Rahnoff lies to the southeast of the capital; residents have only two options when traveling back to the royal city. Wealthy merchants with enough money to pay capable bodyguards or brave adventurers take the direct route, fighting their way through the Witch's forest to join the main road. Travelers without any means to defend themselves from aggressive monsters take the longer but safer route through the evergreen forest. They have to make a wide circle around the witch's forest before getting back to the main road.
A party like theirs with levels averaging around 20 would usually pick the direct route, but it would be unwise to head into the witch's forest right after a monster march. While Jasper's dragon form may have scared off the weaker monsters, some of the stronger ones are still in the forest. Now that the one-eyed Wyrm is dead, the hierarchy within the forest is a mess, with challengers all fighting to take its place. Only a fool would willingly walk into such a volatile situation.
In fact, this all works in Arie's favor. She doesn't care about the details; she even hopes the trip to the capital won't be too short. Riding in such close proximity with Rei is so delightful she fears she might burst from harboring too much joy. She keeps stealing glances at his handsome face from the corner of her eye every other second while stifling an inner squeal of excitement each time. She can practically feel his defined muscles pressed against her back. It's a good thing his strong arms are there to lock her in place on the saddle; otherwise, she might fall off while carelessly daydreaming.
"We're about to enter the evergreen forest. There aren't many fierce monsters here, but that doesn't mean we can be careless. Stick close to me and never wander off on your own."
She nods to his warning, but how much she actually heard is yet to be determined. She is far too distracted by the subtle brush of his breath against her ear, captivated by the deep bass in his voice.
"Since we are already here, can we stop by the young world tree? I don't feel right leaving without saying goodbye to her."
"Okay, I don't see why not." Rei directs Mori-fae towards an obscure path leading to the young world tree, guarded by the duke's knights.
The dutiful knights bow the moment they see Ariellia, parting like the sea to clear a path to the heart of the grove. Once they are close to the sacred grounds, all riders dismount out of respect. Ariellia goes even further, pulling off her riding boots before stepping onto the lush grass. She joyfully approaches the vibrant tree with a bounce in each step. The young tree easily towers over her head by several feet, but in comparison to the true world tree, it can only still be called an infant.
"I've come to say goodbye...and thank you. I would have missed my chance to cast the spell if it weren't for your warning." She walks closer and hugs the wide trunk of the tree, feeling a pleasant current of mana as warm as a mother's embrace flow back into her chest.
'Precious child, I am pleased to see you've won and altered your fate. Now that you are both intertwined, you must guard against others who seek to interfere with the merge.'
"The merge?"
'You will know what I mean when the time is right.'
"Yes, great one. I understand."
'And do not forget your promise to me. When the time comes, and my envoy comes from the North, you must go back with them to meet my true self.'
"Yes, great one. I promise." Arie looks up towards the tree's bright, glowing canopy and smiles.
'Then go with my blessing and return safely.'
One of the tree's branches moved, lowering itself to her eye level, offering a glowing leaf. She's startled by the grand gesture, taking the offering with shaky hands. Perhaps she was too nervous, causing her to prick her finger on a thorny vine tangled on the branch. The sharp sting makes her jerk her hand back before inspecting the wound. Little beads of blood seep out of the fresh cut like little red pearls. The uneasy scene leaves a foreboding feeling in her gut that's not easy to shake off while looking at the bloody thorn wrapped around the sacred tree like a snare, now stained with her blood.
"Why are you just standing there in a daze? We need to treat this." Rei rushes over and takes her injured finger into his hand, and a soft white glow appears soon after. She immediately feels the sting fade and a sweet warmth come over her limbs in its absence.
"Do you have any more to say?"
"No, she's given us her blessing. We can go now." She shows him the glowing leaf in her palm.
"It's beautiful. I sense a strong divine power from it. You should keep it safe in your inventory for now."
"Yes, you're right."
She nods and pockets the precious gift before returning to the edge of the grove to reclaim her discarded shoes. She jumps in fright when Rei suddenly lifts her up onto Mori-Fae by the waist. She takes one final look at the young world tree as they make their way out of the sacred grove. Dumbly blinking as she watches her blood disappear from the thorn vine as it absorbed it.
No, it can't be. She must have seen it wrong. It's unlikely that the great one would sully herself with such unclean things. Yes, it must have simply been a trick of light, shielding the stain from view. Half convinced, she puts the thought to the back of her mind and focuses on the road ahead. Rei is skillfully able to navigate back onto the main road again, heading deeper into the evergreen forest. They pass several old boundaries, twisted trunks, sinkholes, and ravines.
Before long, what started as an exciting adventure became a bit drab. Her lower limbs started feeling sore with all that shifting of the saddle. She knows it's due to the urgent, secretive nature of their mission, but deep down she can't stop wishing that they had taken a carriage instead. Riding for hours nonstop isn't as easy as Rei or Eren make it look. She wants to stop for a minute, dismount, and stretch her stiff limbs, and maybe even possibly rub some ointment on her raw bottom. But she doesn't say anything. She's afraid Rei will be disappointed by her lack of endurance.
'It's ok, Eren was able to ride for a whole day and a half to get back to Rahnoff with Father. I should be able to take at least this much.' She tries to motivate herself as best she can.
"We'll camp here for tonight. It's best not to travel in the dark." Rei's words travel to her pointy ears like a healing salve to an aching wound. She is deeply relieved when Mori-Fae stops trotting by a stone clearing on a hill above a small lake.
"See those markings on the rocks. Those are fairy stones, a safe place for travelers to rest for the night." Rei explains as he dismounts first, before turning back to carry her down as well. His thoughtful actions make the torturous stinging pain in her legs melt like honey. She falls into his arms weightlessly, encircling her slender arms around his neck as she leans in for a kiss.
"Enough, stop fooling around. Let me build our tent first and start a fire. You can wash up by the lake once I'm done. I'll stand guard nearby." He evades the kiss and plants her back on the ground.
"Of course, husband, that sounds lovely." She enjoys seeing his fair skin heat up while she teases him.
"Stay with Mori-Fae and don't wander about." He may try to hide his embarrassment with rough words, but his actions don't match at all. He makes sure to place her on a soft pillow before going about his work. She chuckles in delight; what a cute husband he is.