Book excerpt: Lawrence and Holo have settled into an idyllic life together after opening the Spice and Wolf bathhouse, but their happy marriage is suddenly intruded upon by an unexpected guest. During Nyohhira's sleepy off-season, the gruff stranger wanders alone from door to door as if in search of fleeting memories from long ago. Soon after his silent arrival, rumors about the possible construction of a rival hot spring village begin to spread. To protect their new home, the wise wolf and the cunning merchant return to the town of Svernel, but what they find there may spell the end of their adventures for good...