Chapter 102: A Date

Words : 1031 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Chapter 102: A DateThe next morning came slowly, with the kind of warmth only quiet victories bring. Sunlight filtered through the stone windows of the Elandra Guild dormitory, casting long stripes across the floor where a pair of boots sat—muddy, worn, and finally unmoving. Inigo stirred in his bed, blinking against the golden light as he sat up. For once, his muscles didn’t ache from battle, and the air didn’t carry the tension of an impending mission. It was quiet. Peaceful. The kind of morning most adventurers forgot could exist. He stood, stretched, and grabbed a shirt off the back of a chair. His jacket hung nearby, but today, he left it behind. No armor either—just a simple white tunic and dark pants. Civilian clothes. A rare treat. Outside his room of the inn, he checked in as he wouldn’t want to get his own place be dirtied, the streets was just beginning to wake. Staff swept the halls, clerks yawned as they checked their boards, and the faint scent of bread drifted in from the lower kitchen. Most of the patrons were still asleep. He headed down to the courtyard, boots scuffing lightly against the stone floor, and found Lyra already waiting by the fountain. She was wearing a loose brown blouse, her bow nowhere in sight for once. Her hair was tied up messily, and she looked more relaxed than he’d seen her in months. "You’re late," she said as he approached. "You said morning," Inigo replied. "This still counts." She handed him a paper cup. "Coffee. Strong. No sugar." He took it and took a sip. "Tastes like a punch to the throat." "Exactly how it should be," she grinned. They didn’t speak for a moment, just leaned against the edge of the fountain and watched the rising sun spill over the rooftops of Elandra. Merchants were setting up their stalls in the distance. Guards walked their routes in the outer circle of the city. Normalcy, for once, looked real. "So," Lyra said, nudging him with her elbow. "We actually have a day off. What now?" Inigo tilted his head. "No idea." "Come on," she rolled her eyes. "You must have thought about it. All those weeks underground and in Hollowmere and on the road—don’t tell me you didn’t dream of something." "...A bath that lasts more than three minutes?" She laughed. "Fair. But let’s do something. Something stupid. Something normal." He glanced sideways. "Like what? A walk?" "No," she said, already pulling him along. "We’re going to the market." "The market?" "Yes," she grinned. "And then maybe the river, and then maybe the bookshop. I heard they restocked. And if you behave, I’ll even buy you a pastry." He sighed, but didn’t resist. "Fine." They walked through the streets of Elandra, the city’s heartbeat steady around them. The marketplace buzzed with morning life—stall vendors calling out deals, children darting between crates, and the smell of grilled fish rising from the food corner. Lyra made a beeline to a stand selling woven bracelets. "Really?" Inigo asked, raising an eyebrow. "You’ve fought demons but can’t handle a bit of shopping?" He crossed his arms. "There’s a difference between fear and boredom." She ignored him, tried on a red bracelet, frowned, then tossed it back. Inigo watched the crowd instead—peaceful people, laughing civilians, fresh fruit on the tables, no weapons in sight. It was a good day. After several stalls and a light argument over whether a spiced bun counted as breakfast or dessert, they reached the riverbank. The water shimmered under the sun, ducks lazily drifting downstream. Lyra sat on the edge, pulling off her boots to dip her toes in the water. Inigo sat beside her, back against a smooth stone, sipping what remained of his coffee. "You know," Lyra said, voice calmer now, "I didn’t think we’d ever get a break like this." He looked out at the water. "Me neither. I thought we are already set off to the Demon realm hahaha." She leaned back on her hands, eyes to the sky. "I too think about it. But look what’s happening, always returning to the city because of the sudden circumstances that needed solving." "...And now we are going to leave again soon, and this time, I hope this is for real." She smirked. "Exactly." A bird flew overhead, dipping low near the water before vanishing behind a cluster of trees. They sat like that for a while—saying little, simply existing. It was strange, Inigo thought. To have nothing urgent to do. No hunt. No ritual. No warnings. "I got a letter," Lyra said after a while. "Oh?" "From Serina, she said that she missed you. When are you going to see her?" "Ehh...maybe after we depart." "A girl miss you?" "Look, we are friends and of course it’s only natural that a friend would miss you," Inigo explained, sensing that the girl is getting jealous. "Perhaps you two can spend some time alone, catch up," Lyra smiled, but that wasn’t a kind smile. "I don’t think you’d be so kind as to let that happen, you are going to kill me." "No, I won’t get mad or anything. You are free to interact with whomever you want." "I don’t think I’m going to take that chance," Inigo said dismissively. Eventually, the sky began to shift—afternoon creeping in. They stood and wandered back into town, passing the bookshop on the way. True to Lyra’s word, she bought him a pastry—honey-glazed and warm. He didn’t say it aloud, but he appreciated the gesture. They returned to the inn just as the sun dipped low. Inigo and Lyra lingered at the entrance before heading up the stairs. "Ready for tomorrow?" she asked. "Yeah.I can’t wait to beat some demons, if you know what I mean." She nodded as she chuckled. "Sure you do. Then let’s get some rest. We can’t afford to have our driver sleeping on the road." "I didn’t sleep." "You literally fell asleep momentarily while we were heading back." "It was a tactical nap." She rolled her eyes and stepped into the hallway. Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m

Chapter 102: A Date

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