The streets of Elserand.
The cobblestone roads were clean and tidy, lined with numerous three and four-story buildings.
The dazzling array of shops constituted the first element of the city's prosperity.
People swarmed in and out, bustling about.
A simple carriage moved slowly.
It wasn't the kind driven by farmers or street vendors, but one specifically designed for passengers.
The box-shaped passenger cabin was designed to accommodate four people sitting opposite each other.
However, according to Rod's usual travel standards, it was still too shabby.
The silver-haired elf spoke leisurely.
“Bear with it, for ordinary people, it's already a luxury as a means of transportation.”
Rod lowered his head and frowned, examining the parchment in his hand, without raising his head, he said.
“I enjoy luxury, but I'm not the kind who can't stand hardship.”
Originally, Rod had received information from Hilidy and was about to leave immediately.
But when Frieren knew, she suddenly said she wanted to see him off and planned to tell him the location of the transfer magic circle that she had been hiding for many years.
Although Rod was surprised by Frieren's sudden decision, he immediately agreed.
After all, if he traveled by foot, whether he chose to cross the entire ocean or follow the coastline, it would exhaust him to death.
With something as convenient as a transfer magic circle, of course, it had to be used well.
Frieren hugged her legs, resting her chin on her knees.
“You're really not cute, not at all like Phiren and Hilifi.”
The first time Frieren saw Hilifi, she almost thought she was a demon because of her green hair and almost attacked her.
But now, looking at her satisfied expression, the two of them are as close as mother and daughter.
That's right, Hilifi is the mother figure!
After Phiren, Frieren has another conjugal mother, congratulations!
“Besides, you should be a little more respectful to me, we are both teachers, and you are so nice to Ms. Unohana~"
Rod looked up in surprise at the expressionless Frieren.
“I say, are you jealous?”
Frieren pouted expressionlessly.
“......No.”
Rod glanced at Frieren's disappointing chest and shook his head regretfully.
“Sister Flower is someone who can be my mother, but you Frieren don't have that kind of bosom......”
Frieren remained expressionless, but judging from her slightly clenched fist, she was still very concerned about this statement.
Frieren turned her head to look out the window, people were hawking things on the street.
“I remember this was just a dilapidated little village, it has become so prosperous in such a short time. You did a great job, worthy of being my disciple.”
Rod didn't refute Frieren's words about taking credit for herself, he just lowered his head and continued to examine the parchment.
“After all, it's been ten years.”
Frieren narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Ten years, isn't that 【recently】?”
“.......For you elves, who live for a near-eternity, ten years really is like the blink of an eye.”
“Don't say it like it has nothing to do with you.”
Speaking of which, Rod's two teachers are both long-lived beings.
Unohana Retsu lives in Soul Society, if she is not killed, she is practically immortal.
Forever confined to that small place, Seireitei, with a bunch of idiotic nobles on top of that.
The same scenery repeated countless times, no wonder she would choose death.
Frieren, too, is an elf with an incredibly long lifespan, it's difficult for her to understand the various emotions of humans.
Rod's relationship with Frieren is as bland as water, but not distant.
He always seems to be chased by something and is always moving forward, but he becomes unusually lazy around Frieren.
Frieren hasn't been prompted by the system to be collected yet,
Rod is not anxious at all, but he trusts Frieren just like everyone else.
Frieren suddenly asked curiously.
“Is that girl you are looking for really so important? It is worth going all the way to find a clue.”
Rod answered without a moment's hesitation.
“Yes, I used to think that Rocchi's importance was only on the upper level, but later I realized that it should be at the top level.”
That's right, Rocchi's value is not S, but above S!
In the past ten years, Rod has collected a lot of monster materials, magic enhancements, and magic tools, but the number of important characters he has collected has not increased significantly.
After all, the Warring Territories are extremely dangerous and exclusive areas, no normal person would have nothing better to do and come here to play.
Excluding Frieren, who stays by his side but hasn't triggered collection.
There aren't many original characters who have joined him.
First: Liliya's father, E-level reward.
At Rod's persuasion, Liliya chose to return to her hometown and invited her father to Arcadia.
He is now the headmaster of the swordsmanship academy under the Education Department, responsible for teaching swordsmanship to the adopted orphans.
Although the dojo in his hometown will no longer have an heir, he has cultivated many more disciples, and his former frown has now become a confident smile.
Second: Hilifi's father, Rorz, D-level reward.
He is now the head of the Royal Capital Security Office, responsible for handling security issues in the capital, such as theft and brawls.
He doesn't have a high talent for combat, but because he has elf blood, his senses are exceptionally sharp, and he is able to handle the job.
Rod has never drawn the rewards for these two.
And with the country's overall rating rising, the original low-level random rewards have become designated exchanges.
However, because Rod hasn't figured out how to maximize their use, he hasn't used them yet.