Chapter 45 – "Sweet Battle"

  They headed into the city, deciding to stop by the temple first. Leonel wanted to ask the clergy if they had heard about the monsters emerging from the Rift and how much farther it was to the actual Fracture Between Worlds.

  But Stan had completely different plans.

  — Well, we’ll just have some cake in the meantime, — he announced, dragging Ethan into the inn.

  They settled at a table, ordered the biggest and most beautiful cake available, and enjoyed the moment.

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  — This is a masterpiece, — Stan said, savoring a bite.

  But then, a rider burst into the inn, jumped off his horse, and, ignoring the other guests, started loudly arguing with a staff member.

  — Hey, can you keep it down? — Stan muttered without looking up from his dessert.

  — I’m eating my cake here, — he added indignantly, still chewing.

  — I don’t care about your cake! — the stranger snapped.

  At that moment, Stan slowly stood up.

  — What did you say?

  — I said I don’t care about your—

  — How dare you insult my cake?! — Stan exclaimed furiously, and without waiting for a reply, punched the man.

  A brawl erupted. People screamed, tables were overturned. Ethan was about to step in, but someone bumped into him, and he… fell face-first into a giant slice of cake.

  Just then, a young woman in temple robes entered the inn. She looked around, searching for Stan and Ethan, but before she could say anything, Ethan practically collapsed onto her—his face completely covered in cream.

  Silence.

  — …Were you looking for us? — Stan asked innocently, brushing off his shirt.

  The girl stared at Ethan in disbelief.

  — I think you should wash up…

  Ethan took a deep breath.

  — Yeah. I think so too.