Alan, running at full speed, abruptly stopped as a Lacerpull wagon suddenly crossed his path. He halted his feet with force, barely saving himself from crashing into it.
Sighing in relief as the cart cleared his way, he noticed Lyco standing before a lush, expansive field of flowers, adorned with an array of different kinds and colors, brimming with beauty in the mild breeze and sunlight from above.
"Hey! Hurry, Alan!" Lyco called out, waving at him.
Alan sprinted once more, closing the distance between them. Just as he reached Lyco, before he could catch his breath and say anything, Lyco's sarcasm cut through the air: "Where were you, man? Stopped in the middle to have a picnic?"
Alan gasped for air, holding his knees, and muttered in wheezing breaths, "I... I had to dash back to the tailor's. Forgot to... finalize the order and payment. Sorry."
As he collected himself and straightened up, taking in the beautiful view of the flower field, he was about to comment in amazement when his eyes caught a glimpse of Relecta.
She was sitting by a bed of roses, inhaling their sweet scent. The beauty of the roses paled in comparison to Relecta's shining charm. Her complexion glimmered in the sunlight, and the flowers surrounding her only amplified her magnificence.
Relecta wore a cute, waist-length, white tunic draped over her body. The deep neckline boldly displayed the curves of her bosom, snugly fitting her top half while flowing loosely below the chest, teasing glimpses of her lean abdomen. Her white tights hugged her curvaceous figure, accentuating every contour. As she stood up, her bangs danced in the air, framing her temple. Her hair was tied in a bun, adding to her elegant allure.
For the first time in a while, Alan's heart skipped a beat. Relecta noticed him, hesitating as she tried to avert her eyes but remained frozen in place. The emotions were more intense for Alan, who began fidgeting anxiously.
Words failed him as he stood there, lips sealed. But when Relecta tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, the sheer cuteness of the gesture made Alan's heart flutter. Calming down, he blinked and, with a relieved sigh, managed to smile at Relecta.
Alan's smile brought joy and surprise to Relecta's eyes. She began walking towards him, her steps quickening with excitement.
However, she suddenly halted as Lyco dashed past her in a lovesick haste. Both Alan and Relecta watched in amusement as Lyco, spotting Poduria with her sister, ran towards her, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Ohh… Poduria!!! My love!!!"
Hearing Lyco's call, Poduria swiftly turned and, noticing him running towards her, opened her arms for an embrace, smiling warmly. Lyco quickened his pace even more at her welcoming gesture, and with his eyes closed, he leaped towards her like a lovesick puppy, their reunion a scene of pure affection.
—-Dhadaaammm——
Before Lyco could leap into Poduria's embrace, he collided with Roba and Hoba, who appeared like a wall in front of him out of nowhere. Lyco stumbled, almost falling, but the brothers grabbed his shoulders and, inches from his face, warned him with stern glares and their characteristic comedic manner.
"No Touchy, Touchy."
"No Touchy, Touchy."
"Before."
"Wedding."
"Come with us."
"Let's get some flowers."
They hoisted him onto their shoulders and began walking towards the florist's shop. Poduria and Lyco, showcasing their dramatic flair, acted as if they were being separated forever, extending their arms towards each other with exaggerated sad gazes.
They chuckled at the sight, sharing a moment of amusement. Alan's gaze returned to Relecta, who was looking deeply into his eyes. She smiled briefly before her expression shifted to sadness, her gaze dropping as she hesitantly spoke, "I am sorry, boss… are you still mad at me?"
Alan studied her for a moment, then sighed and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, prompting her to look up. He smiled, and she returned the gesture. Speaking softly, Alan said, "A little, but I wanted to thank you for the attire. It was beautiful. I also have a gift for you, but it's a surprise."
Relecta's eyes brightened at his words, and she almost jumped to hug him. However, Alan's sudden shift in demeanor stopped her. His voice turned stern as he continued, "I am still mad at you. Why would you do something like that? You know how much I hate being lied to, especially by someone so close to me. When it's my own love, it hurts even more, Relecta. It hurts a lot."
Alan's words were like a whirlwind of emotions for Relecta, her emotions shifting from happiness to sorrow. Hearing the pain she had caused, she nearly burst into tears.
She seethed for his embrace, pushing forward, and this time, Alan didn't back away. He welcomed her, holding her gently. Though taller than him, Relecta bent her knees slightly, nestling into his embrace and listening to his heartbeat.
Alan sighed deeply and, opening his eyes, saw their friends—Poduria, Aurelia, Armis, Leotrus, and Orioros—watching them with amused smiles. Noticing Alan's gaze, they quickly looked away and dispersed into the flower field, pretending nothing had happened.
Armis turned to Aurelia with a sheepish smile and said, "Babe…" But Aurelia, still upset, smashed a bouquet of roses into his face and called out to Relecta before storming off towards the florist's shop.
As Alan smiled at the banter, Relecta heard Aurelia's call and gently extracted herself from Alan's embrace. Gazing at him with almost teary eyes, she looked at him expectantly, seeking comfort.
Understanding her unspoken plea, Alan cupped her face in his hands, making her stand straight. As she looked down at him, he let go of her face and held her hand instead. Looking into her eyes, he spoke softly:
"Relecta, my trust is one of the biggest treasures I own. The trust I have placed in you, by entering this loving relationship, means more to me than my own life. You unknowingly hurt that trust, and it hurt me deeply. But I can't stay mad at you forever. Do you know why?"
Alan smiled, posing a loving question. Relecta, holding back tears of happiness, smiled back and replied in a low, hesitant voice:
"Because you love me?"
"Yes, believe it or not, more than myself. So that's why…" Alan's soft gaze transformed into a stern one as he looked directly into Relecta's eyes. His voice turned grim, his grip tightened on her hand, instilling a sense of fear in her as her expression mirrored his seriousness.
"I'm giving you this final chance. Don't mess it up. Now go," Alan gestured for Relecta to leave with a firm gaze. "We'll talk later."
Feeling a mix of relief and apprehension at Alan's stern demeanor, Relecta quickly nodded and planted a kiss on Alan's cheek before hurrying away towards Aurelia.
Alan watched her leave, and as Relecta glanced back at him before joining Aurelia, a wink passed between them, hinting at their resolved discord and the return of their relationship.
Alan's smile softened as he turned towards Armis, who was watching Aurelia walk away with a mix of anger and sadness. Approaching Armis with a sheepish grin, Alan seemed to be teasing him about his disagreement with Aurelia. Armis, feeling increasingly irritated by Alan's demeanor, growled in response, "What?!"
"Come on, we need to talk," Alan said, gesturing with his eyes for Armis to follow him as he began walking towards the sunflower field. Confused by Alan's sudden request, Armis hesitated to respond, but seeing Alan walk away confidently, Armis realized he had no choice but to follow Alan's lead.
Venturing a bit away from the others and the main flower field, Alan and Armis ascended a hill surrounded by beautiful, radiant sunflowers.
The sun cast a golden glow over the scene, and a gentle breeze rustled through the flowers, creating an ambiance perfect for a romantic outing. However, Armis felt uneasy sitting beside Alan on the patch of green grass. Fidgeting and growing increasingly frustrated, Armis finally blurted out in a tight voice, "Why did you drag me all the way up here?!"
Alan, still not looking at Armis, pointed ahead and replied, "Look over there."
Following Alan's gaze, Armis saw a slab of rock beneath the shade of a giant tree. Sitting beneath it was an unexpected sight: Master Longiseus and Lady Roartad, sitting closely with their arms entwined. Lady Roartad's head rested gently on Master Longiseus's shoulder, and the two seemed lost in a moment of pure affection—a rare display from a couple not often seen in public. Surprised by the scene, Armis widened his eyes before turning to Alan with a chuckle, "Heh, that's quite a sight. But why are you showing me this?"
Alan took a deep breath before blinking and turning towards Armis, his voice soft yet firm. "Look at him. He's the man we used to fear." Alan's gaze returned to Longiseus and Lady Roartad. "We were so certain he'd kill us if we didn't find Augustus. His grim voice and stern gaze used to instill fear and pressure in us. But look at him now. What do you see when you look at him?"
Armis, initially puzzled, turned his gaze to Longiseus and replied with a chuckle, "Meh... you're right. Now he looks like a dork to me. Look at him. He should be kissing her right now, taking advantage of the privacy. Man, if I were in his place, Aurelia and I would be all over the ground."
"Why is that?" Alan asked, intensifying his gaze toward Armis, a hint of gravity in his voice.
"Huh?" Armis gasped in confusion. Alan maintained his glare, reframing his question. "Why do you think that? What has changed to make you think that way? You used to be meek and lacking confidence, Armis. You were never sure of yourself, too afraid to voice your thoughts or make your own decisions. You weren't even brave enough to admit your feelings to the girl who was clearly interested in you."
With each question, Alan advanced closer to Armis, his gaze piercing through Armis's defenses, forcing him to confront his own transformation.
Alan's voice carried an intense gravity as he continued his interrogation. "Tell me, what has changed? Where is the Armis who broke when he unwillingly took a life, who doubted himself because he killed a man? Who are you now? Are you the one who made irrational decisions on a whim, who sought revenge without hesitation or fear of death, who didn't hesitate to take a life or even consume another's remains? Are you the one who believes in himself above all else, who doesn't care about anyone except himself, who voices his thoughts, good or bad, without reservation? Who are you, Armis? What has changed you? Was it Augustus? The man you killed, consumed, and absorbed? What was it that made you like this? Do you even remember why you became a raider in the first place? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FIND YOUR FATHER! And now that you're here, not once have I seen you search for the man who inspired you to become who you are today!"
As Alan's barrage of questions and accusations intensified, Armis felt his frustration boil over, his words tumbling out in a rush of anger and desperation.
"I DID OKAY!!!! I DID!!!" Armis exploded, his voice tight with emotion. "Ever since stepping foot on this floor, I've been searching for clues of his whereabouts, but no matter how much I try, every single lead has led to either a dead end or confirmed my worst fear, of him being dead!!! That was also the reason why I tried to get close to Poduria's sister. I thought she could help me, but screw that—it evolved into a gigantic misunderstanding, screwing things between me and Aurelia. And you wanna know what happened?!!"
Armis halted, gasping for air, his chest heaving with exertion, as Alan backed away, the intensity of his accusations sinking in. He had instilled the self-contemplated deep in Armis's heart, leaving him seething with frustration, Armis shot Alan an angered glare, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.
Gritting his teeth, Armis fought to rein in his emotions, his body tensed with the urge to lash out. But he closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath, willing himself to regain control. In the crackling tension that filled the air, he reopened his eyes, his gaze cast downward in humility that had long eluded him.
"I…I don't know," Armis began, his voice softened, tinged with vulnerability. "All I remember is when I ate those leaves, all I could think about was what I would do if I lost all of you. I had already lost Adrian, I saw Leo and Felix die in front of my eyes, eaten by that monster. I didn't want the same fate to befall all of you. And after gulping down those leaves, all I could hear in my mind was 'Kill Him!! Eat Him!!!' I was consumed by blinding rage. I attacked him with that shrapnel and…ate him. But after that, everything went blank. When I woke up, opening my eyes, I could see again, feel my arms. But there was something else—a voice that told me, 'Do not be afraid. There is no reason to be afraid anymore. You won.'"
As Armis spoke, his eyes reflected a past humility, surprising Alan and filling him with a bittersweet feeling. Armis looked up, his gaze meeting Alan's, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them.
Armis's demeanor shifted gradually, his humility giving way to a growing sense of arrogance. With a glare and a smirk aimed at Alan, he continued, his tone becoming increasingly stern.
"So I listened to it, and it was right," Armis declared. "I was powerful, fearless. I could say and do whatever I wanted, and there was no one to stop me. I had become what I had always desired to be. Fearless."
"But that's where you're wrong," Alan countered, interrupting Armis, his voice cutting through his arrogance. Unfazed by Armis's glare, Alan spoke with grim determination. "You should be afraid, Armis. Fear is an essential part of our existence. It keeps us cautious, it keeps us safe, it protects the ones we love. Fear, when understood, drives us to become stronger. It keeps us alive and binds us together with the people we care about."
Armis, initially puzzled by Alan's words, looked at him with confusion. However, as Alan pointed towards Longiseus ahead, the message began to resonate with Armis. Alan continued, his voice carrying conviction.
"Look at him," Alan gestured towards Longiseus. "From the outside, he exudes courage, bravery, and seriousness. But I bet you, deep down, Longiseus has fears. He fears every day that something might happen to separate him from his wife. He dreads the thought of not being able to find her one day. He worries about what will happen to him when he no longer has her hand to hold."
"That is why he cares," Alan continued passionately, "he cares about her. Maybe not in public, but alone, he cares so much about her that he would destroy everything if something were to happen to her. He cares deeply, and so should you."
Turning his gaze towards Armis, Alan pointed towards his heart, speaking directly to his soul. "You should care about Aurelia, about her love. You should care about what will happen to you when she is not there to care for you, to look out for you. Believe me when I say this, if you continue with this behavior of yours, no one, not even me, will be there to save you from yourself."
With resolve in his eyes, Alan stood up, casting a glance at the serene blue sky. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before shifting his focus to Armis. Speaking in a humble yet firm tone, Alan said, "So, you have two choices. Either change your behavior, go to Aurelia, genuinely apologize to her, and love her back as much as she loves you."
Turning his gaze back ahead, Alan began walking towards Longiseus and Lady Roartad. Over his shoulder, he added with a teasing tone, "Or you can die alone. Oh, and one more thing," Alan's playful jab broke through his seriousness, "the outfit suited you. You shouldn't have changed; it might have improved your chances with Aurelia."
Armis watched in astonishment as Alan walked away, his words lingering in the air. Puzzled and slightly amazed by Alan's newfound stoicism, Armis struggled to grasp the depth of his friend's suggestion. Blinking in contemplation, he sighed and raised his gaze with determination.
With a stern expression, Armis called out to Alan, "And where are you going?!"
Alan's voice carried from a distance, loud and resolute, "To talk to him!"
As the sun began to dip low and the chill of the evening breeze brushed against his face, Armis found clarity. Realizing what needed to be done, he stood up and looked skyward. With newfound resolve, Armis turned and left the sunflower hill, determined to find his own flower, Aurelia.
"Perfectly sour."
"Blend."
"Sweet, with a hint of bitter."
"Perfect... tang."
A deep, grumbling voice echoed through the expansive kitchen of Silverforths. The air was filled with the rich scents of spices and freshly cut vegetables.
Cooks busily stirred simmering pots of soup on the wood fires, adding to the warmth of the room. Master Bretren, wearing a kitchen apron over his white overalls, tasted different kinds of soup from a long table, dipping his finger into each and sampling it with a practiced flick of his tongue. He announced the flavors instantly.
Surrounding Bretren were the cooks and helpers of Silverforths, who took away the soups with a bow after his tasting. Alan, standing beside Longiseus and Orioros, watched the process with a mixture of amazement and surprise. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked aloud,
"Hmmm, what exactly is he doing?"
"Bretren may not look it, but he's one of the best cooks in Pompeii. His father is the head of the pantry at the Holy Church," Longiseus replied.
Arian, approaching them after discussing something with Bretren, added, "The man is perfect for this job. His hands have some magic in them; he can make anything taste incredible. That's why Silverforths and I decided to enlist his help in planning the food arrangements for the wedding."
"Cooking is an art, every meal a canvas," Bretren, usually silent, chimed in with a grumbling yet soft voice as he worked over a wood fire, stirring a soup.
Alan, shifting his attention from Bretren and holding a sheepish smile, mocked and teased Arian, "Well, someone is being a responsible brother, huh? Tell me you're extremely happy doing this, right?"
A streak of blush spread across Arian's face. Fidgeting under Alan's gaze, he averted his eyes and retorted with an arrogant voice, hiding his embarrassment, "Shut up! I'm doing this because I accidentally lost to him, nothing more!"
"Say whatever you want, but I can see the love for your brother in those eyes," Alan teased, extending his sheepish smile.
"Shut up!" Arian, irritated by Alan's teasing, yelled back. Gesturing at Orioros, he called out, "Tch... C'mon, Orioros, I need your help with something." He then walked away to help Bretren.
Alan maintained his sheepish, mocking smile until Arian and Orioros were out of sight. Longiseus, finding the banter amusing, was about to make a remark when Alan turned towards him, his expression now serious and his eyes stern. Gesturing for Longiseus to follow, Alan said, "I have something to discuss with you. Can we talk? In private?"
Perplexed by Alan's sudden shift, Longiseus looked at him puzzled but felt compelled to follow as Alan walked away without waiting for an answer. They moved out of the kitchen and into the circular veranda.
Walking side by side, Alan stayed silent. Longiseus, sensing the tension, maintained his composed stern demeanor. Until suddenly, Alan broke the silence with a deep breath and began speaking in a soft yet stoic tone, "Before I say anything, I want to apologize for my careless intrusion into your private moments with Lady Roartad earlier. In hindsight, that wasn't a good time to talk. But, for some reason, I couldn't help myself. Seeing you happy and giddy, I realized I still hold some grudge from the final trials. I hope you understand."
Alan briefly shifted his tone, replacing it with a sheepish smile directed at Longiseus as he finished his unorthodox apology.
Silent for a moment, Longiseus turned his head to match Alan's tone and feigned smile, replying in a mock-humble voice laced with sarcasm, "Oh, don't worry. I'm well aware of your childishness. But you have to understand that what happened in those trials was somewhat necessary."
"Really? It was?" Alan retorted.
"I said somewhat."
"Somewhat... yeah, sure."
After their exchange of sarcasm and mockery, Longiseus sighed, turning his attention ahead as he returned to his stern demeanor. "And I also know the real reason why you were there. You tried to change the boy. I also heard you two talking about Warrior Goliath."
Longiseus shot a side-eye glare at Alan, but unfazed by his emphasis, Alan brushed off Longiseus's observation and adopted an urgent yet stoic tone. Turning the corner of the veranda, he replied, "Yeah, I know, but before that, I wanted to address your earlier inquiry."
Longiseus, sensing an important point surfacing, turned his gaze forward and responded, "Ah yes, Father Zeneth told you about that? I was getting worried since I hadn't received any response. So, are you going to tell me about those leaves?"
"Yeah, I will," Alan replied, adding a touch of grimness to his tone as he shot a stern glare at Longiseus. "But first, let me make it clear: next time you want to know something about me, come and talk to me face to face. I despise messengers."
Longiseus, initially showing a hint of anger in his eyes, sighed and looked ahead before replying, "Apologies then, s—"
"Good, now listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you," Alan interrupted, not waiting for Longiseus to finish. He turned his gaze forward as they neared another corner of the veranda. "Those leaves are native to my hometown, specifically from my institute."
"Institute? What—"
Longiseus, puzzled by Alan's words, started to speak, but Alan cut through his fake confusion with a sharp voice and even sharper words.
"Don't feign ignorance. I'm certain Father Zeneth has told you all about my past. But you and I both know that you, being the skeptic you are, have no way to verify the legitimacy of my story right now. So, there's no point in pushing me for more facts or information—that would just be a waste of time. Here's my proposition: I will provide you with the leaves of that type, at least as much as I have on me right now. In return, I want two things from you. First, tell me all about your plan for the expedition and the battle with the Lord of the Monsters on the 50th floor. What exactly have the elites ordered you to do? I am certain it is not pleasant. Secondly, I need your help in finding anything we can about Hero Goliath, Armis's father. Now, start with the first one."
Longiseus displayed an expression rare for his stern demeanor. He looked at Alan with surprise and wide eyes, perplexed and amazed by Alan's stoic and straightforward behavior, which Longiseus had witnessed for the first time. Piqued with curiosity, he followed with an amused chuckle, stopping in his steps along with Alan.
"You've changed. I like this new color on you," Longiseus remarked, adding a tinge of grim seriousness to his voice as he continued, "But you do realize that not only am I your senior, but I am also under no obligation to make any kind of deal with you, r—"
"Doesn't matter, don't care. Please answer the question; I have somewhere to be."
Alan's nonchalant interruption made Longiseus bite his lip, gritting his teeth. His eyes almost flared up, but he glanced around and realized that fighting with Alan right now wouldn't solve anything.
Degrading as he would feel thinking it, Longiseus knew that Alan's deal held gravity, considering their current circumstances. So gulping down his anger, replacing his irritation with a mask of feigned sternness and a smile, Longiseus blinked with a sigh and began speaking in a calm yet firm tone -
"Right. After I had sent the news regarding Augustus's demise, three days later I received a message regarding our next step and the battle on the 50th floor, from the Elites and Almighty P—"
"Wait, you received a message from outside? How?" Perplexed by Longiseus's revelation, Alan interrupted him.
Suppressing his frustration with gritted teeth, Longiseus responded to Alan's question before continuing, "We have a special Lacerpull messenger service for this, exclusive only to some high-class raiders, Elites, and the Raider's Council. That's how your friend was able to inform her family before arriving here. They use previously discovered hidden passageways and Lord Orbs to move faster through the floors."
"Ah, yes, we found one of them on the 3rd floor, so that's what they're used for. Fascinating," Alan exclaimed.
"Yes, now please do not intervene until I am finished talking, okay?" Glaring at Alan in frustration, Longiseus continued after delivering a warning to him. "So, in that message, there was a mention about a prediction, prophesied by the Pope himself. It said that in our path ahead, the upcoming danger will be counted in hundreds. We were to remain deathly vigilant at every step after leaving the shed of the higher gods. Which, simply put, means there is something very vicious and dreadful waiting for us on that floor," Longiseus paused, gazing towards the enormous gate leading towards the next floor, almost visible from the veranda where they stood.
Returning his gaze towards Alan, holding his eyes with his own, with a caution-filled voice trying to convey the gravity of their situation to Alan, Longiseus continued. "So that is why I am trying to gather as much enforcement as I can. That is also the reason why I am choosing to bear your friend's arrogance and childish behavior, and that is why I had requested you for those leaves. Reaccounts from Father Zeneth about the effects of those leaves had piqued my curiosity, so that's why I would be counting on you for help."
"Sure you can, let's move onto the next topic before we discuss that." Almost unfazed with consistent nonchalance, hiding his contemplation behind his stern gaze, surprising Longiseus even further, Alan urged Longiseus to continue. Taking another sigh of chosen helplessness, Longiseus averted his gaze as both of them resumed their stroll, almost coming back towards the kitchen. Longiseus continued, "Hmm, yes… but forgive me as you are not the first to inquire in that regard. The girl with Armis, what's her name.."
"Aurelia?!" Alan replied instantly to Longiseus's pondering.
"Yes, her. She also had asked me about Hero Goliath, and I have the same answer for you as I gave her. Hero Goliath is dead. It's the same conclusion as the investigation done 12 years ago when he was first reported missing. After his disappearance, a party of raiders was assigned for his search. Not many returned from that party, and the ones who did were only able to find his belongings, but no body. It was determined that he had become a victim of some creature. I also had Arian dig around for anything related to him on this floor, but the only logical conclusion was that he had never stepped foot on this floor. So I apologize for not being much help in this regard, but you should tell your friend that it is time to let go of hope."
As Longiseus finished speaking, Alan closed his eyes, sealing his lips in helpless frustration. He took a deep sigh and was about to respond when Aurelia suddenly appeared, pushing him aside as she stormed away, muttering, "Move, Alan!"
"Babe!!! Wait!!!" Armis called after her, following closely behind. He stopped momentarily to shoot a glare at Longiseus and exchange a helpless look with Alan. Gritting his teeth in irritation, he continued after Aurelia, calling out, "Aurelia!!! Listen for a moment!!!"
Longiseus watched the couple with a perplexed expression, then turned to Alan, who mirrored his emotions but sighed in understanding. Alan then continued, "Thank you for your help. Although I had hoped for more, that's my own foolish expectation, so don't mind it. Now, regarding your request, yes, I will help you. I've been considering experimenting with those leaves, trying to amplify their effects while reducing the side effects. Similar to how the Silverforths work with potions."
Longiseus raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "Yes, that could be interesting. But are you sure it will work? Considering their origin and the limited quantity you have, do you think it's worth the risk?"
Alan maintained his hopeful, nonchalant tone. "I'm not sure myself, which is why I need some time. After the wedding, I'll ask for Poduria's help. So you'll have to wait a bit longer if that's okay with you."
"Hmmm," Longiseus gazed toward the horizon as the sun dipped low, the darkness of night slowly spreading across the sky. He pondered for a moment before answering, "I suppose we have some time. Try to hurry a little if possible."
Exchanging nods with Alan, both men began to step forward to enter the kitchen. Suddenly, Hoba appeared behind them, announcing in a loud voice, "Please gather near the pond. Preparations for the final event of Nodum Allegare: Bonfire Drinking have been completed."
He disappeared as soon as he finished speaking, leaving Alan, Longiseus, and Arian to wonder.
They looked inside the kitchen where Bretren was still busy cooking with the other chefs. Not feeling right about leaving the man alone, they hesitated to move. Suddenly, Orioros appeared, dragging Leotrus by his collar, the latter's mouth full of the food Bretren had prepared.
Orioros smiled and nudged Arian, Alan, and Longiseus outside the kitchen. In a humble voice, he said, "Fret not, Commander. Leotrus and I will help Bretren. You and Arian can enjoy the event."
Hesitant to take advantage of their benevolence, Longiseus asked, "Are you sure? I don't want to be imp—"
"C'mon, Commander, if they say they'll handle it, then they will handle it," Arian interrupted, entwining his hand with Longiseus's and pulling him outside. Surprised by Arian's boldness, Longiseus allowed himself to be led towards the pond.
Alan, noticing something different in Arian's demeanor and voice, looked at Orioros with a stern gaze and asked directly, "Is he drunk?"
"He's drunk," Orioros answered instantly, turning to pull Leotrus, who still had a stuffed mouth and was possibly drunk as well, back toward the kitchen. He exchanged nods with Alan, who then followed Arian and Longiseus toward the pond.