Laurier didn't know why her cheeks were so hot. Salamander Wool couldn't hold much space, which was why the boy had held her so tightly. Even knowing that, she still sank into the warmth of his embrace.
Laurier had never believed in fate. Yet in that brief moment, an unforgettable flower of affection quietly bloomed in her heart. Ever since Bell had charged into the pack of monsters to save her, it felt as if the gears of fate had finally begun to turn.
"Bell..."
Laurier lifted her hands, wrapping them around the boy's back while helping him hold up the Salamander Wool. Their bodies pressed together. Golden hair brushed against white, their warmth blending through every point of contact.
A faint sting burned across the back of Laurier's hand. But compared to the flutter in her chest, the pain meant nothing.
Laurier had never experienced love. To be precise, she believed relationships between men and women were always guided by calculation. Someone wanted something from the other—only then would they approach. Whether it was praise or flattery, Laurier's heart remained ice-cold toward every man.
She didn't understand what love was. In this sense, Laurier was like a blank page—pure, untouched, radiating the proud solitude of an Elf. She had never known first love, never felt her heart stir. Aside from family, no man had ever held a place in her thoughts.
It was in that state that she met the boy. There was nothing impure or ulterior mixed into Bell Cranel's heroic figure or his actions. He had moved solely to save her.
That purity passed straight through her skin. Laurier's cheeks burned hotter and hotter. Even her ear, brushing against his white hair, felt the rising heat. Her heart raced wildly, as if trying to freeze the entire world in this single moment.
Laurier was flustered. She didn't know why she had become like this. It felt like being drunk, sinking deeper and deeper into the warmth of his arms.
When the flames faded, Bell lifted the Salamander Wool and rushed at the hellhound ahead. He seized a gap in its attack and drove his dagger straight into its body.
Laurier stared blankly at his retreating back. Warmth still lingered in the passage, but compared to that embrace moments before, it felt tinged with loneliness and unwillingness to part.
She hurriedly shook the thought away. He only held me to protect me—why am I acting like I can't let go?! I swore I would protect him, yet I'm the one being saved again.
Her Elf pride pushed her to pull herself together. But the girl inside her tripped over her words every time she looked at him.
"Thank... thank you. You saved me again just now... I'll never forget this kindness..."
Laurier's cheeks flushed crimson as her gaze kept darting away.
"Did you get burned?" Bell asked.
"No... nothing!"
Laurier blinked, realizing she couldn't keep accepting the boy's kindness like this.
"Let me see."
Bell reached out, intending to cup her palm.
Laurier stepped back, her golden hair framing a face full of shyness. This kind of contact was different from their earlier embrace; it didn't come suddenly, and she actually had time to react. She wanted to take his hands, yet her body shyly wanted to run.
Laurier herself didn't understand where all these chaotic emotions were coming from.
"It's really nothing... I can't waste any more of your potions..."
She refused.
"We'll still need you in the next battle. If it affects your swordplay, it's better for me to examine it," Bell reasoned.
"Hmm..."
After a moment's hesitation, Laurier slowly raised her hands.
The instant Bell touched her palms, Laurier jolted, feeling as though she could hear her heart pounding in her ears.
Bell examined the burn on the back of her hand. Unlike the direct hit to his back earlier, this time the hellhound's flames had only brushed past them from behind. The burn wasn't severe.
"Hold on a moment. I have some burn ointment. I'll apply some, and it'll heal quickly."
Bell took out a small box. The ointment inside had been brewed by Naaza from herbs. After awakening his Firebolt magic, Bell had asked her to make it just in case, and had carried it with him ever since.
Laurier lifted her hands, letting the boy apply the salve. His gentle, careful movements eased the pain completely.
Staring at Bell's face, Laurier felt as if she were drifting in a dream. Among Elves, she was considered very conservative. If anyone tried to touch her skin, she would recoil in disgust. Yet now, her heart brimmed with a joy she couldn't explain.
Confusion, chaos, and hesitation swirled within her, but above all those tangled emotions was an overwhelming delight.
In the faint phosphorescence, Laurier didn't realize this emotion was the love she had never known.
What she understood even less was this: when it came to matters of the heart, everyone had their own preferences. And Laurier's preference happened to be younger humans with white hair and red eyes.
To her, the boy hit every mark perfectly.
...
Inside the tavern, Syr and Ryuu spoke in hushed voices.
"Bell hasn't returned yet... Could something have happened to him..."
"Cranel-san is so intelligent, he surely wouldn't be in trouble."
"But... I just have this bad feeling..."
Syr frowned, worry clouding her face.
"..."
Ryuu didn't know how to comfort her. Even setting aside their friendship, she too was concerned about Bell's situation.
Should I go check the Dungeon...
Just as Ryuu hesitated, an argument burst out from a corner.
"I just got back from visiting an old friend! Asfi, you're so heartless!"
The God Hermes complained loudly, completely ignoring the stares around him.
"How could you make Laurier do something like that?! If anything happens to her, I'll resent you for the rest of my life!"
Asfi frowned at hearing her Familia God's reckless order.
"An old man told me the Dungeon is a place to seek a fateful encounter, so I couldn't help wanting Laurier to try it out," Hermes defended himself.
"That kind of comment sounds suspicious from the very start. Please be serious," Asfi sighed, worry etched across her tired face. "Laurier still isn't back. I'm going to search the Dungeon."
"Hey—what if she really met her destined one and that's why she's not coming home tonight?"
"That would never happen!"
Asfi shot back at the Familia God without hesitation and turned to leave.
Just as she was about to step out of the tavern, an Elf appeared at her side.
"Please wait. Could you tell me more about what happened just now?"
…
Thirty-seventh floor of the Dungeon.
Riveria and Ais stood outside the floor boss's chamber. As Loki Familia prepared to head back, Ais had suggested hunting a few more monsters. Considering safety, Finn left Riveria with her and told the two of them not to push themselves too hard.
"Ais, can you tell me why you wanted to stay?"
Riveria asked softly.
Ais blinked, then slowly answered, "When we sparred last time... Bell was really strong… I want to be like him..."
Riveria gave a gentle smile. Between her and Ais, there were no lies. If what pushed Ais forward had been that painful, sorrowful black flame, Riveria would have been devastated and found a way to take her away. But hearing the boy's name changed everything. Even Riveria felt a faint warmth stir in her chest.
She looked toward the floor boss's room.
"When we return, ask the boy to spar again. I'll be there with you both."
"Mhm..."
Ais gripped her slender sword and slowly stepped inside. She still didn't know how to repay the boy for saving her life. All she could do was keep moving forward.
She looked forward to seeing him again. She wanted to tell him that she had been working hard too. To train together under his praise, to share those warm moments once more. Only… she didn't know when that next meeting would be...
...
Within Freya Familia, the Elf Hedin was handling complicated affairs. Someone stepped forward, offering a report.
"That arrogant healer (Airmid) and the supporter (Lili)—should we dispose of them?"
"I've already said our loyalty belongs entirely to the Goddess. Do not act unnecessarily."
"...Understood."
Once the messenger departed, Hedin glanced toward the night sky, a wave of emotion passing through him. Love truly was a strange thing. Even eternal gods could be changed by it. And the purer the soul, the more troublesome they became once they learned what love was.
A pure soul, huh...
He could only hope Bell Cranel would not attract someone like that...