Solace

At dusk, the busiest street in Nod-Krai.

The signboard of "Golden Mirage Grand Hotel" glowed with a warm, magical halo in the fading light. The aroma of food wafted through the heavy wooden doors, a rich blend of spices and oils roasted at high temperatures.

Lowell pushed open the carved oak door.

Warm, bright light, the soft clinking of cutlery, whispers and laughter, mixed with a richer, more complex aroma of food, instantly enveloped the group.

The waiter clearly recognized the group and warmly led them to the long table by the window that Lowell had reserved for them. The table was large enough to seat more than ten people, with a clean white cloth covering the surface and silver cutlery gleaming softly under the light.

The group took their seats.

The menu was served quickly; it was a thick book with exquisite illustrations on every page.

"Hehe, then I won't be polite!" Ruby the first to pick up the menu, her big blue eyes scanning the tempting pictures page by page, her fingers pointing quickly at them. "This, this, and this! Caesar salad for appetizers! Iron-blooded fried meat and Feast-flavored roasted chicken for main courses! Honey carrot pie and pumpkin tarts for dessert!"

She made her selections with lightning speed, while the waiter beside her wrote with a flourish of his pen.

Himmel took the menu, smiled, and ordered a hearty roasted ibex and a substantial vegetable soup. "After a battle, we still need something substantial," he explained, his eyes gentle.

Lupa and Linié huddled together looking at a menu.

Linié stretched out her little hand and calmly pointed to a "baked apple pie" that looked quite substantial, then pointed to the "colorful salad" next to it.

"Well, then I'll have a sardine pudding, and an ooze, and two cocktails," Lupa said.

Fern ordered a soufflé with berry sauce, a small piece of cake, and a refreshing serving of local vegetables. She ordered carefully, even asking about the ingredients for the sauce.

Frieren's eyes were already firmly drawn to the dessert page. Her fingers hesitated for a long time between the "Sweet Burger" and the "Two-Nut Mooncake," before finally choosing "I want them all," and then adding a serving of "Milk Popcorn." After ordering, she rested her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling as she gazed towards the kitchen, full of anticipation.

Lowell ordered a "Tearful Scallion Pancake", "Golden Maze Boiled Fish", and "Pumpkin and Pork Rib Stew", as well as a large glass of iced apple tea. He leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh, as if exhaling all the fatigue of the day and the previous thrills.

Sam sat at the edge of the long table. He didn't look at the menu, but simply told the waiter, "The same as His Majesty's." His tone was flat, and then he sat silently, his gaze fixed on the empty plate in front of him, as if lost in thought, or perhaps waiting.

After a while, the curtain leading to the kitchen was lifted.

A figure burst out with a flurry of activity. Her blue, looped braids swayed playfully with her movements, and the bear paw hair clip on her head shimmered adorably under the light. She wore an apron embroidered with some distinctive pattern and carried a huge, steaming tray filled with freshly cooked, sizzling "Iron-Blooded Fried Meat." The rich aroma of the meat instantly overwhelmed all other smells.

"Here you go! Freshly baked iron-fleshed pork! Be careful, it's hot!"

The young girl, Xiangling, spoke with a clear, bright voice, full of energy. She deftly placed plates of fried meat in front of the customers, her face beaming with a warm and cheerful smile.

She put down the last piece of fried meat, straightened up, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and smiled until her eyes crinkled into crescent moons.

"Are you all satisfied with your meal? Today's meat is my specially selected Northern Himalayan blue sheep, marinated and then pan-fried using our Golden Mirage Grand Hotel's secret method, guaranteed to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! Also, the 'Golden Maze Boiled Fish' is a specialty dish that I improved upon from 'Boiled Black-backed Bass'! Only I, the chef, know how to make it!"

Himmel a small piece and put it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded. "Mmm, the meat is very juicy, and the spices are just right, not masking the meat's natural aroma. It's delicious."

"Hehe, I'm glad the customer likes it!" Xiangling smiled happily, then looked at Ruby, "Ruby, your 'Feast-Style Roasted Chicken' will take a little longer to cook; it needs to be cooked just right! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

"No rush! I trust Xiangling's cooking skills the most!" Ruby had already picked up her knife and fork, eager to try the huge piece of fried meat in front of her.

The dishes were served one after another.

The long table was soon filled with a variety of delicious foods. The golden roast chicken glistened with oil, the emerald green salad was refreshing and helped to cut through the richness, the soup steamed, the adorable "Sweet Burger" piqued people's curiosity, and all kinds of desserts emitted an enticing sweet aroma.

Everyone enjoyed their meal in silence. The gentle clinking of knives and forks against plates, the soft sounds of chewing, and the occasional whispers blended into a reassuring background ambiance.

Frieren ate her "sweet burger" in small, quick bites, her cheeks slightly puffed out, her emerald eyes filled with complete satisfaction. When she got to the "milky popcorn," she squinted her eyes, like a cat basking in the sun.

Fern ate with refined manners, savoring each bite of the soufflé with elegant movements. Lupa and Linié shared the chicken nuggets and salad, with Lupa occasionally forking the parts she thought were particularly well-roasted for Linié, while Linié quietly moved the tomato chunks that Lupa didn't like from the salad to her side.

Himmel ate with focused concentration, chewing each bite carefully, as if replenishing the energy depleted in battle, or savoring this hard-won peaceful dinner.

Ruby was enjoying her meal while excitedly discussing with her neighbor, Himmel, the details of a particular teamwork they had used during the day's battle.

Sam sat diagonally across from Lowell. He said nothing, just kept his head down and ate. His movements weren't rough, but extremely efficient. He forked up large pieces of fried meat, put them in his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and then forked up the next piece. He hardly looked up or participated in any conversation, just focused intently on finishing off the food in front of him, bite after bite. Even his cup of fruit tea was drunk in one gulp between meals.

Simply put, Sam remained silent and just ate his rice.

Sitting next to him, Solitär gracefully cut a small piece of roasted chicken breast. She turned slightly to the side, resting one elbow on the table and propping her chin up, watching Sam, who was engrossed in his meal, with a look of curiosity in her eyes.

"Oh dear," she began, her voice soft, with her usual casual tone, "What's wrong with our General Sam?"

Sam paused chewing for a moment, then continued. He swallowed his food, picked up his glass and took another sip before giving a brief reply, his gaze still fixed on the plate.

"Nothing."

Solitär softly, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table.

"Why are you so focused on eating? I don't recall you having this kind of hobby before."

Sam forked the last piece of fried meat, put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and swallowed. He put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin, and wiped his mouth with meticulous movements. Then, he looked up at Solitär, his eyes calm and expressionless.

His Majesty told me to eat properly.

Solitär blinked, then suddenly realized. She recalled that on the way to the restaurant not long ago, Sam seemed to have whispered to Lowell, "Your subordinate doesn't need to eat," and Lowell had simply patted him on the shoulder and casually replied, "After fighting and all that commotion, eat well."

A deeper, more knowing smile curved her lips. Her gaze lingered on Sam's expressionless face for a moment, then glanced at Lowell, who was whispering something to Frieren.

"It really is..." she said softly, with a hint of something that was hard to tell whether it was a sigh or a joke, "Literally 'obedient'."

Sam did not respond. He had finished his portion, his cutlery neatly arranged beside the empty plate, his hands resting on his knees, resuming his silent, upright posture, as if he were ready to rise and carry out orders at any moment.

"Sigh, I really missed out on something exciting today, Sam. Tell me about it."

"I don't want to talk about it."

Dinner drew to a close in a warm and satisfying atmosphere.

After the meal, as agreed, the group went to a famous hot spring hotel in the city and also invited Xiangling had cooked dozens of her signature dishes that day.

The hot spring is located in the courtyard behind the hotel, built against a natural stone wall. It is divided into men's and women's areas, cleverly separated by a tall bamboo fence and artificial rocks. This ensures privacy while allowing the faint sound of water and indistinct laughter to be heard on the other side, adding to the sense of tranquility.

The men's bath wasn't particularly large, but it was filled with steam, the water was clear, and it had a faint mineral scent. A small wooden plate floated on the surface, containing sake and sake cups.

Himmel, Lowell, and Sam were soaking in the pool.

Himmel leaned against the edge of the pool, arms outstretched, gazing up at the sparse stars in the night sky, and let out a long sigh. The hot water had effectively relieved his muscle soreness. He closed his eyes, his face showing complete relaxation and peace.

Sam sat in a corner a little further away, the water up to his chin. He had his eyes closed and was motionless, only his chest rising and falling slightly with his breath. The hot water seemed to soften even his usually expressionless face.

Lowell immersed most of his body in the hot water, leaving only his head above water, and leaned back lazily. The warm water enveloped every inch of his skin, dispelling the last trace of fatigue and tension. He sighed contentedly, picked up the sake from the wooden tray, poured himself a small cup, and slowly sipped it.

On the other hand, the women's bath is more lively.

The sound of rushing water mingled with whispers and soft laughter.

Frieren submerged her entire body in the water, leaving only her small face above the surface, her long, silvery-white hair cascading down her back like seaweed. She squinted and made soft, kitten-like purring sounds.

"It's so warm..."

Ruby was trying to recommend a skincare method to Fern and Xiangling: "Applying a magic mask while soaking in a hot spring," and she was explaining it very convincingly. Fern listened quietly, nodding occasionally, but seemed reserved about making her face glow. Xiangling, on the other hand, opened her eyes wide with curiosity and asked if magic could bring out the full flavor of ingredients.

Lupa and Linié occupied a small corner. Lupa was washing Linié's long pink hair with practiced and gentle movements. Linié sat quietly, letting Lupa do as she pleased, her icy blue eyes staring at the rising steam, lost in thought.

Solitär leaned gracefully against the poolside, scooped up a handful of hot water, and gently poured it over her fair shoulders. Ubel, unusually, abandoned his usual confident smile and quietly leaned against her, his green hair damply clinging to his neck, revealing a hint of languor and dependence.

The rising steam blurred the figures and softened all the sharp edges. The fierce battle of the day, the absurd interlude with the potion, and the tension of life and death moments all gradually settled and dissolved in the warm water, leaving only a feeling of complete relaxation and a faint warmth of relief and shared peace.

I don't know how much time passed.

"Haa--" Lowell stretched languidly, splashing water. He stood up from the pool, water droplets rolling down his muscular physique. "Is that enough? I'm dizzy from soaking for too long. Everyone's exhausted today, let's get some rest?"

The others also got up one after another.

I dried myself off and changed into the soft yukata provided by the hotel. The material was fine cotton, with a clean, sun-dried scent and a faint fragrance of soap.

When I met up with the girls in the hotel corridor, everyone had rosy cheeks, slightly damp hair, and exuded a lazy, warm feeling as if soothed by the hot spring.

"Well then," Lowell clapped his hands, trying to sound relaxed, "That's it for today? Everyone, dismissed! Back to your rooms..."

Please wait a moment.

A calm female voice interrupted him.