Wolf City

Ang stopped and started along the way, and midway through, he encountered the Infantry Regiment coming to relieve the garrison. The soldiers wore matching equipment and marched forward with resolute expressions. When they saw the carriage carrying the ashes pass by, complicated emotions appeared in their eyes—perhaps respect, perhaps mourning. Ang felt somewhat moved as he watched them. He shook his head and motioned for Joseph to continue onward.

"Let's keep going," Ang said. "We still have some distance to cover."

Joseph nodded and lightly flicked the reins. The carriage slowly rolled onward. Along the way, they crossed rolling mountains and vast plains, enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow. Whenever night fell, they camped by the roadside, built a fire, shared their stories, and encouraged one another.

At last, after four long and challenging days, the light of their destination greeted them. The outline of Wolf City gradually appeared in the distance. Its walls stood tall, and its gates looked imposing, displaying the city's importance. Ang gazed at the city ahead, his heart swelling with excitement and anticipation.

"We're here," Joseph said with a smile. "That's Wolf City."

Ang took a deep breath and nodded. "We finally made it," he said. "This city looks magnificent."

"Yes," Joseph replied. "Wolf City is not only an important city in the eastern part of the Maple Sugar Plane, but also a gathering place for many adventurers and merchants. You'll see plenty of new and interesting things here."

Ang and the group transporting the ashes slowly made their way toward the city gates. When the soldiers guarding the entrance saw them, they immediately opened the gates and allowed them into the city without trouble. Ang looked around and found that, just as Joseph had said, the place was bustling and prosperous. Shops lined the streets, pedestrians came and went, and the entire city brimmed with life.

"Welcome to Wolf City," Joseph said with a smile. "I hope you find what you're looking for here."

Ang gratefully patted Joseph on the shoulder.

At the city gates, Joseph and Ang parted ways. Joseph needed to go to the Military Department's administrative office in Wolf City to hand over the ashes of the fallen soldiers. Joseph clasped Ang's hand and said solemnly, "I can't continue traveling with you, but I'll write to my family and have my sister make time to find you. You can stay at the Tata Pink Inn in the eastern part of the city. It's close to her academy."

Ang nodded, his heart full of gratitude. "Thank you, Joseph. I hope we meet again."

Smiling, Joseph took an exquisite token from his clothes and handed it to Ang. "This is my family's token. When she sees it, she'll know you're connected to me. Take care, my friend."

"You too. Take care." Ang accepted the token and solemnly placed it in his pocket.

The two waved goodbye to each other, and Joseph headed toward the center of the city. The Military Department's headquarters lay in the heart of Wolf City, heavily guarded and serving as an important center for military command and administration.

Watching Joseph's back gradually disappear into the distance, Ang turned and headed east. Wolf City's streets were bustling and lively, with all sorts of shops standing side by side and people hurrying through them. Ang strolled through the prosperous streetscape, feeling the city's vitality and energy.

After searching for a while, Ang finally found the Tata Pink Inn. It was a distinctive little building with pale pink exterior walls that made it feel especially warm and welcoming. Several flowering trees stood before the inn, and when the breeze passed through, petals drifted down one after another, adding a touch of romance to the place.

Ang entered the inn and was greeted by an enthusiastic receptionist. Smiling, the receptionist asked, "Welcome. What can I do for you?"

"I need a room," Ang said. "And I'm waiting for a friend here."

The receptionist nodded and quickly completed the check-in procedures. Holding his room key, Ang climbed the stairs, thinking about what he needed to do next. He hoped to meet Joseph's sister as soon as possible and learn more about magic.

Ang entered his room, briefly put away his luggage, and began carefully examining the inn room.

The floor was covered with a thick carpet that felt exceptionally soft and comfortable beneath his feet.

The bed was of a suitable height, and its mattress was extremely soft, as though it had been made from some kind of high-end material. However, Ang could not tell exactly how it had been crafted.

Lying on the bed, he felt a long-lost comfort that stood in stark contrast to the crude bunks in the military camp.

He lay there for a while, memories of life in the camp surfacing in his mind: hard wooden bedboards, simple rough blankets, and the constant exhaustion and tension. Compared with his current surroundings, those days seemed especially difficult.

After reflecting alone for a while, Ang got up and began looking around the room.

There was a fixture resembling a running-water pipe in the room, though the water flowed rather slowly. It lacked the force of water in the modern world, but Ang still found it remarkably novel.

The bathroom had a small room specifically for bathing, with pipes that could channel water directly into the bathtub. Ang was greatly impressed by such a convenient design.

He also discovered a device resembling a flush toilet. Although its structure was somewhat simple, its function was clearly very practical.

Ang secretly marveled at it. In certain respects, the living facilities of this world were already quite advanced. Though they were not as widespread as in the modern world, these devices undoubtedly made life much more convenient.

He could not help sighing inwardly that the room was indeed expensive. Two Silver Wacks a day was equivalent to a normal family's monthly expenses. It also made him treasure the Gold Wacks and Black Magic Crystals he had obtained even more.

Ang walked to the window and looked at the streets outside, his heart full of anticipation.

The bumps along the journey had left Ang exhausted, so he took a comfortable bath. Looking at the leather armor he was wearing, Ang realized that compared with the residents of Wolf City, his attire was especially conspicuous. The guards at the city gates, on the walls, and around the Lord's Mansion wore armor and carried weapons, while ordinary citizens wore simple casual clothing and lived peaceful, tranquil lives.

Ang slept soundly in bed, easing the fatigue of his journey. By the time he woke, it was already evening. He decided to go out and buy a few well-fitting clothes so he could blend into the city more easily. Stepping out of the inn, he faced the evening breeze and felt the city's prosperity and warmth.

Ang found an inn employee and asked about nearby places to eat and shop. The employee told him that there were many shops near Wolf Mage Academy, where food, drink, entertainment, and shopping were all concentrated. Hearing this, Ang decided to head toward the Mage Academy and take a look at the city's lively sights along the way.

He walked down the broad street, where the shops on either side were beginning to light their lamps. Colorful signs drew the attention of passersby.

The streets were crowded with people. Vendors enthusiastically called out to customers, while the air was filled with the aromas of food and all kinds of goods.

Ang passed a small stall selling Fire Sweet Potatoes. The owner warmly invited him to try one, and Ang nodded with a smile, buying a Fire Sweet Potato Cake and continuing onward as he ate.

When he reached the area near the Mage Academy, Ang saw even more shops and restaurants, and the streets became even livelier.

All kinds of goods were displayed in dazzling array: magical tools, exquisite handicrafts, and all sorts of novel little trinkets. Ang was deeply drawn in by the bustling scene, as though he had entered a world filled with magic.

He entered a clothing shop, where the owner enthusiastically recommended several outfits that suited him. After making his selections, Ang bought several well-fitting casual outfits. Once he changed into them, he looked much more spirited. Gazing at his reflection in the mirror with satisfaction, Ang's heart filled with anticipation for his future life.

After leaving the clothing shop, he wandered around nearby, sampled several local snacks, and finally found a restaurant that looked rather upscale. He decided to treat himself properly.

Wolf Restaurant offered a very complete selection of food. Ang carefully looked over the menu and finally ordered a steak, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed meat stew, two servings of white bread, and a bottle of fruit wine. The restaurant's decor was warm and elegant, while the soft lighting made it especially comfortable. When the servers brought out the dishes, the fragrance immediately filled the air, instantly stirring Ang's appetite.

He first took a bite of the steak. It was crisp on the outside and tender within, delicious and juicy, with an excellent texture. The mashed sweet potatoes were smooth and delicate, with a hint of sweetness that perfectly balanced the rich flavor of the steak. The mixed meat stew was made by slowly cooking several kinds of meat together. It was bursting with fragrance, and every bite offered rich layers of flavor. The white bread was soft and tasty, pairing perfectly with the dishes.

The server carefully poured the fruit wine into his cup, and its faint fragrance wafted up to him. The server explained that the wine had maple sugar mixed into it and that drinking it regularly could strengthen one's body. Ang took a sip. The fruit wine's sweetness and fresh aroma blossomed in his mouth, giving it a truly distinctive flavor. He could not help thinking that such delicious wine was indeed worth its price.

Throughout the dinner, Ang not only enjoyed the food but also chatted with the servers about interesting stories and sights in Wolf City. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very warm, and the other customers were also enjoying delicious food and pleasant conversation.

The entire dinner cost Ang five Silver Wacks, with the fruit wine being the most expensive at three Silver Wacks. Still, Ang felt that the meal was entirely worthwhile, both in flavor and atmosphere. He ate to his heart's content and felt his body and mind relax greatly.

After dinner, Ang paid the bill and left the restaurant. Night had already fallen, and the lights along the streets made all of Wolf City look especially beautiful. He walked through the bustling streets, experiencing the city's nightlife, his heart full of anticipation for the future.