Morning came quietly.
7:00 AM.
The alarm blinked in the dim light of the room.
Angelo opened his eyes.
For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Then he got up.
Cold water. A brief wash. Silence.
He stepped into his mother's room.
Maria was still asleep.
He approached her quietly… and gently kissed her on the forehead.
Then he left.
In the kitchen, he prepared breakfast.
Eggs with prosciutto and a glass of fresh orange juice.
He ate without rushing.
Today, he has a meeting with an interesting person.
A few minutes later, he stepped outside.
The air was fresh.
He walked to the station, boarded the train… and took a seat by the window.
The city began to move past him.
Bern.
He stepped onto the platform.
A few minutes later, he stopped in front of a bar.
"The Wanderer's Dream."
He pushed the door open.
Inside, it was quiet.
Not many visitors.
Dim lighting. Soft music.
And behind the bar stood a man.
Around fifty.
Well-groomed. Elegant suit. Perfectly styled hair. Neat mustache.
He looked less like a bartender…
…and more like a nobleman who had chosen the wrong century.
He set a glass down.
Then noticed Angelo.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Well… look who it is."
His voice carried calm amusement.
"Mr. Nobell. It's been a long time."
"It has," Angelo replied calmly. "Lars."
The man leaned slightly against the bar.
"And what brings the Bloody Emperor to my humble establishment?"
Angelo let out a faint smirk.
"Don't be modest, Lars. This place is quite popular in certain circles."
A pause.
"I should say it's an honor to be here."
Angelo stepped closer.
"Lars… tell me something."
His gaze fixed on him.
"Is it true?"
"A million dollars… just for an interview?"
Lars shrugged lightly.
"I was the one who gave you that brochure and told you about it. So most likely… it's true."
He looked at Angelo with a faint, knowing smile.
"You speak in riddles," Angelo said calmly. "Say it clearly."
Lars exhaled slightly.
"In short… the man has both money and influence."
A brief pause.
"He is the head of the Life Without End project."
Angelo's eyes narrowed.
"The head of Life Without End? Seriously?"
A step closer.
"And who exactly is this man?"
Lars looked at him for a moment.
"An interesting man… and a frightening one."
"And generous," Angelo added with a faint smirk.
"Exactly," Lars nodded.
"If you are his intermediary, then pass him a message."
Angelo's voice was calm.
"I'm in."
Lars smiled.
"He knew you would agree."
Without a word, he reached under the counter and handed him a piece of paper.
Angelo glanced at it.
Kultur Casino Bern. 17 March 2042. 16:00.
"So that's the interview date," Angelo said.
"If it's taking place at Kultur Casino Bern… then I have no doubts it's real."
He looked up at Lars.
"But you didn't come here just for information about the interview, did you?"
Lars asked.
Angelo gave a slight smile.
"Of course not. First of all… I came to check on you."
Lars smirked.
"Hypocrite."
"You know me too well, old man."
A pause.
"Tell me… what has changed?"
"How has the game evolved over these five years?"
"Who are the top players now?"
"And what became of the world… after I disappeared?"
Lars gestured toward a seat.
"Of course."
A faint smile.
"Sit down."
"This will be a long story."