Morning.
A cool morning breeze quietly parted the curtains, gently carrying away those precious fragments of the night before.
Only then did Ray, who had been sleeping soundly, slightly furrow his brow and slowly awaken from his deep slumber.
Propping up his somewhat heavy head, after a moment of dazed confusion and dizziness, he finally pushed himself up with his elbow and sat up on the sofa.
A good night's sleep.
His fingertips unconsciously touched his lips, the sensation there had long faded, yet his nerves stubbornly transmitted a non-existent signal, as if some soft imprint still lingered.
Though he was still somewhat bewildered by everything that had happened last night, one fact was crystal clear in his heart.
'The Second Young Miss... had confessed her feelings to me.'
It felt like something out of a novel.
The wealthy young lady falling for the poor guy.
The ultimate repression of desire.
But undeniably, it was the truth.
"Luno, Second Young Miss. It's morning. Time to get up."
Ray walked to the bedroom door and gently knocked.
There was a moment of silence inside before Carlotta's sleepy voice responded: "Okay... I'll get Luno up now."
Her voice was still thick with lingering drowsiness, as if she'd just surfaced from the depths of a dream.
Just then, Anby popped out of the Tacet Mark, lazily stretching before lightly landing on Ray's shoulder.
"Slept great." It squinted. "Time for breakfast, right?"
"Perfect timing. Yes, it's time for breakfast."
Ray walked into the bathroom, unwrapped a disposable toothbrush, and started brushing.
Anby mimicked him, grabbing a pack of mini toothbrushes and brushing along with him, looking quite serious.
Watching Anby battle the toothpaste beside him, Ray suddenly wondered if Anby had been woken up by the Second Young Miss's nocturnal visit last night.
"Hey, Anby." Ray pressed a warm towel to his face, his voice muffled by the steam, asking casually, "Last night... did you hear anything unusual?"
Anby abruptly lifted its little face from the hot water, shook off the droplets, and shook its head blankly. "Unusual? Nope. Didn't I tell you before? Your body's soundproofing is great! Besides when I'm sleeping, nothing can wake me! Unless you call me yourself, even if they're tearing the house down outside, I won't stir."
Hearing this, Ray let out a long, helpless sigh. "I suddenly envy you a little, Anby."
"What's there to envy about that..."
"You don't understand." Ray closed his eyes briefly, as if recalling some unbearable torment. "When you've been busy all day, finally collapse into bed at dawn, thinking you can get a good night's sleep and then the upstairs neighbor's drill starts buzzing! It buzzes!"
"Uh..." Anby tried to imagine it and shrank back a little. "Just hearing that description is already uncomfortable..."
"Right?" Ray sighed softly, hanging the towel aside. "Anyway, since you're well-rested, now that we're heading to the Sanguis Plateaus, it's time for you to show off your skills."
"Don't worry. Leave it to me."
After they finished washing up, hotel room service delivered breakfast right on time.
Today's offerings were traditional Ragunna pastries. Being able to taste such authentic flavors here in Capitoline Hill City drew repeated praise from Carlotta.
Luno, as usual, was picky as if nothing in this world could ever fully satisfy her.
Carlotta maintained her usual elegance, seemingly unaffected by last night's events.
But occasionally, when her gaze happened to meet Ray's, a hint of barely concealed shyness flashed in her eyes, betraying the blossoming feelings in the young lady's heart.
And Ray?
He, on the other hand, seemed perfectly calm.
Though that kiss from the Second Young Miss had certainly left him with much to savor, in both his past and present lives, it was his first romantic encounter, and he hadn't even had a romantic relationship before.
By all rights, he should have been flustered, at a loss.
But strangely, he felt no nervousness at all.
As if such intimacy was not new to him.
Yet Ray was certain this was definitely the first time!
Otherwise, how could he have no memory of it at all?
But why he could act so composed was also a mystery to him.
Anyway: when the sun rises, forget yesterday!
...
...
Afterward, the group left the hotel and met up with Lupa as planned.
"Good morning!" Lupa was as energetic as ever, her smile as bright as the rising sun. "Looks like everyone rested well? Today's the day we set off for the Sanguis Plateaus!"
Ray unconsciously caught her enthusiasm, a smile touching his lips.
He'd always appreciated her vibrant spirit after all, who could resist an always-energetic, cute young woman?
Looking at the eager Lupa, a knowing smile surfaced in Ray's eyes.
He understood that for the people of Septimont, hunting and gladiatorial combat together formed the foundation of their lives.
And for Lupa, who regarded gladiatorial combat as the highest honor, she naturally held an even deeper longing for the hunting expeditions, which also carried glory.
"So, where exactly are the Sanguis Plateaus? How do we get there?" Ray looked at Luno. "By boat? Or some other way?"
Luno gave a light hmph, arms crossed as she walked ahead. "Just follow me. The way to the Sanguis Plateaus... isn't something just anyone can imagine."
Ray looked questioningly at Carlotta. The Second Young Miss could only shake her head helplessly. "I've never been to the Tetragon Temple. Besides, the Sanguis Plateaus... not just anyone is qualified to set foot there, even locals."
"That mysterious?"
Though full of questions, Ray followed Luno out of Capitoline Hill City until they finally stopped at a cliff.
Or rather than a cliff, it was more like the remains of a colossal, broken bridge.
In the distance, within the raging storm, a massive island loomed, its silhouette, like the broken remains of the bridge, appearing as a nightmare's lingering shadow amidst the clouds and mist.
Beneath their feet lay a bottomless chasm.
"So, is that the Sanguis Plateaus ahead?" Ray squinted, gazing at the distant island. "How do we get there? By boat?"
"That's right. How should we get there?" Luno turned around, a sly curl playing at her lips. She backed toward the cliff, step by step, until she reached its edge. Then she suddenly cast a mischievous, impish smile at Ray. "If you want to know... come and catch me."
The moment the words left her mouth, she leaned back and fell into the boundless sea of clouds like a kite with a broken string.
Ray's expression shifted instantly. He lunged to the cliff's edge only to see a griffin burst through the clouds. Luno sat safely on its back, her hair gently dancing in the wind.
"Scared you, didn't I?" Her smile was bright as she patted the griffin's neck. "Don't worry, Augusta already prepared mounts for us. Only true warriors are worthy of setting foot on the path to the Hunting Grounds."
Lupa, already eager, whooped with delight and leaped into the sea of clouds without a second thought.
In the blink of an eye, another griffin caught her, spreading its wings and soaring straight toward the distant Hunting Grounds.
Ray's lips parted slightly, then softened into a resigned, gentle laugh.
He was about to leap into the sea of clouds himself when he felt a warm touch at his fingertips, Carlotta had gently taken his hand, her fingers naturally intertwining with his.
The silver-haired young lady turned her head, exchanging a smile with him, starlight shimmering in her eyes.
The next instant, holding him close, they both leaned forward and plunged together into that surging, pure white expanse.
"Together with me." Her voice scattered on the wind, yet landed clearly in his heart. "Let's fall."