Their jaw drops when they hear Roth's desired location. Lilian being the more caring and expressive soul inquires:
"The Forest!?...Why do you...Don't tell me..."
"I'm very curious! I need to check out the place."
"Roth...please...we suggest you leave that place alone. The sun is also on the verge of setting, so it wouldn't be wise to explore the wildlife, understand?
Barthemus says as he urges Roth to not take the risk whilst trying to sound as professional as possible but its clear his request is made in consideration of the aloof traveler's safety. Roth smiles and continues:
"I am aware of the danger and I promise to be careful, so please give me the directions."
Lilian steps forward and asks in a worried tone:
"But why do you need to go there!?"
"Because I can't resist a new tale, especially one as THRILLING as this!"
"Huh?..."
Lilian is baffled by his response but doesn't stop her attempts to discourage him from making the journey. Roth either laughs off Lilian's worries or dismisses them with a promise of being safe, but that isn't enough convince Lilian. They both go back and forth but neither yield to the other's point of view. Barthemus, even with his intense care for the young adventurer's safety, finally relents as he must follow the Guild guidelines.
"Lilian, please fetch us the map."
"But Sir! This is too risky! We can't let him-"
"Lilian...we are not allowed to interfere with an adventurer's personal decision...please get the map."
Lilian's shoulders slump in defeat and goes to bring the map. She leaves the room for a moment and Barthemus converses with Roth, trying one last time.
"I know its not my place to say this, but young man I truly believe you shouldn't approach a place such as that."
"Mister Barthemus I understand your heartful concern and I deeply appreciate it but I cannot relent when it comes to this. Take it as a young fool's obsession but I'm thankful for your advice and I assure you it hasn't fallen on deaf ears."
Barthemus observes a spark of sincerity cuddled with the undying ember of an explorer's spirit burn brightly in Roth's eyes and can't help but respect his dedication for whatever his goals are. Lilian comes back and reluctantly hands the map to Barthemus, who carefully draws pointers on the map to help Roth the best he can.
He hands Roth the map and tells him verbal directions to make it as easy as possible for the foreign adventurer to navigate these unknown town roads. After everything is done, Roth notices Lilian looking down and he decides to assure her one final time to set her mind at peace.
"Miss Lilian, I promise to be safe and I promise that we will meet in the future, so please don't be distressed."
Lilian remains rigid for a few seconds before relaxing with a sigh as she says:
"You better keep that promise! Take care Roth...may the Gods bless your travels"
Both Barthemus and Lilian exchange their last greetings with Roth before he opens the chamber doors and steps out. Roth makes his way through the Guild House and goes out the main exit, stepping into the busy streets. He notices the azure skies are now shaded in a orange hue, signifying the setting of the sun but that doesn't deter him as he walks through the city using the pointers provided to him by Barthemus.
As he walks closer to the edge of the town, closer to the wild life, the sound of the busy town simmers down and the amount of people he passes by start thinning out. The cobblestone roads start breaking down to simple paths and the natural grass sprout from the sides. He uses to the map to reach the city gates which are now left abandoned and unguarded, even the supposed 'gates' is just a mess of wooden barricades.
He moves past and steps into the open fields, outside of Cortfel; The fields seem endless and in the distant, Roth notices the distant hills and forests which cover the horizon. Without the map, he would've definitely been lost on which direction the forest was supposed to be. As he walks through the fields of tall grass, the orange sky slowly shifts to a reddish shade, he wonders if he should've started the journey tomorrow morning, but the recollection of the legends and stories makes him push forward; His excitement for stories has clouded his survival instinct-A trend which has been repeated multiple times in the past.
Just as he reaches the end of the tall grass, his eyes fall to a close by jungle and just from looking, anyone could tell its that forest...He had reached the the Ravenous Forest. The dark depths of the forest seem ominous from the outside, almost as if, the forest itself was warning anyone to not enter, but that obvious warning seems more like an invitation to the excited explorer. He checks his map one last time and confirms the completion of his journey to the forest.
The scene momentarily switches back to the Guild House. A thought pops up in Lilian's mind and she searches for the Barthemus to relay her newfound concern. She finds him busy in his office, writing a letter, and captures his attention by asking:
"Boss, did you see any weaponry or armour on Roth?
"No...now that you mention it...I haven't."
Barthemus pauses his writing as he considers her words and the situation which he had subconsciously over looked. Lilian's tension sparks up as she shares her inner thoughts:
"Do you think he went there....unarmed?
"SURELY NOT! He must've stored it in the satchel that he carried."
"But Boss, he had such a little satchel, what equipment could he possibly have?"
"The kid must've had a light-nimble armor and small weaponry like knives or something...No one would be foolish enough to venture into that forest without proper equipment...right?
The scene switches back to Roth as he takes his satchel and opens it, revealing a spare shirt, a pen, a worn-out book and....Ooh and a half eaten piece of bread. A perfect kit for a adventurer of his caliber. He takes out the book and munches on the bread as he starts walking closer to the entrance of the forest. As he reaches the large-dark trees which stand tall at the outer edge of the forest, he finishes the last bit of the bread, clutches the book and says to himself:
"The comings of a new story...I LOVE IT!
He steps foot inside the boundaries of the forest and tree branches around him shuffle and a murder of crows fly out. What should be an ominous final warning, is treated as a marching anthem by Roth as tells himself:
"Time to meet you...Ravenous Beast. I hope you share your story with me."