Fern and Frieren were naturally puzzled, because they had only learned of the location of Aureole from Flamme's journal. Even Frieren herself hadn't discovered the place when she and Himmel's party defeated the Demon King. So, how on earth did this young girl before them know of Aureole's existence?
Fíliya, of course, noticed the confusion in their eyes. She put on a very suggestive expression and spoke slowly.
"Well... you received your information from Flamme's notes, whereas I..."
At this point, Fíliya deliberately built the suspense. Only after Frieren's face showed an expression of keen curiosity did she continue with satisfaction.
"I heard it from Flamme herself."
...Clearly, this was explosive news.
Frieren's eyes widened in an instant as she rapidly considered what Fíliya's words truly meant.
Fern's reaction was much more direct. She immediately spoke up.
"...That's impossible. Lady Flamme existed a thousand years ago. How could you have possibly spoken with her, Fíliya?"
"Mm, it sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? But I really did learn it from her. What's more... Flamme told me quite a few amusing stories about Frieren, should I share one or two? The person in question is right here, so we can verify them."
This time, Fíliya's tone was even teasing.
"Please, you must tell me."
Hearing Fíliya's words, Fern was clearly intrigued. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, and she even grabbed Fíliya's arm with both hands, her interest almost taking on a physical form.
"It's not entirely impossible."
Frieren quickly spoke up to draw their attention to her, lest Fern continue to pester Fíliya into telling embarrassing stories from her past.
This also proved that she did, to some extent, believe Fíliya's words.
If one were to ask why... it could still be explained by that 'vague feeling'.
Although feelings were unreliable to most people, Frieren herself had great faith in such mystical, profound things.
Because she truly did sense a somewhat... familiar scent about Fíliya.
Seeing that both were looking at her, Frieren continued.
"As far as I know, there are several types of magic that can leave behind one's image... Fíliya, did you find a recording that Flamme left behind somewhere?"
"Mmm... that is indeed the case."
Since Frieren had provided an answer herself, Fíliya had no intention of refuting it.
"So that's how it is..."
Because Fíliya's expression was so natural, Frieren couldn't detect the slightest hint of nervousness on the girl's face, so she believed her words.
But Frieren soon frowned, because she remembered... the magic that leaves behind one's image has a major flaw: the 'image' itself possesses no intelligence and can only repeat pre-set content.
If it was a recording of Flamme that conveyed the clues about Aureole to Fíliya, then why would Fíliya say she also knew 'amusing stories' from her past?
There was no reason for Flamme to pass on such trivial matters to future generations... Or was Fíliya just bluffing? But there wasn't a single crack in the girl's expression...
Mmm, something feels off.
...As Frieren was pondering, Miss Fíliya herself was also hesitating.
She even considered saying to the two before her—
"You don't need to go to Aureole at all. Give me your mana, and I can let you see the person you cherish and care for most right now."
But in the end, she abandoned the idea. After all, she had known them for less than a day. Dropping one bombshell after another would only be counterproductive, and the level of trust between them was not yet sufficient... Even if she were to show them her 'Higan,' she would have to pick a more suitable time.
The mere thought of getting a huge payoff from Frieren in the future made Miss Fíliya tremble with excitement. At the same time, she was a little curious: if she were to use Higan on Frieren, would the person who appeared be the hero Himmel, or Flamme?
"Fíliya..."
Just as Miss Fíliya was lost in her fantasy, Frieren's voice brought her back to reality.
"Hm?"
Fíliya smiled as she looked over.
Of course, she knew what Frieren was puzzled about; after all, she had deliberately created the flaw herself.
She wanted Frieren to become curious about her. Even suspicion was fine; as long as she handled it correctly, suspicion could be reversed into solid trust.
"Would you like to travel with us?"
Eh?
Frieren's question was a little unexpected for Fíliya. She thought Frieren would continue to press for information about Flamme, but she quickly recovered.
"Of course, no problem! In fact, I should be the one asking. The chance to travel with the legendary mage is not an opportunity everyone gets!"
Fíliya's reason for agreeing so decisively was also simple.
Because Frieren's party was heading to the northernmost part of the continent, they would inevitably have to pass through the Northern Plateau.
The land route through the Northern Plateau was currently sealed off, and only powerful mages with a First-Class Mage certification were permitted to pass.
If they didn't want to take the long detour by sea... Frieren's future travel route was very easy to predict.
Other than heading to the city of magic—Äußerst, where else could they go?
And since her own goal was to return home anyway, traveling with Frieren's party now would be a rare experience. Fíliya certainly had no reason to refuse.
"Um... Fíliya... Lady Frieren is a very troublesome person. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Looking at Fíliya's excited expression, Fern just silently shook her head, wondering how anyone could see this terrible white-haired elf through rose-tinted glasses.
"o(￣▽￣)o#) Hehe... It's not just Frieren, you know? I'm very interested in you too, Fern. I feel like we could become great friends... You wouldn't turn me away, would you? o(T_T)o?"
As Fíliya spoke, she immediately put on a pitiful expression.
"Eh?... Of course I wouldn't refuse."
Fern blinked blankly.
"I knew you were a good person, Fern."
Fíliya even looked like she was about to pounce on Fern for a bear hug, but Fern quickly snapped out of her bewilderment.
She swiftly put out a hand and held Fíliya's head to prevent the hug.
"Mmph... ahem."
Seeing that Fern seemed resistant to close contact between members of the same sex, Fíliya didn't insist.
After covering her embarrassment with a cough, Fíliya extended her hand to Frieren.
"Well then... for the time being, I'll be in your care, Frieren (senpai), alright?"
"Mm... Welcome to the party, Fíliya."
Frieren smiled as well.
Although she was suspicious of many of Fíliya's claims, it was only to the level of puzzlement, far from hostility.
But in her view, this young girl held quite a few... secrets worth uncovering.
___
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