Chapter 189 – A Relaxing Date, a Nostalgic Memory, a Pleasant Plan, and Then…

Chapter 189

A Relaxing Date, a Nostalgic Memory, a Pleasant Plan, and Then…

Date : Day 2 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Leaving Gentlemen's Knowledge behind, Hyoren and Elise stepped back onto the streets of Akela City.

The crisp winter air immediately greeted them once again. After the warmth of the bookstore, the cold felt noticeably sharper. Their breaths became faint white mist as they walked.

Still linked arm in arm, Elise tilted her head toward Hyoren.

"So… We're going to the café you mentioned earlier?"

Hyoren nodded.

"Yeah. It's nearby."

He smiled before pointing farther down the street.

"Actually… You can already see it from here."

Elise followed the direction of his finger.

Just two buildings away stood a charming two-story establishment.  Like most buildings in Akela, it was constructed from sturdy gray stone and dark ironwood. 

However, unlike the neighboring shops, this one stood out immediately. Its large canopy had been painted a vibrant orange that added a cheerful splash of color to the winter streets. Decorative flower boxes lined the windows, while elegant ornaments hung beneath the canopy, giving the storefront a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Above the entrance hung a colorful wooden sign. Dessert and Blessing. The name alone made its specialty obvious. A café dedicated to sweets and desserts.

Elise's emerald eyes widened slightly.

"Wow… It looks fancy."

She looked more carefully at the entrance before adding,

"And it's packed..."

Hyoren chuckled.

"Looks like Dandi wasn't exaggerating."

Just as Elise had noticed, the café was bustling with customers.

Most of the guests were women chatting happily over colorful desserts and steaming drinks. Here and there, couples occupied tables together, enjoying the peaceful afternoon atmosphere.

Even the open terrace was nearly full.

Despite the cold winter weather, customers continued sitting outside beneath thick clothes and portable heaters. Many of them happily enjoyed elaborate parfaits crowned with fresh fruits and whipped cream.

Some were even eating chilled desserts that seemed completely unsuitable for winter.

Yet judging by the smiles on their faces—none of them seemed to mind the cold in the slightest.

Instead, laughter and cheerful conversations drifted from the café, filling the street with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the winter air.

Hyoren and Elise crossed the street together before stepping through the café's entrance.

The soft brass bell above the door chimed pleasantly as they entered. A wave of warmth immediately washed over them.

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet fragrance of baked pastries, vanilla cream, and fresh fruit, filling the entire café with an inviting scent.

Not long after they stepped inside, a young waitress wearing a crisp apron over a brightly colored uniform approached them with a professional smile.

"Welcome to Dessert and Blessing."

She gave a polite bow.

"A table for two, dear customers?"

Before Hyoren could answer, she glanced toward the crowded dining area.

"I'm terribly sorry, but all of our indoor tables are currently occupied."

She maintained her pleasant smile.

"If you don't mind… We still have several seats available on the outdoor terrace."

She gestured toward the upper floor.

"But please don't worry. Our heating magic tools are inspected regularly. They'll keep you perfectly warm."

Hyoren glanced at Elise. She simply smiled and gave a small nod.

"That's fine. If there's a heater, we're happy to sit outside."

The waitress bowed once more.

"Certainly. Please follow me."

She led the two of them deeper into the café. Rather than remaining on the first floor, they climbed the wooden staircase leading to the second level.

Moments later, they stepped onto the open terrace beneath the café's signature bright orange canopy.

The terrace overlooked the lively Merchants’ District below. Customers chatted quietly around nearby tables while the occasional merchant wagon rolled through the street beneath them. 

The waitress guided them toward a table tucked away in one corner of the terrace. From there, they enjoyed an excellent view of the avenue below. At the same time, the corner offered enough privacy that they wouldn't constantly be disturbed by the surrounding customers.

A heating magic tool had been installed in the middle of the terrace, releasing a gentle warmth that comfortably chased away the winter chill without becoming overly hot.

The waitress carefully placed two leather-bound menu books onto the table.

As Elise prepared to sit down, Hyoren instinctively pulled out her chair for her.

Elise smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Hyoren."

Hyoren smiled back at her.

"You're welcome."

Only after Elise had comfortably taken her seat did Hyoren sit down opposite her. Meanwhile, Elise had already begun browsing the menu with clear interest.

The waitress retrieved a small notebook and pen from her apron pocket.

"What would you like to order, dear customers?"

Elise barely needed another glance.

"I'll have one Specialty Parfait."

She continued smoothly.

"One slice of Rainlume Cake. And your house blends Yilmint Herb Tea."

The waitress's pen moved with practiced efficiency across the page.

"Certainly."

She then turned toward Hyoren.

"And for you, sir?"

Hyoren studied the menu more carefully.

Almost every dessert listed was sweet. Cheesecake. Sun-Melon Gelato. Crêpes. Dew-Heart Cake. Crimson-whip tarts. Various pastries whose names he had never even heard before.

His gaze eventually settled on something familiar. At least, he hoped it was familiar.

"I'll have your house blend coffee."

He pointed to another item.

"And… These Chocolate Cookies."

From both the illustration and the brief description, they looked remarkably similar to the chocolate cookies he remembered from Earth. Even the name was identical. Hopefully, the taste would be just as familiar.

The waitress quickly wrote everything down before closing her notebook.

"Thank you very much for your order. Please give us a little time to prepare everything."

She gave one final courteous bow before returning inside the café.

Soon, only Hyoren and Elise remained at their quiet corner table.

The gentle murmur of conversations drifted around them as they waited, accompanied by the occasional clink of cups and plates from inside the café. Above them, the vibrant orange canopy fluttered softly in the winter breeze, while beyond the terrace railing, the bustling streets of Akela continued their lively rhythm below.

***

It didn't take long before the waitress returned. Balanced effortlessly upon one hand was a polished wooden tray.

Her movements were practiced and graceful, showing the confidence of someone who had repeated the same routine countless times. With gentle precision, she began placing each order onto the table one by one.

First—the café's signature parfait. 

It was enormous. Served inside a tall crystal glass, layer after layer of colorful ingredients filled it nearly to the brim. Fresh fruits were carefully arranged around generous swirls of whipped cream. Bright Moss-berries, slices of Sun-melon, and pieces of Dew-heart fruit added vibrant splashes of color, while crunchy biscuits and sweet syrup completed the extravagant presentation.

Simply looking at it, Hyoren already felt full.

"That's huge…"

Across from him, however, Elise's emerald eyes sparkled. She leaned forward ever so slightly, completely captivated by the beautifully presented dessert.

"It looks delicious..."

Next came a neatly plated slice of Rainlume Cake.

The vivid blue fruit decorating its top glistened beneath the warm café lights like tiny gemstones. A thin layer of cream separated the fluffy sponge cake, while delicate fruit glaze gave the entire dessert an elegant finish.

Then came Hyoren's order.

A plate of freshly baked chocolate cookies. The rich aroma immediately drifted upward. The slightly cracked surface, dark brown color, and scattered chocolate chunks made them look remarkably similar to the cookies he remembered from Earth.

Please taste the same...

Hyoren silently prayed.

Finally, the waitress placed down their drinks.

A steaming cup of house-blend coffee settled before Hyoren. The pleasant roasted aroma immediately reached his nose.

Beside it, Elise's Yilmint Herb Tea rested inside a delicate porcelain cup, faint wisps of fragrant steam slowly rising into the winter air.

Once everything had been arranged neatly, the waitress stepped back and gave another courteous bow.

"Please enjoy your meal, dear customers."

With that, she quietly excused herself and returned inside the café.

Left alone once again, Hyoren and Elise looked over the assortment of desserts spread across their table. 

***

Hyoren smiled as he looked across the table.

"Elise… Can you really finish all of that?"

Elise tilted her head innocently. Her long silver hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulder.

"Why would you even ask, Hyoren? Of course I can."

A playful smile appeared on her lips.

"Or..."

She glanced at the towering parfait before looking back at him.

"Do you want some too? Then let's order another one!"

Hyoren visibly winced.

"N-No..."

He quickly shook his head.

"I already feel full just looking at it..."

Elise couldn't help giggling.

"Fufufu. Silly Hyoren."

Without wasting another second, she picked up her dessert spoon.

"Enough talking. I want to eat!”

Hyoren chuckled and nodded.

"Alright. Let's eat."

Elise's smile blossomed.

With obvious excitement, she scooped up a generous spoonful of the parfait. The spoon disappeared into her mouth. Her cheeks immediately puffed up as she savored the sweet dessert.

"Mmmmmm..."

She slowly closed her eyes.

"This is bliss..."

Not even a few seconds later, she scooped another spoonful. This time, it included a piece of vibrant blue Rainlume fruit, her favorite fruit.

"Mmm… Yes… This truly is a blessing."

She smiled brightly.

"The café's name really suits it."

She continued happily eating one spoonful after another, taking her time to savor every bite.

Across the table, Hyoren watched her with warm eyes.

Seeing her enjoying herself so wholeheartedly… Somehow… That alone made coming here worthwhile…

A small smile naturally formed on his face.

Only after watching her for another moment did he finally reach toward his own plate. He picked up one of the chocolate cookies before casually tossing it into his mouth. With a satisfying crunch, the crisp texture immediately gave way to a rich sweetness.

Hyoren blinked slightly.

Oh… It really tastes like a chocolate cookie…

A quiet sense of relief washed over him.

Before taking the first bite, he had prepared himself for something completely different. After all, even if two foods shared the same name across worlds, there was no guarantee they would taste alike. Yet this one, it was surprisingly familiar. The rich cocoa flavor. The buttery aroma. The satisfying crunch.

It reminded him almost perfectly of the chocolate cookies from Earth.

I guess things like chocolate and cookies can transcend worlds too...

It wasn't the first time he had encountered familiar foods. Bread. Coffee. And several other everyday staples all existed in both Earth and Kresneger. Although each world prepared them a little differently. Their essence remained remarkably similar.

Hyoren then reached for his coffee.

Ignoring the small portions of sugar and milk served alongside it, he took a sip exactly as it was. He had always preferred black coffee.

A pleasant bitterness spread across his tongue. It carried a gentle acidity, followed by a surprisingly smooth, almost nutty finish that lingered comfortably in his mouth.

His eyebrows rose.

This is good… Really good…

In fact… This is significantly better than the coffee Ina usually kept stocked at our mansion…

Hyoren found himself genuinely impressed.

Originally, he had only come because he knew Elise would love to try this newly opened café, considering she loved dessert.

Now, he could easily see himself returning. Even if only for the coffee. Especially considering Dessert and Blessing was only a stone's throw away from Gentlemen's Knowledge.

Whenever he came to browse books at Dandi's shop. Stopping here afterward for a cup of coffee suddenly sounded like a rather pleasant habit to start.

***

For a while, the two of them simply enjoyed the desserts before them. Well—mostly Elise. It didn't take long for her to completely finish the enormous parfait.

Hyoren watched the now-empty crystal glass before glancing at Elise's slender figure. He genuinely couldn't understand it.

Where does all of it even go…?

Meanwhile, he had only managed to finish two chocolate cookies.

Elise gently placed her dessert spoon on the plate before leaning comfortably against the back of her chair.

"Haaah..."

She let out a satisfied sigh.

"That was… So delicious..."

She smiled dreamily.

"I could eat that every single day."

Hyoren chuckled.

"Please don't."

Elise covered her mouth with a soft giggle.

"Fufufu. I'm only joking… Mostly."

She glanced once more at the empty parfait glass.

"But it really was that good."

A moment later, another thought crossed her mind.

"Next time… Let's bring Ina here too."

Her smile softened.

"She'd absolutely love these desserts."

Hyoren took another sip of his coffee before nodding in agreement.

"Yeah. She definitely would."

Only then did Elise finally begin eating her Rainlume Cake. Unlike before—she no longer rushed. Instead, she cut off small pieces with her fork, taking slow, elegant bites as though she wanted her favorite fruit cake to last as long as possible.

After finishing one bite, she looked back at Hyoren.

"By the way… We still have eight more days before entering the dungeon again."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Are we really going to do... nothing until then?"

Hyoren lowered his coffee cup onto its saucer.

"Hmm… Now that you mention it..."

He thought quietly for a moment.

"I know we're supposed to rest. But..."

He reached for another cookie.

"I think my body's already recovered after these past two days."

Taking a bite, he continued after swallowing.

"We're going to the Snow Festival on the tenth. So… Doing absolutely nothing for another week just feels..."

He searched for the right word.

"Wrong…"

He gave a small, helpless laugh.

"We can train. I can read more books. But… There are only so many things we can do. Haha."

Elise tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.

"I know what you mean. I don't really want to spend the entire week lounging around the mansion either."

Silence gradually settled between them once again.

For a while, Hyoren quietly looked around the terrace.

His gaze wandered over the surrounding tables before eventually settling on one particular object standing in the middle—a cylindrical heating magic tool.

Runes had been engraved along its dark metal body, while a crystal embedded at its center emitted a gentle crimson glow. Warm air continuously radiated from it, comfortably driving away the winter chill.

Now that I think about it...

Hyoren suddenly realized something.

Despite sitting on an open terrace in the middle of winter… It didn't feel cold at all…

The heating magic tool was doing an exceptional job.

His gaze naturally drifted beyond the terrace. Far above the city, Silver Luna had already begun its slow descent toward the western horizon. Its pale silver light gently illuminated the rooftops of Akela, signaling that evening was still a few hours away.

After quietly admiring the view, Hyoren turned back toward Elise.

"Hey… What if we take on a quest?"

Elise looked up from her cake.

"A quest?"

Hyoren nodded.

"Yeah. A low-rank one. Something we could finish in two or three days."

He smiled.

"That would still leave us plenty of time to rest before the Snow Festival."

He rested one elbow on the table.

"Think about it. We could gather herbs. Or clear out some weak monsters. Nothing exhausting."

He chuckled softly.

"We could just enjoy the journey. It'd be better than staying cooped up inside the city all week."

Elise slowly played with her fork. Then—she looked at him with an expression somewhere between disbelief and amusement.

"Hyoren… Are you serious?"

Hyoren blinked.

"Huh?"

Elise pointed her dessert fork toward him.

"You forgot it's winter?"

She let out a gentle giggle.

"Fufufu. Most adventurers actually become less active during this season. It's simply too cold outside."

She continued thoughtfully.

"Of course… Our temperature-controlled cloaks help. And our tents also have temperature control."

She nodded.

"But… The weather is still freezing. We wouldn't be able to enjoy camping like we usually do. We'd probably spend most of our time hiding inside the tent."

She smiled softly.

"At that point… It wouldn't feel much different from staying inside a dungeon. Fufufu."

Hyoren quietly listened. Then, a smile slowly spread across his face.

"Elise… What if we bought one of those?"

He pointed toward the cylindrical heating magic tool standing in the middle of the terrace. Its crimson crystal continued glowing warmly.

Elise followed his finger. Her emerald eyes widened.

"That's true…"

She blinked several times before laughing softly at herself.

"How did I never think of that?"

She looked back at the heater.

"Portable heating magic tools are quite expensive. So… I never even considered buying one for traveling."

She smiled sheepishly.

"But..."

Hyoren's grin grew wider. He finished Elise's words.

"But we're loaded now, right? Haha. We can actually afford little luxuries like that. Right?"

Elise looked at him for a second. Then she laughed.

"Fufufu… I suppose that's true."

She shook her head with an amused smile.

"It's strange… For so many years, I automatically dismissed expensive things without even thinking about them."

Her eyes returned to the softly glowing heater.

"But now… We really can buy one.”

Hyoren's gaze gradually drifted away from the lively streets below.

His thoughts wandered far beyond Akela City.

Toward a place forever engraved within both his and Elise's memories—the Whispering Forest. A peaceful forest where a constant, gentle breeze flowed endlessly through the towering Humming Pinewood trees.

Whenever the wind slipped between their countless branches, the trees answered with their signature melody. A low, gentle, and endless humming. The soothing melody always calmed his heart. It was almost as if the entire forest itself was quietly singing.

Then, his memories carried him even deeper.

Toward the paradise hidden within that ancient forest. The secluded clearing. The crystal-clear spring endlessly gushing from the earth. The tranquil pond whose pristine waters shimmered with faint blue light of Aethell. Around the water bloomed fields upon fields of glowing flowers.

Towering Humming Pinewood trees surrounded the entire clearing like silent guardians, sheltering the little paradise from the outside world.

The light of the Three Moons reflected perfectly across the still pond, while the crystal spring continued sending gentle ripples across the glowing water.

Everything together—created an ethereal sight. An untouched paradise hidden deep within the heart of the Whispering Forest.

More importantly, it was a place unlike any other. For both Hyoren and Elise. It was there, that they had finally laid bare everything hidden within their hearts. It was there that they confessed their feelings to one another. And it was there that the two of them finally became lovers.

A small smile naturally formed on Hyoren's face.

He turned toward Elise.

"What about… We go back to the Whispering Forest?"

Elise looked up hearing the words.

Hyoren continued quietly.

"We can accept another herb gathering quest."

He paused for a brief moment. Then smiled warmly.

"Just the two of us… Just like before..."

Elise's emerald eyes widened. The fork in her hand stopped halfway to the Rainlume Cake. For a moment, the dessert was completely forgotten.

She remembered it too. Every precious memory they had shared there. The surprise on her face slowly melted into a gentle, affectionate smile.

Her voice became almost a whisper.

"Just the two of us..."

A faint blush gradually colored her cheeks.

"I really like the sound of that…"

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fork she was holding. Then she looked directly into Hyoren's eyes.

"Actually… I've wanted to visit that place again for quite some time."

She smiled softly.

"Not because of the herbs. Not because of the quest."

Her expression became incredibly gentle.

"I simply wanted to return… To the place where our story truly began."

Hyoren slowly nodded. His expression was mirroring Elise.

For a brief moment—the bustling café around them seemed to fade away. There were still customers laughing. Cups still clinked against saucers. Yet neither of them heard any of it.

Their hearts had already wandered far from Akela City—and returned to a quiet forest where the wind endlessly whispered through the trees, and where two souls had become one.

***

After a while, both Hyoren and Elise finished their afternoon snacks. The last sip of coffee. The last bite of Rainlume Cake.

Satisfied, they stood from their seats.

Hyoren settled the bill before the two quietly descended the staircase. The soft bell above the entrance rang once again as they stepped outside. The familiar winter breeze greeted them immediately.

They had found a new purpose, extending their date, towards their nostalgic place.

Standing before Dessert and Blessing, Hyoren turned toward Elise. She also looked toward him. Their eyes met.

Then, without planning it—the two spoke simultaneously.

"Let's go to the Gilded Scale now."

"Let's buy the heater now."

Silence followed for only a heartbeat. Then, the two burst into laughter together.

"Hahaha..."

"Fufufu."

Hyoren rubbed the back of his head.

"So we really were thinking about the same thing."

Elise nodded happily.

"It seems so. If we're going back to the Whispering Forest at this season…"

Her smile became gentle.

"I want us to be comfortable."

Hyoren smiled back.

"Then there's no reason to wait."

Without hesitation, he extended his arm toward her.

"Let's go, Elise."

Elise looked at him for a brief moment before her expression softened.

She gently slipped both hands around his arm once again.

"Mhm. Let's go."

Walking side by side, the two left the lively café behind.

The afternoon crowd continued bustling around them as merchant wagons rolled along the stone streets and customers wandered between the surrounding shops.

Neither of them paid much attention.

Their thoughts were already focused on the journey ahead.

Not long afterward, a familiar storefront came into view. Above the entrance hung the elegant gilded sign they had visited several times before—the Gilded Scale. The magic tool shop that had become their usual destination whenever they needed quality magical equipment.

Without slowing their pace, Hyoren and Elise stepped through its entrance together.

***

The brass bell above the entrance gave a soft chime as Hyoren and Elise stepped into the magic tool shop.

The familiar interior welcomed them with its quiet, refined atmosphere.

The shop was owned by the Fireforge’s twins. Fireforge's Balin, whose magnificent beard was silver. And Fireforge's Gror, whose shorter beard was a fiery red.

To Hyoren's surprise, however, only one of them was present today.

Balin sat behind a sturdy worktable near the back of the shop. Wearing a monocle over one eye, the dwarf was completely absorbed in tinkering with a small metallic box covered in intricate runes. It was undoubtedly some kind of magic tool.

The silver-bearded dwarf finally noticed the newcomers. He looked up from his work before removing his monocle with a smile.

"Well, well. If it isn't Hyoren and Elise."

He carefully placed the monocle onto the worktable before walking over to the velvet-covered counter at the front of the shop.

"What can I do for you today?"

He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Need another appraisal? Or perhaps you've come to buy more clocks for your mansion?"

Hyoren smiled wryly.

After their first purchase, Freedom Party had decided to purchase several more magic clocks so everyone in the mansion could keep track of time and become more punctual.

He rested one hand on the counter.

"No appraisals today, Balin. And we definitely have enough watches now."

He paused for a moment before glancing around the shop.

"But before that… Where's your brother?"

The dwarf stroked his long silver beard.

"Haha. My idiot brother is running an errand in Harvengald. He's restocking our inventory. Especially the supplies adventurers keep buying for dungeon expeditions. Storage bags. Water orbs. Watches. And plenty of other essentials."

His grin widened proudly.

"More and more adventurers in Akela are finally realizing that levels and status alone aren't enough to conquer a dungeon! Hahaha!"

Hyoren smiled wryly and nodded.

"I see… That's good. They're finally learning."

Balin slapped the counter with a hearty laugh.

"The hard way! Hahahaha!"

His booming laughter echoed throughout the shop.

After wiping the tears of amusement from the corner of his eyes, he looked back at the pair.

"So… What do you need today?”

Hyoren smiled.

"We need a portable heater, Balin. We're planning to camp outside soon, but the weather has become quite chilly."

Elise nodded with a gentle smile.

"We'd like the best one you have, Balin. The kind that can warm a wide area."

She clasped her hands together.

"I want our campsite to feel nice and warm."

Balin crossed his thick arms over his chest.

"I see..."

He let out a hearty chuckle.

"I won't question why the two of you want to go camping in the middle of winter. Hahaha."

He gave a confident nod.

"But wait here for a moment. I've got the perfect thing for you."

Without another word, the dwarf disappeared into the storeroom.

Only a minute later, he returned carrying not one, but two different magic tools. He carefully placed both of them onto the velvet-covered counter.

The first immediately caught Hyoren's attention. He recognized it at once.

It was identical to the heater installed on the terrace of Dessert and Blessing. A long, dark metal cylinder stood roughly one meter tall and about thirty centimeters in diameter. Intricate runes were engraved around its body, while a reddish crystal embedded at its center remained dormant for now, its glow absent without Aethell flowing through it.

Beside it rested the second magic tool.

Compared to the first, this one looked much simpler. It was also a dark metal cylinder, but significantly smaller. About the length of a short baton, it could easily be carried with one hand.

Balin rested a hand on the larger device.

"This is The Heater."

He proudly patted its sturdy metal frame.

"It can comfortably warm an area roughly twenty to twenty-five meters around it."

He pointed toward the runic dial engraved near the top.

"You can also adjust the temperature. A gentle warmth. Or something much hotter."

He continued his explanation while tracing another set of runes.

"You can even control its effective range. Anywhere from about ten meters up to roughly twenty."

He laughed proudly.

"With this, you can enjoy the warmth of your home even in the middle of nowhere. Even if you're camping surrounded by snow."

He then raised a finger.

"Of course… The higher the temperature you set… And the larger the area you ask it to heat… The more Aethell it consumes. So if you insist on using it in the middle of a snowstorm, you'll probably have to replenish its Aethell every hour or so."

He shrugged casually.

"But under normal winter weather like we're having now..."

He confidently tapped the heater once more.

"A single charge is enough to keep it running throughout the entire night.”

Hyoren nodded in satisfaction as he listened. It certainly sounded like exactly what they needed.

Balin grinned proudly.

"But… You asked for the best."

He rested a hand on The Heater.

"So naturally… It isn't cheap."

He raised eight thick fingers.

"Eight million Kres!"

Elise didn't even flinch. Instead, she smiled calmly.

"We can afford it, Balin."

She looked at the large heater with clear approval.

"And it's exactly what we need."

Hyoren nodded in agreement. Their financial situation was looking good after they started diving to the dungeon, so they could afford luxuries like these.

His attention soon shifted toward the second magic tool resting beside it.

Compared to The Heater, it looked rather plain. He picked it up and examined it from several angles.

"So… What's this one?"

Balin's grin widened.

"I figured you two crazy lovebirds planning to camp in the middle of winter might appreciate another recommendation."

He gestured with his chin.

"That is called the Water Warmer. You simply place it into a body of water. A basin. A tub. Even a small pond."

He made a small circular motion with his hand.

"Leave it there for a while… And the cold water gradually becomes pleasantly warm."

He chuckled.

"Perfect for soaking yourselves after a long day of traveling."

Another confident tap landed on the device.

"Convenient, right? And… It's cheap."

He proudly declared,

"Only two million Kres!"

Hyoren smiled wryly.

Cheap he says...

That certainly depended on who was doing the buying. Two million Kres was hardly a small amount. Still, compared to The Heater, it was indeed considerably less expensive. More importantly, he genuinely wanted it.

Balin had a point.

After spending an entire day traveling through the wilderness, being able to enjoy a warm bath instead of freezing water sounded incredibly tempting.

He turned toward Elise. Without needing to say a word, she immediately understood what he was thinking. She simply smiled and gave a small nod.

Hyoren looked back at Balin.

"Alright. We'll take both."

He smiled gratefully.

"And… Thanks for the recommendation, Balin."

The silver-bearded dwarf folded his arms proudly across his chest.

"Haha! Always a pleasure doing business with you!"

The transaction was completed quickly.

After paying for both magic tools, Elise carefully stored The Heater and the Water Warmer inside her storage bag.

With everything settled, the two thanked Balin once more before bidding the dwarf farewell and leaving Gilded Scale with their newest purchases.

***

Satisfied with their purchases, Hyoren and Elise walked through the streets of Akela City with noticeably lighter steps. The winter air remained chilly, yet neither of them seemed to mind.

Still holding onto Hyoren's arm, Elise looked up at him with a gentle smile.

"Now we're ready, Hyoren..."

Hyoren nodded. He found himself smiling as well.

"Yeah. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the guild first. We'll look for a herb gathering quest. And then we'll go straight to the Whispering Forest."

His eyes softened as the image formed in his mind.

"We'll spend the night there. Relaxing… Reminiscing… Before returning to Akela."

Elise's smile blossomed.

"Mhm!"

Her emerald eyes shone with anticipation.

"I can't wait."

The two lovers continued their leisurely walk home, both already imagining tomorrow's little journey together. Lost in their conversation, neither of them paid much attention to the city around them.

They hardly noticed as they left the Merchants’ District behind and entered Adventurer’s District. The merchants called out to customers. The street vendors displaying their goods. Even the lively Entertainment District along Wyvern Street.

Everything simply faded into the background. Their minds were occupied entirely by the nostalgic trip they had planned together.

Before long, they arrived before their home—Wyvern Street Manor. By now, Silver Luna had nearly reached the horizon.

Hyoren pushed open the front door. The familiar warmth of the mansion greeted them as they stepped inside. The door quietly closed behind them.

The two greeted everyone at the same time.

"Everyone, we're back safely."

"We're back!"

Normally, someone would answer cheerfully from somewhere inside the mansion.

But this time—instead of a greeting—rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway. A moment later, Ina rushed out from the reception room that now also served as the study and library. Her shoulder-length brown hair fluttered behind her as she hurried toward them.

The Cat-clan Beastkin Vice Guild Master wore an unusually stern expression. Her cat ears stood rigidly upright. Even her normally expressive tail had become completely still.

Not long afterward, Arianna and Jackey followed close behind.

Neither of them looked relaxed.

Jackey, who was almost always energetic and cheerful, wore an unusually serious expression. Even his tabby cat tail no longer spiralled playfully behind him. It remained perfectly still.

Besides him, Arianna's expression was difficult to read. The young noblewoman stood with quiet composure, yet the determination reflected within her light blue eyes spoke louder than words.

Ina stopped directly in front of Hyoren and Elise.

Her breathing was slightly uneven, as though she had hurried here the moment she heard the front door open.

Hyoren and Elise exchanged confused glances. Something was clearly wrong.

Hyoren finally broke the silence.

"Huh, Ina? What happened? What's the rush?"

Ina slowly closed her eyes.

She took a deep breath to steady herself. Then she exhaled. When she opened her amber eyes again, the urgency within them remained unchanged.

"Hyoren… There is an emergency."

She paused briefly.

"Adventurer's Guild..."

She immediately corrected herself.

"No..."

Her voice became even more serious.

"Akela Barony needs Freedom Party's help."

Hyoren and Elise slowly widened their eyes.