Third person POV
[Back to the present…]
Russell said to Nathan, "Hey, Nathan-san, me and my party and group will be going on a quest here Hadrianwood's forests."
"Oh, a quest?" Nathan replied back. "Are you a part of an adventurers' guild or something? Because I heard that those things are done by those who joined that organization."
"My party is," answered Russell back, "but I am not officially."
"Woah, how come?"
"It's a loophole that our adventurers' guild created," Azalea explained in response, "they allowed him to be our party leader since his occupation, being a bus driver, needed all of his available time, and also, it was his personal choice that he doesn't want to be a part of it or any guild at all."
Cassius was stunned because Russell and his party didn't tell him about it. The dragon family was also stunned to hear that Russell isn't a registered adventurer. "Woah, what? Russell is not a registered adventurer?" Cassius asked, before looking at Adrian. "Adrian, do you know about this?"
Adrian was taken aback. "Woah! Sorry about that, Cassius-san."
Cassius understood that and calmed down.
"It was a loophole after all," Azalea said to Cassius. "The guild had the right to make things like that.
The dragon family was still stunned by Russell's exemption from the guild's registration, wondering about his leadership skills.
The three of them were excited to take part in a quest of the May party.
And so, understanding all of these, Nathan said to them and Russell, "Okay, can I join you guys, too?"
"Huh? Why?" Russell asked him.
"Well…I want to take pictures of you guys in action and with your various abilities. It would be really cool to see that."
Eventually, Russell accepted it without a second thought. "Okay, but you won't be getting any rewards even if you take part."
"It's okay, amigo, money is not my motivation for that."
And so, all of them went into the forests starting south of town. Though Azalea had the map for it, Adrian offered to be the map of the surrounding forests since he knew them very well from childhood. Russell and the others accepted it alongside the provided map as a reference guide for it. And then, they went through while staying vigilant of their surroundings. Cassius readied his lightning magic just in case. Russell and Adrian pulled out their swords, while Azalea prepared her magical staff. The dragon family readied their ice and fire magics just in case. Nathan, however, didn't have any physical weapon at all, so he sticks to the group closer for protection.
The Elai party, meanwhile, had left Fernlay City and are now trekking back to Leafmight Town on foot and without Aeri, who was still grounded and stuck at home in Fernlay City.