Babel

Linnaeus had already noticed this the previous night but the food cooked by the Inn's workers was truly phenomenal. Even though they had been served relatively staple foods, such as sausage, eggs, and pancakes, it was all much higher quality than anything he had ever eaten before. This sentiment seemed to be shared by everyone else seated at the table so, her curiosity getting the better of her, Emilia outright asked the Proprietress what the [Cooking] Level of the chef was.What none of them expected was for her to plainly answer, "Oh, that is Sherry's cooking. She's been at the mastery bottleneck for the last few years so her [Cooking] is Level 99. A lot of the people here in the central district are in the same situation as it is impossible to surpass the Level 99 bottleneck in the Crucible."This was the first time any of them were even hearing about such a bottleneck so Linnaeus couldn't help but fork over a few Soul Kindling, asking, "Please, tell me more about this mastery bottleneck. I want to know everything you know about it."As most new arrivals in the Crucible were pretty young, Sara, the Proprietress, wasn't at all surprised that Linnaeus' Party didn't know the finer details about the Tower. Even she had been unaware of the information prior to nearing the bottleneck herself, a common occurrence unless you had surpassed the Twentieth Floor.In order to encourage the new Party to pursue their dreams, Sara happily accepted Linnaeus' gesture before explaining, "I doubt I need to explain to you all about the Level 50 restriction prior to entering the Tower. This is referred to as the Incubation Phase by those who like the Tower's system but, more often than not, people just call it the Apprentice Levels. Everything beyond that, until you reach Level 100, is known as the Fledging Phase or, to simplify, the Journeyman Levels. This is the period where you begin to work on the foundation you built as an Apprentice, shaping how you climb the Tower for the rest of your life. Some argue that this is the most important phase as, when you reach Level 100, becoming a Skyfarer or Master, your path has already been determined. Though nobody knows what the maximum Level is, it is rather common knowledge in the higher Floors of the Tower that it is impossible to have more than 10 Skills, Abilities, and Magic over Level 100. Everything else will be frozen at Level 99 and, unless you use certain treasures or items, you are stuck developing the Skills you had chosen to master."Listening to Sara's explanation, Linnaeus' mind had already started to race as this was extremely important information. He had already assumed there were further evolutions and thresholds for Skills and Abilities but having confirmation was extremely important. Now, he would need to focus on a specific combination of Skills, Abilities, and Magic in order to maximize his potential.Most importantly, Linnaeus realized another one of the Crucible's 'traps' as, with this information in hand, he knew a lot of people would be tempted to maximize their Skill and Ability growth while it was impossible to increase their base Level. After all, you received a significant increase in attributes based on the Level of your Skills and Abilities even at LV20 and LV50. He imagined the bonus at the next threshold was even more powerful so, if he wanted to protect the things that mattered, early mastery would be necessary.Realizing this, Linnaeus gave up even more of his Soul Kindling to inquire about the surrounding regions. He had already learned about the Familia that ruled the five districts from Baro but there was never any harm in getting a second person's perspective. Sara undoubtedly had her own set of experiences in the Crucible so any information she could provide would be extremely beneficial for them in the interim.True to her word, Sara didn't mind answering any of their questions as she quite liked conversing with attentive listeners. Though the others weren't nearly as focused, Linnaeus hardly even blinked as he waited on her every word as if it was a precious resource that he dared not squander. She knew it required a lot of focus and resolution to overcome the Crucible so, seeing how determined he was, she couldn't help but bare her heart to the young boy in the hope that he would succeed where she had failed long ago.From Sara, Linnaeus learned about a few of the hunting grounds surrounding the five districts, many of which she had visited in the past. Unlike Baro, she had a combat-oriented Blessing so, when she was still active, Sara had ventured outside the relative safety of the city, risking life and limb to earn the necessary Soul Kindling to purchase her life from the Goddess of Darkness, Tenebrae.According to Sara's information, the best option for people that had just arrived on the Floor was to first head South as, after exiting the city and traveling for half a day, you would reach the Southern Forests. There, a small settlement had been established where you could get some rest while, in the surrounding areas, various plants, animals, and relatively weak monsters could be found. This was an area where Slimes spawned regularly so, while not ideal for increasing your proficiencies, their Gels could be exchanged for a few tens of Soul Kindling each.For those more confident in their capabilities, they could travel to the East and, after five days of travel, you would eventually reach a large mountain range. This was the territory of a Monster Ant colony and, if you could reach the innermost regions, highly sought after materials could be found. There, near the brood chambers, extremely valuable Golden Honey could be found while each of the Majors, the larger variation of Monster Ants, had gemstone-like eyes. Both of these materials were used in the synthesis of extremely valuable Elixers so there was a constant demand for them.Fortunately, due to this constant demand, a Guild had been established near the outskirts of the mountain range. There, you could sign up for one of their monthly expeditions and, while the total payout would be significantly reduced, it was a relatively safe option for those with higher combat proficiencies. The ants themselves provided a decent challenge so people would generally train in that area until their Levels reached around 70.These were the two places Sara suggested Linnaeus' Party should visit but, knowing they would want more information, she told them about the other major hunting and gathering areas. This included a frozen wasteland to the north, where Frost Wolves, Snow Yeti, and Ice Drakes could be found. Most people outright ignored this region as the combination of cold, troublesome enemies, and difficult to find materials made it largely unpopular. Only those that accepted commissions to visit the region dared venture inside as, near the center of the region, a Frost Dragon had established its territory...A little bit to the Southwest of this tundra, however, you could find a deep chasm that was filled with toxic fumes, brimstone, and acid geysers. The conditions were similar to those of the Eighth Floor so it was an extremely inhospitable environment that invited only the bold into its depths. Those that managed to enter the lower layers of the region could find Salamanders, Fire Wisps, Magma Slimes, and, most importantly, extremely valuable mineral deposits. If you had the necessary capabilities to venture even deeper, even resources like Mithril, Orichalcum, Jade Malachite, and Magnanium could be found in small deposits. Just a single kilogram of the latter could be auctioned off for upwards of 100,000 Soul Kindling so the truly desperate often met their end trying to probe the infamous 'Hell Hole' to find their fortune.When Linnaeus heard about the Hell Hole, he couldn't deny that he was highly tempted to pay the region a visit. His Blessing was almost perfectly suited for the environment but, with four people, it would be extremely taxing on his reserves, even outside of combat. Still, depending on how things turned out, he may very well be forced to enter at some point so it was useful to know the option existed...What surprised him even more, however, was the next region Sara talked about as it was the only territory where you needed permission to enter. This area was known as the Western Kingdom of Vale, a vast expanse of forests where, in the distant past, the various Elvaan tribes had made their home. They typically only allowed those with more bestial traits to enter the region and, unless you had permission to hunt inside, you yourself would be hunted.The reason for Vale's establishment was due to the existence of a unique type of flora known as a Genesis Tree. It was a massive natural structure with a maze-like interior that could reach upwards of six kilometers in height. This tree produced extremely rare materials that were highly nourishing to a certain subset of tribes while, in the surrounding areas, various plants and animals benefitted heavily from its presence. In fact, the region was so rich in resources that wars had occurred in the past over control of the region as it was one of the few places viable for agriculture.This wasn't the biggest reason behind the conflict, however, as the region was also the sole producer of the most important item on the Fifth Floor, the sap of the Genesis Tree. As for why it was so highly sought after, this was due to pregnancy, regardless of a race's natural fertility, being nigh-impossible to achieve within the Crucible. After all, everyone inside had already died once, something that could be confirmed by their pale complexions, muted hair colors, and unnatural eyes. Even Linnaeus' light blue hair and golden eyes had turned pale white and dark red respectively, giving him a somewhat ghoulish yet ethereal quality...By consuming medicine produced from the Genesis Tree's sap, you could regain enough Life Essence to achieve fertility and completely offset the need to consume Soul Kindling. This made it highly sought after since children were an extremely important component of a peaceful society. As a result, conflict regarding the coveted medicine was extremely common, to the point that small-scale skirmishes would regularly break out when the Western Kingdom reduced exports of the sap.According to Sara, however, this was largely a ploy by leaders of both factions as, without a means to cull the population, things could become even more chaotic after a certain period of time. After all, there were a limited number of resources on the Fifth Floor and, as more people failed to reach the top Floor of the Crucible, it became necessary to reduce their numbers a bit. This was something that everyone was secretly aware of but, understanding the necessity of the arrangement, those that had lived in the city for a few hundred years would often volunteer during the campaigns.Fortunately, the last conflict was only thirty years ago so there were close to seventy years before the cycle would repeat itself. Since Linnaeus and co only had a little over ten months to exit the Crucible, they didn't really have to worry about being involved in the large-scale battle unless they, like many others before them, gave up trying to return to the surface. Still, Sara encouraged them to at least give it their all as, when you lived for centuries after the fact, you would regret not doing everything you could have.Linnaeus was extremely grateful that she had said this part as, from the previous night's dinner, he could tell that Eliza, Emilia, and Krone seemed less inclined to continue their climb. Though Emilia would obviously keep trying, as exiting the Tower was kind of like a Coming of Age Ceremony for her species, Linnaeus was very aware of the fact that Eliza wasn't nearly as determined. As for Krone, he had made it clear from the start that he considered his life in the Crucible a penance so, while he would stick with them until the end, his desire to leave was non-existent at the present moment.Now, with Sara's guidance and wisdom regarding the matter, he could sense a discernible change in the trio. They suddenly seemed marginally more focused and, considering it was only one year out of potential centuries of their life, it was all but guaranteed they would have regrets if they didn't do their best with the one chance they had. Thus, after a delicious meal and a life-changing discussion, the group began making plans for the challenges to come. Since they could still return to the Fifth Floor even after reaching the First, there was literally nothing to lose...after all, they had already lost their lives...

Having already paid for their rooms for several days, Linnaeus and co decided to use their remaining time gathering more information and making preparations for their journey South. They were strong enough to visit the other regions but, knowing how useful the Slime Gels could be, Linnaeus elected to make the Southern Forest their first destination.Though he felt a strong urge to leave the Crucible as soon as possible, Linnaeus' cautious nature was still a core part of his character. He wasn't going to risk rushing things, at least until he had a better understanding of the situation.Fortunately, while it would be a little dangerous, their Party had the option of venturing into the Hell Hole without too much difficulty. So long as they were strong enough to defeat most foes without taking damage, they would be able to harvest the valuable resources in the depths without having to worry about the toxic fumes and acid pools.After a cursory exploration of the Southern Forest and Monster Ant Colony, they would immediately move to the Hell Hole to find their fortune. This was the most efficient method available to them so, if everything went as planned, Linnaeus expected to leave the Fifth Floor within two months.Most people would scoff if they heard this estimate but, after gathering more information about the Fifth Floor, Linnaeus learned that a capable Party could earn several tens of thousands of Kindling even in the Southern Forests. As for the Hell Hole, it was considerably more dangerous but, if you had the capabilities to venture into the lower levels, earning upwards of 50,000 Kindling a day wasn't impossible.Though it would be cutting it close, Linnaeus was confident they could earn the four million Kindling necessary for their entire Party within the two month period. The only thing that would set them back, outside of personal motivation, was general expenses related to equipment and supplies.Linnaeus was hoping their trip to the Southern Forest and Monster Ant Colony could offset these expenses but, by the time they began their trip South, Eliza and Emilia were both broke. They had both purchased satchels that had dimensional pockets inside, each filled with items they believe to be essential for future travels.Since he couldn't really control how the girls spent their Soul Kindling, Linnaeus, at the time, could only stare back at them with a blank face as Eliza complained about not having enough Kindling for a room. Fortunately, she didn't nag him after he found a relatively cheap Inn to stay at, one that had group rooms with thin cots instead of beds.Eliza, fortunately, had enough wherewithal to know better than to pressure Linnaeus into spending his Soul Kindling for no better reason than to pander to her. Her intention was to spoil him a bit, not be spoiled by him so, while she was obviously bothered by the arrangements, she didn't complain in the slightest. As for Emilia, she grew up in a nomadic tribe that used hammocks and sleeping bags in lieu of actual beds so she didn't mind roughing it at all.With neither girl having a problem with arrangements, combined with the fact that Krone had opted to stay in the group room as well, Linnaeus felt that their Party wasn't completely hopeless. Krone's display of solidarity was greatly appreciated by him as, rather than offer up his Soul Kindling to pay for Eliza to have a better room, he went along with the initial decision. Though it was obvious he had been tempted to make the offer, Eliza's silence on the matter had likely kept him from speaking out...---As a result of their preparations, the Party reached the Southern Forest the evening of their sixth day on the Fifth Floor. There, they found a small settlement almost entirely comprised of Inns, Taverns, and, at the very center of the settled area, a massive four-tiered building that said 'Hunting Guild' in bold letters at the very top.Linnaeus had already gathered information on the various organizations and Guilds on the Fifth Floor so, as a form of insurance against predation, their Party ventured into the massive building to register as a Free Party. Becoming an official member would require a monthly fee but, by agreeing to a relatively loose contract, they could avoid being attacked by members of the Guild in exchange for a much smaller fee. This would prevent them from attacking other Parties associated with the Guild but, considering they had no intention of causing any trouble, Linnaeus didn't consider this a detrimental arrangement.The first floor of the Hunting Guild was a large open area, more than half of which seemed to serve as a tavern for official members. There were various groups, some looking roughshod while others appearing to be just as new as Linnaeus' Party based on their equipment.Knowing how to carry himself without appearing as a 'soft' target, Linnaeus made brief eye contact with various people that looked at his Party with interest. He made no effort to conceal his blood lust so, unless they had a strong enough willpower, most people were cowed by a single glance. As for the rest, some senior members of the Guild seemed amused by his display but, understanding there was no merit in causing a scene, they made no effort to bar the group's passage.With the way largely cleared, Linnaeus and co made their way to a reception desk, one of twenty that lined the far side of the first floor. He could tell that some were specifically for the exchange of materials while only the central stations were for registration, accepting, and reporting on various tasks.Manning the desk was a woman with olive-brown skin, dagger-like ears, and sleek black hair. Rather than a delicate maiden, however, she gave off the feeling of an unsheathed blade as her hair, apart from a series of angular bangs partly covering her right eye, was done up in a rather wild ponytail.To complete the look of a seasoned veteran, the woman wore form-fitting leather equipment that was both stylish and functional. She clearly didn't worry about anyone gawking over her figure and, rather than hide her 'charms', it seemed like she wanted people to see the various scars that covered parts of her body, some belonging to blades, others clearly the result of vicious monster attacks.Though he didn't gawk in the slightest, Linnaeus did wonder about the practicality of allowing her cleavage to be on full display. He imagined it was a useful distraction against male opponents but he couldn't really imagine being able to pull his eyes away from the woman's face if they were to fight against each other. She had angular eyes with dark red irises and, much like Krone, black sclera that gave her a distinctly predatory gaze...While leaning somewhat lazily on her countertop, the receptionist woman eyed Linnaeus' entire Party before turning her attention back to him and asking, "How did you manage to become the leader of this group, squirt? From what I can tell, you should be the weakest among them, right?"Without showing any sign of the indignation he felt deep inside, Linnaeus kept his composure as he plainly stated, "We would like to register as a Free Party."Rather than be offended by Linnaeus outright ignoring her questions, the receptionist woman gave a light chuckle as she pulled out a stack of documents and a crystal ball. Though she was tempted to tease him a bit, the Guild Leader would give her an ear full if she caused trouble while on duty.After reading through the contract to confirm its contents, Linnaeus and co signed the documents before the former dripped his blood onto the crystal ball. The paper documents affected them as individuals while the crystal ball was intended to register their Party itself through Linnaeus as the proxy.Once the process was completed, Linnaeus gave the sharp-eyed woman a simple nod before he turned away without further comment. This caused her to lean against the table, elbows supporting her body while simultaneously pressing her less-than-modest breasts together as she mused, "Hey, try not to get yourself killed out there, squirt. If you have any trouble, don't be afraid to come and ask for advice. If the price is right, I don't mind teaching you for a bit~."Hearing the woman's words, Linnaeus' steps slowed to a stop. He had to resist an overwhelming urge to sigh as he looked back, his expression affixed in the same unperturbed visage as he said, "I'll keep that in mind..." before turning away.Though his remark earned him a pointed look from Eliza, Linnaeus knew he would become a mark for opportunists if he acted flustered or dismissive. He knew the woman was trying to feel him out as, in her line of work, understanding your clientele was extremely important. She wasn't actually trying to seduce him, rather, much like the other people within the Guild, she was merely testing his character.Eliza understood this as well but, as was often the case, she didn't appreciate Linnaeus' choice of words. She knew he wasn't trying to flirt but, for reasons she couldn't quite understand, he seemed to be a natural at it when the situation arose. It was this quirk of his that likely led to him developing the Skill in the first place, irrespective of his actual intent...Linnaeus, unaware of what was going through Eliza's mind, led the group to the western part of the settlement to secure lodgings. They had arrived in the evening and, while hunting at night was one of the things their Party may very well specialize at in the future, it was still better to head out early in the morning.Understanding they would pay him back the following day, as monsters still dropped Soul Kindling, Linnaeus elected to pay for Eliza's and Emilia's booking. They had already tolerated staying in a sorry excuse for an Inn so, in order to increase Party morale, forking over a few hundred Kindling wasn't a bad investment.As they could have just as easily spent the night in the forest, Eliza's mood improved noticeably the moment Linnaeus led the group to an Inn. Though she also felt a little guilty, believing her previous mood had pressured him into the decision, she wasn't going to refuse Linnaeus' good intentions.Since he could be a little awkward when it came to socializing, Eliza made a point to thank Linnaeus in a very open and direct manner. This caused him to tense up slightly but, much like their previous interactions, she was eventually able to get close enough to give him a hug, gently patting his back as she whispered, "Thank you, Lin..." in a gratified tone.Seeing this rather common interaction between Linnaeus and Eliza, Krone largely ignored them as he made his way toward his own room. As for Emilia, she patiently waited at the side, earning a pointed look from Eliza who reluctantly released Linnaeus from her grasp.As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Emilia hoped over to Linnaeus' side, triggering a statuesque response from him as she unabashedly hugged him with enough force to lift him off his feet. This kind of skinship was becoming increasingly common between them, not because Emilia had any intimate feelings for Linnaeus but due to her pack mentality and a building recognition that he and Eliza were 'family'.The most obvious indicator of Emilia's acceptance of the Party was that, when they were among just themselves, she would openly display her tail. This indicated both trust and familiarity as the tail of a Vanargandr not only made their emotions transparent but, if it was targetted during combat, they would effectively be crippled if someone managed to get a firm grip on the paradoxically fluffy yet sleek appendage...(A/N: Sorry for the drop in chapter releases. I had a very bad ear infection that essentially took me out of commission for a full week. Even now, I still have pressure and discomfort in my ears but I can at least think clearly. Unless something else happens, I'll be back to the normal release rate now that I'm on the mend.)

Since the time he turned ten-years-old, Linnaeus could count the number of times he slept under a roof on both hands.Being constantly hunted down made you quickly realize that confined spaces were dangerous so he would generally find a location where other vagrants gathered. This allowed him to blend in a little better but, no matter how much time passed, it wasn't something anyone could ever get used to.Linnaeus was such a light sleeper that the subtle change in a person's breathing was enough to stir him awake, his nerves tensing as his fight or flight instincts took over. This habit was ingrained so deeply into his character that, even when he lived alongside Saht, it was impossible to ever lower his guard enough to get a good night's rest. In fact, unless he had been knocked unconscious, sleeping for more than fifteen minutes at a time was a rare occurrence.Now, Linnaeus was in a familiar scenario, the warm body of another person pressed snugly against his own as he stared aimlessly at the back of his eyelids.When Linnaeus had left to gather information the previous night, Eliza had moved their individual beds together, forming one large, shared, bed. As it didn't matter to him, either way, Linnaeus had ultimately given in to her pestering as, for reasons he was only vaguely aware of, her presence was very calming to him.Linnaeus knew that Eliza put on a pretense of being a big sister but the truth of the matter was that she seemed to be trying to act as his surrogate mother. While she didn't show it much around Emilia and Krone, she would hug him tightly when they were alone together. There had even been a point where she caressed his head while humming a lullaby but, after failing to lull him to sleep, she began using more direct methods to try and get him to relax.Though he had come to know her better, Linnaeus didn't completely understand why Eliza acted in such a way toward him. He speculated that she missed her own mother and, learning he had grown up without one, wanted to help ease both of their burdens slightly. The only other reason he could think of was that she showed him empathy so that he became more reliant on her, effectively tying their fates together and ensuring he would do everything in his power to protect her.Ultimately, it didn't really matter why Eliza behaved this way as her presence did actually help him relax. He still couldn't fall into a deep sleep but, with a warm body at his side, something deep inside him appreciated the gesture of kindness and affection. It also helped that she had particularly large breasts so, even if she was squeezing him a little too tightly, it wasn't uncomfortable...---As was the case every time they slept together, it was Linnaeus' duty to stir Eliza awake as she wasn't exactly a morning person. He had to practically drag her out of bed and, for the briefest of moments, their roles were reversed.Fortunately, Eliza had enough sense to wear her bodysuit at all times so, even in her most slovenly state, she wasn't exactly indecent. Though the skintight suit left little the imagination, it was better than being completely naked as, despite what she might say, he knew it would be impossible for them to have a completely platonic relationship if things developed to that point.Linnaeus wasn't a child and, while Eliza herself was still a maiden, he already had a bit of experience, even if it was derived from 'necessity' more than lust. This was an inherent truth so, no matter how much she tried to coddle him, his innocence had died a very long time ago.Eliza, unaware of the thoughts going through Linnaeus' mind, released a long yawn while the latter used a simple comb to untangle the curls in her hair. It had gotten a little out of hand as a result of her having to rough it for more than a month so, while he was out last night, Linnaeus purchased a small jade comb as a gift.To her credit, Eliza managed to pretend she wasn't annoyed by the many times the comb got caught on a knot. This was something that caused pain regardless of Endurance and [Pain Tolerance] but, to avoid a situation where Linnaeus never combed her hair again, she lightly clenched her teeth while pretending to be half-asleep.Linnaeus was, of course, aware of this fact. However, he wasn't the type to ignore the efforts of other people. They had a strange synergistic relationship going on so, while it had an illusory quality, he was willing to keep it up as long as she was.When he finally managed to comb through all the knots, Eliza's previously 'puffy' hair had become considerably more manageable. It still curled naturally but, compared to the bird's nest it had been before, it was a significant improvement.As it was his honest feelings, Linnaeus used the opportunity when their gazes met in the mirror to smile slightly and comment, "Your hair looks a lot nicer like this. Before moving on to the next Floor, I'll make sure to pick up some hair care products and soap..."Hearing Linnaeus' remark, Eliza rolled her eyes but she couldn't hide the smile on her face due to the two tiny dimples on her cheeks. She knew he was just being nice and, while his words sounded like a compliment, it was more-so a statement of basic fact than anything else. Still, it made her happy just knowing he showed at least a basic level of consideration for her as, compared to the scheming and pretentious nature of the people she had been forced to associate with, his honesty was a breath of fresh air.Eliza knew she wasn't a beautiful woman by any means. While she wasn't ugly, her plain looks had always been a sore spot as a result of being born in the Evendoom family. She hated hearing people compliment her with words they didn't mean so, while Linnaeus was still a little awkward, his honest and straightforward remarks, combined with his own inordinately beautiful appearance, dealt critical damage to her heart.In order to hide her embarrassment and happiness, Eliza stretched her body and, before he could get away, she pushed Linnaeus into the chair and said, "Comb." in a stern tone. This made him frown ever so slightly but, after a moment of consideration, he ultimately relinquished the comb, allowing Eliza to return the favor from before.Unlike her own naturally curly hair, Linnaeus had a propensity to grow straight while forming small, gently flowing, locks. He had his [Barrier Aura] active at almost all times so dust, humidity, and other stressful factors for any woman had no effect on him whatsoever. This gave his hair a natural, silky smooth, quality that honestly irked Eliza more than a little.With his hair far more agreeable than her own, Eliza managed to comb through it in less than a minute. He had cut it short the previous night so it was a lot easier to deal with than it otherwise would have been.Once his hair had been combed through, Linnaeus managed to extricate himself from the chair and say, "We should get ready. I'm certain Emilia is already awake so we'll knock on Krone's door before heading down for breakfast. There is a lot we need to discuss and I'd rather get it out of the way sooner, rather than later..."Eliza had given Linnaeus a hard look when he escaped her grasp but, by the time he was finished speaking, she returned to her usual calm and collected self. There would be plenty of time for the two of them to bond in the future so she wasn't going to pressure him too much. Rather, she was very curious to know what he had learned since he was unwilling to divulge everything the previous night.With Eliza behaving, Linnaeus fixed his own equipment before making his way out into the hallway. At nearly the exact same moment, Emilia's door opened and, with a smile on her face, she poked her head out and asked, "Sleep well~?"Understanding she was trying to tease him, Linnaeus maintained his usual calm as he nodded his head and answered, "It was very comfortable. How about you, did you sleep in long...?"Eliza had been just behind Linnaeus when he made his remark so her face turned scarlet as several thoughts ran through her mind. She didn't have to imagine what part of her was 'comfortable' so, before Emilia could recover from her surprise, Eliza balled her hand into a fist before lightly smacking Linnaeus' shielded head.As Eliza wasn't actually trying to hurt him, Linnaeus' [Sense Danger] didn't activate so, upon feeling an impact against his [Barrier Aura], he quickly rolled to the side before bounding up, daggers drawn as his red eyes came into focus. This caused Eliza and Emilia to stare back at him, their expressions a perfect representation of their loss for words.Realizing she had made a mistake, Eliza quickly recovered her senses and, with a genuine expression of concern, she muttered, "I'm sorry, Lin...I shouldn't have hit you, even if I knew it wouldn't do any damage..."Understanding what had happened, Linnaeus forced himself to calm down. He realized his words could be misinterpreted the moment he said them but, without consideration for how Eliza herself would react, he made a thoughtless remark just to catch Emilia off guard. In essence, it was his fault that Eliza had struck him so, while part of him couldn't reconcile this, Linnaeus' rationale allowed him to hang his head slightly as he apologized in turn.Eliza could tell that Linnaeus hadn't completely forgiven her as, when she stepped toward him, his body had visibly tensed. Despite this, she continued to slowly close the distance between them, her steps slow and measured until she was right in front of him. Then, at a very slow and easy to avoid rate, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly as she repeated, "I really am sorry, Lin. Please forgive me..."Hearing the pained undertone to Eliza's voice, Linnaeus slowly began to relax his body as he took a few deep breaths. This was extremely awkward for Eliza, as she was hugging his face near her bosom but, not wanting to spook him any further, she tolerated the fluttery feeling in her stomach. It helped that Emilia was still present as she had someone to glare at...Emilia was also feeling a little awkward as, with her enhanced senses and the thing walls of the Inn, she knew Eliza and Linnaeus hadn't done anything. She only wanted to tease him a bit since he was always so serious. His response had nearly brought a smile to her face but, seeing how he reacted when Eliza lightly struck the back of his head, it was very apparent that Linnaeus still hadn't opened his heart to any of them.Not wanting to be the only one left out, Emilia did something inexplicable to both Linnaeus and Eliza as she moved to a seated position before laying down on her back. She had her head angled toward them and, after moving her hands up to her chest, she cocked her head to the side while turning her eyes up at the duo and saying, "I'm sorry..." in a sheepish tone.Seeing the rather ridiculous display, Linnaeus' tensions seemed to release all at once and, while still in Eliza's embrace, he released a light chuckle. This caused the tense atmosphere to quickly dissipate, just in time for Krone to come out of his own room, a dull look on his face as he saw the trio putting on some kind of play...

Chapter 62: Focus