Wolf City

Ange walked and stopped along the way, encountering the Infantry Regiment coming to change shifts. The soldiers marched with resolute expressions, clad in uniform gear. When they saw the carriage transporting ashes pass by, their eyes held complex emotions, perhaps respect, perhaps mourning. Ange looked at the soldiers, feeling a sense of emotion himself. He shook his head, signaling Joseph to continue.

"Let's keep moving," Ange said, "We still have a ways to go."

Joseph nodded, gently flicking the reins, and the carriage slowly moved forward. Along the way, they traversed rolling hills and vast plains, enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow. Whenever night fell, they would set up camp by the roadside, build a bonfire, share stories, and encourage each other.

Finally, after a long and challenging four days, they saw the dawn of their destination. The silhouette of Wolf City gradually appeared in their vision, its walls towering and its gates majestic, showcasing the city's important status. Ange gazed at the distant city, a surge of excitement and anticipation rising within him.

"We've arrived," Joseph said with a smile, "That's Wolf City."

Ange took a deep breath and nodded. "We're finally here," he said, "This city looks magnificent."

"Indeed," 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 many new and interesting things here."

Ange and the group transporting the ashes slowly drove towards the city gates. The guards at the entrance immediately opened the gates upon seeing them, allowing them to enter the city smoothly. Ange looked around, finding it indeed bustling and lively as Joseph had described, with shops lining the streets and people coming and going, full of vitality.

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

Ange gratefully patted Joseph's shoulder.

Upon reaching the city gates, Joseph and Ange parted ways. Joseph needed to go to the military's administrative department stationed in Wolf City to hand over the ashes of the fallen soldiers. Joseph clasped Ange's hand and said solemnly, "I can't travel with you any further, but I'll write to my family and have my sister make time to find you. You can go to the Tata Pink Inn in the east of the city; it's closer to her academy."

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

Joseph smiled and took out an exquisite token from his embrace, handing it to Ange. "This is our family token. If you see this, you'll know it's my sister. Take care, friend."

"You too, take care." Ange took the token and solemnly put it in his pocket.

The two waved goodbye, and Joseph headed towards the city center. The military's encampment was located in the core area of Wolf City, a heavily guarded place and an important hub for military command and management.

Watching Joseph's receding figure, Ange turned and walked towards the east of the city. The streets of Wolf City were bustling and lively, lined with various shops, and people bustled through them. Ange strolled through this vibrant streetscape, feeling the city's vitality and energy.

After some searching, Ange finally found the Tata Pink Inn. It was a quaint little building, its exterior painted a light pink, giving it a particularly warm feel. Several flowering trees were planted in front of the inn, and as the breeze blew, petals fluttered down, adding a touch of romantic color to the inn.

Ange entered the inn, and a friendly receptionist greeted him with a smile. "Welcome, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked.

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

The receptionist nodded and quickly processed his check-in. Ange took his room key and went upstairs, thinking about what he needed to do next. He hoped to meet Joseph's sister soon and learn more about magic.

Ange entered his room, tidied his luggage briefly, and began to examine the inn's room carefully.

The floor was covered with a thick carpet, which felt exceptionally soft and comfortable underfoot.

The bed was at a moderate height, and the mattress was very soft, as if made from some high-grade material, though Ange couldn't determine the exact craftsmanship.

Lying on the bed, he felt a long-lost comfort, a stark contrast to the simple beds in the barracks.

He lay on the bed for a while, and memories of his life in the barracks surfaced: the hard bed boards, the simple, rough blankets, and the accompanying fatigue and tension. Compared to his current surroundings, those days seemed exceptionally arduous.

After a moment of solitary reflection, Ange got up and began to look around the room.

There was a facility resembling a water pipe in the room, but the water flow was slow. Although it lacked the pressure of modern-world plumbing, it was already quite novel to Ange.

In the bathroom, there was a small room specifically for bathing, where pipes could directly deliver water to the bathtub. Ange greatly admired this convenient design.

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

Ange marveled inwardly; the living facilities in this world were quite advanced in some aspects. Although not as common as in the modern world, these devices undoubtedly improved the convenience of life.

He mused that the price of this room was indeed not cheap, 2 Silver Wack per day, equivalent to a common family's monthly expenses. This made him cherish the gold vark and black magic crystals he had even more.

Ange walked to the window and looked at the street scene outside, his heart filled with anticipation.

The jolting journey had left Ange feeling tired, so he took a comfortable bath. Looking at the leather armor he was wearing, Ange realized his attire stood out remarkably compared to the residents of Wolf City. The guards at the city gates, on the walls, and in the direction of the city lord's mansion wore armor and carried weapons, while ordinary citizens wore simple casual clothes, living peaceful and serene lives.

Ange slept soundly on the bed, relieving the fatigue of his journey. He woke up in the evening and decided to go out and buy a few well-fitting clothes to better blend in with the city. Stepping out of the inn, he walked into the evening breeze, feeling the city's prosperity and warmth.

Ange found a staff member at the inn and asked about places to eat and shop nearby. The staff member told him that there were many shops near the Wolf Mage Academy, which was a hub for dining, entertainment, and everything else. Hearing this, Ange decided to head towards the Mage Academy, and also to see the city's lively sights.

He walked along the wide street, and the shops on both sides began to light up, their colorful signs attracting the attention of passersby.

People came and went on the street, merchants enthusiastically greeted customers, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and various goods.

Ange passed a small stall selling roasted sweet potatoes. The vendor warmly invited him to try some. Ange smiled, nodded, bought a sweet potato cake, and continued walking while eating.

As he approached the Mage Academy, Ange saw even more shops and restaurants, and the street became more lively.

All sorts of goods were displayed, including magic items, exquisite handicrafts, and various novel trinkets. Ange was deeply captivated by this bustling scene, as if he were in a world full of magic.

He entered a clothing store, where the owner enthusiastically recommended several outfits suitable for him. After some selection, Ange bought a few well-fitting casual clothes. After changing, he looked more spirited. Looking at himself in the mirror with satisfaction, Ange's heart was filled with anticipation for his future life.

After leaving the clothing store, he browsed around the vicinity, tried some local snacks, and finally found a seemingly upscale restaurant, deciding to treat himself well.

The Wolf Restaurant offered a very complete selection of food. Ange carefully browsed the menu and finally ordered a steak, mashed sweet potatoes, a mixed meat stew, two servings of white bread, and a bottle of fruit wine. The restaurant's decor was warm and elegant, with soft lighting that made one feel exceptionally comfortable. When the server brought the dishes, the aroma was enticing, instantly whetting Ange's appetite.

He first tasted the steak, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and flavorful, with an excellent texture. The mashed sweet potatoes were smooth and delicate, with a hint of sweetness that perfectly balanced the richness of the steak. The mixed meat stew was made from a variety of meats simmered together, exuding a rich aroma, with every bite full of layered flavors. The white bread was soft and delicious, pairing perfectly with these dishes.

The fruit wine was carefully poured into a glass by the server, its faint fragrance wafting into the air. The server explained that this fruit wine was infused with maple sugar and that regular consumption could strengthen the body. Ange took a sip; the sweetness and fragrance of the fruit wine bloomed in his mouth, truly possessing a unique flavor. He couldn't help but sigh, this delicious wine was indeed worth the price.

Throughout the entire dinner, Ange not only enjoyed the food but also chatted with the server about interesting anecdotes and scenery in Wolf City. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very warm, and other guests were also enjoying their delicious food and pleasant conversations.

This dinner cost Ange a total of 5 Silver Wack, with the fruit wine being the most expensive at 3 Silver Wack. However, Ange felt that this dinner was well worth it in terms of both taste and atmosphere. He ate to his heart's content, feeling completely relaxed both physically and mentally.

After dinner, Ange paid the bill and left the restaurant. Night had already fallen, and the streetlights made the entire Wolf City look exceptionally beautiful. He walked along the bustling streets, experiencing the city's nightlife, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.