The night was long, the stars dang in the bck sky, clouds of white drifting quietly as they crossed the nightly phe hooting of the owls and the chirping of the tiny critters resouowards the moon, it a sweet and delightful serenade.

  And as moonlight graced the world with life and fort, the city lights turned oer another, an orchestra of lights and winds pying across the midnight gallery. It was a sight of behold, a soft symphony carried by the nightly breeze.

  "Oh! You're closioday? It must have been quite lively!"

  "Gahahaha! Tell me more! Tell me more! That was an iing story!"

  "Ohhh!! Let's go drinking, boys! Let's drink until we're dead!"

  Of course, a number of various ses pyed out iy. Some were closing their shops, some were going home, and some were heading towards the taverns to drink until they drop. A chaotic yet strangely harmonious melody.

  Just as the merry bunch walked dowreets, the homes lit up with warmth and radiahe eys given life as everyone enjoyed a cozy night. The subtle sound of giggles and ughter filled the streets, happiness blooming everywhere.

  Grey and Yuna were also amongst those people, now walking dowreet light-lit streets, the cold breeze caressing their skin. They just came back from their bountiful dinner, both heart and stoma full, and smiles floating on their faces.

  "Fuuu～! That was amazing～! I didn't think they would use so many herbs in their recipes too. It was ued! Ued but delicious!" ［Yuna］

  "It really was u might be hard to replicate these in any other pce." ［Grey］

  "Eh? Does that mean we have to go back here every time we want to eat them again...? Eh... That's bothersome..." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... Haah... You really are something..." ［Grey］

  It was already past 9 o'clock, the sed st bell of the day ringing just a few minutes earlier. Xeros was already quiet, looking a lot different from the sery when the sun reigned over the sky, the city now drifting to sleep.

  Well, even if it was different, it was still a beautiful sight to behold. Not only were the artisans gifted in making all sorts of arts and crafts, they were also quite gifted in the ways of magic, g simple yet beautiful entments all over the pce.

  Many of the pilrs and little tris iies glowed a dim color, looking like bright and brilliant stars from afar. It was subtle, but seeing them, Grey was reminded of the Christmas lights back when he was still oh, only that it was more beautiful.

  "Uuu.... I'm still feeling hungry..." ［Yuna］

  Though, with Yuna around... The reminisg didn't st too long, Grey's eyes shifting to the young dy before her. He has been together with her for years already, but he is still taken by surprise from his fiancée's random words and as.

  After all, with their appetites, they didn't just eat a person or two's worth of meals. It was more like about a dozen each, the two wolfing down their meals as if there was no tomorrow, expl the pce whilst they filled their appetites.

  Yet despite all they ate, the young dy was still hungry, wishing to eat more. She may look small and delicate, but she was one hungry girl.... One very hungry girl...

  "Ah! That must be it! It must be because we didn't have dessert yet!" ［Yuna］

  "Dessert...? We already ate dessert though?" ［Grey］

  "Nng... But it still wasn't enough... No, it wasn't... I want to eat somethihat's right! I want to eat something new!" ［Yuna］

  Said the lovely (but gluttonous) young elf as she looked at Grey with sparkly eyes, making sure she emphasized what she wanted, repeatiatement twice. Grey didn't eveo guess what she wao say. Her eyes already said it all.

  It hasn't evehat long sihey ate the Chocote Peanut Butter Lasagna, yet Yuna wants to eat something novel and iing again, all to satisfy her craving fary sweets and her curiosity for new dishes. Oh, the voracious young elf.

  "Grey... I want to eat something new..." ［Yuna］

  And now, she said it for the thirds time, still looking at Grey like he was some sort of magical food dispenser. At this point, Grey doesn't know even anymore whether she accepted his proposal because of love or because of hunger. How troublesome it is.

  "Greyー" ［Yuna］

  "Alright, alright, I get it already. You don't have to say anymore." ［Grey］

  "Really? Do you have something new in mind?" ［Yuna］

  "Well... You'll just have to wait and see..." ［Grey］

  vely enough, as Grey ended his words, they also stopped oracks. They finally arrived back at the Camellia Valley, the soft chimes of the bells ringing ever so beautifully as they opehe doors before them.

  It was already te at night, so they made sure to not cause a loud ruckus, softening their steps as they headed ihe pce was now void of people, only a couple to be seen l around and tidying the pce up, chairs flipped atop the tables.

  There was no sound ing from the kit nor were there any footsteps to be heard upstairs. It seems like everyone had already fallen asleep, retiring themselves after a long day's work, drifting to dreamnd and embrag the warmth of their beds.

  "Oh dear, looks like we have ers." ［???］

  A middle-aged dy came out of the kit, wiping her hands dry after washing the dishes. She lump dy whose cheeks were good for ping, just about the same age as Pascal whom they met befreeting the two with a friendly smile.

  "Are you here to che?" ［???］

  "Ah, no... We already checked in this afternoon with Mister Pascal. We just got back from our tour so we're a bit te." ［Grey］

  "Oh! You must be the young man and young dy my husband was talking about! You were the ones who wao borrow the kit, weren't you?" ［???］

  "Un. That's us." ［Yuna］

  It may be a different person, but she was just as lively and friendly as Pascal, talking with the two as if they already knew each other. It didn't take too long before the said husband came out, along with a son and daughter pair.

  They had just fiheir work for the day, and now their hands are free, only a couple more things left to doー or so they were going to do, but hearing the merry voices from the reception lobby, they couldn't help but sneak a peek.

  There, they saw the dy talking with Grey and Yuna. Pascal already khem, but for the children, they were new faces. Faces which they couldn't help but admire with how geous they looked. They were like true works of art.

  "My, my, it looks like our new lodgers are back. It's already so te, I thought you weren't going back for the day. We were just closing." ［Pascal］

  "Sorry for that, Mister Pascal. We just got a little too excited." ［Grey］

  "It's fi's fihat's what youth is all about, after all." ［Pascal］

  Pascal, Grey, and Yuna tio chat, and the children tio peek over at their dire. They seemed to be pre-teens at most, looking at the two unfamiliar guests with curious eyes which were strangely full of admiration.

  It was as if they were seeing celebrities standing before their very eyes, whispering to one another as to not be heardー or so they were trying to. But their whispering was so loud, everyone could practically hear the two of them talking.

  "ht. How rude of me. How could I fet the introdus... Mister Shin, Miss Elena, this here is my lovely wife and responsible wife, Linda. And the two sweeties over the er are Chris and Wena." ［Pascal］

  "Fufufu! It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Shin, Miss Elena! I'm Pascal's wife, and co-owner of the inn, the Camellia Valley." ［Linda］

  "Hello, I'm Wena. It's o meet you." ［Wena］

  "Same here～! o meet you!" ［Chris］

  Led by Pascal, everyoroduced themselves oer another aeheir hands out to greet the two. Grey and Yuna soon introduced themselves, reciprog their warm reception with smiles just as warm and lovely.

  Apparently, the family of four are the only ones running the inn, serving ers dawn 'til dusk. The father, Pascal is in charge of reception and service. The mother, Linda, was in charge of the kit. And the children help out by serving ers and running important errands.

  It wasn't an unon sight seeing children work in Merusia at su early age, but it was still fasating to hear they could keep up the work. Just like Helen, they have quite the amazing skills honed by years of experience.

  "ht! Mister Pascal, about what we talked about before... Could we use the kit now? It's already te, but I want to make something." ［Grey］

  "Oh, already?" ［Pascal］

  "Yeah. I want to make a dessert for Yuna hereー But oh! You're free to have some too if you want. I'm going to make a lot of them anyway." ［Grey］

  "Ohh～! That's wonderful to hear! Go ahead! Use it as you please." ［Pascal］

  There was no time to waste. As soon as Grey got the permission from Pascal, he and Yuna then headed towards the kit, and strangely enough, everyone followed them too, clearly curious about what dessert Grey was trying to make.

  The kit was , not a single spot of scum or stains to be seen everywhere, the dishes, pans, and pots arranged ly, and all the kitware hanging by their racks. The chef's blood in Grey had started to boil iement.

  CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK

  Grey opened his "Iory" and pced item after item atop the kit table. There was densed milk, sugar, chocote and chocote chips, butter, sprinkles, and a fresh and new ingredient Grey happeo ce upon whilst they were strolling.

  "Hm? Aren't these the peppermint leaves you bought earlier? They don't look that delicious... No, are they perhaps sweet?! Like dy maybe?!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Not at all. I just thought I'd make something different this time. We're iy of Alchemy, so I might as well use a strong herb," ［Grey］

  Yuna's head tilted in fusion as the word "strong" rang inside her mind. She was familiar with herbs, but even so, she never had the ce of using peppermints, or any mints for that matter, as an alchemy ingredient.

  All she knew from Grey was that it was a herb which would feel cool ihe mouth, and would also be cool body parts when used with soaps and shampoos. Never did she think she would ever see it as an ingredient i, especially not for dessert.

  Well, it wasn't just her. Pascal and his family were also curious what Grey was going to make. They khat peppermints had a nice, aromatic st, but they never heard anyone use them for cooking. Everyone's eyes were on Grey.

  "Umm... Everyone... I 't really focus with all of you staring at me like that, so... Could you please head out first and wait outside?" ［Grey］

  "Ehh? We'll just be watg though. We'll be quiet! Super quiet!" ［Yuna］

  "You do know you don't sound ving when you say that, don't you?" ［Grey］

  Yuna tried to protest, but she was quickly shot down by Grey. After all, she was just a bound merry ball of energy aement. Her squealing would surely wake up everyohe moment Grey finishes his work.

  "Don't worry too much. I'll make sure to finish it quickly." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... Fine... I'll be waiting then..." ［Yuna］

  Relu her eyes, Yuna then heaved a sigh of defeat and headed back to the dinning hall, everyone following after her. With that, Grey could finally be at peace, his mind focused on the ingredients as he held the mixing bowl and spatu.

  "Then... Let's get this started, shall we?" ［Grey］

  Having folded his sleeves, Grey then lined up some part atop the baking sheet and pced the mixing bo the kit table. He flicked his fingers and the leaves of peppermint hovered in the air.

  They danced around the pd an aromatic st wafted throughout the kit. Grey ched his hands, and the leaves stuck to one another, crumpling together as a minty fluid was extracted, green like the forest, a refreshing st tig his nose.

  The densed milks were poured into the bowl, and so was the peppermiract, beating them gently, adding sugar and chocote chips from time to time, repeating the process until the mixture is no loicky, and smooth sistency was formed.

  Grey flicked his fingers again and the winds dao his tuhe mixture floated in the air and separated in a spt, several balls of mint f oer another as the pieces came back together, fttened as they came back to the baking ptter.

  "Now to dry them..." ［Grey］

  The winds pyed i, a little bit of heat apanying them. Quite a bit of moisture was taken from the patties, fading a little in color but looking more scrumptious thahey were like mash,allowed at first gnce.

  After the patties, Grey then stirred some chocote and a tad bit of butter over a pan, making sure the heat was low. He stirred and stirred some more, a delightful aroma drifting in the air as the mixture melted beautifully before removing them from heat.

  O a time, Grey then dipped the patties into the ixture, coating the minty patties in a shell of sweet and creamy milk chocote, sooing them aside back to the baking ptter.

  "And finally..." ［Grey］

  With a little bit of magic, the peppermint patties were chilled, the chocotey shell now solid and chy. A little bit of sprinkling with the use of some powdered sugar, and the dessert was done! Such beautiful Peppermint Patties!

  Of course, there wasn't just one. After making peppermint patties with milk chocote, Grey theed the steps and used dark chocote the ime. A bitter shell to trast the sweet and minty taste hidden in the inside.

  A little taste test ter and a smile bloomed on Grey's face. It was a dessert he usually doesn't have the leisure to taste ba Earth, but now he could taste it any and every time he wanted. He couldn't be any happier.

  "Alright. These should be enough." ［Grey］

  Having ed up after himself and a couple ptes in his hand , Grey theed the kit and headed towards the dining hall. There, he found his beloved fiancée, happily chatting with the pany, giggling and ughing as they told stories.

  "Then he headed to the mountains and found rare herbs there! There was a whole treasure trove of them! There were so many!" ［Yuna］

  "Waah～! Were there also some magits?" ［Chris］

  "Un! There weren't many but there were definitely a few of them. Look, I even show you sht now." ［Yuna］

  "Really?! I want to see them too! Magits! Magits!" ［Wena］

  Yuna was getting along very well with everyoelling them tales of their adventures ba the days with a smile on her face. She even took out some magits to prove and showcase their adventurer, much to everyone's delight.

  As it seems, the youngsters were also dreaming to bee alchemists one day, truly excited at the sight of the magit Yuna took out. If it weren't for the barrier Yuna had already made, the ruckus would have surely woken up a handful of people. Grey could only chuckle at the sight.

  "Oh? You're done already, Young Man? It hasn't been 10 minutes yet." ［Pascal］

  "Well, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve so making these things are really easy. Please have some, Mister Pascal, and everyooo." ［Grey］

  "Ohh! Then I'll be partaking on your offer." ［Pascal］

  "Ah! Shioo! Please leave some for me!" ［Yuna］

  "Eh? Storytelling wait for ter. If you don't take sht now, I'm sure you'll be regretting it ter. These are the only ones I'm making today, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Mou... It 't be helped then..." ［Yuna］

  Oer another, everyone's haeowards the ptes and took a patty for themselves. Everyone else was curious about such a treat, especially the solid chocote shell c the patties, biting down oo sate their curiosities.

  A sweet and creamy shell caressed their tongues, melting iheir mouth as they tio chehat followed after was a strong and sweet punint, delivering a cool sensation to the mouth, a rush of sugar flooding in.

  The dark chocote one was also a delight. It was strong and bitter, trasting and plimenting the sugary ter. The kick of the peppermint was the ig on the cake, a harmonious firework of sweetness and bitterness exploding in their mouths.

  "A-Amazing! This is the first time I've eaten something like this!" ［Linda］

  "What did you say these were called again, Young Man?" ［Pascal］

  "They're called 'Peppermint Patties'." ［Grey］

  "Ohh! Peppermint patties! Even what they're called is uhese must be some noble cuisine from a fn try! To think you make something this delicious with peppermint, and this bittersweet sensation too! It's spectacur!" ［Pascal］

  Apparently, the peppermint patties were so delicious, it was worth making a whole monologue just to praise it. Pascal was in cloud nine as he savored the taste of the treats, happily enjoying it with his lovely wife.

  "What do you think of them, Chris? Wena?" ［Grey］

  "Umm... This dark stuff is really bitter, but the green stuff is really sweet! This brown stuff is really sweet too! It's delicious!" ［Wena］

  "I agree with Bis Sis! I love this browter too!" ［Chris］

  Of course, the children were also very happy, mung down oties as if there was no tomorrow. The dark chocote and peppermint was a little strong for them, but they still ehem heless. It was immacute.

  As for Yuna, is there even a o say anything? She thhly enjoyed herself, sav the meltiion of the chocote and satisfying her cravings whilst she wolfed down the peppermint patties. Areat was added to her favorites.

  It was a good thing Grey didn't show her how to make them, otherwise, she would once again go ham and make a lot of them whenever she has the time to, and once again plunder any bags of sugar she could find. Her love for sweets is too much.

  Grey! we make these again, tomorrow ［Yuna］

  No. I know what you're thinking so you better stop it already. ［Grey］

  Pretty please～? I promise this is the st. ［Yuna］

  That won't work on me anymore. Better agaiime, My Dear. ［Grey］

  And now, the couple was ag like a father and daughter ioy store. Yuna tried to plead again and again, but it was futile. Grey stood his ground, and tried to be strict for once. He had spoiled the young dy for more than enough today.

  Yuna tried to look at him with puppy eyes, but the results remaihe same. She could only give up and heave a sigh of defeat. But there was o worry. Her mood quickly improved as soon as she tinued eating the peppermint patties.

  The stories were shared, the peppermint patties were eaten, and ughter resounded all over the pight fell even deeper and the whole city was enveloped in artificial lights. The cold winds tio blow as the stars sparkled ever shtly.

  With the night filled with pead quiet, Grey and Yuna also headed to their rooms, and decided to retire for the day, taking off their boots and coats, ging to a more fortable attire, the young dy soon plunging herself towards the bed.

  "Fuu～! That was amazing. I wonder if I eat them again tomorrow?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, no matter how much you try, I won't be swayed by your words anymore. You should really learo give up, Midy." ［Grey］

  "Mou... Cheapskate..." ［Yuna］

  Though she was already sprawling across the soft and fluffy bed, all Yuna could think about was the te night snack they just had. With how delicious they were, she could barely get enough of them, obviously wanting to eat more.

  And while she was thinking of such things, Grey flicked his fingers for the final time for the day aed a barrier before them. It was one Yuna was ever so familiar with, her mind filled with question marks as she noticed the sudden barrier.

  "Eh...? Sound-proofing...?" ［Yuna］

  That's right, it was a sound-proofing barrier which could even mellow out demonic screeches. And while Yuna pondered, Grey then took off his undershirt, revealing well-defined muscles and strong muscles.

  The young man then headed towards the bed, and before the young dy could react, he had already trapped her, holding her delicate hands with warmth and love. Well... let's just say that it wasn't just the barrier which was erected.

  "G... Grey...? What... What are you doing...?" ［Yuna］

  "Well... You already had your treat so couldn't I also have the same...? I'm already starving after all that pying and expl, you see." ［Grey］

  Said the young man with a teasing smile on his face. He tried to hide his iions behind his words, but Yuna could easily tell what he was talking about. Her face is now red as a ripe tomato, flushed all the way to the tip of her pointy ears.

  She tried to cover her face with her soft and delicate hands, but such adorable acts only made Grey want to tease her more. He chuckled to himself, whilst his heart raced, falling even deeper for the adorable young dy before him.

  "I 't...?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... You bully... I hate you..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Then... Thank you for the meal～." ［Grey］

  A smile on his face, the young man removed the hands c his beloved's face, revealing a blushing and embarrassed expression. He leaned in closer to her and sealed her lips with a kiss, their soft and warm breaths ringing in their ears.

  "Yuna... I love you..." ［Grey］

  "I know, dummy... I love you too..." ［Yuna］

  The wind was cold and the night was quiet, yet there was only warmth and fort in the hearts of the two. They held one another's hands and their bodies became one, whispering words of love into one another's ears.

  Oh, such passionate love.

  CHAPTER 358 END