The lake was even larger than they had imagined. Its shores were overgrown with low shrubs and pale purple wildflowers, with a few palm-sized blue butterflies fluttering among the blossoms.
The water was crystal clear. In the shallows near the shore, one could easily see the pebbles at the bottom, as well as the fish and shrimp swimming between them.
“We’re finally here.” Loviki stood by the lake and let out a long sigh of relief, gazing at the water before her with a look of pure contentment.
She unbuckled her backpack and rapier, set them down beneath an ancient tree by the shore, and squatted down to dip her hand into the water. “It’s so cool.”
After putting her things away, Flora squatted down beside her and dipped her hand in as well. “Mhm, it really is nice and cool.”
“This floor of the dungeon feels like it’s the middle of summer. I’m boiling hot,” Loviki said as she pulled off her boots and cloak, leaving her in just a thin set of casual clothes. She sat on the edge and dipped her feet into the lake, kicking gently to send up a small splash. “This feels amazing~ You guys should try it too!”
The three of them sat by the shore, enjoying the coolness of the lake and the gentle breeze that swept across the water from time to time.
Loviki leaned back on her hands, tilting her head up to look out over the vast lake. Her long black hair fluttered gently in the wind. “If only we had a lounge chair.”
Flora sat on Chen Mian’s other side, her posture much more proper. With her hands resting on her knees, she lightly dipped her fair toes into the water, watching the ripples spread outward with a gentle smile on her face.
Loviki glanced at the two of them and spoke with a relaxed expression, “Exploring this dungeon feels like being on vacation... It’s completely different from my past experiences.”
“You like exploring dungeons, don’t you, Loviki?” Chen Mian asked, looking at the young woman beside him. After all, exploring dungeons was on her Wishlist.
“Yeah, I do. You get to see so many interesting things in dungeons, and it keeps me away from tedious aristocratic socializing. In here, I’m just an adventurer. It’s so freeing,” Loviki said with a smile.
“Do you still like dungeon adventures when they feel like vacations like this, Miss Loviki?” Flora turned her head and smiled at her.
Loviki nodded almost without hesitation, her expression thoroughly relaxed. “I love it. Adventures that aren't driven by quests, where we don't have to rush, are so much more fun~ And besides, I have our Flora with me.”
“Oh? Just me? What about Mr. Chen Mian?”
Loviki visibly paused. She averted her eyes, letting them fall upon the water's surface as her lips curved upward in a barely perceptible smile. “Him... He’s alright, I guess~”
“Just alright? Then I won’t join you next time.”
Loviki looked up from the water, shot him a quick glare, and then looked back down. Her voice carried a hint of embarrassed annoyance, and her words came out much faster. “Alright means pretty good! There’s something wrong with your comprehension skills!”
“Is that so? Then if there is a next time, I suppose I can drag myself along.”
“Who—who said I wanted you to come...” Loviki’s cheeks burned slightly.
“You did, Miss Loviki~” Flora teased from the side.
“Flora! Sh-shut up!”
“No~ Miss Loviki is just saying the opposite of what she feels~” Flora said, shaking her head.
“I am not...” The tips of Loviki’s ears were completely red. She suddenly turned to Flora, a flash of mischief in her eyes. “What about you, Flora? Do you like it?”
Flora was taken aback. She hadn't expected Loviki to turn the question back on her. Her gaze shifted from Loviki’s face to Chen Mian, then back down to her own toes, which were lightly tapping the surface of the water.
A breeze swept across the lake, stirring up tiny ripples.
“...Yes, I do,” Flora said, her ears flushing red, though her voice remained light and airy. “I like this feeling of walking together and stopping together.”
Chen Mian picked up a dry branch near his feet and tossed it aside. “Since we all like it, let's make sure to thoroughly enjoy this dungeon adventure.”
Just then, several large fish with pale yellow scales swam past near their feet.
Loviki leaped in almost without hesitation, sending up a massive splash. The fish instantly scattered in all directions.
Loviki sank into the water and only resurfaced after a few seconds. With her wet black hair plastered to her face, she tilted her head up and said, “The fish got away.”
“It’d be a miracle if you caught them like that.” Chen Mian stood on the shore, looking down at the soaked Loviki standing in the lake. “And didn't you jump in a bit too eagerly?”
“Mhm.” Loviki brushed the wet strands of hair from her face. “Just like you said, enjoy the journey. In this hot weather, I wanted to jump in the moment I saw this lake.”
“What if there are magical beasts inside?” Chen Mian teased.
Loviki blinked. “Then I'll have to trouble you to save me. I'll pay my rent.”
Having said that, Loviki took another two steps into the deeper water until it reached her shoulders, leaving only her collarbones and above exposed. She turned back to look at the two on the shore. “Aren't you two coming in?”
Flora stood on the shore, her gaze lingering for a moment on Loviki’s wet hair and water-streaked cheeks. “What if someone else comes by?”
Loviki looked around, then gazed out over the lake. “Probably not, right? We've come so deep into the forest.”
Flora didn't reply immediately, instead casting a glance at Chen Mian.
Chen Mian raised his hand. A wave of mana rippled outward, silently expanding into an extremely faint barrier above the lake. It was like a transparent dome, enveloping the entire lakeshore and the surrounding area for dozens of meters.
“There, now there won't be,” Chen Mian said, lowering his hand.
Looking at the transparent barrier, Flora’s lips curved upward. She bent down to untie her cloak, folded it neatly, and placed it next to Loviki’s pile of clothes. Then, she lined up her jacket and boots neatly beside a rock.
Her movements weren't fast, much slower than Loviki’s. She performed each step meticulously, carrying herself with an unhurried grace.
Soon, she was left in only a thin, light-colored undergarment. The hem reached mid-thigh, and the collar was neatly fastened.
Walking to the water's edge, she first dipped a foot in to test the temperature, then stepped in slowly, wading deeper step by step.
From the deeper water, Loviki watched her. “Hurry up, Flora! There are tons of fish over here!”
“Coming~” Flora said as she took a few more steps forward. Once the water reached her waist, the chill of the lake made her take a soft breath, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Mhm, it really is very comfortable.”
She hadn't been able to take a proper bath since leaving the apartment. Wigtan was far too cold, completely unlike this place.
“Told you so,” Loviki said, splashing some water in Flora’s direction with her hand.
Flora didn't dodge, letting the water splash against her shoulder. She merely tilted her head slightly, then reached out to splash back. The splash wasn't large, but it landed right on Loviki’s face.
Loviki squinted as she was splashed. “Oh, so you've learned to fight back?”
“No~” Flora giggled. “I've always known how.”
Standing chest-deep in the water, the breeze blowing from afar across the lake, the two felt the coolness of the water wash away all the exhaustion of their journey.
Chen Mian watched them from the shore for a moment, then bent down to gather dry branches from the ground, scooping them into his arms.
Loviki’s voice drifted over from the lake. “What are you doing?”
“Gathering firewood,” Chen Mian replied without looking up. “Take your time washing up.”
“Aren't you coming in?” Loviki asked, her voice sounding a bit distant across the water.
“I'll wait a bit.”
Rate on N.U.
