"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's 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 had 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 four-ring 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 four-ring 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 was still 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.