Sebastian fell asleep in his bed, but his dreams were filled with terrifying fragments of his past—memories deeply embedded in his mind. These events had left such a profound mark on him that they still haunted him to this day. The relentless cuts of a knife tormented his thoughts. He wanted to scream, but his mouth remained tightly shut. He wanted to run away, but his body refused to move. He screamed inside his head, hoping it would all end, but no one came to his aid.

It had taken a long time for Sebastian to forget that incident. Hundreds of visits to psychiatrists and countless medications eventually helped him suppress the memory. What Sebastian had experienced back then was Anesthesia Awareness—a phenomenon where he had regained consciousness during surgery.

The trauma was so severe that his family had successfully sued the hospital responsible. Over time, Sebastian’s brain seemed to shut down those memories to protect his sanity, which had been steadily deteriorating. But every now and then, they found their way back into his dreams.

Suddenly, Sebastian woke up, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. His chest felt heavy as if he had been suffocating. He wiped his forehead and looked around his dark room, noticing the faint glow of candlelight coming from the living room.

Sebastian got up and walked to the door. He peered out and saw his father and mother sitting at the dining table, talking quietly.

“I don’t know what happened. I really don’t,” said his father, staring thoughtfully at the flickering candle.

“Maybe he’s just not cut out to be a soldier.”

“But it’s strange. It’s as if he has some trauma related to swords… We’ve never had any incident that would traumatize him, have we?”

“Not at all. If something like that had happened, we would’ve noticed scars on his body. Maybe he’s just a gentle child who dislikes violence?”

“But I’ve seen him wrestling with his friends, playing war games, and pretending to fight with sticks. None of this makes sense.”

Sebastian’s mother gently held her husband’s hand. “I know you want him to become a soldier like you, but maybe that isn’t his path.”

“I just want him to—”

“I know, dear,” she interrupted. “As parents, we want what’s best for Sebastian. All we can do is support him.”

His father fell silent for a moment. “I just want him to carry on the family tradition.”

Sebastian stood quietly behind the door, listening. He could clearly see the despair on his father’s face, even in the dim light of the candle. For the first time in his life here, Sebastian felt utterly helpless and guilty. In the five years he had lived in this world, he had known nothing but love and happiness.

Slowly, Sebastian closed the door and crawled back into bed. He pulled the blanket over his head, trying to fall asleep again. But a sharp pain pierced his heart from all sides.

*

Father Daniel walked alone through the bustling city center. Several townsfolk greeted him, and one mother even asked him to bless her child. After walking for a while, he arrived at a grand church adorned with intricate carvings.

Around the church, many nuns and priests greeted him warmly as he passed. Father Daniel entered the grand building and made his way to a secluded area, eventually stopping in front of a large wooden door. He took a few puffs from his pipe before slowly opening it.

Inside, he found Cardinal Valentinus sitting at his desk, surrounded by stacks of documents. Upon noticing Father Daniel, the Cardinal paused his work and gestured for him to enter and take a seat.

“Cardinal Valentinus, good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Daniel. There are a few things I’d like to discuss with you.”

Stolen novel; please report.

Cardinal Valentinus picked up his pipe—a rare and expensive piece made from red Uurd wood—and lit it, inhaling deeply.

“What business does a Cardinal have with a humble village Father like me?” Father Daniel asked, leaning back slightly.

“I’d like to discuss this,” Cardinal Valentinus said, handing him a thick document.

Father Daniel took the document and began reading its contents. His expression darkened as he flipped through the pages. Finally, he looked up sharply at the Cardinal.

“So, what do you want from me?”

“Given your… unique past, I’d like to ask about the potential obstacles I might face.”

“Obstacles? Your plan invites death.”

“Perhaps… but I’m serious about this.”

“Has this plan been approved by the Pope?”

“So far, only you and I know about it.”

“So, it’s just an idea for now?”

“More or less. I still need to maneuver politically, find allies, and perhaps grease a few palms.”

Father Daniel frowned deeply. “Reviving that order makes you either a fanatic or a fool. It was disbanded for a reason, and you know exactly why.”

Cardinal Valentinus took another long puff from his pipe and exhaled. The scent of premium tobacco filled the room. The Cardinal’s jewelry sparkled in the dim light, his robes tailored from the finest fabrics. Father Daniel didn’t know where the Cardinal’s wealth came from, nor did he want to know.

“A new era is coming to the Latinum Diocese,” said Valentinus. “Please help me, Father Daniel—for the future of the Church.”

Father Daniel chuckled. “What could an old Father like me possibly do? All I know now is how to tend my vineyard and smoke this pipe every day.”

“Surely a man like you still has connections in Latinum…”

“All my friends have disappeared. Those who remain have no ties to me anymore.”

“Perhaps you could—”

“I must take my leave, Cardinal Valentinus. There are church matters I need to attend to.”

Father Daniel stood and walked toward the door, but just as he reached it, the Cardinal spoke again.

“Look how far you’ve fallen—a hero of the Holy War, cast away to the countryside. How pitiful. Don’t you want to return to Latinum and reclaim what’s yours? Don’t you want to drag those who exiled you into the dungeons?”

Father Daniel paused, his hand on the door.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just an old Priest who tends his vineyard now.”

Without another word, Father Daniel left the room and exited the church. On his way home, he couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened. What was the Cardinal planning? Why that particular order? Countless explanations flooded his mind, but none provided a clear answer.

When he finally reached his own church, its old, crumbling walls greeted him. Wild roots clung to the sides, and parts of the building were falling into disrepair. Yet, despite its state, this place gave him peace.

Whatever was happening in the outside world no longer concerned him—or so he told himself.

Father Daniel opened the church door and stepped inside, where he found the one person he could call a true friend.

Sebastian sat on a church bench, staring quietly at the church emblem.

“Sebastian, good afternoon.”

“Father Daniel, good afternoon.”

Father Daniel sat beside him, noticing the troubled look on the boy’s face—something he had never seen before.

“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“Father Daniel, is it possible for a soldier to be unable to use a sword?”

“Hohoho, of course. A sword isn’t the only weapon, is it?”

Sebastian’s eyes widened. “You’re right! There are other weapons besides swords!”

“Of course,” Father Daniel said with a warm chuckle. “But why are you asking me this?”

“My father wants to teach me martial arts, but... I can’t hold a sword. He looked so disappointed, and I think he’s starting to hate me. So, I came here to ask God for help with this problem.”

Father Daniel gently flicked Sebastian’s forehead. “Edward could never hate you. You’re his most beloved child! When you were born, he proudly told the entire village how handsome and cute you were. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The joy on his face was immeasurable.”

Sebastian rubbed his forehead and asked, “Really?”

“Of course!” Father Daniel nodded, smiling. “Now, you’re worried about not being able to hold a sword? I have a gift for you.”

Father Daniel stood up and went into his private room. After a few moments, he returned with a thick book and handed it to Sebastian.

“What’s this?” asked Sebastian, turning the book over in his hands.

“It’s a martial arts book from my personal collection. It doesn’t focus on swords. Instead, it teaches the use of a shield and hammer. You’re not afraid of hammers, are you?”

Sebastian’s eyes lit up, and he quickly shook his head.

“Good. Take this book home and study it. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come back here, and I’ll explain it to you.”

Without hesitation, Sebastian threw his arms around Father Daniel in a tight hug.

“Thank you, Father Daniel!” he said, his voice filled with joy.

Father Daniel chuckled softly as Sebastian darted out of the church with the book in his hands.

He watched the boy leave, a warm smile on his face. Then he sighed and returned to his private room. His mind wandered back to the earlier meeting with Cardinal Valentinus. What was that man really planning?

The weight of the Cardinal’s words lingered heavily in Father Daniel’s mind, but for now, he brushed those thoughts aside.