In this fine morning, I'm currently making breakfast for the Director of Eurus.
No, I’m not joking. The toaster is hot and ready to use.
It goes like this: I woke up at five in the morning, the sky was still dark, and everyone’s still tucked to their beds. There was a loud knock that went by a couple times. I was thinking of ignoring it but it didn’t die out regardless of how long I waited. So, in my absolute mess of a state you’d expect to see from someone who’s barely lucid, I opened the door and went completely awake.
Roland Richter was knocking on my door at five in the morning, already in his work suit, way ahead of everyone else. His dark-blue hair is slicked back, and if that didn't serve as an indication of how prepared he is to face the day, I don't know what else. Twilight is a significant point of time to every Eurusians, as it refers to an ancient citation of Makos stating that twilight is an hour for joy and miracles, and thus encourages others to fully invest in activities during the appointed time.
I get how before sunrise is considered twilight hour, but the least he can do is not bother others.
Despite the grand entrance, there was nothing glorious from the way his sleep-deprived eyes are looking at me.
I remove two slices of bread from the toaster, stealing a glance from time to time from the kitchen to check on him, waiting at the dining table. I don’t think he remembers that his niece is awful at waking up in the early mornings, or maybe he had something to say. Something very urgent that he had to dress for work at five in the morning. The quietness between us grew louder and it already made me uncomfortable.
I serve his toast, not batting an eye at him.
“Knoutberry jam?”
“Do you not like it, uncle?”
“Nonsense. I love it.”
Breakfast went by without a word. What even was the point of coming here? Just to borrow my toaster?
This is not his first visit, but it is in fact his first visit of the year. He's shameless. Coming over to my place all the while knowing his past faults. He'd come over under the excuse of 'patrols'. That's right, a responsibility meant for officers far below the Director of Eurus. Neither of his 'patrol' questions has anything to do with his job.
'How have you been doing?'
'Don't get yourself into trouble.'
'About what's happening lately....'
His questions are... very parent-like, like he's my father or something. Granted, he was my guardian after my parents died, but he was mostly absent from my life. If the whole Tellus knows their respected figure of authority behaves like an awkward teenager, he will without a doubt, become an international gossip.
“How’s your job lately?” Even now, he asks the same thing. Uncle, you’re so predictable.
"Nothing much. I went to Loegria last week to gather materials."
"I see. Did you by any chance visit that?"
Well, who would expect my morning to start with a grim tone?
To outsiders, or rather, a regular civilian like me, what he references is far beyond your regular horror story. To my uncle who was directly involved in solving the case, it was a tragedy so puzzling and shameful for his name. Long story short, there was a massive case of people strangely disappearing in several Eurus territories, but Loegria had the most body count of all.
Because all of the victims were never found in the end. Every single one of them. Not even their remains. Even though Keeper ruled all of them to be officially dead, there are some who still wished for a silver lining, praying that their loved ones may actually be alive all this time. Due to the nature of this incident, it is later colloquially known as The Vanishing.
In the penultimate of this investigation, Keeper gave the final verdict announcing Rapture as the main culprit of it.
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