Chapter 114 – Saving the World, Starting with Pig Language
The main reason Elias had intervened… was simply to make Frieren settle down.
For the past half month, the house had been constantly echoing with pig noises.
He had had enough.
Robin, sitting across the dining table, remained utterly unfazed. He didn't even look up. In fact, he seemed even calmer than Elias.
He had already concluded that Frieren was just putting on a show. An entire month had passed, and aside from feeding a pig and making pig noises, she had done almost nothing else.
This was magical research?
Unbelievable.
"Snort—hrrk."
With what sounded suspiciously like a pig's chuckle, Frieren came striding down the stairs, wearing the pig nose and pig ears, looking unbearably smug.
She shot Robin an arrogant look and declared:
"Snort-huff grrk snuffle snrk oink snort?"
Robin slowly turned his head, eyes cold and unimpressed.
"Frieren, I may not understand pig language… but I can definitely tell you're feeling pretty proud."
She froze for a second, then hurriedly removed the pig nose and ears.
"Hmph. I was just too excited and forgot to take them off."
"So?" Robin asked calmly. "What were you trying to say?"
Frieren suddenly pointed at him dramatically.
"Robin! Today is the decisive moment! Are you prepared to admit defeat?"
"I'm afraid I must decline."
Robin wiped his mouth, rose from his seat, and stood firmly before her.
"Because the one admitting defeat will be you."
Their gazes collided like clashing blades. If sparks could fly from eye contact alone, Elias would have seen flames.
He had no intention of getting involved.
So he remained seated, silently watching the two storm out of the house.
---
They walked in silence, neither sparing the other a glance.
Passing the remains of the Carrion Lurebirds and the hunter's grave, they soon entered the cave once more, arriving at the flower field deep within.
The lazy pig was still sprawled among the blossoms, snoring peacefully.
Robin let out a cold laugh.
"Frieren, I can't believe I've wasted an entire month over a lazy pig."
"Honestly… I knew from the start you were fooling around, and yet I went along with it. That won't happen again."
Frieren crouched beside the pig and cast him a disdainful look.
"Of course it won't."
"Because after today, you'll understand that when it comes to magic… I'm always right."
"Fine."
Robin planted his greatsword into the ground and leaned casually against it, one hand resting on the hilt.
A spectator's posture.
"Go on, then. Show me what useful wisdom a lazy pig can offer."
Frieren put on the pig nose and pig ears once more and gently patted the pig's belly.
With two soft snorts, the pig stirred awake and slowly lifted its body.
The moment it noticed the pig-like features on Frieren's face—
It froze.
Frieren smiled gently.
"Don't be afraid. I just want to talk. These won't hurt you."
"I know."
The response made Frieren's eyes light up instantly.
She understood it.
"It worked! My magical device worked! I can understand what it's saying!"
Meanwhile—
Standing behind her, Robin could hear nothing but a stream of pig noises.
He even yawned.
So what if she could understand pig language? What could a pig possibly say?
At most: I'm hungry. I'm sleepy. I want to roll in the mud.
As for "mana resonance," "refusing to leave the monument," or "carrying some vital secret"—
Pure nonsense.
---
Frieren spoke clearly and steadily:
"First, I want to ask you—why is there mana within you? And why does it resonate with the Goddess Monument?"
"Idiot. Obviously because I was affected by the Goddess Monument's magic."
Frieren froze.
Had she just been insulted… by a pig?
"…Alright. Pig. What's your name?"
"Jack. I haven't technically received that name yet, but you can call me Jack."
"Okay, Jack. If I'm not mistaken, the reason you refuse to leave the monument is because of the Goddess's magic, correct?"
"Yes. If I leave the monument, the magic within me will fade. The consequences would be… catastrophic."
"And what kind of magic is it?"
"You'll find this hard to believe. The Goddess Monument granted me the magic of returning to the past."
"W–What? Returning to the past?"
"That's right. The me speaking to you now… came here from the future."
"That's impossible! I've never even heard of such magic!"
"Of course you haven't. The Goddess's magic is the oldest power in this world. Even relics who've lived for thousands of years may fail to comprehend it."
"…Then how does this time-travel magic work?"
"In the future, I and my present self will touch the Goddess Monument at the same time. The future me will then overwrite the present me's body."
"So you know what happens in the future? And you came here to tell me?"
"Yes. That is precisely my mission."
"Then tell me! If there's anything I can do, I'll do it!"
"Not just you. Elias. Flamme. And that brat behind you. All four of you must act together."
"…Is that so? And what exactly are we supposed to do?"
"The South. After Flamme returns, on the third full moon—you must depart for the Southern Continent."
"The Southern Continent? And then?"
"Find someone. A male hero who wields twin swords."
"What's his name?"
"…I can't tell you. Because I don't remember having told you."
"…And after we find him?"
"I don't remember telling you that either."
"…If we don't go looking for him? What happens?"
"Humanity… will be completely annihilated."
"What?!"
Frieren shot to her feet with a shriek, unable to believe her own pig-enhanced ears.
This was no longer just a bet between her and Robin.
This was about saving all of humanity.
Not only would she push the era forward—
She would save the world.
---
At this point, Robin had finally had enough of pig noises.
He stepped forward bluntly.
"Alright. After all that nonsense, it's about time you give me an explanation."
Frieren turned toward him, trembling slightly. She removed the pig nose and stared at the brown-haired boy with grave seriousness.
"Robin, do you understand? If not for me… humanity would be wiped out."
Robin took a slow, deep breath.
"Good grief… Frieren. Just to beat me in a bet, you've come up with something this ridiculous?"
At that moment, the pig let out a snort.
Frieren understood immediately.
"Hey, white-haired elf girl."
"Give the pig ears to that brat."
"I'll tell him myself."