Beneath the Cradle's Roof

Outside, the muffled sounds of people bustling through the morning market echoed through the walls.

Arthur woke up, walked over to the basin, and splashed water over his face.

He opened the window wider, letting the morning sunlight flood his humble inn room.

"Vakna."

A circle appeared on the wooden floor, glowing faintly. From its center rose a figure Arthur was already familiar with.

"Alex," Arthur said. He still couldn't hide a trace of awe from his voice. "Do what I told you yesterday. You're smart, right? Gain some knowledge. Fund our cause. Update me frequently."

Alex nodded. He opened the door, paused to glance back at Arthur, gave a small bow, and stepped out, closing the door gently behind him.

Arthur dressed up, changed into fresh clothes, and tied his hair back.

He equipped his weapons, then stood before the door—ready for whatever the day might bring.

"Nirael?" he called out softly.

'Good morning, Arthur,' came her gentle voice inside his mind, like a breeze through his thoughts. 'How can I help you today?'

'I can talk to you through my mind, right?'

'Yes, Arthur.'

'Good. I don't want to look like a lunatic talking to myself.'

Nirael gave a soft chuckle.

Arthur walked downstairs. He gave a casual wave to the innkeeper and asked for his usual breakfast.

"Yo, kid," the innkeeper called out. "Where's that big guy who usually hangs with you?"

"Oh," Arthur paused mid-step. "He had… other things to take care of."

"Oh really? Leaving you all alone? That's a little irresponsible, no?"

Arthur shrugged. "Even though I look like this, I can take care of myself just fine."

"If you say so. You're oddly mature for a kid, huh?"

"Haha. I get that a lot."

Arthur sat at the usual table, where he and William once sat together.

Not long after, the innkeeper returned with a tray: a drink, a steaming bowl of stew, and a plate of roasted meat.

"Here you go, kid," said the innkeeper as he placed everything on the table.

"What's the meat for?" Arthur asked, surprised.

"It's on the house," the innkeeper said with a grin. "A kid like you needs meat to grow strong. Judging by your gear, you're aiming to be an adventurer, yeah? Eat up."

"Ah… You didn't have to, but… thanks."

Arthur gave a small bow of gratitude.

"No worries. Enjoy."

Arthur ate quietly. The roasted chicken was simple, but to him, it felt like luxury.

In his past life, meals during war were little more than dry meat or bitter roots. This was warmth. A rare kind of comfort.

'Nirael?'

'Yes, Arthur?'

'You said I can look through my avatar's eyes. How do I do that?'

'Just use your imagination, Arthur. Feel his presence. Put yourself in his place. You'll start to sense what he's doing, even without being there.'

Arthur closed his eyes. Before he could fully see through Alex's eyes, he already felt it.

It was uncanny.

He felt like he was walking, even though he was sitting.

He greeted passersby, though there was no one in the room.

Without even realizing it, Arthur was already seeing through Alex's eyes.

He walked through the bustling market, arms full of food, flowers, others… Gifts from the townsfolk. Apparently, Alex had made friends with the people here already. These were their offerings, tokens of kindness from strangers turned acquaintances.

"What are you planning to do with all that?"

A deep voice called out from behind one of the meat stalls. The man was huge, almost as big as William. He was bald, with a thick mustache that gave him a rough but friendly look. A sleeveless shirt clung to his broad frame, mostly hidden beneath a stained apron splattered with dried and fresh blood. Thick leather gloves covered his hands, and in one of them, he held a heavy cleaver, its blade still slick with red. His booth was surrounded by red cuts, beef, pork, chicken… the usual. But some were far from normal. One chunk of meat looked like pork, but the size? Easily bigger than a cow.

"Haha, to be honest? I don't know." Alex adjusted his grip on the bundles. "You want to take some for yourself?"

"Nah," the man grunted. "Wouldn't that be a bit insulting to the ones who gave it? Giving away their gifts like that?"

"No, it's fine," Alex replied, still trying to balance the load in his arms. "They gave it to me so I could use it however I wanted. I could bring it back to the inn, but... I'd rather give some away. To people who need it more."

"Hmmm…"

The butcher rubbed his chin. "Well, now that you mention it... I might take some of those flowers. For my wife, if you don't mind."

"Sure, sure. Take a bunch," Alex said, stepping forward and holding out the bundle.

"Haha, thanks. She's been a bit grumpy lately. Apparently, I forgot our anniversary," the man admitted with a wince. "I mean, I know I'm at fault, but I've been busy, y'know? Butchering meat like this takes a toll on the brain."

Alex let out a small chuckle.

"The name's Gilberth. You?"

"I'm Alex. Nice to meet you, Gilberth."

"Anyway, where you headed, Alex?"

"I'm going to the Whitecave Merchant Guild."

"Oh, so you're a merchant?"

"Not yet. I'm trying to be one. That's why I'm going."

"Ah, I see… New in town, huh? You did mention staying at an inn." Gilberth nodded, slicing through a chunk of monster meat like it was butter. "You know you need a product to get a merchant license, right?"

"Yeah, I asked some people at the market earlier. I've got something to sell."

"You didn't bring it with you? Or… planning to sell those gifts?" he said, gesturing to the bundle.

"No, no. I wouldn't dare. I left it at the inn. I just wanted to see how things work first. I'll bring the actual goods tomorrow."

"Well, good luck to you then, Alex."

Gilberth gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder. "But wait."

He ducked down behind his stall, rummaging through crates.

Alex watched with a bit of nervousness tightening in his chest.

When Gilberth stood up again, he was holding out a bundle of meat—thick slices wrapped neatly in brown cloth.

"I can't take those flowers for free now, can I?" Gilberth grinned wide.

Alex arrived at the merchant guild.

He wobbled under the weight of everything he was carrying and finally set it all down with a tired huff. Taking a deep breath, he straightened himself.

"...Mister?"

A small voice whispered behind him.

He turned.

A girl, no older than eight. Stood there with a basket of flowers. She had medium-length brown hair and wore a tiny, wrinkled dress, stained with dirt at the hem. Barefoot.

"D-Do you need more flowers?" she asked, holding out a rose. Wilted, like her figure.

Alex's eyes fell to her feet, wounded. Blistered from walking barefoot all morning to sell flowers.

He crouched down slowly. Even then, his eyes weren't level with hers. That's how small she was.

"Hello there…" he said, glancing around before returning his gaze to her. "Where are your parents?"

The girl looked down, fidgeting.

"I don't have parents," she murmured, quiet, weak… already used to saying it.

Alex held his breath, then exhaled softly. "I see… Then where do you live?"

She finally looked up.

Her eyes caught him off guard.

Dark green, but clear. Clearer than morning leaves kissed by fog.

"I live with my brother and sister. In the orphanage."

"Would you mind telling me where that is?"

"W-Why?" she asked, voice trembling. The nervousness behind it was almost tangible.

"Why are you scared?" Alex asked gently, smiling. His presence was steady, calm. Like the kind of older brother you cry into without needing to explain why.

The girl hesitated. Looked off to the side. Then back at him.

"Over there," she pointed toward the alley she'd glanced at.

Alex stood, gathered the belongings he'd set down.

"Let's go, then," he said, tightening his grip. "Show me the way to your home."

Her face lit up, just a little.

"Un." She nodded.

Arthur and the girl arrived at the orphanage.

It was a two-story building, almost entirely made of wood, nestled at the edge of town. Standing alone. Lonely.

The gate was rusty but well taken care of. The grass was neatly trimmed, and the stone path clean and swept. There were cracks and holes in the house's frame, but nothing was dirty. It was poor, not neglected.

The girl opened the gate.

A woman stood in the yard, dressed in a humble maid outfit. Her black hair was tied back neatly as she swept the yard.

She heard the gate creak and turned quickly.

"Mary!" she shouted.

Mary? Arthur echoed in his mind.

The girl stood frozen in the gate as the woman rushed toward her.

"Where have you been?" her voice sharp with worry as she ran her hands over Mary, checking for injury. "You've been out selling those flowers again? What did I tell you, huh? You don't even have sandals! Look at your feet!"

The girl, silent and looking down the entire time, couldn't hold it anymore.

"I'M SOWRRYYYYY!! Uwaaah!!"

She burst into tears, falling into the woman's arms. The basket of flowers dropped to the ground.

"Oh, dear…" the woman sighed, holding her tightly. "It's okay. I'm not mad, alright? I was just worried… that's all…"

Mary sobbed into her chest.

After a while, the girl finally calmed down.

The woman looked past her, and noticed the man standing just beyond the gate.

"Oh dear," she said gently, lowering Mary to the ground. "Can you go inside, sweetheart? Find Jenny, she'll take care of those feet. I'll be right behind you."

Mary nodded, wiping her tears as she turned and walked into the house.

The woman stood up and approached Alex, picking up the basket as she did.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said kindly. "Welcome to the humble Lotus Children Orphanage. How can I help you?"

Alex took another look at her. Her face… felt familiar. But he couldn't place why.

She was beautiful, hidden behind the dirt and wear of long days spent working.

"Sir?" she asked again, a bit concerned.

Alex blinked and snapped back. "Oh. Um, sorry." He adjusted the heavy items in his grip.

"I met the girl, Mary, outside the merchant guild. She was selling flowers, so I got curious. She's really small to be doing that alone. I asked where she lived and she brought me here. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble."

"Oh no, sir! If anything, thank you for bringing her back," the woman said with a sigh of relief. "I've told her time and again that she doesn't have to do that… she's just too sweet. She doesn't want to be a burden, so she-"

She paused. Her eyes fell on all the things Alex was carrying, and she instantly panicked.

"Oh gods, I'm so sorry!"

She swung the gate fully open. "Please, come in! I don't know what's wrong with me, making you stand out here like that carrying all those things. Please, sir- come in."

She stepped aside and motioned him through.

Alex nodded politely and walked in. The gate closed quietly behind him.

He stepped inside the orphanage.

Clean, well kept. The warmth he felt wasn't from the air, but from the hearts within the place.

"You can place your things over here," said the caretaker, pointing to a table by the wall.

Alex did just that. "It's nice here."

"Thank you. We try to give the children as much care as we can, even if we don't have much."

She paused, glancing around the room with a mix of pride and lingering sadness in her voice.

"Please, follow me to the office. It's more comfortable to talk there."

Alex followed her lead, walking through a narrow hallway to the right of the entrance.

He noticed a large open doorway leading into a spacious room, it's the dining hall.

Children and teenagers sat at long tables eating breakfast.

From the looks of it, they ranged from around four years old to late teens.

Some ate quietly, others chatted with laughter. Two other caretakers moved about the room, tending to chores and watching over them.

Eventually, they reached the office.

Modest. Humble.

It reminded Alex of Ivar's guildmaster's room, only without the magic artifacts and books.

A small window let in pale morning light.

A wooden desk sat with scattered papers on it.

Between two chairs was a simple, but surprisingly comfortable-looking couch.

As Alex stepped inside, he noticed another caretaker speaking with the woman who had brought him in.

She wore the same uniform, but something about her stood out immediately.

Her hair was short and black, neatly cut. Her posture was straight, almost rigid.

But it was her eyes that caught his attention, sharp and calculating, with a coldness that didn't match the warmth of the place.

Not the typical caretaker.

The second woman gave a polite nod and left.

Alex sat down on one side of the couch. The caretaker sat opposite him.

"First of all," she said, fixing a loose strand of her braided hair before bowing slightly,

"Thank you so much for bringing Mary home."

Alex looked a little flustered.

"Please, no need to bow. I just happened to meet her on the street."

"Even so, I'm grateful you brought her back safely."

He chuckled. "Haha, no problem."

The room went quiet for a moment.

The silence felt awkward, almost suffocating.

Then the woman spoke again.

"My name is Thalia. I'm the headmistress of the Lotus Children Orphanage."

"My name is Alex. A humble, not-quite-a-merchant," he said with a small smile.

Thalia's expression shifted, curiosity lighting her face.

"So you're not a merchant yet, sir?"

"Yes. I was about to register at the Merchant Guild. That's where I met Mary."

"Oh my, I apologize if Mary kept you from an already busy schedule."

He smiled. "No need. This must be fate, too."

At that moment, the other caretaker entered the room carrying a tray with tea and biscuits.

Behind her, another woman stepped into view.

She had brunette hair, braided neatly over one shoulder.

Brown eyes, freckles across her cheeks. Her face bore a faint resemblance to Thalia.

And beside her stood a child.

It was Mary.

"Excuse me, Sis- I mean, Headmistress. You asked for us?" the brunette said, correcting herself mid-sentence.

"Jenny, Mary… come in," Thalia replied warmly.

The caretaker set the tray down on the table just as another entered, gently guiding Mary by the hand.

"Thank you, Mel. You can continue," said Thalia.

The short-haired caretaker, Mel, gave a simple nod and turned.

But then, something struck Alex. A cold ripple across his spine.

A strong pressure.

'Numen?'

His eyes met Mel's. And in that instant, he felt it clearly.

Killing intent.

Not directed like a dagger, but heavy, smothering. A warning? 

The air turned thick. For someone not built for battle, it was suffocating torture.

Alex gritted his teeth. His legs felt like stone.

Then, a message flickered into view.

[Mental attack detected. Skill [???] is automatically applied.]

The question marks shimmered… and shifted.

[Mental attack detected. Skill [Aegis] is automatically applied.]

The air changed. It was still heavy, but now it was merely weighted, not crushing. Bearable, at least.

Until-

"Mel."

The name cut through the silence like a blade.

A new wave of Numen surged through the room, stronger, sharper. The weight in the air doubled. Tripled.

It was Thalia. Her presence crashed into Mel's like a tidal wave. Numen against Numen.

Mel's composure cracked. She stepped back slightly, her own Numen still active, but clearly shaken.

Thalia didn't raise her voice. She didn't have to.

She gave Mel a single glance, an eerie smile curling on her lips.

"What do you think you're doing to our guest?"