"Ugh... Why do I have to pretend to be your girlfriend?!"
Inside the swaying carriage, Lefiya loudly protested.
Behind the carriage, a murmuring river and the distant forest kept sliding past their view. Amid the fantastical and beautiful scenery, Bell's eyes instead settled on the two Elves.
"Lefiya-san, if we don't want to draw suspicion, this is the most reliable method."
Bell, Ryuu, Lefiya, and Laurier had set out on their journey together. Though they were headed for Sword Smithing City Solingen, it was best to stay out of sight. Based on the intelligence gathered, they still had time—but if the villains learned that Gale and the others were providing support, it would place the Astraea Familia in even greater danger.
Laurier sat outside the carriage, guiding the horses.
She had always handled espionage work outside the city, rarely showing her face, making her the ideal person to drive and negotiate with others.
Ryuu's "Gale" alias was well-known, but with her hair dyed and living as a tavern employee, as long as she didn't use Magic, no one would recognize her.
The only problem lay with Bell and Lefiya.
The titles [Little Rookie] and [Thousand Elf] were far too famous. For two members of exploration-oriented Familias to suddenly travel together naturally drew suspicion. Wearing hoods to hide their identities would only make them look more like spies—and risk being barred from entering other countries.
Considering all this, Bell and Lefiya disguised themselves as a couple, using a honeymoon trip as their reason for leaving Orario.
"It's only in name," Bell added.
"Mm… I know that…"
Lefiya held her wand close, lips pressed together.
Last night, a faint sadness hung over Loki Familia. When Finn relayed the intelligence Bell had obtained, Lefiya clearly felt Ais's confusion and urgency. Even Riveria, normally so composed, couldn't hide her agitation.
It took Finn a long time to convince everyone not to act recklessly.
The distance between Orario and Sword Smithing City Solingen was enormous. Traveling back and forth could very well result in the Labyrinth City's destruction. From a national standpoint, Loki Familia's movement was restricted as well. Overwhelming individual combat power was far more terrifying than a Crozzo Magic Sword; one mistake could escalate into a military conflict.
Conflicted, helpless, worried…
Lefiya had been overwhelmed by the emotions swirling through that room. And when she heard the boy would go himself, she spoke without thinking.
"I can go!"
Everyone had been stunned.
Lefiya often trembled before monsters—yet this time, the enemy was Evilus remnants, whose malice was on an entirely different level.
Amid the shocked expressions, Finn licked his fingertip. After confirming her resolve, he approved the matter.
Lefiya spent the entire night preparing herself mentally. Even so, she never imagined that the very first trial she would face… was becoming the boy's nominal lover.
In its own way, it struck right at her fragile heart.
"Don't do anything weird!"
Lefiya glared at Bell as she emphasized every word.
"Of course not." Bell answered with a soft laugh.
Even the "lovers" setup was only something they would bring up if questioned during inspections.
"Hmph… Why did you answer so fast?! You idiot!"
Lefiya was thoroughly dissatisfied with the boy's reaction.
Such an immediate reply made it sound as if she had no charm at all.
"I was just being honest… Lefiya-san? Why are you lifting your wand?"
In the cramped carriage, Bell had nowhere to retreat.
"I get it… I really want to do weird things to Lefiya-san, right?"
Bell hurriedly corrected himself.
"You just said your true feelings, didn't you?! You perverted rabbit!"
Cheeks puffed out, Lefiya glanced at the wand in her hand, then tossed it aside and swung an "Iron Fist" straight at the boy.
Ryuu watched the scene quietly, not stepping in.
She desperately wanted to reach Astraea as soon as possible.
But she understood—they still had time, and she had to hide her identity and reach Sword Smithing City Solingen without slipping up.
On this day in past years, she would always remain on the Eighteenth Floor.
That sorrowful, distant graveyard had become the place by which Ryuu measured time.
The river flowed like a quiet lament, its sound blending with the wheels beneath them.
The villages they passed burned special flowers and herbs, sending a faintly mournful scent drifting into the sky.
Ryuu's journey was far from over—neither this time nor in the future.
But unlike before, someone walked beside her now.
Watching the two bicker playfully, Ryuu's lips curved ever so slightly.
"Lefiya-san… seems quite fond of Cranel-san too."
"…Hah? W-What are you saying?!"
Lefiya's temper vanished instantly. Her face flushed red as she backed away.
"..."
Ryuu realized immediately—she had let her inner thoughts slip out.
What had she been thinking just now?
She could almost hear the voices of the friends she had been remembering earlier, laughing as they offered their wildly different blessings.
"Lion, nicely done."
"You lecherous elf."
"So you like them younger, huh."
…
Ryuu wanted to defend herself, to insist it was nothing more than the affection one feels for a friend, certainly not anything romantic. But the friends in front of her didn't seem to hear that at all, continuing their talk about love as if on their own track.
"Ryuu-san—"
Bell's voice pulled her back to reality.
"Cranel-san! Please don't mind it!"
Ryuu hurriedly cut him off. She genuinely had no idea how to explain the careless words she had just blurted out. Avoiding his eyes, she lowered her head, hiding her burning cheeks beneath her hair.
"I was just confused for a moment… please don't take it seriously," Ryuu added.
"O-of course! You're probably just not used to riding in a carriage, right? Honestly… how could you suddenly say something so strange…"
Lefiya rushed to patch things up, following Ryuu's lead. The unexpected turn of the conversation left her own face bright red.
Just then, the carriage rolled to a stop.
"It's getting late. Let's stay at an inn for the night… Did something happen between you three?"
Laurier lifted the curtain, immediately noticing the odd atmosphere.
"N-no! We've been traveling forever, so I'm just hungry. I'll go order something to eat!"
Lefiya jumped off the carriage and escaped at once.
"Ryuu-san, I know you're feeling really overwhelmed right now. Goddess Astraea will be fine. Just rest for now."
Bell didn't ask about her slip of the tongue; he simply spoke with gentle concern.
"Mm…"
Ryuu nodded and quietly headed toward the inn. The night had grown deep. Laurier watched the backs of her two companions without a word.
"…Bell."
She whispered her lover's name softly.
A loving couple passed by, their child sleeping peacefully in their arms. Laurier glanced at the brightly lit inn ahead. As if making up her mind about something, she slowly walked forward.