The End of the Road to Happiness

During curfew, only the faint sound of wind remained in the streets of Bladefang Camp.

The two people inside the cottage faced each other in silence, each lost in thought.

"After witnessing the tragedy of Black Sand Territory and the changes in Fengzhao City, during those days when I was at my most depressed, listless, frustrated, and sick of everything, constantly clashing with my father, I returned to my old fief and locked myself away."

Kuaishang gazed forlornly at the flickering lamplight.

"Out in the wilderness of a remote countryside, I met Dana."

Hearing the unfamiliar name, Tales frowned despite himself.

"Dana?"

Kuaishang's expression remained dazed.

"On the surface, she was nothing more than an ordinary shepherdess."

"That afternoon, I impatiently claimed that I was related to the local Order Officer, that breaking into the sheep pen she was watching had been an accident, and that there was no way I would steal her sheep. She immediately brightened and demanded twenty silver coins from me, just for frightening one of her milk goats."

Immersed in his memories, Kuaishang burst out laughing. "She lost a milk-producing ewe, then turned around and extorted a wealthy, fat sheep. Why not?"

"That was how we met—a domineering shepherdess and a self-abandoned sheep thief."

Tales studied the other man's expression and discovered that Kuaishang's eyes were filled with extraordinary tenderness.

"What was so special about her?" he asked despite himself.

Kuaishang raised his head and curled up the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, Dana was the most special of all." Like an ordinary man showing off his virtuous wife to the neighbors, Kuaishang wore an amused, smug expression. "Especially after being raised by a foul-tempered old Dwarf."

"She was always smiling, lively, and uninhibited, even after her adoptive father's unfortunate death. Even by Northlander standards,