Oliver, Sophia and Gregory turn around and see two young ladies standing before them. They see one whose skin shimmers like birch, complementing her toffee-coloured eyes and fiery, tangerine hair, donning a beige dress. Meanwhile, the other has a dark skin tone, matching her black hair but contrasting her warm, hazel eyes, wearing a mustard gown.

"My name's Sarrah," she introduced herself. "...Sarrah Swordsberg."

"Greetings," Oliver and Gregory both replied.

"Oh, hi," Sophia raised her hand and waved lightly.

"This is my friend, Beth," Sarrah introduced her friend, standing beside her.

"Hello," she introduced herself with a small yet kind smile. "My name's Bethany Goldsworth."

"Oh, well... uh... hello there. How may I help you both?" Oliver stepped forward.

"...Sir Podeshire, I sincerely apologise if I happened to overhear your conversation. I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of your plans to journey to Asbranne Lake. Might I inquire again, for what purpose do you venture there?" Sarrah spoke with a flat, monotonous voice.

Oliver glanced at his companions before answering. "...We seek to secure the breach at the lake, the very source from where the Pyro Void Monsters emerge."

"Those monsters? Are they what they are called? Those..." Sarrah asked as she glared at the dead Pyrovoidian nearby.

Bethany stepped forward. "Those abominations claimed the lives of our friends..." she sighed, her gaze softening.

Sarrah closed her eyes as her lips tightened. "It is true. Bethany, my brother, and I were the only survivors when those beasts attacked us in the forest a few nights past," Sarrah explained.

"...We mourn their loss," Bethany added as she glanced at the floor.

"Oh... I'm sorry for your loss..." Oliver whispered, glancing at Sarrah and Bethany in concern.

"Truly, we are sorry..." Sophia pouted, looking at Sarrah and Bethany.

"...That is precisely why we beseech you, Sir Podeshire, to allow us to accompany you against those monsters," Sarrah sighed deeply.

"What? I... I beg your pardon. I apologise if I decline, my ladies," Oliver replied.

"No, please, allow us to join you," Sarrah pleaded, clasping her hands together. "We can benefit your group."

"How?"

"We are skilled in the art of combat," Bethany informed the others.

"Oh?" Sophia raised a sceptical brow.

"Swordfighting is my fervent pursuit," Sarrah revealed.

"And I engage in daily athletic endeavours," Bethany added.

"No... no, no, no. I can't bear the responsibility if my decision leads to someone's demise. I apologise... but all of you must remain here... ensuring your safety," Oliver stated sincerely.

"Five individuals united are stronger than one," Gregory chimed in.

"..." Oliver was momentarily speechless. "Alright. How about this? Sophia? Greg? You accompany me. Sarrah and Bethany? Stay here. You are too young and vulnerable..." he said. "But don't worry. We shall end this madness and bring justice to your fallen friends. I'll give everyone justice."

"...Forgive me... but... I must ask you again to bring us with you... please," Bethany pleaded kindly.

"Shall we bring them?" Gregory whispered to Oliver.

"Never," Oliver whispered back.

Gregory glanced at the slender figures of the girls. "Should we bring them?" Gregory whispered again, gesturing his eyes towards Sarrah and Bethany.

Oliver took a lingering look at their physique before ultimately agreeing. "Fine..." Oliver addressed the girls. "Sarrah and Bethany, you shall join us..."

"Perfect!" Bethany exclaimed.

"That's more like it," Sarrah smiled. Nevertheless, her voice was monotonous and low.

"...But! There are not one but two conditions," Oliver continued, raising his two fingers.

"Oh..." the girls uttered.

"The first condition is that you must seek the consent and permission of your parents to embark on this mission," Oliver commanded.

"Easy peasy," Sarrah replied with half-closed eyes.

"The second condition is that you must demonstrate your martial arts prowess," Oliver grinned.

"...Very well. We accept the challenge," Sarrah smirked confidently. "If Beth and I can prove our skill in martial arts, you shall take us with you."

"We shall see," Oliver stated.

"Right," Sarrah declared. "Let's go, Beth."

"I'm coming!" Bethany hurriedly followed.

Gregory watched Sarrah and Bethany leave the yard. "...Perhaps we should change our clothes while we wait for their return," Gregory said, his gaze fixed on the gate.

"I agree," Sophia nodded, placing her hands on her back. "I'm drenched in sweat at the moment."

"Wait, Sophia?" Gregory inquired. "Have you brought spare clothes with you?"

"Don't worry about me. I always keep spare garments in my luggage," Sophia replied, smirking.

"Luggage? Wait, where did that come from?" Gregory wondered.

Sophia glanced at her luggage at the mansion's entrance, which seemed to have popped out of thin air. "Well, I do tend to come prepared," Sophia stated.

"...Well, then. Let's change our attire," Oliver said.

     Later, Oliver, Sophia and Gregory found themselves on the front porch. As they emerged from the mansion's entrance, the radiant sunlight beamed a warm glow on their faces. The golden rays danced on their fresher clothes, and the air carried a gentle breeze with the flowers' rosy scent towards them.

     Oliver emerges onto the front porch with his guard uniform and wavy hair combed. His silver tailcoat seamlessly transitions into a gradient of gold towards the bottom. Atop his head, he wears a tall silver-coloured shako cap adorned with intricate gold lines and a braid. Completing his outfit, he wears his long, fingerless gloves and golden trousers paired with white boots.

     In the meantime, Gregory wears an orange waistcoat with black horizontal stripes. Underneath it, he puts on a white shirt with long sleeves. He then finishes his look with black trousers and shoes.

     Meanwhile, Sophia steps onto the porch, and the wind blows her long, loose blonde hair. Sophia has a white shirt under a sandy taupe-brown shirt, their sleeves folded to her elbows. White linen fabrics wrap around her forearms, covering her skin. A sword rests inside her scabbard that dangles at her waist, and her knee-length laced leather boots complement her trousers and belt.