Stark knelt at the wooden table.

He was still thinking...

Komekko had told him her sister was out adventuring with some man.

Adventuring... with a man…

What exactly does that mean?

Stark furrowed his brow.

He wasn't sure what kind of person this mysterious guy was...

---

Elsewhere in the house—

Hyoizaburoo and Frieren had been quietly discussing something.

Suddenly, Hyoizaburoo shot to his feet, bursting with excitement.

"Yes! Why didn't I think of that?!"

"Frieren-san, you're an absolute genius!"

"Please, stay a little longer!"

"Hehe~"

Frieren gently shook the magic device in her hand, smiling smugly.

"Sure. But once it's complete, I want a copy of this device."

"No problem!"

"Husband!"

"Frieren-sama!"

Fern and Yuiyui shouted at the same time.

Both men froze like statues, then immediately dropped what they were doing and obediently sat cross-legged at the table.

"Frieren-sama, we've been here nearly a month already."

"If we stay longer, it's only going to get colder up north, and our journey back will get more dangerous."

"Don't you understand how serious this is?!"

Fern scolded with a frown.

"Fern… I know I messed up…"

Frieren lowered her head, unusually obedient.

"Alright, alright, Fern, just eat. Don't be angry."

Yuiyui smiled as she placed a piece of beef into Fern's bowl.

After more than half a month of living together, she could tell.

This girl was kind at heart and cared deeply for her companions.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find a way back."

Yuiyui reassured them.

"Mm… thank you."

"Fern!"

At that moment, Komekko looked up with her big glittering eyes.

"My sister is a super powerful wizard!"

"Maybe she can help you!"

"Really?!"

Fern and the others instantly straightened up.

The magic of traveling between worlds…

Frieren couldn't crack it on her own.

But if there was another high-level magic user helping, they might just have a shot!

As soon as Megumin was mentioned—

Hyoizaburoo's face lit up with pride.

"Of course it's true."

"My daughter is the greatest magician in the world!"

"She mastered humanity's most powerful offensive magic while still a child!"

"I'm not exaggerating, my daughter, she's—"

Before he could finish bragging—

Yuiyui shoved a piece of bread straight into his mouth.

"Oh, husband, don't show off so much in front of guests."

That said—

Yuiyui couldn't help but smile happily too.

Fern lowered her gaze, deep in thought.

The most powerful offensive magic in the world?

Maybe with her help, they really could get back.

"Excuse me… where can I find her?"

Fern looked up seriously.

"Ah, well—"

"I'm back!"

Before Hyoizaburoo could reply, the front door opened with a creak.

Megumin's voice rang out from outside.

"I saw shoes at the entrance. Are there guests?"

"…Huh?"

She stepped into the living room...

And froze at the crowd sitting around the table.

"..."

"You guys had sukiyaki without me?!"

"I even brought back all these local specialties!"

Megumin dropped the bag in her hand and sprinted over barefoot.

"That's too cruel!"

She knelt at the table, scooped up some meat, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Frieren and the others stared at her in stunned silence.

What… is happening?

Fern blinked at the petite red-robed girl in front of her.

This was the great wizard who had mastered the world's most powerful offensive magic?

This was definitely not what she imagined...

She expected someone more… mature.

"Megumin, why are you back already?"

Hyoizaburoo blinked.

Megumin suddenly remembered her main reason for returning. She set down her chopsticks.

"Mom, remember the nutritious porridge you made for Komekko and me when we were sick?"

"Can you teach me?"

"I want to learn how to make it."

"Oh?"

Yuiyui raised an eyebrow.

"What for?"

"No reason! I've just been feeling kind of off lately. I thought it'd be good to have something light to drink..."

Megumin looked away, eyes shifting guiltily.

Chishiya had liked that dessert Yunyun made last time.

She wanted to show off a little too.

And lately, her master had been ridiculously busy.

A warm bowl of porridge might help him relax.

But more importantly… she didn't want to lose to Yunyun!!!

That's right...

She just didn't want to lose as the eldest disciple.

No other reason!

Totally not!

"..."

Yuiyui's lips curled into a knowing smile.

She knew her daughter's tsundere nature too well.

It was obvious from the start that she wanted to make it for Chishiya.

"Alright. I'll teach you before you head back." Yuiyui chuckled softly.

"But Megumin."

She glanced toward Frieren.

"They seem to need help. Do you have any ideas?"

"Huh?"

Megumin blinked and turned to look at the others.

---

Ten minutes later.

Fern explained their situation to Megumin.

"So basically, you want to return to your original world."

"Right?"

Megumin asked.

Fern nodded. "Yes."

"I heard from Hyoizaburoo-san that you've mastered the most powerful offensive magic."

"You're a very accomplished magician."

Megumin burst out laughing. "Hahaha!"

"Of course! I am the Crimson Demon Clan's top magician!"

"I once obliterated an army of tens of thousands of Orcs with a single spell!"

Her "tail" was practically wagging.

Fern stepped forward, serious.

"In that case, please help us find a way home."

At that moment—

Megumin's smile froze on her face.

"Eh???"

Thinking she didn't hear, Fern repeated it.

"We hope you can help us find a way back."

"Um…"

Megumin looked around in a panic.

Her eyes wandered like someone trying to disappear.

"Actually… my case is a little special…"

She scratched her head.

Fern frowned. "What's wrong?"

"..."

Megumin pressed her lips together.

Stark and Frieren also stared at her.

"Do you have any special conditions?"

Fern asked again.

"No…"

Megumin sighed. "Actually… besides that kind of magic…"

"I don't know any other spells…"

"..."

A few seconds passed.

Fern: "EH——?!"

The room went silent.

No one said a word.

Until finally…

Someone muttered, "Let's eat…"

Everyone quietly picked up their chopsticks again and resumed their meal.

Both Fern and Megumin had flushed ears.

Probably from the mutual embarrassment...

"..."

Magic for crossing worlds…

Megumin chewed on her chopsticks in thought.

"Wait…"

Something suddenly clicked.

"I remember now!!!"

She slammed her chopsticks down on the table.

How could she forget her master?!

Her master totally knows magic for crossing between worlds!!!

"I'll take you to meet my master tomorrow!"

"He'll definitely have a way!"

(To be continued.)

***

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