Ethan couldn't understand the situation for a moment.
'What is this situation now?'
He had passed out in the ruins.
But now he had woken up in yet another strange place.
Just then, the woman picked Ethan up and their eyes met.
Eyes full of sympathy and compassion.
"Little one, why were you abandoned alone on the road?"
"Waaah."
"Where have your parents gone?"
"Waaah."
But all Ethan could produce were baby sounds.
'This is driving me crazy. My mind is intact, but I can't do anything.'
Ethan observed the woman.
'Judging by her appearance, she seems to be from a wealthy family.'
Luxurious attire.
She appeared to be in her late twenties.
In medieval times, that would have been well past the age for marriage.
Ethan looked around.
Inside what seemed to be a carriage.
Beside her was a woman who looked like a maid, and outside the window, he could see soldiers moving in unison.
'Given the carriage atmosphere and the soldiers... could she be a noble?'
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Ethan became tense.
'The nobles in 'Ethereal Odyssey' were known for their strong sense of authority and arrogance.'
Nobles weren't as strong as game users.
However, users generally didn't mess with nobles without reason.
'I remember some people who disrespected nobles ended up facing all kinds of disadvantages.'
Back then, level restrictions hadn't even been lifted, so there were quite a few nobles who were stronger than users.
Getting on the bad side of such nobles wouldn't lead to a good outcome.
But why?
There was an inexplicable loneliness and sadness in the woman's eyes as she looked at him.
Just then, someone approached the window from outside.
It was a man in full armor.
The moment Ethan saw the man, he felt his hair stand on end.
'.. He's strong.'
Incomparably stronger than the assailants he had seen earlier.
He seemed to be a knight serving the noble lady.
'I didn't realize it when playing the game, but now that I'm facing it in person, I understand what a knight truly is.'
An overwhelmingly powerful being.
That was Ethan's impression after seeing a real knight.
"My lady, it's time to head back. It's been over an hour. We've searched the surroundings and found nothing."
"...."
"If someone had really lost a child, they would have come looking for it by now."
The knight continued speaking to the silent woman.
"I understand."
The woman nodded as if resigned after hearing the knight's words.
Then she looked down at Ethan.
Her eyes were filled with sympathy.
"So you were abandoned. Poor child."
The woman muttered in a pitiful tone.
Ethan found her curious.
'Is this woman different from other nobles?'
Was it compassion or maternal instinct?
Or simply pity?
'.. I don't know. Let's just make a good impression for now.'
That seemed the better approach for survival.
'Who knows. Maybe she'll keep me as a servant later.'
Ethan smiled at the woman.
"Oh my."
The woman's eyes flickered.
'...? What's this?'
Ethan was momentarily puzzled.
'Why is she staring at me like that? Did I do something wrong?'
He hadn't done anything except smile..?
Regardless of Ethan's curiosity, the woman silently looked down at him.
A faint light was gathering in her empty eyes.
As if the sadness lingering in her heart was slowly disappearing.
"...."
After a long moment of facing Ethan, the woman seemed to struggle with something before finally showing a determined expression.
"Let's return to the castle. I have something to discuss with Father."
***
The Barret Viscount family is a noble house of the Endil Kingdom.
The Viscount's territory is located in the northern mountains, at the northernmost border of human territory within Saint Gaia, bordering the land of monsters, and has been one of the families defending the border from monsters for generations.
"What?"
A middle-aged man's voice echoed at the end of a corridor filled with weapons and swords.
His voice was tinged with disbelief.
It was the voice of Callus Barret, the head of the Barret family.
"....."
Currently, Callus Barret was in quite a predicament.
It was because of his third daughter, Selene Barret, who had returned from inspecting the territory.
"Do you understand what you're saying?"
"Yes, Father."
The woman, Selene, spoke with a firm expression.
"I want to adopt this child as my own."
"... You want to adopt him? A child of unknown origin?"
"Yes, Father."
"...."
Callus Barret stared at Selene with an incredulous look.
Compared to his other children, Selene had never shown much greed or stubbornness.
Was that why?
He knew this wasn't just idle talk.
Soon, Callus's expression became solemn.
'It's been a while since I've seen such a desperate expression from her.. I do understand, but.'
Selene had been widowed after some incident with her husband, and her child had been stillborn.
As a father, Callus couldn't bear to watch Selene nearly going insane.
So he brought her back to the family and has been taking care of her for years.
Although she had recovered a lot over time, perhaps the internal wounds still remained?
It seemed Selene couldn't ignore an abandoned child.
But for noble succession, bloodline is important.
Talent passed down genetically through blood was a crucial factor in succession.
Especially since the Barret family was a sword family that had produced many warriors for generations.
'I might consider if that child had something exceptional.'
Callus knew that possibility was slim.
With a contemplative expression, Callus looked at the baby in Selene's arms.
'Pale skin with black hair and black eyes.. Not a common appearance.'
But since he was found abandoned on the roadside, he was likely of commoner origin.
After staring at the baby for a while in silence, Callus soon sighed and spoke.
"Huff.. Do as you wish."
"Then.."
"But that's as far as it goes."
As Selene's expression brightened, Callus cut her off sharply.
"I permit you to raise him, but that child will never bear the Barret name."
After saying that, Callus closed his mouth.
It was a clear dismissal.
"....."
After a moment of silence, Selene nodded quietly.
She knew that was the maximum consideration her father Callus could give.
"I understand. Thank you, Father."