The witch's forest is such a dreary place the concept of time is hard to nail down. The large tree canopies cover most of the forest floor, making everything look dark and bleak to the naked eye. By the time they are done discussing with Jasper it's already late and the sun is just about to set. While Rei is relieved that his hunch paid off and he found his lost bride, the frantic people in the castle don't know this. They're likely losing their minds still searching the entire city for her. They need to return as soon as possible to assure the people of her safety.
"We need to go."
"Right." A look of understanding crosses her face, she's probably conscious of the overprotective duke's likely reaction to her disappearance.
"Are you coming back with us?" Jasper is a nonplayable character in the game, but she still wants to try her luck.
"Of course. What better way to judge your strengths than in battle." To her pleasant surprise, unlike the game he easily agrees to join them. "A word of advice, the monsters that come out at night are vastly different than those you faced by day."
The older Bastion simply claps his hands and the entire room vanishes. One second, they're standing in a fully furnished room, the next they're standing in the middle of the witch's forest. All traces of the cabin completely erased, like it was never there to begin with.
"Wow" Arie openly stares in awe at the phenomenal display of high-level spatial magic, known only to a handful of mages.
"We should get moving. Here." Rei hands Ariellia her staff and grimoire, he made sure to take them out of the castle just in case. As amazing as it is to see his uncle perform such magic tricks, they don't have time to stand and gawk. Rei begins to head back towards the city walls. Almost immediately they're intercepted by a group of monsters. It's as though while in the cabin they'd been invisible to them but now without the barrier shielding their presence the monsters are aware of them again.
"Ariellia stand behind me!" Rei unsheathes both of his swords in one swift motion, taking his position at the front of the party. Only once he's sure she is behind him does he charge at the wild lizardman before him. Spinning like a whirlwind for momentum his twin swords clash against the lizardman's spear.
Strong.
That is the only word that comes to mind as he tries to overpower the other. In a match of pure muscle and strength they seem to be evenly matched. From the corner of his eyes, he sees the spider lady separate from the group, aiming her stingers at his wife. He doesn't think twice, kicking the lizardman in the stomach and using the force to launch himself to her side, but someone gets there before him.
"Pay attention nephew, let down your guard and you might become a corpse. You can leave the protection of your pretty bride to me."
"You!" He doesn't have time to finish his retort before a pair of sharp claws shred the very ground he'd been standing on seconds ago. He dodged by instinct, a very good call, otherwise he'd have lost an arm.
"Dark hands!" He's never heard Ariellia's voice with such authority. He's surprised to see her standing her ground, not at all startled by the spider lady's sneak attack. She looks ready, almost like she expects such tactics. Her dark hands drag the struggling monster's many legs, binding them, and slowing it down long enough for Jasper to obliterate it with a single fist.
Not to be outdone by their brilliant teamwork, Rei turns his attention back to the Lizardman. It came charging at him with its spear, ready to stab him in the heart. Channeling his mana into his sword, he exhales a deep breath before releasing two energy strikes that completely sever the reptile from head to toe. The strike is so clean he's able to clear the zone before its blood begins to spurt out.
"Was that pure force Uncle Jasper? I didn't see your fist land at all."
His next move is ruined when he hears her words. Rei sharply turns his head to see Ariellia jumping for joy around his uncle, shamelessly complimenting his martial skills as she touches his masculine arms with stars in her eyes. The sight is so maddening he doesn't even look back as he beheads the lurking harpy monster trying to attack him from behind.
"Huh, Rei you can't bring the monsters here! I'll be in their range if you come too close." She looks alarmed to see him headed her way, practically shooing him away with her staff.
He didn't even notice it, slowly he'd been approaching the two without thinking.
"That's true nephew, your wife has a good head for strategy. As a frontline attacker your role is to keep the enemy's attention off us. Surely you didn't forget this basic concept of battle?" The damn twinkle in Jasper's eyes lets him know he's doing this on purpose. Even a self-trained swordman like him knows such basic battle formation tactics.
"Hmm" he snorts, too vexed to even say anything more. It's true what they say, out of mind and out of sight is best. Listening to her spew endless compliments to his uncle, one might mistake who her real husband is. She should be taking his side of things, even if he almost broke the formation, she should share the same pants as him and feign ignorance. He turns away from the two, viciously stomping on the head of a foolish mutant orc to vent.
She only seems to remember herself after witnessing this cold violent display. She then tries to get back into his good graces by meekly clutching his sleeve and offering a sheepish smile. "I don't think Rei meant to break the formation uncle. He was only trying to get the monsters closer to my casting range."
"…" Jasper gives them both a flat look, unprepared for the harmonious act by husband and wife.
"Of course not." The older Bastion won't be fooled by their silly talks of divorce anymore. He kills the last of the monsters with a dispassionate flick of his finger, sending a rock through its skull with ease.
"It's here, it's here!" Arie immediately grows excited when she sees a familiar glow surround her.
[You have acquired the grace of the goddess]
[Name: Ariellia Silvy Garrod]
[Age: 17] [Gender: Female]
[Race: Half Dark Elf/???]
[Level:10] [HP:720]
[MP:315] [Attack:80]
[Magic Defense:180] [AP:15]
[Intelligence:145] [Defense:125]
[Luck:50] [Special traits: ???]
[Exp:01/1650]
[Weapon: Expensive Silverwood staff, beginner's grimoire of dark spells]
[Armor x4: Pink Gracewood nightgown, gold slippers]
[Accessories x4: Selene's tear earrings, Diana's choker, Herold's ring, Gedium's bracelet]
[Elemental Affinity: Darkness, Earth, ??]
[Magic skills: Dark Hands, Dark Drain (New)]
"Yes!" She's so excited she forgets herself and hugs the closest person beside her. Rei is so startled by the sudden physical contact. He doesn't know how to react. He can only awkwardly stand there and let the moment pass.
"It appears the lady has been blessed by the goddess for her efforts."
"I'm finally level 10!" All her struggles were for this, only once she's strong enough can she survive the monster march and send off the hero with a smile. She can then spend the rest of her days learning how to properly run the dutchy with her father, while getting used to her new life. She gets tear-eyed just thinking of the peaceful future ahead. Rei can't begin to fathom the crazy thoughts running through her head.