Mr. Elmer… why are you here?
Vaelor froze, his pupils shrinking as if an unseen weight had settled on his shoulders. The faint clink of cutlery and low chatter of the restaurant suddenly felt distant, unreal.
Perun followed his gaze. "Who is he?" he asked calmly. "Eagle Eye?"
Vaelor turned his face toward Perun, his jaw tight. "…No. Dominion."
For the briefest moment, Perun's breath stalled. Dominion was not a name that Vaelor will use in usual situation. Still, he masked it instantly, cutting Vaelor off before he could say more. Serin was there. She didn't need to hear this.
"We need to leave," Vaelor said under his breath.
"But we haven't eaten yet," Serin protested, tilting her head.
Perun smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Hey, Serin, sit here and wait, okay? It'll take some time. After that, we'll go to the amusement park."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? No problem then."
As she settled back into her seat, Perun rose.
Outside, the world narrowed.
The side street beside the restaurant was unnaturally empty — too quiet, as if sound itself had been dismissed.
A figure same as Vaelor size in a magician's hat.
Mr. Elmer.
Vaelor stepped forward, already forcing words out, attempting excuses coincidences, misunderstandings, travel. His voice sounded thin even to himself.
Perun joined them.
"Hello, sir," Perun said politely. "I'm Perun. Nice to meet you."
Elmer's lips curved faintly.
"So you know who he is," he said. "That explains the shock."
His gaze slid to Vaelor.
"And you… you've done it again."
Perun frowned. "Done what?"
Elmer didn't answer immediately. He looked at Vaelor instead.
"You didn't tell him," Elmer said softly, "why you're running."
Vaelor's mouth opened — no words came out.
Silence pressed down like fog.
Finally, Elmer spoke again, his tone flat, almost bored.
"You committed a crime once. And now you've committed another — by making contact with individuals from another realm."
Perun frowned. "But wasn't that part of his report?"
"No," Elmer replied. "He isn't here for that. That was his past assignment."
Vaelor clenched his fists.
"I was tired of that system," he said, voice shaking. "Only watching. Only recording. And obeying the higher ups and telling them about what I saw, I have to live normal."
"You can see them," Elmer said. "So what's the issue?"
"It doesn't matter," Vaelor snapped. "I'm not going back."
Elmer tilted his head slightly. "Then should I take action myself," he asked calmly,
"or inform the Grand Archons?"
The words hit like a verdict.
The Grand Archons — divine enforcers, servants of the higher will. Each fleet was a calamity. One arrival could erase a realm in under three minutes. Inferior only to the Duskbringer in authority — but far superior in combat.
Vaelor's face drained of color. "Please," he whispered. "Elmer… don't."
Perun finally spoke. "Can't we settle this?" he said casually, as if negotiating over a late bill.
Vaelor grabbed him by the arm and dragged him aside, voice low and urgent.
"Perun," he hissed, "that's Mr. Elmer. An Omen Binder. One rank above me. You can't just—"
"You think I'm trying to bribe him?" Perun interrupted, unfazed.
Vaelor stared.
"I'm saying," Perun continued, eyes steady,
"that this is your decision. If there's a way to resolve it… he can choose to allow it."
Elmer watched them quietly.
Vaelor, Perun, and Elmer faced each other once more.
The air felt heavier than before, as if the street itself was listening.
Elmer broke the silence. "So," he said, adjusting the brim of his magician's hat, "what have you decided?"
Vaelor swallowed. "…Please," he said quietly. "Do me a favor again. You've done it once before. That's how I managed to run."
Elmer's eyes sharpened. "That was different," he replied. "No higher authority sent me then. And even if I don't report you now—"
He paused. "What exactly do you think you can do here?"
Vaelor didn't answer.
Elmer continued, his voice steady, almost disappointed.
"I helped you before because you still had value. Because you could help our god transcend again."
His gaze hardened.
"And look at what you're doing now."
Perun tilted his head. "…Are you talking about the Fish God?"
Elmer's expression flickered for the first time.
"You told him as well?" he asked Vaelor.
Then colder, sharper—"Don't tell me you made him join."
Vaelor hesitated. "…Yes."
A short, humorless sound escaped Elmer's lips. "Hah."
"If I try to ignore your mistake now," he said, "how do you expect me to do it?" "Wasn't it our secret?"
"He hasn't done anything wrong," Vaelor added quickly. "He isn't involved in this matter."
Elmer looked at him for a long moment. "Then tell me," he said slowly, "what are you planning to do now?"
Vaelor straightened, forcing resolve into his voice. "I'll stay here," he said. "And I promise—I'll do everything I can for our god."
Elmer shook his head faintly. "That gives me no benefit," he replied. "And even if I handed you over…"
He paused.
"I think even they'd imprison you anyway for you what you done."
"…Yeah," Vaelor muttered. "I think so too."
Elmer turned away. "I have to go."
Perun spoke up. "You can rest here for little, if you want."
Elmer stopped, then glanced back over his shoulder, a thin smile appearing.
"I'm not here for Vaelor," he said. "I have rember him the objective, but."
The smile widened—just a little. "There's a far bigger deal unfolding here."
Then he stepped forward. And the street swallowed him whole.
Vaelor and Perun returned to the restaurant, the familiar smell of spices and grilled meat wrapping around them the moment they stepped inside. Serin was already seated at the table, leaning back lazily, wiping his fingers with a napkin. Empty plates were stacked neatly to one side.
They sat down.
Vaelor raised an eyebrow, looking at the cleared table. "Did you eat everything?"
Serin nodded without shame. "Yeah. I'm still feeling hungry."
Vaelor let out a small laugh. "If you eat that much, you'll become like a balloon. I saw it in an advertisement once."
Serin scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "I don't eat that much. And advertisements are made to deceive people."
Perun leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "We can order more."
He raised his voice slightly. "Hey, miss—"