Days passed in a steady rhythm.
The caravan moved at a asured pace, leaving the borderlands farther behind with each sunrise. Without the influence of necromancy, the nights grew quieter. No undead rose from the soil anymore—only the natural sounds of the forest remained.
Trouble still ca, just of a different kind.
Once, a pack of forest monsters tried to attack the caravan but were killed instead. Another ti, bandits tried their luck, mistaking the slow-moving convoy for easy prey. Each ti, Mike and the others responded without hesitation. The fights were brief and decisive—clean strikes, coordinated spells, and disciplined movent. The enemies never stood a chance.
Seris refined her control over the carriage during the journey, smoothly adjusting speed and direction even on rough terrain. Elina kept the camp safe whener they rested with her powerful barriers. What little danger appeared was handled swiftly and efficiently.
Eventually, the forest thinned, and the road widened into worn stone.
High walls ca into view, banners fluttering above massive gates carved with runic markings. rchants, travelers, and guards moved in orderly streams along the road.
Rykan City stood before them—vast, fortified, and alive with activity.
Mike looked ahead, sighing in relief.
"We’ve arrived," he said.
The caravan rolled forward, passing through the gates and into the heart of Rykan City.
Mike and other then dropped the villagers at adventure guild and taking their mission completed certificate they left the guild as the villagers kept thanking them.
" That was tiring" Mike said coming out as Elina and Seris chuckled.
" Atleast it’s over now" he said as they nodded.
The villagers’ voices followed them even after they stepped out of the Adventurers’ Guild—words of gratitude, deep bows, and relieved smiles lingering in the air.
Mike stretched his shoulders and let out a long breath.
"That was tiring," he said.
Elina smiled softly, twirling her staff once before resting it against her shoulder. Seris adjusted her gloves, a faint chuckle escaping her.
"At least it’s over now," Mike added.
Both of them nodded in agreent.
Mike glanced down the bustling main street. Rykan City was loud and alive—vendors shouting prices, tal clanging from forges, the sll of spices and roasted at drifting through the air. After days of travel and constant vigilance, the city felt almost overwhelming.
He smiled.
"Let’s go eat real food," he said. "An inn, a tavern—sowhere with hot als and actual beds."
Seris’ eyes imdiately lit up. "Finally. If I had to eat one more piece of dried ration bread, I was going to enchant it just to feel better."
Elina laughed quietly. "A warm al does sound nice."
They followed the main road deeper into the city, weaving through crowds until they found a well-kept inn with a carved wooden sign swaying gently above the door. Warm light spilled out through the windows, along with the sll of stew and freshly baked bread.
Mike pushed the door open.
Heat, noise, and laughter washed over them.
He paused for a mont, taking it all in, then smiled again.
"Yeah," he said. "This is exactly what we needed."
They stepped inside, the door closing behind them with a dull thud that shut out the chill of the street.
The inn was crowded but comfortable. Adventurers in worn armor sat around heavy wooden tables, mugs raised, voices overlapping in laughter and rough conversation. A bard played the lute in the corner, the lody light and unhurried. The air was thick with the sll of at stew, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread.
Seris inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing at once.
"I forgot what real food slls like," she muttered.
Elina’s eyes wandered over the room, taking in the warmth and life with quiet appreciation.
" I am already drooling just by slling the food" she said.
" Then what are we waiting for let’s go and eat" he said as they nodded.
They found an empty table near the center of the room. Mike pulled out a chair and sat down, resting his sword against the side. Almost imdiately, a server approached, placing nus on the table.
"What’ll it be?" the woman asked with a practiced smile.
"Everything," Seris said without missing a beat.
The server laughed. "I’ll take that as a complint to the kitchen."
Mike glanced at the nu, then looked up. "Three stews, fresh bread, and whatever’s strongest that won’t knock us out."
Elina added, "And tea, please."
The server nodded and hurried off.
As they waited, the tension that had followed them for days finally began to loosen. Mike leaned back in his chair, eyes half-lidded.
"No ambushes," he said. "No alarms. No monsters."
Seris smirked. "Careful. Saying that out loud usually invites trouble."
Elina smiled faintly. "Not tonight. Tonight, we rest."
The food arrived soon after, steaming bowls set before them. Mike picked up his spoon, the golden glow that so often surrounded him completely gone.
He no longer have to keep his senses sharp even eating now that they are inside the city.
He no longer had to keep his senses sharp, not even while eating. Inside the city walls, surrounded by people and light, Mike allowed himself to relax for the first ti in days.
The spoon dipped into the stew. Warm. Rich. Real.
He took a bite and let out a quiet breath.
"...Yeah. This is good."
Seris was already halfway through her bowl, clearly enjoying herself. Elina ate more slowly, savoring the calm.
Then—
CLANG—! CLANG—! CLANG—!
A loud bell rang out, sharp and urgent, cutting straight through the inn’s warmth.
The chatter died instantly.
The bard stopped mid-note. Mugs froze halfway to mouths. For half a second, the entire inn was silent.
Then chaos erupted.
"That bell—!"
"It’s the siege alarm!"
"Monster wave! From the outer forest!"
Chairs scraped back as people stood. Adventurers grabbed weapons. A city guard burst through the door, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Siege bell! All capable fighters to the city defenses—now! Civilians, evacuate to shelters!"
Another figure rushed in right behind him—an Adventurers’ Guild representative, cloak snapping as she moved.
"Anyone with a guild plate, move out imdiately!" she yelled. "This is not a drill!"
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