The area near the city walls was still bustling with people. In fact, it seemed even more crowded than before. Perhaps more latecomers had joined the fray. Vendors selling goods on makeshift stalls, much like traveling merchants, had increased in number. There were people calling out to attract customers, others haggling over prices, and even performers resembling jesters walking around on long wooden stilts.

  Fascinating.

  Perhaps this world lacks entertainment, which is why my gaze was unintentionally drawn to them. Even with the stilts, it was the first time I had encountered someone whose eyes were higher than mine. I was so surprised that I took a second look.

  Ah, did I scare them by staring?

  The stilt-walking jester suddenly glanced in my direction, seemed startled, and stumbled. I felt unnecessarily guilty about it. Normally, I’m not the kind of person to apologize easily, but since I just got married, my heart feels infinitely wide and pure.

  I silently muttered, "Sorry, sorry, jester. Be happy."

  Haha, this is how I feel right now. At this moment, I think I could even wish good fortune upon my enemies. I hope everything and everyone in this world finds happiness and has a wonderful day today.

  “Rafa!”

  Ah, I must have been so happy that I momentarily lost focus. Tatiana gently tugged on my clothes, pulling me back to reality.

  “Look over there.”

  When I followed the direction Tatiana was pointing, I noticed a significant number of people gazing intently at the distant sky. Some stretched their necks forward, and a few stood with their mouths agape.

  “Is that normal?”

  “Not sure. That bird’s been hovering there for a while.”

  “Could it be a monster?”

  “It’s enormous.”

  “My son is with the hunters. Do you think he’ll be alright?”

  “Don’t worry. That’s the bird belonging to the Dragon Slayer.”

  “I thought so too. I saw that bird entering the inn window at night. It must be the same one.”

  “You know that tiny bird? I’ve seen it with him as well.”

  Hearing the murmurs of the crowd, I raised my gaze skyward. There, a phoenix was circling far above, gliding gracefully. Even from a distance, I could sense the hostility radiating from it. This must be because Rella was almost devoured by a beast earlier.

  'If I had been even a little later, it could have been a disaster.'

  The thought made my gaze linger on the phoenix. Its movements looked subtly aggressive, as if ready to attack at any moment. Sweat trickled down my forehead. If the bird, which everyone assumed was mine, caused chaos here, it would bring disgrace. Without realizing it, I’d become a public enemy.

  Tatiana seemed to share my thoughts. She whispered with a tense expression, “Rafa, we should hurry. We need to find Rella quickly.”

  “Agreed.”

  While the skinhead probably intended to disrupt us by coming after me, I couldn't help but feel thankful for the distraction.

  Beneath the phoenix circling in the sky, I could see the hunters in the distance. Earlier, they had been scattered near the city walls, but now they had moved quite far out. From this vantage point, they appeared smaller than my fingernails. Rella must be somewhere ahead of them.

  Sigh.

  Let’s go.

  Latecomers recognized me and greeted me warmly as I passed. I nodded in acknowledgment and then took a deep breath.

  “Tatiana, hold on tight.”

  After giving that warning, I started running again. The seemingly endless expanse of land shrank as I sprinted, faster and faster. I felt like I had poured my life’s energy into this moment. I ran so hard that the little trinkets on my gear jingled with every step.

  By the time I reached the hunters, screams of panic echoed all around. Glancing up, I saw the phoenix descending from the sky like a spear plunging into the ground. Without a second thought, I set Tatiana down and launched myself forward. My wind-enhanced legs propelled me upward, and before I knew it, I was soaring through the air.

  This had gone beyond mere jumping—it was practically sky-walking.

  As I rocketed upward like a missile, cheers erupted from the onlookers below. I maneuvered my way beside the plummeting phoenix, reared back my fist, and struck it with just enough force.

  "You troublemaker! You're putting my marriage at risk!"

  Pouring my frustration into the punch, I sent the phoenix reeling backward through the air. For a moment, I worried I might have hit it too hard, but it seemed fine. In the distance, I could see the phoenix crash into the ground, rise back up, and let out a defiant screech.

  It was unbelievably sturdy. I doubted even death could claim it. Perhaps that’s why they call it a phoenix.

  As I descended to the ground, I spotted Rella being swallowed whole by a wolf-like beast. Yet she didn’t appear afraid. With her tiny wings fluttering, she bravely charged straight at the beast’s mouth.

  Oh no.

  This wasn’t going to work. Judging by the phoenix’s earlier behavior, this was no ordinary wolf. Despite its resemblance, the way its fur shifted revealed a small horn on its forehead. This was no common wolf, and Rella was clearly outmatched.

  Before my feet could touch the ground, I changed direction using the wind and launched myself toward the horned wolf. The creature, sensing my approach, turned to face me. I seized the moment, striking its side with a powerful kick.

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  With a grotesque sound, the wolf’s body folded inward, and its mouth fell open, releasing Rella. Fortunately, she seemed unharmed, though she was drenched in saliva.

  I delivered a final blow to the wolf’s head, ensuring its demise. Rella stumbled toward me, flapping her wings furiously.

  “Pibbit!”

  Though she couldn’t yet fly, she clambered onto the wolf’s body, spinning in triumph as if she had taken it down herself. What a funny little creature.

  Someone shouted in alarm, “Isn’t that an armored wolf?”

  “My god! And he just kicked it away like that?”

  Count Dusty, the local lord, approached on horseback and raised his arm high. “This is a good omen for the hunt! To encounter a rare armored wolf and have it so easily defeated—what better sign could there be?”

  The hunters and townsfolk erupted into cheers.

  “Hurrah!”

  Count Dusty smiled warmly and gave me a slight nod of acknowledgment. I returned the gesture, and the cheers grew even louder.

  I’d heard that the success of this hunting festival would determine the winter food supply for the city and nearby villages. Men were tasked with hunting small game to stockpile meat and pelts, while their families sold goods at the market or bartered for necessities. For the lord, it was an opportunity to push dangerous beasts deeper into the forest and secure the city’s safety. Naturally, the festival’s success was a matter of great concern for everyone. By calling this event a good omen, the lord ensured morale remained high.

  “Don’t worry about the armored wolf,” Count Dusty said with a grin. “We’ll process it through the guild, and your share will be taken care of.”

  “Thank you.”

  With that, I bowed and quickly turned to leave. I had more important things to focus on now. Staying here any longer could lead to unnecessary complications.

  As I walked away, I noticed Tatiana clapping along with the crowd, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Was she thrilled because the armored wolf was valuable or because of my actions? Either way, her happiness was contagious.

  “Tatiana, let’s go.”

  When I reached for her hand, she shyly lowered her head but didn’t pull away.

  She didn’t.

  That’s important, so I’ll say it again: she didn’t.

  Her ears had turned red, and through her hair, I could see her neck blushing faintly.

  I wanted to shout to the world, This is my wife!

  But instead, I quietly took her hand and started walking. Sure, I could have carried her, but there was something special about walking side by side, hand in hand. It was a clear message to everyone: she was mine.

  I expected to hear envious murmurs or cheers, but strangely, there was only silence. Turning back, I saw everyone staring at us with wide-open mouths, their expressions frozen. Count Dusty, in particular, looked utterly stunned.

  Why was he so shocked? Could he have been planning to take Tatiana as a concubine?

  Regardless, many men had probably set their sights on her. For now, I resolved to hold her hand firmly and keep her close.

  The city had several squares besides the central one, all interconnected by a complex web of narrow streets. Among them, the central square housed the most important and expensive buildings, including a high-end inn frequented by nobles. Compared to the cheap inn I had been staying at, this one was on an entirely different level.

  I led Tatiana toward it.

  “This place is too expensive,” she murmured hesitantly, trying to resist. But I couldn’t compromise on this. At least for our first night, I wanted something special. This was a memory we’d carry forever.

  After some gentle persuasion, she relented. “Just for tonight. This place feels overwhelming.”

  Her reluctance was endearing. Despite everything, she had accepted me as her husband. She hadn’t demanded extravagance, wealth, or even pride—only love and kindness. For someone as beautiful as her, this level of humility was astounding.

  I must treat her well. Twice as well as I’d initially planned.

  I made a silent vow to myself as we stepped into the inn.

  The inn’s first floor, like many others in this world, was a bar. However, unlike the modest and simple establishments I was used to, this place exuded opulence. The interior was elegant, almost baroque, with intricate woodwork and polished fixtures that made it feel more like a high-end lounge than a bar.

  Two women stood near the entrance, dressed more finely than the average townsfolk. Their long skirts were modest, but their vibrant makeup gave them a more striking appearance. As we stepped inside, one of them approached us with a warm smile.

  “Welcome! Just the two of you, I see. Are you here for a meal or perhaps…” Her voice trailed off suggestively as her eyes flicked toward the stairs.

  Ah, so that’s what she assumed. Given that we arrived in the middle of the day, it wasn’t surprising. She probably thought we were here for one of those short-term stays—a couple seeking a brief reprieve before moving on.

  So, such things exist in this world too.

  The realization caught me off guard. I had always thought that people here were too preoccupied with survival to develop such systems.

  Tatiana, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the innkeeper’s insinuation. She tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding the subtext. It made me smile, but at the same time, I felt a wave of protectiveness wash over me. Her naivety was endearing, but it also made me worry about how easily someone with bad intentions could take advantage of her.

  I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

  “We’d like to stay the night,” I said firmly, ensuring there was no room for misunderstanding. To make it clear and protect Tatiana’s dignity, I added, “We’re married. Today is our wedding day.”

  The woman’s face lit up with genuine delight. “Oh, congratulations! That’s wonderful news.”

  She clasped her hands together and continued, “In that case, I’d recommend our finest room: the Evening Glow Room. It’s the cleanest and most beautiful room we have, with a large, comfortable bed and exquisitely embroidered tapestries adorning the walls. It’s perfect for a special occasion like this.”

  I nodded, pleased with her suggestion. The idea of starting our married life in such a luxurious space felt right.

  In this world, tapestries were often hung on walls, not just for decoration but to help insulate against the cold drafts that crept through stone and wood. The mention of fine tapestries brought back memories of my parents' home. My mother used to hang fur pelts on every available surface to keep my father, who was always cold, warm through the winters.

  The thought of my parents suddenly brought a pang of guilt. Now’s not the time to think of them. It’s our first night together. I quickly pushed the image from my mind. Dwelling on my parents now would only ruin the mood—and possibly kill my…enthusiasm.

  The woman continued, “Our inn offers room service for meals, and if you stay in the Evening Glow Room, the usual service fee is waived. Additionally, for 2 liras, we can prepare a bath with hot water in your room. If you’d like, we can also provide scented oils for a small additional fee.”

  A bath, prepared in the room? Now, that was a luxury. I must have looked intrigued because the woman pressed on with a smile.

  “For just 0.5 liras more, we can replace the bedding with softer, higher-quality sheets. And, of course, there are various meal options to choose from…”

  Unlike hotels back on Earth, inns here charged for each amenity separately. Rooms came barebones, with optional extras like candles, bedding upgrades, and even meals being priced individually. It was an interesting system, though I could see how it would add up quickly if you wanted the best of everything.

  I agreed to all the upgrades without hesitation. The final price wasn’t exactly cheap, but compared to the exorbitant costs of high-end hotels back on Earth, it seemed quite reasonable. Besides, Tatiana and I weren’t hurting for money.

  Tatiana, however, seemed shocked.

  At first, she kept asking for confirmation of each cost, her voice growing quieter with each answer. By the time the innkeeper finished, Tatiana’s expression was a mix of astonishment and disapproval. She glared at the woman, her eyes practically shouting, You swindler!

  I couldn’t help but laugh. Even her irritation was adorable.

  “Tatiana,” I said gently, “it’s fine. Really.”

  She looked up at me, still skeptical, but nodded reluctantly.

  As we were led to the Evening Glow Room, I silently vowed to make this a night to remember—not just for her, but for myself as well. It wasn’t about the luxury or the money. It was about starting this new chapter of our lives on the right note, with love and care.

  When we stepped into the room, Tatiana gasped softly. The space was as beautiful as promised. The bed was enormous, draped in pristine white sheets that looked impossibly soft. Warm, golden light filtered through the window, giving the room a cozy glow. The wall tapestries were intricately designed, depicting scenes of nature and mythical creatures. A faint floral scent lingered in the air, adding to the atmosphere.