People often say: "These things happen all the time~"
For example,
Villages in remote areas, originally peaceful and happy, suddenly get destroyed by rampaging monsters.
Or,
A young man aspiring to greatness, just becoming an adventurer, dies on his first mission due to carelessness and lack of experience.
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Yes, in this fantastical world during the Age of the Gods, these events were quite common.
And today…
On the 50th day since Renjiro's crossover, Lumine encountered just such an event, something that, to the locals, seemed ordinary.
Three days ago, to cooperate with Renjiro (Aether)'s insane grind schedule, Lumine had traveled alone to Twilight Manor to meet with Riveria and the others. She only briefly explained that Aether had other urgent matters to attend to.
After that, she temporarily joined Riveria's Elf Mage Unit and left Orario with the group.
By now, they had long entered the territory of the Rakia Kingdom, also known as the Ares familia's domain, currently moving along its borderlands.
Honestly, if she could choose, Riveria really didn't want to go this way.
No, she didn't want to approach the Rakia Kingdom at all.
It just felt… unlucky.
In the past, that idiot war god who "only cared about fighting, not winning," probably had more muscle than brain, and often dispatched large armies to attack Orario.
Every time they did, the heaviest losses fell on familias like the Freya familia, the Loki familia, and others.
Especially for her own familia, the Loki familia, the one face their members dreaded seeing most was Ares' stupid, handsome-but-dumb face.
Truly, the saying was accurate: "Looks good, but a total idiot."
Of course, "heavy losses" was more about the familia members thinking, "Dealing with the Rakia Kingdom is just too troublesome."
Think about it: when the enemy army strikes, they not only have to defend Orario from being overrun, but also obey the Guild Headquarters' strict orders, avoid unnecessary casualties, control magic attacks carefully, all to avoid embarrassing those thick-headed nobles.
Annoying, right?
Riveria understood the Guild had its reasons. With a bit of leniency, she could understand why they made such decisions.
After all, Orario may claim to be the "center of the world," but it isn't isolated. Trade with nobles, merchants, and other groups was unavoidable.
In such a case, if one careless action by her side upset the Rakia army, it could destabilize the continent's economy.
Guild crystal trading? Forget it.
Even the adventurer system would be heavily affected.
Of course, Riveria herself was a composed elf princess. Her murderous intent was low, and she had no desire to turn her title "Nine Demon Princess" into "Nine Demon Queen."
But it was still annoying.
Unfortunately, there was no alternative…
Orario, the dungeon-sealed labyrinth city, sat at the far west of the continent. The Large Tree Labyrinth lay in the far south.
Between them, besides the Rakia Kingdom, lay only the Kaios Desert to the southeast.
Elves were, by nature, somewhat fastidious and "noble."
This fastidiousness wasn't just about avoiding physical contact with other races, it meant they were extremely clean.
So asking elves to march into a desert… Sorry, not happening!
Moreover, the Kaios Desert was harsh, demanding excellent survival skills. With their urgent schedule, why go somewhere so unpleasant?
In short…
"I really hope we see one or two villages today."
The complaint came from an elf girl named Anju.
"Even just a clean pond would be enough… I really want to take a bath."
Her current blessing level was Lv. 2. She had recently leveled up but had missed the last divine gathering, so she hadn't received a title yet.
"By the way, Lumine-san, thank you so much for traveling with us."
Another elf girl walking beside her spoke in a tone full of admiration:
"Thanks to you providing the house (the dark-golden cabin), we didn't have to camp."
"No need to carry tents."
"Just minimal luggage is enough."
"Because Mr. Aether delivers food daily."
"And Lumine-san's cooking is amazing."
"I'm sure Miss Diona would've gone crazy for it."
"Too bad she couldn't come, hehe."
The surrounding chatter continued, lively and full of excitement.
Yet these elf girls were not only beautiful but also spoke in melodic voices. Their friendliness toward Lumine made it pleasant rather than annoying.
All of them were Lv. 2 or Lv. 3 adventurers, two Lv. 3s at most.
In combat, they were far below Lv. 4 Alyssia and the "even match with Orario" Lefiya.
But, if they stood within Riveria's magic circle… hmm, even Lv. 7 enemies would have to think twice.
In fact, in the original future timeline of this world, it was this Elf Mage Unit that had once repelled the dangerous female villain Revis, who nearly killed Finn.
Back then, she had consumed countless crystals, even overpowering Lv. 6 Isska with her Wind Spirit Rush.
This demonstrated just how broken Riveria's skill really was.
Now…
"Knowing how much Lumine has helped us, and yet you still complain?"
The vice-captain of the Loki familia, highly respected, turned to the side.
"Anju, your desires are a bit too much."
"Ah, apologies, Riveria-sama."
The elf girl looked embarrassed.
"I don't mean to complain about Lumine-san… it's just… we haven't bathed in days, so there's a little…"
Odor?
She blushed, unwilling to say it outright, ears twitching.
Of course, other adventurers, even Lumine herself, wouldn't notice anything unusual. There was even a faint grassy fragrance.
Only someone extremely clean could detect such flaws.
Then…
"Bathing isn't that hard, actually."
Lumine interjected.
Instantly…
"Really?!"
Not just the elf girls, the usually composed Riveria instinctively looked over.
No doubt, as a Lv. 6 senior adventurer, if conditions allowed her to stay clean, she would definitely…
"If we don't find a village today, I'll make a bathhouse in the cabin tonight."
Lumine smiled:
"Then we can ask [Barbara] and [Amber] to help. Maybe we can even have a hot spring."
The moment she finished…
"Ohhhhh~"
The girls cheered.
Anju, who had complained first, grabbed Lumine's hands, eyes sparkling with admiration.
If Riveria hadn't frowned, she might have hugged her to her face.
Elf fastidiousness?
What even is that?
For now…
"Lumine-san, you're amazing… no, you're great."
Anju exclaimed:
"I brought some elf essence lotion from home, when we bathe tonight, you must try it!"
"Oh~"
Not used to their enthusiasm, Lumine awkwardly nodded.
Then…
Wait, wait.
Hold on~
Bath together… tonight?
"Ah?"
The slow-to-react Lumine panicked slightly.
Her unusual reaction didn't escape Riveria's notice.
"Why is Lumine blushing?"
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