Under the dawn, all beings never imagined that after the death of the firstborn of God, the one to inherit the throne would be His fifth child—the Lord of Thorns.

The first day God distanced Himself from all beings.

The weapon He left behind took on His former appearance, governing all beings on His behalf, becoming the second king on earth.

But a king is ultimately not a god.

Even the firstborn of God, with unparalleled power, would eventually depart...

On the day the firstborn left—the throne hung high above the world, and the human realm was once again filled with war...

All beings awaited the birth of a new king.

And they waited for a very long time...

Until the appearance of the fifth child.

The fifth child was born from the thoughts left behind by God.

Unlike His brothers—His body was extremely frail, like a seriously ill youth...

So weak that He didn't seem like a child of Dawn.

He had neither the unparalleled strength of the firstborn; nor the indestructible body of the second; nor the cunning and strategy of the third; nor the absolute beauty of the fourth...

Thus, all beings questioned His qualifications...

And no one was willing to crown Him.

'Time will prove everything,' He said.

And indeed, as He predicted—time proved His worth.

When dawn rose again.

He, alone, walked through countless thorns to the side of the throne.

At that moment, all beings acknowledged Him.

And just when all beings thought He would ascend the throne—He stopped.

He said, 'The less wise a person is, the more they need external adornments, but I only need this, and it's enough.'

The fifth child did not choose to sit on the high throne but bent down to pick a thorn from beside the throne—crowning Himself with thorns.

From that moment on, His name changed.

All beings no longer called Him the fifth child of God, but instead referred to Him as—the Lord of Thorns.

'To govern a kingdom, one needs not only strength but also wisdom...'

He proved Himself to all beings.

It turns out that relying solely on wisdom and thought, one can also govern a kingdom well.

'After all the sails have passed, wisdom will eventually prove itself.'

...

'No wonder thorns are the symbol of the Church of Dawn.'

Ogre found the "Words of the Dawn God" more interesting the more he read, discovering that the story was quite well-crafted.

There was an inexplicable meaning within it.

'But, it would be great if such a merciful and kind god really existed,' Ogre sighed in his heart.

His father had told him that there were no gods in this world.

But Ogre hoped that gods could truly exist...

'If the divine words are true, there should be a place in this world to accommodate the dead...' Ogre flipped through the "Words of the Dawn God" in his hand.

In the chapter about God and the firstborn, it was mentioned that the firstborn of God created the throne to guide the heroic souls of the dead to a resting place.

"Geling..."

Macal had finished his porridge at some point and got up from his seat.

"Hmm?" Ogre tilted his head.

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"I'm sorry for causing you trouble!"

Macal bowed deeply to Ogre to express his apology.

'What good is a bow...'

Ogre's mouth twitched slightly; he still couldn't quite understand why such a form of apology existed in human society.

It seemed more for show to others than for the parties involved.

Fortunately, there weren't many people around.

In Ogre's view, a slight bow and verbal apology should be enough—the most important thing should be how to make amends and change, though Ogre didn't even know why Macal was apologizing to him.

"No... no, it's fine..." Ogre just wanted to quietly read his book.

"Brother Carl..." Eve put down her bowl and spoon and ran over to Macal.

She had been watching Macal all along and now, for the first time, she saw Ogre's face directly.

"You!!! You are... Geling?!" Eve's beautifully adorned eyes widened in an instant.

She never imagined that a girl could be so stunning and pure.

In that moment, she suddenly understood Macal's previous behavior...

Because she too felt a flutter in her heart.

Beauty is the best answer.

"Mm..." Ogre nodded.

Now that his face was exposed, it didn't matter if one more person saw it—after all, he would slip away.

How did that saying go?

The first time is uncomfortable, the second and third times are still uncomfortable, but by the fourth time, you get used to it.

"I apologize on behalf of Eve's rudeness, and for... that incident (the Fra incident)," Macal said as he stood up.

He had decided to formally apologize after consulting with Maggie.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things," Eve lowered her head obediently.

Only now did she realize how ridiculous her previous behavior was.

Such a girl didn't need to compete with her for anything; others would only compete for her.

"Alright, don't embarrass Miss Geling," Maggie stepped in front of Ogre at this moment.

'Actually... it's you who's making me a bit embarrassed,' Ogre thought as he looked at Maggie's figure.

"Well... Miss Geling, I might not be able to take you out next time," Macal revealed the new orders he received.

Brother Fra had emphasized several times on the way back—not to take Ogre out again.

"Mm..."

Ogre could guess with his toes that after this outing, Fra would definitely tighten his control over him.

If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have chosen to confess the 'truth' to Fra.

"Um..." Macal glanced awkwardly at Eve beside him...

He was now a bit unsure of how to handle the interactions between everyone.

It felt troublesome no matter how he approached it.

"How about I teach you swordsmanship tomorrow..." Somehow, Macal blurted out.

"Brother Carl..." Eve tugged at Macal, now genuinely worried that Macal would fall for it.

If Maggie knew what Eve was thinking, she would probably laugh out loud—he's already fallen, hasn't he?

"You wanted to learn swordsmanship from me a long time ago," Macal smiled at Eve, "I'll teach you later."

"Okay." Eve finally nodded.

'Paladin's swordsmanship, huh...' Ogre smiled, thinking of something.

"Big brother, how can Miss Geling learn swordsmanship like this... you're really thinking one thing after another," Maggie thought her cousin had finally come to his senses.

Unexpectedly, he was still as dense as a log.

"But... but, I can... learn," Ogre nodded.

"Well, if you don't want to learn, that's fine too. If you don't want to learn, Miss Geling can just watch from the side... huh? What did you just say?" Hearing Maggie's words, Macal realized how abrupt his previous behavior was.

He was about to make a casual excuse when he realized Ogre seemed to have said—yes?

"Miss Geling, can you even hold a sword? My brother was just joking, you don't have to take it seriously," Maggie was stunned.

She didn't expect this gentle girl to actually be interested in swordsmanship.

Practicing swordsmanship... could Ogre really handle it?

"It's fine, learning some self-defense is good too," Macal chuckled, winking at Maggie—he wasn't planning on doing any rigorous training.

It was just a simple way to pass the time.

After all, there were no books, and Eve was around...

In such a situation, Miss Geling would definitely feel awkward and bored.

Especially with Brother Fra's strict orders—he couldn't be too far from Ogre.

In such circumstances, to protect everyone...

A sword was necessary.

Who knows what might happen in the village after Brother Fra leaves tomorrow, and if something unexpected happens, it would be troublesome.

"Alright then..." Maggie wasn't sure what her cousin was thinking...

But thinking about it, if it's just teaching a few moves without training, maybe it's okay?

Hey, she must show off in front of Miss Geling and make her admire her.

"But, let me teach Miss Geling," Maggie patted her not-so-large chest.

Ogre picked up his book and smiled politely, "Mm..."

Maybe it wouldn't be so boring after all.

...

With Macal's matter resolved, everyone gathered for an even more sumptuous dinner, and soon it was nighttime.

'As expected, still not full...'

Ogre closed the "Words of the Dawn God" he had just finished reading, picked up the oil lamp, and walked to the window.

'Still need to go out and find something to eat.' Thinking of this, Ogre touched the unnoticeable mark on his forehead.

He was a bit uncertain if going out today would be discovered by Fra.

'Never mind... I'll wait until Fra is gone tomorrow to find something to eat, being a little hungry isn't a big deal.'

Ogre had no worries now.

The only worry was his half-full stomach...

It seemed everyone assumed he didn't eat much.

With an empty stomach, he couldn't continue training...

'Should have prepared more fruits.'

Ogre blew out the oil lamp, closed the window, and walked to the bedside, touching his flat stomach.

If Fra was still around tomorrow... then he wouldn't care about disguising or not.

Being full was the most important.

As a Martial Artist Apprentice, eating more was expected.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Hmm?" Ogre hummed softly, standing up.

"Miss Geling, it's me." Maggie's voice came from behind the door.

'Maggie... what's she here for?'

Ogre was a bit puzzled, but he still opened the door for Maggie.

"Hey Miss Geling, I'm sleeping with you tonight."

After the door opened, Maggie, wearing pajamas and holding a quilt, naturally walked into Ogre's room.

Ogre: "Huh?"

What was this about? A night raid?

"My brother, that stubborn head, insisted on sleeping separately from Sister Eve, so I gave her my room." Maggie explained.

'Why... didn't you sleep with Eve, and came to me.'

Ogre's body stiffened for a moment—how was he supposed to meditate tonight?

"Hey, your bed is bigger here, you won't mind, will you?" Maggie asked if Ogre would mind, but her actions were swift.

Lighting the lamp, spreading the quilt, all done in one go, without giving Ogre a chance to protest.

Alright... who told Ogre to be 'half-mute'?

Looking at Maggie, who had finished making the bed.

Ogre opened his mouth, not knowing what to say—

Who asks like that!

"Hmm? Miss Geling, don't you take off your clothes to sleep?" Maggie turned to Ogre after making the bed.

The light was too dim earlier, and she hadn't noticed Ogre was still in his clothes.

"Why are you still in formal wear?"

So, she reached out, intending to help the obedient girl change her clothes.

"No..."

Ogre instinctively dodged, using his physical advantage to avoid Maggie's grasp.

His speed made Maggie think she was hallucinating for a moment.

"Huh? Geling, you don't sleep in your clothes, do you? That's uncomfortable, and not good for development... huh? Why didn't I catch you?"

Maggie clenched her left hand, thinking she had missed grabbing the little girl.

Was it an accident?

"I'm... I'm afraid... of the cold." Ogre covered his clothes with his hands, stammering.

He just remembered, he was still a boy.

What a joke, if he took off his clothes, he'd be exposed!

"Cold?" Maggie muttered, then remembered the little girl was just an ordinary person.

"Alright, maybe a bit, I'll get you a thick pajama, and if you hug me while sleeping, you won't be cold."

Maggie looked around the room but didn't find any pajamas, "My brother is really careless, not even preparing pajamas, what if the little girl catches a cold..."

Ogre: "..."

So, he had to change clothes later.

That couldn't happen!

Just then, footsteps came from the attic stairs.

"Geling, I almost forgot to prepare cotton pajamas for you." Aunt Mima's voice came.

"The door's not closed... huh? Maggie, why are you here?" Mima came up with a thick garment.

The door was conveniently open.

"Thanks, Mom, mother-daughter connection, you knew I was about to go downstairs for clothes." Maggie smoothly took the thick pajamas from Mima.

"Did Geling ask you to come?" Mima asked curiously.

"Yes, Mom, I'll take care of Miss Geling, I'm not like unreliable Brother Carl." Maggie tossed the pajamas onto the bed, then smiled and pushed Mima out of the room.

"I was wondering why you didn't come to Mom's room..." Mima muttered, then left with a smile, closing the door behind her.

During this time, neither gave Ogre a chance to explain...

"I..."

When the door closed, Ogre's raised hand hadn't even lowered.

'I haven't agreed yet!'

Ogre felt for the first time what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot, pretending to be half-mute for convenience and peace.

In the end, convenience and peace weren't much saved.

Trouble came one after another.

"Alright, Miss Geling, you can change now." Maggie turned to Ogre with a smile.

Then she untied her hairband, letting her hair down as she approached Ogre.

"Come, don't be shy, we're all girls—let sister see how you're developing."