Finally, I can Retire, Or so I Thought

The following morning, at the city’s side gate leading directly toward the forest, clang! two guards crossed their spear to blocked Dion, who was wearing a hooded cloak, at the entrance. Dion immediately felt defeated seeing the heavy gate tightly shut.

He looked at the two Phobos city guards, whose faces looked familiar to him, and recognized one of them as a guard he used to chat with frequently back when he was at the academy. Focusing his gaze on the guard he knew, he pulled back his hood.

”What’s going on, Mr. Gerald? Why is the gate closed?” Dion asked.

”Oh... it’s you, Dion! You haven’t changed one bit, have you?” Gerald said, pulling back his spear and gesturing for the guard beside him to lower his weapon as well.

Gerald didn’t answer immediately. He stepped forward and scrutinized Dion, who was now wearing a hooded cloak.

”What brings you here? Aren’t you famous over in Minatheras now?” Gerald asked.

”It’s a long story, sir. Why is this gate locked? I was planning to head back to Thetor through the forest road,” Dion replied, pointing toward the gate.

”When did you arrive in the city?” Gerald asked, looking at Dion intently.

”Yesterday, alongside Mr. Edgar, the owner of the Aetheras Trading Company,” Dion answered.

”Hmm... did you stay at the inn right next to it?” Gerald asked.

”That’s right... oh, by the way, what was with all the commotion last night? Why was it so chaotic, and why were Eredor soldiers knocking on doors to search my room?” Dion asked, cutting in before Gerald could ask whether he knew about the incident at the inn.

”That’s the reason why the gates are locked. The Eredor authorities are still searching for a suspect down in the slums, assisted by our city guards. So until the suspect is apprehended, no one is allowed in or out of the city. That’s why this gate is shut tight,” Gerald said, thumbing toward the doors behind him.

”Oh... I see,” Dion replied limply. ”Damn it, I can’t escape like this... even though I managed to break free from Luna, I’m sure she’s safe at the academy,” Dion thought in his head.

”Why don’t you take it easy here for a bit? Are you heading back to Thetor to go home, or do you have a quest?” Gerald asked in a friendly tone.

”I’m heading home, sir. I’ve retired,” Dion replied casually.

”Ah... retired? Look at me, I’m middle-aged and still working! Anyway, you haven’t been here in a long time, have you? How long has it been... oh, right, about three years. But you really haven’t changed at all, haha!” Gerald said, patting Dion’s arm with a smile.

”That’s true. After graduation, we stayed here for about a year. I’m glad you still remember me, sir,” Dion replied with a smile.

”Of course! It’s like you’re the only one here, so I remember,” Gerald said, whether seriously or not.

”What do you mean by that?” Dion asked, puzzled.

”Don’t worry about it. You were usually with that girl in the nun outfit and that guy carrying a sword, right? What were their names again? I forgot, we rarely talked,” Gerald replied.

”Luna and Rene, sir. How could you forget? It was always the three of us,” Dion replied.

”Ah, right, right... Rene... I remember now. He used to cause trouble sometimes, hahaha!” Gerald replied.

”Hahaha... something like that,” Dion replied. ”Good grief, Rene... why do people only remember the bad stuff about him? Surely he had his good side, right? Wow... actually, I don’t remember any either. Never mind,” Dion said in his head.

”Anyway, go grab some breakfast over there. It’s about time for breakfast, isn’t it?” Gerald said.

”Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I’ll be going now,” Dion replied.

Dion took his leave once more, walking back toward the central plaza before heading up to the city’s second tier to return to the inn. Along the way, he thought deeply, realizing that his own actions had caused the city to lock down, making it impossible to continue his journey anytime soon.

Then he noticed several carriages parked along the roadside right in front of the stables, with several passenger carriage drivers preparing for departure. Driven by curiosity, he walked over to a carriage and spoke to the driver.

”Excuse me, sir. Are carriages still able to travel out of the city?” Dion asked.

”Oh... hello there. Of course they can, but for now, we can only run back and forth to the capital city of Lutherias. Travel to other kingdoms or cities isn’t allowed yet. Besides, only one gate is open today is the main gate,” the carriage driver answered.

”Hmm... I see. So it’s only one way to the Lutherias capital,” Dion muttered.

”If you really want to go, we’re operating until late afternoon, complete with escorts,” the driver replied.

”Alright, I’ll consult my companion first,” Dion replied.

Dion resumed walking up the gentle incline to the second tier of the city, moving at an easy pace without feeling winded. He pondered his options: to reach the Kingdom of Thetor, he could indeed go through the capital of Lutherias, but it would require a detour. Walking on foot that way would take about two days, a stark contrast to taking the shortcut through the dark forest, which took only one day because it cut straight through a mountain pass, even if it was slightly more dangerous.

”Looks like there’s no choice other than taking a passenger carriage to the Lutherias capital first... besides, Luna wants to go there anyway,” Dion muttered in his thoughts.

He walked until the inn finally came into view. The front area looked busy due to ongoing repairs from the damage caused by last night’s incident. Dion simply walked past the workers, who seemed to be discussing repair costs and necessary materials. He stepped inside casually, but was immediately stopped by the receptionist.

”Excuse me, sir. Your room has been temporarily relocated to the fourth floor because your door was destroyed and needs repairs. Also, Mr. Edgar was looking for you,” the receptionist said.

”Oh, I see,” Dion replied.

”Your traveling companions are currently in the tavern. They just came downstairs from their room. Go right ahead,” the receptionist said with a smile.

”Alright, thank you,” Dion replied with a smile of his own.

Dion walked over to the tavern entrance, looked inside, and saw Luna, already dressed in her nun habit—sitting together with a girl wearing a hooded cloak. Dion stepped inside. Seeing Dion approach, Luna stood up, preparing to jump on him, but Dion raised a hand to stop her, causing her face to pucker into an instant pout.

”Ugh... what’s your problem?” Luna asked.

”If you crash into me, I’ll literally die. I haven’t slept all night, and I’m completely exhausted,” Dion answered.

”Oh... good point,” Luna replied, her pout vanishing in an instant.

Suddenly, the hooded girl stood up and wrapped Dion in a tight hug. Dion was caught completely off guard, but what shocked him even more was recognizing who the hooded girl was. He quickly pushed her back slightly and leaned down so his face was level with hers.

”Mei... why are you still here? You should have run away last night!” Dion whispered in shock.

”Oh... I’m coming with you. I don’t have anywhere to go, and Luna invited me to your territory,” Mei whispered back.

”Huh... you invited her?” Dion asked, turning to look at Luna beside him.

”Yep... she can’t return to her kingdom, and she can’t work as an adventurer either, so it’s better if she comes home with us,” Luna answered casually, clearly feeling zero guilt.

”Come home with us?” Dion asked.

”Yep... back home to our territory,” Luna answered with a broad, proud smile.

”Yes... Dion, from now on, I’m yours,” Mei added timidly.

Dion stood completely speechless. He slowly sank into a chair and raised his hand, signaling the server for a beer because his brain had short-circuited and he couldn’t process anything at all. Replaying in his mind was the memory of his divorce with his ex-wife, how he lost his house, his car, and practically all his wealth in his previous life, leaving his dreams shattered. He shook his head to clear the thought.

”Our territory... our territory, huh... ugh, whatever. Even if we get divorced, my territory isn’t a marital asset... it’s pre-marital property... it’s fine... it’s fine... this is another world, there are no lawsuits here... don’t think about it... don’t think about it... sob,” he said in his chaotic mind, having completely frozen up on the spot.