"Help? What kind of help are you talking about?" Lucan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Actually, before we get into that, why don't we bring in the people waiting outside?" Morbis suggested with a cheerful grin, gesturing towards the door. "They've been out there long enough. Time to let them in."
"Wait, there are others here?" Lucan asked, clearly surprised.
"Yep, my party members. I'll go get them."
Julia stepped outside the temple, returning shortly with two women in tow.
"These are my party members, Hima and Olive," she announced, crossing her arms.
"I'm Hima, a magician," the blonde woman said with a friendly smile.
"And I'm Olive, an assassin," the dark-haired woman added, her voice cool and composed.
Hima was striking, with her flowing blonde hair and an inviting smile that made her bright blue eyes light up. Her robe, a mix of deep blue and silver, shimmered as she moved, the runes on it almost alive with energy. She carried a long, ornate staff topped with a faintly glowing crystal, completing her image as a powerful magician.
Olive, on the other hand, had an air of mystery and danger about her. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, her sharp, angular face framed by a few loose strands. Her piercing green eyes missed nothing, and her all-black assassin's outfit, sleek and full of hidden pockets, only added to her menacing aura.
Knives were strapped to her waist and thighs, and a thin black scarf was ready to be pulled up over her face at a moment's notice.
Both looked every bit the seasoned adventurers they were: Hima, with her mystical aura, and Olive, with her lethal demeanor. Hima seemed to be in her late twenties, while Olive looked a bit younger, perhaps in her early twenties.
"I've heard a lot about you from Julia... stories from your academy days and that camping trip..." Hima teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Hey, don't bring up irrelevant stuff!" Julia snapped, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she glared at Hima. "It's not like it matters now."
Olive remained silent, her expression unreadable, though she gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
"So, it's just the three of you? Or are there more in your group?" Lucan asked, trying to shift the conversation.
"It's just us. We're known as the Three Butterflies, an all-female adventurer party," Julia said with a hint of pride, though she quickly looked away, pretending it was no big deal.
Lucan had heard that strong adventurers often had unique personalities, and as he observed them, he couldn't help but agree. These women had clearly proven themselves, having reached A-rank status at a young age.
As Lucan considered this, Hima placed a hand on Julia's shoulder, leaning in slightly.
"So, did you ask him yet?"
Julia hesitated, her eyes flicking to Lucan before quickly looking away. "Not... not yet."
"Come on, Julia, we're in a tough spot here," Hima urged gently.
Julia sighed, then turned to Lucan with a reluctant expression. "We need a place to stay."
"Huh?"
"Just for tonight! The temple, or whatever. I don't care," she added quickly, her voice tinged with annoyance.
Lucan blinked, surprised by her sudden request. He glanced at Hima for more explanation.
"We tried getting rooms at the inn, but it's full. Morbis mentioned we might be able to stay here," Hima explained, giving Lucan a hopeful smile.
"No rooms at the inn, huh? That happens," Lucan mused. "It's a small town. Not many options."
"Look, if you're going to say no, just say it," Julia huffed, crossing her arms defensively.
Lucan smiled slightly, amused by her reaction. "You can stay here. There's plenty of room."
"See? Told you it would work out!" Hima grinned at Julia.
Julia looked relieved but quickly scowled. "It's not like I was worried or anything."
"Of course not," Hima said, laughing softly.
As the three women began chatting amongst themselves, Lucan watched Julia, wondering to himself, Does she still have feelings for me?
Behind a half closed door was white fox. The white fox red eyes were looking at Julia, with unkind expression.