand His Majesty's wrath.
"Sir, may I please see your—"
The diligent city guard, having just cleared another caravan, habitually addressed the next entrant—a man holding a child by the hand.
But when he looked up—
And saw the face that was unmistakable, known by all even among the reclusive elites of the Imperial Capital—
His voice caught in his throat.
"A-A-A-Agusheed… sir—!"
That stammering shout stunned not only the gate's guards but also the captain of the watch.
Not only that, even some caravans further back erupted at the mention of Agusheed.
"Is the man up front really Lord Agusheed?"
"Is that the husband of the legendary Great Mage Flamme?"
Among the murmurs, some excited voices shouted out:
"Lord Agusheed! I was the adventurer you and Lady Flamme rescued at Riegel Canyon! Do you remember me?"
"Mr. Agusheed, do you recall eight years ago on the Northern Plateau…"
With the rising noise behind and the child wrapped in robes beside him tugging at his hand—
Agusheed was starting to feel a headache coming on.
"A thousand apologies, Lord Agusheed—"
The quick-thinking captain of the guard rushed forward,
Dragging the guard who had shouted and bowing apologetically.
"Please forgive his rudeness. He was simply overwhelmed at seeing you…"
Agusheed raised a hand, stopping the two from bowing further.
"It's alright—I don't mind."
Though the crowd's frenzy was sparked by the guard's slip-up,
Agusheed calmly said to them:
"May I enter the city now?"
There was no hesitation—
The captain of the guard instantly allowed him through.
However, regarding the suspicious-looking child beside Agusheed—
Out of professional duty, he still asked:
"Lord Agusheed, may I ask about this young one…"
Agusheed paused mid-step at the question.
"Do you want to search her?"
He asked calmly.
"You're joking, of course not—"
The captain slapped his own forehead, laughing awkwardly.
He'd clearly let his mouth get ahead of his brain.
Agusheed was not only the husband of Great Mage Flamme—
But also the man who single-handedly defeated the "Strongest Dragon of the North."
A mere guard captain had no authority to search someone like him—
Even the emperor's nobles and court mages would hesitate to make such a demand.
Still—
"Besides that elf, does Lord Agusheed have any other children with him?"
As the tall and short pair walked off into the distance,
The captain felt a flicker of doubt but quickly dismissed it.
He turned back to the adventurers and merchants still watching,
And bellowed to rouse the stunned guards:
"Don't just stand there! Resume the inspections—"
Inside their cottage, ten minutes later—
Staring blankly at the small master sitting in a chair with a troubled look,
Frieren tilted her head and asked Agusheed:
"You're saying this is Flamme?"
"Absolutely."
Agusheed, still wondering why the Magic of Eternal Youth caused this effect, didn't even look up as he answered.
And hearing Frieren's question and seeing her skeptical gaze—
"Little Flamme" reached out and pinched Frieren's cheek with a sorrowful pout.
"Stupid disciple, what's with that rude look—"
She said angrily, but in her tiny body, it came across more like a pout.
Feeling the familiar strength in her pinch—
Frieren was now convinced the little girl in front of her was indeed Flamme.
Which only deepened her confusion.
After "Little Flamme" finished her revenge pinch,
Frieren rubbed her red cheek and asked:
"Didn't you two go out to find the Magic of Eternal Youth?"
"So how did Flamme end up like this?"
Agusheed thought for a while before replying:
"It's because of the Magic of Eternal Youth that Flamme became like this…"
He furrowed his brow,
Looking at the fuming Flamme clutching Frieren's robe.
"But it shouldn't be like this—"
"When I learned the Magic of Eternal Youth, nothing like this happened…"
"So what now?"
Frieren, now realizing her tiny master was actually pretty cute, asked.
Agusheed stepped forward, picked up "Little Flamme," and gently placed her on his lap.
"My suggestion is to observe for a few days and see."
"Maybe the effect is only temporary. Flamme might return to normal in a few days—"
"Little Flamme" puffed her cheeks.
She looked at her rude disciple and her unreliable husband in frustration.
Frieren couldn't help but reach out and pat her tiny master's head and asked again:
"What if she doesn't return to normal?"
"If she doesn't…"
With a look from "Little Flamme,"
Agusheed removed Frieren's hand and continued:
"Then we'll have to call Serie."
"Little Flamme" nodded—clearly in agreement.
That settled Frieren's last remaining concern.
She had nearly forgotten—no matter what happened to Flamme, Serie would back her up.
Nothing to worry about. As long as Serie showed up, everything would be fine.
But even after all that,
Frieren noticed "Little Flamme" still looked gloomy.
She leaned in curiously:
"If you've already decided to call Serie, what are you still worried about?"
"Little Flamme" turned her head and didn't answer.
But Agusheed replied for her:
"Because before Serie arrives—"
With a light smile, Agusheed added:
"Flamme still has to teach the court mages their lessons."