"Fenrisian Mead! Strong as five bottles in one! One sip and you'll be climbing mountains and slicing through five goblin khans with ease!" Ryan and Fugen instinctively turned toward the merchant making this bold claim.
Disappointingly, the merchant was just an ordinary Zhongyuan trader—short, with a weathered face, sallow skin, and cracked features from years of harsh travel. Noticing their interest, he raised his voice even louder. "Fenrisian Mead, gentlemen! Care for a taste?"
"Sir, where did you get this 'Fenrisian Mead'?" Ryan observed that the bottles, filled and sealed in glass, each held about 200-300 ml of the supposed mead.
"Are you buying or not?" the merchant asked, clearly skeptical of their interest without commitment. "I'm running a small business here; I'm no storyteller."
"Alright then, we'll buy one bottle," Ryan replied. "Once we've purchased it, will you tell us?"
"Five silver per bottle," the merchant responded, his mood brightening. Opening the bottle, he poured out a small amount—roughly 30 ml—before adding water to dilute it, expanding it to about 300 ml. He then poured it into four mugs and handed them over. "Here you go."
Ryan picked up his mug, looking over to Fugen. "It's the real deal?"
Fugen sniffed his mug, nodding. "It's him."
At that, Ryan hesitated a moment, then downed his mug in a single gulp, surprising the merchant. Even watered down, the intense, fiery taste stung his throat, prompting him to nod. "Definitely him."
Fugen followed suit, finishing his as well. "It's definitely him."
Their cryptic exchange left Sulia and Carona puzzled. Sulia, however, remained calm, her focus elsewhere, and she didn't ask questions. She even delicately accepted the mug from Ryan, only to set it down quickly after a sip, not used to the intense taste.
"So, gentlemen," the merchant said, eyeing them. "I'd wager you're at least Saint Domain strength; otherwise, you wouldn't handle this so easily. This mead isn't something you should gulp down."
"Will you tell us how you obtained it now?" Ryan asked, putting down his mug.
The merchant sighed. "It was from a traveler we met along the Silk Road. He saved us… and cursed us."
The merchant went on to explain that Zhongyuan's northern borders lay along the sprawling Kurghan Steppe, where countless Kurghan tribes, devotees of the Four Gods of Chaos, constantly battled to gain their favor. To the west were the Ogre Kingdoms and the Darklands. Conducting trade through these regions was dangerous, though highly profitable. This merchant's caravan had been attacked on the Kurghan Steppe by wolf riders under the notorious goblin khan, Gozak Khan. Just as they were on the verge of being overrun, a tall traveler clad in wolf pelts, wielding an icy sword, and carrying a long spear appeared, slaying the goblins and saving the caravan.
In gratitude, the merchants offered the traveler anything from their wares. The traveler chose two prairie wolves, and in return, gave them some "Fenrisian Mead," warning them to drink it sparingly if in danger.
"We trusted his word," the merchant lamented. "Later, we were attacked by Kurghan raiders again, and my companions drank the mead to save themselves, forgetting his warning. I diluted mine with water, remembering his words."
"I can guess the ending," Fugen chuckled. "After you repelled the raiders, everyone who drank it straight suffered massive organ failure from the intense alcohol and whatever else was in it, right?"
"You heartless wretch!" the merchant snapped. "If you know the story, I won't let my pain be your entertainment." He turned his back to Fugen, annoyed. "Are you buying more, or not?"
"I'll buy all you have," Fugen replied tersely, a bit put off. After paying the merchant for the remaining bottles, he asked, "Did the traveler say where he was going?"
"To the world's end to seek his destiny," the merchant answered, now all smiles as he took the gold coins. "He had a strange obsession with wolves—wearing wolf pelts, carrying wolf teeth, and bearing a wolf emblem. I suspect he had a fetish for wolves. That's all I know."
Without further talk, the merchant quickly took his leave, money in hand.
"Seems he was heading east, likely on some unique mission," Ryan remarked to Fugen. "Reunion may take time."
"He's more useful as an ally than Angron," Fugen replied, shaking his head. "Not in terms of sheer strength, but he's still trouble. Don't count on him, Ryan. I assure you, his arrival in Osuan would be an instant declaration of all-out war."
"I wonder if Father assigned him elsewhere for a specific purpose," Ryan mused, watching the bustling street. "Father doesn't act without reason, otherwise he'd have reached out to us sooner."
"He's a wild wolf; no one can pin him down," Fugen said dismissively. "He's unpredictable."
Ryan squeezed Sulia's hand, signaling her to save her questions for later. "Are you here of your own accord?" Fugen teased. "Never mind. Go enjoy your evening. I'll check on the soldiers."
With a nod, Fugen and Carona melted into the crowd.
Turning to Althena, Ryan said, "Althena, we'll need some private time next."
"Private time?" Althena feigned surprise, clearly reluctant to let them out of his sight. "I can help with anything you need."
Tasked by Fenuba to monitor Ryan, Althena had special instructions to keep him closely watched. Fugen's wood elf attendant Carona wasn't an issue, but Ryan's dark elf maid, Olica, aroused considerable suspicion.
"I'm going on a date with my wife. Care to join us?" Ryan wrapped his arm around Sulia, smiling warmly.
"Ryan!" Sulia gasped, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Althena faltered, lacking a reasonable excuse to intrude. "Would you like recommendations for some appropriate venues?"
"No, thanks," Ryan waved him off. "I have plans."
"Very well. Enjoy yourselves—and remember to wear the phoenix brooch; otherwise, you won't be able to return to the outer district," Althena advised, stepping away hesitantly.
Knowing the high elves valued personal privacy, Ryan figured that would be enough to dissuade Althena from further interference.
When Althena finally stepped back, Ryan looked to Sulia with a gentle smile, stepping back and making a respectful bow as he extended his hand. "My lady, would you care to join me for an exhilarating date?"
"A… thrilling date?" Sulia asked, uncertain. Flustered, she pressed her hands over her skirt, her face reddening. "Ryan! You can't mean…?"
Laughing, Ryan shrugged. "Just kidding." But his expression softened. "It's true, though. It's been so long since we last had a proper date."
Sulia's expression softened as well. "Yes, it has. I remember the last one, in that old windmill outside Couronne… we were interrupted back then too, by Mashubad and Fiona… both gone now."
"So, my lady, how about we cast everything aside today and go on a real date?" Ryan said with a nod. "An honest-to-goodness date. Of all my women, I feel I owe you the most. You should have everything."
"I don't need more, Ryan," Sulia replied, a serene smile gracing her face. "I've already been given so much—from countess to queen, with the highest honors of this kingdom. I'm content, surrounded by love and respect."
"Recent events made me realize that I owe you a perfect date," Ryan said, a hint of regret in his voice. "A truly memorable one."
With that, he straightened up and reached out his hand again with grace and elegance. "Sulia, place your trust in me. I'll give you a date to remember."
As twilight fell, amid the glow of street lanterns and the flow of bustling crowds, the Knight-King extended his invitation.
"I'd be honored," Sulia replied, her eyes glistening as she placed her hand in his. "I can't wait."
"Then let's go."
"Yes."
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