What if you are reborn as a demon after a funeral?

Page 70

Then, just as the emotionless little girl was crying out in pain and covering her head in grievance, he left behind the words, "Reflect on your own actions!" and stepped onto the windowsill outside the study and into the hallway without looking back.

He didn't seem to care much about the coldness people showed towards his departure.

There's no way around it; for demons, going away for a few months or a year is about the same as an ordinary person going out for two days on Saturday or Sunday.

Ash had almost gotten used to this way of thinking about time, so he just sighed in frustration at Linne's personality, shook his head, and flew out of the window of the royal city.

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Based on the map obtained beforehand and the general movement route learned from Frilline, Ash quickly and accurately identified two targets...

Ash, who had exhausted countless flying monsters he had captured along the way, returned to the Central Kingdoms in just one week. He then discovered his target in a small port built against a mountain, seemingly embedded in the azure coastline.

"--As expected of me, I hit the mark on the first try~" He was only briefly pleased with himself when he quickly regained his composure, then his expression turned relieved: "However... the allotted time wasn't enough. Today seems to be Philon's birthday, if I guessed wrong I'd miss it completely..."

The city air was filled with a faint smell of the sea, and the buildings on the streets were all made of stone with roofs painted orange.

In the middle of the street lined with houses, the familiar purple-haired girl stood at the narrow intersection for some reason, staring intently at the silver-haired twin-tailed elf who was walking away, and without saying a word, she puffed out her cheeks like a pufferfish.

This amusing and adorable appearance made Ash unconsciously sneak over and, taking advantage of the situation, gently poke it with his finger.

With a "whoosh" sound, Philon was startled and reflexively pushed back and took out his wand.

"—Wait! Wait! Calm down, it's me!"

"Ash...?!" The voice that had been with her since childhood made Philon slow down for a moment, and when she finally saw who it was, she couldn't help but show a joyful expression.

But then he immediately remembered something, and puffed out his cheeks in displeasure, staring at him like he was examining a criminal:

"What...isn't this the lying Ash-sama? You actually remember me? What an honor! What a 'honor'!"

"Uh... why was it repeated twice?"

"Because this is very important!" Philon glared at him angrily, like a child throwing a tantrum.

To avoid further provoking Philon, he could only feign ignorance and scratch his head: "Oh dear~ even if you praise me like that, I don't know what expression to make~"

"That's not a compliment!"

"Instead of this, shouldn't a touching reunion after a long separation be accompanied by a heartwarming hug?"

"No way! I don't know that irresponsible Ash-sama!"

With a sullen expression, Philon ignored him, who had his arms outstretched, and strode ahead.

"...Is it really just the rebellious phase? Or is she really angry? But she'll be sixteen soon, and people these days really do grow up so fast!"

As he followed, he glanced at Philonise, and couldn't help but gasp softly in surprise.

Compared to when she left, it shouldn't have been a whole year, but Philon's height has already surpassed Frilian's, especially her bust... Even if Frilian, Lina, Solitaire, and Aura were to join her, they probably wouldn't stand a chance against each other in a four-on-one fight.

Her waist-length purple hair cascaded down like a flowing violet waterfall, adding an indescribable sense of mystery and elegance to her delicate face.

Image: "Philan", Location: "Images/1723575169-100409035-112007987.jpg"

The black robe worn over the white dress, though seemingly simple, cleverly concealed her stunning figure, but in some ways added to her mystery and allure.

Time flies, and before we know it, that little girl with snotty nose and innocent looks has quietly grown into an impeccable beauty.

In some ways, it could even be said that it's developing in the direction of his preference... a mature, older woman.

But as the child he raised gradually grew into a mature woman, his fantasies about mature women began to wane... This caused him immense heartache.

Because he even started to worry that he would stop liking older women because of Philon, just like how it's hard for someone with an older sister to be a sister-complex person, and it's normal for someone with a younger sister not to be a sister-complex person.

"Ah, life is truly unpredictable..." He gazed at the girl's graceful figure as she walked away, then quickly stepped forward. Composing himself, he reached out and gently stroked her head with a touch of melancholy.

"...You've really grown up, Philon."

"W-What? You left without permission, and now you're acting like you care about me... Ash-sama is really awful."

Although she softened for a moment, Philon still couldn't help but look at him coldly with deep dissatisfaction.

To be honest, her feigned cold expression had a bit of a mature, sophisticated air about her, but... being treated differently by the child she'd watched grow up, she was just a little hurt at the moment.

This expression softened Philon's tone slightly: "What? Your expression... are you trying to reflect on your actions this time?"

"Yes, by the way, I already said it was something important."

"What urgent matter do you have? After all, you're not a person with nothing to do."

"...Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm primarily concerned with the world and, incidentally, I'm working towards world peace."

"When did Lord Ash become such a liar?" Even though he was trying to tell the truth, listening to him made Philon put one hand on his hip and sigh deeply: "He used to be much more honest."

"The truth is, I've basically never lied to you from when you were little until now."

"Hmph, I don't believe it. Lord Ash is just treating me like a child."

"Wait a minute." Looking at the sulking girl, he couldn't help but raise his hand to signal her to stop, and then said solemnly, "Although I'm not being silly, you're still... a child, aren't you?"

"No, that's not it! We'd definitely be mistaken for..."

"Judging from their demeanor, it should be a father with his daughter?" Ash chuckled, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere with humor.

"Uh~~!"

Philon blushed slightly, clearly feeling both embarrassed and helpless at such a metaphor, but the sounds he made as he puffed out his cheeks seemed to express more dissatisfaction.

"It seems my maturity and composure haven't been properly appreciated." Ash feigned aggrievedness, but his eyes revealed a gentle light. He casually stroked her cheek and smiled with satisfaction.

"Actually, no matter what, I'm very happy to see you grow up, right?"

"Lord Ash is always like this...too...too cunning!" The familiar touch on her face made it difficult for Philon to maintain her last bit of dissatisfaction, leaving only feelings of shame and resentment.

"Cunning?"

"...You suddenly slipped away, then came back pretending to be gentle...Do you think I'm an easy woman to fool?"

"I probably didn't pretend... but, a woman?"

"What?! Tell me, I won't be angry!"

Although she said that, Philon's expression clearly revealed her dissatisfaction.

Ash wasn't stupid, so he smiled and nodded vaguely, "...It's nothing, it's just that you've grown up and become a fine lady. Touching your face like that is indeed inappropriate. Hmm, I'll reflect on it."

"No... if that's the case, then occasionally... isn't necessarily a bad thing?"

"...It actually worked again?"

"-- Anyway! Hurry up and catch up! Lady Frillien is already quite far ahead!"

His surprised expression made Philon turn around immediately, as if to hide his own expression, and jog after Frillie in the direction she had disappeared.

Ash sensed something was off about Philon's slightly unusual expression.

But considering their respective positions, he shook his head vigorously, trying not to think too much for the time being, and quickly followed.

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Philon followed quietly behind the unsuspecting Frillie, his furtive manner clearly indicating he was a novice at tailing.

Ash felt it was difficult to evaluate her actions. He was about to raise his hand to call out to Frilian in front of him when he was grabbed by Philon, who was hiding behind the wall, and dragged over and pressed against the wall.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Philon immediately lowered his voice and asked urgently, "What are you doing?!"

"What are you doing...? No, to be honest, I have absolutely no idea why you're acting so suspiciously."

"Really? I don't think I mentioned that yet..." Philen paused slightly before explaining with a hint of indignation, "You should also know that I'm responsible for all the necessities of life when we travel, right?"

"That's how it's always been, I know."

"But today, Lady Frillian shook her head and said she wanted to split up and replenish our supplies for the journey, and she had a suspicious look on her face! She definitely wants to buy some random stuff!"

"for example?"

"Strange bones, and a potion that only dissolves clothes—it's completely useless! And that potion is really expensive!"

Philon kept complaining about Frillie, his expression clearly hoping he would join in the condemnation, but he couldn't help but say:

"No, at least the second one is useful, right? Just thinking about it makes me... Ah, it's useless after all. Hmm, Frilian is really terrible. She actually bought that kind of weird stuff. She has ulterior motives!"

Halfway through his sentence, Philon's eyes turned icy cold, prompting him to wisely lightly slap his palm and quickly change his words, averting his gaze.

"Master Ash."

"....What?"

"—Terrible!" Even though he had already changed his tune, Philon still glared at him sternly. He, who was trying so hard to be a good role model but always failing, lowered his head in frustration.

"Sorry, I'll be more careful next time..."

"...I don't know anyone like Lord Ash."

With an expression of utter exasperation, Philonise abandoned him and quickly followed Frillie, who was now far away.

...But in reality, she didn't stay angry for long.

When she saw Frilian asking passersby for directions to a good dessert shop, Feren grabbed Ash's hand, leaned closer, and angrily began to complain to him again:

"—Lord Ash! Look! This person is so cunning! I haven't had dessert for months! She went to eat it all by herself behind my back!"