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The first to react was Tiona. She shrugged casually, completely unshaken by the statement just made.
"Well… I guess my theory was wrong," she said lightly, even sounding slightly amused.
On the other hand, Lefiya wasn't as fortunate in keeping her composure. Her face flushed red all the way to the tips of her elf ears. She pointed at Shirou with a trembling finger.
"Y-you pervert, Shirou!"
"Pervert?" Shirou frowned, genuinely confused. "Me? What do you mean?"
Lefiya paused for a moment, as if at a loss for words, then spoke again in a higher pitch, though still stammering.
"Y-you must… be sneaking off to the red-light district, aren't you?!"
Shirou blinked.
"What does that have to do with—"
"—or maybe you have a secret lover!" Tiona suddenly interjected in a cheerful tone, as if it were just a casual guess.
That sentence only made things worse.
The word lover immediately changed the atmosphere. Riveria, who had been massaging her forehead, now opened her eyes and stared at Shirou with a sharper gaze than usual. Beside her, Aiz also narrowed her eyes slightly. Her expression was like still water, but clearly, something was stirring beneath the surface.
Shirou felt it.
"…how did it come to this?" he murmured.
He didn't even know where all these assumptions were coming from.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the increasingly strange atmosphere, the unicorn lifted its head slightly.
Then—
"Hrrh… hihih—"
A soft neigh sounded, almost like… laughter.
The creature was clearly enjoying the little chaos among the humans in front of it.
Aiz, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. Her voice remained gentle, but there was something different—almost like a hesitation rarely heard from her.
"…do you already have a lover?"
The question was simple.
But for Shirou, her tone was enough to make him understand the direction of their thoughts.
Ah… so that's what this is about.
He looked at them one by one, then unconsciously smiled faintly. A hint of mischief arose within him.
"Yes," he answered shortly. "I do."
Silence fell instantly.
"—?!"
The sound of drawn-in breaths was clearly audible. Even the unicorn beside them lifted its head, as if surprised by the confession.
"Who?!" Lefiya immediately stepped forward, her voice almost panicked.
Her face drew so close that it was nearly level with Shirou's.
Shirou blinked, slightly startled by the proximity.
But at the same time—
He couldn't lie to himself.
That reaction… was enjoyable.
He held back a small smile that almost appeared, savoring the moment for a few seconds longer than he should have.
Then finally, he let out a soft sigh.
"But… that was in the past," he said. His tone changed, becoming calmer. "In my old world."
As if something had been released.
Lefiya stepped back a little. Her face was still red, but now clearly more relieved. Behind her, Tiona also let out an unconscious long breath.
"I thought…" she murmured.
Aiz said nothing, but her shoulders, which had been tense, now relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, Riveria remained silent, her expression almost unchanged, only her eyes narrowing slightly, as if lost in her own thoughts; she understood, even though the name was never spoken, she knew exactly who Shirou meant—Rin Tohsaka.
Lefiya immediately bowed her head deeply, her face still red with embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry, Shirou! I… I accused you of all sorts of things… and even thought you went to weird places…" she said haltingly, clearly feeling guilty.
Shirou raised his hand, about to calm her down.
"It's fine—"
However, before he could finish his sentence, a whistling sound came from the side.
"Fiuu~"
Tiona grinned widely, her eyes full of unashamed curiosity.
"Wow, so Shirou has experience, huh?" she said casually. "How was it? Was it good?"
"TI-TIONA!"
Lefiya immediately panicked.
Aiz, on the other side, even blushed a little, though her expression remained determinedly neutral. "That's… impolite," she said shortly.
But Tiona didn't care at all.
She even moved closer, growing more enthusiastic. "I'm serious! How often? And… what did it feel like? Any special techniques or pos—"
Shirou immediately faltered, his face heating up slightly. He didn't even know what to answer first.
Lefiya covered her face, but it was clear from the gaps between her fingers that she was still… curious.
The situation was getting more and more out of control—
Until finally, a cold voice cut through everything.
"That's enough."
Riveria stepped forward, her aura both calming and suppressing the atmosphere at once. Her gaze swept over the three girls, making them spontaneously fall silent.
"Rather than discussing unnecessary things," she continued calmly, "we should finish the mission first."
Silence.
The three girls immediately straightened up again, like students scolded by a teacher.
Riveria then glanced at Shirou briefly.
A subtle signal.
Shirou understood.
He raised his hand.
"Trace… on."
A faint blue light appeared, then formed a slender blade in his hand. He handed it over without many words.
Riveria accepted the blade gracefully, then approached the unicorn again. Unlike the others, her touch was gentle, full of a calmness that kept the creature from becoming restless.
She stroked its mane slowly, soothing it.
"Just a moment," she murmured, almost whispering to the creature.
The unicorn did not resist.
With a smooth, precise motion, Riveria raised the blade, then—
shk…
One clean cut.
The horn was severed neatly.
No scream.
No resistance.
Only a soft breath from the unicorn, which remained calm in place.
Riveria took a soft breath after cutting the horn, examined it for a moment, then turned around. Carefully, she handed the unicorn horn to Shirou.
"Hold this carefully," she said calmly. "Don't let it break."
Shirou received the horn with both hands, feeling the smooth surface still warm, as if retaining a remnant of life from the creature that had given it.
Riveria then turned to the unicorn, her hand gently stroking its neck again. "I'll escort it," she continued. "This creature is clearly separated from its herd. It's not good to leave it alone."
Without waiting for an answer, she gracefully mounted the unicorn's back. Her smooth, practiced movements showed that the experience she had mentioned earlier was not just empty words.
Before she left, Shirou stepped closer.
"Excuse me," he murmured.
He raised his hand and gently stroked the unicorn's head. "Thank you… for trusting me."
For a moment, he paused.
This might sound trivial.
But for Shirou, this was the first time he truly felt "accepted" by a monster.
The unicorn made a soft sound, then suddenly brought its head closer.
Lick.
A warm tongue touched Shirou's cheek.
"Eh—"
Shirou was slightly surprised, reflexively stepping back half a step. However, his expression immediately softened, almost smiling.
"Well… see you later."
Riveria observed that for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
"Very well," she said shortly.
She tightened her position on the unicorn's back.
"Go."
With one gentle command, the unicorn began to move. Its steps were steady as it descended the mountain slope with natural grace, as if difficult terrain were no obstacle at all.
The wind blew Riveria's green hair.
Her face remained calm and elegant.
But deep in her heart, something pulsed subtly—a feeling she did not express.
"Waaah… so cool, Lady Riveria!" exclaimed Lefiya with sparkling eyes.
Tiona stared at the slope where Riveria had disappeared, then grinned widely.
"Well, since Riveria is gone…" she said casually. Her tone began to sound dangerous.
Shirou immediately raised his hand quickly.
"I'm not discussing that," he cut in firmly.
He didn't even leave the slightest gap.
In his heart, he let out a long sigh. Discussing his sexual experiences in front of the girls was clearly not a good idea—especially when it involved his past.
That name crossed his mind.
Rin.
A faint sense of longing arose, almost imperceptible, yet enough to make his chest feel a little tight. The memory was brief—only a few moments at the end of the Holy Grail War—but it remained firmly attached.
Shirou shook his head slightly, chasing away his thoughts.
Beside him, Aiz also spoke.
"There's no need to discuss it," she said shortly, though her tone sounded a little firmer than usual.
Tiona clicked her tongue softly. "Fine, fine," she said, then suddenly raised her binocular. "Then let's talk about this instead. Can you make something that can see further than this?"
Shirou breathed a sigh of relief.
"I can," he answered.
He raised his hand again.
"Trace… on."
Blue light appeared, forming a larger tool than before—a simple telescope with a long lens.
"This…" Lefiya immediately approached with sparkling eyes. "What is this again?"
Tiona and Aiz also drew closer, curious.
"It's usually for looking at stars," Shirou explained while adjusting its position. "But since it's daytime, I made a version focused on long-distance viewing instead."
"Wow…" Tiona was immediately intrigued.
Lefiya, without waiting long, immediately tried it out. She aimed the telescope into the distance, toward the city.
A few seconds—
Then her eyes widened.
"Wow! Babel Tower is clearly visible from here!" she exclaimed in admiration.
Tiona grinned, then nudged her gently.
"Don't tell me you'll be using this to peek at people undressing again, huh?"
"I-I WILL NOT!" Lefiya immediately retorted, her face red.
Shirou could only chuckle softly, while Aiz silently tried the telescope herself; her eyes observed the world from a much closer perspective than usual.
***
The small figure that had slipped out of the Twilight Manor window earlier was now walking leisurely through the bustling city.
Finn.
His appearance was as neat as usual—his coat perfectly arranged, his blonde hair gleaming and well-styled, even a faint fragrance following his every step. Nothing about him suggested that he had just "escaped" from someone.
The captain of Loki Familia had started his plan since morning.
Avoidance.
More precisely, avoiding one particular person.
"Tione…" he murmured, then let out a small sigh.
He knew very well how that Amazoness could chase him relentlessly if he let his guard down even a little. So, ever since Shirou's group and the girls left the city for their quest, Finn had chosen the opposite direction.
Not toward the gate.
But deeper into the heart of Orario.
He passed through crowded streets and narrow alleys until finally arriving at a quieter place. There stood a large statue—a hero monument symbolizing the glories of the past.
Finn stopped in front of it.
He glanced around, making sure no one was paying him too much attention, then crossed his arms casually over his chest.
As if waiting.
Time passed slowly.
A few passersby walked past him, but Finn remained standing in place—calm, unhurried, unbothered—as if time itself slowed around him; because he knew he hadn't come without reason… he was waiting for a girl.
Finn stood calmly in front of the hero statue, his arms still folded, his eyes occasionally scanning his surroundings. To others, he might have looked like someone waiting aimlessly. But behind his relaxed demeanor, his mind was working meticulously—as usual.
A man should arrive first.
That wasn't just etiquette for him, but part of his principles. In a situation like this—a meeting between a man and a woman—the first impression began even before the first word was spoken. Arriving early meant showing seriousness.
Even though… he himself was aware.
This couldn't yet be called a date.
More precisely, this was just a meeting between two Pallums.
Finn sighed softly.
This was the second time they were meeting with such a purpose. The first meeting had been a brief introduction at a Pallum-exclusive restaurant—a coincidence that happened thanks to Shirou, who delivered an invitation letter to the Hestia Familia headquarters. Nothing special had happened then, just light conversation and a fleeting first impression.
This time was different, even if the difference was never clearly spoken. Finn himself couldn't, or perhaps shouldn't, say it directly. That word was too heavy, too laden with meaning to be uttered casually—especially to the girl in front of him.
"Date" wasn't something he could say.
Riveria had warned him before, in a calm but firm tone. Use a reasonable excuse. Don't make her back away from the start. Those words still echoed, clearly imprinted in his mind, as if setting a boundary he must not cross.
Because that girl already liked someone else.
Finn closed his eyes for a moment, letting his thoughts settle before finally letting out a soft sigh. A faint smile formed on his face, more as a decision than an emotion. "Teaching strategy," he murmured. "That's a good enough reason."
So he chose that path—to invite, to train, and to walk side by side without ever mentioning what was truly hidden behind his intentions. A safe, rational approach, and… perhaps the only one he had right now.
Small footsteps approached, breaking his train of thought as it slowly calmed.
Tap… tap…
Finn opened his eyes.
A Pallum girl ran up to him, her breath slightly ragged, her face looking anxious.
"I-I'm sorry!" she said quickly once she reached Finn. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting!"
Finn shook his head gently, his smile remaining calm.
"It's fine," he answered softly. "I just arrived myself."
The girl lowered her head a little, still feeling guilty.
Liliruca Arde.
Their second meeting had finally begun.
Lili stood before Finn, still slightly bowed, but her appearance today was clearly different from usual. She no longer wore the shabby cream-colored robe that often covered her entire body. Instead, she wore neater, more feminine clothing—a simple blouse with a cut that fit her petite body better, paired with a practical short skirt. Her short brown hair was combed more neatly than usual, and there was even a small ribbon carefully attached.
Clearly, effort had been made.
However, Finn didn't jump to conclusions.
It didn't necessarily mean anything.
He remained calm, keeping his expression from straying too far from his usual relaxed demeanor. In his mind, he recalled an important piece of advice from Riveria—don't overpraise.
Just enough.
"You look nice today," he said lightly. "It suits your hair."
Simple.
Not excessive.
Yet, clear enough.
Lili was startled for a moment, then her face flushed slightly. She lowered her head again, but this time not from nervousness—rather, from happiness.
"Th-thank you…" she murmured.
Deep in her heart, she couldn't help but think one small thought.
If only Bell could say something like that…
She shook her head slightly, trying to focus again.
Before her stood Finn Deimne—captain of Loki Familia, a Pallum known throughout Orario, perhaps even the entire world. The fact that she was being invited to meet like this had made her anxious earlier.
Finn nodded slightly, then turned around.
"Let's go," he said. "We'll begin."
Lili immediately followed him, walking beside him with steps that were still a little stiff. Finn adjusted his pace, ensuring they walked side by side without making her feel left behind.
Their goal today was clear.
Not just a stroll.
But rather, the library.
Where Finn planned to teach Liliruca the basics of strategy—and in a subtle way, bring them closer together.
On the way to the library, their steps fell into a gradually synchronizing rhythm, bringing a comfort that hadn't been there before. Lili, who had seemed hesitant since earlier, finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice soft as if afraid to disturb the quiet between them. "Um… Finn," she called softly. Finn glanced briefly, enough to signal he was listening.
"Out of all the Pallums…" Lili paused for a moment, weighing her words carefully before continuing, "Why… did you choose me to teach directly?" The question came out more honestly than she had planned, carrying the anxiety she had been holding back. She knew who was walking beside her—Finn Deimne, the figure who had restored the Pallum race's name from ruin, a strategic genius and a symbol of pride.
And compared to that, she was only a level one—a supporter who was often looked down upon.
Finn was silent for a moment; his steps remained steady even as his mind spun. The real answer appeared in his mind, clear and without hesitation.
Because you are the Pallum best suited to be my wife.
However, those words remained locked inside him, never reaching his lips. Not now, not in a situation like this, and not in that manner. Besides, that reason wasn't driven by emotion, but by a choice born of rational consideration.
He finally smiled faintly, choosing the lighter path. "Aren't you the one who devised the strategy for Hestia Familia during the War Game against Apollo Familia?" he said casually. "I was impressed."
Lili was stunned; the praise warmed her chest, but doubt still lingered in the corner of her heart. "That… was just luck," she replied softly. "I'm still level one… and just a supporter. Aren't there other, stronger Pallums?"
Finn shrugged lightly, as if the answer was obvious to him. "There are," he admitted honestly, "but… You know who they are, don't you?" Lili blinked, then slowly understood his meaning. "Ah…" The name immediately came to mind—the Gulliver Brothers.
She couldn't help but let out a small laugh that escaped unintentionally. Those four Pallum twins from Freya Familia had indeed reached level five, known for being strong and brutal, but the relationship between Freya and Loki Familia was clearly not what you'd call good. "I don't think they'd even want to listen to you," Lili murmured, still with a faint smile.
"Or they might just attack me outright," Finn replied lightly.
Both of them laughed softly, and in that brief laughter, the tension that had been hanging in the air slowly melted away, disappearing without a trace.
And without realizing it, their steps felt lighter, as if the road ahead had softened to match their now-harmonious rhythm.
The Orario city library welcomed them with a stillness that felt almost sacred. Tall shelves towered, filled with neatly arranged books, while the scent of old paper and ink hung softly in the air. Sunlight slipped in through large windows, tracing warm lines on the floor and wooden tables. Amidst that atmosphere, Finn chose a table in a quiet corner, where voices could remain low without being scattered by noise.
"Here," he said quietly.
Lili nodded, then sat across from him. Her hands were still slightly tense, but her eyes already showed seriousness.
Finn looked at her for a moment, then asked in a light tone, "Where would you like to start?"
Lili didn't answer immediately. She took a small breath, as if gathering her thoughts before speaking.
"Right now… Hestia Familia is stable enough to reach the 18th floor," she said softly. "We want to go further… to push into the floors below."
She lowered her head a little, then added, "I want to make sure we aren't reckless."
Finn nodded slowly. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"That's a good decision," he said. "Knowing your limits and preparing before taking a step… that's already half the strategy."
There was a hint of praise there—not excessive, but enough to show recognition.
Lili felt happy hearing it.
Finn then took several reference books from the nearest shelf, opening them one by one. He didn't explain in a normal voice right away; instead, he leaned his body slightly forward.
"For the middle floors… below the 18th floor," he whispered so as not to disturb other visitors.
Lili also leaned closer.
"The monsters there no longer appear randomly like on the upper floors," Finn continued. "They have patterns. Territory. Even… simple cooperation."
Lili immediately took mental notes, her eyes focused.
"So… it's not just about strength?" she replied softly.
Finn smiled faintly, then nodded. "Exactly." He drew a simple map on paper; his lines were firm yet efficient. "For example, in the Dungeon's forest areas… if you see a small group of monsters suddenly disappear, it's not them running away."
"Rather… they're luring us into their territory?" Lili guessed. Her voice was slightly faster than before.
Finn paused for a moment. His eyes looked at Lili with a glimmer of admiration he didn't hide.
"Yes."
That answer came too quickly for a beginner, and Finn realized it. He continued his explanation in more detail—team formations, role division, even natural traps in the Dungeon—all delivered in a low voice, like a secret meant only for the two of them. Lili listened without distraction, occasionally interjecting with questions that always hit the mark, as if her thoughts were already several steps ahead.
"If that's the case… for Hestia Familia, which has few members, it's better to focus on mobility rather than defense, right?" she whispered. Finn nodded without hesitation. "And avoid prolonged fights," Lili added again, continuing her own train of thought. "Correct," Finn answered shortly, yet there was subtle satisfaction in his tone.
The conversation flowed at a quick, efficient rhythm, without obstacles, without awkward pauses. Finn slowly realized something—he wasn't just teaching. He was discussing and exchanging ideas with someone who could follow, even match, his flow.
And that… was rare.
His gaze softened slightly; his voice dropped, almost to a murmur. "…you catch on very quickly." Lili paused for a moment, then gave a simple but sincere smile. "That's because your explanations are easy to understand," she replied lightly.
Deep in her heart, she knew that she was enjoying this moment more than she should admit. And Finn, without truly realizing it, felt the same—a comfort that arose slowly, quietly, but surely.
In the middle of the lesson, Finn began explaining more deeply about the types of monsters they would encounter on the middle floors. His voice remained low, almost like a whisper, but every word was neatly arranged and easy to understand.
"Lizardmen are among the most common," he said, pointing to a rough sketch on the paper. "They're smarter than upper-floor monsters. They can cooperate, even surround you if you're careless."
Lili nodded, listening seriously. But the more she listened, the more she felt something was missing.
"If that's the case… monsters on the 19th floor and below must be even more complex, right?" she asked softly.
Finn nodded. "Correct. And their patterns are also harder to predict."
Lili was silent for a moment, then said honestly, "I think… I need a more complete reference. Just your explanation isn't enough."
Finn nodded. "The right choice."
They both stood up, walking toward the bookshelf containing monster encyclopedias. Rows of thick books lined up neatly; some even looked rarely touched.
However, there was one problem.
The book they were looking for was on the top shelf.
Lili looked up, then let out a small sigh. "It's so high…"
As Pallums, height was not their strong suit. The shelf was nearly three times her height.
"I'll call the librarian—" Lili started to turn.
Suddenly—
thump!
A small sound was heard.
Finn had already moved.
With a light motion, he jumped onto the side of the shelf, using a small gap as a foothold. His small body actually made him more agile, moving quickly like a shadow.
His hand reached for the book they were looking for.
In one smooth motion, he had it in his grasp.
Then—
He descended.
Without a sound.
Without a wobble.
It all happened so quickly.
Finn stood back in front of Lili, showing the book calmly, as if what he had just done was ordinary.
In romantic stories, usually the taller man would easily reach the top shelf and retrieve a book without any real effort, creating a simple moment that feels sweet. However, the reality standing before Lili was a little different. Finn didn't have that advantage, and instead of forcing himself into a clichéd image, he chose a method more suited to his height.
He had to be creative.
Lili was silent for quite a while afterward. There was no blush on her face, nor the small smile that usually appeared in such situations. All that remained was pure surprise, an expression that slowly turned into bewilderment without her realizing it.
She stared at Finn, trying to process what had just happened.
Before her stood the captain of Loki Familia. The figure who should have been synonymous with authority and calm had just jumped nimbly like a child to retrieve a book from a high shelf. The contrast was so stark that her mind momentarily stopped working.
Unconsciously, Lili's habit as the "voice of reason" in Hestia Familia surfaced. She stared at Finn with furrowed brows, then scolded him in a tone slightly too loud for a place like this.
"Finn! That was dangerous, you know! What if the book fell or got damaged?!"
That voice shattered the library's silence.
Several heads immediately turned. Chairs creaked softly; book pages stopped turning. All eyes were on the two small Pallums standing among the tall shelves.
Finn's attempt to move silently—
was in vain.
"Shhh…!"
An elderly librarian in the distance immediately raised a hand, his face clearly displeased. "Please be quiet in the library!"
Lili immediately realized.
Her face paled, then flushed in an instant. She bowed deeply, almost reflexively.
"I-I'm sorry!" she said quickly, her voice now much softer. "Sorry for disturbing…"
She even turned to Finn, still bowing. "Sorry, Finn… I didn't mean to—"
Finn shook his head gently.
"It's fine," he answered softly.
Hidden behind his calm answer, something was different.
He observed Lili.
The way the girl scolded him without hesitation, then immediately panicked when she realized the situation. Her furrowed brown eyebrows, the small, serious expression that wasn't intimidating—
it…
looked cute.
Very unlike the reserved image he usually saw in her.
Finn held back a faint smile, then turned slightly, pretending to focus back on the book in his hands.
They returned to the table, continuing the lesson as if nothing had happened. The encyclopedia Finn had retrieved was now wide open, showing illustrations and detailed explanations of various middle-floor monsters.
Finn returned to his role as teacher, explaining calmly while occasionally pointing to important sections. His voice remained low, maintaining the library's hushed atmosphere.
But beneath that—
Something had changed.
In his mind, he recalled his original intentions. For him, things like 'dates' weren't really necessary. If based purely on rationality, he should have been able to simply propose to a girl without going through complicated stages.
But the reality… wasn't that simple.
He was enjoying this moment.
More than he had expected.
Unconsciously, his gaze occasionally shifted to Lili. The way she read seriously, her brows furrowing slightly when thinking, and the small expressions that changed whenever she found something interesting—all of it felt… pleasant to watch.
A strange urge arose within him.
A small desire to do something.
To tease.
To see her reaction again.
Lili, who was turning a page about Bugbears, suddenly stopped. She felt something—a gaze that had lasted too long to ignore.
She lifted her face.
"Finn?" she asked softly. "What is it?"
For the first time since this meeting began—
Finn lost his composure.
"Ah… nothing. It's nothing," he answered quickly, a little too quickly for someone like him.
He immediately looked away, returning his gaze to the book as if truly focused.
In his heart, he let out a long sigh.
What am I even doing?
He had been through many things in his life, faced battle after battle, and made major decisions that determined the fates of many. That experience had forged him into a calm figure, not easily shaken by momentary emotions. Although his appearance still resembled a human child, Finn had reached the age of forty, enough to make him immune to shallow emotional turmoil.
But now, there was something that felt unique.
He felt like a teenager who didn't fully understand what was happening inside him.
And the cause was the small Pallum girl standing before him.