"Watch out!"
Pushed aside, Wallenstein instinctively shouted a warning towards Arthas. At first glance, it seemed she was worried about him, but she was actually worried about her companion, Bete's safety.
In Ais mind, Arthas was a powerful ice mage, and she still felt lingering fear from his terrifying magic.
Hearing Wallenstein's concern for Arthas, Bete became even angrier, attacking without reservation.
This guy, favored by Ais, let me see what's so special about you!
Arthas reacted weakly to Bete's attack. His body was already exhausted from his earlier desperate run. Standing was an effort, let alone dodging.
With a brief exchange, Arthas gauged their strength. Both Ais and Bete were far stronger than the Minotaur.
Level 3, Level 4… or even stronger adventurers?
Arthas pondered this when a shout rang out.
"Bete, what are you doing?!"
A bright white light flickered before Arthas, and Bete's attack was blocked by a seemingly insignificant white shield.
Despite this, the force of Bete's attack penetrated the shield, hitting Arthas.
Like the final straw, Arthas swayed uncontrollably, falling to one side.
But he didn't fall to the ground; he landed in a soft embrace.
"Are you alright?"
A gentle, apologetic voice came from beside him. Arthas stared, dazed, at the smiling woman holding him.
The woman with long, emerald green hair showed clear elf characteristics. Compared to the half-elf Eina, this elf's ears were longer and sharper, a feature only found in royal elves.
Arthas didn't know this, of course. He simply stared at her soft face, feeling a strange warmth.
This strange warmth… it was so nice, almost intoxicating. If not for his strong self-control, he might have felt the urge to cuddle into her embrace.
Riveria Ljos Alf was one of the powerful adventurers in the Loki Familia, alongside Wallenstein and Bete. As the Loki Familia's ace mage, Riveria Ljos Alf was renowned as Orario's strongest mage.
She blamed herself for the tactical error during their return that allowed the Minotaurs to escape to the upper floors. Being a mage, she was slightly slower than Wallenstein and Bete, but she quickly caught up.
She arrived to see Bete inexplicably attacking an innocent bystander.
"Ah… I'm fine…"
Seeing Arthas's dazed expression, Riveria Ljos Alf didn't mind. She was used to her maternal aura; people often called her "mama." Even the Goddess sometimes used the embarrassing and awkward term.
"That's good… My Familia members are thoughtless. I'm sorry for the trouble."
Seeing Arthas's exhausted state, Riveria Ljos Alf hugged him tightly and cast a healing spell.
But as she cast the spell, she widened her eyes in surprise. Due to the intense battle and the chase, Riveria Ljos Alf's mana was low.
Yet, as she healed Arthas, her mana didn't deplete; instead, it replenished.
What… was this?
It felt like she was charging a battery; the cool mana flowing into her body was almost pleasurable.
This child…
Initially, Riveria Ljos Alf thought something was wrong, that she was forcibly absorbing Arthas's mana, but she quickly realized that wasn't the case.
Arthas seemed fine, showing no signs of mana depletion.
Riveria Ljos Alf stopped the healing spell, and the flow of cool mana ceased.
The cessation caused a sigh of disappointment. The wonderful feeling of her empty body being filled was almost addictive.
Thinking this, Riveria Ljos Alf blushed slightly, feeling her thoughts were a little too… suggestive.
But… she really wanted to experience that feeling again.
Unconsciously, Riveria Ljos Alf cast the healing spell again, and the influx of mana from Arthas resumed.
What… was the reason? Was it this child's special constitution? Was he repaying her for healing him?
"My magic heals injuries but not fatigue. Let me help you."
Wallenstein tilted her head. Though Riveria Ljos Alf was kind, she felt she was overly gentle.
This was their first meeting. Why was she so concerned and intimate with him?
Not only Wallenstein, but Bete was also confused.
"What's the meaning of this, Riveria Ljos Alf? What's so special about this guy?! Ais acted like this, and now you too!"
Seeing Riveria Ljos Alf's intimacy with Arthas, Bete was confused and angry.
"Enough! I haven't settled the score with you yet, Bete! What's the meaning of this?! Letting the Minotaur escape was our fault. You didn't apologize, and now you attack this child! What are your intentions?!"
Feeling slightly guilty because of Bete's words, Riveria Ljos Alf avoided his gaze, speaking with feigned bravado.
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