The trio had been wandering through the grasslands for what felt like days, surviving on Wyvern meat and sparse conversations. Eventually, the endless green gave way to signs of civilization—a small village nestled in a valley, surrounded by farmland and at the middle is a manor belong to the lord of this very land and a small building that resemble a church.

Smoke rose from chimneys can be see from a distance as the faint sounds of bustling life reached their ears as farmer working their hardest on the fields echo through the air.

“Finally, a place where we could get some answers,” Rimuru said, hand on his forehead, shading his eyes as look at the village from a far.

Rudeus, walking beside him, adjusted his robe as he look at the same direction with Rimuru. “Let’s just hope they’re not hostile. I don’t want another wyvern incident.”

Behind them, Rory Mercury twirled her halberd lazily, her crimson eyes scanning the horizon with an air of disinterest then said with a boring tone. “You two can handle the talking. I’ll deal with anything that needs smashing.”

As they descended the hill, Rory quickly took the lead skipping pass the 2 men as she rest her halberd on to her shoulder like it the thing weight isn't noteworthy. Though her gothic Lolita outfit, combined with her carefree demeanor, drew some occasional glance from Rimuru and Rudeus.

Once they were close enough to the village, Rory decided to scout ahead, leaving the two men alone for a moment.

“She's... something, isn’t she?” Rudeus said, glancing at Rory’s retreating figure as she skipping ahead of them.

Rimuru raised an eyebrow thinking a bit then speak up agreeing with Rudeus words. “That’s one way to put it. She’s strong, that’s for sure.”,

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” Rudeus said with a sly grin, his tone taking on a familiar edge of mischief. “I mean, have you seen her? She’s got that whole ‘dangerous but cute’ thing going on. It’s... distracting.”

Rimuru chuckled. “You’re not wrong. But she’s also an Apostle of Death or something. I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.”

Rudeus smirked. “I don’t know, man. That whole ‘gothic warrior priestess’ vibe kind of adds to the appeal, don’t you think?”

Rimuru sighed, shaking his head but still smiling. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Most people would be too scared to think about someone like Rory that way.”

“Hey, I’m just saying what you’re probably thinking too,” Rudeus said, giving Rimuru a slight nudge. “Don’t pretend you’re immune to her charm.”

Rimuru rolled his eyes. “I’m not denying she’s got a certain... presence. But come on, man, you’re making it sound like we’re teenagers gawking at the popular girl in school.”

Rudeus laughed. “Well, if the shoe fits…” He trailed off, glancing toward the village. “Still, there’s something about her. She’s not just powerful—she’s... mysterious. Like she’s got this whole other side we haven’t seen yet.”

Rimuru gave him a side là as he shake his head. “You’re thinking way too much about this, you know. Focus on the village ahead. Who knows what kind of people we’ll run into?”

Rudeus shrugged, his grin unfaltering. “Fine, fine. But don’t come crying to me when she starts looking at you with those red eyes of hers, and you feel your heart skip a beat.”

Rimuru laughed. “Not likely. I’m a slime, remember? I don't have heart to skip ôm the first place”

But then suddenly Rory reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere, her halberd slung casually over her shoulder, cutting their conversation short.

“Talking about me behind my back eh boys?” she asked with a playful smirk, her tone carrying just enough edge to make them wonder had she overheard anything they said.

It reasonable that Both Rimuru and Rudeus froze for a split second before Rimuru recovered and speak up. “Uh, just discussing strategy. You know, how to approach the village.”

Rory raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Sure you were.” her voice fill with irony as she turned and gestured toward the village then speak up. “Come on, let’s go. I’m getting bored, and bored Rory is not a good Rory." As she walked ahead,

Turn to a side Rudeus whispered to Rimuru, “See what I mean? She’s terrifying and attractive at the same time.”

Rimuru sighed, rubbing his temple. “You’re going to get us both killed.”

Rory glanced back, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. “Coming or not?”

The two exchanged a glance before hurrying and catch up with her while silently resolving to keep their thoughts to themselves—at least for now.