The final stop on their culinary journey was a place especially dear to Silvermoon's heart: the little teahouse run by her grandmother.
It was a warm and cozy shop. Though far less grand than the famous restaurants they had visited, it carried something those luxurious places could never replicate, the comforting warmth of home.
"Grandma, I'm back!" Silvermoon called out excitedly as she stepped inside.
An elderly woman with kind eyes emerged from the kitchen. The moment she saw Silvermoon, her face lit up with joy.
"My dear Silvermoon! You finally came home! Grandma has missed you so much!"
Silvermoon smiled warmly and pulled Rowan forward slightly.
"Grandma, this is my friend, Rowan."
"Oh my, so this is the young man from another world." The old woman looked Rowan up and down with an approving smile. "Such a fine-looking young man. Our Silvermoon certainly has good taste."
"Grandma!" Silvermoon's cheeks immediately flushed crimson. "Don't say things like that."
"Hahaha, this old lady just speaks her mind. Don't take it seriously." The grandmother chuckled before waving Rowan inside enthusiastically. "Come, come. Sit down. Grandma will make something delicious for you."
Her cooking was extraordinary.
The dishes were all simple home-style meals, yet every bite carried a comforting richness that lingered in the heart. The pastries she made by hand were especially unforgettable, flaky, fragrant, and perfectly sweet.
"These are my favorite pastries," Silvermoon said softly. "Whenever I came home as a child, Grandma would always make them for me."
"As long as the children eat happily, Grandma is happy too," the old woman said with a gentle smile.
Inside the teahouse, Rowan listened as Silvermoon shared stories from her childhood.
She talked about how nervous she had been the first time she held a sword, the excitement of entering her first tournament, and all sorts of mischievous incidents from her younger years.
Through those stories, Rowan came to understand her more deeply. Beneath her calm and elegant exterior was a pure and kind-hearted girl who had grown up surrounded by love.
"When I was little, I was actually pretty mischievous," Silvermoon admitted with a laugh. "One time I secretly went swimming in Silvermoon Lake. My father found out and punished me by making me stand facing the wall for an entire day."
"I can imagine what you must've looked like as a child," Rowan said with a smile. "You were probably adorable."
"That's not true." Silvermoon lowered her head shyly. "I caused my parents plenty of trouble back then."
"That's simply part of growing up," her grandmother said warmly from the side. "Silvermoon always had her own ideas. Sometimes she got into trouble, but that's also what made her special."
By dusk, the two finally said goodbye to Grandma and began walking home together.
The setting sun cast golden light across Silvermoon Lake, turning the rippling water into shimmering waves of gold. The entire scene looked almost dreamlike.
"These past few days have been wonderful," Rowan said sincerely. "Not only did I get to taste incredible food, but I also experienced the warmth and kindness of the Silver Blue Empire."
Silvermoon smiled gently.
"I'm happy I could share all of this with you. Seeing how much you like the Silver Blue Empire makes me feel proud."
"Silvermoon…"
Rowan suddenly stopped walking and turned toward her seriously.
"Thank you for staying with me these past few days. Every moment here has made me genuinely happy. Not just because everything is new and exciting, but because I've been spending that time with you."
Silvermoon's face reddened softly, yet she did not avoid his gaze.
"I feel the same way, Rowan. Being with you makes me feel calm… and happy."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They simply stood there beneath the golden sunset, quietly looking at one another as warm light wrapped around them. Though neither had spoken those three words aloud, their feelings had already become unmistakably clear.
"We should head home," Silvermoon said softly after a while. "My parents are probably waiting for us."
"Alright." Rowan nodded with a smile. "So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow…" Silvermoon thought for a moment before her eyes brightened. "I want to take you to see the most beautiful sunrise in the Silver Blue Empire, from Sunwatch Peak."
"That sounds amazing." Rowan's eyes filled with anticipation. "I can't wait."
Before dawn the next morning, Rowan heard a gentle knock on his door.
He quickly got up and opened it to find Silvermoon already dressed in light climbing gear, an excited smile on her face.
"Ready?" she whispered. "The sunrise at Sunwatch Peak won't wait for us."
"Of course." Rowan had also changed into comfortable travel clothes. "I've been looking forward to seeing the first rays of sunlight over the Silver Blue Empire."
The two quietly left the house together.
At that hour, Swordheart Star was still wrapped in pre-dawn silence. The streets were empty, disturbed only by the occasional distant birdsong.
Silvermoon led Rowan to a teleportation array.
"Sunwatch Peak is still quite far from here," she explained. "We'll teleport to the foot of the mountain first, then hike the rest of the way. It saves time while still letting us enjoy the climb."
A flash of light swept over them.
Moments later, they appeared at the base of a towering mountain.
Even beneath the dim pre-dawn sky, the mountain radiated majesty. Its peak disappeared into layers of mist, giving it an ancient and mysterious presence.
"This is Sunwatch Peak," Silvermoon said softly as she looked upward. "One of the tallest mountains on Swordheart Star, and the best place to watch the sunrise. In ancient times, many sword masters came here to train because it was believed to be closest to the heavens and the easiest place to comprehend the sword intent of the world itself."
Rowan gazed upward as well, sensing the imposing aura emanating from the mountain.
"This place really does feel different," he murmured. "It's like the mountain itself contains some mysterious power."
"You're right." Silvermoon nodded. "Sunwatch Peak is considered one of the spiritual veins of Swordheart Star. The energy here is exceptionally pure. Let's start climbing. The path isn't too difficult, but we'll need to move quickly if we want to reach the summit before sunrise."
The trail had clearly been maintained with care.
The stone steps were smooth and sturdy, while both sides of the path were lined with glowing Dawnblossoms unique to the Silver Blue Empire. Even in the darkness, the flowers emitted faint silver-blue light that guided travelers forward.
As they climbed higher, the scenery around them gradually changed.
"Look over there," Silvermoon said, pointing toward a strange plant growing beside the trail. "That's Silverleaf Grass. It only grows at high altitudes. Under sunlight, its leaves reflect silver light beautifully. It also purifies the air, which is why the atmosphere here feels so refreshing."
Rowan examined the plants carefully and noticed how different they were from those at lower elevations. Their leaves were thicker, and their colors deeper and richer.
"The biodiversity here is incredible," he said with admiration. "Every plant seems to have its own unique traits."
"And this is only a tiny part of it." Silvermoon smiled. "Once we reach the summit, you'll see even more remarkable things."
They continued climbing while talking.
Rowan soon realized Silvermoon possessed exceptional stamina. Even during the steep ascent, her breathing remained calm and steady. Her movements were graceful and effortless, clearly the result of long-term training.
"Do you come here often?" Rowan asked.
"About once a month," Silvermoon replied. "Especially when my cultivation reaches a bottleneck. Watching the sunrise here always helps clear my mind. My father once told me that the sunrise at Sunwatch Peak has the power to purify the soul and help warriors break through mental barriers."
As they climbed higher, the sky slowly began to brighten.
A faint crimson glow appeared along the eastern horizon, signaling the approach of dawn. The temperature dropped slightly as cold mountain winds swept across the trail.
"We're almost there," Silvermoon encouraged. "Our timing is perfect."
About half an hour later, they finally reached the summit.
At the top stood a wide observation platform furnished with several enormous stones used as seats. The eastern sky had already turned orange-red, and the sun was just about to rise.
"We made it just in time!" Silvermoon said excitedly. "Look, the sun's about to appear!"
Rowan stood at the edge of the platform, gazing over the sea of clouds and distant mountain ranges.
The entire world below remained submerged beneath morning mist, with only the tallest peaks piercing through the clouds like islands floating in a silver ocean.
"This is breathtaking," Rowan said sincerely. "Standing here feels like standing above the entire world."
"Whenever I see this view, I always remember an ancient poem," Silvermoon said softly before reciting:
"With sword pointed toward the endless heavens,
The heart follows sunrise to break the dawn."
"It was written by one of the ancient Sword Saints of the Silver Blue Empire," she explained. "Legend says he achieved enlightenment here and reached the highest realm of swordsmanship."
At that moment, the first edge of the sun rose above the horizon.
Golden light instantly pierced through the clouds, illuminating the world below.
As the sun slowly ascended, the entire sky turned brilliant gold. The sea of clouds rolled like waves, while the mountains emerged clearly beneath the sunlight.
"It's beautiful…" Rowan whispered, completely captivated. "This is the most stunning sunrise I've ever seen."
Silvermoon stood quietly beside him.
Sunlight bathed her face in warm gold, making her appear even more radiant than before. The mountain breeze gently stirred her hair, carrying with it the fresh scent unique to the summit.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Rowan said softly. "I've never experienced anything like this back on Earth."
"I'm happy I could share this moment with you," Silvermoon replied, her eyes shining gently.
Just as the two were immersed in the beauty of the sunrise, a long, resonant cry suddenly echoed across the sky.
The sound was ancient and majestic, reverberating through the mountains with mysterious power.
Rowan immediately looked up.
Far away in the sky, an enormous figure appeared.
It was a colossal flying creature with a wingspan of at least fifty meters. Its body shimmered with deep blue light beneath the rising sun. Its head carried an air of noble dignity, while its long neck curved gracefully through the air. Every feather on its wings gleamed like polished metal.
"What is that?" Rowan asked in shock, instinctively taking a defensive stance.
To his surprise, Silvermoon showed no fear at all. Instead, her face lit up with excitement.
"We're so lucky! That's a Starwing Divine Roc!"
"A Starwing Divine Roc?" Rowan turned toward her in confusion. "What exactly is it?"
"It's one of the legendary guardian beasts of the Silver Blue Empire," Silvermoon explained excitedly. "According to legend, the Starwing Divine Roc is among the oldest creatures in existence, possessing immense wisdom and unimaginable power. They usually live atop the highest mountains and rarely appear before ordinary people. Seeing one is considered an incredible blessing and a sign of good fortune."
Rowan looked carefully at the creature again and quickly realized it carried no hostility.
The Starwing Divine Roc glided gracefully through the sky, barely moving its wings. Its movements were elegant yet powerful. Its deep sapphire-like eyes seemed to be observing Rowan and Silvermoon from afar, filled with ancient wisdom and quiet kindness.
"It's magnificent," Rowan said honestly. "That noble presence… and the way it flies. It really does feel like a divine beast from legend."
"The Starwing Divine Roc is more than a symbol of beauty," Silvermoon continued. "It's also a guardian of our empire. Throughout history, whenever the Silver Blue Empire faced great danger, the Starwing Divine Roc would appear to help us survive. Despite possessing power capable of destroying worlds, they have never harmed innocent life. They exist only to protect."
At that moment, the Starwing Divine Roc appeared to notice the two standing on the summit.
Slowly, it changed direction and began flying toward Sunwatch Peak.
As the distance closed, Rowan could see its details more clearly.
Its feathers were primarily deep blue, yet depending on the angle of the light, they reflected silver, violet, and gold like stars scattered across the night sky. Its eyes resembled two radiant sapphires filled with immeasurable wisdom. Most striking of all was the glowing star-shaped marking upon its chest, which pulsed with mysterious energy.
"It looks like it's coming toward us," Rowan said cautiously. "Should we prepare ourselves?"
"There's no need to worry," Silvermoon replied calmly. "The Starwing Divine Roc is simply curious. According to legend, they are especially interested in travelers from distant worlds, particularly those with kind hearts. There's something different about your aura. It may simply want to know you."
The Starwing Divine Roc descended slowly until it hovered roughly a hundred meters from the observation platform before landing gracefully atop a massive stone nearby.
Its landing was astonishingly elegant. Though enormous, it created no violent wind or tremor.
Only after it settled completely did Rowan truly grasp its immense size.
Even while resting, the divine beast stood over ten meters tall. Its mere presence filled the mountaintop with solemn majesty.
And yet, the aura it radiated was unexpectedly gentle.
The Starwing Divine Roc quietly observed Rowan and Silvermoon, its gaze filled not with aggression, but with curiosity and friendliness.
"It really is peaceful," Rowan said in amazement. "I thought a creature this powerful would be far more ferocious."
"That's what makes the Starwing Divine Roc special," Silvermoon explained softly. "True strength often comes with the calmest heart. Their power is born from inner peace and respect for life, not from violence or conquest."
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