Dante was looking at a city built into the side of a mountain, a rocky roof covered half of the place from the horrible weather above. The main street stretched as far as he could see, and in some spots where it dropped over a sheer fall. When Luna saw this, she was scared, grabbing his arm to feel comfortable.

''Don't worry, this place is safe and maintained by powerful Earth Mages of the Everwest Kingdom,'' Lilith reassured.

When hearing the blonde's words, Dante moved toward the edge of an overlook. As he reached it, a breathtaking picture unfolded before him, a vast sea of mountains stretching to the horizon. Towering peaks pierced the sky, slopes cloaked in a veil of thick fog, making it look like a painting from a fantasy novel.

He stood in awe, captivated by the sheer beauty of the landscape. The fog drifted lazily over the summits, weaving through the valleys. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, and a gentle breeze whispered through the peaks, as if the mountains themselves were sharing ancient secrets.

''Enjoying the scene?'' Lilith's voice echoed from behind him.

''Yes, we never got to see places like this,'' he admitted. ''We were always rushed from place to place.''

''I remember those day,'' the wolf woman added. ''Always in carriages or airships, never walking or enjoying the wilderness.''

Dante chuckled at that and side hugged the brown-skinned beauty. ''Now that changes, we can explore all the places we missed while causing chaos for the Darkmoore Kingdom.''

The two women laughed at this as Lilith teased. ''You're obsessed with the humans, handsome. Forget about them while we rest in Mountainholm, the baths here are relaxing and that's what you need.''

''Alright, how about we find a place to rest? Though this time we aren't leaving the room behind after paying,'' he replied, smiling.

Following that, the trio walked deeper into the city, seeing all kinds of people shopping or working in one of the many stores lining the cobblestoned road. Dante spotted a market down one side street where loud music was coming from. While listening to this, Luna commented. ''I want a room with a bath, all this traveling makes my tail dirty,'' she swished her tail side to side.

''Why don't you have Dante brush it when we settle down?'' Lilith teased, her red eyes full of mischief.

When the wolf woman heard this, her big blue eyes lit up as she turned to him. ''Can you do that for me?''

Dante nodded. ''Okay, wait until we find a room, then I will,'' he answered.

The trio pressed deeper into the heart of the city. The cobblestoned streets twisted and turned, each corner revealing new wonders that surprised them. Nearby, a gnomish tinker displayed mechanical contraptions that whirred and clicked, their polished gears glinting in the sunlight, drawing gasps from a cluster of wide-eyed children.

The aroma of freshly baked honey cakes mingled with the sharp tang of molten metal from a blacksmith's forge, while a street performer's haunting melody on a crystal flute seemed to weave magic into the very air. Dante couldn't believe what he was seeing. Compared to how controlled his past life was, the smallest things amazed him.

Luna, her tail now tucked close to avoid brushing against passersby, pointed excitedly at a stall where a wizened herbalist shouted to the crowd. Lilith nudged Dante with a smirk, gesturing toward a group of dancers in flowing silks who twirled in a nearby plaza, their movements synchronized to the rhythmic beat of a drum circle.

The city felt alive, its pulse thrumming through every stone and soul. Yet, as they rounded a bustling intersection where merchants tried to sell stuff to travelers from distant lands, a sudden shadow swept over the street. A gust of wind tore through the marketplace, rattling awnings.

The crowd fell silent, heads tilting upward in unison, and Dante's breath caught in his throat as he followed their gaze. High above, a colossal dragon soared across the sky, its massive wings cutting through the clouds with effortless grace. Scales of deep emerald and molten gold caught the sunlight, casting prismatic glints that danced across the rooftops below.

Its serpentine form coiled and twisted, exuding a raw, primal power that seemed to ripple through the air like a shockwave. The dragon's aura was overwhelming, a tangible force that pressed against his chest, making his muscles tense and his pulse quicken. It was as if the creature's mere presence commanded the world to pause in reverence.

Luna's ears flattened against her head, her blue eyes wide with awe, while Lilith's grin faltered, replaced by a rare look of quiet respect. The market's clamor had stilled; even the musician's instruments lay silent, their players transfixed by the sight. The dragon let out a low, resonant roar that echoed off the mountains.

Dante remained rooted to the spot, his body stiffened as the weight of the aura lingered like an echo. His mind raced with fascination; never had he witnessed such untamed power. Luna's voice broke the silence. ''Did you feel that?'' she whispered, her tail giving a nervous twitch.

Lilith nodded slowly, her red eyes still fixed on the now-empty sky. ''That's no ordinary beast,'' she murmured. ''This city just got a lot more interesting.''

Shaking off the spell of the moment, Dante exchanged glances with the women, a silent agreement passing between them. The dragon's fleeting appearance had shifted something in the misty mountains where monsters roam. This excited him as a thought crossed his mind. 'I can capture some strong ones here, let's rest first.'

Following that, the three continued through Mountainholm only to spot an Inn that was built hanging over a dark ravine. This caught his attention, and he pointed it out. ''How about that place, ladies? I bet the views are good?''

Luna turned to the building and quickly agreed. ''I can smell the food, it's nice.''

''It's risky because the place could fall into the darkness if something happens,'' the blonde added.

Dante glanced at the Death Witch with narrowed eyes. ''Really, Lily? You're going to jinx it before even stepping inside the place?''

''I'm pointing at the obvious,'' she giggled. ''But yes, it does look cozy.''

After everyone agreed, they approached the inn with the name of the Hanging Retreat, making him stop in his steps. He shook his head and pointed at the sign. ''What a strange thing to call your inn?''

''It's a silly name,'' Lilith responded, amused by his reaction.

Just then, an old man sitting to the left spoke up. ''It was a drunk mistake, but it stuck after twenty years, young ones.''

Dante glanced at the man, who he realized was a Demi-Human, with fox ears sitting on the top of his head. He shook his head and questioned. ''Not gonna collapse while sleeping?''

''Unless you're making love like two giants, this thing is safe,'' the stranger laughed. ''Now get inside, the owner is going to close up soon.''

They nodded before stepping inside, only to notice half a dozen people sitting around the bar as a older man busied himself behind the counter. Dante approached, causing the owner to look up. ''Welcome to the Hanging Retreat, I'm the owner, Evander. What can I do for you, young man?''

''Can we get your best room, please? One with a good view?'' he replied, taking out a pouch.

''Let me check,'' Evander replied, glancing at a ledger and scanning through its pages.

This confused Dante even more, but Lilith leaned in, whispering. ''Space magic, Death. They use it to increase the space inside a building. An expensive mage to hire to do such a thing.''

''Makes sense, if there aren't many who can do it, it's only normal for them to be expensive,'' he replied.

Following that, Evander glanced up and smiled. ''The best room is free, but it will cost you six gold coins; this includes all your meals, room service, and use of the private baths down the road.''

Dante handed over the coins, thanking the man. ''Thank you, and can we get three of everything sent up?'' he asked.

This shocked Evander, who chuckled. ''If that's what will be ordered, I'll have to charge some more. Food is getting expensive thanks to the ongoing war.''

Without bothering to barter, Dante gave the man five more and was quickly handed a key by a smiling owner. ''Thank you for your patronage. I'll send up my daughter when your order is complete.''

Afterward, they headed upstairs and climbed for a while until reaching a lone door sitting at the top of a single staircase. He opened it only to see a well-decorated room with a comfortable-looking bed. There were several sofas littering the room and big windows looking out over the ravine.

Dante stepped into it and approached the closet one to check out the view, only to be shocked at the scene in front of him.

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