Rayish
patreon
Chapter 147
🕑 Added 2025-06-24 08:01:06 +0000 UTCThat night, Riveria and Gareth walked through the streets of Orario, which were beginning to empty. The night was calm, with a gentle breeze
That night, Riveria and Gareth walked through the streets of Orario, which were beginning to empty. The night was calm, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the towering Babel Tower in the distance. The glow of hanging lanterns cast a warm hue on the cobblestone paths, reflecting the silhouettes of the two longtime friends walking side by side.
Their destination wasn't a grand party or a noble banquet but something far simpler—a relaxed evening, free from the formalities and responsibilities of their Familia.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived near Hearth Mansion, the base of the Hestia Familia. Across from it stood a small yet elegant café: Wishe Café, a two-story building with large windows showcasing a serene and natural interior filled with hanging plants and soft crystal light.
Riveria stepped inside first, greeted by the warmth of the room and the aroma of coffee blended with herbal flowers. She approached the counter, where a young elf stood with a polite smile.
"Do you have a private room available tonight?" Riveria asked, her voice soft but clear.
The clerk, who immediately recognized her, bowed respectfully. "Yes, Lady Riveria. Please wait a moment."
After checking the reservation sheet, the clerk nodded and gestured. "Right this way, upstairs. We'll bring your order shortly."
Gareth turned to the clerk without preamble. "A bottle of your strongest ale," he said, his voice deep and brisk.
Riveria added calmly, "And one elven green tea, along with a plate of salad and cheese for the three of us. Finn will be joining us later."
They ascended the stairs to the private room—a cozy space with wooden walls and a window overlooking a small garden, illuminated by flower-shaped hanging lanterns.
Soon after, a soft knock sounded at the door.
A polite waiter entered, carrying a large tray with their order: a bottle of aged ale labeled in an ancient script, a steaming pot of green tea, three cups, and a plate of fresh salad with an assortment of neatly arranged cheeses.
For a moment, they sat in silence, accompanied only by the faint clinking of plates and the soothing aroma of their drinks.
Once the waiter quietly closed the door, Gareth immediately grabbed the bottle of aged ale and poured it into the iron mug he had brought from home, claiming it "tasted better" than the café's glasses. With one long swig, he drained the mug.
"Ahhh, now this is what I call a night," he murmured contentedly, leaning back into the plush wooden chair and gazing at the night sky through the window.
Across the table, Riveria remained composed, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Her teacup was untouched, its steam slowly rising and dancing in the air. She gazed out the window gracefully, waiting for someone.
"I'll wait for Finn first," she said quietly, as if answering an unasked question.
Gareth's eyes shifted to the salad in the middle of the table, his expression turning skeptical. He picked up a small slice of tomato, tasted it, and frowned.
"Salad? With ale?" he grumbled, then snorted. "No way."
He slapped the table twice loudly.
"Order a plate of smoked meat and roasted potatoes! And if possible, add some spicy sauce!"
Riveria closed her eyes briefly and sighed. "Gareth..." she said flatly, yet sharply. "This isn't a roadside stall. At least... behave properly."
Gareth turned to her, his mouth slightly agape. "Huh? I'm just eating and drinking. What's wrong with that?"
"Your tongue is dripping with grease, and your voice is practically echoing through the entire building," Riveria replied, her tone elegant but cold.
Gareth snorted but sat up straighter. "Fine, fine... sorry, Lady Riveria..." he muttered, smirking slightly.
But Riveria wasn't done. She began critiquing his posture, the way he wiped his mouth, and even how he held his cup.
"Seriously, if you want formality, why don't we just reserve a palace instead?" Gareth shot back, starting to get riled up. "We came here to relax, remember?"
"Relaxing doesn't mean abandoning manners," Riveria retorted quickly.
"Oh, forgive me, Your Highness the Elf of Etiquette," Gareth sneered with a rough laugh.
"At least I don't guzzle ale like a starving orc."
The argument grew heated—what was supposed to be a peaceful table now echoed with clashing glasses, sarcastic remarks, and increasingly raised voices.
Unnoticed by either of them, the door creaked open slowly.
Finn Deimne stood at the threshold, wearing his long black coat, one eyebrow arched high as he watched his two longtime friends—usually the wise and composed pillars of their Familia—bickering like teenagers.
He stood silently for a few seconds, glancing between them.
"...Am I late?" Finn murmured, unsure whether to enter... or wait until one of them threw a fork.
Finally, after a moment of hesitation, he sighed softly and stepped into the room.
"That's enough, you two," he said firmly but amiably, walking toward the table.
Riveria and Gareth, who had been locked in a tense glare, snapped out of it at Finn's voice. They turned to him, their eyes meeting briefly... and then, as if on cue, they both chuckled softly.
"Hahaha... really... It's been a while since we've argued like this," Gareth said, stroking his beard with a low laugh.
"Indeed..." Riveria added, her smile calming. "It feels like... the early days of the Loki Familia. Back when we didn't have heavy responsibilities or had to set an example for the juniors."
They exchanged glances, and in that look was a shared nostalgia—youth filled with missions, dreams, and the kind of madness only understood by those who had started the journey together.
Finn pulled up the remaining high chair and sat down slowly, a faint smile appearing. "In that case, let's consider tonight... a break from being role models."
He took his plate, filled it with cheese and salad, and poured some wine into the crystal glass in front of him.
Riveria finally picked up her teacup, lifting it gracefully before taking a small sip. The herbal warmth soothed her throat. She also began enjoying the salad before her.
Meanwhile, Gareth, who had now received his plate of smoked meat, quickly immersed himself in the pleasure of eating, though this time, with slightly better manners.
The night at Wishe Café flowed on, no longer tense but filled with light laughter, casual conversation, and the reaffirmation of an old bond. A night reserved for those who had weathered much together and were still walking side by side.
Their topics drifted with the passage of time, wrapped in a relaxed atmosphere that slowly turned reflective.
"It's undeniable..." Finn mused, stirring his glass slowly, "The Loki Familia has grown rapidly lately."
Gareth nodded as he set down his empty cup. "Bete, Tiona, Tione, and Aiz..." he listed the names one by one, his tone a mix of pride and weariness, "...they've all reached Level 6. Just like the three of us."
"I remember when they were younger, stubborn and unable to tell tactics from luck," Riveria murmured, sipping her tea. "Now they've surpassed many seniors in other Familias."
Gareth snorted and leaned back in his creaking chair. "And then there's Shirou... that new kid. Joined a few months ago and already Level 4. Insane. His fighting style is something else."
"Similar to Bell from the Hestia Familia," Finn added. "He reached Level 3 in no time, too."
"Those kids are like storms. Fast, unpredictable, and... somehow, they drag everything along with them."
"Honestly... I feel like I've been stagnating," Gareth continued, his voice heavy. He stared blankly at the cup in his hand before lifting it and taking another deep swig. "Not sure when I'll break through to Level 7..."
Finn smiled faintly. "I feel the same, to be honest."
But he turned to Riveria. "But you...are different."
Riveria, who had just raised her teacup to her lips, arched an eyebrow slightly. Her eyes met Finn's with curiosity. "Different...? In what way?"
Finn set his glass down gently, his gaze soft yet piercing as it settled on Riveria. In a warm but firm tone, he said, "While Gareth and I feel stuck... you've chosen to explore something new with Shirou, haven't you?"
Riveria paused for a moment, then a gentle smile spread across her face. It was a rare, sweet smile, one seldom seen even by those closest to her.
"You mean... magecraft?" she said, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of excitement. "Yes, I've been learning. And though I'm far from mastering it, I can say I've grasped some of the basics."
Finn narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the change in his old friend's expression. There was something in the way Riveria smiled just now... something unusual—softer, more personal. But he didn't press further. He knew when to stay silent.
Gareth, however, wasn't as perceptive. He raised his bushy eyebrows and exclaimed, "Oh? Then show us! I'm curious what you can do."
Riveria considered for a moment, her eyes flickering to the table. "Alright," she replied simply. She focused on the large bottle of wine in the center of the table, took a deep breath, and extended her hand.
Finn—who knew full well of Shirou's skill for projecting legendary weapons—asked hopefully, "Are you going to summon a legendary weapon, like Shirou?"
Riveria chuckled softly. "That's... far beyond my reach. But for something simpler..."
She closed her eyes briefly, her fingers touching the neck of the wine bottle.
With a subtle yet steady concentration, she channeled her prana into the bottle. No spell, no chant—just Reinforcement. A magecraft technique to enhance the structure and properties of the object.
The bottle trembled faintly, almost imperceptibly—like a soft resonance across its surface.
Riveria opened her eyes and calmly poured the contents into Gareth's glass.
"Try it... and compare," she said softly.
Gareth took his glass, eyed the clear liquid skeptically, then downed it in one go.
"Whoa—!" he exclaimed, blinking. "It's... stronger! Sharper, but smoother. The alcohol's more potent but doesn't burn!"
Finn, curious, extended his glass as well. Riveria poured from the same bottle, and Finn took a slow sip.
He nodded slowly, his blue eyes widening slightly. "Huh... the effect is real. It's like... It's been polished with precision."
Riveria simply smiled faintly. The magecraft she had learned from Shirou, though seemingly simple on the surface, had opened an entirely new world for her, not just as an adventurer, but as a mage. And that night, a small piece of that world was shared with her two oldest friends.
Gareth lifted the wine bottle again, pouring half a glass. After taking a sip, he turned to Riveria with eyes slightly reddened from the alcohol but brimming with interest.
"So... aside from enhancing drinks," he said with a chuckle, "what else can you do with magecraft, Riveria?"
Riveria set her teacup down gently, then raised both hands above the table. "Just the basics," she replied modestly. "Only Reinforcement."
A soft green aura enveloped her palms and the backs of her hands. The light pulsed gently, following the flow of mana beneath her skin.
Finn leaned forward slightly, his eyes observing intently. "And?" he asked simply, eager to learn more.
Riveria nodded and continued. "Structural Analysis. But... I need direct contact with the object I want to understand. Unlike Shirou, who can do it just by looking."
She lowered her hands, the aura fading slowly. "And one more... Bounded Field, though a very simple one. I use magic stones as markers."
Finn nodded slowly. "I can guess what Structural Analysis does from the name... but 'Bounded Field'?"
Riveria answered in her calm, instructive tone. "Think of it as a magical fence. I place magic stones at the four corners of the area I want to protect, then connect them with magical energy. If anything enters that area... I'll know. Especially if it's a threat."
Gareth, who had already downed half his glass, nodded quickly. "That... would be incredibly useful during Dungeon expeditions. We could detect intruders or stray monsters at camp."
Riveria smiled slightly, a hint of pride hidden beneath her composure. Magecraft might not yet be a full-fledged part of her strength, but the seed had been planted—and perhaps, it would grow into something greater in the future.
Riveria took the last sip of her tea and set the cup down gently on the porcelain saucer, the soft click echoing in the quiet room.
"Enough about me," she said, leaning back into her chair calmly. "Now... what about the two of you?"
Gareth shrugged immediately. "Same as always, really. Eat, drink, help the Guild with quests that need veteran hands." He raised his glass as if emphasizing the word drink. "Sometimes sparring too. Teaching Bete, even though he's Level 6 now... his mouth's gotten worse, but his fists are faster."
Riveria smiled faintly. "You've always enjoyed butting heads with him."
Gareth chuckled. "It's the fun part of my old age."
Riveria turned to Finn, who had remained quiet for a while. "And... what about you, Finn?" she asked softly, her tone gentle yet attentive.
Finn didn't answer immediately. He lowered his gaze slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against the side of his glass. The air in the room grew heavier, as if time had slowed for a moment.
Then, he took a long, deep breath. "Actually..." he said slowly. "There's something I wanted to ask your opinions about. It's also the reason I invited you out tonight."
Gareth and Riveria's expressions sharpened instantly, no longer relaxed. Riveria even sat up straighter, her leadership instincts kicking in. "Alright," she said, her voice more formal than before. "Go ahead."
Finn lifted his face, his serious expression etched clearly. He looked at them in turn—his two friends, his comrades of many years.
Then, like a stone dropped into still waters, he spoke:
"I... plan to propose to someone. To make her my wife."
A quiet explosion seemed to go off in the small room, and silence fell.
No one moved. Even the air felt frozen.
