The night slipped by swiftly, and as the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Rya awakened, feeling rejuvenated and ready to embrace the new day.
Struggling to leave her bed's comfortable embrace, Rya was startled by a sudden, persistent knock at the door to her room. "Um?... Who is it?" Rya called out.
"It's me, Alpha! Open up!" A familiar voice yelled through the closed door.
Rya let out a sigh as she slid into her pants, which still felt uncomfortable to her when she transformed into a Dark Elf and then made her way to the door. As she swung it open, she was greeted by the sight of Dalia standing there, her tail wagging eagerly.
"What are you doing here so early in the morning? Don't you like to mate with Percy until 10 am?" Rya asked, surprised. Ever since Dalia took Percy as her mate, the two had spent more time alone in the mornings by the day. Rya would have to cover her elven ears in hopes of silencing out their moans and screams of pleasure.
"Oh, my little wolf? He's sleeping right now after our nightly exercise... B-But he was asking me about going to the festival last night before he passed out, and I didn't know what to tell him this morning, so I came to you instead," Dalia explained with a bit of worry in her body language.
"Oh, why are you nervous? You've already mated with him, and that's the hardest part... There's nothing to worry about." Rya said, reassuring the Wolfkin.
"Hey!? But this will be our first date thingy! And I want it to go well! I'm worried that if I don't act confident, I might mess things up... A-And he might leave me for another mate," Dalia said nervously.
"Wow, you really love him, don't you?" Rya replied with a big smile.
"Gah! I-I don't know!... Maybe I do. A-And I think I want to have his pups. But he's human... Do you think he would want my pups?" Dalia asked shyly.
Rya wanted to smile at the Wolfkin's confusion, but she held back for the time being. She could tell that Dalia really wanted her help, and the last thing she wanted to do was tease her.
"You mean you want to 'mate' mate with him?" Rya asked again, but this time, it sounded more like a statement than a question.
"I don't know! Maybe down the road... All I know is that I don't want to lose him," Dalia confessed.
The Dark Elf flashed a warm smile and draped her arm over the shoulders of the Wolfkin. With just a simple reply, Rya understood the depth of her love for him.
"I don't think he's leaving you, Dalia... From what I can tell, he's head over heels for you, and he wouldn't leave you because of that... My advice is to just be yourself when you two go out on a date, okay?... Now come on, let's find the dining room and get something to eat," Rya said before turning around and heading down the hallway.
***
Dalia nodded and followed the Dark Elf closely, and it was not long before they arrived at a set of double doors leading to the dining hall. They opened the doors and saw the room crowded with a few dwarven nobles who had been there since late last night, passed out from drinking too much, and the servants were trying to clean up all the messes left behind, but that was proving to be difficult with all the past out bodies strewed about the room. Rya sighed and shook her head. It turned out the dwarves in this fantasy world weren't that much different from all the fiction novels back on Earth.
'Well... This is my life from now on,' Rya thought as she sat down in an empty chair with Dalia grabbing the one next to her.
After a few moments, a servant girl wearing a simple white apron dress came up and placed two large platters of food on the table. One platter had a bowl of porridge made from wheat and honey with a small dish of fresh fruit; the other had a plate filled with strips of roasted venison and vegetables. Both were accompanied by a mug filled with cold milk.
Dalia dug in while Rya ate slower, savoring each bite. While the meal was delicious, the Dark Elf still missed some of the Earth foods, such as pizza or sushi, but she couldn't complain. It was not like she would ever get the chance to eat them again. She would have to make them herself. Well, maybe not sushi—she didn't know how to make that—but pizza and some other Earth foods she knew the recipes for.
They started eating the food and discussing what they thought would happen at the festival. Dalia didn't know much, and Rya had nothing but assumptions, but she didn't tell her. She was still new to this world and didn't want to get ahead of herself, so she tried to avoid making predictions that seemed far-fetched or out of place. Luckily, Quinus, Percy, and Sir George entered the dining room and joined them for breakfast.
"So, what are you three planning to do during the festival?" Dalia asked excitedly, her tail wagging uncontrollably.
"Yeah, I've never been to one of these festivals before, so I have no idea what to expect," Rya added.
"I believe Baron Zellin will commence the opening ceremony to Goddess Iyomelka... If we finish breakfast early enough, I suggest we take a stroll through the market district before reaching the city square, where the musical tribute should start by noon. That should give us time to see everything we want," Quinus replied calmly while sipping his hot tea.
"Hey!?... Will there be games at this festival?" Dalia asked as she became serious all of a sudden.
The three men looked at each other with question marks over their heads.
"Have you played some of the festival games, Lady Dalia?" Percy asked curiously.
"Oh, no, I haven't... But I've seen them outside the battle arenas when I was brought in for a fight... It annoyed me to see so many humans failing to win those prizes!... How can someone not get a stupid ring on a Hex-Horn? The beast is stationary, and it barely moves! If I see that game, I'll show your humans how a Wolfkin does it!..." Dalia proclaimed.
Rya looked over to the three males at the table and raised an eyebrow, "Well, that was a little unexpected... So, do you guys play those festival games too? If so, are you any good?"
The three grimaced, and they didn't want to break it to Dalia that those festival games were tougher than they looked. Quinus assumed that they were rigged against the player, but he had no proof.
"I enjoy watching others try to play the games, but I have no intention of trying it myself. The last thing I want is to get laughed at," Quinus said flatly.
Sir George shrugged, "I don't see why not, but I'll leave the games to you guys. When it comes down to it, I'd rather look at the merchants selling their wares."
"I-I'll try my hand at a few of the easier ones if Lady Dalia would like me to," Percy replied meekly.
Dalia's tail wagged when Percy agreed to play a few games with her, and then the Wolfkin said, "If you are worried about embarrassing yourself in front of me, then maybe I should show you how it's done, Little Wolf!"
Percy's cheeks turned a rosy hue as he nervously scratched the back of his head, feeling unsure about the festival games that she had mentioned. Despite his uncertainties, he harbored no doubts about her exceptional abilities. Recognizing her as one of the most formidable fighters he had ever encountered, Percy also took pride in his own expertise as a skilled ranger.
Anticipating that the Wolfkin would effortlessly triumph in the seemingly frivolous games might backfire on her due to some trickery that he wasn't aware of. Percy experienced this firsthand when he reflected on his own struggles and failures when playing these games as a young teenager.
'Maybe Dalia will need to be consoled if she fails at those annoying games... Then I can swoop in and get her a kabob,' Percy thought.
"Well, if you all are done, let's finish breakfast and get moving... We don't want to miss the opening ceremony, do we?" Quinus urged the group.
***
After indulging in a hearty meal, Quinus, Percy, Dalia, Rya, and Sir George left the grand palace and set off on a leisurely stroll toward the bustling marketplace.
It was almost noon, and as they strolled together toward the celebration, their surroundings buzzed with infectious energy. The air was filled with anticipation, evident in the vibrant attire and elaborate masks donned by the revelers, some of which depicted the revered Goddess, Iyomelka. Rya observes the lively atmosphere as she notices people engaging in various enjoyable activities. She pauses to admire a group of performers, each showcasing their unique talents in captivating ways.
In a serene setting, a graceful lady delicately plays a soothing melody on a flute while another talented individual gracefully draws the bow across the strings of a violin, filling the air with rich, harmonious notes. Soon after, a man dressed as a deity begins to sing a captivating song, a tribute to the goddess. As his powerful voice resonates, a mesmerizing group of dancers gracefully moves to the enchanting music, their movements reflecting the emotion and energy of the performance.
After every mesmerizing performance, the fervent crowd erupted into thunderous applause and exuberant cheers. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and as the show progressed, the crowd swelled, and the electric energy intensified. Rya couldn't help but notice the infectious joy spreading through the crowd as everyone became increasingly jubilant.
Suddenly, a thunderous cheer ripples through the crowd. The band halts their performance, and all eyes swiftly shift in unison toward the giant stage in the city square.
Before their eyes, the grand stage is arranged, with two figures poised and ready. One figure commands attention with his imposing stature, while the other is Baron Zellin himself.
"Huh? The Baron looks so small compared to that other guy. I wonder who he is? Anyway, it looks like they want to get the party started," Rya whispers to herself while making sure her hood is still up to hide her ears.
"Listen, people of Ironside! I bring great news about the Crown Prince! He and his brave comrades have thwarted the goblin horde that dared to attack our city! This is undeniable proof of the Lord of Fiafyr's power, as the goddess watches over him and our people!" A thunderous voice booms across the crowd from the mountainous man who was standing next to the baron.
The entire crowd of diverse individuals erupts into an overwhelming cacophony of cheers and jubilant shouts, creating an electrifying atmosphere that reverberates with uncontainable excitement and joy.
"However, before we celebrate, let's take a moment to honor the fallen who couldn't be with us today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Let's bow our heads and send our prayers to the brave souls fighting for us now!" The commanding figure roars once more.
The crowd gradually falls silent as individuals lower their heads in a solemn gesture, observing a moment of silence.
"..."
"..."
The stillness of the crowd sent shivers down Rya's spine, creating an eerie hush that made her acutely aware of her surroundings. Even the softest sound seemed amplified in the atmosphere, and she found herself taken aback by the unusual solemnity pervading what was supposed to be a joyful festival.
After a moment, the silence breaks when Baron Zellin hits the giant gong, producing a resonating, reverberating sound.
"People of Ironside, today, we are here to celebrate the goddess Iyomelka and the brave warriors who defended our city. We will honor them by lighting a giant bonfire and giving offerings to the goddess. In addition, we will feast until our bellies are full and dance till the sun goes down! And I will personally ensure that all of you have a wonderful time!" Baron Zellin announces joyfully.
The towering figure moved to the front, bellowing, "You heard him! It's time to feast, drink, and make merry! Let's honor the goddess and revel in the moment!"
The air was filled with enthusiastic cheers and rhythmic hand clapping, creating a sense of excitement and celebration that reverberated throughout the space.
"Alright, boys! Let's show these folks something they'll never forget!" The mountainous man bellowed at the performers in the rear of the stage.
The hulking figure strode to the rear of the stage, and his arm outstretched toward the towering metal framework as he approached the commanding drum. With a swift movement, he removed the drumstick from his mouth like a magician and brought it down onto the drum's surface. The reverberating sound waves filled the air, causing everyone to startle as the powerful beats reached their ears.
"For the Lord of Fiafyr!" He screamed.
The crowd erupts into wild cheers and deafening shouts.
"Now it's time for the most exciting part, our amazing dancers!" he exclaims.
Two stunning young women gracefully take the stage, dressed in eye-catching attire and clutching glistening golden orbs. Every step they take is deliberate and captivating as they move across the polished wooden platform, commanding the undivided attention of everyone in the room.
In an instant, the musicians leaped into action, igniting a whirlwind of sound. The music surged with energy, filling the air with an infectious rhythm. The drums throbbed with unwavering intensity while the flutes and bells wove a jubilant, captivating melody. The crowd soon became swept up in the celebration, adding their rhythmic claps to the lively tempo.
The two young women locked eyes and exchanged a nod of mutual understanding. As the music filled the air, they swayed their hips in perfect synchrony, creating a mesmerizing dance. Rya stood in admiration, captivated by their graceful movements and effortless harmony.
"How do they not fall over? If I tried to move like that, I would blow out my back or something worse," Rya said with a pained expression at first. Then she looked down at her hips and tried to sway them a bit to see if it was possible for her to mimic their movements.
'Huh?... It's not that bad at all... Maybe it's a thing that women can do, and not guys,' she thought to herself.
Quinus couldn't help but have his eyes drawn to Rya's hips. He had to will himself not to stare at them, but it was getting harder and harder to keep his eyes off of them. So he moved in closer to her.
"Um... I don't know. I think that you could pull it off... You should join them when you feel like it," Quinus replied sheepishly.
Rya blushed and shook her head vigorously, "No way, I'm not a dancer. Besides, I can't compete with those two beauties."
She gestured toward the dancers, who were now spinning and jumping to the music, their lithe bodies twisting and bending with ease.
"You give yourself too little credit, Rya... You were able to dodge multiple attacks coming from the hobgoblins and a Cave Troll... Doing that should be a walk in the park for you," Quinus said with a wink.
The Dark Elf rolled her eyes and playfully elbowed him in the side, "You just want to make a fool out of me."
"If it gets your hips moving like that, then you can be the biggest fool in all the realms," he whispered seductively.
Rya couldn't help but giggle at the remark and found herself feeling a bit flustered by his forwardness.
'H-He's just joking with me, right?... I mean, there's no way that he's actually serious about wanting me to dance in front of everyone, right?...' She thought.
As they gazed on, the mesmerizing synchronicity of the two women's dance captivated their attention. With each beat of the drum, the surreal and hypnotic movements of the dancers seemed to draw them in deeper. The music surged, infusing the air with energy, and the dancers responded with escalating speed and precision. Their movements unfolded with increasing intricacy and drama, captivating all those who were fortunate enough to witness their artistry.
Rya waved off the offer with a laugh. "Nah, I'm good. I'd probably embarrass myself if I got up there," she said with a grin.
Quinus gazed at Rya and attempted to charm her with a sad, puppy-dog expression, but she couldn't help but snort and shake her head in amusement.
'Geez, man! Stop staring at me like that! B-But how can a guy look so damn adorable!?' Rya thought to herself as she suppressed the urge to laugh. And the more Quin teased her, the more her loins started to tickle her.
"Ugh, can you stop making that face? You look like a big goofball," she giggled.
"I'm trying to convince you to dance, but you're making this harder than it needs to be," he smirked.
Rya gave him a playful punch on the shoulder and laughed.
The two were interrupted by Dalia's enthusiastic shouts.
"Hey, Alpha! Do you want to play a game? Little Wolf pointed some out, and I want to try them!" Dalia proclaimed as she grabbed Rya's right arm.
"Huh?... What kind of game is it?" Rya asked curiously.
"It's the Hex Horn Ring Toss! I'm totally going to show these humans and dwarves that a Wolfkin can easily win this game! Ooh! And you should try it, too, Alpha! We can win gold for the prizes! You're an elf, so we can clean them out!" Dalia replied as she tugged at Rya's arm, attempting to pull her toward the booth.
"Wait, wait! Slow down a bit! I don't even know how the game is played. And where is it? I didn't see anything like that during our walk over here," Rya inquired, confused by the sudden request.
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"That's because it was on the other side of the market! It's past this alley! Little Wolf found it, and there are a bunch of people who are failing! Come on!" Dalia said as she tugged Rya's arm again.
"U-Um... Okay, let's check it out, but you can't get mad at me if we lose!"
"Come on, Alpha! Just trust me! I’ve always wanted to win these types of games, but I have never been able to! That ends today! I will prove to everyone that the Wolfkin are the best!" Dalia roared, pumping herself up.
Dalia whisked Rya away, leaving Quinus, Percy, and Sir George behind, causing the Crown Prince to look at his friend with concern.
"Percy, your future wife might be a bit wild at times," Quinus stated.
"A bit!?... She's a lot wild, but that's what makes her special," Percy replied, chuckling a bit.
"Well, we better not lose them, or they'll probably cause some trouble," Quinus smirked.
******
The trio hurriedly navigated through the bustling crowd, trailing the pair as they sprinted toward the ring toss booth located beyond Market Street.
Upon arriving, Rya observed the various prizes adorning the wall behind the vendor, many of which were colorful trinkets, toys, and stuffed animals. In the middle of the wall were also several liquor bottles, which intrigued her. But the area where the ring toss was held in the corner was filled with people watching, and those trying to win the game could be heard cursing under their breaths once they failed, which seemed like everyone was losing.
'Damn? So you have to throw a one-inch brass ring on that goat over there? And Dalia thinks this is easy? I don't see how anyone can do this! Why would anyone try this impossible game...Oh?'
As they neared the booth, Rya couldn't help but notice the allure of the game. Glittering on a shelf behind the counter were four bags of gold, each of a different size, enveloped in a shimmering force field to deter any would-be thieves. The sight made everyone's eyes light up with excitement.
'That's a lot of gold! But if there's that much gold... Then is it even possible to win in this game?... This could be a scam. Well, I'll watch Dalia try to play first and see if she wins or not. Then I can decide if I want to try or not. There's no way I'm risking throwing away money I don't have,' Rya thought to herself.
Dalia started tugging Rya's arm in excitement, "Alpha, you see the stall where the game is? The Hex Horned Goat thing is behind that," she exclaimed.
"Yeah... I can see it... What do you have to do to win one of the prizes?" Rya inquired.
"Well, you just have to throw a brass ring on the horns of the goat, and you can get the smallest bag of gold!... And that's it," Dalia answered.
"You get a bag of gold for getting one ring onto the horn?... What do you have to do to get the grand prize?"
"That's the best part! All you need to do is get three rings on the Hex Horn's horns with six tries, and you can get all the gold!"
"Are you serious!?"
Rya observed attentively as a fresh contestant approached the booth, eager to participate in the upcoming round. The booth attendant handed the contestant six shiny brass rings as he paid three silver coins. The contestant grasped the rings tightly and stared intently at the Hex Horn Goat. With a steady motion, the contestant began tossing the brass rings toward the goat's horns.
Rya watched with bated breath as the first ring sailed through the air, and he missed badly.
'Huh? Did that guy just throw the ring sideways? What the hell was that throw!? There's no way he's going to hit the horns with a throw like that! Geez, that was so embarrassing, man!'
The guy was annoyed with himself when his first throw dropped three feet in front of the goat. Everyone watching, including Dalia, snickered and laughed at the failure. He refocused his concentration and tossed his second ring, but it flew past the goat, causing the crowd to snicker even louder.
It wasn't obvious initially, but Rya noticed that the fly pattern wasn't natural. It was like something was interfering with the throw.
'What the!?... D-Did they rig this game against the player?... Yeah... It doesn't make sense to pay three pieces of silver to win a bag of gold, even if it is only the smallest prize. The odds of someone randomly getting one ring on the goat's horn should happen at least once a day with this many players, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The odds of winning are stacked against the player, but this is just wrong,' Rya thought as she became suspicious of the ring toss game, as it gave her eerie vibes, similar to the carnival games she played back on Earth.
"Dalia, I don't think it's worth trying to play this game. I don't think you can get a ring on that~"
"OH!?! So you think that I lack the ability to win? Is that it, Alpha!?" Dalia roared in a challenging manner, cutting Rya off.
Rya raised her hands up defensively and replied, "H-Hey! Calm down! I didn't mean it like that! I'm just saying that you'll put Percy through financial ruin if you think you can~"
"There you go again! I'll show all of you why the Wolfkin are better! And Little Wolf! You're paying for my rounds!" Dalia declared as she rushed up to Percy and took his leather purse from him before he could say anything.
"D-Dalia!? You didn't have to take my entire purse! I would have given you a few silver!"
"You worry too much, Little Wolf... Come on, Alpha! Let's show them how it's done!" Dalia roared as she grabbed Rya's arm, made her way to the counter, and slammed the purse down, causing everyone around them to cheer.
'Crap! Okay, okay... I need to see how they are rigging this game so I can stop them from stealing everyone's money. Especially Percy's money. That poor kid needs to be more assertive with Dalia before she steamrolls him. It's not healthy for the relationship. Haah... Well, let's get this over with.'
Rya followed Dalia's lead and took her spot next to her while the vendor smiled at them.
"A small donation to the Goddess. Please give me three coins for six chances at glory," the lady at the counter stated.
'Small donation? This isn't a charity, lady... Okay, I'm not going to argue; I need to focus. Hopefully, my elven eyes can spot something that no one else can see.'
Dalia took out three silver coins and slammed them down on the counter, "I'm here to win it all! So hand them over!"
As the vendor caught sight of the gleaming silver nestled in Percy's purse, her smile widened even further. When her eyes landed on Dalia, her expression shifted, triggering a familiar sense of unease in Rya. It was the sort of look that spelled trouble—a warning sign Rya had encountered back on Earth, signaling an impending deception. This vendor saw Dalia as an easy mark, and it was evident that she intended to exploit that weakness.
"I see you have the determination, but do you have the skill to match it, Wolfkin? We shall see!" the vendor replied, handing the young wolfkin female the rings.
"No one show ever question a Wolfkin's skill!" Dalia boasted before glaring at the Hex Horned Goat with intensity.
'Is she serious? This isn't a competition, Dalia, and no one is questioning your skill. Ugh, she's going to get screwed if I don't do something about this.'
The vendor nodded and said, "Good luck, and may the goddess aid you with victory! Let's see if you can achieve what no one has yet."
"Just you watch! The Wolfkin will triumph!" Dalia boasted, and her tail wagged excitedly as she stepped up to the edge of the booth and looked at the Hex Horn Goat that was tied up at the other end of the stall about ten meters away. The goat stood majestically, savoring its fresh hay as it chewed contentedly, seemingly unaware of the bustling world around it.
Dalia's eyes narrowed, and her face was focused and serious. As she held the brass ring up to the sky, Rya could sense the Wolfkin's competitive spirit ignite. Rya was on the lookout, hoping to catch a glimpse of any mana lingering in or around this game that would prevent Dalia from having a shot at the prize. The Dark Elf was so focused that she didn't notice Quinus and Percy coming up from behind them. Sir George was hanging back a bit, seeing if anyone noticed that the Crown Prince was mingling among the crowd.
"HAH!" Dalia threw the brass ring with a fierce yell, and everyone around them went silent. The brass ring sailed through the air, spinning, twisting, and turning as it glided toward its intended target.
Rya and Quinus both witnessed the ring hitting the horn on the mark, but it somehow bounced off. It was like the ring hit an invisible force that didn't allow the ring to make contact, even though it looked like it did.
'Holy shit! It is rigged! I wouldn't have known if I didn't have these elven eyes! Dalia's gonna throw a tantrum if she gets scammed like this! But I didn't sense any mana coming from the goat or the ring... What are they using to prevent the ring from landing on the horn?'
"Damn, it! I almost had it!" Dalia cursed as she picked up her second ring.
"Oh, that was a close one. Maybe the Goddess blinked before it landed? Hopefully, she will help you with the next go," the vendor said, trying to act as if she was sympathetic.
Dalia let out a fierce growl, her tail lashing angrily as the crowd instinctively took a step back. Rya looked at Dalia, who was laser-focused on the horn, her determination clear as day. She was hell-bent on getting one of those elusive rings on the Hex Horn.
"H-Hey, Dalia?... I think you are getting a little carried away with this. I-It's only a game," Percy tried to calm her down, but it was useless.
"SHHH!" Dalia cut him off and then waved him off, not wanting to be disturbed when she launched the second ring.
Everyone went quiet as the ring left Dalia's fingers, sailing through the air with a precision that could only be described as beautiful.
Rya was sure that it would land, but once again, the ring bounced off the Hex Horn Goat's horn by an invisible force that wasn't noticeable by the naked eye unless it was Rya's eye.
"W-What!?! I swear that one was going to land on the horn! It bounced right off it!" Dalia exclaimed in confusion.
"Oh, dear. You almost had it. If only the Goddess had blessed you a little more. It looks like you will need to work a little harder to achieve your goals," the vendor said.
"I'm going to destroy this damn goat," Dalia growled as she grabbed her third ring, but she was stopped by Rya before she could.
"Dalia?... There's something up with this game... It's not a lack of skill. Something is interfering with your throw. I'm not sure what it is, but they must be playing a trick on us," Rya whispered sternly.
"Pff! No trick can defeat a Wolfkin! This is only a test to show my people's determination!" Dalia whispered back with confidence.
'God, dammit, Dalia! She's too gullible... Hold on... Let's see if we can expose what's going on. I just need to slow Dalia down first.'
Rya looked at the brass ring in Dalia's hand and came up with an idea.
"Hey, Dalia... Can I see those rings first? I wanna see if there's any mana infused in them?" Rya asked, holding out her palm.
"Huh?... Mana infused? But how can it be infused in a piece of brass?... Gah! Fine... But if you can't find anything, then it was my fault for failing to believe in myself!"
"Just give me the ring, and let me check it out, alright?"
Dalia huffed as she handed the ring over to Rya.
Rya examined the ring in her palm. There was no trace of mana or magic, but her eyes noticed something else.
'Huh? It's faint, but something is going on here.'
Rya grabbed a second ring, and when she brought it closer to the other one, she noticed that the fields were pulling each other closer.
'Oh?... What is going on here?'
Rya grabbed a third ring and placed it with the other two, and she could see the brass rings being pulled together slightly.
'Holy crap! Are they magnetized?... Y-Yeah! They are magnetized! So I can see the magnetic fields because I'm a mage?... That's crazy, but it's good to know I can see such things... Hmm? Maybe I can get rid of the fields from them if I channel my mana through them," Rya thought as she manipulated her mana, causing the rings to vibrate a little as she demagnetized them, which caught Dalia's attention.
"What are you doing, Alpha? Are there enchantments on them?" Dalia asked.
"N-Not an enchantment per se, but maybe it was my Imagination," Rya answered with a half-lie while ridding all of the brass rings' of their magnetic fields. The vendor gazed at Rya with a mixture of surprise and curiosity evident on her face. Rya responded with a warm smile before returning the rings to Dalia.
"Here, Dalia, give it a try now," Rya said as she placed the four rings back into Dalia's hands.
The Wolfkin gave Rya a bewildered look as if she had lost her mind. There was a point where Dalia worried that her Alpha would toss the ring toward the horn, claiming victory over her, but instead, she just looked at the rings and returned them. Dalia couldn't fathom what her alpha was up to, but she happily accepted the rings back.
"Okay? What happened?" Dalia asked.
"Oh, nothing really. I just wanted to look closer at them before you tossed the next ring." Rya answered with a smile.
"Really? Nothing?... I guess there was nothing wrong with them in the first place," Dalia said, turning back to the goat.
"Yeah, it's nothing... Just a figment of my imagination, Dalia."
"Alright! Time to prove to this stupid goat that a Wolfkin doesn't give up!"
With determination in her eyes, Dalia readied herself for another try. Before she could make her next move, she stole a final glance at the gleaming rings. It was at that moment when Percy decided to speak up.
"Don't worry, Dalia... Just imagine you're throwing the brass ring into the heart of a Dragon's head! I believe you can do it. Just focus on your target, and everything else will fall into place," Percy whispered; he was trying to be as encouraging as possible, but the Dragon analogy didn't sit well with the Dark Elf, mainly because it didn't make any sense.
"Shh! I'm trying to concentrate!" Dalia whispered harshly, her ears flicking in irritation.
Percy's face dropped, and he backed off as he mumbled, "S-Sorry..."
"Hey!... I know it didn't make sense, but don't be mean to him... Or do you want another female marking him for her own?..." Rya whispered, causing Dalia's tail to stop and her to pout.
"F-Fine, Little Wolf. I-I'm Sorry... Just keep quiet until I'm finished, alright?"
"Sure thing! Anything for you, Dalia," Percy replied with a warm smile, which made Dalia's cheeks heat up as she tried to focus on the task at hand.
'That was so cute... I can't believe I'm saying this, but they are adorable together... GAH! Get it together, Ryan! Stop acting like a girl!' Rya thought.
Dalia stared at the Hex Horn Goat, her eyes narrowed, and her brows furrowed as her tail stiffened, her whole body becoming motionless as she waited for the right time to strike. It was when the goat locked eyes with Dalia and her pupils constricted.
"You're mine," Dalia said, as her ears twitched before throwing the ring.
"HAAAHHH!"
The third brass ring moved through the air with purpose, and when it closed in on the goat, everyone watched with anticipation.
As the ring got closer, the Hex Horn Goat started moving backward as if it had realized the danger of the situation, but it was too late.
*CLINK!*
The ring hit the horn, and a loud sound was heard as the brass ring slid down and wrapped around it, hanging securely.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Dalia raised her arms and cheered with the others while the vendor and goat were stunned.
"Im-Impossilbe..." The vendor muttered under her breath.
Dalia was stunned that she had actually managed to land the ring. "I did it!?!... Um... I-I mean, obviously, I did it!" she exclaimed, brushing off her stunned expression and triumphantly striking a pose as her tail wagged in wild celebration.
Percy couldn't believe his girlfriend won the contest, and he was just as excited.
"Yes! You did it! Good job, Dalia!"
"Thank you, Little Wolf! But I'm not done yet," Dalia said as she lined up another shot at the Hex Horned Goat.
Quinus moved up closer to Rya's ear and whispered, "What did you do to the rings?"
"Well, I'm not sure you would know this, but I believe the rings are being magnetically manipulated. It's hard to see from here, but all the horns have something metal inside them, and that's how they manipulate the rings. They probably use a type of enchantment, but I don't know for sure," Rya explained in a hushed tone.
"Magnets, huh... That's sneaky of them. Nice catch, Rya," Quin said with a slight chuckle.
'Quin knows about magnets? I thought there was a lack of scientific knowledge on Tertius. Or is he just making a joke?' Rya pondered with a perplexed expression while gazing at Quinus.
"What's with the surprised look?" Quin asked with an amused tone.
"Huh? Oh! I didn't realize that you knew about magnets, Quin," Rya said, slightly embarrassed.
"Well... Would you believe me if I told you I learned all about them in primary school?" Quin asked.
"No. Not really," Rya replied bluntly, and Quin chuckled.
"Well, what can I say? I'm full of surprises. Like maybe I was reborn in this world," Quin said, winking at Rya, who just rolled her eyes in response.
'There he goes with the jokes again... Well, I guess I underestimated the civilizations on Tertius. It's more advanced than I thought. Who knew there was real science here? I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. This world is teeming with magical creatures, after all,' Rya thought, looking back to the ring game and just in time for Dalia's fourth throw, which landed perfectly. That caused the Vendor's face to turn pale as her smug demeanor shattered.
"Oh? Did I do something wrong?" Dalia asked mockingly.
"Im-Impossible! How did you do it?!" the vendor asked in disbelief.
"A good hunter knows when to strike. Also, don't forget the wolf's determination," Dalia answered with a confident smirk.
"T-That's~W-Whatever! You got lucky, that's all. You have two more chances to prove yourself!" the vendor yelled.
Dalia smirked and readied the fifth ring.
Rya watched all of this, and her heart started to race. She thought it was exciting that her friend could win the grand prize, but it was Quinus' presence that made her feel a little excited.
'God, dammit, Ryan. Pull yourself together... Ugh... What is it about him? A-And why is he getting closer to me?' Rya thought as she felt Quin's body bumping against her back and his breath tickling her ear.
"Q-Quin?... What are you doing?" Rya asked.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm very lucky I was born in this world, especially with you," Quin whispered, making Rya's cheeks heat up and her heart beat a little faster.
'What's up with him? I've never seen him like this before. This feels almost romantic, or is he messing with me?'
"Y-Yeah? And why is that?" Rya asked as she watched Dalia get ready to make the fifth throw. The proximity between them couldn't escape her notice, evoking a comforting warmth within her.
The moment the crowd erupted in cheers for Dalia, Quin wrapped his arms around Rya from behind. Rya's heart skipped a beat, and she stiffened.
"I wanted to repeat this... And I mean it from the bottom of my heart... Thank you for saving me, Rya," Quin whispered into her ear.
Rya was melting into his arms and feeling like jelly as Quin hugged her tightly.
'W-What the fuck?! I-I told him that it wasn't a big deal... Sure, it was a heart-pounding battle for survival in the labyrinth, facing off against a terrifying monster, but... UGH! Why does he have to act like this now?! And why the hell does it feel so nice?' Rya's mind raced; her heartbeat and breathing were erratic.
"N-No problem... I was doing what needed to be done," Rya managed to respond, her cheeks flushed.
Quinus' smile widened as he relished the warmth of her embrace. Just as he was on the verge of playfully teasing her, the crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers. It was at that moment that Dalia successfully got the fourth ring on the horn, igniting an outpouring of jubilation.
"W-What!?!" the vendor shouted, her face turning even paler than before.
Dalia looked like she defeated a dragon while Percy hugged her.
"That was amazing!" Percy's praise caused Dalia to blush.
"T-Thanks, Little Wolf. Let's collect our reward," Dalia replied shyly.
The vendor was momentarily dumbfounded before gathering herself and trying to put on a convincing act for the audience, but it was a struggle when the magical force field vanished on the biggest grand prize of gold.
"W-We have a-a winner!?"
"Of course we do!" Dalia answered proudly.
"O-Oh, my~I-It looks like the Goddess of Luck was looking out for you after all! Congratulations on winning the grand prize!" The vendor said as she reluctantly handed over the cash prize to the Wolfkin.
Dalia said happily, "Damn straight she does!" as she took the money.
"I'm really impressed. I've never seen anyone win this game before," Percy exclaimed, eyeing the pile of gold in Dalia's hands.
"Haha! That's because your wolf is all skill. We don't lose easily, after all," Dalia said as she scratched Percy on the head.
"Uh... Yeah... I'm glad you chose me as your mate... I'm the luckiest human alive," Percy said, giving Dalia a kiss on the cheek, which made her blush and her tail wag.
"Come on, Little Wolf. Let's go show off our loot," Dalia said with a sly smile.
Quinus let go of Rya, who was blushing madly and still thinking about the hug. She was about to say something to him, but her elven ears picked up the vendor's voice. She had walked back to the goat to take the rings off his horns while mumbling, "H-How did that mutt win? It should be impossible! Grrr! The magic on these rings must have worn off or something. I have to take these things back to that mage to recharge them," The woman said under her breath.
'So it was rigged. I thought it was just my imagination. I wonder how many people they have scammed out of their money?' Rya thought as she giggled to herself.
As Sir George made his way through the bustling crowd, his eyes locked on Quinus, who stood amidst the gathering. It was at that precise moment that their paths converged.
"Is something the matter, Sir George?" Quinus asked as the knight stopped in front of him, his eyes scanning the area around them.
"Aye. The Baron's men spotted me and asked me to inform you that he needs your approval about some new trade route, My Lord," Sir George reported.
"A trade route? Hmm... That's weird. Maybe the Merchant's Guild is demanding something more of the Baron. They are trying my patience," Quinus muttered.
"I don't know the details, Sir," the knight replied.
Quinus let out a sigh before giving a determined nod. His gaze then shifted to Rya, Dalia, and Percy.
"What do you three want to do? You can enjoy the rest of the festival, or you can come with me," Quinus said.
Rya turned and looked over at Dalia and Percy.
"Well, I wanted to go on one of those dates that my Little Wolf always talks about," Dalia said while she looked at Percy.
"Y-Yes! I would love to go on a date with you, Lady Dalia!" Percy said eagerly.
Rya recognized that this was her chance to test herself and show that she still was a man mentally. She needed to play it cool, but her mind kept going back to the hug Quinus gave her.
'Ugh! Get it together, Ryan! I can go to that brothel I saw yesterday. I'm sure I can get one of the ladies there to give me a little attention. Yeah, that's right! Once I know that I can get turned on by women, then I can stop having these silly thoughts about Quinus and get back to my old life,' Rya thought, determined, as she turned her attention back to the others.
"Oh! That sounds like a lot of fun... I wouldn't mind checking out more of the festival. See what else there is to see in Ironside," Rya said while smiling at Quinus.
"Sure, but you can't enjoy Ale without one of us here with you. We don't want you getting lost while being tipsy," Quin said firmly.
"Quin, I promise not to get drunk..." Rya said with a bit of embarrassment.
Quinus looked at her with an eyebrow raised, and she rolled her eyes.
"I promise. I'll be good."
"Okay, but remember: no drinking alone or I'll have to punish you, okay?... Anyway, I have to go and do my business. Have fun," Quinus said as he walked past her and patted her head.
"Okay, okay, Quin... I'll be good. Don't worry about me," Rya reassured him.
Quinus smiled at her before walking away, followed by Sir George.
Percy was excited to take Dalia on a date, but he felt bad for leaving Rya all alone.
"Ahem, Lady Rya, are you going to be alright? I mean, we can hang out with you if you want," Percy offered.
"No, you two have your fun. I don't want to be the third wheel on your date. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself," Rya assured them.
"Okay, but if you change your mind, we should be in one of the restaurants by the Diamond Street Market, or we'll be by the food stalls," Percy informed her.
"Alright. I'll find you guys later. Enjoy your date, you two," Rya said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll treat her well," Percy said proudly.
"Hehe, I'll be the judge of that, Little Wolf," Dalia said with a smirk.
"H-Hey, I'll be a perfect gentleman," Percy protested.
"Yeah, yeah, sure. Now show me how you humans like to have a good time," Dalia said.
"Yes, Lady Dalia!" Percy exclaimed.
With a little laugh, Rya bid farewell to the pair and went on her way.
With everyone and the crowd starting to disperse, Rya's mind was racing, and her heart was beating a little faster.
'Okay! It's time for me to prove that I'm still a man on the inside! Where was that brothel again? Oh, I think it was down this street!' Rya thought excitedly as she weaved through the streets of Ironside to find the brothel she saw earlier yesterday.