The | Red Crest Magi | forces were completely eradicated.
What was left, a gruesome scene of lifeless bodies scattered throughout the hot red sand.
The thick clouds that formed near the ground made it difficult to see.
The putrid scent of blood emanating from the area was sickening.
The Magi, both men and women, were impaled with sharp stakes of glimmering minerals resembling ice.
Their pupils vanished; indicating their death.
The figure responsible for this chaos, had long white hair.
He could be seen through the thick cold air which dominated the otherwise hot desert.
A Magus lay on the ground, barely alive.
He inquired of the man who had decimated their forces, "Who are you?"
The white-haired man replied with a dismissive tone, "You're about to meet your end, so does that really matter?"
Without delay, he snapped his fingers, conjuring a sizable shard of ice above the Magus, which promptly descended upon his head, obliterating it into countless fragments.
This was a brutal display of power, and it was clear that the white-haired man was not to be trifled with.
"Now, I wonder where Rumia will be," the man asked himself.
His gaze directed at Falmuth, he approached the city.
"Time for a little sightseeing."
[ The events to come are before and in-between Archibaldʼs previous chapter of interacting with Muramasa and going to the Tempest Fall Guildʼs branch. ]
'In this world, there's two types of people... The first would be me, one of the hard-working individuals and then...'
Rumiaʼs thoughts momentarily paused, then she looked at Archibald who slept like a mammoth.
'...There's people like him, the hardly working.'
She'd finished dressing the bed she slept on.
Into the bathroom she went.
There, she took her shower.
A sweet soapy scent escaped the bathroom when she exited it.
Even then, Archibald was still sleeping.
She decided to write him a letter, so when he woke up, he wouldn't have to search for her.
"I'll be out for a while... I need to bargain prices for..."
Subconsciously, she read as she wrote.
Leaving some bread on the table, she was ready to leave.
--------
The streets of Falmuth.
After an hour had passed, Rumia was able to procure the necessary items for their upcoming travels beyond the Rabastines.
The total expenditure amounted to fifty silver pieces, leaving them with two hundred and seventy-eight silver pieces in their possession.
[ Expenses:
Cold-resistant charms (×2) = 30 silver pieces.
Thick coats (×2) = 20 silver pieces. ]
All the items were safely stored in her designated [Inventory Box], thereby eliminating the need for any strenuous lifting.
A thought sprang into her mind.
She momentarily pictured Archibaldʼs face.
The way he valiantly fought against the | Red Crest Magi | also came to mind.
'Archibald... It's not that I like him or anything, but I'm glad that I have someone to actually talk to... Someone who doesn't know about my past.'
She took composed steps on ambulation, while she tightly held onto <
It made sense that she'd display such a high class artifact; Gold-ranked so to speak.
If men saw her with this, she wouldn't get inappropriate comments from them.
She'd already suffered enough of that in Pantoran.
Rumia had already passed the guild when she unexpectedly saw a young man.
'Ciel?! What's he doing here?!'
This caused fear to appear on her face and she stumbled before running away in the opposite direction.
She eventually ran past Archibald, who was standing in front of the guild, without realizing it.
"Why is he here?!" She uttered in distress.
Some minutes of running passed by, and she thought she'd successfully eluded him.
Currently, she was in an alley.
"Oh, hello Rumia.."
A soft yet sinister voice came from the figure next to her.
It was Ciel.
Her legs froze and so did the terrified look on her face.
Bereft of words, her eyelids twitched.
"Oh come on, did you really think it'd be that easy? To elude me that is.."
His flaming purple eyes were fixed on her teal blue eyes.
"C-Ciel," she stuttered.
"Why don't we have a quick chat," his gentle voice articulated.
"I-I-I'm a bit occu—"
"I'm not asking," a soft yet life threatening interjection.
Rumia wasn't given an alternative.
--------
In the Fal Inn.
Rumia and Ciel had relocated their discussion to the Fal Inn, despite Rumia's initial objections.
Ciel sat across from Rumia with his legs crossed, emanating his usual air of elegance.
His physical appearance was striking, captivating the attention of anyone who laid eyes on him.
However, Rumia was unable to bring herself to look at him directly.
Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on the table in front of her, her hands resting upon it.
Ciel possessed long white hair and pointy ears, all of which was typical of a high elf. His most prominent feature were his bright purple eyes. His majestic figure was accentuated by the white suit and gloves he wore.
Ciel's appearance wasn't only striking but also embodied the grace and elegance of his elven heritage.
He looked to be about twenty-one.
"Your face, the despair it exudes... It's beautiful," he commented on her countenance.
"What're you doing here?" She went straight to the point.
"Such cold words, Rumia... Or should I say Lana?" He referred to her by her real name.
"Don't call me by that stupid name... My name is Rumia," she was quick to respond.
"I understand, Rumia it is." He smirked.
"How did you know I was here?"
"Are you seriously asking me that?"
She was well aware of his abilities, "Right."
"Although... There was a minor disturbance outside the city, but that's not important." Ciel stated.
No elves were permitted to enter the city.
But Rumia managed to go unnoticed due to her habit of always wearing a hood.
Ciel, a high elf, had no qualms about being in the city and when confronted by the | Red Crest Magi | to leave, he chose to eliminate them all.
An action which was unexciting for him.
"I've been wondering Rumia... This game you're playing is fun and all, but it'd be more concise if I took you by force."
"You're insane."
"(chuckles~) You won't be talking like that for much longer."
"...." Rumia clenched her fists.
"Let's keep it short. I only came here because your father wanted to know how you're faring."
"He can go to hell for all I care."
"Oh? That isn't so nice now is it?" A mischievous smile graced his countenance.
Ciel rose from his chair.
It was time he took his leave.
"A parting word... I understand you're enjoying this little adventuring of yours, but it ends soon. Keep that in mind. I wouldn't want any tragedies to befall whoever you're involved with."
To Rumia, these words felt like a threat.
And it was.
Nevertheless, she took the smarter alternative and remained mute.
Patting her on the shoulder, Ciel took his leave.
In that same time, Archibald stepped in with Lutessa.
The two, namely Archibald and Ciel walked past each other.
"Rumia!" Archibald shouted her name when she came into view.
Immediately, Rumia wore a fake smile.
"Oh, Archibald..."
"So you've gotten our provisions right?"
"I-I have," still shaken by Cielʼs words.
"We're gonna have to buy some extra provisions."
Startled by his sudden proposition, she said: "What? Why?"
From behind Archibald, Lutessa waved at Rumia.
"Who's she?" Rumia asked.
"This is Tess, I just met her today."
"I'm guessing this comes with a good explanation."
With her arms folded, Rumia fixated her eyes on him. She was waiting for his detailed explanation on what he meant by this.
Though, from her appearance Rumia guessed she was a priestess.
Archibald provided a concise explanation for bringing Lutessa to the group.
In summary, Rumia did not express displeasure at the addition of a new member, particularly one who was a member of the esteemed Tempest Fall guild.
However, she did express concern that the group would need to allocate additional funds to ensure that Lutessa had equal access to provisions.
This was a reasonable concern, as it would be unfair for Lutessa to be at a disadvantage due to a lack of resources.
Rumia sighed, and then said:
"Well, as a group we'll need allocate additional funds to ensure that all members have equal access to provisions."
"So does that mean she's in?" Archibald asked.
Reluctantly, Rumia replied: "Yes, why not."
As a priestess she was trustworthy, and it was obvious Lutessa didn't become an Adventurer for money.
She wanted to help people.
"Thank you so much! Miss Rumia!" Lutessa bowed her head.
"Uh, Rumia is just fine."
"Okay Miss Rumia!" It was almost like she hadn't heard what Rumia just said.
With an awkward smile, Rumia uttered:
"Rumia it is then."
The two shook hands, and Archibald simply watched with a smile engraved on his face.