I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 144: 144:Preparations.

Silver guided the freshly repaired vehicle through the streets at a leisurely pace.

The noon sun hung high overhead, bathing the city in warm light as pedestrians moved along the sidewalks. Contractors carrying newly accepted commissions walked alongside merchants opening additional stalls for the lunchtime crowds, while transport trucks rumbled through the wider avenues toward the industrial district.

Neither Silver nor Ravenna felt any urgency. Their mission wasn’t expected to begin until later in the day, and the Green Zone was only about an hour from the Sanctuary. They had plenty of time.

After a few minutes, the familiar hotel came into view. Silver eased the car into one of the reserved parking spaces before switching off the engine.

"Feels strange seeing it with a window; I missed the fresh cold air," he admitted as they stepped outside.

Ravenna glanced at the vehicle.

"It looks new again."

"It almost makes me feel guilty."

"You’ll probably collect more damage before long."

Silver laughed.

"You’re surprisingly confident in my driving."

"I’m confident in the beasts."

He couldn’t argue with that. Together, they entered the hotel. The receptionist behind the front desk smiled as soon as she saw them.

"Welcome back."

"Good afternoon," Silver replied.

"How was your training?"

"Perfect as usual."

"I’m glad to hear it."

Her gaze briefly shifted toward the weapons they carried before returning to them.

"Heading out again?"

Silver nodded.

"We accepted a mission."

"Then I wish both of you a safe journey."

"Thank you."

Instead of heading upstairs immediately, Silver looked toward Ravenna.

"Lunch?"

She nodded without hesitation.

"I’m on the verge of starving."

The hotel’s restaurant was noticeably busier than it had been during breakfast. Contractors filled many of the tables, discussing completed missions and future plans over steaming meals, while several families staying at the hotel enjoyed a quieter lunch near the windows.

Silver and Ravenna found a table overlooking one of the city’s main streets. A server soon arrived to take their order.

Before long, plates of grilled meat, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, mushroom soup, and chilled fruit juice were placed before them. Silver picked up his utensils with obvious enthusiasm.

"I didn’t realize how hungry I was."

Ravenna looked at the generous portion on his plate before glancing down at her own.

"You always eat twice as much as I do."

Silver smiled.

"I also weigh almost twice as much."

She gave him a mildly skeptical look.

"I’m fairly certain that’s not how nutrition works."

"It sounds convincing."

"It doesn’t."

Silver laughed as he cut into his meal.

"It was worth a try."

Ravenna shook her head with an amused smile before beginning her own lunch. For several minutes, they simply enjoyed the food.

Eventually, Ravenna set her glass down.

"What do you think we’ll find?"

Silver swallowed another bite before answering.

"Hopefully exactly what the mission says. A few Tier One beasts and some Tier Twos. No surprises, I hate them, especially in this context."

Ravenna smiled knowingly.

"You don’t sound convinced."

"I’m not." He leaned back slightly. "I’ve learned that missions rarely go exactly as planned."

She couldn’t disagree. The world beyond the Sanctuary walls was too unpredictable for guarantees.

"Even so," Silver continued, "this should be a good experience."

Ravenna nodded.

"We’ll be able to practice what we learned this morning. Without rushing or unnecessary risks, and also, no chasing beasts into places we can’t see."

Silver pointed his fork toward her.

"That one’s aimed at me."

"It is."

"I’ve never felt so singled out in my life."

They both laughed quietly. After finishing the main course, the server returned with tea and a small dessert. Silver wrapped both hands around the warm cup.

"Now that I’m full, I feel lazier than I want to admit."

Ravenna rolled her eyes.

"Well, sorry to break your bubble, but you’ll be hungry in an hour or two."

"Ahh, we should go back and pack what we need."

"Okay, I think we have everything ready, so it won’t take time."

She began mentally listing everything they would need.

"Yeah, we’ll need food for at least two days."

Silver added, "Also sleeping gear, just in case."

Ravenna nodded.

"Good idea."

Prepared contractors tended to survive longer. By the time they finished lunch, the restaurant had become even busier than before.

Silver settled the bill before both of them stood.

"Ready?"

Ravenna picked up the white rose she had carefully rested beside her throughout the meal. She smiled faintly at it before looking at Silver.

"Ready."

Together, they left the restaurant and made their way toward the elevators.

The elevator doors opened onto their floor with a soft chime.

Silver and Ravenna stepped into the quiet corridor, the sounds of the bustling restaurant fading behind them. Most of the other guests were either downstairs enjoying lunch or already out exploring, leaving the hallway unusually peaceful.

A few moments later, Silver unlocked the door to their suite. The familiar room welcomed them with cool air and gentle silence.

The blue flower from the previous day still rested in its glass vase near the window, while the white rose Ravenna carried was placed beside it. The two flowers stood together in the afternoon sunlight, their contrasting colors brightening the room.

Ravenna paused for a moment to admire them before turning back to the task at hand.

"We should finish packing."

Silver nodded.

"The sooner we’re ready, the sooner we can leave."

Neither of them had much luggage to begin with. They had deliberately traveled light, knowing contractors often needed to leave at short notice.

Silver opened his travel bag and began organizing everything with practiced efficiency. He folded a spare change of clothes before placing them neatly inside. A lightweight rain jacket followed, along with several sealed ration packs and two bottles of drinking water.

Next came a compact first-aid kit. Although contractors usually carried healing medicine, ordinary bandages, disinfectant, and painkillers still proved useful for smaller injuries that didn’t warrant using expensive recovery items.

Silver checked each item carefully before zipping the medical pouch closed.

Nearby, Ravenna was doing much the same. Her movements were calm and methodical. She folded spare uniform, additional underclothes, a small towel, personal toiletries, and several bottles of purified water.

She glanced toward him.

"You always pack faster than I do."

Without looking up, he replied, "I pack the same way every time."

"I probably overthink it."

"You do."

Ravenna laughed quietly.

"You’re getting good at reading me. Should I start getting scared or feel fluttered?"

Silver looked over with a small smile.

"Both, I’ve had practice, thank you very much."