The sky was slowly painted with hues of orange and purple as the last rays of the sun set the horizon ablaze. Eldoria, with its imposing walls, stood before Ale like an ancient fortress, guardian of past ages.
Ale reached into his pocket and pulled out the Solisphère, an artifact inherited from his grandfather, recovered from the ruins of his home. Unlike the ornate watches crafted by the most talented Dwarven artisans and reserved for nobility and wealthy merchants, the Solisphère was a popular tool, favored by small traders and travelers. This technomagic device, simple yet effective, ran on mana rather than intricate mechanical workings.
The slightly opaque glass sphere was etched with fine runes. Ale ran his fingers over it before injecting a small amount of mana. In response, the Solisphère softly illuminated, a golden light manifesting on its surface. Inside, a miniature replica of a sundial appeared, indicating the time with a glowing projection representing the position of the sun.
He gazed at it for a moment. It was 6:40 PM. Ale let out a soft sigh of relief. He still had time to reach the city before the gates closed. With any luck, he could finally rest at a proper inn, enjoy a hot bath, and indulge in a well-earned meal after such a long day.
However, as he approached, he noticed unusual commotion near the gates. A crowd had gathered in front of the entrance, and the large wooden doors were already shut. Intrigued, Ale stepped forward and read the sign posted at the entrance:
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"Due to recent disturbances in the region, the city of Eldoria closes its entry/exit access from 6:00 PM."
Signed: Viscount Alaric de Montclair
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He sighed, slightly disappointed. He wasn't the only one left outside. Around thirty people were waiting, some visibly frustrated, others resigned. Among them were travelers, merchants, adventurers, and groups of refugees carrying on their backs all they could salvage from their past lives.
Improvised camps were beginning to set up in front of the gates. Ale decided to find a quiet spot to spend the night. Under a large tree not far away, he set up his camp. He took out a magic fire stone to heat his portable stove. From his spatial storage space, he summoned mushrooms and edible herbs he had collected along the way. Since his youngest age, he had learned the art of cooking from his grandfather, who often said, "After hard work, nothing beats the comfort of a good meal."
As he prepared his dish, a delicious aroma began to spread through the air, catching the attention of some travelers.
"Bam, I told you the gates close earlier now!" A feminine voice, tinged with annoyance, sounded nearby. Ale looked up and saw a young girl with her hair tied in a ponytail, visibly scolding a sturdy but somewhat chubby boy.
"Because you can't wake up early, we left too late!" she continued.
"We've been on a mission for over a month; I forgot the schedule had changed," Bam defended himself. "And besides, Solia, you also take your time in the morning to put on makeup..."
"What? So now it's my fault?" Solia protested indignantly.
"Come on, come on, let's calm down," intervened a third companion, Tim, a slim boy with curly hair dyed red. "There's no point in complaining. We just have to spend one more night outside."
"I was looking forward to a good meal tonight, taking a hot bath... My skin needs better care after that perilous mission," lamented Solia.
The three adventurers, newly registered at the Eldoria guild, were returning from their mission.
Suddenly, Bam sniffed the air insistently. "But that smells so good..." he said. "Tim, do you smell that? I can't resist!" Bam added, his eyes fixed in Ale's direction.
"Leave people alone; we have food," Solia interjected.
But Bam could no longer contain himself. Driven by his appetite, he stood up and approached Ale. Tim tried to hold him back by the arm.
"Bam, get back here!"
"Just a minute, I'll ask him nicely," insisted Bam, freeing himself from Tim's grip.
Reaching Ale, Bam wore an awkward smile. "Good evening! Sorry to bother you, but your dish smells absolutely delicious. Would you be willing to share?"
Ale looked up at him and smiled warmly. "Of course, I'd be happy to. Have a seat."
Surprised by this positive response, Bam quickly sat down by the fire. Tim and Solia, seeing this, decided to join him.
"Sorry about our friend," Tim said as he sat down. "He's a bit of a foodie."
"It's no problem; I enjoy the company," Ale replied. "My name is Ale."
"Nice to meet you, Ale. I'm Solia, and these are Bam and Tim. We're adventurers, newly registered with the Eldoria guild. We're returning from a mission that lasted longer than expected," Solia explained.
"Pleasure to meet you," Ale said, serving portions of his dish to his new companions.
Solia, grateful, suggested, "In return, we can share our provisions. We have bread, grains, and water."
"And also these golden fruits!" exclaimed Bam, pulling several shimmering fruits from his bag. "We got them from a merchant on the road. They're really delicious and give you energy."
Ale smiled. "I have some as well. We can have them later for dessert."
The group shared a convivial meal. The dishes prepared by Ale were savory, and the adventurers greatly appreciated his cooking.
"This is absolutely delicious!" Bam exclaimed, taking another bite. "I haven't eaten something this good in a long time."
"You're an excellent cook, Ale," added Solia. "It's rare to meet someone who knows how to prepare forest mushrooms so well."
"Thank you; my grandfather taught me everything," he replied modestly.
After the main meal, they decided to taste the golden fruits. Bam was particularly enthusiastic.
"You'll see, these fruits are incredible! Not only are they delicious, but they also restore your energy."
They bit into the fruits, savoring the juicy, sweet flesh that melted in their mouths. A sensation of warmth and vitality coursed through Ale's body. He felt revitalized, but he also noticed a slight strange feeling, like a fleeting shadow in his mind. But the next moment, the sensation vanished.
"This is really good!" exclaimed Tim. "I already feel more energized."
"Yeah, but I feel like it makes me even hungrier," remarked Bam.
"You're always hungry, Bam," joked Solia with a laugh.
Ale smiled but remained thoughtful for a moment. "These fruits are indeed special. Do you know where they come from?"
"The merchant told us they come from a distant nation. He hopes to introduce them to the empire," explained Tim.
"Interesting," murmured Ale.
The night had fully settled, and the stars scattered across the sky like a myriad of sparkling lights. The campfire crackled softly, offering warmth and light.
"Tomorrow, we'll finally be able to enter Eldoria," Solia said, stretching. "I can't wait to sleep in a real bed again."
"Me too," Tim agreed. "Perhaps we'll run into each other in the city, Ale."
"With pleasure," he replied. "I plan to stay there for a while."
After a few more conversations, the group decided to rest. Each settled comfortably, wrapped in their blankets.
The silence of the night enveloped the campsite, disturbed only by the whisper of the wind and the distant songs of nocturnal insects. Gradually, Ale's eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted into a peaceful sleep, surrounded by his new companions.