"Very well," Adam replied at last.
He had neither the heart to refuse Adrian's request nor the inclination to remain cloistered within the cathedral walls. Trier, after all, lay before him like an unopened tome, and he wished—if only briefly—to acquaint himself with its streets and its people.
They rose from their seats and proceeded toward the exit. Yet scarcely had they advanced a few steps when they noticed a solitary figure approaching the church entrance.
It was Valentine.
Ryan and Leah were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are you two headed?" Valentine asked, his tone measured, though curiosity flickered faintly in his eyes.
"Sir," Adrian replied promptly, "I intend to visit a friend of mine. I thought it fitting that Adam accompany me, so that he might see the streets of Trier for himself."
At this, Valentine gestured them closer. His voice dropped, deliberate and grave.
"My team and I have reason to believe that there is something… unique about you, Adam. We do not yet grasp the full extent of it. For that reason, it would be wiser for you to remain within the church, lest you draw unnecessary attention to yourself."
Adrian stiffened slightly. "I… I was unaware of this, sir. In that case, I shall go alone. I will not be long—there are merely a few personal matters to attend to."
With that, he bowed respectfully and departed, leaving Adam alone with Valentine beneath the cathedral's vaulted silence.
After a moment, Adam asked, "Where are Leah and Ryan?"
"They have each returned to their respective factions to submit their reports," Valentine replied. "We will soon be heading back to the ruins of Cordu for further investigation. You, however, will remain here—under the church's protection."
Adam fell silent, then spoke with quiet resolve."Other than being near Cordu Village, there is nothing that links me to the disaster. I was simply at the wrong place, at the wrong time."
Valentine paused.
He had not expected such clarity—nor such composure.
As expected of a Spectator, he mused inwardly. Observe, analyze, then act.
Aloud, he said, "Wanted posters of the heretics have already been distributed—Lumian Lee among them. Should you ever walk the streets of Trier, tread carefully. Certain things, particularly in the underground districts, make corruption far… easier."
He exhaled slowly before continuing, "It is not my place to disclose the full extent of our observations, even if they concern you directly. That decision rests with the Deacon. You will meet him tomorrow. For now, it is too late to go anywhere."
With that, Valentine withdrew to one of the wooden chairs and began his evening prayers.
Adam watched him briefly.
From what Adrian had shared—and from his own observations—Adam deduced that Valentine was most likely a Beyonder of the Sun Pathway, perhaps of a mid sequence. If so, then the Deacon himself must stand even higher.
Though I dislike being restrained, Adam thought, it is in my best interest to remain here and gather information… at least until I find my family.
He lingered no longer.
After listening briefly to the choir's late-night practice, he left the hall in silence and returned to his room.
It was already nearing ten o'clock, yet sleep refused to claim him.
I wonder what Adrian is doing so late…
As he lay upon his bed, a thought surfaced.
A book.
He rose quietly and crossed the room to the desk near the window. Seating himself, he retrieved a book concealed among his clothes and placed it carefully upon the table.
This belongs solely to Aeon.
"Who is Aeon?" he murmured. "Is it my name… or merely a title?"
He had hoped the book might stir forgotten memories, yet none came. Undeterred, he flipped through its pages, skipping those written in Dragonese, a script still beyond his understanding.
After several turns, he halted.
A ritual—written in Ancient Hermes.
If I wish to find a way home…
Suddenly, Adam seized a sheet of paper and a pen, hastily scribbling upon it.
"…Yes," he whispered. "This is my handwriting."
He resumed reading.
The Witness of All Eras,The Law that walks through light and ruin,The Silent Architect who records the end.
When reciting the honorific name, one must walk in a circle.
Adam read it silently—yet not in Hermes. The words unfolded naturally in Loen, as though translated by instinct.
"So this is an honorific name," he mused. "Only true gods, angels, or saints possess such titles. The Witness of All Eras… could such a being have existed since the First Epoch?"
He shook his head faintly. "I know too little of this world's history. That can wait."
Turning the page, his brow furrowed.
Only through blood release may the ritual succeed.
"Blood release…?" His fingers stiffened. "Does that mean I must cut myself?"
At that instant—
The door creaked open.
Adam reacted at once, slipping the book back into his clothes where it had been hidden. He opened another volume on the desk and looked up.
It was Adrian.
"You're still awake?" Adrian asked, surprised. "It's nearly midnight—I thought you'd be asleep."
"I couldn't rest," Adam replied smoothly. "So I borrowed one of your books. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Adrian said with a tired smile. "Take any book you like."
He closed the door gently and collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion evident.
"So," Adam asked casually, "did you manage to meet your friend?"
Adrian waved it off. "We'll speak of that another time."