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After the three of them finished their juices down to the last drop and only crumbs remained in the lunchbox, Shirou stood up from his chair with a light movement. He patted his waist pocket softly, ensuring he had enough money.
"Then, let me handle the payment," he said casually.
Lefiya opened her mouth, about to protest, but Shirou had already walked to the counter before she could say anything.
At the counter, the shop attendant politely stated the price, "For three special juices—10,000 valis, sir."
Shirou blinked. "...Seriously?"
Nevertheless, he opened the leather pouch at his waist and pulled out several gold and silver coins, counting them carefully. He handed over the exact amount—no more, no less.
Clink, clink.
Once the transaction was complete, Shirou returned to the table, still mulling over the bill. He sat down with a short sigh.
"It cost ten thousand valis," he told his two companions. "Way more expensive than a full meal at the Hostess of Fertility. There, you can get soup, bread, meat, and even dessert."
Aiz nodded calmly, but Lefiya replied quickly, "That's normal. In Rivira, prices can be several times higher. Logistics costs, transportation risks, and material scarcity... all play a role."
Aiz added, "For ordinary citizens, it's expensive. But for adventurers like us, it doesn't mean much."
Shirou nodded in agreement. "True. Besides, the reward from the quest we took is enough to cover meals here many times over."
Lefiya studied Shirou curiously, then narrowed her eyes. "Speaking of which, Shirou... you've been to Rivira several times, right? But you don't seem to know the prices here. Have you never shopped in Rivira before?"
Shirou scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Actually... I've never paid with valis here."
"Huh?"
"I usually barter. Using magic stones or drop items. They're happy with that because they can sell or use them for crafting right away. So I... well, don't know the normal prices when using coins."
Lefiya sighed softly. "Goodness, you really are... a back-alley adventurer, huh?"
Aiz turned to Shirou while slowly chewing her last bite of Jagamaru-kun, then succinctly said, "...Efficient."
After resting for a while and finishing their food and drinks, the three of them prepared to continue their journey. The shop was growing busier, with adventurers coming and going, but they rose with renewed energy.
Lefiya stood at the front, raising her Forest's Teardrop staff with an enthusiastic pose. "Alright! Let's keep going! Our next destination—the 25th floor!"
Shirou nodded as he shouldered his supporter bag, ensuring all its contents—provisions, potions, and quest documents—were secure. Aiz merely adjusted her sword sheath, her face calm, but her focus sharpening.
They left Rivira and descended the path leading to the stairs to the 19th floor.
The moment they set foot on the new floor, the atmosphere changed drastically.
While the 18th floor was filled with the calming glow of crystals and greenery, the 19th floor felt like stepping into an untouched, wild forest. Towering trees with sharp, curved branches loomed overhead, and thick undergrowth sprawled everywhere. Strange sounds echoed from afar—growls, the footsteps of wild beasts, and the rustling wind carrying the scent of earth and blood.
A narrow stone path guided them through the forest, the only safe route amidst the monsters lurking in the dark foliage.
Lefiya glanced around, her shoulders tensing slightly. Though she had been full of energy earlier, her expression was now far more cautious.
"I... I wouldn't dare fight alone on this floor," she murmured, eyeing a rustling bush not far from their path. "Fighting the Minotaur earlier was one thing... but here, everything feels... more dangerous for me."
Shirou turned to the elf and spoke in a soothing tone. "No one's asking you to fight alone here. We're a team."
Aiz gave a short nod, her hand resting on her sword hilt. "We're here."
Lefiya smiled shyly, but her eyes showed relief. With them by her side, even the darkest forest felt a little brighter.
Before they ventured deeper into the narrow path leading into the heart of the 19th floor's wild forest, Lefiya paused for a moment and turned to her two companions.
"Wait," she said confidently. "Before we go on, how about I cast a protection spell for the three of us?"
Aiz agreed. "That's fine."
Shirou, standing to Aiz's right, glanced at Lefiya curiously. "Is that... Riveria's magic? The one you can replicate?"
Lefiya smiled slightly, her eyes shining with pride. "Exactly. I learned it directly from Lady Riveria."
Shirou nodded slowly, then raised his hand like an actor giving the stage to his co-star. "Then... the stage is yours, Lefiya."
Lefiya's heart warmed at the gesture, but she feigned seriousness. She stood straight, raised her Forest's Teardrop staff to her chest, and began chanting the spell in a calm, graceful voice befitting a true Elf.
"I wish upon the name of Wishe—ancestors of the forest, proud brethren. Answer my call and come to the plains. Connecting bonds, the pledge of paradise. Turn the circle and dance around. Come, ring of fairies. Please—give me strength."
As the chant concluded, a golden magic circle shimmered beneath her feet. Ancient symbols and letters rotated slowly around her, forming an enchanting pattern.
"Elf Ring!"
A golden ring of light rose, encircling Lefiya's body, marking the activation of her rare skill—Elf Ring, the magic that allowed her to replicate spells from other elves she had observed and studied.
After that, Lefiya steadied her breath and immediately moved on to the second chant, her soft voice now filled with power.
"Assemble, breath of the land—my name is Alf..."
"Veil Breath!"
Instantly, a gentle emerald-green wind swept over the three of them. A warm, protective aura enveloped Shirou, Aiz, and Lefiya herself. The wind swirled briefly before seeping into their bodies, bolstering their resistance to physical and magical attacks.
Aiz lifted her hand for a moment, feeling the lightness on her skin, then nodded in satisfaction.
Shirou clenched his fist gently, sensing the soothing flow of energy. In his mind, old memories surfaced—times when he and Riveria sat alone in the storage shed at the corner of Loki Familia's garden, when the Nine Hells had used the same Veil Breath while they exchanged knowledge about magecraft and Orario's magic.
...Back then, she chanted it calmly too, but her aura was as oppressive as an invisible wall. Now... Lefiya can wield that magic in her own way.
Shirou turned to her with a sincere expression. "Well done, Lefiya. It feels just as strong as Riveria's."
Lefiya blushed but couldn't hide her pride. "Thank you... I worked hard to master it."
With the protective magic surrounding them and their spirits renewed, they continued their journey through the increasingly challenging floors.
Staring into the deepening, wild forest corridor, Shirou took a slow breath. With a firm motion, he raised his right hand.
"Trace, on."
A glow of prana formed lines in the air before solidifying into a large, pitch-black bow. He drew the bowstring without an arrow, and a prana arrow materialized in the center, ready to be fired at any moment.
"On these floors, monsters tend to appear in denser groups," Shirou said, adjusting his stance. "It'll be faster if I provide support from the rear. I'll cover you, Aiz."
Aiz gave a short nod, not needing lengthy words. "Ariel."
As soon as the spell was uttered, a thin wind began swirling around her. Her golden hair lifted softly, and an aura of wind magic enveloped her, drastically increasing her speed and agility.
And sure enough, as they stepped back onto the stone path cutting through the 19th floor's wild forest, growls and the thunderous sound of heavy footsteps greeted them.
Monsters emerged one after another, as if drawn to their presence.
A Battle Boar charged from the bushes, its massive body and sharp tusks aimed at Aiz. But before the beast could even touch the ground in front of her—TWANG!—a black arrow pierced its eye, causing it to collapse and turn to ash.
From the left, Lizardmen approached in droves, their green scales glinting under the Dungeon's faint light. But Aiz moved faster, her body like a shadow darting forward, Desperate gleaming in her hand. In seconds, two monsters fell with clean slashes to their necks.
"Two from the right," Shirou murmured.
Another arrow shot out—ZWOOSH!—and a Bugbear attempting to climb from the slope was obliterated, its large body crashing against the rocks before vanishing into ash.
Their teamwork was seamless and efficient—Shirou with his precise support, Aiz with her flawless movements—making the forest spanning from the 19th to the 24th floor feel like nothing more than a training ground.
Lefiya walked a few steps behind them, staying in a safe position, with no chance to even release a single spell. When they reached the final stairs leading to the 25th floor, she let out a quiet sigh and muttered with a hint of disappointment.
"Throughout this whole journey... my only contribution was that initial buff..."
Hearing this, Shirou turned to her with a mischievous grin. "Don't worry. On the 25th floor, you can help Aiz learn to swim... with me."
Lefiya immediately stammered. "E-Eh?! Help... teach... swimming?! With you and Aiz...?!"
Meanwhile, Aiz simply stared straight ahead and flatly added, "...I still can't dive."
Lefiya grew even more flustered. "I-I'm not a swimming instructor either!"
Shirou merely found it amusing and mentally prepared himself for the journey through the Water City... and the potential chaos awaiting them on the water's surface.
As their final steps landed on the 25th floor, the roar of rushing water greeted them, echoing from all directions like thunder trapped in the earth's belly.
"Wooow..." Lefiya looked up, her eyes wide as she took in the breathtaking landscape before them.
A wide underground river flowed rapidly to their left, its water clear but moving with undeniable force. The river's surface reflected the light from the high ceiling crystals, making the entire area look like a hidden, magical world.
In the distance, they could see the source of the sound—the Great Fall, a colossal waterfall cascading from the ceiling of this floor, pouring an immense volume of water directly into the depths of the 27th floor. Powerful, towering, and pure, the water fell like a giant curtain with no end in sight.
A moist wind carried fine droplets of mist to where they stood, dampening their faces and shoulders.
Without hesitation, Aiz stepped forward toward the river's edge. She stared intently at the rushing current, then began unfastening the clasps of her breastplate, seemingly preparing to change into something more suitable for swimming.
But Shirou immediately gave her a wary look and quickly stepped closer.
"Wait!" he said firmly. "Aiz, it's better not to do it here. The current's too strong. If you get swept away and fall into the Great Fall, we won't be able to catch you."
Aiz turned, her expression unchanged, but her hands paused on the clasps.
"...I see," she murmured. She refastened her breastplate without protest, heeding Shirou's advice.
"It's better to find a safer spot," Shirou continued. "A calm, small pool. Maybe a recess separated from the main river."
The three of them then split up, following the river's rocky and slippery banks, their eyes sharp as they searched for crevices, shadows, and pools that could serve as a training area.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone cliffs and the deep-rooted vegetation clinging to the river walls.
Before long, a loud voice broke the silence.
"Shirou! Aiz! Over here!"
Lefiya's voice came from the right side of the river, slightly higher than where they stood. Shirou and Aiz exchanged a glance, then wordlessly turned and ran toward the sound. Shirou's fingers gripped his supporter bag tightly, while Aiz had already loosened her sword sheath, ready in case monsters appeared.
When they arrived, they found Lefiya standing at the edge of a small slope leading to a tranquil pool, separated from the main river, surrounded by flat, warm rocks reflecting the crystal light. The water was clear and almost ripple-free, perfect for training.
"I think... this place is perfect," Shirou said with a relieved sigh.
Once they reached the edge of the calm pool, Shirou slowed his steps and crouched. He dipped his fingertips into the water, letting its temperature and depth register on his skin. It was cool but not freezing, and the bottom was deep enough for practice but not dangerously so.
"Just right," he muttered. "Spacious enough and not too shallow. Good for swimming lessons."
Aiz, standing beside him, turned slowly and asked with her usual straight-faced expression, "Then... can I change now?"
"Yep," Shirou replied shortly, standing and slinging his supporter bag in front of him. He opened the main clasp, rummaged inside, and pulled out two small bags of different colors. "This one's for you, Aiz. And this is yours, Lefiya."
He handed each bag to its owner, and they accepted it with grateful gestures.
After receiving her bag, Lefiya turned to Aiz and pointed to a corner. "Let's find a place to change," she suggested, starting to walk toward the rocks near the pool.
But their steps were immediately halted by Shirou's voice. "Wait a second!"
Aiz stopped and turned, puzzled. "Shirou... are you coming too?"
Shirou's face turned red instantly. "Huh?! N-No, that's not what I meant!"
He quickly raised his hands. "I mean... let me project tents. So we can store our things and... well, change clothes too."
Lefiya turned slowly, and a small, amused smile appeared at the corner of her lips as she watched Shirou suddenly fumble over his words. With a slightly teasing tone, she added, "In that case, project two. One for you, and one for the two of us."
"R-right," Shirou answered quickly, then closed his eyes briefly to focus his prana. "Trace on..."
In an instant, two modern tents appeared before them—sleek and practical in design, with waterproof outer layers and soft flooring suitable for quick rests in the Dungeon. One was dark blue, and the other silver-gray.
Lefiya immediately chose the gray one and glanced at Aiz, tilting her head. "Come on, Aiz."
Aiz said nothing, simply following with her usual calm steps.
Shirou watched them walk into the tent, then turned to the other one. He shifted his supporter bag to his left shoulder and stepped inside.
As he closed the tent flap, his mind couldn't fully focus.
...The last time Aiz wore a white bikini was in Melen... when she came out after changing, her beauty combined with her innocent charm was mesmerizing. And now... with Lefiya added to the mix.
Shirou shook his head slowly, trying to dispel the wild thoughts as he began untying his shoes.
"Focus... focus, Emiya Shirou..." he whispered to himself. But a small spark of anticipation still flickered in the corner of his mind.