Old man's eyes widened in shock. As he was about to speak, he shivered a little. A quiet uneasiness drifted through the room, carried by the crackle of the chimney fire. His sharp gaze dropped onto Ana's face. With a voice heavy from years of experience, he spoke slowly:
"Tales of the Grand Era… no one dares to ask about them. You are one of the rare few who wish to know. Only the Tideborns—criminals, wanderers, or the deeply curious ever search for that history."
He spread his arms wide, like an eagle opening its wings to the night sky, and embraced the warmth of the pink fire. His gaze lifted upward, his eyes closed, as if he were feeling something both confident and comforting.
