“You really know how to rip people off,” Fred said as he walked, observing the pedestrians strolling down the street. He noticed that there were quite a few men shopping with their children. He kept complaining, “I’ve never bought a gift for anyone.”
Rhea ran to a shop window and looked with great interest at the Christmas-themed paintings and posters displayed there, as well as the decorative magic crystals that glowed below.
"Hehehe," she chuckled slyly, then sensed something amiss in the Demon Lord's words, "You... have never bought gifts for your son and daughter?"
The Demon Lord did not turn around, but gazed at a family of four in the distance: a pair of parents with happy smiles on their faces and two jubilant siblings sandwiched between them.
"Tch, that's so dishonest."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing! I just said I was hungry!"
"...I really shouldn't have agreed to bring you to Snova. Follow me." After saying that, Fred turned into a less traveled path.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?"
"Didn't you say you wanted food? If so, then don't ask and come with me. Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've come to the human realm to taste local cuisine."
Rhea was curious; both sides were lined with small villas-like houses. Wasn't this a residential area? The Demon Lord impatiently explained that this was a shortcut leading to the other end of the main street.
Fred walked ahead in silence. Seeing this, Rhea, to avoid boredom, casually brought up a topic.
"Why don't we talk about our adventures on different continents?"
"My deeds? There's nothing worth mentioning. But I am interested in your so-called five thousand years of cultivation."
"Although the way you're asking doesn't seem very pleasant," Rhea said, an angry swastika rising above her head, "I'll let you, the Demon Lord, see for yourself..."
"...Huh?"
As Rhea was enthusiastically recounting her adventures in the Demon Realm, she noticed Fred suddenly stop in front of the iron fence of a two-story pearl-white house, his gaze lingering for a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Let's keep going. We're almost there for 'Chinese Cuisine'."
"It's already dusk. Although the nighttime is when the real Christmas atmosphere is, the spacetime wormhole leading to 'the other side' is starting to break down. So, let's call it a day! I have to get back before sunset."
"I couldn't be happier! Have a safe trip, girl!"
"Although what you said may sound a bit harsh and displeased me, I'll still say thank you for today out of politeness!"
"Then I accept."
"Ugh! You're still so sharp-tongued even at the end!"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"It's nothing! I'm leaving now!" Rhea was the last to disappear into the blue dimensional tunnel. As soon as the girl entered, the entrance gradually shrank and became indistinct.
"Hey! Why aren't you coming in!"
"I forgot to tell you, because we're on the same continent, I can travel freely. I'll stay a little longer. Goodbye, girl!"
The opening closed, leaving no trace of a dimensional rift.
Alone, the Demon Lord gazed at the golden sunset from an unreachable distance, a glint of something unfathomable flickering in his deep eyes, like the past, like a memory.
A familiar male voice came from behind, along with the pleasant sloshing of wine in its container, "Want a couple of drinks?"
"Oh, so you're free today."
Saint-Zel tossed a glass bottle filled with sparkling red wine to Fred, and then the two sat down on the ground.
"How's that guy doing lately?"
"Firsa?"
"Nonsense, do you think I have a second bastard son?"
"...After returning from your trip to the Southern Continent, your skills have indeed improved considerably. Inside the Clock Tower, I was defeated by his awakened ultimate technique. Truly, the younger generation surpasses the older; it's time for you to be proud of your successor." Saint Zell gazed up at the starlight gradually illuminating the night sky, which soon overshadowed the brilliance of the lone blue star beside him.
"...Have you regressed or what?"
“However, when he fought me that day, Philsa did not use the ‘symbol’. I guess he can no longer use the power of that symbol after his battle with you.”
Fred remained silent.
"However, a new mark appeared on his right cheek, which should be the 'Traveler's Certificate' that circulates in the Adventurers' Guild."
"There really is such a thing. At first, I thought it was just a rumor spread by the Adventurers' Guild to intimidate the demons."
"...In short, you have embarked on two completely different paths for your respective beliefs, and one day you will meet and confront each other again."
Fred stood up, leaving the half-empty bottle on the snow.
"I will prove to you with a prosperous continent of Valentino that the path I have chosen is correct. After tonight, we will be enemies again tomorrow."
"By the way, aren't you going to ask about Iphie's situation?"
“His sister is the one I need to worry about the least.”
Fred swung his sword forward, tearing through dimensions, and the rift in the time wormhole reopened. Then, with his back to his friend, he took out and donned the ice mask, the symbol of the Demon Lord, from his robes. Without looking back, his figure gradually disappeared into the endless dimensional tunnel until he vanished.
After Fred left, Saint Zell picked up the two bottles on the ground and headed towards the only radiant light on the mountaintop—the Royal Magic Academy of the Far North.
The swirling snow covered all traces left behind, including the aroma of red wine, footprints in the snow, and the warmth of people. Everything came and went in a hurry, vanishing without a trace.
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