Three Ways to Spend a Vacation

Silver Oak City's mornings always carried the scent of baking bread.

Though the capital of the Oakheart Duchy was not as grand as New Stefan, it possessed a simple, down-to-earth air of everyday life.

Oak trees swayed on both sides of the streets, their rustling leaves blending with the cries of merchants to form the city's distinctive sound.

Inside an unremarkable three-story building in the western district, the Paladin Kade Felimp was busy in the kitchen.

He wore a plain linen shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto his short golden hair, making the entire kitchen seem bright.

Fresh bread, eggs, bacon, and a small jar of honey lay on the cutting board.

Kade skillfully sliced the bread and fried the eggs in a pan.

His movements were elegant and precise, as though he were carrying out some sacred ritual.

In truth, cooking was indeed a ritual to him.

"Food is the grace the Goddess bestows upon mortals," he had once told Xia Lin. "Cooking with care is an act of gratitude."

Xia Lin's response at the time had been, "Cut it out. You're just greedy."

Remembering that exchange, Kade could not help but smile.

He arranged the fried eggs on a plate, drizzled a little honey over them, then carried the plate toward the dining room.

"Celia, breakfast is ready."

At the dining table, Celia was looking down as she flipped through a thick tome.

She wore a simple dark-blue robe, her pink hair hanging loosely over her shoulders.

Morning light fell across her face, making her delicate features appear especially gentle.

If not for the occasional flicker of purple in her eyes, no one would have imagined that the gentle Priest housed a soul from the Abyss within her.

"Thank