In Frieren as a 1000 years old Demon

Under the silent guidance of the court mages, Agusheed slowly exited the imperial palace. 

Descending the gilded palace steps, the evening sky gradually filled his vision. 

The sun had already sunk behind the mountains, painting the evening clouds with hints of pale red. 

That hue reflected in Agusheed's eyes, reminding him of a certain morning on the northern plateau. 

Furame's red hair dispersing in the morning mist seemed vividly present before him. 

The rustling sound of her hair brushing against parchment scrolls echoed faintly in his ears. 

"How fleeting..." 

Agusheed murmured inwardly. 

Whether he meant the entire journey or just that particular morning remained unclear. 

The imperial capital at dusk intertwined harmoniously with its mythical relief carvings. 

Bronze spires pierced through drifting clouds while marble domes captured the fading light. 

It closely resembled the wonders of mythical eras Agusheed had witnessed. 

"No wonder Furame loves this city - truly magnificent scenery." 

Agusheed's words sounded like admiration. 

Yet the accompanying court mage detected no emotional fluctuation in his tone— 

Making the guide regard this companion who returned with their teacher with some puzzlement. 

As the stone steps finally reached their end at the civilian district's threshold, 

The court mage suppressed his thoughts and focused on Agusheed. 

"Does Your Excellency wish to proceed directly to—" 

The guide's words abruptly ceased. 

When his gaze met Agusheed's utterly emotionless eyes— 

He suddenly realized an inhuman serenity perpetually enveloped the man. 

Like ancient sculptures preserved in the palace. 

Even after millennia of moonlight caresses, their stony pupils would never reflect human warmth. 

"Emotionless speech, colorless eyes... almost like a demon." 

This dangerous analogy tightened the court mage's throat, 

Though he dismissed it instantly, almost laughing at his own absurd thought. 

"If teacher knew I thought this about her companion, she'd break my legs." 

Having completed his guiding duty, he bowed apologetically to Agusheed for his lapse. 

"May you enjoy tonight's celebration, Your Excellency." 

Agusheed showed no concern for the discourtesy, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. 

Then without pause, he proceeded toward the civilian district under the mage's watchful gaze. 

Though night hadn't fully fallen, the capital's citizens already bustled with festival preparations. 

Every household hung colorful lanterns high before their doors, connecting streets with vibrant decorations. 

Agusheed advanced slowly through the jostling crowd. 

Carts laden with abundant ingredients passed him continuously. 

The dance venue soon appeared before him, surrounded by expectant youths. 

Children darted through the crowd, their innocent laughter ringing during playful chases. 

Harmonious. Beautiful. 

All celebrated Grand Mage Furame's return. 

Only Agusheed stood apart. 

Moving solitary through street after street, 

His deliberate concealment made him unnoticeable amidst the wandering. 

Laughing youths unconsciously stepped back when nearing him. 

Decorating maidens inexplicably ceased humming as he passed. 

Even drunkards' swaying bottles froze momentarily in his presence, as if avoiding him. 

Within the pre-festival revelry's vortex— 

Only Agusheed's lonely figure carved out absolute silence. 

After untold wandering, night gradually descended— 

Agusheed distanced himself from the bustling markets as human clamor faded. 

Ultimately, he stopped at a secluded capital overlook. 

Gazing upward at the central statue bearing no resemblance to Furame— 

Agusheed couldn't fathom how she permitted such a thing. 

"During our travels, she was extremely particular about her statues..." 

Again failing to comprehend human thinking, Agusheed leaned against the sculpture. 

From his vantage, celebration bells began ringing. 

Watching countless [firework-releasing spells] blossom across the sky, 

Agusheed extended his palm as if to catch the drifting sparks. 

Two centuries ago, when first observing this world's humans from afar, 

Their post-gathering bonfires had similarly extinguished against his palm. 

Even then, Agusheed had lost all emotion. 

Completely unable to understand why these ephemeral beings danced around transient light. 

Leaning against the statue's base, he touched his own temperatureless face. 

Again realizing the distance between himself and the concept of "human." 

Thus... 

Human celebrations held neither interest nor meaning for him. 

Since he couldn't comprehend them, staying would only bring pointless distress. 

"Tap tap..." 

Dew-moistened flagstones carried faint footsteps. 

Despite the distance, without even sensing magic, 

Agusheed recognized Furame's gait. 

"I knew you'd wander off alone somewhere deserted." 

Though still unseen, Furame's thoroughly exasperated tone was unmistakable. 

Agusheed countered toward her direction: 

"I assumed you'd be at the palace banquet— 

After all, it's held for your return, isn't it, Furame?" 

Furame emerged from shadowed streets. 

Now divested of her formal mage robes, an elegant white silk dress draped her slender form. 

To Agusheed's question, she merely shook her head with a smile. 

"I could never adjust to the nobles' grandiose banquets— 

Can you imagine their rigid dances and protocols?" 

Agusheed raised an eyebrow. 

"Then shouldn't you be at the public celebration instead?" 

Furame gradually approached until barely separated from Agusheed. 

Her shoe-tips engraved with mirror lotus blossoms tapped lightly within his sightline. 

As she leaned down, her cascading hair brushed his hand, carrying iris fragrance. 

"I intended to, but someone made me search twelve clock towers and three fountain plazas—" 

Looking down at Agusheed reclining against her statue, she continued wistfully: 

"Celebrants are now immersed in food and drink - my arrival would disrupt the mood." 

"I see... My apologies for spoiling your plans." 

Agusheed offered sincere regret. 

"Just verbal apologies? No compensation?" 

Furame extended her right hand, pulling Agusheed upright. 

"Compensation..." 

Agusheed used [a dirt-removing spell] to cleanse his attire. 

"Then what should I do now?" 

Hearing his response, Furame smiled brightly. 

Tilting her head, she kept her right hand extended. 

"Won't you dance with me?" 

"Here?" 

"If you've nowhere else in mind, then here... 

Beneath this moonlight—"

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