"May I ask why?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.
Boros folded his arms.
"No particular reason."
"I just don't want you coming with us."
Kinuko watched the exchange quietly.
'He probably doesn't trust her yet.'
Elizabeth took another step closer.
"I don't think that's the real reason."
She tilted her head.
"Do you not think I'm strong enough?"
She reached up and gently cupped his cheek.
"Or..."
"...do you simply not trust me?"
"Neither."
Boros calmly took her hand and moved it away from his face.
Elizabeth blinked.
"I see."
She smiled.
"That's fine."
"My job is to follow your orders."
Her eyes shifted toward Akeno and Kinuko.
"But..."
"Can you really rely on those two?"
"What the-" Akeno took a step forward, only to stop when Boros raised a hand.
"I can."
He answered without hesitation.
"I've been relying on them long before you ever showed up."
He stepped forward until he was standing directly in front of Elizabeth.
Looking down at her, his expression became serious.
"And one more thing."
"If you make another joke like that..."
"...you're going to have to find someone else to work for."
For the first time, Elizabeth's smile faltered.
"...I'm sorry."
Her voice was so soft that Boros couldn't tell whether she genuinely meant it...
...or was somehow enjoying being scolded.
A moment later, she chuckled.
"So you'd get rid of me just like that?"
She smiled.
"I won't let you."
"Not after everything we've been through."
Akeno slowly turned toward Boros.
Boros' eye twitched.
"Elizabeth."
"...Sorry, sorry." She laughed, raising both hands in surrender.
"I'll stop."
She clapped her hands together.
"Anyway..."
"At least let me help you pack."
"You're supposed to leave for your mission today."
"You're still not coming with us."
Boros gave her a flat look.
"You do know that, right?"
"I know." Elizabeth nodded.
She looked around the room.
"This mansion belongs to you, doesn't it?"
"We have no idea how long your investigation will take."
She smiled reassuringly.
"So I'll stay behind."
"I'll keep an eye on the place..."
"...and make sure the staff don't wreck your mansion while you're gone."
........
About an hour later, the trio finally finished packing.
Everything they needed for the journey had been neatly packed into traveling bags.
Two rested on the floor.
The third sat on Boros' bed.
It belonged to him.
Standing before his open wardrobe, Boros stared silently at a small wooden box resting on one of the shelves.
Inside...was his awakened gauntlet.
Its icy blue design shimmered beautifully beneath the light.
Although forged from metal, it looked as though it had been carved from solid ice.
Ever since he had first worn it, the gauntlet had somehow changed to match his Ice Longinus.
It no longer resembled the weapon he had gotten from the merchant.
"You won't be fighting when we get there," Akeno said from behind him.
Kinuko nodded.
"So you won't be needing that."
Boros clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
He closed the box.
Then shut the wardrobe doors.
'You have starved me of battle for far too long... Master.'
A voice echoed through his mind.
Boros froze.
His eyes slowly drifted back toward the wardrobe.
'Did that... come from in there?'
He stared at it for another moment.
Then shook his head.
'I must be more tired than I thought.'
Turning away, he zipped up his travel bag.
"That's everything."
Elizabeth rested a hand against her chin.
"So..."
"You own a mansion."
"You're an Apex-Rank Adventurer."
"You've got an awakened weapon."
"And you're ridiculously handsome."
She smiled brightly.
"How about we forget this whole Adventurer thing..."
"...and just get married instead?"
Boros picked up his bag.
"I'm flattered."
"But I became an Adventurer because I'm searching for someone."
He slung the bag over his shoulder and headed toward the door.
"If we find that person..."
He glanced back with a faint grin.
"...I'll consider your proposal."
"SHIRO!"
Akeno shouted.
"What?!"
Boros shouted back before immediately bolting out of the room.
"You get back here!"
Akeno grabbed her bag and chased after him.
Within seconds, the two of them had disappeared down the hallway.
Silence settled over the room.
"You should quit making jokes like that."
Elizabeth turned around.
"...Or what?"
A teasing smile spread across her face.
"You'll beat me up?"
She let out a quiet laugh and turned to leave.
"You know who he is."
Kinuko's calm voice stopped her in her tracks.
Elizabeth's smile disappeared.
Her back remained turned.
"I know you lied."
A brief silence filled the room.
Then Elizabeth slowly turned around.
Her smile had already returned.
"...Lied?"
She tilted her head innocently.
"Why would I do that?"
"I've never met him before in my life."
Kinuko looked directly into her eyes.
"You're hiding something."
"And I'm going to find out what it is."
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the room.
The door clicked shut.
Elizabeth stood there for a moment.
Then a slow grin spread across her face.
"...Looks like she's going to be a problem."
.........
The trio stood near the mansion's front gate, chatting as they waited.
A few moments later, Elizabeth walked toward them with her usual composed smile.
"Took you long enough," Boros said.
"Yeah," Akeno added.
"Shiro insisted we wait because he thought you might want to say goodbye."
She folded her arms.
"Not surprising, considering you're his future wife."
Boros slowly clenched his fist.
"...I'm going to knock your head off."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Your ride should be-"
She suddenly stopped.
A familiar figure came running toward them, breathing heavily.
"I-I made it..."
She bent over, trying to catch her breath.
"Susan?" Boros asked.
Susan straightened herself and smiled.
"I just wanted to wish you all good luck on your mission."
The trio smiled.
"Thanks."
Susan gave one last respectful bow before hurrying back inside the mansion.
Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"Now..."
She smiled.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted..."
"Your ride is almost here."
"...Ride?" the trio repeated in unison.
Moments later, the sound of horses echoed down the road.
A luxurious horse-drawn carriage rolled to a stop in front of the mansion gates.
Akeno's eyes sparkled.
"Whoa..."
"So this is what we're traveling in?"
The coachman tipped his hat.
"Hope I'm not late."
"Not at all," Elizabeth replied.
The carriage door swung open.
Akeno climbed in first, followed by Kinuko.
Just as Boros was about to step inside-
"Wait."
Elizabeth called out.
She tossed something toward him.
Boros caught it with one hand.
He looked down.
"...A Jet Phone?"
He flipped it open before snapping it shut again.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Whenever you need me..."
She smiled.
"For anything at all..."
"Call me."
Boros slipped the phone into his pocket.
"Got it."
Elizabeth raised a hand.
"Good luck on your mission."
Boros gave a small nod before climbing into the carriage.
With a crack of the reins, the horses pulled forward.
The carriage rolled away from their home...
...and toward Tunisik.