'Wh-what… Solveil? What is that name? I've never heard of it before. Ahhh… I'm going to go insane! Since I got here, all that's been growing are the questions in my mind. Ahhh… fuck!'
The raw tension on Edward's face was unmistakable. This was the moment he finally grasped the severity of the mess he was in. His eyes began to well up with tears, but he quickly rubbed them away, determined to regain his composure.
Dew, witnessing this reaction, smirked.
"Oh, so now you're acting like someone who's in trouble."
"Good. At least that confirms you're just a normal kid trying to act tough."
"Don't scare the kid more, Dew, it is literally our job to keep him safe here," Vant scolded.
Dew rolled his eyes. "Ah, whatever," he muttered.
"Listen, kid," Dew continued, adopting a firm tone.
"Even if it's hard for you to register everything right now, you need to act like you understand, because none of us has the option to take things slowly. We need to be quick."
"So, listen closely: you have just two questions to ask, and after that, you will listen to exactly what we tell you."
"I said, 'Don't scare the kid, dumbass!'" Vant snapped, his voice thick with frustration.
"Oh, listen, Mr. Caring Person, we've already delayed our work far too much, and we can't afford any more delays. That kid is the only person left in the family, and if he doesn't show up for the 'Meeting,' you know we are doomed." Dew's voice was sharp with urgency.
"Yes, he is the last of the Owls, and you are not supposed to talk to your boss like that, you motherf—"
"Ahem… hello?" Edward interrupted their furious brawl, raising his voice slightly.
"If you may, I would like to ask my first question." Edward's voice was surprisingly steady now, cutting through their rising anger.
"What is this place?"
Both men abruptly stopped their argument, cleared their throats, and looked back at Edward.
Vant stepped forward to answer. "As I said before, this place is called Solveil. This land is cursed by the gods. The previous king of this kingdom betrayed the deities and sided with the demons during a great Holy Conflict."
Dew chimed in with his part of the explanation. "This place is completely impossible to find by the outside world because it is surrounded by a thick, perpetual wall of fog. Only people with certain 'keys' can pass through without instantly dying."
"And also," He added, bringing the history into the present, "this entire land is now ruled by an order of seven powerful families. The Owls are one of those ruling families."
**********************************************
Edward's face was a study in confusion—a clear 'Huh?' expression that loudly declared he hadn't understood a single thing.
And how could he? He had just been bombarded with an overwhelming amount of fantastical information—gods, demons, curses, fog walls, and seven ruling families—all delivered at once by two extremely stressed and combative men.
"Ah, see! He didn't understand shit! I told you to just take him straight to the REMNANTS PLACE and let HIM handle all the explanations," Dew exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. In his mind, that was the most streamlined and efficient explanation he could have possibly given.
'REMNANTS PLACE!? HIM??. What the hell is this now? This shit is getting more messed up with every word they say,' Edward thought, the internal alarm bells ringing louder than ever.
Vant sighed, accepting the failure of their rushed history lesson. "This is all the history of this place you'll be needing for now, kid. So, what is your next question?"
Edward didn't rush. He needed a moment to process the sheer absurdity of his situation. The room fell into a prolonged silence as he stood there, thinking for a full minute or two, carefully constructing his most crucial question.
Finally, he looked directly at Vant and asked:
"Now, what is my role in all this? What am I going to do here?"
Vant's eyes turned heavy and serious. He let out a slow breath before giving the grave reply. "See, kid, it was originally supposed to be your uncle, Stephen Owls, who would become the next Head of the family. But some months ago, he was assassinated by an unknown entity."
He paused, letting the weight of that fact settle. "So, now it is you who is going to be the Head of the Owls family."
Vant's final words hung in the air like a death sentence.
"And the SINLORD OF GREED."