The sun sets as the group finally reaches the outskirts of the Ruins of Celestara, their laughter and banter echoing through the dense forest. A sprawling campsite comes into view, nestled along the edge of a crystal-clear lake. The camp has been set up by a merchant caravan passing through, offering a mix of luxury and eccentricity.
With no other options for shelter, the group decides to stay the night—but little do they know, the night will bring its own mix of comedic chaos, awkward moments, and an unexpected eruption of passion.
The Merchant's Misguided "Hospitality"
The group is greeted by Martio the Magnanimous, a merchant with an overly enthusiastic demeanor and an even worse sense of personal space.
"Welcome, adventurers!" Martio exclaims, spreading his arms wide. "Here at Camp Magnifico, we cater to all your needs: food, shelter, romance potions!"
"Romance potions?" Kazuya raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, just harmless fun!" Martio winks. "Perfect for sparking... connections."
Sylvara narrows her eyes. "If I find even one ingredient out of place in your potions, you'll be the one sparking—with lightning."
Martio chuckles nervously but ushers the group to their tents.
A "Harmless" Dinner
The group gathers for dinner around a campfire, where Martio insists on serving them a "special stew" infused with "exotic herbs."
"This tastes... odd," Mika says, poking suspiciously at her bowl.
"Oddly good," Fergus chimes in, already on his third serving.
Kazuya, always the cautious one, hesitates. "Are we sure this isn't enchanted?"
Before anyone can answer, the effects begin to set in. The "herbs" turn out to be a mild aphrodisiac, and soon, the group is caught in a haze of heightened emotions and hilariously poor impulse control.
Sylvara leans closer to Kazuya, her usual calm exterior giving way to a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're blushing, hero. Do you always turn this red when a woman sits near you?" Mika, emboldened by the stew, throws an arm around Kazuya's shoulders. "Let's hear it, hero. Who's your favorite spellcaster?" Nerissa, ever the instigator, sits on Kazuya's other side, tracing a finger down his arm. "Careful, Mika. He might say me." Lyria, giggling uncontrollably, starts reciting terrible poetry about the moonlight reflecting in Kazuya's eyes.
Kazuya, caught in the middle of it all, desperately tries to defuse the situation. "Okay, everyone, let's just... focus on eating."
"You mean like this?" Nerissa teases, plucking a grape from the fruit bowl and feeding it to him.
The "Bathing Incident" (Again)
After dinner, the group splits up to prepare for bed, but the effects of the stew linger. Mika and Lyria decide to wash up in the lake, dragging Sylvara along, while Nerissa claims a private tent "to practice her songs."
Kazuya, hoping for some peace and quiet, wanders toward the lake—only to stumble upon the girls mid-bath.
"Seriously? Again?" he groans, shielding his eyes.
"Do you always show up at the worst possible time?" Mika snaps, though her flushed cheeks betray her amusement.
"I was just—" Kazuya's foot catches on a rock, and he tumbles forward, landing with a splash right in the middle of the lake.
The girls burst out laughing as he resurfaces, spluttering.
Sylvara smirks, wading closer. "You're either very brave or very unlucky, hero. Which is it?"
"Definitely unlucky," he mutters, trying to ignore the way her wet silver hair clings to her skin.
The Tent Shuffle
Later that night, the group tries to settle into their tents, but the residual effects of the stew make it impossible to sleep.
Mika ends up arguing with Fergus over who gets the last blanket, resulting in an impromptu wrestling match that topples their tent. Nerissa sneaks into Kazuya's tent under the pretense of "sharing stories," only to tease him relentlessly about his earlier lake mishap. Sylvara, finding her tent too small for comfort, opts to meditate near the campfire—but not before throwing Kazuya a knowing glance that leaves him wondering if she's enjoying his predicament a little too much The Unexpected Fireworks
As the night progresses, the camp is suddenly illuminated by bursts of magical light.
"What now?" Kazuya groans, stepping out of his tent to investigate.
It turns out Martio's "romance potions" have accidentally mixed with his fireworks stash, creating a chaotic display of glowing hearts and exploding flowers.
Sylvara laughs—a rare, genuine sound that catches Kazuya off guard. "This might be the most ridiculous night we've had yet."
"You're not wrong," he replies, his exasperation melting into a grin.
As the fireworks die down, the group finally manages to settle into a restless but amusingly memorable night.
The chapter ends with the group waking up the next morning, groggy but in good spirits, ready to continue their journey—though Kazuya silently vows never to eat stew from a merchant again.