Seraphine invited Edwin to begin their long journey to Sharakartan. Edwin was amazed when the two of them emerged from the gloomy forest. The sky was blue, with birds flying overhead. The mountains were breathtakingly beautiful, and the trees and plants, though unfamiliar, were stunning. "Everything you see here, all of this was created from your dreams and thoughts. The beauty of nature, the exotic creatures, the beautiful sky... thank you," Seraphine said shyly. Edwin smiled and tried to lighten the mood, making it more relaxed. After four hours of travel, they saw a city ahead. "As evening approaches, it seems we need a short rest," said Edwin. Finally, they both looked for a place to stay and eat there. They looked into place to eat and they talk and shared about anything about their realm. Edwin began to adapt to the foods in this realm, though some were similar, but many things are different from his own realm. The inn they chose was nestled between towering buildings with intricately carved facades, lanterns already flickering to life as dusk settled over the city. The scent of spiced meats and simmering broths wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of incense. Inside, the low hum of conversation filled the space as patrons—some human, others with subtle inhuman features—ate and drank under the warm glow of oil lamps.
Seraphine guided Edwin to a corner table where they could speak more privately. A server—a young woman with silver-threaded hair and elongated pupils—brought them steaming bowls of fragrant rice topped with caramelized eel and a side of pickled mango. Edwin felt a little disgusted and wanted to vomit because of the caramelized eel and a side of pickled mango. Seraphine confused with Edwin behavior "Why? do you sick because we fought chaotic vampires earlier?" A moment later, Edwin replied in a nauseated tone, "No, that's not it... eels coated in caramel? How could anyone eat this?" Seraphine chuckled and explained that it was a favorite dish in this area. Seraphine pushed her bowl closer, her fingers brushing against the lacquered wood. "You'll get used to the flavors," she said with an amused smile. "Or would you prefer something more... familiar?"
Edwin hesitated, glancing at the other diners—how easily they devoured their meals, some even licking the sticky caramel from their fingers. The scent of star anise and tamarind clung to the air, unfamiliar but not unpleasant. A flicker of determination crossed his face. He picked up his carved bone spoon and took a tentative bite. The sweetness of the caramel clashed with the smoky richness of the eel, the tang of pickled mango cutting through it all. His nose wrinkled. "oouugghh..." disgusted but Edwin still eat the dish "Actually, I prefer salty, spicy, or savory foods. There may be nothing wrong with sweet and sugary foods, but they are not to my thing." With her smile Seraphine helped Edwin so that he wouldn't vomit. The tension in Edwin's shoulders eased slightly as Seraphine signaled to the silver-haired server. "Could we have the fire-pepper squid instead?" she asked. "With extra chili oil." The server nodded, whisking away the offending dish with an understanding tilt of her head.
Edwin exhaled in relief, his fingers tapping against the worn tabletop. Outside, the city's evening rhythm pulsed—vendors calling out last-minute deals, the distant chime of temple bells, the occasional burst of laughter from a passing group of merchants. Lanterns swayed in the warm breeze, casting dancing shadows across the inn's wooden beams. "It looks like we'll have to stay here tonight," Seraphine said to Edwin as she booked a room at the inn. Seraphine told Edwin which room they would be sleeping in tonight and went up to the room she had booked. Edwin looked out the window and admired the beautiful sunset inside the inn. He stepped out the inn's door and strolled around, enjoying the fresh evening air of the small town. The crisp evening breeze, the laughter of children playing together, the joyful buzz of the townspeople's camaraderie, and the sound of birds chirping all calmed Edwin and made him think, "Is there still such an atmosphere in my real world?" Edwin leaned against a wooden railing overlooking the town square, watching as lanterns were lit one by one, their golden glow pooling against the cobblestones. Nearby, a group of musicians tuned their instruments—a lute-like sapek with carved serpent heads, bamboo flutes, and a drum wrapped in crimson-dyed hide. The first notes rose into the air, melodic and slow, weaving through the hum of conversation like a thread through silk.
A merchant waved him over to a stall laden with skewered meats, their surfaces blackened from the grill and glistening with chili paste. "Try sate rendang, it's the last piece of the day." the man urged, thrusting a stick toward Edwin. A little shy and grimacing, Edwin approached him while scratching his head. "But... I don't have any money, sir," he replied awkwardly. "Ah, it's okay, it's free!. Maybe tomorrow you can come here and buy all my sate rendang when you have money, right? Hahaha," replied the merchant with a laugh and gave Edwin the satae rendang. The merchant asked Edwin where he was from, and he replied, "Um... I'm from Malang, a city very far from here." The merchant was a bit confused, thinking that Malang was a city in another country. Edwin took the skewer gratefully, the aroma of charred meat and fiery spices making his mouth water. The first bite sent a wave of heat through him—tender, smoky, and laced with the deep earthiness of lemongrass and galangal. "This... this is amazing," he mumbled between bites, the rich flavors grounding him in this strange, beautiful world. The merchant grinned, wiping his hands on his stained apron. "Good, yes? My wife's recipe—secret blend of peppers from the southern jungles. Even the palace chefs can't replicate it." He winked.