Night quietly surrendered to dawn.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting the guest chamber in soft gold. Outside, birds greeted the morning with cheerful songs, while the manor slowly awakened from yesterday's terror.
Inside the room, however, peace remained.
Lucas had never left.
He still sat on the wooden chair beside Bereshith's bed, one arm resting against the armrest while an old fairy tale book remained open across his lap. At some point during the night, sleep had claimed him as well, though lightly—as every seasoned warrior slept, never completely letting his guard down.
Meanwhile, Bereshith slept soundly beneath the blankets.
His breathing was steady.
His face, once pale from exhaustion, had regained a little color.
For the first time in many days...
He truly looked like an ordinary child.
Knock... Knock...
A gentle voice came from outside the room.
"Pardon to interrupt your rest, Lord Lucas and Young Master Bereshith. But breakfast is ready."
Lucas' eyes slowly opened.
Years of discipline had trained him to awaken the moment someone called his name.
"...Morning already..."
He rubbed his eyes before quietly closing the fairy tale book and placing it upon the bedside table.
Then his gaze drifted toward the sleeping child.
"...Still asleep."
A faint smile appeared on Lucas' face.
Instead of shaking him...
Instead of calling his name...
Lucas reached forward with two fingers...
...and pinched Bereshith's nose shut.
Three seconds.
Four.
Five.
Bereshith's eyebrows twitched.
Then—
His eyes suddenly burst open.
"Gah!"
He immediately inhaled deeply as though he had just surfaced after drowning beneath a river.
"Haaah... haaah..."
Lucas simply watched him.
"...Good morning."
Bereshith blinked repeatedly while trying to understand what had just happened.
Then he looked at Lucas.
"...Good morning."
Lucas nodded once.
"Did you sleep well?"
"I... think so."
"Good."
Lucas stood from his chair.
Without another word, he walked to the opposite side of the bed.
Bereshith slowly pushed himself upright.
As soon as he attempted to swing his legs over the side—
His entire body protested.
Every muscle screamed.
His ribs ached.
His shoulders burned.
Even breathing deeply reminded him of yesterday's brutal training.
"...Ow..."
Before he could even try standing...
Lucas leaned down.
One arm slid carefully behind Bereshith's back.
The other passed beneath his knees.
Then...
He effortlessly lifted the boy into his arms.
Bereshith froze.
"...M-Mister?!"
Lucas ignored the embarrassment entirely.
He adjusted his grip to keep the child comfortable.
Bereshith's face immediately turned bright red.
"P-Please put me down! I can walk by myself!"
Lucas answered without even looking at him.
"No."
"I-I really can!"
"No."
"Mister!"
Lucas calmly continued walking toward the door.
"You cannot."
His voice remained completely matter-of-fact.
"So be quiet and let me carry you."
Bereshith opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"...People are going to see..."
"They will."
"..."
"I don't care."
"..."
"You shouldn't either."
Bereshith sighed in complete defeat.
"...Yes, Mister..."
Lucas gave a small nod.
"Good."
He opened the bedroom door.
Outside, the young maid who had announced breakfast stood waiting respectfully with both hands folded before her apron.
The moment she saw them emerge, she bowed gracefully.
"Good morning, Lord Lucas. Good morning, Young Master Bereshith."
Lucas nodded politely.
"Good morning."
Meanwhile, Bereshith, still being carried like an injured child, smiled awkwardly.
"G-Good morning..."
The maid couldn't help but smile softly.
"It is wonderful to see Young Master awake."
"Thank you, Sister."
The maid's expression brightened ever so slightly.
"It is my pleasure."
Without further delay, she turned gracefully.
"This way, please."
Lucas followed behind her.
The three quietly walked through the peaceful corridors.
Morning sunlight poured through tall windows.
Servants hurried about their duties.
Some carried trays.
Others polished armor.
Several maids cleaned the marble floors.
Every servant they passed immediately stepped aside before bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Lord Lucas."
"Morning."
"Good morning."
Lucas returned every greeting with simple politeness.
Meanwhile...
Every servant couldn't help but steal curious glances toward the child resting comfortably in Lucas' arms.
Some smiled.
Others giggled quietly after Lucas had passed.
One elderly maid whispered to another.
"...He carries him like a father."
Her companion smiled.
"...He really does."
Neither of them noticed Bereshith hearing those words.
The child lowered his head.
His ears turned slightly red again.
"...Father..."
He quietly repeated the word under his breath.
Lucas glanced down.
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing."
"Hm."
A few moments later...
They arrived before the grand dining hall.
Two butlers opened both massive wooden doors simultaneously.
The familiar scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, butter, herbs, and warm soup immediately greeted them.
Inside...
Everyone had already gathered.
Maria.
Ascirick.
Levanah.
Several senior servants.
Even the young maid caring for little Yareach had already taken her usual place nearby, gently rocking the infant in her arms.
Conversation quietly ceased.
Every eye turned toward the entrance.
Lucas entered first.
Still carrying Bereshith.
Silence.
Then Maria smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
Ascirick followed with a nod.
"Good morning, Lord Lucas."
Levanah's face brightened.
"Morning Sleep head"
Even little Yareach waved both tiny hands the moment she recognized Bereshith, her brother.
"Ahh!"
Bereshith smiled happily.
"Good morning, everyone."
One after another, voices answered.
"Good morning." From Maria.
"Morning." Ascirick.
"Glad to see you're awake." Levanah.
"How are you feeling?" then again from Maria.
Bereshith smiled at all of them.
"I'm feeling much better now."
Maria then noticed...
"...Lucas."
Lucas looked at her.
"Yes?"
"...You can put him down now."
Lucas blinked once.
He looked down at Bereshith.
Then back at Maria.
"He said he couldn't walk."
"I said I can walk..." Bereshith muttered quietly.
Lucas immediately answered.
"No."
Several people around the table failed to hide their laughter.
Even Ascirick coughed into his fist to conceal a smile.
Maria covered her mouth gracefully.
Levanah giggled openly.
Bereshith buried his face into Lucas' shoulder in complete embarrassment.
"Mister..."
Lucas remained completely serious.
"He is still recovering."
Maria smiled kindly.
"I understand."
She stood from her chair.
"Then bring him here."
Lucas walked over.
Instead of placing Bereshith into an ordinary chair...
Maria had already instructed two servants to prepare a softer cushioned seat with pillows supporting his back.
"There."
She smiled.
"That should be more comfortable."
Lucas carefully lowered Bereshith onto the chair.
"Comfortable?"
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes... thank you."
Lucas adjusted the pillow behind him one last time before finally taking his own seat beside the child.
Everyone gradually settled into their places.
Warm conversation slowly returned.
Outside...
The sun continued climbing higher into the sky.
The city had forgotten yesterday's miracle.
The world had forgotten the appearance of God.
But inside this dining hall...
Something remained.
Not memory.
Not knowledge.
But peace.
A peace that quietly settled over every heart.
And though none of them could explain why...
Each person felt strangely grateful to welcome another ordinary morning together.
Then all slowly.
The dining hall gradually settled into silence.
Fresh bread still released warm steam.
The aroma of roasted meat, creamy soup, and herbs drifted gently across the long table.
For a brief moment...
No one reached for their utensils.
Lucas sat beside Bereshith while quietly observing the child.
Maria and Ascirick waited patiently.
Levanah gently adjusted little Yareach in her lap while the infant happily reached toward the silver spoon lying before her.
Bereshith looked around the table.
Everyone seemed ready to eat.
He smiled softly.
Before touching his spoon...
He slowly placed both hands together.
His fingers intertwined.
He lowered his head.
His eyes closed peacefully.
The sudden gesture immediately caught everyone's attention.
The room became completely still.
Even the servants standing along the walls exchanged puzzled glances.
Then...
Bereshith began to pray.
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
Like a child speaking with someone he deeply trusted.
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
A long silence followed.
Then Bereshith smiled softly.
"...Amen."
He slowly opened his eyes.
The room remained frozen.
No one moved.
No one breathed loudly.
The words had not merely entered their ears.
They had settled somewhere much deeper.
It felt as though invisible blades had pierced through every doubt hidden within their souls—not to wound them, but to open them.
The prayer carried no arrogance.
No demand.
Only humility.
Only hope.
Only unwavering faith.
Bereshith blinked innocently.
He looked around the table.
Every face stared back at him.
Confused.
Speechless.
Awestruck.
He tilted his head.
"...Is there something wrong?"
Lucas was the first to recover.
His eyes never left the child.
"What... was that?"
He paused before asking quietly,
"...Where did you learn all of that?"
Immediately, Bereshith's face brightened.
Like a child excited to share a wonderful story.
"It was in my dream!"
He smiled from ear to ear.
"I met the Holy Ones."
Everyone unconsciously leaned forward.
Bereshith continued happily.
"The Father..."
He counted with one finger.
"The Son..."
A second finger rose.
"And the Holy Spirit."
A third finger followed.
"They taught me lots and lots of things."
His smile somehow became even brighter.
"They told me how I could become closer to Them."
He tapped both of his hands together.
"One of them is this."
He giggled quietly.
Then suddenly gasped.
"Ah!"
"I almost forgot!"
Everyone's expressions became serious.
Bereshith scratched his cheek as though trying to remember every word exactly.
"They also told me..."
His cheerful smile slowly faded into quiet seriousness.
"Soon..."
"There will be a war..."
"...and rumors of war."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
No one dared interrupt.
Bereshith continued.
"And everyone will seek a safe haven."
His innocent voice remained calm.
"But among those people seeking refuge..."
"...there are some who are not God's sheep."
"They will come..."
"...to bring corruption."
Silence.
Even the servants standing against the walls felt chills run through their bodies.
Bereshith lowered his gaze.
Then quietly spoke the final words exactly as he remembered them.
"But know this, My children..."
"Your sacrifice will be honored and will be rewarded."
"For I, in the last moment of your duty..."
"...will be there to lift you up."
Silence consumed the dining hall.
Not a single person spoke.
Not even little Yareach made a sound.
Ascirick slowly turned toward every servant present.
His expression had become completely different.
Gone was the gentle lord.
Now stood the master of the manor.
His voice carried calm authority.
"Everyone."
Every servant immediately stood straighter.
"Leave the dining hall."
No one questioned the order.
"Yes, My Lord."
One after another...
The maids bowed.
The butlers bowed.
The attending servants quietly departed.
Even the young maid caring for Yareach respectfully handed the little girl over to Levanah before leaving alongside everyone else.
The massive doors slowly closed.
Thud.
Now...
Only six remained.
Lucas.
Maria.
Ascirick.
Levanah.
Bereshith.
And little Yareach resting peacefully within Levanah's arms.
The peaceful breakfast from moments ago had vanished.
In its place...
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Ascirick slowly folded both hands together upon the table.
He looked directly into Bereshith's innocent eyes.
His voice was lower now.
Careful.
Respectful.
"...Young Lord Bereshith."
Bereshith looked back.
"Yes?"
"This message..."
"...Who told you these things?"
Bereshith answered without hesitation.
"The Holy Ones."
He smiled naturally.
"They told me."
Ascirick immediately felt cold sweat gather across his forehead.
His fingers tightened together beneath the table.
His breathing became slightly uneven.
"If..."
He swallowed.
"...if that is truly the case..."
His eyes lowered for a moment.
"...then we must prepare for the worst."
The room remained silent.
Then Ascirick looked up again.
This time...
Even his voice carried nervousness.
"Did..."
"...did They tell you when this would happen?"
Bereshith gently shook his head.
"No."
Then he smiled again.
"But..."
"They did tell me one thing."
Everyone waited.
Bereshith's smile was warm.
Simple.
Completely free of fear.
"They told me..."
"...to have faith."
Silence lingered again.
Ascirick stared at the child for several long moments.
Then...
A weak, awkward smile finally appeared.
"Y-Yes..."
He nodded slowly.
"...Have faith."
Maria suddenly clapped her hands together with renewed determination.
Her gentle smile returned.
"Exactly!"
She looked around the table.
"If we place our faith in the Lord..."
"...then there is no reason for fear."
She smiled at Bereshith.
Then at everyone else.
"For now..."
She reached for her spoon.
"Let us eat before everything grows cold."
Levanah smiled softly and nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas quietly picked up his own spoon as well.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Even after hearing such grave words...
The child before him had not changed.
He still smiled.
He still believed.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
Lucas looked at Bereshith for only a brief moment before thinking to himself,
"Faith..."
"Perhaps... that truly is the greatest strength a person can possess."
Outside the manor...
The morning remained peaceful.
The wind gently stirred the trees.
Birds continued their songs.
Yet somewhere beyond the distant horizon...
The first shadows of a far greater conflict had already begun to gather.
And though none of them yet knew when it would come...
Every soul in that room carried the same quiet resolve.
To prepare.
To endure.
And above all...
To have faith.