By a twist of fate, Ryuu found herself here. It all began with idle chatter among tavern patrons, where someone had written a quest in the ancient Elf tongue. The quest contained cryptic words, with the reward being the glory of the Elves. Intrigued, Ryuu examined the details. After deciphering a coded message, she learned this was a quest issued by Guildmaster Royman.
This portly elf seemed deeply displeased with Riveria and her companions' journey, believing it would tarnish the Guild's dignity. The former elf princess visiting the Spirit Land without attendants was, from any perspective, highly inappropriate. Yet finding a suitable candidate for this task proved difficult—someone who could satisfy Riveria, understand etiquette, and possess sufficient intelligence. Thus Royman had issued this peculiar quest. By sheer accident, Ryuu had completed it, receiving specific attire and assembly instructions.
"If it's for Riveria-sama... I suppose I have no choice..."
The outskirts held dangers beyond monsters—bandits and criminals lurked there. Though Riveria was powerful, if anyone harmed that noble Elf princess, Ryuu would surely regret it deeply. She changed into the clothes and hurried to the meeting spot. But there, before her eyes, stood that boy.
"Not just in dreams... I can't escape him even in reality..."
Ryuu sighed deeply and slowly approached.
"Ryuu-san? Are you heading to the Spirit Land too?"
Bell noticed her arrival and asked.
"Yes. I didn't expect Cranel-san to be going as well. I will ensure your safety."
Ryuu made her promise with unwavering resolve. Her sapphire-blue eyes seemed to declare that if any thieves dared to attack, she would step forward to defend them. Yet the next instant, this seemingly indestructible warship was sunk by cannon fire.
"Ryuu-san, that outfit is adorable. You look just like a flower fairy from a fairy tale."
Bell admired the yellow and green ensemble she wore. Apart from her tavern uniform, Ryuu typically wore speed-optimized battle gear—a cloak and hood. Excluding the outfit lent by Syr, this was the first time Bell had ever seen Ryuu wearing such a light, flowing garment.
"..."
Ryuu pressed her lips tightly together, momentarily speechless. Her earlier resolve vanished without a trace, leaving only a faint blush on her cheeks. Before she could decide how to respond, Lefiya had already rushed forward.
"You shameless, perpetually horny rabbit! You truly deserve the death penalty!"
Lefiya swallowed the words "Why only compliment other girls?!" and unleashed her bitter, resentful fury at the youth.
Seeing someone come to her rescue, Ryuu exhaled a long breath. Watching the playful pair, she suddenly realized something.
"Riveria-sama... still hasn't arrived..."
The sun peeked over the horizon, its rays spilling onto the streets as the numbers of adventurers and laborers gradually increased. Riveria was late. Everyone sensed this undeniable truth.
…
"The noble lady must be handling important matters!" Alicia declared with certainty.
"That's right! Riveria-sama has a mountain of duties to attend to, which is exactly why she's delayed. How could you complain?!" Lefiya raised her wand angrily, pointing it at the boy.
"But I didn't say anything?" Bell found himself inexplicably taking the blame.
"Cranel-san, to question the noble lady's punctuality—even I can't excuse such behavior." Ryuu sighed coldly.
"But Ryuu-san said it first?" Bell pointed out the obvious.
"I... I never doubted Riveria-sama! I was just wondering if today's schedule was off." Ryuu hurriedly defended herself.
Her words were echoed by the Elf girl.
"I also think the sun came up unusually early today..." Lefiya squinted, gazing into the distance.
"This... this must be a god's conspiracy! To frame Riveria-sama, they've set such a cruel trap—we absolutely can't fall for it!" Alicia cried out passionately.
Bell watched the deeply unsettled Elf girls, momentarily at a loss for words. He carefully chose his words before replying.
"Surely this doesn't warrant such exaggeration... I can see that Riveria-san comes from noble stock, but people make mistakes."
It was just a delay—their reaction seemed over the top.
"No, that's absolutely impossible!" Alicia retorted immediately. "Wait... what did you just call Riveria-sama?" She noticed the youth's choice of words and frowned.
"Um... Riveria-san?" Bell repeated his form of address.
Lefiya clutched her wand, her expression shifting to one of "Oh... this is bad..."
Ryuu's expression was complex as she spoke. "Cranel-san, I think you should change how you address her."
"Why? I thought Riveria-san liked it?" Bell explained, noting that, though it was subtle, Riveria always slightly curled the corners of her mouth whenever he used that title.
"Like?! Absolutely preposterous!" Alicia's pent-up fury finally erupted.
Completely forgetting her fastidious nature, she strode straight up to Bell.
"Do you have any idea how noble Riveria-sama is? To address her like that is truly... enviable... No, it's an outrage!"
"Um... there's no need to take it this far..." Lefiya interjected, trying to calm the situation.
She didn't know Riveria's true thoughts, but she understood at least this much: Riveria hadn't tacitly approved of this nickname out of mere courtesy. It felt like a shared understanding between the young man and her. This was naturally not something Lefiya could interfere with.
"Lefiya, you actually approve of this title?! Ugh... Love is truly terrifying. Has that adorable junior who used to kiss and hug me completely vanished...?" Alicia wore a pained expression.
"Love?! And what's this about kissing and hugging? Don't implant false memories into my head!" Lefiya hastily protested.
She had intended to speak for the boy, but her words were instantly defeated.
"..."
Ryuu watched the arguing trio, unsure how to intervene. She had left the forest to wander precisely because she was ashamed of her own cleanliness obsession, so she merely felt something was off without giving it much thought.
Lefiya, on the other hand, had grown up in the [School District]. At best, she hadn't been influenced by outdated customs; at worst, she was simply carefree and oblivious. Yet Alicia stood in stark contrast to both, a quintessential natural-born elf. Her own fastidious nature would never forgive the boy's casual reference to the elf princess.
"Listen carefully! Riveria-sama is both beautiful and powerful. She hails from a noble royal lineage. If we speak of experience, that lady's age... her age..." Alicia trailed off, her final murmur lost to Bell's ears.
The blonde elf pressed her lips together, offering an awkward smile.
In the morning light, beautiful emerald-green hair danced behind Alicia, swaying in the breeze.