At the exterior sector's western bridge.
The Rivelune forces emerged victorious after a battle with the Byzan forces.
The combined efforts of all involved, including those attacking, defending, healing and supporting, were instrumental in pushing back the enemy.
As the sun set, the shadows of the soldiers were clearly defined.
"You're one of the Adventurers right? The ones sent by Undine?"
Archibald addressed Larc as one of the Adventurers, who were sent by Undine.
"Indeed, I'm Larc Salvatore, and you are?"
Larc confirmed his identity and asked for Archibald's name, but he passed out before he could respond.
Unlike the other magical beings, Archibald was a human and not a seasoned fighter, which made him more susceptible to exhaustion.
"Kid! Are you okay?!"
Larc rushed to his aid and asked if he was okay.
"Is he alright?!"
Rushing into the scene was Lamperogue.
"Lutessa, we need to perform healing magic!"
Rumia ordered while approaching Archibald who Larc carried.
"Y-Yes! Right away."
A fidgety reply from Lutessa.
After close observation, both Lamperogue and Larc sighed.
Their sigh of relief was a cause for inquiry.
"No need," said Lamperogue.
"He's just exhausted, he should wake up soon."
Larc ruled out the possibility of Archibald being wounded. He didn't have any notable wounds, so the next best presumption was that he was simply unconscious.
"Please, don't scare me like that?"
Placing her hand on her chest, Rumia was relieved.
"You seem really worried about Sir Knight, Miss Rumia."
Lutessa said, staring at Rumia.
"Don't dream of it," Rumia's grip on <
"But you ju—"
"Drop it Lutessa." Rumia interjected at the perfect time.
"So, who are you guys?"
Larc asked them.
"I'm Lamperogue."
"My name is Rumia."
"And mine is Lutessa Aquila Jorgelia."
Of the three, Lutessa was the only one who bowed, and quite strangely, the only one who had a last name.
Being a priestess, it was normal for her to well-mannered.
"And who's he?"
Larc asked awkwardly. The "he," he referred to, was Archibald.
"Oh that's Archibald, I apologize in advance for anything he does," naturally, Rumia said this.
"I-I see."
Scratching his head, Larc didn't know how to react to this somewhat uncomfortable conversation.
Sweat rolled down his forehead with his eyes closed.
He still had Archibald in his hands.
'This group of four is quite the interesting bunch. Only one of them has a last name, and it's longer than a Shakespearean sonnet.'
He looked at Rumia.
'The elf girl seems wise beyond her years, but I can't help but think she's a bit too mature for her age.'
He looked at Lutessa.
'And the human girl dressed like a priestess. She's clearly someone who worries too much and is probably too religious for her own good.
Then, he looked at Lamperogue.
'But the quiet guy? He's the one who really gives me the creeps. He's plain and unassuming, and he's pretty deadly.'
Finally, in his arms, he gazed at Archibald.
'The only one who seems remotely normal is Archibald, but even he has his quirks... like that distinct scent of sexual arousal. I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but I'm definitely not feeling too good about it.'
His thoughts were running wild, but on the exterior he was as quiet as a grave.
---------
At Night.
Archibald woke up, surrounded by trees and lying on a haystack.
"Where am I?"
He was unsure of his surroundings.
"Oh yeah, I should still be around the western bridge, right?"
Soon, he realized that he was still around the western bridge, still, he was a bit skeptical.
As he walked out of the forest, he saw Larc seated next to an illuminated blue core, which served as a source of light.
Larc greeted him with a smile and said, "You're finally awake."
The blue core emitting light was a widely used source of illumination in Rivelune.
The land's abundance of water and lush trees made the sight of fire unwelcomed.
Thus, the blue core was developed as a safer alternative.
Currently, Larc utilized the blue core to illuminate his workspace as he worked on his alchemy.
He was in the process of creating a new weapon, as evidenced by the magic circle on the ground.
"Where are the others?"
Rather than greeting first, Archibald inquired of his Larc the safety of his companions.
"They're all safe, including your weapon."
Larc noticed Archibald looked around for something other than comrades.
So, he assumed he was concerned about his weapon: <
"Phew, that's great."
With his hand on his chest, Archibald exhaled a sigh of relief.
Then, he joined Larc who was seated on the ground.
"The people of Rivelune said to thank you for your aid."
He told Archibald then resumed his alchemical practices.
"It isn't a big deal, (chuckles~)... We were sent here by Undine after all."
"It is though, not everyone trusted the request of the water spirit."
"Well they're idiots then," the boy stretched his arms.
"Hm. I suppose you're right, hah." Larc was exhaustively amused.
The two were seated across from each other, and around the blue core of light.
"Oh, Sir Knight! You're awake! Thank the great Saint Augustus Vayetra."
The first words Lutessa said as she approached the two.
"Lutessa! You're alright I see," he waved back to her in response.
"I am, also our food's ready."
"Oh?" That caught Larc's attention, "Then let's go eat," he immediately stopped what he was doing.
Right after, Larc picked up the blue core of light.
"Rolo and the others are on patrol, then tomorrow, we can head into Rivelune," the alchemist dusted his pants.
Rolo suggested that they patrol the surrounding area for any possible intruders before heading into the main village, and he assumed the role of leader for this task.
Therefore, they could not proceed to the main village until they had completed the patrol.
Larc, however, was not one to do much work, preferring to focus his efforts on his craftsmanship and the creation of the best weapons he could make.
Although he was known to be lazy, he was aware of when he needed to put aside his laziness and work hard.
"Alright! I'm starving!"
Rising to his feet, Archibald was ecstatic.
At least, they'd finally made it here. It was a cause for joy.
"Oh wait, where's Rogue and Rumia?"
Before they could head out, Archibald wanted to know their whereabouts.
"Haha! I see, Rumiaʼs the one cooking huh? She must've been so worried I passed out after fighting off so many waves of enemies."
Archibald embraced himself, he wore a smile not short of creepy and perverted.
'I-I-I was right... He's a pervert.'
A somewhat muffled laugh from Larc.
"Actually, I was the one who cooked, Sir Knight."
"Oh, I see... It'll be tasty nonetheless," Archibald replied.
"Hmm!" Lutessa nodded several times, ecstatic.
"But, where are they though?"
"They're assisting Rolo and Fatima in the patrol."
"And Lobo?"
Upon mentioning Lobo's name, Archibald was suddenly tackled by the wolf in a forceful embrace, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.
"Haha! Stop! Lobo pfffthahahaa!"
Lobo proceeded to lick Archibald excessively, resulting in several fits of laughter from the man as he wiggled his legs.
-------Some minutes later.
All those who fought for the safety of Rivelune, including Archibald, Larc, Lutessa, and Felinela, were gathered in a small hut.
Lutessa had prepared a meal for them to consume after the day's battle, and they were deserving of a hearty meal.
Archibald, Larc, and Felinela sat at the same table, eagerly holding wooden spoons in their hands.
"Here."
Upon receiving their wooden bowls of food, Archibald and Larc were eager to eat, their hunger evident in their glowing eyes.
"Time to eat!" Larc shouted.
"Itadakimasu!" Archibald blurted out.
They eagerly began to eat.
However, upon taking the first bite, they immediately felt nauseous and struggled to hold the vomit in their mouths.
Despite the attractive appearance of the food, it tasted like shoe.
"What's wrong boys?" Lutessa cheerfully asked.
"Um... It's good!"
Larc lied through his teeth.
She was elated to hear such compliments about her cooking.
"And Archibald?"
She directed her question to him.
It was the hardest question he'd ever been asked.
("Ugh, this so-called "food" is a complete disaster! I mean, seriously, how can anyone actually enjoy eating this poison?! And to think that a priestess made this... I'm starting to question their abilities as chefs. It's like someone took a pair of sweaty socks and rubbed them all over my tongue. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up in the hospital after eating this. It's like that cliche where the pretty girl is terrible at cooking, only this time it's not even remotely cute or endearing. Honestly, I'd rather eat dirt than take another bite of this.")
But even after his mental monolog, he took a whole ten seconds to swallow the food before he said:
"It's so tasty I'd die... I'd literally die."
Tears rolled down his cheeks, he was in pains.
"Really?! I'm so glad you like it!"
Lobo on the other hand, turned purple.
He'd also eaten some of Lutessaʼs food and was on the ground unconscious.
"Oh no! Lobo!"
Archibald immediately rushed to his aid.
"Is he still alive?!" Larc asked.
On that day, they "almost" lost a cheerful wolf.