I have to hypnotize you, Aura!

Cold, shaking.

"Unfamiliar ceiling."

When Fingel came to his senses, he found that everyone around him was gone, and he was no longer in that simple little wooden house—well, to be precise, it was a brick house with fairly complete facilities.

The sun slanted through the window and shone on his face, like a baby being caressed in the womb. The chirping of birds outside made his body itch.

Where is this?

However, it seems quite suitable for retirement.

"The environment here is really nice."

Finger spoke unconsciously, and surprisingly, some people started to agree with him.

"Yes, yes, isn't it nice? I spent a lot of money decorating this place, you know? Even nobles might not have such nice rooms."

It was then that Fingel noticed that there was another elderly man dressed in monk's robes, with white hair, looking down at him with a kind expression.

"Yes...that's true."

He looked around the room and noticed some religious elements that suggested the owner's identity.

Out of politeness, Fingel offered his comment.

"It's very nice, but I still prefer to buy some more reliefs and put them on the wall, otherwise it looks empty..."

Relief?

The silver-haired monk has slight doubts about you.

[Favorability-enhancing keywords...Insertion successful]

[Affection Level: 101 (Friendly)]

The old man stroked his beard, a helpless expression on his face.

"That kind of thing is too expensive; it's not something I can afford."

It is a bit expensive.

Fingel then remembered the price; mainly because he'd been quite wealthy lately and had been on a shopping spree.

"Why not just use some church funds? Grandpa, you're so old, isn't it alright to let the gods pay for you this once?"

"You're joking, aren't you? The goddess will scold you for that!"

"Oh, sorry, sorry, I went a bit too far with the joke."

"Don't do that again, okay?"

"Okay okay."

He was lying on the ground in a spread-eagle position. Fingel looked at the old man with some confusion... He looked to be at least seventy or eighty years old, right?

He probably doesn't have many years left to live. Judging from his attire, he's probably some kind of church priest or something.

but...

He looked puzzled. Why were we having such a harmonious conversation? Don't you think it's strange that I suddenly appeared here out of nowhere?

"So... who the hell are you, old man?"

The monk has developed mild doubts about you.

[Keywords for increasing favorability...]

[Implantation successful]

[Affection Level: 102 (Friendly)]

'That guy is so rude.'

"My name is Haita," the old man said with a smile, which startled someone.

Haita... Haita? Wait, that name sounds familiar.

wrong!

Holy crap...

"Haita?!"

Fingel's pupils contracted. Where the hell have I ended up? Is this still China?

"correct."

The old man nodded.

Finger was speechless; this was too much.

Haita, a monk in the hero's party who will fight the Demon King a thousand years later, is Frilian's good friend. He is a man who is an archbishop but whose mind is full of drinking.

The question is... why? Why did I have to see him?

His face was full of question marks. Holy crap, what did that Frillie do to make me time-travel? Is this some kind of plot from later in the anime?

Fingel, who only watched the anime, knew that the original plot of the novel "The Burial of Frilian" began after the hero's death, and that Heita died in the third or fourth episode.

Is it possible for me to have traveled to this timeline? Can I go back?

A series of questions left Fingel bewildered and unsure of what to do, mainly because of one very important thing—damn it, I haven't even had a few flings with Flame yet!

This is so heartbreaking, my dear senior sister!

How...did you die?

Fingel's face was so gloomy it seemed to drip water. What was even more tragic than sadness itself was that when you regained consciousness, the person who loved you had already grown old and died—what could you do then? You couldn't exactly go and glue the urn in the cemetery, could you? That would be too damn sad.

The only good news is that Frilian and Aura, being long-lived beings, may still be alive.

correct!

And there's also my grandmaster!

"Your expression is a bit strange... Aren't you curious why you're here?"

"Stand up first."

Haita spoke with a smile, extending his hand in a friendly manner—Fingal didn't hesitate either, standing up with the old man's help and looking around the room.

"Thank you."

Fingel forcibly banished those complex emotions.

"It's alright... Anyway, let me confirm first." Haita released his hand, his smile widening. "Is your name Fingel?"

Perhaps afraid he hadn't heard the question, he asked it again.

"Fingal Fowles?"

..

?

What's going on? Did Frilian tell them about me?

Fingel was somewhat surprised... a thousand years had passed; he should have died by now, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Unless he obtains something from the system that can extend his lifespan, his dubious dragon hybrid bloodline alone is not enough to resist the erosion of time.

It can only be that Frilian guy... How touching, she hasn't forgotten me after a thousand years?

Fingel felt a warm feeling in his heart.

Frilian, you really are a kind-hearted child who says cruel things but is actually very kind.

“Yes, that’s right—did Frilian tell you?” Fingel scratched his head, looking somewhat pleased. “Does Frilian know anything about this? To be honest, I’m still a little confused…”

"That's good...very good, hahaha."

Then the two looked at each other, and for some reason, Haita started to laugh—as everyone knows, laughter is contagious, and Fingel couldn't help but want to laugh too.

"Hahaha..."

"Ha ha ha ha!!"

The two laughed heartily for about a minute... then Haita clutched his stomach and shook his hand.

"Anyway, I'm not laughing anymore... Take this punch first!"

"Please stand still and don't move!"

? ? ? ?

All he saw was an old, but powerful fist rapidly enlarging on his face. This sudden change of expression caught Fingel off guard, leaving him wondering what was wrong with the old man.

But Fingel has always been one to seek revenge.

"Too slow, old man!"

Fingel easily dodged Haita's punch, then looked at the red-faced old man with a contemptuous smile.

"Watch closely... this is how you box!"

Lacking any moral compass, the twenty-year-old boy unleashed a powerful punch, filled with anger and confusion, which landed squarely on the old man's stomach—if he weren't afraid of killing him, he could have punched right through him.

"Ow!!!"

The septuagenarian was immediately dizzy and staggered back several steps—first leaning against the wall, then collapsing weakly to his knees.

He started vomiting.

"Oh...you...you actually..." Haita stammered, vomiting between choking sounds, "...you actually..."

[Haita has serious doubts about you!]

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[Haita's favorability decreased: 99 (Cold)]

“It’s not my fault…” Fingel raised his eyebrows, looking completely innocent. “You started it, I was just retaliating.”

"Even if you're an old man, if you lay a hand on me, don't I even have the right to protect myself?"

He was utterly confused. What was wrong with this old man? Had Frilian said something bad about him? That wretched elf, this time I'll definitely...

Even after a thousand years, Fingel's understanding of Frilian's heart has never changed.

It's a pity that Flame is no longer here, and his mentor-student relationship may never be realized.

(sad)

"hateful...."

The septuagenarian Haita actually managed to stand up, albeit unsteadily. Even though his face looked terrible, he stood up with unwavering determination, demonstrating what it means to be indomitable and young at heart despite his age.

"Hey, hey, hey... no way?"

"I won't hold back, so you'd better stay lying down obediently."

Fingel's eyelids twitched, and he involuntarily took two steps back... Should he continue fighting?

"Shut up! Anyway..." Haita ignored everything and stubbornly charged forward, "Let me throw a punch first!"

! !

Another punch, which Fingel easily dodged.

Then... he tripped Haita, causing the old man to fall to the ground, where he was in so much pain that he couldn't get up for a long time.

"What bad things did Frilian say about me?" Fingel had a headache; he didn't really want to beat the old man. "I think there's definitely some misunderstanding... Can we talk about it?"

What exactly happened?

In the original story, the old man Haita was a very kind old man—not like he is now, who immediately tries to take action.

What exactly did Frilian tell them?

"Okay, let me throw a punch first... hiss."

The silver-haired old man, Haita, lay sprawled on the ground, wincing in pain... "That bastard is really merciless! I'm an old man, for goodness' sake... What a despicable fellow!"

He knew his actions were foolish; he was too old to defeat a young soldier, but he wouldn't feel satisfied until he threw that punch.

The elderly monk recalled.