Night fell, and once more the world sank into its familiar darkness.
After his encounter with Jas Heart .. his destined opponent .. Ethan returned to the city of Ashvarn.
He looked... pleased.
Almost amused.
The eting with that naïve opponent had left him in unexpectedly high spirits.
The clock now pointed to seven in the evening. Ethan decided it was finally ti to visit old Asterion.
But before that ..
"I should eat sothing... and clean this filth off my clothes."
Pulling at his coat, he realized just how much dust and soil covered him. He looked as though he had crawled straight out of a cavern.
"It wouldn’t do to et the Uncrowned Emperor looking like this... would it?"
As if preparing for a decisive interview, Ethan slipped back into the Hunters’ Paradise and quietly entered his quarters. He took a quick shower, changed clothes, and stepped out once more.
He wore his hunting attire again .. but this ti entirely in black.
The color made his crimson hair and scarlet eyes stand out even more sharply.
His next stop was the Hunters’ cafeteria. At the very least, he needed a proper al.
"Even with a Demonic Body... I can’t function without food."
Upon entering the n’s wing cafeteria, Ethan was surprised to find it nearly empty. There was no sign of anyone he recognized.
"I thought I’d at least find Raiden here... but this is better. Being alone suits ."
Taking a tray, Ethan piled it high with at and several side dishes, then began eating with surprising speed.
He was completely alone at his table.
That was, until the plump elderly woman who distributed the food approached and sat across from him.
"You’ve changed a lot, little Ethan," she said with a warm smile.
Ethan raised a brow, his mouth still full.
"Pardon? I’m not sure I understand."
She gestured toward his plate.
"You didn’t used to eat this much."
"Really?" he replied, continuing to chew.
"Yes. That’s why you stayed so skinny. But I heard girls tend to like that, so I assud you were doing it on purpose." She laughed heartily.
She was friendly. Cheerful.
There was warmth in her presence.
Her most distinctive feature was her round, full cheeks, which gave her an oddly charming appearance.
It seed she was aware of his mory loss .. yet she approached him without hesitation.
"Ma’am... may I know your na?" Ethan asked politely. At the very least, he needed to know how to address her from now on.
The elderly woman didn’t mind at all.
"My na? It’s Schierke. You may call that however you like .. I don’t mind."
Ethan nodded.
His expression barely shifted .. his mastery over his emotions ensured that .. but internally, the na stirred sothing deep.
"Lady Schierke... do you happen to know why so few Hunters are here tonight?"
He gestured subtly toward the nearly empty tables. It was almost dinner ti, after all.
"Oh? Didn’t Raiden tell you?" Schierke replied before explaining.
"The dormitory cafeterias are secondary. There’s a main cafeteria on the other side of the Hunters’ Paradise. Boys and girls can dine together there."
She added casually,
"Since most hunting teams include mbers of both genders, they prefer eating together there instead of coming separately to places like this .. where won aren’t allowed."
"I see," Ethan said with a nod. "I wasn’t aware."
Schierke smiled and rested her head lightly on one hand, watching him.
"Why? Do you miss your teammates?"
She pointed in the direction of the main cafeteria.
"If you hurry, you might catch them. They’re probably there."
Ethan closed his eyes briefly and smiled faintly as he continued eating.
"No. Being alone suits better."
"Really? That’s surprising..."
Schierke’s surprise was obvious. Ethan was almost certain she had misunderstood sothing .. because she suddenly began consoling him.
"It’s alright, dear. Co sit with whenever you want, and I’ll keep you company. Though don’t expect much — I’m an old woman well past my pri, after all. Hehehehe!"
Her loud laughter drew the attention of the few Hunters present.
Ethan sighed.
"You’re misunderstanding, Lady Schierke. I’m not an outcast."
"Of course, of course," she replied with a smile.
Her eyes, however, suggested she did not believe him at all.
Ethan didn’t bother correcting her further. He let her believe whatever she wished.
"You seem to have worked here for a very long ti ."
"Yes. I’ll complete twenty-seven years inside the Hunters’ Paradise next spring."
"That’s truly a long ti..."
Ethan took a large bite of at before his gaze sharpened.
"May I ask for advice, Lady Schierke? Based on your long experience here."
His request surprised her.
"You want advice from ? I do nothing but serve food to Hunters."
Ethan smiled.
"Yes. But that position allows you to hear more of their stories than anyone else, doesn’t it?"
Schierke’s eyes widened slightly .. then returned to normal as she smiled once more.
"You’re clever, boy. But advice isn’t free, you know."
"What would you like in return?" he asked imdiately.
She shook her head.
"Don’t trouble yourself. The first three pieces of advice will be free. After that... we can negotiate if you want more in the future. Does that suit you?"
Ethan nodded.
"That’s generous of you. It suits perfectly. Please, begin."
"Very well. Listen carefully to this old lady."
Suddenly, Schierke’s tone changed completely.
It was as though she were about to cast a spell.
"First .. never approach Old Ashvarn.
Second .. never involve yourself with the Second Hunting Squad.
Third .. never attempt to uncover what lies beneath the ground."
Schierke spoke in a low, resonant tone.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed .. especially at the final warning.
Then ..
A chilling smile slowly spread across his face.
’So I wasn’t wrong after all... digging was the right choice.’
He gave a small nod.
"Those are rather vague warnings. It would be wonderful if you added... a few details."
Schierke let out a soft laugh.
"I’m sorry. I cannot tell you more."
’You cunning old woman... It’s not that you cannot tell more. It’s that you don’t know anything beyond that.’
Ethan thought to himself, now certain that the woman before him was anything but an ordinary cafeteria worker.
"I have more advice to offer, if you desire it. But in your current state... you cannot afford the price."
"I am fully aware of that," Ethan replied, closing his eyes briefly as he rose from his seat, having finished his al.
"Thank you for the food .. and for the advice, Lady Schierke. I’ll be sure to return once I have enough to properly compensate you."
His tone was warm. Polite.
He turned and began to walk away.
Schierke lifted her arm in farewell.
"Goodbye, dear. Stay safe. Take care of yourself."
Ethan took several steps forward.
Once enough distance separated them ..
Schierke’s eyes changed.
The warmth vanished.
Sothing darker replaced it.
Her smile shifted .. no longer kind, no longer gentle.
In the sa deep voice she had used when giving him her warnings, she spoke:
"May the balance favor you... for now."
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