The cold air of the mountain outskirts whistled through the cliffside, carrying with it the boy's hesitant words. Stark stood with his axe still in hand, his knuckles pale as he gripped the handle. His face was stiff, trying to look firm, but the way his eyes darted between Frieren and Naru betrayed the nerves bubbling inside him.
Frieren's cloak swayed in the breeze as she spoke, her voice soft but deliberate. "We're heading north. We need a vanguard. Eisen was our first choice, but he declined. He recommended you."
That name alone made Stark's grip on his axe tighten. Eisen. His mentor, the man who had raised him in the way of the warrior, the one who entrusted him with the skills to survive. It felt heavy—being chosen, recommended. But the weight of fear crushed harder than pride.
Frieren's green eyes lingered on him, unchanging, steady as the mountains around them. "We want you to come with us on our journey."
Stark swallowed. For a long moment, he didn't respond. The words hung between them like frost in the morning air. Finally, he shifted uncomfortably and muttered, "That's... that's a nice offer and all, but no."
Naru tilted her head, her short blonde ponytails bouncing slightly. Her bright blue eyes blinked at him, wide and innocent. "No?" she repeated, like it was a foreign word.
Stark exhaled heavily, lowering his axe but keeping it close, like a shield. His voice cracked with tension. "I've heard the stories. The Northern Lands... it's not just some quiet snowy field. It's crawling with monsters. The Northern Plateau, the Imperial Kingdom, the Demon Lands themselves... it's all death waiting for anyone dumb enough to walk in. I'm not an idiot. I'm afraid, alright? I don't want to die out there." His voice grew louder, more desperate with every word, like he needed to convince himself as much as them.
Naru stepped forward, her orange-themed white dress fluttering, her horns catching the pale sunlight. She placed a hand over her chest, her tone calm, steady—absolute confidence with none of his fear. "Stark-sama needs no fear. Naru is here." Her blue gaze lifted proudly as if her words alone could shield the whole world.
Frieren, still as ever, added with no hesitation, "And I am here too."
Their certainty only made Stark's chest tighten more. He raised his axe slightly, not in threat this time but in agitation, in protest. "You say that, but—!" His voice cracked again. He jabbed the axe in Naru's direction. "You expect me to go traveling with... with that! With a demon?" The words sliced the air like his blade would have.
Naru froze for a second, then slowly raised her hand, pointing her index finger at herself. "...Naru?"
"Yes, you! Don't play dumb!" Stark snapped, his frustration and nerves leaking out in one messy burst.
There was a pause. Then Naru blinked slowly, her lips curving into what she probably thought was a reassuring smile. "No need to worry. Naru can multiply."
Before Stark could even ask what she meant, there was a puff of smoke and two more Narus stepped forward on either side of her, their identical blue eyes unblinking, all three sets staring at him in eerie unison. "See?" Naru said proudly, arms crossed. "Stark-sama safe now."
The boy's face drained of color. He let out an embarrassingly sharp, "Eeep!" and stumbled back a step, clutching his axe like it was the only thing between him and a nightmare. His hands shook.
"That—That's ridiculous! How's multiplying make anything safer?! That's just more demons! And all of them staring at me with— with those eyes! You're insane! Do you even realize how dangerous that is?! What if you—what if she—what if all of you turn against us?!" His breath was fast, uneven, every syllable carrying the panic of a boy whose courage hadn't caught up with his body.
Frieren let out a soft sigh, her eyes lowering slightly as if she were tired of repeating herself. "She won't. She's unique, but harmless. You can trust her."
Stark shook his head furiously, his hair whipping across his forehead. "No! I can't. This is—this is crazy. You're crazy. Just... just go away!" His voice cracked again, but this time it carried the sharp edge of finality. He wasn't going to budge.
For a moment, silence returned to the cliffside. The only sound was the distant wind sweeping through the mountain paths. Naru tilted her head again, her clones flickering out with a soft puff of mana, leaving her standing alone once more. Her stoic expression didn't change, but her voice was quieter, almost puzzled. "Stark-sama doesn't want Naru?"
Stark's lips pressed into a tight line. He didn't answer.
Frieren's gaze lingered on him for another long moment, searching, reading him, then she turned to Naru. "Come on."
Naru nodded once, still calm but her steps slower than usual as she followed her master. The two walked back down the path, the sound of their boots fading into the mountain air, leaving Stark alone with his axe, his doubts, and the hammering of his heart.
"If you're listening to this, this means the story is stolen. The author didn't give anyone the permission to use it. Report the channel and video."
When he was sure they were gone, Stark exhaled shakily, slumping against the cliff wall. His hands still trembled around his weapon. He muttered under his breath, half-angry, half-scared, and fully conflicted. "...Eisen... why me?"
—oOVOo—
The woods of Riegel were peaceful compared to the misty forest they had trudged through earlier, but that peace was broken when Frieren's sharp gaze caught sight of movement in the distance. The two stopped at the edge of a clearing. There, basking lazily in a patch of sunlight, was a Solar Dragon. Its scales shimmered like molten gold, its massive wings tucked neatly against its back as it lounged with all the arrogance of a creature that knew it ruled this part of the forest. The air smelled faintly of scorched wood, remnants of its last yawn most likely.
Naru tilted her head, her blonde ponytails swaying as she peered at the monster. "Pretty lizard."
Frieren's lips tugged slightly—half amusement, half wariness. "Pretty lizard that could burn this entire clearing to ash with a single breath. That's a Solar Dragon."
Naru blinked. "...Naru can fight it, 'ttebayo."
Frieren crossed her arms. "Not with just your strength."
The younger demon puffed her cheeks, almost like a sulking child. "But Naru is strong."
"I know you're strong," Frieren said, her tone calm and matter-of-fact. "But this one is resistant to magic and shrugging off spells is its specialty. Brute force is what kills it, not mana. And while you're tougher than most, you're not that tough yet. We'd need a warrior to bring it down."
Naru fell quiet, staring at the dragon as it lazily flicked its tail, sending ripples of heat through the grass. She tightened her fists, but said no more. Instead, the duo silently retreated back into the woods.
As the dragon's golden glow faded behind the trees, Naru finally spoke, her voice small and halting. "...Was it Naru's fault?"
Frieren glanced down at her, eyes narrowing slightly in question. "Your fault?"
Naru stopped walking, her boots crunching in the snow-dusted undergrowth. She looked down at her hands, flexing them as though the answer lay in her palms. "If Naru wasn't a demon… Stark-sama might have come with us. He looked at Naru like Naru is scary. Maybe he would've said yes if Naru was just… human."
The words hung heavy, and for a moment the woods felt colder.
Frieren turned, her expression unreadable as always, but her hand moved almost on instinct. She reached out, lightly patting Naru's head. The blonde froze, wide blue eyes blinking up at her mentor.
Frieren's voice was soft but steady. "Everyone has their own fears. Just because he's afraid of you doesn't mean he hates you. Fear is something people can overcome. I'm sure he'll come around."
Naru's lips trembled slightly, caught between stoicism and something fragile beneath. She nodded, slowly.
Frieren let her hand drop, adjusting the strap of her satchel as though the moment hadn't happened. "For now, we wait."
"Wait?"
"Yes." Frieren's gaze wandered toward the village they had left behind. "He's Eisen's student. He isn't someone who runs forever. We'll give him time. For now… let's get an inn."
Naru tilted her head again. "Inn?"
Frieren's expression softened just a fraction, a gleam in her eye that Naru had come to recognize—and dread. "I'm itching to see what kind of magical trinkets this place has. The Riegel Region is known for traders passing through. We might find something useful."
Naru stiffened, shaking her head furiously, twin ponytails bouncing with the motion. "...Please do not waste money, Frieren-sama."
But Frieren was already walking, completely ignoring the plea.
Naru's shoulders slumped as she trudged after her, muttering, "Frieren-sama is hopeless… 'ttebayo."
The woods fell silent again, the shadow of the Solar Dragon lingering behind them, and the weight of Stark's decision pressing at the edges of Naru's thoughts. But Frieren's calm reassurance echoed louder than the doubt. And Naru believed her.
The inn was warm, filled with the soft buzz of chatter and the smell of roasted meat. Naru sat across from Frieren at the long wooden table, a plate of meager bread and soup between them. She chewed slowly, blank-faced as always, while her twin orange ribbons swayed every so slightly whenever she leaned forward.
Outside the window, the night was alive with little bursts of light—sparks flashing on the outskirts of the village, painting the snow faintly orange for a second before dying out.
Naru blinked, her spoon hovering halfway to her mouth. "...Fireworks?"
Frieren, already sipping from her cup, glanced over without much interest. "No. That's Stark."
"Stark-sama?"
"Yes. He's been at it for months. The villagers are used to it by now."
Naru tilted her head slowly, her blue eyes following another crackle of sparks in the distance. "...He's playing outside?"
Frieren let out the tiniest sigh. "He's training."
Naru slurped her soup in silence, then muttered, "Looks fun."
Frieren didn't answer immediately, because she was busy glaring into her empty purse. With an expression so subtle most would miss it, she turned it upside down—only for a single copper coin to fall onto the table with a sad clink.
Naru's spoon froze. "...Did Frieren-sama gamble?"
Frieren's eyebrow twitched. "No."
Naru blinked, unimpressed. "...Drink?"
"No."
She tilted her head farther, ribbons dangling dangerously close to her soup. "...You bought cake?"
Frieren's lips pressed into a thin line. "A rare magical potion."
Naru leaned forward, staring at the bottle sitting in Frieren's bag. A plain glass bottle filled with cloudy water. She stared. And stared. And stared some more. Then finally, very flatly: "...It's water."
Frieren coughed into her sleeve, refusing to look her in the eye. "It's… a scam."
Naru's expression didn't change. She just nodded slowly, then took another spoonful of soup as if it all made sense now. "...We have no money, 'ttebayo."
Frieren leaned her cheek against her hand. "Yes. No money… and not enough food."
Naru stopped chewing. Her wide eyes blinked once. Then twice. Then she asked, completely straight-faced: "...Should Naru eat Frieren-sama?"
Frieren's hand twitched. "No."
"...Okay." Naru went back to chewing.
A moment passed in silence, broken only by the laughter of villagers at another table and the faint crackle of Stark's "fireworks" in the distance. Frieren finally spoke again.
"Take him some food."
Naru looked down at her plate. Then back at Frieren. Then back at her plate. "…We only have little food."
Frieren lifted a finger, her tone even. "It's an investment."
Naru stared at her blankly. Then her mouth made a perfect little 'o' of realization. "...Oh."
Without another word, she reached over and pinched a piece of bread from the plate, picked up a half-cooked fish skewer, and stood up.
Frieren blinked at her. "...That's it?"
Naru nodded solemnly. "Enough for investment."
With her stoic little face set like stone, Naru shuffled toward the door, holding the "offering" in both hands as if she were some kind of ritual priestess delivering tribute. The other diners watched her with faint amusement as she walked out into the snowy night, ribbons bobbing with each calm step.
Frieren leaned back in her chair, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Well… let's see if the investment pays off."
Meanwhile, Naru walked into the cold with bread in one hand and fish in the other, completely unfazed by the freezing air. In the distance, sparks lit the night once more, and she marched toward them without a shred of hesitation—expression flat, steps steady, like a little blonde soldier on a very important mission.
—oOVOo—
The night was alive with sparks. Each time Stark's axe smashed into the cliff, stone shattered and lit embers of light scattered into the air like fireflies. His breaths came harsh, his shoulders heaving, but he swung again and again, as though if he stopped even once the world itself would crumble around him.
Then he felt it.
His arms stiffened mid-swing, his knuckles whitening on the axe handle. That prickling, heavy feeling at his back—the same one that had haunted him ever since he laid eyes on her. Slowly, Stark turned.
There she was.
The doll-faced demon girl, ribbons bobbing slightly in the night wind, holding a half piece of bread and a fish skewer like some kind of absurd ceremonial offering. Her expression didn't change, wide blue eyes locked on him, blank as the moon overhead.
His grip on the axe tightened. "...Are you here to kill me?"
Her head tilted, ribbons swaying. "...No."
The sparks from the cliff wall died out, leaving only the pale glow of moonlight. Stark stared at her, jaw tight. "…Then what are you here for?"
Naru looked down at the food in her hands, then back up at him with the same calm, stoic face. "...Brought Stark-sama food."
His brow furrowed. He gave a sharp, almost bitter laugh. "Food? Don't joke with me. It's poisoned, isn't it?"
She blinked slowly, deadpan. "...No."
But his body remained tense, his grip on the axe refusing to loosen. When she stepped closer, the snow crunching under her shoes, he shifted back instinctively—shoulders up, every nerve bracing for an attack that never came.
Naru stopped just a few steps away, tilting her head slightly, voice calm. "...Why does Stark-sama hate demons?"
His jaw locked. He didn't answer right away, just stared at her like he couldn't believe she dared ask. But then his eyes darkened, his breath coming heavy.
"Because demons are evil." His voice was sharp, raw. "There was one… a demon… it killed everyone in my village. Everyone. That's why." The words were heavy, thick, spilling with an anger he hadn't released in years. But Naru didn't flinch. She only blinked, ribbons swaying lightly as she answered, voice even as ever:
"...Naru has never killed anyone."
He faltered, lips parting slightly, but she pressed on.
"It's not Naru you are afraid of…"
His head jerked up, his expression tight. "What do you mean?"
Her gaze was steady, almost too simple, too innocent in its delivery. "...Stark-sama is afraid of… something else."
He grit his teeth, frustration flashing in his eyes. "What would you understand?"
Naru tilted her head. "...Naru is dumb. Frieren-ama always says so." She said it without a hint of shame, as if stating the weather. Then she added, with the same calm finality: "But Naru knows… Stark-sama is in pain."
Something flickered in his eyes—shock, anger, maybe even fear. "Oh? And how do you know that?"
Naru glanced at the cliff. Then back at him. Then she pointed, as though the answer was obvious. "This cliff. Stark-sama is strong. Very strong. Enough to break it in a week… but Stark-sama has been here for months."
His breath caught. "You don't want to leave."
The silence that followed was so thick it weighed heavier than his axe. His hands trembled slightly against the weapon, eyes wide.
Then, without a word, Naru bent her knees and gripped the axe with one hand. She lifted it up, the massive blade wobbling slightly in her grasp. Even with her strength, it felt heavy, almost crushing, her arm straining against the weight.
She stared at it quietly. "...Stark-sama is really strong."
Her gaze lifted to him, her voice calm, stoic, but carrying the faintest echo of something more. "But… what are you truly afraid of?"
"Leave."
The word cut the night like an axe swing. Stark's voice was low, tight, his eyes shadowed. He didn't want to hear any more. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to be reminded of things he buried deep. But Naru didn't move. She blinked slowly, ribbons bobbing in the faint breeze. Her tone didn't shift, still calm, almost too calm. "...Naru hates demons too."
Stark's head twitched, his eyes narrowing as if he wasn't sure he'd heard her right.
"When Naru was little…" Her voice was even, almost story-like, as if she was reading it off some unseen page. "…an old lady helped Naru. She was very kind. But one day demons attacked the village. She… died."
For the first time, her voice dipped—not trembling, but quieter, a flat calm that still carried weight. Her gaze flickered down, then back up. "Heiter-sama found Naru and took her in. That's why…" Her fingers brushed the ribbon at her hair absentmindedly. "...Naru has a goal now. To travel with Frieren-sama. To meet new people. To help those in need. And to stay with them… until the end of the journey."
The words lingered, sinking into the night air.
Stark stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. His lips parted as if to say something, but no sound came out. Then, slowly, he stood, dusting snow and grit from his pants, and turned his back on her. His footsteps crunched against the ground. He was walking away.
Naru's head tilted slightly, her eyes following his broad back. Her lips parted. "...Eisen-sama told Naru to tell Stark-sama something."
He froze. His body stiffened mid-step.
She continued, her voice carrying softly through the quiet night. "...Everyone feels fear. And those who overcome it… are the true warriors, 'ttebayo."
The syllable slipped out uninvited, awkward and out of place. Her eyes widened a fraction. She blinked twice, almost owlishly, realizing she had tacked on the unnecessary word at the end. But Stark didn't laugh. Didn't mock. Didn't speak.
Instead, he walked forward, his steps steady, reached out, and grabbed the axe still buried in the stone. With a sharp exhale, he swung.
The strike tore through the cliff with blinding brilliance, sparks exploding into a wave of dazzling light. The night roared, rocks shattering, and when the dust cleared, the jagged wall that had tormented him for months was split apart. A clean, shining path stretched out ahead.
Naru's eyes widened, actually widened, the faintest flicker of awe breaking through her doll-like face. "..."
Stark exhaled, his chest rising and falling. His hand loosened from the axe as he looked back at her, a faint smirk tugging at the edge of his lips. "You said you brought food, right?"
Naru nodded once, expression blank as ever. "...Yes."
She turned her head to the side where she'd left it, lifting a finger to point—only to stop mid-motion.
Because there, squatting happily on a rock, was a fat brown monkey. Cheeks puffed out, tail flicking, it was munching the bread with both hands while the fish skewer dangled half-eaten from its mouth.
Naru blinked. Once. Twice. Her lips parted. "...Aa."
The monkey gave a screech of delight, stuffing the rest of the fish into its mouth before scampering off into the trees, crumbs trailing behind.
The silence that followed was so absurdly long it felt like it had its own weight.
"..."
Stark stared at her.
"..."
Naru looked back at him, ribbons bobbing faintly. "...Monkey ate it."
His eyebrow twitched. "...Yeah. I can see that."
—oOVOo—
The forest opened into a wide, scarred clearing, the earth blackened and cracked where the Solar Dragon had burned it long ago. Its scales shimmered faintly in the moonlight, a great hulking beast crouched low, the air trembling from its breath alone.
"Magic is useless against that thing," Frieren said, voice flat and matter-of-fact, as though she were pointing out the weather. Her cloak shifted lazily in the night wind. "You'll have to brute force it. Kill it with your strength."
Stark froze. His axe felt heavier already. "…Wait, what? Why me? Why isn't she—" he jerked his chin toward Naru, who stood blankly beside Frieren, ribbons bobbing gently.
Naru opened her mouth, lips parting like she was about to explain herself. But Frieren cut in smoothly, not even looking at her. "She's feeling sick."
Naru blinked. "…Naru is?" Her hand went up to her own forehead, fingers brushing against her skin as though checking a fever. "…Doesn't look—"
"The dragon already sensed us," Frieren interrupted, voice perfectly calm.
The Solar Dragon stirred, head lifting, green eyes blazing as its nostrils flared.
Without hesitation, Frieren's fingers twitched, and both she and Naru floated upward, their forms drifting into the treeline like two bored balloons. Naru's feet dangled stiffly, her expression unchanging even as the wind caught her ribbons.
"…Eh?" Stark gulped audibly, his knees nearly locking.
The dragon's head snapped toward him. It lunged.
The ground trembled as Stark barely swung his axe up to block, sparks flashing.
From their vantage point above, Frieren and Naru watched in silence.
Naru tilted her head a fraction. "…Looks hard."
"Yes," Frieren replied casually, arms folded as her eyes tracked the clashing figure below.
For a moment, the only sounds were claws scraping against steel and Stark's panicked shouting. Then Naru's eyes flicked sideways, just slightly. "…So… why?"
"I wanted to see what Stark is capable of alone," Frieren admitted, still in that lazy drawl that made everything she said sound like it required no effort at all. "That's why I lied."
"…Aa." Naru blinked, digesting it as if it were the most natural betrayal in the world.
Below, Stark was shoved back, his boots digging trenches into the dirt. He roared, swinging desperately, only for his axe to skid off the dragon's armored hide.
"…He's struggling," Naru observed blankly.
Frieren's brows furrowed ever so slightly, recalling a voice from a long time ago. Her master, Flamme, smiling faintly by the firelight. "Sometimes cheering helps humans. Just a little push, and they can surpass themselves."
"…Flamme once said cheering helps," Frieren murmured. She exhaled through her nose, then turned to Naru. "Let's cheer."
Naru blinked slowly. "Cheer?"
"Yes." Frieren's expression didn't shift an inch.
Naru turned her head back down to the clearing, her mouth parting just a little. Her voice came out flat, monotone, like she was reading a grocery list. "…Do your best, Stark-sama."
Frieren followed, equally lifeless, her tone lazy enough it might've been mistaken for a yawn. "…Yeah. Go, Stark."
Below, Stark's eyebrow twitched mid-swing.
"…Don't give up, Stark-sama," Naru droned, ribbons bouncing faintly with her voice.
"…Believe in yourself, Stark," Frieren added in the same voice she might use to ask for another blanket.
"Y—You two are the worst!" Stark barked, ducking under the dragon's jaws. His face flushed with frustration, and with a sharp, furious yell, he swung his axe in a wide, brutal arc.
Steel bit through scale.
The dragon's head flew from its body, a brilliant burst of light exploding outward as the creature collapsed in two.
The forest fell silent.
Stark froze in place, chest heaving. His hands trembled on the axe handle, his eyes wide as he stared at the fallen beast.
"…I…" His lips pulled into a stunned smile. "I can't believe I actually did that."
Above, Frieren's voice drifted down, as indifferent as ever. "That was a very weak dragon."
"…Aa." Naru nodded beside her, deadpan as always.
Stark whipped his head upward, veins popping on his forehead. "W–WEAK?! You two—!"
Stark's face was red, his hands still shaking from adrenaline. He looked like he wanted to both laugh and cry at the same time. His mouth opened, but before he could say anything, Naru's calm, monotone voice floated down from the treetops.
"…Stark-sama cut it… nicely."
Her blue eyes blinked slowly, ribbons swaying as though that had been the most profound compliment in existence.
Stark nearly fell to his knees. "N-nicely? That was a dragon! I just risked my life out here!"
Frieren hovered beside Naru, eyes heavy-lidded, her voice as lazy as drifting smoke. "…Good job. You didn't die."
"'Didn't die'?!" Stark's voice cracked like a teenager's. "That's the bar?!"
"…Aa." Naru nodded, expression still as stone. "The bar is survival, 'ttebayo."
Stark smacked a hand against his forehead, dragging it down his face in despair. "…You two are seriously impossible…"
Frieren tilted her head, studying him like he was some odd plant. "…But you did well. You're stronger than you think."
That caught him off guard. His rant cut short, mouth opening slightly as he blinked at her.
Naru, of course, followed up in her usual deadpan tone. "…Stark-sama was shiny when cutting the dragon. Like… slice. Very cool."
"'Shiny'?! That's— That's not even—!" Stark groaned, glaring up at them. "You're both hopeless!"
But despite himself, there was a grin creeping onto his face now, small but genuine. He couldn't hold it back. His chest swelled a little, pride mixing with relief.
Frieren and Naru floated back down gently, landing lightly on the grass near the dragon's corpse. Naru walked over and poked its severed head with the tip of her shoe, her face blank as usual.
"…Very dead."
"…Yes," Frieren agreed simply.
Stark threw his arms in the air. "Of course it's dead! I chopped its head off!"
Naru glanced up at him, tilting her head a fraction. "…You did chop… nicely."
That time, Stark actually laughed, shoulders shaking as he covered his face with a hand. "Ugh… fine. I'll take it. I'll take nicely."
Frieren yawned softly, turning her gaze away from the dragon. "…Let's go. The air here smells like blood."
Naru nodded, trailing after her. "…Also burnt."
Stark sighed, hoisting his axe onto his back as he followed. "…You two are insane."