Evo, already in his bathroom, unbuttoned his shirt, completely at ease, lost in his own little world while humming softly.
— Ummm... what a wonderful day it is today. The weather's perfect — he said, stretching and tossing his shirt onto the floor.
He unbuttoned his pants and slid them down. When he finished taking them off, something hit the ground with a faint metallic clink. It was enough to draw his attention.
— Hmmm? What was that sound? — he lowered his head toward the floor and saw something that shouldn't have been there.
When his eyes fixed on the fallen object, his expression froze.
— What...? — he muttered in disbelief. — What are you doing here? — Evo asked, stunned, his gaze fixed on his feet.
Far away from where Evo was, a pair of eyes slowly opened.
Those golden eyes shone so intensely that anyone who dared to look directly into them would be blinded. They radiated a divine and terrifying presence — as if they could see through every secret, leaving nothing hidden.
— Why did you give that to him? — asked a female voice beside her.
— Hmmm...? — another feminine voice made a thoughtful sound, tapping a finger against her chin. She was the owner of those golden eyes and turned her head toward the one who had spoken.
— You're asking me why? Isn't it obvious? — replied the woman seated on a throne, tilting her head slightly, as if the answer were self-evident.
— It belongs to him. And it holds deep sentimental value — she said, a gentle smile curving her luscious lips.
The other woman looked at her, trying to make sense of what was going through her mind.
— I don't understand — she murmured, almost whispering, hoping for an answer.
— What is it that you don't understand, my dear? — the woman on the throne asked.
— Why do you act like a love-struck girl when you watch that young human?
The woman turned her inquisitive eyes toward her companion, then slowly looked forward, resting her chin on one hand.
— Ahhh... I don't know myself, to be honest.
— I've been watching him for a long time and... — she closed her eyes for a moment — every time I see him live, the way he smiles so confidently, that proud look of his... it...
— It makes my heart race wildly. I just can't resist — she admitted, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as a small smile formed.
The woman beside her, visibly alarmed, spoke urgently:
— My lady! This cannot happen! You know very well that—
— I know that! — she interrupted before the other could finish.
She opened her eyes and slowly turned her head toward her companion. A wide smile spread across her lips, painted a dark crimson that could drive any man mad.
— ...For now.
— Huh? What do you mean "for now," my lady? — the other asked, confused.
— Nothing — she said with a soft laugh. — Hihihi.
Leaning back on her throne, she let her companion's complaints fade into the air. Slowly closing her eyes, she murmured quietly to herself:
— Daniel, my dear... I want to see you soon. But until then, focus on yourself and grow stronger.
Back where Evo was—
— Brrrrrrr! — What was that...? — he murmured, feeling a chill run down his spine.
— Hmph, probably someone talking bad about me. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
— Mind telling me how you ended up here? Is that even possible...?
In his hand was something he thought he'd never see again — his most treasured possession, the heirloom of his family.
It was his pocket watch. Once stained with his blood, it now gleamed brighter than polished gold.
— Maybe that...
Brinnnn!
A notification sounded. His status window appeared before him. He quickly opened it, his eyes gleaming with curiosity as he read the message.
[ Notification ]
Warning! The bearer has come into contact with an artifact.
Name: ????
Classification: ????
Effect: ????
Description: Insufficient information to describe.
— Eh...? An artifact? — he murmured, surprised. — Damn, that's pretty valuable.
— From what I know, artifacts are extremely rare and precious in this world... and now I've got one in my hand. But... — he scratched his chin thoughtfully. — There's no information about it at all.
Could it be because it doesn't belong to this world...?
— Well, as always, I'll figure it out in time. I'd better finish my bath and have lunch before my mother starts panicking.
In the dining hall, a few servants were setting the table, bringing food and drinks.
Sitting in the central chair was a woman.
With one leg elegantly crossed over the other and her arms folded, she tapped her foot impatiently.
The woman, with dark hair and golden eyes, stared at the plate before her, visibly tense. This was Noeli Eylam, Evo's mother and matriarch of the house.
— Jane!
— Yes, madame — replied the maid, bowing slightly.
— Did you tell Ev to come down?
— Yes, ma'am. He said he'd be here soon, just needed to get ready.
— He's taking far too long for someone who's "just getting ready," Jane. Do you think something happened to him? — she asked, her voice heavy with worry.
— Don't worry, madame. He'll be here soon — the maid assured her gently.
— I hope so...
A young girl sitting beside them, observing everything, muttered:
— Hmph! Why wait for that arrogant, stuck-up idiot? — she said, crossing her arms with a scowl.
That was Babel Castrin, the adopted daughter of Noeli — the child of her late husband's close friends and comrades. When Babel's parents died on a mission, she was to be sent to an orphanage, but Noeli refused and took her in.
Now ten years old, she had lived in House Eylam for six years.
— Sweetheart, you shouldn't talk like that about your brother.
— It's no use, Mother. This girl never learns — said Evo, descending the stairs.
— Ev! Darling! — his mother exclaimed with a bright smile.
— Could you please stop shortening my name? It's already short enough.
— It sounds like a cute little animal. It's embarrassing — he said, sitting beside her. That name reminds me of a tiny monster from an anime in my old world, he thought.
— Haaah, but it's adorable — she murmured, pouting playfully.
— Fine, call me whatever you want. Anyway, I need to tell you something.
— What is it, my dear boy? — she asked, taking a bite of food.
— I'll be entering the Dawn Forest today.
BLING! BLING!
Two utensils clattered loudly against the plates. In the background, cups fell, maids stumbled, and deep gasps filled the air as if hearts had skipped a beat.
Noeli stared at her son, her face pale, eyes wide with horror.
— What did you just say...? — she asked, as though she had heard something terrifying.