After the intense battle, the quiet of the forest felt unusually gentle. Bell and Lefiya ran back into the camp, one ahead and one behind.
"Phew… Even though you haven't updated your status, you're somehow getting faster…"
Lefiya sank onto the grass, panting hard.
"Because the forest paths have lots of obstacles, Lefiya-san. Your reflexes aren't exactly great."
Bell waved at Finn and the others to signal that they were both safe.
"Mm…"
Lefiya couldn't shake the feeling that in front of this boy, every one of her flaws was on full display.
Riveria smiled lightly and asked, "Even if this is a Safe Zone Floor, there are still monsters. Why were you two running?"
Because she had seen Tiona rush out of the spring stark naked and didn't want the boy to see that scene. Overwhelmed by embarrassment, she'd panicked and made the wrong choice—dragging Bell away with her. There was no way she could say that, so Lefiya simply lowered her head and stayed quiet.
"Riveria-san, it was actually me—"
Just as Bell tried to speak up for her, a bright, careless voice cut him off.
"Well obviously! Of course you'd do it outside, Argonaut! Didn't think you had the guts!"
Tiona laughed and smacked Bell's shoulder.
Riveria shot the younger Amazoness a complicated look. Ais stood by the tent, silently watching the group.
"..."
Lefiya blinked. After being around Tiona for so long, it still took her a few seconds to realize what that meant.
"Wh–what?!"
Her face went scarlet as she stammered helplessly.
"You idiot, Tiona! I told you to act more like a lady! It's because of you that we can't ever meet a decent man!"
Tione shifted all her romantic misfortunes onto her younger sister's blunt personality.
"I'm just telling the truth." Tiona's grin didn't falter at all.
"You've never even been in love! Stop spouting nonsense!"
"I'm not interested, but that's what everyone says."
...
The Amazoness sisters were relentless.
Riveria sighed softly. "Bell Cranel, the Amazoness view of love is rather… unusual. And among them, these two sisters are even more extreme. Please forgive their rudeness."
Bell had heard about this before. Amazons adored strong men—to the point they would willingly follow them even to death. Judging by their romance instincts, they resembled creatures following primal instinct: mate with the strongest, bear strong offspring.
Tiona didn't seem to hold such thoughts consciously; she had simply absorbed the rough attitude around her. Tione, on the other hand, did have such thoughts but had yet to meet someone who truly moved her. Bell naturally didn't blame either of them.
"Actually, I dragged Lefiya-san out to gather ingredients. With only jerky and bread, you can't make anything tasty."
Bell laughed lightly and showed his haul to help save Lefiya's dignity. Herbs, nuts, meat-flavored fruits, and even a few seasoning herbs.
"...When?"
Lefiya stared in shock at the pile. She had assumed he made up an excuse to cover for her. She never thought he really collected all this.
Riveria chuckled softly. "Tiona, Tione, stop arguing. Go gather firewood and fetch water."
"Yes!" Tiona ran off with a big smile.
Tione glanced at Bell, clearly displeased that he had taken over her cooking role. Muttering to herself, she turned to leave.
"Nothing will taste better than mine anyway."
Finn stepped out of the tent wearing a wry smile. "Bell Cranel, we'll be in your care."
While venturing in the Dungeon, the Loki Familia mostly survived on jerky and dry provisions. Even when they cooked, it was usually throwing everything into a pot and stewing it. Yet even that counted as a rare treat for them.
Judging from Bell's behavior and the ingredients he'd gathered, Finn knew today's lunch was going to be something worth looking forward to.
"Everyone assist Bell Cranel. We'll all stay here until Bete returns anyway. Consider it a vacation break." Finn issued the order.
"I… I can help!" Lefiya volunteered, raising her right hand.
"It's good to be eager, Lefiya, but don't overdo it," Finn reminded her with a light chuckle.
"..."
Clearly, Finn had overheard Tiona's offhand remark. Lefiya recalled seeing that same unreadable smile on the Captain's face earlier when Bell had carried her on his back. Her earlier enthusiasm evaporated at once, drowned out by embarrassment.
"I… I understand…"
Lefiya badly wanted to explain that things weren't what everyone thought. But she had no idea what the Captain believed had happened. Just imagining it made her face burn red and her head feel like it was steaming.
Gareth burst out laughing at the sight. "If you need muscle, this old man can pitch in. As for anything else, you can use Riveria—she's great with kids."
"..."
Riveria, remembering something, shot Gareth a vicious glare. "Bell Cranel—my experience with cooking is rather limited. If you don't mind, I would be happy to offer what assistance I can."
Beneath her emerald hair, every word carried refined elegance.
"Riveria-san, I'll leave it to you then," Bell answered with a smile.
Riveria returned it with a gentle one of her own. "Likewise. I look forward to working with you."
The exchange made Gareth shiver suddenly.
"Think about your age—what are you trying to—"
"..."
Riveria didn't speak. She simply tightened her grip around the wand resting at her side. Gareth swallowed the rest of his words immediately.
Even during Ais's training, he had never seen Riveria this angry. The killing intent she radiated was aimed at one person alone—like a focused magic sphere—and those around her would be completely unaware.
It felt as though if he finished the sentence, she would start chanting a spell on the spot.
"Ais, go keep watch around us."
Finn sensed the suffocating chill and quickly shifted the topic.
"...Understood."
Seeing Riveria like this stirred an old memory for Ais. She had been much younger then, forced by Riveria to study the contents of various books. Under the pressure, impatient to fight, Ais had snapped and called her:
Old hag.
In response, the usually composed Riveria had punched her squarely on the forehead.
But this time was different.
Ais sensed that Riveria was holding back her anger… Was it only because outsiders were present?
And why did being called "Riveria-san" make her so happy?
What was going on with Riveria…?
Ais couldn't make sense of it. She simply shifted her gaze away, staring silently into the depths of the forest.