Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Seven days later, they finally arrived at their destination.

Originally, it would have taken only around four days, but Flamme wasn't in a hurry to arrive so soon—she was interested in the scenery along the way. It had been a long time since she'd last come to visit her master, and the landscape had changed a lot; she couldn't bear simply passing it by.

Shichen also wanted to spend more time with the two of them, unconcerned about the setting, so he didn't mind. Only Frieren complained nonstop the whole journey, wanting to reach the destination quickly so she could lie down, especially since they walked most of each day. She had never walked so much before, which was far too tiring for her.

Unfortunately, Shichen and Flamme completely ignored her. If Shichen hadn't occasionally carried her on his back, she might literally have collapsed on the spot and refused to move.

"Is this the place where Grandmaster lives?" Shichen asked as he carried Frieren, looking at the stone-built cave entrance with curiosity.

The cave entrance was entirely ordinary—no sense of mystery, no special atmosphere, and no defensive barriers. But from inside that entrance, Shichen could sense a massive reservoir of mana. It rivaled that of the Fourth Primogenitor.

"With Master here, she doesn't care about appearances," Flamme said with a smile.

"Makes sense."

In this world, magic was extremely convenient; one could do almost anything with enough magic, so outward setups truly didn't matter.

"Let's go in," Flamme said, leading the way into the stone cave.

"Frieren, wake up. We're about to meet Grandmaster." Shichen jostled Frieren a bit, who was riding on his back.

"Mm…" Frieren half-opened her eyes in a daze, then closed them again.

Shichen smiled and shook his head, following Flamme inside.

Frieren actually didn't weigh much—less than the schoolbag he'd used to carry in junior high—and she was slender-limbed and cool to the touch, clinging around his neck and waist in a comfortable way.

Entering the cave, they found that it opened into a surprising space. Contrary to the dark, dull exterior, the interior was bright and spacious, like a grand palace. The floor was laid out with fitted stone slabs, the walls of stone, and pillars along the sides, resembling the image of some ancient ruin Shichen had in mind.

He was reminded of that final boss's lair in a video game. In a sense, the occupant here was indeed akin to a final boss.

Walking behind Flamme for a short while, Shichen could see, far ahead at the end of the space, what looked like a mountain of books— all of them magic tomes. Before this "mountain" of magic tomes stood a damaged stone throne, and on that stone seat sat a petite girl.

She had strikingly brilliant golden hair, pointed elf ears like Frieren, and a small, exquisitely lovely face, wearing a proud and haughty smile. Her posture was equally overbearing: draping a jacket around her shoulders, one leg crossed, one hand propping her chin, observing their approach with unabashed boldness. Both lazy and imposing—like a Demon King.

She was the apex of mages, a great mage who had survived since the era of myth, the elf closest to the omniscient goddess—Serie.

Flamme arrived in front of the steps first. She knelt on one knee, lowering her head respectfully and calling out in a low voice, "Master."

"Flamme, huh," Serie responded with an unchanged expression, looking at Flamme with a faint mocking smile.

At this moment, Shichen, carrying Frieren, also reached Flamme's side. He glanced at Flamme, hesitated, but did not kneel like she did. Flamme didn't comment on that.

"These two—what's the story? Are they your apprentices?" Serie stared fixedly at Shichen as she spoke to Flamme.

"Yes," Flamme replied.

"Heh, time really does fly. The student I took on a whim back then has now brought along a grand-student," Serie said as she rose from the stone seat. She was barefoot and approached Shichen with a confident air. She gave only a quick glance at Frieren, who was still half-asleep on Shichen's back.

"Oh, an elf—my own race," she noted.

"Master, that one's named Shichen, and he's carrying Frieren," Flamme introduced.

"Not bad at all," Serie murmured. She ignored Frieren after the brief glance and turned her head to Shichen, wearing a presumptuous smile radiating a kind of combative spirit.

Shichen clearly sensed it. Just as Flamme had said, Serie wanted to challenge him. Which made sense—Serie was known to seek an opponent. He hadn't concealed his own powerful mana; with enough power to rival her, it was only natural she'd have some interest in fighting him.

Yet Shichen was more preoccupied by something else: inside his mind, "that voice" had spoken again.

[Detected a Divine Fragment lodging target!]

[Target: Serie]

[Mission: Engage her in battle and defeat her—conquer her—and thereby obtain the fragment.]

So Serie had a Divine Fragment, and the mission was to "conquer" her?

Was "she" peeping into his thoughts?

And why didn't Master Flamme have one?

"Grandmaster," Shichen greeted, ignoring Serie's evident fighting spirit.

"Heh~" Serie gave a frosty laugh and asked Flamme, "Flamme, where did you find this brat?"

"Master, we met by chance," Flamme replied with a smile.

"By chance, was it? It's quite a piece of luck to find two so powerful. I'm very pleased!" Serie made no secret of her approval toward both Shichen and the half-asleep Frieren.

Shichen then gently jostled Frieren. "Frieren," he called, "wake up—we're in front of Grandmaster."

"Mhm…" Frieren muddledly opened her eyes, only to close them again right away.

Shichen chuckled softly and shook his head, stooping to set her down.

Frieren, still groggy, clutched onto his clothes.

Shichen found it amusing. He didn't hesitate to flick her forehead lightly.

"Ow!" Frieren yelped, rubbing the spot, looking aggrieved.

"Hey, no sleeping. Look, Grandmaster is right there," he reminded.

"Ehh…" Frieren resignedly looked at Serie, casually saying, "Grandmaster."

"..."

Serie stood silently, expression unchanged but with a dangerous half-smile, as if on the verge of hitting someone. Frieren seemed oblivious, just leaning drowsily against Shichen.

"Apologies, Grandmaster; Frieren's always like this," Shichen said somewhat apologetically to Serie.

"Heh," Serie sneered coldly, shifting her gaze to Flamme. "That girl's hopeless."

"But she's actually very strong," Flamme calmly refuted with a smile.

"Whatever. You," Serie stared at Shichen, "you're Shichen, right?"

"Yes, Grandmaster," he nodded.

"Great. I'll remember you. You've earned the right to know my name. I am Serie."

"I already know that," Shichen replied politely.

"Huh?" Serie paused a beat, then resumed her cold grin, focusing her gaze on him. "Heh~ Good. All the better that you already know. Now fight me."

"I'm not in the mood," Shichen shook his head, refusing outright.

"..."

Serie's expression seemed to freeze.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Shichen looked at her calmly. "Grandmaster, we just arrived here, traveling a long, hard journey. Without even letting us rest, you want me to fight you right away? Aren't you supposed to give us some kind of welcome gift as Grandmaster? Why should I fight you otherwise?"

Serie glanced at Flamme. Flamme gave a small shrug and said nothing.

"Alright, very well," Serie said after a moment, nodding with a dangerous smile. "Speak, what magic do you want? I possess every known human magic."

"Not just me but Frieren too," Shichen smiled.

"Sure. Which spells do you two want?"

"No rush. Let's pick tomorrow. For now, I'd prefer to get some rest," Shichen said lightly.

"..."

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!