After a while;
The carriage slowed before a large structure of sandstone and timber—the governor's mansion of the Esagila district. Wide pillars held up the entryway, and golden-hued clay tiles shimmered beneath the evening sun.
Stepping out, Ryan followed the noblewoman up the steps.
She paused once at the door, giving him a sideways glance. "Wait here."
Turning to her maid, she said, "Take him to the servant quarters. Give him the best room. He's to stay here until summoned."
The maid bowed, and Ryan gave a respectful nod. "Understood."
He didn't miss the subtle emphasis on until summoned. Whatever this lady had in mind for him next, she wasn't done yet.
Still… a place to sleep and eat, free of charge? That wasn't a bad trade.
[Temporary Buff: Fatigue Recovery +25% while at Esagila Mansion]
The maid guided him around the side of the main estate, past several narrow corridors and an inner courtyard surrounded by clay tiles and open archways. Finally, she led him to a row of private servant quarters, stopping at the last door.
"This one's yours," she said.
Ryan stepped in and looked around. The room was modest, but private, which already made it a cut above most servant quarters in ancient cities.
A simple wooden bed sat in the corner with a straw-stuffed mattress and an off-white blanket. Beside it, a sturdy desk and a matching chair. An oil lamp rested atop the desk, its flame flickering faintly.
On the far side of the room, a clay vase filled with clear water stood beside a small basin.
There was no window—just a narrow ventilation slit near the ceiling. It smelled faintly of oil and earth.
The maid gave a short nod and closed the door behind her, leaving Ryan alone.
He sat on the bed, which creaked beneath him, then lay back with a sigh.
"So this is home now, huh?"
The ceiling stared blankly down at him. The mattress was firm. The blanket smelled of cumin and sun.
It wasn't bad, but for someone who once had climate control, silk sheets, a personal jacuzzi, and a fridge that played music when opened?
It was a downgrade.
A massive one.
He groaned, rubbing his face. "Man… I used to complain when the water in my shower took three seconds to heat up."
He turned his head toward the desk, eyeing the oil lamp with a bit of gratitude. "At least it's clean. Private, too. That's a win, I guess."
Then his eyes settled on the clay vase.
Drinking water. No filters. No chill. But at least it wasn't mud.
"Still, no toilet. No bathroom. And public baths?" He shivered. "Hard pass."
He sat up and muttered to himself, "I swear, if this body had normal biological needs… I'd have snapped by now."
He looked down at his own hands, flexing them. They felt normal, but this body didn't seem to get hungry. Or needs to relieve itself. Or sweat much in the heat. It was as if some functions were suspended or rewritten.
"Guess that's one benefit of being inside a game," he murmured. "No awkward shower queues. No communal latrines."
He pulled the blanket over himself and exhaled.
"Still creepy, though."
The oil lamp flickered.
Somewhere in the mansion, a bell rang once, muffled by distance.
Ryan closed his eyes and whispered, "Alright, Lady Fate. What now?"
The mattress was rough, but sleep came easily.
Ryan had no idea how long he had been out when a sharp knock rattled his door.
He sat up, blinking blearily. Just then, a faint chime echoed in his vision.
[Quest Complete: Repay the Guard (3 Shekels)]
Reward: +10 Reputation in Esagila District | +1 Charm XP
Note: Payment made by a third party.
Ryan rubbed his eyes. "Third party, huh…? Must've been the noble lady… That also means the guard would have been punished."
He stood, adjusted his clothes quickly, and stepped toward the door.
As he opened it, a composed man in elegant robes stood before him.
The man's beard was neatly braided, his posture straight as a staff. There was something quiet and stately about him—like a butler from an old film, except this one belonged in an ancient empire.
The man gave a shallow bow.
"Master Ryan. Lady Ishtaruna has summoned you."
Ryan nodded cautiously. "I'll come."
As he followed the steward through winding corridors lit by oil torches, his curiosity grew. The mansion was larger than he'd expected, more like a palace than a governor's home. Decorative tiles and bronze sculptures adorned the hallways, each detail whispering of wealth and influence.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Ryan asked, "Uh… sorry, but who exactly is Lady Ishtaruna?"
The steward hesitated.
He turned slightly, one brow raised as though mildly surprised by the question, but offered no reply.
He simply resumed walking, and Ryan got the message.
No one talks unless she wants them to.
Soon, they arrived at the main chambers—massive cedar doors flanked by armored guards. As they opened, the scent of incense hit Ryan's nose. Rich, earthy. The kind nobles liked to burn just to smell powerful.
Inside, a wide chamber stretched before him. Cushions, golden furniture, and sheer veils separated the corners of the room. At the center, seated on a high-backed ivory chair, was a woman who radiated regality.
She looked to be in her fifties or sixties, her skin weathered with dignity, her eyes sharp as a hawk's. Her gown shimmered with woven silver and lapis lazuli threads. This was Lady Ishtaruna, no doubt—the governor's wife.
Standing beside her, arms politely crossed and face neutral, was the now-familiar Lady Belitana, the younger noblewoman who brought him to this estate.
Ryan bowed, unsure of the exact etiquette. So he defaulted to what he knew: a deep, traditional Chinese-style bow, one fist over the other.
He half expected to offend someone.
But no one said a word. Lady Ishtaruna studied him, her gaze unreadable.
Without warning, she slid a bracelet off her wrist and tossed it.
Ryan's reflexes kicked in. He caught it in midair, eyes widening.
Was this a test? Or a reward?
He barely had time to wonder when her voice rang out: "Appraise it."
Ryan blinked, then nodded slowly.
"System," he whispered under his breath. "Inspect."
The floating screen shimmered into view immediately.
Item: Moonbrace of Elerium
Material: 25% Elerium, 70% Refined Silver, 5% Lapis Weave
Rarity: Epic
Value: ~12 Talents
Note: A noble heirloom crafted using celestial Elerium alloy. Known to amplify affinity-related abilities in those with latent elemental potential.
Estimated Market Value: 720 Minas / ~360 kg Silver
Ryan's breath caught in his throat.
"Twelve talents…?"
That was more than a fortune.
It was generational wealth.
He glanced back up at Ishtaruna, unsure if he was supposed to speak. But her eyes narrowed just slightly, waiting.
Ryan cleared his throat. "It's not just any noble bracelet. It's made with Elerium. Rare celestial alloy. And… It's worth about 12 talents."
Even saying it aloud made him dizzy.
"Seven hundred twenty minas," he added. "That's… around three hundred sixty kilos of silver."
The room was silent.
Belitana raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into the barest smirk. Ishtaruna's expression didn't shift.
After a long pause, the older woman leaned forward slightly.
"Astounding," she muttered. "Even most priests of Marduk wouldn't know Elerium on sight."
Her tone had changed. She wasn't impressed—she was suspicious.
"Who is your master?" she asked coldly. "No ordinary merchant, nor even a minor noble, would ever lay eyes on Elerium in their lifetime. And yet… you name it as if it were copper."
Ryan paused. His mind raced.
He couldn't tell them the truth: that he'd come from a modern world, from an era thousands of years in the future, where material sciences could dissect any metal with ease. That he was using a floating UI screen no one else could see.
So he chose a thread of half-truth.
"I… actually don't know my master's name," Ryan said honestly, eyes lowered. "All I know is that he came from the far north. Beyond the desert. From a land across the sea. That's all he ever said."
The room was still again.
A floating screen appeared in the corner of his vision:
[Charm Check: Belitana – PASSED (+5 XP)]
[Charm Check: Ishtaruna – FAILED]
A chill ran down his spine. Ryan resisted the urge to swallow visibly. He could feel Ishtaruna's suspicion deepen like a well with no bottom.
"Hmm," the older woman said at last, eyes fixed on him like a lion watching prey. "How very… convenient."