Himmel stopped just outside the gate, took a deep breath, stretched his hands out in front of him and did a few heel turns, his face showing pure joy.

— It's wonderful to be here again. — Himmel's face showed genuine joy at the fact that he was once again allowed to walk the streets of the city that had been his home for years.

Fauna and Flamme seemed to be happy for him, while Menno remained calm and discreetly observed the area, and only now did it dawn on him how much had changed in almost 2000 years, and the last time he had been in this region, there had been a few miserable huts and rickety fences in this place, which did not resemble the capital it is now.

— We have some time before Milten returns. — Himmel said excitedly. — I really want to see what has changed in these 30 years.

— If it's not too much trouble, Funa and I would like to visit the local pastry shops, because in my day there wasn't much choice. — she giggled.

— Sure, so Menno and I will go and meet at the monument of heroes in 3 hours.

— See you later — Flamme replied, grabbing Flora by the hand, and after a moment they disappeared into one of the streets.

— Are you sure you know where you're going? — Fauna managed to keep up with her.

— No, but my nose tells me we're going in the right direction.

— Nose? — Fauna stammered, very surprised by the answer.

— Yes. If you don't know where to go, always follow your nose, or your gut feeling, although your nose is more useful when looking for a pastry shop.

And indeed, after a moment they reached a pastry shop with the pleasant name of Red Apple, where they were shown to a table and given a list of available sweets, desserts and cakes.

— I can't decide, so I'll take the first one and then the next one on the list. — Flamme said after a quick look at the menu. And what are you taking?

— Apple pie sounds good. — She replied after a moment of hesitation.

— Please wait a moment. — After these words, the bakery employee returned inside.

— Now we have time to gossip like women do. Right? — Flamme laughed.

— I have a strange feeling that we're not here just because you want something sweet, am I wrong? — Fauna narrowed her eyes suspiciously, looking at her smiling companion.

— You're right. — Flamme suddenly became serious. — You weren't entirely honest during our conversation. Your life was much more interesting than you claimed.

— That's understandable. — Flamme replied. — I don't know if he sensed it, but I do know that your mana level is extremely high, almost as high as Frieren's at least when I last saw her, and like her, you mask it perfectly.

— That's true, but so is he. That's why I don't want to give him anything he could use against me.

— Do you think Menno would use such knowledge against you? He seems smart, and without your stories, he might realize that you're not just any healer.

— Probably, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, but the truth is that I know, just like Menno, what the Shadow Blades are capable of, and I'll tell you, these demons are different than the ones you've seen.

— Different in what way? — Flamme asked, intrigued.

— They don't have to feed on humans, or at least not like other demons. They feed on manna, they can blend in so well with their surroundings that it's hard to tell them apart from other races, and on top of that they can use more than one type of magic. They're an anomaly, and a dangerous one at that. Imagine that in every village there's one such demon who causes chaos: he'll say something to someone here, he'll do something there, you know what I'm getting at?

— Chaos in its purest form. — Flamme nodded, although she didn't like the punch line.

— Exactly. I thought about it, and if they resurrect the Demon King and dominate him, all the demons will obey them, and then they can conduct their experiments, which aim to create a perfect demon, devoid of weaknesses, and at the same time unconditionally loyal.

— How do you know that?

— Because my mother died at the hand of the one who dealt with it, he told her because he knew perfectly well that he would not repeat it to anyone, but she died after him, left a scar on his face and took his entire left hand. I saw and heard every word, but I was too afraid to help her then, but the anger I felt then quelled my fear and I began to search for him and did so for 600 years without success. All those journeys with adventurers that I have taken were just a cover for the real goal, which was to find this demon and kill him, but he was always a few steps ahead of me. When it seemed that I had found him, Menno appeared. — Fauna lowered her gaze and clenched her fists tightly. — I had never met a man like him: cold, composed and fully focused on his task, for 4 days we chased each other around the village and the surrounding area, I could have escaped, but I didn't want to, because I was convinced that I was dealing with a well-trained human killer in the service of demons, but only a man who would eventually bow to my strength, because otherwise how could I avenge my mother? But the truth was too much for me and Menno was not just a man, and when I discovered it, it was too late and I paid for my arrogance, just like the entire village. He used my arrogance against me and at some point he somehow came up behind me, even though I saw him in front of me the whole time and poof, and then suddenly everything went dark.

— I'm sorry... — Flamme said sadly. — The question is, will you be able to trust him now despite that?

— I don't know, and that's because his manna is different, as if two people lived inside him.

— I know what you mean. Good and evil are in each of us, but in his case it's literally like that. He'll play you a song, tell you a beautiful story, comfort you by patting you on the shoulder, and then without batting an eyelid he'll slit your throat. That's why I'm glad he's on our side — Falmme nodded.

— He's closer to a demon than a human — Fauna said.

— True, but he still hates them just as much as we do. He was used like his clan. He has nothing left except revenge.

— I know that... — Fauna managed to get out with difficulty. — I'll give him a chance, but if he betrays us, you'll let me kill him myself.

— If it comes to that. — She replied shortly. — And here are our orders. I hope you're hungry like me. — Flamme looked at the glass cup, which contained all sorts of sweets that she had never dreamed of in her time.

— Bon appetit then. — Fauna said and looked at the plate, on which there was an apple pie. She savored its smell for a moment, and then slowly began to eat and with the first bite she forgot about the whole world, all that mattered to her was her beloved apple pie. — But it's good! — she choked out, melting over the taste of the apple pie..

— I know what you're talking about. — Flamme replied, who had finished the first cup. — I regret that in my time there was no such thing.

— Maybe it's better, because they would remember you as Greedy Flamme. — Fauna laughed.

— Frieren would agree with you. — Flamme smiled broadly. — She always took everything very seriously. You are her opposite when it comes to expressing feelings.

— Many elves have such a nature, but not all of them had a human father or mother. You could say that I am an exception even among my own. — Fauna smiled and looked at the plate, on which there was still half of the apple pie. — Apple pie is the only thing that allows me to remember what he looked like and what he was like.

— I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories for you.

— They're not bad memories.— Fauna, looked at Flamme with a smile and rested her chin on her hands.— I don't know how, but he managed to win my mother's heart, you know how elves are in these matters, but he managed. He couldn't cook anything except apple pie, which somehow always came out perfect. He told me that none of us really knows how much time we have. It doesn't matter whether we're an elf, a human or a dwarf, death will eventually claim each of us, and when it does, we shouldn't regret wasted opportunities.

— You're absolutely right.— Flamme nodded in appreciation.

The rest of the conversation revolved around more mundane and cheerful topics, which made it possible to forget that they had to save the world, and for now, it was all about bonding.

Earlier, somewhere in the capital, Himmel and Menno reached the statue of heroes.

— Do you assume such a pompous pose on all monuments? — Menno asked, looking at the four heroes.

— Most of them. — Himmel laughed. — I used to want people to remember me for my deeds and extraordinary beauty, but in my old age I got rid of my ego, but I left my pride. I have done a lot and each such monument is a separate story.

— Yes. — Menno nodded. — No one would erect a monument for me, and to be honest, I never cared about it. I always saw myself as one of many. A person who does what they are told, but before I knew it, the Shadow of Death appeared, a title that replaced my name.

— Do you regret it? — Himmel was surprised.

— No. — Menno replied firmly. — I did it because at the time it seemed to me that I was doing the right thing, and regret would not change anything. We were taught to learn from mistakes and I simply did not have enough life to change that. I searched for so long for my clan and those who took it from me that one day I woke up and realized that I wouldn't have enough time to cope with everything, and now I don't have enough time to do anything. That's what sets us apart from elves. Time, which we don't have much of and we must use wisely so that at the end of our lives we won't be ashamed of it.

— I didn't know you were a philosopher. — Himmel nodded in appreciation. — It seems so obvious, but sometimes fate makes decisions for us.

— That's true, and this philosophizing is a passion that came to me in old age, when my body weakened and I wanted my mind to at least remain sharp. It reminded me of the question we were asked during training: Is it better to live a quiet life, a man unknown to anyone? Or to go down in history but die young? You can guess which one I chose.

— I guess.

— Someone has to be a hero so that someone else can live a quiet life, and it fell to us, but you and your old comrades show that even a man who goes down in history can live peacefully.

— Fate can be truly perverse.— Himmel thought for a moment about Menno's words and looked at the statue of heroes.— Even heroes like us need rest, and it so happens that I know an inn where we will be treated like kings.

Menno didn't have time to say anything when Himmel set off in a direction known only to him, and Menno, willingly or unwillingly, followed him.

There was indeed an inn where they arrived, but it looked excessively ordinary.

— Two large beers, please. — Himmel said, approaching one of the waitresses, smiling flirtatiously.

The waitress smiled back and before they turned around, two large mugs were standing in front of them.

— As you wish, but I warn you, I can't get drunk. — Menno said, who didn't like this type of entertainment.

— Heiter said the same thing, and then he drank until he dropped and woke up later with a huge hangover, and we were ashamed that this drunk was a priest... I miss this depraved priest.

— In that case, let's drink to him. — Menno grabbed his mug and emptied its contents in one gulp.

— To Heiter. — Himmel replied, who also emptied his mug, but slower than his companion. — You would be a good drinking buddy with this drunk, I always preferred to savor rather than drink until I passed out.

— I'm not surprised he drank so much. — Menno stated, wiping the foam from his lips. — In my day, beer tasted, to put it mildly, bad.

Himmel laughed, and then the shouts reached their ears, cheering on people who were having drinking contests.

— We'll see. — Himmel suggested and together with Menno they went to the other end of the tavern where one of the drinkers fell like a log.

— Iron Head won! — The organizer of the competition probably announced.

— Is this some kind of competition? — Himmel asked one of the spectators.

— Yes. Otto Iron Head pays 100 silver coins to the person who can beat him in drinking.

— Iron Head? Where did that name come from? — Himmel asked.

— More like a nickname. Apparently during years of working with dwarves and drinking with them he developed such a nickname. Iron Head of course for a human.

Himmel looked at Otto and he did indeed resemble a tall, muscular dwarf, only his black beard was not as long as the one worn by Eisen, for example.

— Many have tried?

— This one is 4. Although he drank 2 more mugs than his three predecessors.

— And did the others drink a lot?

— Between 5 and 6, because they are trying a new beer, Dark Paladin, a strong, black beer with an intense flavor. The owner knows more about it.

— Interesting name.— Himmel, looked at the flexing Otto, who was just begging for someone to wipe his nose.— Is there an entry fee?

— 20 silver coins.

— Tell me Menno, don't you feel like a little competition?

— I know where this question is heading and I will answer that yes, although I am surprised that you yourself will not take up the challenge?

— I am not the best at drinking and I would not like people to see the hero Himmel leaving the inn defeated on all fours or being carried out.

Otto looked at the money, then Menno and replied with a smile:

— Sure. I like to make money fast, and from your posture I think you'll collapse after 4, tops 5 mugs.

— If you say so, let's check and see. — Menno replied indifferently.

— Rules: We draw beer directly from the barrel and the board next to it indicates how much each person drinks. If you play for time, you will be disqualified, so try to keep up.

— Sure. — Menno tilted his head left and right, then picked up a mug.

— On your places...ready...DRINK

Both competitors simultaneously filled their mugs and began to drink. 1,2,3,4,5 mugs to Otto's surprise, who was clearly not happy that Menno hadn't fallen yet, and on top of that he had beaten him by almost a whole mug.

— 15 mugs!— The onlookers shouted, cheering both competitors on.

— 20!— They shouted a moment later.

— Well, so to speak... quit.— Otto mumbled and fell.

— The winner is Mennno!— The tavern owner shouted, raising his hand up, while he, drank the 21st mug and proudly turned it down, showing that it was empty.

— How is it possible that you haven't fallen yet?— Otto mumbled.

— Years of practice and a good metabolism, and instead of asking stupid questions, you give me money. — Menno muttered dissatisfied.

— No way. You cheated! There's no way you could drink that much and not pass out!

— And who's talking. — Himmel stood with a full mug of beer taken from Otto's barrel. — Watered down. No wonder you were doing so well, while my companion's barrel contains real beer, which is much stronger than what you have!

Himmel's words made several spectators decide to check if it was true.

— He's right! Is that how you want to play?! We'll show you what they do to cheaters here! Gentlemen, punch the cheater and his henchman in the face! — one of the gawkers threw and moved with his fists at Otto.

Some of the spectators went after Otto and his companion, who had switched barrels, but Otto also had friends here who were supposed to help him in case the fraud was discovered, so a regular fight broke out.

— Did drinking end like this in your previous team too? — Menno asked, smashing a mug on Otto's head, who staggered and fell to the ground unconscious.

— It happened, but only when Frieren was away. — He smiled, remembering his old companion. — Magic sometimes spoils the fun, though. — He sighed, dodging a flying chair at the same time.

— So we definitely won't be bored together and I actually like spending our free time like this. — Menno said smiling, who kicked another attacker to the ground.

— Such are the joys of an adventurer's life, you always have your hands full.

— Such is the life of an adventurer, one always has one's hands full. — Replied Himmel, who had saved the waitress from an incoming mug.

 Menno was in his element and was pleased because nothing gets the blood flowing like a good fight.