Elsewhere, at the Twilight Manor—
"Lady Riveria, are you going out?" asked a young girl curiously.
Her name was Elfy Cret—a member of the [Loki Familia].
Currently, she was a Level 3 adventurer, known by the title Clownish Grimoire.
She was a cheerful mage, and also the roommate of the [Thousand Elf] Lefiya.
Elfy was someone who got along with everyone and was a great mood-setter, proficient in fire magic.
Riveria turned to look at her. "Yes. There's something I need to look into."
With that said, she walked out from the Familia's base, heading southwest.
"…That's strange." Elfy muttered as she watched her back. "This is the first time I've ever seen…"
"Lady Riveria wearing a skirt when going out."
"But… she looks really beautiful~~"
Normally, the [Nine Hell] always wore a white cloak over her royal formalwear—Fairy King's Sacred Garments.
The sacred garb was woven from fibers of the Holy King Tree in the Elf Royal Capital, and had incredibly high magic resistance.
Just like [Silent]'s black dress, Riveria's robe had magic-resisting properties and could weaken incoming spells.
With time, this "royal formalwear" became Riveria's top-tier defensive equipment.
But now—
Dressed in casual wear, Riveria no longer gave off the sharp and valiant aura she was known for.
Instead, she radiated a gentle, maternal warmth.
While walking through the bustling Northwest Avenue, Riveria spotted a familiar face just getting off work.
"…Is that Eina?"
Eina turned around in surprise. "Lady Riveria!?"
Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the [Nine Hell]'s attire—secretly stunned.
Riveria, standing at 170cm tall, wore an elegant off-shoulder green dress.
Her delicate collarbones were fully on display.
Her fair skin looked even smoother and softer, seemingly flawless to the touch.
Behind her, her emerald waterfall-like hair was left to flow freely down her back.
"It really is you. It's been a while."
"You've become even more beautiful… I almost didn't recognize you."
Riveria's lips curved ever so gently, though it wasn't quite a full smile.
"T-Thank you, my lady. You flatter me," Eina said respectfully.
When Eina was a child, she had met the royal-born Riveria several times.
Eina's mother, Aina Lindol, was a distant relative of the Elf Royal Family.
She and Riveria shared the same bloodline and were childhood friends.
They once fled the Elven Royal Village together.
Later, Aina met Eina's father—who was fifty years younger than her.
Before they got together, [Nine Hell] Riveria personally beat the man up.
After they began dating, Eina Zoël and Nina Zoël were born one after another.
Currently, Nina was still attending "the Academy."
So as it stood, Eina was technically Riveria's relative.
…
"Don't speak to me like that. This isn't the Elven Homeland. There's no need to be so formal."
Riveria let out a soft sigh that could turn souls upside-down.
"Y-Yes ma'am." Eina bowed, still as respectful as ever.
"Eina, I've got some matters to tend to. Let's catch up another time."
After parting ways with Eina, Riveria continued toward her destination.
…
5:45 PM.
Amor Plaza, Southwest Street.
Riveria arrived beside a scenic fountain and looked around but didn't see any sign of Raven Eltharion.
Though he hadn't arrived, she didn't show any displeasure.
She merely folded her arms and stood quietly, waiting.
—
As the time neared—
A cheerful voice rang out from behind her.
"Miss Nine Hell, you're here early?"
Raven arrived right on time, dressed in a cloak, raising an eyebrow as he examined her.
Deep down, he was stunned.
"Riveria… actually dressed up this nicely?"
"Don't tell me…"
"This really is a date?"
Normally, Riveria was very much like [Sword Princess] Ais.
Always carrying a cold expression with little emotional change.
But unlike Ais—
Riveria talked a lot. She could go on and on like an overbearing mother.
It was said—
Whoever witnessed Riveria's smile, her anger, her tears…
And even… her sleeping face…
All on the same day—that person could successfully win her heart.
Of course, "making her cry" didn't mean beating her up until she cried.
It meant: when she's in a moment of true despair, someone appears like a hero and reaches out their hand—
Touching her heart so deeply… that she cries.
Which is why, among all heroines in DanMachi, Riveria was arguably the hardest to "capture."
So far, Raven had only ever seen her smile once.
This Riveria—gentle and maternal—clearly wasn't someone who got angry easily.
…
Riveria turned to face him. "You really like cutting it close, don't you?"
That slightly oppressive tone and sharp gaze—
Nearly made Raven falter on the spot.
As expected of an Oba-san… she was no joke.
…
After a pause, she added, "But… you're not late, so that's fine."
Riveria looked away, her tone softening slightly.
"Well then—what is it you wanted to talk about?"
Raven wasn't quite sure why this motherly Elf had taken an interest in him.
Could it be…
Because of the defensive spell he used today?
In truth, magic could be divided into attack, defense, healing, and special types.
Like Hegni's personality-altering magic, Helen's body-swapping magic, or Lili's transformation magic.
All were rare and unique special spells.
Raven's [Dreamlike Feather], meanwhile, was a special magic that combined defense and healing.
"Come with me." Riveria crossed her arms and walked toward an alley.
Every movement was full of grace and elegance.
"Alright." Raven followed, curious, walking beside her.
Along the way—
As a member of [Loki Familia], Riveria drew the eyes of every passerby.
Her status as a [Nine Hell] made her one of Orario's most powerful adventurers—everyone recognized her.
But Raven…
Was a complete nobody.
He could feel the envious and jealous stares constantly falling on him from all directions.
Thankfully—
He had worn his cloak in advance.
---
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