Evan would finally meet the Librarian.
The carriage door creaked open, spilling out a faint yellowish-white light that washed across his face.
"This is it," Evan whispered under his breath. "I will finally meet the Librarian now… the person I've been waiting for. The opportunity I've been waiting for."
He stepped inside the carriage.
The air carried a faint smell of a cologne, it was strange and unfamiliar to his senses. Across from him, two figures sat upon a large red velvet seat, their garments nearly identical to each other, white robes embroidered with gold patterns and a blazing sun in the back of it.
Evan instinctively lowered himself onto the opposite seat, facing them directly.
A moment later, the young man he had spoken earlier outside entered as well, and slowly shutting the door firmly behind him before taking the place beside Evan.
Now seated, Evan could see his companions clearly, a youthful man with a delicate, almost feminine features it has a blonde hair, also a light brown eye, and beside him, an older man with a long white beard, his presence heavy and more refined.
This is my first time seeing someone so beautiful and more feminine, than the woman he had seen in his old world, or even in this new world.
Seconds passed before the carriage jolted into motion, rolling slowly deeper into the vast compound of the church.
The youthful man across from him was the first to speak. His tone was sharp, and more serious. "Are you the one who caused the commotion outside the carriage earlier?"
Evan hesitated but forced himself to answer firmly. "Yes… I am. I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour, and for wasting your precious time on me."
The young man studied him for a moment, then asked another question. "What is your name? And how old are you?"
"My name... My name is Evan Hanns Secarus," he replied, steady though nervous. "And I'm seventeen years old." He added a faint smile, trying to appear confident.
At first, the young man's face remained stern and unreadable but then his expression softened. Slowly, a smile crept onto his lips, and he spoke with surprising enthusiasm.
"Seventeen years old?"
Evan nodded cautiously.
"I'm also seventeen. The same age as you." The young man chuckled lightly, almost amused by the coincidence.
Evan chuckled back, relaxing a little. "Then we're just the same age." He tilted his head curiously before asking, "May I know your name then?"
the young man replied casually. "My name is Nathaniel Ven Agustine,"
What an odd name… Evan thought. Not odd in a bad way, but… much more cooler than mine. A small laugh echoed in his thoughts.
Nathaniel's voice broke him from his wandering mind. "I've heard from Stefan" — he gestured toward the man sitting beside Evan, who then bowed politely — "that you are seeking the Librarian. Is that correct, Evan?"
"Yes," Evan answered without hesitation. "I'm looking for a work. Something that will let me earn money."
Nathaniel gave him a look, then turned his gaze toward the old man with the long beard. The two exchanged hushed words, and whispers, that are too faint for Evan to hear and catch.
Evan slowly leaned back into the soft velvet seat in the carriage. Its comfort reminded him of the couch back home, and for a brief moment, he felt that same fleeting sense of familiarity.
His eyes wandered. The old man had books on his lap, and even more piled neatly near him. That must be the Librarian, Evan concluded silently. And Stefan must be his assistant. Or maybe Nathaniel's. Or perhaps they all serve under the Church of the Divine Goddess.
The carriage rumbled to a halt. Outside, towering pointed arches loomed above, stained-glass windows catching what little moonlight there was. The gray stone and pale limestone of the church walls seemed to glow faintly in the dark.
Nathaniel turned back to Evan. His voice was calm but firm. "I have an offer for you, Evan. Would you like to hear it?"
Evan paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "…What is this offer?" His voice trembled with nervousness despite his attempt to sound steady.
"Would you like to serve the Divine Goddess and the cause of the Holy Empire?" Nathaniel's words struck with authority, and heavy with conviction.
Serve the Divine Goddess? Serve the Holy Empire? The weight of it made Evan's hand tighten over his lap. His mind raced. Does this mean… becoming like them? Serving something greater, than a normal human could comprehend.
He looked to the window of the carriage, eyes distant. If this is their offer… then I have no choice but to accept. If I want to survive in this strange world, if I want even the slightest chance of returning home, to my family, to my friends, I must take it. I need to go back to my home.
Evan turned back to Nathaniel, forcing strength into his voice. "Yes. I will accept your offer." A faint but genuine smile touched his lips.
Nathaniel returned the smile.
Stefan stood, opening the carriage door. One by one, Nathaniel and the Librarian rose and stepped out, their long robes flowing like cloaks as they moved toward the towering stairs of the church.
Evan followed, though uncertain of what awaited him.
The night was deep and cold. Stars glittered like frost in the heavens above.
Why aren't they speaking to me now? Evan wondered. Was that all there was to the offer? Perhaps they'll explain more to me tomorrow or in the future.
The wheels of the carriage creaked as it rolled away behind him.
When Evan glanced back, he saw only its fading outline, and Stefan walking toward him after giving instructions to the coachman.
"Let's proceed, Mr. Evan," Stefan said firmly. " Follow me, I will guide you to your temporary home."
Evan blinked in confusion but nodded, following.
As they walked, he asked, "Why aren't we going the same way as Sir Nathaniel and the Librarian?"
"They have something to do in the church," Stefan replied shortly. "It will keep them busy for the night."
Moments later, they arrived at a large residence building behind the church. Thick stone walls, stained windows, and a curved arched designs gave it a solemn, almost imposing beauty of it.
Inside, the halls were quiet, and after a small meal in the middle of the night, Stefan guided Evan upstairs to his room.
The room was modest but warm, wooden walls painted with faint green lines, a simple bed, a small desk with a lantern besides and a chair in it, also a chair facing the window, and a brown cabinet filled with neatly folded clothes, such as the linen shirts, trousers of gray and brown, and white long sleeves, and even a long white robe like Stefan's used.
"If you need anything or have a question, just call me. My room is just downstairs," Stefan said formally, bowing before leaving.
Evan returned the bow quietly.
He glanced around the room, his new, and temporary home. A bed. Clothes. A roof. Everything he needed to survive, even if only for temporary.
Setting down his sling bag on the wooden desk, he slowly unlaced his black shoes, peeled off his damp socks, and let himself sink into the soft bed.
The sheets were clean, the pillow are very comfortable. His body finally relaxed to it.
What a day… he thought. Terrible, strange, but also lucky. Lucky that I stayed in front of the gate of the church. Lucky that I met Nathaniel, Stefan, and the Librarian.
Maybe… just maybe… this was the best thing that's happened to me since coming to this world.
His eyelids grew heavier, exhaustion dragging him under.
At last, Evan surrendered to sleep.