With that, Reinhart and Maze set off deeper into the forest, leaving their companions behind. The journey was quiet, the forest's natural ambiance filled their surroundings - the rustling of leaves, the distant hum of insects, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the steady rhythm of their footsteps. With every step closer to the Divine Beast, Reinhart could feel the energy of the Mana concentration grow stronger.
In truth, Reinhart wanted to talk to Maze alone and see what she thought about everything. It was no good on his part to ignore this, even if there were more pressing matters to worry about.
As the dense forest became even thicker and the ambiance quieter, Reinhart finally broke the silence, "Maze... about what Kalissia and the others said back there..."
Maze looked at him for a moment before diverting her gaze, "You don't really need to explain yourself, Reinhart. I'm aware of Kalissia's affection towards you."