Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 66: Search and Rescue, Part Three

The vast expanse of Iceditch Valley stretched before Enverna, Lianna, Xi, and the other 5 adventurers, a crystalline canyon cloaked in the hush of winter’s grasp. The drastic change in climate, almost feeling like they’d entered a whole new biome, didn’t make much sense but like most things, people just attributed this oddity to the mana that roamed freely throughout the world and bent reality in whichever way it wanted.

As the trio stood at the back of the group of adventurers gathered for the Search and Rescue mission, Xi took a deep breath, the frosty air weaving through the strands of her light, golden hair.

Enverna’s gaze was pried away from her and it wandered over the snow-laden scenery. It was no wonder to her that a group of explorers had gotten lost in a place like this. From Enverna’s perspective, it almost felt like that was the only possible outcome of walking through here.

Lianna, casually leaning against a snow-covered rock, seemed more interested in the snowflakes forming an avant-garde pattern on the jacket she’d bought.

Xi stepped forward, her voice cutting through the serene stillness.

"I’ve always believed in the power of harmony," she began, her tone serene amidst the quietude of the valley. "The Peaceful guides me to seek equilibrium, to bring together the disparate elements of this world."

Enverna, fingers idly tracing the hilt of her spear, listened intently. Lianna, catching a snowflake on her tongue, turned to Xi with a smile.

"Sounds fancy. Enverna’s Constellation’s more about, uh..."

She glanced at Enverna, wriggling her brows.

[What’s that look supposed to mean? Do not look at me like that!]

Xi arched a brow but didn’t say anything.

"I’m sure your Constellation brings you peace in their own way."

Enverna, ever composed, nodded, trying to push her blush off her face.

"Indeed, each Constellation has its unique essence."

Lianna, taking a step closer, added:

"So, all you want is to, uh, keep the world... peaceful?"

"Is it ’all’ I want? Of course not," Xi chuckled. "I mean, besides my interest in studying the two of you, spending time with a pair of beautiful ladies certainly helped me make my decision."

Lianna, still catching snowflakes, laughed a little. Enverna just turned away.

"You people are far too casual about dishing out your feelings."

"I’d argue you don’t dish out yours enough, babe."

Enverna shot Lianna a quizzical look, to which Lianna responded with a nonchalant shrug.

Xi cleared her throat and continued.

"My hope is that your mission and mine align. It’s always nice to find a new ally."

"... And, if it does not?" Enverna asked. She didn’t mean to make it sound like a threat or anything, she was genuinely just curious.

"If I deem that your Constellation is neutral to the current ongoings of the world, then, that is no problem, though it would be a shame. If your Constellation seeks to disturb the world’s peace, however, then, it’s only logical that we should have a fight to the death at some point, no?"

Enverna and Lianna both just blinked.

"My first impression of you, however, is that this is not the case. So, I believe that is rather unlikely."

As the group’s leader stood before them, the trio went quiet.

Gareth, a seasoned adventurer with a grizzled demeanor, took charge. The wind whispered through the canyon as he cleared his throat, the collective breath of the party forming ethereal clouds in the cold air.

Gareth’s eyes scanned the faces of the assembled adventurers.

"Alright, everyone, listen up. We’re here to find the missing explorers last seen near the Iceditch Valley. Before I go over what we know, I wanna point out that we do have some rookies with us. Enverna, Lianna, and Xi, since two of you are new additions and one of you literally isn’t in our guild, do any of you know the protocol for Search and Rescue?"

Lianna, always ready with a quip, raised her hand with an exaggerated flourish.

"Yep!"

Gareth’s grizzled features softened into a wry smile.

"Alright, Lianna, impress us."

Lianna stood with an air of theatrical confidence, her hands placed on her hips.

"First, we go over the information that we have... Obviously."

Gareth paused.

"Y-Yes, obviously. And then?"

Lianna continued, ticking off points on her fingers.

"We conduct a systematic search, covering the area in a coordinated manner. Use all available resources, like tracking skills and magical abilities, to find any clues. Double-check."

Gareth’s gaze became more approving.

"And after that?"

Lianna grinned.

"We, the low-ranks, take whatever the explorers have and pack it up, making sure not to harm any property otherwise we will be held individually liable for any damages! Then, we set up a nice tent and make a bit of coffee for anyone who wants some," Lianna said, pulling out a battery-powered coffee machine from her Inventory.

"Perfect," Gareth replied. "Spoken like a low-rank vet."

Enverna looked back and forth between them.

[Is that seriously what goes on in the low-rank courses? I always thought Lianna was half-joking about this sort of thing. Oh my word...]

"The rest of you, you’ll mostly be handling the explorers’ bodies. Alive or dead, of course. We’ll want to bring their bodies back for their families. Also, obviously, if there happen to be any Fiends around, the rest of you will help fight them but, remember, we’re here for Search and RESCUE, if we don’t *have* to fight a Fiend, we won’t."

He clapped his hands.

"Now, is anyone here a Scout?"

Lianna put her hand up. No one else did.

Enverna shook her head with a smile at how excited she looked.

[By the grace of Saren, she’s rather silly sometimes.] The sight was rather heartwarming.

"You’re up then, rookie. Go ahead and scout the area for us. Stay as far from danger as you can."

"Consider it done, captain!" Lianna said, turning to Enverna. "Wish me luck," she whispered.

After a brief time spent preparing, Lianna was about to go.

"Shall I accompany you?" Enverna asked.

"As much as I’d like that, I think it might be better if I go alone," Lianna told her with a slightly reluctant expression. "I don’t want to get too reliant on you. But, hey, don’t make that face!" She giggled. "I’ll be as safe as possible."

"... Alright then."

With that, Lianna headed out.

As Lianna gracefully melted into the snowy landscape, Xi, seizing the opportunity, approached Enverna with a subtle air of curiosity.

"Enverna," Xi suddenly began to ask, her tone casual but laden with curiosity, "Could you tell me something?"

"Sure."

Xi’s gaze shifted towards the path Lianna had taken, ensuring privacy in their conversation.

"I’ve been observing you and Lianna, and forgive me if this sounds forward, but, for an engaged couple, you two seem... different. Not as affectionate as one might expect."

Enverna, ever poised, met Xi’s eyes with a calm expression.

"Well, everyone has their own way of expressing affection. Lianna and I prefer to keep our private life, well, private."

Xi tilted her head slightly, her interest piqued.

"Is it truly just that? I can sense there’s more to it. Care to enlighten me?"

Enverna paused, considering her words. Looking away, she replied:

"We come from different backgrounds. Lianna’s more used to public displays of affection, while I... I’m not. It doesn’t mean we’re not devoted, we just have a different way of showing it."

Xi raised an eyebrow, a glint of playful skepticism in her eyes.

"Different backgrounds, huh? Is that all there is to it?"

Enverna chuckled softly, recognizing Xi’s probing nature.

"Believe me, Xi, there’s nothing sinister beneath the surface. We’re still figuring things out, like any... c-couple. And for now, we’re content with our own pace."

Xi smiled knowingly, her curiosity lingering.

"Fair enough. That said, if you’d like an unbiased perspective on whatever is going on, I am more than willing to listen. Whether it’s about Constellation business or simple matters of the heart."

Enverna stopped to think about it.

[... Would it truly be alright to talk about this with her?]

In all honesty, she was almost tempted to take her up on that offer. Mainly, because she didn’t have anyone to share the complicated feelings she’d been having for a little while now.

The way butterflies appeared in her gut when she laid eyes on a beautiful woman, or how her heart would begin to beat faster just because she felt a casual touch. Or, how she had so much trouble taking her eyes off of certain shapely body parts.

She couldn’t talk to Lianna about it since she was the one whom all of this mainly revolved around.

[Maybe I should try.]

With a hesitant smile, Enverna replied:

"I appreciate the offer, Xi. Admittedly, there is a lot on my mind, and it might be good to get an outsider’s perspective. But let’s focus on the mission for now. We’ve got explorers to find, after all."