The night before their departure to Hanover.
Wataru was relaxing in his bedroom, reading a book.
As a former writer, he'd always enjoyed reading—especially travelogues. He'd devoured several, including Kotaro Sawaki's Midnight Express.
Meeting strangers in unfamiliar lands, forming connections—those stories were full of drama.
What kind of encounters awaited him in Hanover?
Hopefully something wonderful.
By the time he reached a good stopping point, it had gotten pretty late.
"Shoot, I really need to get to bed."
Tomorrow would likely involve long-distance travel, so he needed to be well-rested. And depending on where the gate was located, they might need to ride on horseback.
On his way to the bathroom for his usual pre-sleep routine, Wataru noticed Mariel sitting alone in the dimly lit dining room, lit only by an emergency light.
Her silver hair shimmered even in the faint light, catching Wataru's attention immediately.
