After they reached their hotel, the rooms were divided — Eldrie, Licht, and Liebe shared one, while Gelda and Alysa shared the other.
After a shower, Liebe said, "Let's head to the beach."
Alysa said, "But I didn't bring a swimsuit!"
Gelda added, "Since we're on a mission, I didn't think we'd need one."
Liebe said, "Well, why not just buy one? It's not like we can't afford it."
Alysa said, "Okay then — you're coming with me!"
Liebe blinked. "Why me?"
Alysa said, "Of course you! You're the one who has to tell me if it looks good. Now come, bikini shopping with me!"
Eldrie said, "Looks like our little Liebe has finally grown up into a man."
Licht said, "Yeah, he seemed so young just yesterday, and now he's going bikini shopping with his girlfriend."
Gelda sighed dramatically. "Yeah, kids grow up so fast."
Liebe groaned. "You guys done pulling my leg?"
Licht said, "Not yet."
When they went to a local bikini shop, they ran into Werner and Mey. Mey used sign language to ask, 'Does this look good?'
The man besides them looked at Werner and said, "Sir, Miss Mey is asking if it looks good."
Werner said, "Yes, it suits her."
Mey signed something again.
After Alysa showed a few options, she turned to Liebe and said, "So which do you think suits me best? What should I buy?"
Liebe said, "Buy all of them. Honestly, they all suit you. But personally, I think the black one looks the best."
Alysa smiled. "Thanks! Let's head to the beach."
Meanwhile, since Mey and Werner couldn't decide, Liebe said, "Hey Werner, how are you doing?"
Werner replied, "Helping Mey decide. And this man here is Harner — a servant to our House Mikado. Since my sister and I don't talk, he acts as our mediator."
Liebe said, "If you guys can't decide, Alysa, why don't you help her? This is my girlfriend, Alysa. She's also a bit shy around new people, so please, Alysa — help her out."
Werner said, "I greatly appreciate it."
After fifteen minutes, they went to the beach. As the girls played in the water, Liebe and Werner sat at the shore, enjoying the view.
Liebe said, "Personally, I'm a fan of the beach, but I don't go to the one in Eldrie for… personal reasons. Do you and your sister visit often?"
Werner shook his head. "No. I'm always busy with work. The last time we had a vacation like this was ages ago. Of course, she accompanies me everywhere, but… we haven't talked in the last twelve years."
Liebe looked shocked. "What? Twelve years? You two seem close, though."
Werner said, "Personal reasons."
Liebe nodded. "I can understand. My mother and I used to live in the same house, but for the last eight years, we've been distant. Every conversation feels like two strangers talking out of necessity, not out of want."
Werner said quietly, "That's a pain I can understand."
Liebe said, "Yeah. Strength may help us grow, but it also casts the shadow of loneliness."
Werner chuckled. "By the way, what's your magic attribute?"
Liebe said, "Dark magic. And yours?"
Werner said, "Phoenix Flame. Wait—did you just say dark magic?"
Liebe nodded. "Yeah, dark magic."
Werner stared. "No way. Are you the reincarnation of our god of darkness — the one who's supposed to awaken within Aldia?"
Liebe blinked. "Huh? What god? Who god? You mean me?"
Werner said, "Yeah!"
Liebe said, "Sorry, dude, you've got the wrong dark magic user."
Werner grinned. "We're both men, right? So how about we settle this with a fistfight in the water?"
Liebe said, "A fistfight? Sure! No magic or weapons."
Werner said, "Deal."
They charged into the water and fought with nothing but their fists, laughing and shouting.
Liebe said, "You've got one hell of a punch!"
Werner laughed. "And you've got a soul behind every swing!"
After fighting aimlessly for two hours, they finally collapsed on the sand, exhausted.
Later, as Alysa and Gelda were patching up Liebe's bruises, Alysa scolded, "Couldn't you have joined us in the water instead of starting a fistfight?"
Liebe said, "Sorry, we were two dudes. Thought it might be fun."
Licht and Eldrie said in unison, "Why didn't you tell us? We would've joined!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the beach, Mey was tending to Werner's wounds. Werner used sign language to tell Harner, 'Please tell Mey to be a little more gentle — and a bit to the left would be appreciated.'
Harner relayed the message, and Mey signed back, 'Please tell my brother that if he wants me to be gentle, he shouldn't start fistfights with every guy he meets — especially not with someone I actually liked.'
Liebe noticed their conversation. Thanks to Alysa, he could read a bit of sign language.
Alysa said, "Liebe, let's go — otherwise, you might end up building a harem."
Liebe smirked. "Doesn't sound like a bad idea."
Werner signed, 'I'm sorry, Liebe.'
Liebe replied in sign, 'It's not that I mind that you like me or anything, but unfortunately, I'm taken.'
Werner blinked. "You can read sign?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, a bit."
Mey's face turned scarlet red — the same shade as her hair.
Licht said, "Damn, did Liebe just drop a bomb?"
Alysa said, "Yeah, now I can't even tell the difference between her hair and her face."
Gelda said, "Poor thing."
Eldrie said, "But again, if the Lord has two wives, we'll have more to serve. For us, that's an even greater honor."
Licht grinned. "Yeah, same. Two sisters-in-law means twice the food."
Liebe groaned. "Stop, guys."
Werner said firmly, "Not happening. Mey is not leaving my sight — not now, not ever."
Liebe said, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding from my friends."
Werner said, "Sure."
Liebe smiled at Mey. "And Mey, if you ever feel like talking, I'm always free. I don't mind being friends."
Werner said, "Thanks. I appreciate it."