Frieren: Understand Humans, Aura!

In other words, Zanze somewhat regretted moving in. Although she was the only one who met the three conditions in the Kribi—knowing Aura's identity as a demon, having experience "raising" Aura, and possessing strength that wouldn't be overshadowed by her—Zanze was the president of the Magic Association. She had almost no free time and now had to endure the terrible habits of a demon.

With high pressure at work and explosive emotions in life, if things continue like this, Zanze feels that he will die young——

Serie's voice echoed in her memory, a casual suggestion she had once made: "If you can't stand her, just tie her up and stuff her in a jar. Problem solved." Zanze had thought that was too cruel, but just now, for a brief moment, Zanze considered it.

"What was that look you gave me just now? It was exactly like that old hag, Serie. Haha—really looks just like it... Zanze, you have to see the expression you had just now in the mirror. Every time Serie threatens to put me in a jar, she makes that same grim expression, haha—"

"..."

"Zanze, say something! You don't actually want to put me in a jar, right?!"

"... Eh."

Zanze sighed, feeling that it was probably better not to scare Aura.

Not because she had softened, but because demons are not frightened by things that haven't truly happened to them—she had tried this before, and after a few days, when Aura realized she wouldn't actually be put in a jar, she would mock her, making fun of humans as weak and useless, which was really irritating.

"Put this collar on." Zanze took out a purple collar from her body and threw it at Aura. She thought Aura would at least resist for a while, but the demon obediently put it on, as if she was used to it.

"Uh… why are you putting it on your neck, like a dog?" Zanze was surprised.

"Isn't it supposed to be worn on the neck?" Aura tugged at the shackles on her neck, tilting her head, not understanding. Where else could it be worn? The shackles Flamme gave her were also worn around the neck.

"Put it on your horns. I can't believe you tied it so tightly; it didn't even choke you." Zanze watched Aura fumble but couldn't take the collar off. Zanze had to step in, easily removing it and placing it on her horns, then unlocking the shackles.

In an instant, the restraints on Aura disappeared, and her mana began to flow.

Aura's previously dazed expression suddenly turned sharp. Zanze reached to help her arrange her hair, but was immediately grabbed. The demon's strength, combined with the magical suppression, made Zanze struggle a few times but still unable to break free.

Looking up, Zanze met Aura's eyes that were gleaming with dangerous light, and instantly understood what she was thinking.

Once again, she was probably planning to use her mana to suppress and force her escape.

The white-haired elf named Frieren had warned Zanze about Aura's "do not harm humans" command being lifted. In this city of magic, the number of human mages capable of defeating Aura in direct combat was likely less than five, and Zanze wasn't one of them.

Luckily, Zanze had prepared in advance.

"Aura, don't you want to ask what this collar is for?"

"Don't try to trick me. I can feel that there's no punishment or controlling magic inside this collar."

"Correct. There's only a simple sensing magic inside."

"A simple sensing magic? Without the anti-magic restrictions, even Flamme couldn't possibly kill me from a thousand meters away!"

"It's from Lady Serie."

"Zanze… please don't tell anyone about what just happened!" Aura knelt down skillfully, touched her forehead to the ground, and begged Zanze.

"What happened just now?"

"Nothing happened!"

Aura almost exposed herself but quickly bounced up, pretending nothing was wrong, obediently kneeling behind Zanze, watching her busying herself, hands on her knees, not moving her eyes.

Zanze ignored her, twisting her sore wrist, which Aura had grabbed earlier. She put the shackles away, originally planning to pack them in her small suitcase and return them to Flamme tomorrow at the Magic Association, but after witnessing Aura's naughty behavior, Zanze reconsidered. She decided to keep the shackles; they might come in handy later.

As for Flamme, she would explain everything to her. Zanze believed she would understand, especially since Flamme was the one most concerned about Aura.

At first, Flamme had even suggested that the shackles shouldn't be removed from Aura... Zanze had thought Flamme was being too sensitive then...

Looking back, it was Zanze who had overestimated Aura's limits.

"Zanze… does this collar allow Serie to sense my location?"

"Yes."

"Then, if I try to escape, I won't be struck by a thunderbolt from the sky, right... Haha…"

Zanze could only stare at her.

"..."

"I won't be struck by a thunderbolt on my head, right?"

Zanze keep staring at her.

"...."

"Right???"

"...."

Keep staring....

"Zanze, say something… please, don't stay silent, I'm so scared, hiks hiks!"

Fear, yes, fear was the right thing.

After cleaning up the mess Aura had made of the house, Zanze walked up to her and grabbed her horn, the one on the left that was broken.

Watching Aura close her eyes, tears streaming down her face, even though Zanze knew the demon was just acting, she still couldn't remain indifferent to her expression—perhaps this was the reason Serie didn't want her to fight demons on the frontlines.

"Aura," Zanze said softly.

Aura flinched, trembling from head to toe as though the sound of her name carried physical weight. She threw her arms over her head and whimpered pitifully, her broken horn just brushing Zanze's fingers. "Don't hit me! I promise I won't run away again! Waaah—please don't punish me!" Her voice cracked, a perfect imitation of fear and desperation.

If it were just a beating, Aura could take it. Her tough skin and flesh could withstand human punches and kicks.

But if Zanze used magic, Aura's remaining horn wouldn't survive the day.

Zanze sighed audibly this time, releasing Aura's horn and shaking her head. "Go take a bath," she ordered. "You stink."

Aura sat up slightly, brushing tears away with the back of her hand. "I don't stink," she shot back indignantly, her voice still wavering.

"You smell like blood," Zanze replied flatly.

"That's my fragrance," Aura retorted, puffing her chest out slightly in mock pride.

Zanze's expression darkened, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. "If you don't go, I'll snap your other horn."

Aura froze, her eyes wide. "I'm going!" she yelped, scrambling to her feet.

The sound of water soon echoed from the bathroom, the steady splashing occasionally punctuated by Aura's grumbling complaints. After what felt like an eternity, the demon emerged, her pale skin clean and her long purple hair damp, falling in messy waves around her shoulders. She wore a simple robe that Zanze had left out for her, which hung awkwardly on her frame but did its job.

"Sit," Zanze commanded, holding a comb in her hand.

Aura plopped onto the floor obediently, both hands on top of her thighs.

Zanze began combing through Aura's damp hair. The strands were surprisingly soft, though they tangled easily. With practiced patience, she worked through each knot.

"Your hair's grown," Zanze commented, running her fingers through the length. "It's almost at your waist now."

Aura tilted her head slightly. "Not as long as yours," she replied.

"Sooner or later, it'll be longer than mine," Zanze said, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Aura retorted. "Then you'll have to comb it yourself. I'm not helping."

"Right, right. I never expected Aura to help me comb my hair," Zanze teased.

Their banter continued for a few moments before the house fell quiet again. Late at night, the two went to their separate rooms. Zanze lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind already preoccupied with the demands of tomorrow. Aura, in her own room, lay sprawled on the mattress, her hair still slightly damp.

——————

The following days passed uneventfully.

Zanze left the house early each morning, her schedule packed with the endless responsibilities of the Magic Association. She returned home late in the evening, often exhausted but always vigilant. While she didn't forbid Aura from leaving the house, she made it clear that the demon should wear a hat if she went outside.

Aura, however, never left. Every time she opened the door to peek outside, she was greeted by the sight of Frieren next door, the elf waving cheerfully at her.

Aura would silently close the door again.

She never went out even once.