On a cloudless night, bathed in the brilliant glow of the moon, the two figures locked in a kiss resembled a masterpiece on canvas.
How long had they remained that way? It was certainly more than a mere minute or two.
Eventually, the moment reached its end, and Vihera softly pulled away from Rei. A silver thread drop stretched between their lips, shimmering in the moonlight. Rather than appearing lewd, the sight possessed a strange, ethereal beauty.
Vihera, however, was clearly embarrassed. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she wiped away the silver thread drop. Rei was no different; though still dazed by her sudden kiss, he followed her lead and wiped his lips before finally finding his voice.
"What was that for? Why so suddenly?"
"Oh? I’ve told you before, haven't I? The only man who can have me is one stronger than me."
Vihera offered an enchanting smile. Her gaze made it clear that, true to her word, she already considered herself his.
"...I'm happy you feel that way. But is it really all right to choose your partner based on something like that?"
Rei couldn't deny her beauty. Vihera possessed a loveliness that rivaled even Elena’s. To have such a woman declare herself his was certainly not an unpleasant thought. However, he couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease knowing the choice was based solely on combat prowess.
"Rei."
The response to his question came from a completely unexpected source. The voice from behind was familiar—one that, by all rights, should have been raised in anger after witnessing what had just transpired.
Yet, as her golden hair shimmered under the moon, the gaze Elena fixed on Rei held no reproach. She certainly didn't look pleased, wearing an expression as if she had swallowed a bitter pill, but she wasn't lashing out.
"Elena?"
"...Don't shame a woman so. Be more perceptive."
Contrary to her sour expression, Elena didn't scold him for kissing another woman. Instead, she seemed to blame Rei for his lack of tact.
It was true that Vihera had been provocative before, but the atmosphere she projected now was fundamentally different. Elena had noticed the shift—perhaps only she could have.
Vihera's internal resolve had likely crystallized during the battle at House Marstchel the previous day. After the battle with Oricule, they had engaged in their usual lighthearted banter, but Elena had sensed something deeper beneath Vihera’s words. It was the same spark she felt for Rei herself.
That was why Elena had intervened when Rei tried to brush off Vihera’s intensity. She didn't enjoy the situation, but as someone who harbored the same feelings for him, she intended to accept Vihera’s declaration of war with dignity.
(...Though I’m still not entirely satisfied with how that kiss played out,) Elena thought to herself.
It was likely her pride as a noblewoman that had kept her from interrupting the theatrical scene of a moonlit kiss. With a small sigh, she decided to set the matter aside for the moment and turned her attention to Vihera.
"More importantly, are you all right? Rei didn't hold back when he struck you."
At Elena’s words, Vihera looked down at her own stomach, her cheeks still slightly flushed from the lingering kiss. Because her outfit consisted of layers of Thin Raiment, the bluish-black bruise on her abdomen was clearly visible even in the dim light. Any ordinary person would have winced at the sight.
However, Vihera gently caressed the mark as if it were a precious memento.
"Nn."
Byune approached and handed Vihera a small container. It was a Potion, and a high-rank one at that—far superior to anything found in a common shop.
"Thanks. I had this ready in case things got rough against Rei... but I ended up barely needing it," Vihera murmured. She tucked up her Thin Raiment and poured the liquid over the bruise.
Normally, when damage is internal like a bruise, applying a Potion externally is ineffective. Drinking it is the standard choice. However, considering the horrific taste of most Potions, few people would willingly sacrifice their palate for a mere bruise. Vihera was no exception.
Yet, something unusual happened. Despite being applied externally, the Potion caused the mark to vanish rapidly. It was undeniable proof that she used a high-potency Potion.
Impressed, Elena couldn't help but ask, "Vihera, where did you get that?"
"Rei gave you and Elena a Magic Item so you could talk from a distance, right? This Potion was what I received."
Vihera’s explanation made sense.
"I suppose it’s not surprising there were high-potency Potions among all those Magic Items," Rei noted.
"Exactly. Though I didn't expect to use it on a bruise." Vihera offered a small shrug, then turned her focus back to Elena. "Now that you and I truly stand on the same ground, allow me to renew my declaration of war. I harbor deep affection for Rei. I don't know if it can be called love yet, but it is a fact that I wish to live my life by his side."
"I feel the same. No, I can state with certainty that what I feel for Rei is love. In that regard, it seems I am already one step ahead of you."
Rei watched as the two women began their verbal spar, feeling somewhat sidelined despite being the subject of the argument. Eventually, he worked up the courage to speak to Vihera.
"I'm honored that you feel that way. But unfortunately, Elena and I are leaving Exil very soon."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Elena gave a small nod of confirmation. "The Paired Orbs you saw at House Silwa—obtaining that Magic Item was the very reason we traveled to Exil."
"I see... So you intend to use them to speak with Rei whenever you please, even when you're apart."
Elena didn't let the fact that she had been read so easily embarrass her. She nodded firmly. "Yes. Given our relationship, it is only natural."
"I see. Well, if you two can talk no matter the distance... then I suppose I'll just follow Rei when he leaves."
"...What?" Elena blurted out.
Rei’s eyes widened in surprise as well. Only Byune remained unfazed, giving a tiny, knowing nod.
"Is it really that shocking? I am an Adventurer, after all. There's no law saying I have to stay in Exil. I only came here for the monsters in the Dungeon anyway."
"That’s... true, but..." Elena found herself unable to argue with Vihera’s logic.
She looked around, searching for a way to change the subject, and spotted Byune heading toward Seto and Iero. "What about Byune? I don't know the specifics of House Flaut's future, but she is still a child. She needs your support, Vihera."
"I was a bit worried about that myself... but House Silwa has promised to fully back the restoration of House Flaut. I don't think I need to worry too much."
Listening to them, Rei felt a flicker of doubt. It was true that the city needed more governing houses, but fully funding the revival of a fallen house seemed like an immense expense. House Silwa had already spent a fortune on the recent conflict—hiring Adventurers who called Bosk 'Big Brother,' paying out rewards, and compensating those affected by the fighting.
To spend even more on House Flaut seemed excessive. However, Rei’s skepticism came from his lack of knowledge regarding Bosk’s past. He didn't know that Bosk felt a profound debt to Byune's parents and was determined to repay it through their daughter.
As Rei pondered this, the heat between Elena and Vihera rose again.
"Rei and I are already united! Have you no sense of modesty, brazenly trying to wedge yourself between us?"
"United, hm?"
Vihera’s gaze swept over Elena’s figure, lingering on her curves. Even beneath her armor, cloak, and boots, Elena’s body possessed a silhouette that was undeniably alluring. Vihera wasn't just looking; she was practically stripping her with her eyes.
"W-What is with that look?"
"I’ll ask just to be sure... by 'united,' do you mean you've been held by him?"
"..."
The bluntness of the question sent a crimson flush across Elena’s face. Taking her silence as an answer, Vihera smirked.
"Oh, it seems our definitions of 'united' differ quite a bit."
"T-That’s..."
Vihera pressed her advantage. "Don't tell me you call yourselves 'united' just because of a kiss? If that’s all it takes, then Rei and I are 'united' as well."
"Mu..." Elena’s mind flashed back to the kiss she had just seen, and the one she had witnessed through Iero's memory during Rei and Vihera's first encounter.
"I suppose I can understand why you're so impatient, Elena, since you can't be with him constantly."
"I am not impatient!"
"Really? Then you won't mind if I travel with him?"
"Your attire is the problem! It's too conspicuous. Rei is already a magnet for trouble; if someone dressed as provocatively as you stays by his side, incidents will break out at every turn."
"Nn." Byune nodded while petting Seto's head, agreeing with Elena's assessment.
Though she was pretending to be occupied with the monsters, Byune was clearly listening. Vihera had been her teacher, her sister, and her family for the last few years. As memories of their time together surfaced, a faint trace of sadness—one only Vihera might truly recognize—flickered in the girl's eyes.
"My, I really am a troublesome woman," Vihera said with a small laugh. She noticed Byune’s expression and walked over to gently stroke the girl’s hair.
"Nn."
Under the touch of Vihera’s hand, Byune found herself envisioning not a sister, but her late mother. If she said it aloud, Vihera would likely pout and pretend to be offended, claiming she wasn't nearly old enough to have a daughter Byune's size.
Byune simply leaned into the touch of the hand that had protected her from so much over the years.
In the end, the day’s events reached a quiet, if ambiguous, conclusion. Vihera had made her feelings known and declared her intent to follow Rei. Elena remained visibly dissatisfied, yet there was a part of her that seemed to find the rivalry somewhat stimulating.
No matter how much she was loved by Ara and the rest of her Escort Knight Order, she had never truly had a friend who was her equal. Perhaps, in Vihera, she had finally found one.