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11th Night, Budhavāsaraḥ, 7:42 p.m.; River Moon Inn…
The room was filled with silence, dimly lit by a lone lantern whose flickering glow stretched shadows across the wooden floor.
Fate sat alone.
Motionless.
Yet far from idle.
His fingers tightened slightly against his knee as his thoughts churned beneath the surface,
Thinking.
Analyzing.
Waiting.
Then—
A voice.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Yet strangely familiar.
[Eye Synchronization Initiated]
[40%… 70%… 100%]
A translucent interface unfolded before his eyes, shimmering faintly like a ghost caught between existence and illusion.
"…Good evening… Admin."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate's pupils shrank.
"…You again."
A pause.
"So... you can speak."
His gaze sharpened.
"What exactly are you?"
The interface flickered.
"Analyzing… Retrieving system specifications…"
A brief silence followed.
"I am the Prototype AI unit of the Project Interface Evangelion."
Fate frowned.
"Project… Evangelion?"
The word lingered in his mind, unsettling in a way he couldn't quite place.
"…Evangelion… why does that name feel wrong?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
No response.
Only silence.
Then the system resumed,
"Primary functions available:
—Status Analysis
—Threat Assessment
—Memory Reconstruction (Restricted)
—Growth Optimization…"
Fate's breath slowed.
"…Growth optimization?"
"Yes."
A slight pause.
"Objective: Ensure Admin survival… and evolution."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh… a tool that promises power."
'How very tempting.'
"Let us see, child… how you wield it… what unexpected things await this world to witness."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate's gaze hardened.
"…Then start by telling me something useful."
"Query acknowledged,
Extracting base memory…
This system interface was created by the Angels.
It operates under nine authorization levels based on user status.
Current user access: Level One.
Further information restricted."
'…Angels.
So the threads begin to reveal themselves.
But even I… do not see the full weave.'
"Level One…?"
"Yes. The lowest level authorization granted to a common Angel."
"…Wait."
Fate's voice dropped.
"You mean… the same Angels the Church worships?"
"Affirmative."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The room grew colder.
Fate leaned back slowly against the wooden wall.
'Why do I have something like this…?'
'What… was I before I lost everything?'
His thoughts spiraled—
Then stopped.
A slow breath escaped him.
"…Doesn't matter."
Not yet.
"At least…" he murmured,
"I'm not completely alone."
He looked at the floating interface again.
"…So, what should I call you?"
"I do not possess a personal designation."
A pause.
"System identification: Eva."
"…Eva."
He let the name settle.
"…Nice to meet you."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"He accepts the unknown… rather easily.
Adaptation…
…that's promising."
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*****
Elsewhere, St. Cathedral – Mirror Interface Hall, West district of royal capital; 8:29 p.m.
A vast chamber stretched upward, its towering mirrors reflecting fractured beams of holy light across polished marble.
At its center, knelt a man before the robed bishop.
Head lowered.
Unmoving.
"Evan."
The voice echoed—sharp, unforgiving.
"I trust you understand the consequences of your failure."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan's voice remained low.
"…Yes, Lord Bishop."
"One who cannot uphold doctrine…
…is unworthy of the title Archpriest."
"It is my fault, Lord Bishop. I accept all punishment."
"Fault?" the bishop repeated. The cold voice approached as if it has engulfed everything.
"No."
"Weakness is not a mistake."
"It is sin."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan's hands trembled.
"I beg for another chance, my lord."
"I will hunt down every last heretic in the capital."
"Enough."
The single word silenced him instantly.
"I have received reports." The bishop's voice continued.
"Several subjects escaped… from Project Z."
Evan's face paled instantly.
"I was about to report—!"
"Were they eliminated?"
"…Most of them, my lord."
"Most?"
The bishop's gaze burned with fury.
"You cannot even handle broken experiments?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan slammed his forehead against the ground.
"Please! One final chance!"
The bishop turned away.
"Consider this your last breath."
"The remnants of Project Z must not resurface."
A pause.
"If you fail again…"
His voice dropped— Cold. Absolute.
"The fear of death… will be the least of your concerns."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Faith above… cruelty below.
Even their hierarchy mirrors their hypocrisy.'
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River Moon Inn – Followed Morning; 10:00 a.m.
Sunlight spilled across the streets as Fate stepped outside, the warmth brushing faintly against his pale skin.
"…Time to move."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adventurer's Guild – East District of the Royal Capital
The hall buzzed with noise—voices overlapping, metal clashing, deals being struck in hushed tones.
Fate approached the counter.
"I want to register."
The receptionist smiled.
"We need to collect your biometric data to issue a Status Card and determine your level."
"Please proceed with evaluation."
Devices were placed before him.
"Retina scan."
"Handprint."
"Facial and voice recognition."
"DNA sampling… and Source assessment."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate complied silently.
The crystal device hummed.
Then—
The receptionist frowned.
"…That's strange."
She handed him a metallic card.
"Your Status Card is ready, but…"
"But?"
"Your level… cannot be determined."
Fate's eyes narrowed.
"…Blocked?"
"Yes. Something is interfering."
"…I see."
He slipped the card away.
"I'll return later."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Even the source assessment can be rejected…
How fascinating.
You stand outside more than one order, it seems.'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the way back to the River Moon Inn, Central streets of royal square…
A loud voice echoed through the streets.
"Search every corner!"
Imperial soldiers marched through the crowd, carrying posters.
"Citizens of the Empire! Report any suspicious individuals to the Holy Church immediately!"
"Subjects bear numerical markings!"
"Harboring them will be treated as treason!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate stopped walking.
His eyes widened.
"What…?"
A strange unease crept up his spine.
He moved closer.
Posters.
Faces.
Numbers.
#011
#002
#005
#007
#008
Each marked with a bounty.
His heart felt like it skipped a beat.
#005
…it was him.
Perfectly drawn.
Cold sweat slid down his back.
"…So it really wasn't random."
'That crazy assassin…
The Western Holy Church…
They were always after me.'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'And now… the hunt reveals itself.
Fate Dragon Heart…
just how deep does your past go?'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"…100,000 gold…"
Fate exhaled slowly.
'…They're serious.'
'And the other bounties are even higher, seriously?'
"What the hell is going on…?"
Then—
Another poster.
Smaller.
"…Kai."
A realization struck.
'…He's not safe either,
…We need to move.
Fast. '
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River Moon Inn; 1:09 p.m.
"Big bro?"
Kai looked up.
"Why are you rushing?"
Fate shut the door.
"We're being hunted by the church."
Kai froze.
"…Me too?"
"Probably, cause of the mess you caused at the execution platform."
Fate pulled out a ring.
"Your father gave me this. Said it was important."
Kai's eyes widened.
"…That's his Mind Ring."
"He actually gave it to you…?"
"So it's useful?"
Kai nodded quickly.
"Of course!"
"It contains all of his research and experiences."
"It's basically a replica of his mind."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ring activated.
Light unfolded into a holographic projection.
Coordinates flickered into view.
Then—
A familiar voice spoke.
"Fate… if you are hearing this,you made it out."
"Thank you for saving my son."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The old man's expression hardened.
"I know what you endured in those laboratories… I know how much you have suffered."
"But there is something you must know."
A pause.
"…your parents."
Fate's heartbeat spiked.
"While trying to save you, they were captured & taken… to the Eternal Holy City."
A pause.
"…Your mother… She is dead."
Silence.
"They executed her."
"For being a commoner."
"They claimed she defiled the Dragon Heart bloodline."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something inside Fate… broke.
Not outwardly.
But within—
A fracture.
His breath trembled.
The chest tightened violently.
Memories flashed but refused to return.
But emotions surged like a storm.
Pain.
Deep.
Heavy.
Unfamiliar.
Then—
Anger.
Silent.
Burning.
Uncontrollable.
"She left a final message…
For you."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"…Play it."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The image changed.
A gentle woman appeared.
Her eyes…
Warm. Kind.
"Fate… my son."
"If you are seeing this…
then the day I was warned about… has finally come."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Don't look so sad.
I knew this would happen.
From the moment I chose this path…
I understood what it would cost me.
And I chose it anyway.
Because it led me to you."
"So listen to me carefully.
These will be the last words I can give you."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tears blurred Fate's vision.
"This world… is cruel.
It will mock you… break you… and try to decide your worth.
It already has, hasn't it?
But you must never accept it, my son."
"You are not something this world gets to define.
Not the Church.
Not the nobles.
Not even the blood that runs through your veins."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When I lived in the forests… I was free.
No one told me who I was allowed to be.
That freedom… is something I wanted for you.
Even if I cannot give it to you anymore—
you must take it for yourself."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Have dreams…
And chase them, no matter the cost.
Never Lie… I know this pain is overwhelming enough… but never get tainted by this ugly world.
Always hold on to your principles… even when it is comforting to fall into darkness…
Make friends, the ones you can truly trust…
And if something ever feels wrong…
…it's okay to walk away."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You will suffer.
There will be days you wish to disappear.
Days where everything feels meaningless.
On those days—
remember this."
"You are my son.
The child I waited for.
The child I held.
The child I loved… more than my own life."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So you don't get to give up.
Do you understand?"
"If the world stands in your way—
break it.
If people try to chain you—
destroy those chains.
If fate itself tries to control you—
then defy it."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate's fists trembled.
"You must become strong,
Stronger than anything that comes for you.
Not for revenge.
Not for pride.
But so that no one can ever take your freedom away again."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her voice softened.
"And if… one day…
you find something precious—
someone you wish to protect…
Then stand.
Even if you're alone.
Even if you're afraid.
Stand… and don't let it be taken from you."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tears rolled down her face, filled with a smile so gentle and affectionate, she talked.
"You know, when you were born you had such little hands, my deep blue eyes…
and a smile so innocent, it became my whole world…"
"I was so happy, watching my little child run the whole palace with his little steps…"
"Sorry son, I can't be there to watch you grow up anymore."
I won't be there to protect you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
But you won't be alone.
Not ever.
"Because my love—
Will always stay with you.
In your anger.
In your pain.
In every step you take forward.
No matter any path you walk."
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Live, Fate.
Live stubbornly.
Live selfishly if you must.
But never… live as something controlled by others.
And show this cruel world…
that you were never meant to kneel.
Remember these words… Even in your last breath.
"I don't know how you will live… but promise me…
Promise me, you will survive this lonely world and walk the thorny path to the top."
"You must rise above everything."
"So no tragedy will ever touch those you love again."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Take care of your father for me, will you…"
"I have so much more to tell you my son, but…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
…
I love you, Fate.
More than anything.
Always...
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"…Ah… Narayana…
…Even I… who sing of the world's sorrows…
…find my voice faltering… before a mother's undying love…
…Fate… child… I fear what this grief may shape you into…"
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----------------------- Chapter 4 END ---------------------