Paradise Lost

Samael and the old man exchanged nods, then headed together toward the building from their memories.

Crossing the Reed Plains and arriving beneath the city walls, they saw the entire metropolis painted in magnificent colors by the blood-red setting sun. Vehicles carrying goods in and out and patrolling soldiers flowed endlessly along the broad, compacted roads.

The high walls on either side, built from fired clay bricks, glowed with the haze of magical inscriptions and seemed impregnable.

The outer walls flanking the blue-and-yellow-painted archway were decorated with sculptures of livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and dogs. Their simple lines carried an ancient charm.

"Samael! Samael! Over here! Over here!"

Before the city gate, the little purple-haired girl in a black cloak, hood, and headband raised her crumb-covered face and waved excitedly at the two figures approaching from the wilderness.

Beside the purple-haired girl, a kindly and excited guard uncle—the one who had contributed the flatbread—gripped his spear and dropped to one knee in a reverent salute toward the newcomer.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty."

"Yeah, I'm finally home."

Samael sighed with emotion. He casually helped the guard uncle up, then took a flatbread from the cloth bag little Anna held up as if offering a treasure. He took a crunchy bite, and the familiar fragrance of wheat bloomed in his mouth.

As they walked, the two hamster-like figures, one big and one small, crunched their flatbreads in perfect sync.

The little girl's purple eyes sparkled brightly. She raised her chin and asked proudly.

"Uncle's flatbread is good, right?"

"Mm, it's beyond reproach—crispy and sweet. No wonder you always missed it even in Greece, Anna. Later, I'll ask Uncle for the recipe. Whenever you want some, I can make it for you!"

The ancient serpent narrowed his eyes in enjoyment and