The clear lake water sparkled, reflecting thousands of crystals on the ceiling, creating shimmering light reflections on the surface. Small ripples formed each time Charlie paddled his hands and feet, swimming leisurely in nothing but his shorts. His upper body was bare, his skin glistening with water, with muscles and glowing green lines like tree roots on his chest, which were the symbol of him having bathed in dragon blood and obtained the Armor of Fafnir.
Not far from where he swam, Est appeared to sit calmly on a yellow duck-shaped float. Although her face remained as blank as usual, the float reflected another side of her personality that secretly enjoyed this recreation.
Meanwhile, beneath the lake's surface, Aishia's figure darted among the algae and rocks. Her peach-colored hair floated gently in the water, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she gazed at the underwater vegetation she had never seen before. She slowly touched the plants swaying with the current, as if trying to understand their structure and shape.
The day was supposed to be a perfect holiday. However, that peaceful moment did not last long.
"Oi! Sorry to bother you!"
A hoarse voice came from the lake's edge. A short man with blond hair and pointed ears—an adventurer of the Pallum race—stood there with a slightly nervous face, as if aware that he had just interrupted a scene that shouldn't be disturbed.
Charlie stopped his movements, staring towards the voice with a furrowed brow.
"What is it?"
"There's a request from Rivira... We ask that you gather at the crystal plaza."
"Why should I go there? I don't even know you."
Charlie wasn't being rude, but clearly showed that he didn't like being ordered around by strangers, especially without explanation. Realizing this, the adventurer explained briefly.
"Sorry... I know this sounds sudden, but there's been a murder in Rivira. The victim was a member of the Ganesha Familia. Bors is investigating the incident. He's asking for cooperation from all adventurers in the vicinity. That's why I was assigned to call the adventurers outside Rivira."
"..."
Silence fell for a moment. Charlie stared at the man, then shifted his gaze towards the lake. Aishia had already returned to the surface, her hair soaking wet, while Est listened expressionlessly.
"Alright. If that's the reason, there's no point in arguing."
He swam to the edge, then climbed out of the lake calmly. Water dripped from his body as he took a towel and dried his head, then put on his upper garment.
"Aishia, Est. We're going back. Gather everything."
Without a word, the two spirit girls moved quickly. Aishia cleaned up the leftover food and cooking utensils, while Est picked up the towel and float. After that, Charlie stored all the equipment in his Space-Time Chace.
Once everything was ready, the three of them walked away from the lake's edge towards Rivira.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The town of Rivira hummed with unrest after Bors gave the order to close the exits.
At both main gates—north and south—a group of burly dwarves appeared busy pushing giant boulders to block the exits.
Rivira, which was usually a sanctuary, had now turned into a prison.
In the middle of the vast crystal plaza, Bors stood with his arms crossed. Beside him, Finn stood with his hand touching his chin.
"That didn't take long. Because I threatened anyone who didn't show up with being blacklisted by us and expelled from all our shops. Anyone afraid of losing the privilege of using our facilities will follow orders, even if they don't like it."
"Yes."
Bors nodded at Finn's assessment.
They both looked at the crowd. Every face showed a different level of anxiety and fear as the mass of people shifted nervously from one side to the other.
They had been told that a member of the Ganesha Familia had been murdered in Rivira, which was supposed to be a neutral and safe place. The fact that the killer was still lurking among them made everyone uneasy.
Everyone gathered in the crystal plaza. Not only was it the town center, but the vast open ground also had a stunning view of the surrounding area. Two giant crystals, one white and one blue, stood like twins in the middle of the open ground. The bloodied member of the Ganesha Familia in full plate armor and several other items had been placed at the foot of the crystals.
"It would be so easy if we found a High-Class Adventurer besides you guys mixed in with the others..." Bors muttered, his eyes scanning the crowd.
"She probably wanted a scene from the start. Either she's disguised or has an unreported level... I'm sure he took steps to avoid standing out." Finn analyzed.
"So we're not dealing with an idiot." Bors said softly.
Finn and Bors sat perched in the shadows of the twin crystals and continued to watch the crowd.
A rough estimate of the number of adventurers and shop owners in the crystal plaza was around five hundred. Considering that many adventurers used Rivira as a base for their own Dungeon expeditions, it wasn't a very low number, but not too high either.
"It'll take forever to check everyone..."
"True, but we can narrow it down a bit."
While observing the crowd of adventurers, Finn spotted someone standing out too conspicuously among the other anxious and restless adventurers.
"Hm? Isn't that Charlie Avalon from the Hera Familia?"
As soon as the name was uttered, Aiz, who was standing behind him, immediately flinched. Her eyes followed the direction of Finn's gaze. And sure enough—he was there. Charlie, the man who had disturbed her previously calm heart.
Without thinking, Aiz darted from her spot.
"Ah, I'll go too!" Tiona said cheerfully, running after Aiz with a wide smile adorning her face.
"I have to protect Aiz-san from that man's tricks!" Lefiya muttered with blushing cheeks, hurriedly chasing after them.
Seeing the reaction of the three girls, Riveria could only massage her temples while sighing. "Really... a girl in love loses her rationality."
Meanwhile, Bors looked at them with a confused expression, then turned to Finn, as if making sure he hadn't misheard just now.
"Wait... Hera Familia? Haven't they been exiled from Orario for a long time? As far as I remember, the Hera Familia only accepted women."
Finn only nodded slightly, his expression still serious as he looked towards Charlie.
"Many things have changed since the last time you were on the surface, Bors. The Hera Familia produced extraordinary talents like Alfia or perhaps even greater."