Levi stepped through the large wooden doors and entered the meeting hall.
The room was spacious but simple.
Maps covered one wall while shelves filled with ledgers, monster cores, and rare artifacts lined the others.
At the far end of the room sat the Godmother.
Without hesitation, Levi walked over and knelt before her.
Following an old family tradition, he gently kissed the back of her hand—a sign of respect for one’s elder.
She studied him carefully for several seconds.
Then she frowned.
“You haven’t been eating.”
Levi forced a small smile.
“I’m eating.”
“Liar.”
She reached over and pinched his cheek.
“A growing young man shouldn’t be this skinny.”
Before Levi could protest, she called toward the doorway.
“Bring my usual dinner.”
She glanced back at Levi.
“And make another plate.”
Levi shook his head.
“I don’t have time to eat.”
“You’ll make time.”
“But my friends are downstairs.”
“They’re hungry too.”
She waved a hand toward the servants.
“Feed every one of them.”
“The bill is mine.”
The servants bowed before hurrying downstairs.
The Godmother smiled to herself.
“The twins are here too, aren’t they?”
Levi nodded.
“They’re already making themselves at home.”
She laughed.
“I’ve missed those two.”
“They always know how to brighten this old woman’s day.”
Only a few minutes later, servants began carrying dishes into the room.
Roasted meat.
Fresh bread.
Vegetables.
Soup.
Fruit.
Enough food to feed an entire family.
Levi hadn’t realized how hungry he truly was until the aroma filled the room.
The Godmother noticed him staring.
“Go on.”
“Eat.”
Levi didn’t argue.
Within minutes he had already emptied one plate.
Then another.
The Godmother watched with a satisfied smile.
“See?”
“You were starving.”
Levi rubbed the back of his neck.
“…Maybe a little.”
For a while they simply talked.
She asked about the twins.
The journey.
The Dryland.
Levi answered every question honestly.
Eventually…
The Godmother leaned back in her chair.
“So…”
She folded her arms.
Levi laughed awkwardly.
“…You’re not wrong.”
“I thought so.”
She smiled.
“Lucky for you…”
“I’m in a good mood today.”
Levi raised an eyebrow.
“I noticed.”
“The whole headquarters has been celebrating.”
“I assumed someone was getting married.”
She chuckled.
“Oh, we’re celebrating.”
“For two reasons.”
“The first…”
She leaned forward.
“The information you sold me.”
“It turned out to be completely accurate.”
Levi smiled.
“I’m glad.”
Several weeks earlier Levi had sold her information about a rumored Command Post hidden deep within the Eleventh District.
It had been little more than an educated prediction.
Even so…
The Godmother trusted Levi’s instincts enough to investigate.
The gamble had paid off.
Although Levi had desperately wanted a home for himself and the twins…
He knew that particular Command Post wasn’t worth risking their lives.
The Eleventh District was far beyond anything they could survive.
If the Godmother had claimed it…
He was genuinely happy for her.
Besides…
Carter now possessed the Vanguard.
Their future no longer depended on that forgotten Command Post.
The Godmother nodded.
“I always pay my debts.”
“And because your information changed my life…”
She smiled warmly.
“I’ll grant you one request.”
“Anything.”
Levi didn’t hesitate.
“I need identification.”
“Not only for me…”
“But for my friends too.”
The smile slowly disappeared from her face.
For the first time that evening…
She looked almost guilty.
“I’m sorry, Levi.”
“I can’t do that.”
Levi lowered his head.
“…I understand.”
“No.”
She gently shook her head.
“You don’t.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help.”
“I said…”
“I can’t give you something you already have.”
Levi blinked.
“What?”
She snapped her fingers.
A servant entered carrying an ornate golden chest decorated with jewels and intricate carvings.
Even before it was placed on the table…
Levi couldn’t take his eyes off it.
It was breathtaking.
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The Godmother rested a hand on the chest.
“This…”
“…is the final gift your father entrusted to me.”
Levi stared at it in silence.
“The last gift…”
“What’s inside?”
She smiled softly.
“No one knows.”
“We’ve never been able to open it.”
Levi looked confused.
“Every year your father left something for you.”
“You remember all those birthdays when I gave you gifts?”
Levi nodded.
“I remember.”
“They were all from Arthur.”
Before Levi could respond…
Several servants entered carrying more wooden chests. with nineteen artifacts that was made out of beautiful jewelry, handbags , glove even books.
Levi left them there because he was afraid someone else would steal them he knew they was safe in with the god mother.
One after another they placed them around the room.
Inside were countless treasures.
Levi looked around in complete disbelief.
“My father…”
“Left all of this for me?”
The Godmother nodded.
“He trusted me to keep it safe until you were ready.”
Levi remained silent.
Then he looked back at her.
“Why now?”
The room suddenly became quiet.
The Godmother’s smile slowly faded.
“Because…”
She looked out the window.
“I’m leaving for the upper districts.”
“My work here is finished.”
“I don’t know when…”
“…or if…”
“…I’ll ever come back.”
Levi’s heart sank.
“So…”
“This is goodbye.”
She nodded.
“This is goodbye.”
Neither of them spoke for several moments.
Then…
The Godmother smiled once more.
“But that’s only the first reason we’re celebrating.”
Levi looked at her, confused.
She reached across the table and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Happy birthday, Levi.”
He froze.
“…Birthday?”
“You forgot.”
Levi slowly lowered his head.
He had.
Somewhere along the years…
Birthdays had stopped meaning anything.
After his parents disappeared…
They had become just another day.
Another reminder of what he had lost.
His eyes slowly filled with tears.
Not because he remembered.
But because…
Everyone else had remembered for him.