After a lengthy conversation, Evan and Rian decided to return to the inn.
"Ah, it looks like it's time for lunch."
Evan immediately stood up upon hearing the chime of the clock tower bell. Rian followed suit.
Seeing this, Charlotte, Gio, and Zidane instinctively stood as well.
"Since I don't want to interrupt the children's mealtime, I'd better get back to the inn." Evan smiled and extended his hand.
"Although it was brief, it was a pleasant conversation."
Gio extended his hand, returning Evan's handshake.
"Yes, thank you very much. It was a pleasure talking to you."
"So did we." Evan and Rian bowed.
Charlotte, Gio, and Zidane did the same.
After a moment, Evan looked at Zidane.
"Mr. Arden, if you don't mind, may I have a private conversation with you?"
Zidane was a little surprised.
"Yes, of course." Zidane replied.
"Thank you. Please come to our inn this afternoon."
After explaining where they were staying, Zidane nodded.
"Okay."
The three of them escorted Evan and Rian to the front door.
Children's voices could be heard outside. As soon as they left, they approached them, carrying a melon in their hands.
"Ah, Uncle Zidane! Look, we got a melon. Let's eat it together!" A child said cheerfully.
"Okay," Zidane replied cheerfully.
One by one, the children began to arrive.
"But Uncle... we've worked so hard, why do we only get one?" A little further away, several children could be heard complaining to someone.
"Yes, yes, that's right, Uncle..." The other children chimed in.
A man who appeared to be in his thirties ignored the complaints.
"No. One is enough for each of you."
"Ah... but Uncle..."
"No."
"Uncle Henry... you're being stingy."
"I'm not being stingy. I'm just setting appropriate portions."
"Ah, Uncle, I'll tell Mrs. Charlotte about this."
"Please do, even Madam will agree with me."
Hearing the commotion, those watching couldn't help but chuckle.
The man was carrying a basket filled with vegetables. He approached Charlotte.
"Madam, here are the vegetables."
"Thank you, Mr. Henry." Charlotte accepted the basket full of various vegetables.
A moment later, Henry looked at Evan and Rian.
"I didn't know you had guests, so I apologize for the commotion." Henry bowed politely and said politely.
Evan and Rian bowed back.
"No, it's fine. It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, it's a good thing, because you seem really close to the children." Evan replied with a smile.
"Thank you for your understanding," Henry said.
Evan stared at Henry for a long moment.
Evan seemed to be contemplating something.
Henry, feeling awkward, asked politely.
"Sorry sir, is there something wrong?"
"No, nothing. It's just that I remembered something." Evan smiled.
"Then, Mr. Gio, Mrs. Charlotte, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Arden. We'll take our leave." Evan and Rian bowed.
The four of them bowed back.
Evan and Rian walked away.
On the way back to the inn, Rian, who had been silent until now, began to speak.
"Sir, may I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Have you known Mrs. Charlotte for long?"
Evan was a little surprised.
"Why do you ask that?"
"No, it just seems strange. You're not the type to stay silent after receiving such a cold stare."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Evan chuckled.
"Yes, perhaps so. Well, I'm not a crazy person who would suddenly become angry just because someone gave me a cold stare."
Hearing this, the corners of Rian's lips lifted slightly, a mocking expression on his face.
He recalled Evan's treatment of a large company director, an official, even the president's secretary, and others, who had treated him somewhat rudely.
Even though he didn't yell angrily, his questioning of manners was worse than the person yelling.
"He's not a bad person, but honestly, his mouth is pretty nasty." Rian could only mutter to himself.
After taking a deep breath, Rian asked again.
"Then, why did you give the donation directly, and the amount was even more than you gave to the orphanage in town? And you also said there was no need for a receipt?"
"Even though he's usually the one who makes the most fuss about the documents as proof." Rian thought to himself.
"Hmm, it's because I want to, and also because there's no need for a receipt."
"Why?"
"I trust them."
"You're not someone who easily trusts anyone, especially someone you've just met." Rian said unconsciously.
"Sorry, sir," Rian said.
Evan chuckled.
"No, you don't need to apologize. What you said is true, but... well... how should I put it... the point is, there's nothing to worry about." Evan replied casually.
"By the way, sir, if I may ask, what was it you wanted to discuss with Mr. Arden?"
"Ah, that... I wanted to ask if he would be willing to help with the investigation. You know, we're short-staffed in this area."
"Yes... you're right. But is that okay?"
"I'm sure it's okay."
"You seem to trust the people here a lot?"
"Well, that's it."
Although Evan was smiling, there was a hint of sadness in his distant eyes.
...
In a building in the city of Endawn, a blonde, middle-aged man, Jeff Harion, was reading a report handed to him by his assistant, Claude.
After reading the report, he opened a secret door behind his bookshelf.
Entering the appropriate password, the bookshelf slid open, revealing an elevator door that led to the basement.
Once he reached the basement, he walked down a short hallway and opened a door. He saw several people wearing white coats.
They appeared to be researchers.
Various sophisticated equipment, glass tubes, chemical fluids, and so on were there.
"So, how's the progress?" Jeff asked one of his staff.
"Sorry, sir, although we have a theory, extracting these particles is quite difficult. Further research is still needed." One of the staff replied.
Jeff nodded.
"Can these particles really perfect the Eternity Project?"
"Although we can't prove it yet, the possibility isn't zero, sir."
"Okay, continue your work. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, sir."
After walking around and checking a few things, Jeff walked out of the basement.
Exiting the elevator, Jeff sat down in his chair.
Claude provided some additional reports.
"Sir, the Awakened have begun moving to establish their own association. This is led by someone who awakened lightning-elemental magic powers."
"Lightning element? Unlike before, human evolution is accelerating quite rapidly now."
"What about the Nexus?"
"As expected, they have also discovered the concept of these particles. However, further information is inaccessible due to their strict secrecy."
"And the president?"
"Nothing specific has been reported yet."
"Okay, you can go."
"Okay." Claude left the room.
Jeff was still sitting there staring at the ceiling. No one knew what he was thinking.