Ballroom ｢
Summary[]
Plot Details[]
Sense leads another meeting among Serie and her bodyguards, and she provides information about the ball they are to attend that night. Fern asks if they intend on infiltrating the ball, but Serie reassures her that they all have invitations to the event, granting them the ability to move freely. Land brings up his and Übel's encounter with the Magic Special Forces, and Sense advises that they should act as standby instead of directly entering the event. Übel asks how violent they can be, and Serie tells her to go crazy, which Land instantly opposes. Land promptly asks Serie why he was paired with Übel given the obvious incompatibility between the two of them, and Serie responds by asking Land if he would have agreed to the mission had she sent anyone else, leaving him speechless. Serie also brings up Land's history with the Empire, and she explains that she does not think he and Übel are as incompatible as he thinks. She advises Land to learn how to hold Übel's reins if he wants to follow a cautious approach. Land asks Übel where she keeps her reins, and she replies that she must have tossed them.
As Stark and Sein prepare for the ball together, Sein comments on his personal unfamiliarity with formal wear. Stark responds that their outfits are well-made and offer a good range of movement. Sein gloomily sits down and tells Stark that something has been weighing on his mind, and Stark mentions that he noticed, as Sein was dragged into the mission so suddenly. He asks Sein about his troubles, and Sein proceeds to ask him if he thinks there will be pretty ladies at the imperial ball, which baffles Stark.
In another room, Sense helps Fern with tightening her corset. Fern asks for her to tighten it as much as possible, but Sense rejects her request as her ability to fight would be impeded. Frieren asks Fern to tie her hair, but Fern bluntly tells her that she is busy. As Frieren waits for her apprentice to finish, Serie ridicules Frieren for being unable to do her own hair without Fern's help. Frieren reminds Serie that she is the same, but Serie replies that her case is different, as she is a revered individual. Serie picks up a comb and tells Frieren that she will help her tie her hair if she begs, prompting Frieren to tell Serie to die.
Serie and Frieren continue their conversation, and Serie explains that it was Sense's idea to get Frieren's Party involved in the mission and she herself played no part in the decision. She tells Frieren that she is free to leave the mission if she so wishes, and she will not force Fern to do anything either, as she is Frieren's apprentice to begin with. Serie continues that she expects that Frieren understands the assassination plot is not something to worry about, and she asks if Frieren can visualize a future with her dead. Frieren asks why Serie is trying to keep her out of the mission, following up with a question to Serie about what kind of future she foresees. Frieren wonders what her personal role would be in this future, and Serie does not respond, instead reminding Frieren that her presence does not affect the mission, and she does not intend to force her through it, as ultimately it was Sense's idea to bring her in. Frieren points out that Fern holds great respect for Serie, and she asks Serie if she really thought Fern would not try to get her involved.
Serie tells Frieren to come over so she can do her hair, but Frieren refuses in favor of Fern helping her. Serie tries to tell Frieren that she was misunderstanding her intention, but Fern subsequently finishes getting dressed and begins doing Frieren's hair. Sense speaks with Serie and comments that she did not expect Frieren to get on board with the mission so quickly. She then tells Serie that she made adjustments to their clothing in preparation for battle, which Serie praises her for. Serie tells Sense to sit down so she can help her with her hair, but Sense protests as her magic makes her perfectly capable of handling her own hair. Serie continues insisting, so Sense obliges.
As Serie works with Sense's hair, Sense asks her why she chose her and the other first-class mages for the mission, as mages like Lernen were more suitable. Serie reveals that Lernen would not be able to attend the ball given he was banished from the Empire fifty years prior, plus he had something else he wanted to take care of. Meanwhile, Lernen meets with Denken and Glück, and Serie states that she does not know what kind of future his expedition will lead to.
Sense reminds Serie of her previous question, and Serie asks if Sense remembers the privilege she wished for when she became a first-class mage. Sense recalls the event, where she wished for a spell that could make her sleep soundly, even after killing someone. Serie reflects on the privileges granted to the other first-class mages on the mission: Land requested for a spell to locate his family's remains, Übel requested for a spell to find her sister, Fern requested a laundry spell, and Falsch requested for a spell to change his voice so he could reproduce Serie's voice. Serie reveals that every first-class mage on the mission asked for magic that would not grant them power, and although those that do wish for power become the type of mage that she desires, those that do not wish for power end up becoming mages that surpass her expectations. Serie explains that she may be longing for a future she herself cannot reach, but the first-class mages on this mission can. When Sense asks her to clarify what she means, Serie declines, as she knows every mage on the mission would disagree and go against her choice, hence why she brought them along.
Übel and Land wait on standby outside the event venue. After ultimately finishing their preparations for the ball, Serie and her bodyguards all enter the ballroom together.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Locations[]
- Imperial Territory