❝ So; it looks like we are headed to Zhou, huh? Howwww Unluckyyy~ ❞ 

A female spoke in a rather annoyed tone, coming from none other than the Paladin Adon Riley, or as most referred to her as simply Ry. She wore her usual getup, and her words seemed to be aimed at nobody, though they elicited the looks from the various knights and templars who walked down the marbled paths that bordered the large courtyard. She sauntered, happily humming to herself as her short-cut greenish-yellow two-tone hair bobbed up and down, the silvery top of her head glistening in the sunlight much like her baby blue eyes did the moment her gaze shifted over to a short woman who seemed to be knelt down, tending to the garden perhaps? No, she was feeding a small animal. Ry grinned widely as she turned her body to approach the female, who was too focused on the small animal. Greedy gloved hands rose before reaching around to grab hold of the short female with unusually large breasts, eliciting a large yelp that caught the attention of just about anyone in the vicinity.  

❝ I knew it! I know that cute little rear from anywhere~ Lucky as always, huh? How have ya been, Narda? <3 How’ my pretty lil’ Zookeeper been? ❞ 

Ry chuckled as she fondled the small woman’s breasts, who immediately froze after yelping out. Narda was short, just a little smaller than Ry was and well-endowed in both the upper and lower halves of her body. She had shortish length hair, just a bit longer than Ry’s. It was somewhat messy, yet parted over her fringe to show her gentle green eyes, and tied up behind her head in a ponytail which parted out to both sides in two thick tufts of her dark brown hair. Narda wore a similar attire to the usual garb, though hers was dark green, and her lower half was a beige colour. She had a badge on her left breast, which depicted a griffin with a saddle atop it, and the word ARTS. As Narda struggled, Ry let go and chuckled before moving her hands behind her back, watching as the brunette turned around to face her, her own being bright red.  

❝ Y-you can’t be doing that! N-not in public, at least… ❞ 

Narda replied in a sheepish tone, her gaze trailing to the ground as she held her arms by her side, seeming to be a little flustered for the moment. However, she moved her hands to tap her cheeks as she did whenever she was flustered, to break herself out of it before she spoke, balling her fists and shaking them as her voice took a bold tone. ❝ Y-you said you were going to Zhou? ❞ 

❝ Hm? Ohhh, yeah. Finn wants me to go to Zhou as we may think Elly is there, but I don’t even know who to bring with me yet. Not only that; we haven’t even heard from Kuvira and her party in a while, and he’s starting to worry quite a bit~ ❞ 

Ry replied, rubbing the back of her head as she did so. Her words were sprinkled with her own worry behind them, though she let out a soft sigh before lowering her arm. Her expression took on a more grim one when she mentioned Kuvira, who was usually well-known for giving regular updates. But it had been a month now, and they hadn’t heard anything. Just as Ry went to speak again, she’d find Narda had taken both her hands in her own, and her green eyes looked up at her with both concern and plea. 

❝ Take me with you! I-I know it’s dangerous, but I want to go to Zhou. I want to find new species for Marigold’s Wildlife Sanctuary. I-if that’s not too much of a hassle for you… ❞  

Narda spoke, at first her words were bold though as her eyes trailed off, so did her confidence before she looked down at the ground. She figured Ry would turn her down because it was too dangerous, though her brow raised when Ry placed a hand on her cheek, causing her to look up at the blue-eyed woman.  

❝ Sure! <3 Why wouldn’t I want to bring my lucky charm with me?~ ❞ 

Ry spoke confidently and smiled at Narda before letting go of her face. Her hand raised itself to ruffle the brunette's hair as she chuckled. She knew it was dangerous, though she figured since Romeo and the others were out there, then it would be ok, right? However, she still wasn’t sure about the current situation, and some part of him was frankly terrified of what was to come. But, if Narda wanted to go to Zhou and help out their Wildlife Sanctuary in Marigold, what better excuse to pop in and see how they were all doing?  

She figured Ursa was busy as usual, Areyth was in and out of the Moon Base like no tomorrow, and Shidare was between the two and figured the lil’ tree lady was struggling with keeping up somewhat. But why not? Ry nodded gently before her gaze shifted to a group of three who approached the two females. 

❝ R-really? Thanks! I promise you I won't be a burden… ❞  

Narda was elated and almost jumped up and down happily at Ry’s response. Though she didn’t particularly like having her hair ruffled, she didn’t seem to mind it this time. As she was about to say something, her gaze shifted to the three people who approached them. It was Delty and two of the Holy Knights in her Crusade. Pyrrhin and Manson. Frankly, Narda was a little unnerved by them but always felt safe around Delty, so she breathed a sigh of relief. 

❝ Sir Phinnease just asked that we accompany you to Zhou. He wants me to take Leto and Enyo to help with the search for Elly and for us to rendezvous in Marigold. He said we can bring one other…Whom I take you have already picked? ❞  

Delty spoke calmly and properly, giving Narda a gentle smile and nod when she mentioned her. Her gaze shifted back to Ry, who let out a gentle sigh when she glared at both of the Holy knights, whom she deemed as very “Unlucky”. If anyone knew Riley, she was known as the “Lucky Knight” mostly by her [Holy Relic, Lucherpan] and her tendency to mark things as Lucky or Unlucky depending on whether she liked them or not.  

The two of them were strong; and well renounced for their tenacity and strength, though despite this, were also known for their arrogant attitudes and tendency to look down on others, a feat which most scorned. Ry sighed and shook her head. She knew it was pointless when Phinnease himself asked, and she trusted in his judgement, so she decided to go with it.  

❝ Alright. We leave tonight; meet me at the Sun Gate at six o’clock sharp. And Narda, you are joining me for lunch~ <3 ❞ Ry hummed, speaking her orders to Delty and the two other knights before her gaze shifted to Narda. She moved to turn around and put an arm over her shoulder and hence walked off back in the direction of the dining hall. The two knights behind Delty were about to speak up, though the small dark-haired woman shot them a glare to which they would silence themselves.  

---o---

Meanwhile, in Phinnease’s Study -  

❝ Whaaaat? Why can’t I go too? ❞ 

The pale blue-haired boy slammed his hands down on the large wooden desk on which he used a chair to prop himself up to reach it. He leaned over the stacks of papers and other items strewn across it to the man sitting on the other side who was currently sitting back in his chair, with his arms resting on the sides of the large, chesterfield style single, and his hands clasped together with his face resting upon them lightly. He let out a soft sigh and shook his head as he spoke in a stern yet polite tone. Phinnease had raised Erenn since he was a baby and knew him well. 

 Though he was not one to speak about age, as he was only a kid when he was going on missions, he also knew the danger that waited beyond the walls of this Castle, and as any father, adoptive or not – Would be reluctant to let their child venture out into the dangerous world beyond. Dangerous, was an understatement, given the rising tensions and the rather and unwelcome sightings and rising concerns of GOETIA. And though Erenn was an intelligent young man, he did not know of this, and though Finn didn’t want to coddle him, he wasn’t sure how to break it to Erenn. It was dangerous, far too risky for a naïve kid, no matter how intelligent or strong.  

❝ I…Only want you to remain here in Baria for a little longer, ok? Once we know what is going on, I think it is too dangerous to be sending you out just yet. But I promise you, your time will come, Blueberry~ ❞ 

Phinnease was kind, almost too kind for his good. And though Erenn wanted to protest, he knew that Finn never broke his promises. And just as he did go to speak, the blonde male reached over to ruffle the kid's hair before letting out a soft chuckle and sitting back in his chair. He glanced over to the wall, which was surrounded by shelves full of books of all kinds, though upon the wall was a small clearing that held a mounted glass box. 

Sighing, Phinnease shifted back before slipping out of his chair and standing up, stepping down from the raised floor behind the desk to walk over to the cabinet. His hand glided across the glass; the room fell silent momentarily. Erenn did not speak; he slunk back into his chair and waited for Phinnease to break the silence. 

❝ You are indeed strong, even more so than myself at your age…But you have a lot to learn. The world isn’t as forgiving as it is behind these walls. The enemy won't pull their punches like the trainers would. Which is why… ❞ 

As Finn spoke, he shifted his hands over to grab the sides of the glass case, sliding it off before revealing the small trinkets which lay beneath them. Two beautifully crafted earrings shone with silvery blue gemstones and pale gold. He turned to face Erenn after taking them from their case and walked over to the boy who glanced up at him, and as he held his hand out, so did Finn. Erenn was a little confused at first when he dropped the earrings into his hand, though when Phinnease spoke again, his confusion settled. 

❝ What is this… ❞ Erenn asked, somewhat confused. 

❝ A very powerful weapon. ❞