Kingdom of Fiore.
Deep within an ancient forest, the sobbing of wind through branches mingled with the never-ending gurgle of a flowing river.
By the riverside, fist-sized stones were arranged in a small circle the size of a man's embrace. Inside, a small bonfire crackled, fueled by dry twigs and fallen leaves. Over the fire, a tripod made of thick, heavy wooden branches supported a suspended iron pot, about thirty to forty centimeters in diameter.
Fish soup was simmering inside.
The fish had just been plucked from the river, gutted nearby, and washed clean in the water. After being prepped, it was combined with wild boar meat from a hunt, vegetables and mushrooms gathered from the woods, and various other ingredients and seasonings to boil in the pot.
In a few minutes, it would become a delicious pot of stew.
A rhythmic vibration traveled along the ground to the wooden tripod, causing the iron pot hanging in the air to sway gently, making a clanking sound.
As it swayed, the aroma of the fish soup, mixed with another peculiar scent, wafted quietly into the distance.
The fragrance reached an open space not far away, where a temporary tent stood.
The tent was bright orange; from a distance, it looked like a plump, juicy tangerine.
Suddenly, the tent flap flipped open.
A youthful, beautiful girl with a slender figure walked out barefoot, carrying three sets of bowls and chopsticks.
No, one should refer to her as a newlywed wife now.
As soon as Mavis stepped out of the tent, she witnessed a scandalous scene—
Zera was lying on the ground, sweat clinging to her hair, her breath hot between her lips and nose, her outer coat discarded to the side;
Weston was pressed on top of her, his hands placed in strange spots.
The two were like heavenly thunder sparking an earthly fire, exercising frantically with their blood and energy surging. The young girl, newly a wife, was flushing crimson to the roots of her ears from holding her breath.
Waaaah—!!
"You... you you you... what are the two of you doing??!"
"Weren't you just cooking a moment ago?"
"Why did you suddenly start doing other things?!!"
"It's still broad daylight!!"
Mavis instantly turned red with shame and looked away, not daring to take another peek.
"Is it strange to do this in broad daylight?" Zera's voice came through, punctuated by gasps.
"Of course it's strange!!"
Mavis cried out, "Zera, you've been way too indulgent with him lately!"
Weston's voice followed: "But Zera was the one who asked me to do this!"
"What?!"
Startled, Mavis quickly spun back around: "Zera, you trai... tor...??"
The moment she turned back, Mavis realized the situation wasn't as steamy as she had imagined.
"What... exactly are you doing?"
"Can't you tell? Sit-ups, of course!"
On the mat, Zera's body was continuously rising and falling, performing sit-ups.
To make it easier to stretch her limbs, she had tied her hair into twin ponytails at the back of her head, removed her heavy overcoat, and changed into yoga wear suitable for exercise.
As the exercise continued, her fair, clean face turned incredibly rosy, and heavy breaths escaped her mouth and nose. Her chest rose and fell in a magnificent swell, and sweat sprayed from the tips of her hair, turning iridescent like a rainbow under the sunlight—a truly beautiful sight.
Weston was pressing down on her knees with both hands, counting for her with single-minded focus.
After answering Mavis's question, Weston looked down again at Zera, who was struggling with the movements, and continued to cheer her on.
"990, 991... just a little more effort!"
"Don't give up, Zera!"
"We're almost finished!!"
Hearing these voices, Mavis stood frozen in place for several seconds.
Then, with a slightly disappointed expression, she silently walked over to the iron pot, set the bowls and chopsticks on the ground, and began stirring the fish soup.
"...999, 1000!!"
"Congratulations, Zera! A great success!!!"
"Phew... it's finally over! I don't have an ounce of strength left..."
With the final sit-up completed, Zera instantly looked exhausted. She collapsed onto the ground with a thud, unable to get back up. She could only look at Weston with her big, watery eyes, seeking help.
Weston understood the look and immediately used the '108 Styles of Full-Body Massage' he had learned from the Super Archive to help Zera relax her muscles.
"So... why did you suddenly have to do sit-ups right now?"
"Because Zera said that since it would take a while for the fish soup to finish, we might as well do some exercise to work up an appetite!"
Weston added with a chuckle: "Though I think it's because she's grown a little belly recently, so... Ow ow ow!!"
The consequence of being indiscreet was a merciless ear-pull.
"What did you just say?"
"N-n-nothing... nothing at all!!"
Clang! Clang!
Mavis tapped the rim of the pot with an iron ladle: "The two of you, get up quickly, I'm going to eat!"
"Ah, but I don't even have the strength to sit up right now..."
"It's okay, just eat while lying in my arms!"
"I don't want to, it's too hot!"
"What does it matter? I haven't even complained about the heavy smell of sweat on you!"
"Nooo~"
"Come on, come on! Mavis is already starving; we can't get in the way of her meal!!"
Amidst half-tugging and half-playful banter, the three began their sumptuous lunch.
It was now the winter of X691.
Two months had passed since Weston, Mavis, and Zera were married.
After the wedding, they only stayed in Magnolia for about a week before entrusting the guild's affairs to Precht and beginning their honeymoon trip.
During the meal, Mavis suddenly spoke up.
"I say, let's play for another two or three days and then head back to the guild!"
"Eh???"
Weston was momentarily stunned. He put down his chopsticks and looked at Mavis in confusion.
"When we left the guild, didn't we plan to travel for three months?"
"It's only been two months. Why do you want to go back already?"
"Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Weston was different from Yuri; he was wealthier.
Therefore, while Yuri's honeymoon lasted only one month, his was scheduled for a full three months.
Mavis smiled and shook her head: "I'm not feeling unwell, I'm just a bit worried about the guild..."
So, her career addiction is acting up!
Weston realized instantly.
In this world, there are some people who feel a deep sense of unease whenever they have a long period of leisure.
For them, not finding something to do and keeping themselves busy is more painful than a man suffering from nicotine withdrawal.
"Actually, I also feel this trip should be coming to an end."
Zera, sitting nearby, interjected: "We've been out playing for two months and have visited many places. It's quite enough!!"
"This... sigh... alright then."
Although Weston was reluctant in his heart, since his wives had spoken, he had no choice but to end the honeymoon early.
☰