This is a tale set in a mystical realm,
Where magic abounds,
Where love remains unwavering, friendship unshakable, and familial bonds run deep.
Through a twist of fate, or perhaps mere coincidence, an accident that should not have involved her inste...
Upon entering the city, I realized that the most striking difference between Tanek and other continents was that every adult man on the streets carried either a blade or a club. It could be said that each of them was quite formidable in battle. As far as this continent was concerned, their combat prowess was strong, but the internal problems were not insignificant either. At least brawls and fights broke out every day, with people often resorting to brute force to settle disputes. This rather barbaric way of life wasn't much admired by those from other lands, so whenever Tanek was mentioned, a frown was inevitable.
As for how I knew this, it was enough just to walk along the streets—scenes of violence were everywhere: sparring, dueling. The young women here were also drawn to warriors. When someone wished to propose to a girl, he had to pass a test from her family to prove he was worthy. If the girl had multiple suitors, they would duel directly, and the victor would gain the right to propose. One could say this was a very open and unconventional society.
The customs here were also simple and unpretentious. At the moment, we were seated in a bustling tavern, where the wine was far better than that of any other place. There was fruit wine brewed by local households and rich barley ale. Though the wines weren't as exquisite as those served in the royal court, they were bold and hearty, truly delicious. Even I, who hardly ever drank, made an exception and had a few cups. The tavern was constantly noisy, but it did nothing to dampen my spirits. Here, news traveled faster than anywhere else. People were drinking with smiles on their faces, and plates of local delicacies were served to every table for everyone to enjoy. At times, they even held impromptu parties, with all the necessary grilling tools available—it really was a fantastic place for entertainment.
The locals were warm and hospitable, and they greeted us strangers kindly. Naturally, there were some who tried to strike up conversations with us. While we sat at our table, we had to fend off several of these, well, rather bold men and women. I cast a sideways glance at Melly, who sat beside me, almost leaning against me. She seemed quite popular here—many of the men in the tavern had their eyes on her.
Our group attracted quite a bit of attention in this tavern, given how we stood out. The owner of the tavern was a strong, muscular man with dark skin and well-defined muscles, clearly a powerful individual. He gave us a broad, friendly smile and walked toward our table at a leisurely pace, greeting us with a casual wave of his hand. "Hey there, you must be folks from other continents. Well, seeing you lot, I can say you truly are heaven's favorites. Welcome to Tanek!"
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There wasn't a hint of pretense in his words. Seeing the genuine admiration in his eyes, I couldn't help but feel some goodwill toward this tavern owner. So we all greeted him in kind, "Thank you for your hospitality! We've never tasted such refreshing wine before!"
Upon hearing mention of his wine, the owner gave a proud grin. "Of course! There's no one on this street who doesn't know my wine is the best!"
"This is our first time in Tanek, and there's still a lot we're not familiar with. Could you tell us if there's anything we should be aware of?" Lanius smiled, and his unique demeanor seemed to catch the eye of some young women in the tavern, who blushed slightly.
