The Goodbyes....

Dinner that night turned into a solemn occasion as Conrad revealed his plans to leave home and wander about the world. It was no shock to his parents and his master. In a world full of magical wonders, no one wants to be caged in one place, and his parents knew this day would come. They knew they could not force him to stay if he did not want to, but they also knew that even though the world's wonders seem great, there is even greater danger in the shadows. They knew of countless youths who, upon reaching a certain age, would go out to explore and make lasting impressions. Even Albert was once an adventurer in his youth. 

Not much was said around the dinner table except for an occasional "Okay" and "I understand" as Caroline warned Conrad of the endless dangers: the demons who roamed the lands using their lies to capture and prey upon humans. She said, "I have even heard of a demon who makes the dead come alive and traps their victims in a world of illusions. Isn't that scary?"

 "Mom, you don't have to worry. I have read the entire library on all the different types of monsters, demons, and magic there are out there," Conrad spoke as he rolled his eyes. Alberta and Wilhelm didn't say much. It was about time, they thought.

As the first light of dawn begins to break over the horizon, a soft, golden glow spreads across the sky. Conrad descends the stairs, making his way toward the castle entrance. His parents and his master are waiting for him. He smiles as he hugs his mother; she holds him for a while. He then hugs his father, who hands him a pouch full of gold and silver coins, and his master. They don't hug, but from his pockets, his master pulls out a silver chain with a small wooden carving of the goddess on it. Conrad grabs it and wears it around his neck. He smiles and then he is off. 

He reaches the city walls as the guards are changing shifts, and he slowly starts walking the trails towards the center lands. As he walks, he thinks to himself, "So it's been twenty years since Himmel passed away. "Right now, Frieren should be outside the Holy City of Strahl at Heiter's house training Fren. It will be another six years before we make our move, so for now, I should go to the center lands, do more solo adventuring, and gain more experience battling monsters and demons before joining the main cast."