Chapter 139 – Finally… Our Home
Chapter 139
Finally… Our Home
Date : Day 29 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The first light of dawn filtered through the window, painting the familiar wooden floor of their inn room in soft silver hues. The glow was cool and pale—the particular quality of light that came from Luna's dominance during the winter months, when Sol retreated and left the world bathed in perpetual silver.
Hyoren woke up not from an alarm, but from the quiet rhythm of Elise's breathing beside him and the bubbling excitement growing inside his chest. His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the early morning light that crept through the gaps in the curtains.
Today was moving day.
He turned his head slightly and looked at her sleeping face. Silver hair spread across the pillow like threads of moonlight. Peaceful expression. Relaxed breathing. For a moment, Hyoren simply watched her quietly. The urge to reach out and brush a strand of hair from her cheek was strong, but he resisted. Some moments were better left undisturbed.
One month. They had only stayed in this room for about one month.
Yet somehow, it felt far longer than that. This small room inside Wanderer's Rest had witnessed so much. The bed where they had slept together. The desk where they had planned their quests. The window where they had watched the dual suns set after long days of adventuring.
It was where they went from wary allies into inseparable partners. Where two lost souls slowly became family. And for Hyoren, it was the first place in this strange world where he truly felt at home.
As if sensing his gaze, Elise's eyes slowly fluttered open. A sleepy smile immediately appeared on her lips.
"Morning... Hyoren..."
Her voice was soft and husky from sleep.
Hyoren leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently.
"Good morning, Elise."
A smile formed on his face.
“Today’s a big day.”
Elise slowly sat up and stretched both arms upward. Several soft pops came from her joints.
The silver light entering through the window enveloped her figure beautifully. Combined with her silver hair, it created an almost ethereal glow around her. The pale illumination catching her loose strands and making them shimmer like threads of moonlight against the darker backdrop of the room.
Then she looked back toward him and smiled.
"The biggest."
A trace of excitement entered her voice.
"Our first day in our own home."
The excitement between them was almost tangible.
Both of them quickly got ready for the day. They washed their faces with cold water, fixed their tangled hair, and prepared themselves in front of the mirror. The mirror above the washbasin was small and slightly warped with age, but it served well enough for the purpose.
Elise decided to leave most of her silver hair loose today, only braiding a small section to frame her face. Her fingers worked with practiced ease—separating a thin strand from the rest and weaving it into a simple but elegant braid that ran along the side of her head. Then she tied a green ribbon behind her head, the color accentuating her silver hair beautifully.
Meanwhile, Hyoren simply tied his now longer dark hair at the back of his neck before shaving the stubble growing on his chin. The razor moved with familiar strokes across his skin—the result of weeks of practice that had turned an unfamiliar task into a routine. He still missed the convenience of modern shaving tools sometimes, but he had grown accustomed to the simpler methods of this world.
Afterward, they quickly dressed themselves.
Elise wore a casual green blouse beneath a yellow blazer, simple but elegant enough to match her natural beauty. The colors complemented her features. Meanwhile, Hyoren wore a comfortable tunic and dark trousers. Over it, he draped a dark leather long jacket that almost resembled a mantle.
He had bought it several days ago now that the weather was growing colder approaching winter. Outside the city, their temperature-regulating cloaks were still more practical. But inside Akela itself—wearing full adventurer cloaks constantly somehow felt strange to him.
They packed their belongings together with quiet efficiency, naturally moving around each other without needing many words.
There honestly wasn't much to pack. A few sets of clothes. Their personal kits. Hyoren's shaving tools. Elise's combs, ribbons, and hairpins. A handful of miscellaneous things they had accumulated during their stay. The physical items were few enough that they could have packed them in a matter of minutes if they had rushed.
Everything else was already stored neatly inside their Storage Bag.
Yet despite how little they owned physically, the act of packing still felt strangely significant. Like they were properly closing one chapter of their lives before stepping into the next. Each item that went into the bag felt like a small farewell—a recognition that this part of their journey was ending and something new was beginning.
Eventually, the final item was packed away. Elise's last hairpin disappeared into the void. Silence settled over the room afterward.
Hyoren and Elise stood side by side in the center of the room, quietly looking around one last time. The sturdy bed where they had spent so many nights together. The small desk near the window where they had planned their quests and counted their earnings. The private bathroom door. The familiar view overlooking Adventurer's District—the same rooftops and streets they had come to know over the past month.
This room had become far more than a temporary inn room to them. It had been their sanctuary. The silent witness to their relationship. To awkward beginnings. To quiet conversations late at night. To passionate embraces. To peaceful mornings together.
This tiny room was where they truly became "us."
Elise spoke softly, her voice carrying faint nostalgia.
"It's strange..."
Her emerald eyes wandered across the room again. Taking in every detail as if trying to memorize it before leaving.
"To think we won't sleep here again."
Hyoren wrapped one arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her closer.
"It was a good home."
Elise leaned her head against him immediately.
"The best."
Then a small smile formed on her lips. The expression was bittersweet.
"But our next one will be even better."
Hyoren smiled softly in agreement.
After one final shared look around the room, they turned toward the door. Their footsteps were soft against the wooden floor—each step carrying them closer to the threshold that marked the boundary between this chapter and the next.
Then they quietly left, gently closing it behind them. The click of the latch was soft but final. Almost like saying goodbye to an old friend.
***
They descended the stairs toward the bustling communal room downstairs. Each step carried them closer to the main floor, closer to the moment of departure that had been building since they woke.
Morning rush had already begun. The inn was lively and noisy as usual. The smell of frying meat, fresh bread, and coffee filled the air while adventurers chatted loudly around tables preparing for the day.
Hyoren approached the counter and placed their room key atop the polished wood. The key had been theirs for nearly a month. Now it was going back to where it belonged.
"We're checking out, Martha."
Martha paused mid-motion and looked toward them. Her hands, which had been wiping down the counter a moment before, stilled.
The usual professional tavern smile on her face quickly softened into something much warmer. Something sadder.
Without hesitation, she stepped out from behind the counter and suddenly pulled both of them into a surprisingly tight hug. The embrace was powerful—her arms wrapping around them with a strength that belied her maternal appearance. The impact was immediate and enveloping, the kind of hug that seemed to press all the air from the lungs while simultaneously filling something else entirely.
"Oh, you two..."
Her powerful embrace nearly crushed Hyoren's ribs.
"I'm going to miss you."
Elise immediately hugged her back tightly. Her emerald eyes were already shining slightly. The moisture that gathered at the corners wasn't quite tears—not yet—but it was close.
"We'll miss you too, Martha."
Her voice softened.
"So much."
Meanwhile, Hyoren awkwardly patted Martha's back, feeling an unexpected lump forming in his throat. He hadn't expected himself to become this attached. The inn had been a stopping point—a temporary arrangement while they found something more permanent. But somewhere along the way, it had become something more than that.
When they finally separated, Martha quickly wiped at her eyes using the corner of her apron.
"Now, now... none of that."
She sniffed loudly before pointing at them firmly.
"You two go make that manor into a proper home."
Then her expression softened again.
"And remember your promise. You come visit me sometimes, alright?"
Elise nodded immediately.
"We will."
Then she smiled warmly.
"We'll still come back for dinner occasionally."
Martha pointed accusingly at them again, though her watery smile completely ruined the intimidation.
"You'd better."
Then she waved her hand dramatically.
"Now go on already. Start your new life."
Hyoren and Elise exchanged one final smile with her before turning toward the exit.
With a final wave behind them, they stepped outside Wanderer's Rest. The door closed behind them with a soft click—a sound that seemed to mark the boundary between one chapter and the next. Leaving behind the warmth. The noise. And the woman who had become their very first anchor in this unfamiliar world.
The morning air greeted them immediately. Cold. Fresh. Bright beneath Silver Luna's pale light. The chill was bracing after the warmth of the inn.
This time, neither of them looked back. Because now—they were finally heading to their new home.
***
They walked away from Wanderer's Rest not with hurried steps, but with a slow, contemplative pace. The lingering sentiment of leaving their first "home" still clung to them like a soft melancholic shroud. Their footsteps fell in an unhurried rhythm.
As they walked through Adventurer's District, familiar sights naturally entered their eyes one after another. The streets that had once seemed strange and overwhelming now felt as familiar as the lines on their own palms.
Uncle Boram's cluttered clothing shop, where Hyoren bought his very first proper clothes in this world. The distant rhythmic clang of Borin's hammer from his forge. The busy streets they had crossed countless times during the past month. Adventurers heading to and from the guild, merchants hawking their wares, locals going about their daily routines. Every place carried memories now.
Small stepping stones leading them toward where they stood today.
Eventually, they turned toward the side street beside Adventurer's Guild. Toward the Guild Dormitory.
And waiting there were the remaining members of Freedom Party. His second lover. And his second party member.
Ina waved the moment she spotted them. The small Cat-clan Vice Guild Master stood beneath Silver Luna's pale morning rays, her short brown hair softly glittering under the light. Her cat ears perked forward.
Beside her stood Jackey. Tall. Broad. Energetic as always. His orange hair and striped tabby tail swished excitedly behind him.
Standing side by side, their resemblance became immediately obvious despite their completely different builds. The family connection was written in the details.
Jackey towered around 185 centimeters with a muscular frame, while Ina was only around 155 centimeters, petite and small. But the way their tails moved. Their mischievous expressions. The shape of their eyes. It was unmistakable. Siblings.
"Hyoren! Elise! Morning!"
"Big Bro! Elise! Morning!"
Ina's voice was soft and melodic. Meanwhile, Jackey's voice boomed loudly through the street. Completely opposite tones. Yet somehow carrying the exact same warmth.
Hyoren and Elise approached them with smiles.
"Good morning, Ina, Jackey."
Elise also nodded softly toward the siblings.
"Morning..."
Ina immediately rummaged through her pockets before taking out couple of keys. The brass keys caught the silver light as she held it up.
"Yelan gave me the keys yesterday."
Her cat ears twitched lightly.
"She said the house repair was finished."
Hyoren accepted the keys from her hand. He examining the simple design of the keys before slipping it into his pocket.
"I see... That was thoughtful of her. We don't need to go all the way to Merchants' District just to pick it up."
Ina then lifted another bag she was carrying.
"Also..."
She opened it slightly, revealing packed food inside. The smell of fresh bread and something savory wafted out immediately.
"Did you two already eat breakfast?"
Hyoren and Elise shook their heads almost simultaneously.
"Not yet, Ina."
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"We left the inn a bit hurriedly."
Elise nodded beside him. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
"Yeah. We know you still had work today, so we didn't want to make you wait too long."
Ina’s cat ears perked proudly.
"Fufu. You two worry too much."
Ina giggled softly, clearly amused.
"You forgot? Unity Day was always my rest day. You two didn't need to rush. Fufu."
Hyoren and Elise looked at each other for a moment before realizing their mistake.
Hyoren scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Right... we still can't remember properly when your rest days are, Ina."
Then he remembered the date. The information surfaced from the back of his mind where it had been buried under more immediate concerns.
"And today, the 29th... is Unity Day indeed."
Elise also smiled helplessly beside him.
"We got too excited about moving."
Ina's expression softened warmly seeing the two of them. Then she slightly raised the bag of sandwiches again.
"But yeah... I already guessed you two would skip breakfast."
She opened the package and started handing sandwiches to everyone one by one.
"So I prepared these."
Jackey immediately grabbed his portion enthusiastically.
"Ooooh! Big Sis’s sandwiches!"
Meanwhile, Ina handed one toward Hyoren and Elise with a soft smile.
"Let's eat while we walk..."
Then her expression softened slightly.
"To our home."
For a brief moment, Hyoren looked at the sandwich in his hand quietly. The wrapped food seemed ordinary enough—bread and filling that would provide sustenance for the morning. But the words that accompanied it carried a weight that made the simple meal feel like something more.
Then a smile slowly spread across his face.
"To our home."
Beside them, Jackey suddenly raised both fists dramatically into the air.
"To the home beside the brothel! WOHOOO!"
His tabby tail swished wildly behind him. The appendage moved with the kind of unrestrained excitement that seemed to be a permanent feature of Jackey's personality.
"The greatest location ever!"
Hyoren and Elise couldn't help smiling helplessly.
Meanwhile, Ina immediately smacked Jackey's shoulder with an exasperated expression.
"Jackey!"
Her cat ears flattened slightly in embarrassment.
"Don't shout things like that in the morning!"
Jackey only laughed loudly in response. The sound was booming and unapologetic.
Then the four of them started walking together through the streets of Akela. The morning light of Silver Luna cast long shadows across the cobblestones as they made their way toward their destination.
Toward their new home.
***
They continued walking toward their destination, Wyvern Street.
As they turned into the street, the atmosphere around them slowly shifted. The sounds changed first. The familiar rhythms of the Adventurer's District gave way to something more chaotic. Music spilled from doorways. Laughter echoed from windows. The occasional shout or cheer rose above the general din.
They had entered the Entertainment District.
Even in the morning, the district was loud and lively in a way completely different from Adventurer's District or Merchants' District. The energy here was different—more frenetic, more unrestrained. Where the Adventurer's District buzzed with purpose and the Merchants' District hummed with commerce, this place throbbed with something rawer. More primal.
It was a strange liminal space. A district that seemingly never slept. Brothels. Gambling dens. Taverns. Bars.
Most of the establishments never truly closed their doors. The nightlife simply bled endlessly into the morning. There was no clear distinction between when one day's entertainment ended and the next began—only a continuous flow of pleasure and excess that seemed to exist outside the normal rhythms of time.
To some people, this place was paradise. To others, a den of vice. The district made no apologies for what it was.
Drunkards could be seen sleeping carelessly on the side of the street, completely unbothered by the noise around them. Some were propped against walls with bottles still clutched in their hands. Others had simply collapsed where they stood, their bodies forming obstacles that pedestrians navigated around with practiced ease.
Escort women stood near storefronts and corners, promoting either themselves or the establishments they worked for. Some wore elegant dresses that accentuated their figures while maintaining an air of sophistication. Others intentionally provocative clothes that left little to the imagination. Their calls and invitations mixed with the general noise of the street—adding another layer to the district's already complex symphony.
There were even establishments catering toward wealthy women seeking pleasure, with handsome male escorts openly advertising themselves. The men stood in doorways or leaned against pillars, their postures relaxed but inviting. They called out to passing women with the same practiced ease as their female counterparts.
The district was loud. Chaotic. Alive. Even this early in the day.
And this was a reason the luxurious manor here had remained unsold for so long despite how big and sturdy but cheap it was. The Entertainment District itself was the reason. The constant noise. The endless stream of questionable characters. The knowledge that one's neighbors were establishments of ill repute. All of these factors combined to make the property less appealing to the kind of wealthy buyer who might otherwise be interested in such a grand home.
Eventually, they arrived at the very end of Wyvern Street. And there—stood their new home.
Hyoren stopped walking. His breath caught slightly in his throat. The sight before him was almost unrecognizable from what he remembered.
The transformation was astonishing.
The old dilapidated manor they visited last week was completely gone. In its place stood a proud two-story stone manor that looked almost brand new. Fresh roof tiles reflected Silver Luna's pale light.
The windows gleamed cleanly. The glass that had been clouded with years of grime and neglect now sparkled in the morning light. The once dirty outer walls had been repaired, cleaned, and repainted into deep elegant red once more.
But the biggest transformation was the garden.
The overgrown jungle-like mess from before had disappeared entirely. Where there had been tangled vines and wild brush and weeds that reached waist-high, now there was a vast stretch of rich dark earth. Clean. Organized. Empty. A blank canvas waiting for life to bloom within it.
For several seconds, the four of them simply stood there silently. Taking it in. The quiet stretched between them—filled only by the distant sounds of the Entertainment District that seemed somehow muted here, as if the manor existed in its own pocket of peace amid the chaos.
Elise was the first to speak, almost whispering.
"It's... perfect..."
Her emerald eyes wandered toward the garden immediately.
"Look at all that space..."
A soft smile appeared on her lips.
"I want to plant flowers and herbs there..."
Ina slowly nodded beside her. Her cat ears twitched in disbelief.
"The house looks completely different… Is this really the same manor we visited last week?"
Meanwhile, Jackey stood unusually silent. Almost reverent. The normally boisterous Cat-clan beastkin was still—his usual energy suppressed by something that might have been awe or might have been something else entirely.
Though his eyes kept wandering toward the adjacent building beside the manor.
A bright luxurious two-story establishment proudly displaying the name "Succubus Lust". The most famous brothel in the Entertainment Sub-district. The sign was elaborate and unmistakable. Even at this hour, the establishment showed signs of activity—curtains drawn in some windows, the occasional figure moving behind the glass.
Hyoren almost laughed. He could practically see Jackey fighting for his life internally to avoid sprinting straight toward the building. His tail was already swishing uncontrollably.
Hyoren chuckled softly.
Then he stepped toward the heavy iron gate and unlocked it using one of the keys Ina gave him earlier. The mechanism turned with a satisfying click.
The gate creaked open slowly. But there was something different about this creak. Something that felt less like an old gate complaining and more like a welcome.
As the entrance revealed the manor grounds before him, a profound sense of satisfaction washed over Hyoren.
He paused there for a moment. Taking it all in. His gaze wandered to Elise who stood on his right. Then to Ina and Jackey on his left. Then his gaze returned toward the two-story red manor standing proudly before them. Their house. Their headquarters. Their future.
A faint smile slowly formed on his face.
“This…”
His voice carried quiet emotion.
“Will become Freedom Party’s first base.”
He inhaled slowly before speaking again. Then he looked at the manor once more.
“Finally… Our home.”
Beside him, Elise smiled softly. Ina’s cat ears twitched happily. Even Jackey grinned widely.
None of them corrected his wording. Because all three of them already agreed—home—that was exactly what this place was going to become. And together, the four of them stepped inside their new home's garden.
Their footsteps crunched softly against the freshly turned earth—the first footprints in what would become the foundation of their new life together.