The train finally crossed the border and arrived in France. Orion watched the urban scenery pass by the window, taking in the unfamiliar landscape. The architecture was distinct, and the language flowing around him was different from what he had grown used to in England. The train slowed to a gentle stop at the station, and Chloe rose to her feet, grabbing her bag.

— “We’re here. Welcome to France,” she said, glancing at Orion as he stretched.

— “Hmph… doesn’t look all that different,” he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as they stepped out of the station.

The streets were alive with people and cars streaming in every direction. The aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread lingered in the air. In the distance, Orion noticed an enormous metallic tower piercing the sky, but he decided not to ask. He already had too much to process.

After a short walk through the streets of Paris, Orion suddenly felt the urge for something simple—something he hadn’t yet experienced in this new world.

— “Do you know a place around here where I can eat?” he asked casually.

Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the question.

— “You’re hungry? Well, there are plenty of diners around… If you want something quick, a hamburger should do.”

Orion frowned. The word made little sense to him, but he was willing to try.

— “Hamburger? What is that?”

Chloe tried not to laugh as she explained.

— “It’s food… meat, cheese, lettuce, and other things, all stacked inside bread. I’d say it’s… fast food.”

Orion considered this for a moment before nodding, deciding to go along with her suggestion.

They walked into a nearby diner. Orion glanced around, surprised by the simple yet lively atmosphere. Tables were scattered everywhere, filled with people eating and chatting. He sat down, observing it all with quiet curiosity.

— “A simple meal… let’s hope it’s not a waste of time,” he muttered to himself.

When the hamburger finally arrived, Orion stared at it in mild confusion. The bread was compressed, the meat pressed tightly between layers of lettuce and cheese.

He lifted it with both hands as if handling something delicate, unsure of what to expect. Chloe watched him, struggling not to laugh.

Orion took the first bite… and his expression shifted. He took another, then another. His mouth was full of meat and sauce, but he didn’t seem bothered.

— “Hmm… this isn’t bad,” he said through a full mouth.

Chloe chuckled at the sight.

— “Told you. It’s pretty popular here.”

Orion’s golden eyes lit up with genuine surprise as he quickly devoured the burger. It wasn’t the feast of kings, but it was far better than he had expected.

— “I didn’t think something this simple could taste so… good,” he admitted, wiping his hands with a napkin.

He looked at the empty plate, then raised his hand to call the waitress.

— “More! Bring me more hamburgers!”

The waitress blinked in surprise but nodded, rushing to the kitchen. Orion sat impatiently, staring at the table until the next plate arrived. The moment it was set down, he attacked the food, eating without hesitation.

— “This is incredible! Not what I expected, but… delicious,” he exclaimed, mouth still full.

Chloe leaned back, amused as she watched him surrender completely to the experience. When he finally finished the last hamburger, Orion rose and turned to the waitress waiting near the counter.

Casually, he reached into his Item Box ring and pulled out a golden pouch. With a careless flick, he tossed it onto the counter.

— “That should cover everything,” he said without even glancing at the price.

The waitress froze, her eyes widening at the sheer amount of gold. She tried to protest, but Orion was already walking away.

Chloe laughed, giving him a playful slap on the shoulder.

Orion smiled, completely unaware of how outrageous his gesture had been—nor did he care. He was satisfied.

💛 Creator’s Note 💛

Hello, everyone!

I’m just starting to share GOLD AGE with you, and I’m really excited to show this world full of action, mysteries, and unique characters. Each chapter is only the beginning of a much bigger story, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

In the coming months, my goal is to post more frequently, bringing new chapters regularly so you can follow the story without long waits.

If you enjoy the story and want to be part of this journey, I’m looking for creative supporters—not financially, but people who want to contribute art, illustrations, or visual ideas that could appear in future chapters. Also, feedback and suggestions always help improve every detail of GOLD AGE.

Let’s build this universe together, chapter by chapter, scene by scene. Thank you for being here from the very beginning of this adventure! 💛

— Alexandre Goulart