Orson's retired life was comfortable and full of small pleasures.
Sometimes he let Madman "coach" his fishing, but his skills never really improved. Maybe he was just born without the knack for it. A fishless day was still a fishless day. That was fate. He had to accept it.
He remained a loyal VIP at the local fish market.
Eventually, even Madman gave up charging him, and the three of them—Madman, Bradley, and Orson—ended up spending more time cracking sunflower seeds and trading insults on the riverbank than actually catching fish. Drinks, meals, and endless banter turned them into close friends.
Every now and then, Orson logged into Sword and Conquest, now fading into obscurity, and watched as one old teammate after another migrated to Infinite Dimensions. He hoped they would shine again in the new world. His own reputation as the pinnacle of spellcasters in Sword and Conquest would fade away with the game itself.
Half a year passed in this quiet rhythm.
