The falling sparks from the fireworks flickered across his face, casting soft shadows. His lips, tinted with color, moved gently.

“I hope your year ahead is filled with joy and safety.”

“…Ah. Thank you.”

“But don’t have too much fun without me.”

The playful tone of his words carried a hint of something deeper.

The six or so flowers tied together with a rough string brushed against my nose, releasing a faint, pleasant scent.

“Where did you get these?”

“I saw a vendor selling them on the way here. It wasn’t far, so I ran and grabbed them.”

His nose was slightly red, evidence of his quick dash.

“By the time I arrived, they were packing up. Good thing I wasn’t too late.”

“You didn’t have to buy me flowers…”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

‘Why didn’t I just thank him and leave it at that? Why add more?’

“Just because.”

Claude paused for a moment, as if considering his words, then repeated himself.

“Just because. I wanted to give you a gift.”

“…I hope you have a happy new year, too.”

There, I managed to reply properly this time without any unnecessary remarks.

As I felt pleased with myself, he smiled across from me.

“I already am.”

The fireworks that had painted the sky faded, and the energy of the festival began to wane. Night was falling deeper.

We stuffed the souvenirs into our pockets, splitting the items between us. My arms were full, with the bouquet tickling my chin.

“It’s so quiet now.”

“Yeah, it is.”

The streets that had been filled with people were now almost deserted, as everyone had likely returned to their lodgings.

We, too, were heading back to the inn. Except for one small problem…

“…Do you remember the way?”

“No.”

We were lost.

To be fair, it wasn’t surprising. The inn we had found was tucked away after we wandered for ages because the more prominent inns had no vacancies. We had only managed to get a room in a place that looked like it could collapse in five minutes.

Now, there was no way to remember where it had been.

There wasn’t even anyone around to ask. The local patrol seemed to have taken the night off to celebrate the Second New Year, or perhaps they were simply drunk on beer somewhere.

“Maybe we should try this alley.”

The inn hadn’t been on a main street; it was tucked away in one of the side alleys.

I nodded at Claude’s suggestion.

The farther we moved from the square, the narrower the roads became, with loose stones and dirt kicking up underfoot.

Several times we followed what seemed like the right path, only to end up back where we started. The streets were a tangled web, and for the third time, we found ourselves circling back to the same spot.

Finally, we stopped.

“I don’t mind a night stroll, but…”

[Khalia!]

“This isn’t working.”

I summoned Undine, who appeared, her small form swirling around me happily before pressing her cool cheek to mine.

I stroked her gently and made my request.

“Can you help us find the inn?”

[Of course!]

Even though she wasn’t as fast as a wind spirit, Undine was still better suited to scouting than we were.

As she flew off, I turned back to Claude, who was watching us.

“It’s night, no one’s around to see anything.”

Even though he hadn’t said a word, I felt the need to justify myself, almost guiltily. He gave a slight nod.

Before long, my small spirit returned, droplets of water trailing behind her as she hovered.

I greeted her eagerly.

“Did you find it?”

[I found it, but… there’s something strange happening!]

“What is it?”

[There’s a fight! A bunch of men, ganging up on someone small!]

“What’s going on? Couldn’t she find the inn?”

Claude, unaware of the situation, asked, and Undine responded loudly.

[They’ve cornered the little person and are beating them up!]

“There’s a fight nearby. Several men have surrounded a child and are beating him up.”

Without hesitation, I threw off what I was holding, letting the bouquet fall to the ground.

“Undine, lead the way.”

[This way!]

Claude and I wasted no time in following Undine as she sped ahead.

The cold wind whipped at my face as my mind cleared. Of course, things couldn’t stay perfect forever. I should’ve known better than to expect a day that was purely joyful and carefree.

As we neared the source of the commotion, the peaceful sounds of the night were replaced by muffled groans, the dull thuds of fists meeting flesh, and the harsh breaths of the attackers.

We stopped just before turning the corner into the alley, exchanging a glance. Claude quietly drew his sword, moving ahead of me and peering cautiously into the dimly lit alley.

‘When I signal, we charge in.’

His low voice brushed my ear. His fingers, held up, counted down—three, two, one.

At the signal, we rushed in, shouting.

“Stop that right now! How dare you gang up on a chi—”

The scene before me felt wrong. My words trailed off, unfinished.

“Who the hell are you?”

Three men, who had been viciously beating someone, turned to face us with menacing glares.

One of them swaggered forward, smirking.

“Mind your own business, or do you want to end up like him?”

As they advanced, I caught a glimpse of what was behind them—partially obscured by their large frames, there was a small figure huddled over a cart, as if protecting it.

‘Wait, a child?’

Thick, muscled limbs.

A figure shorter than me.

A face covered in curly hair beneath a bushy beard.

I mumbled in disbelief.

“A dwarf?”

[Yes, that’s what they kept calling him! They were shouting, ‘Damn dwarf!’ as they hit him!]

Undine, arms crossed, nodded solemnly but then looked at me in shock.

[Wow, Khalia! How do you know his name? Is he a friend of yours?]

“What… what is that strange creature…”

I was too stunned to answer Undine’s innocent question. One of the men finally noticed her and took a step back in fear.

“No way… Is that a spirit?!”

“That guy’s a spirit summoner!”

The thugs were clearly terrified.

I didn’t know what had happened to the dwarf or where he had come from, but it was obvious these guys were nothing but trouble.

“Undine. Let’s teach them a lesson.”

[Undine is not strange! Undine is cute and adorable!!]

With an angry buzz, Undine’s watery wings flapped as she clenched her fists, ready for action.

It didn’t take long before the three thugs were knocked unconscious, tossed aside against the alley walls like ragdolls.

Leaving the fallen thugs behind, I approached the dwarf, who was still collapsed over the cart.

“Excuse me… Are you alright?”

There was no response. I gently shook his shoulder.

A twitch.

His swollen eyes, so puffy that it was hard to tell if they were open or not, gave a faint flutter.

Through the slits of his bruised skin, he squinted up at us, and a thin stream of tears trickled from his eyes.

“Sniff…”

“Here, let me help you up.”

I reached for his arm, trying to lift him, and he stumbled to his feet, groaning in pain.

“Hnnng… Ow.”

“Are you alright?”

“Waaaaah!”

And then, without warning, the dwarf let out a loud, wailing cry, tears pouring down his face as he collapsed to the ground again, arms and legs spread out as he sobbed uncontrollably.

“Thank youuuuu! Waaaah!”

Claude and I exchanged a look as the dwarf’s cries echoed through the alley.

Neither of us said a word, but our eyes met in silent understanding.

We had rescued quite the odd character.

“Thank you, friends.”

The dwarf’s name was Opsvor.

He sat in a large armchair by the fire, wrapped in a blanket, sipping a steaming mug of milk. When his tears had stopped, we helped him back to his feet and pushed his cart to the inn where he was staying.

True to the stereotype, Opsvor was staying in the most luxurious inn in Chesty—ironically, the same inn that had turned us away earlier because they had no vacancies. Apparently, Opsvor was staying in the largest room on the top floor, all to himself.

“Are you travelers?”

His eyes, still red and puffy from crying, glistened with curiosity as he looked at us. Claude and I were seated across from him on a couch.

“We are,” Claude replied.

“I’m jealous.”

His voice was somber, his head drooping. I asked carefully.

“You want to be a traveler, too?”

“Yes.”

A dwarf adventurer—now that was rare.

Even to someone like me, who didn’t know much about other races, it was common knowledge that dwarves rarely traveled far from where they were born. While elves had once roamed the continent freely, exploring and seeking adventure, dwarves were known for settling in one place, as immovable as stone.

“But… not anymore.”

Opsvor set his mug down on the table with trembling hands.

“My father was right. A dwarf leaving his homeland… it’s unnatural.”

He rubbed his hands together, fingers nervously fidgeting.

“Unnatural. Against our nature… I should return.”