In his coma, Gilan's consciousness sank into silence.
He felt only darkness, with all things mute.
As he fell endlessly, Gilan seemed to hear hushed voices, indistinct whispers ringing ceaselessly in his ears.
He did not know how long it went on like this.
At last...
A ray of light appeared in the darkness.
The murmurs gradually faded, as though scattered by it.
The light was golden, yet not dazzling. Instead, it was exceptionally gentle. Along with it came a comforting warmth.
For some reason, Gilan thought of a brilliant dawn.
Gradually, the light grew brighter and brighter.
A figure slowly emerged from within it, walking toward Gilan.
Gilan gradually made out the man's appearance.
He was a man with long golden hair. He could not exactly be called handsome, but his features were pleasing enough, giving off a gentle impression.
The man wore no splendid garments, only a ragged strip of burlap around his waist, covering his crotch and thighs. He looked like a poor farmer or slave from the Middle Ages.
"Who are you?"
Gilan asked, puzzled.
The man smiled. His smile was bright, yet carried an inexplicable sense of holiness.
"Who I am is unimportant, Mr. Gilan Iros. What matters is that you fulfilled your promise and are only one step away from final success."
Gilan froze at those words.
The man's voice was soft. It was difficult to determine his gender through sound alone. And Gilan was not unfamiliar with that voice.
"You are..."
Gilan was quite astonished.
"The first Hour-God, the one representing July—His Excellency Omer, the Noon Dawn?!"
The man did not answer, merely smiling.
As though tacitly acknowledging it.
Gilan could not help but stare in astonishment.
Omer had actually come to find him of His own accord.
Yet Gilan could not understand