Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

In the outskirts of Lateran, at 7-265 Serfas Street, a young messenger on a bicycle dropped a letter into the mailbox by the door, loudly announcing to the homeowner that new mail had arrived.

The messenger stood at the door for a dozen seconds, and finding no sound from inside, turned and left to deliver the next letter. After the bicycle bell faded into the distance, the brass doorknob quietly turned, and a small head peeked out from the open door, cautiously observing the street.

After repeatedly confirming that no one was passing by, Cecilia pulled down the brim of her brown cloak, jogged out the door, and retrieved all the mail from the mailbox.

Cecilia was extremely careful in everything she did. After retrieving the mail, she quickly returned home and locked the door without lingering, afraid of being discovered by outsiders. Usually, her mother would retrieve the mail, but these past few days her mother had become very ill and was too weak to get out of bed.

To cheer up her sick mother, Cecilia, who had never left the house alone before, mustered up her courage and took a stack of letters, including one from her father.

The dim, shattered halo flickered erratically with the intense fluctuations of her emotions. Cecilia felt a little dizzy, stopped, shook her head, and continued walking towards her mother's room after regaining her composure.

"Mom, Dad's letter has arrived. Let me read it to you." Upon hearing Cecilia's words, Felia, who had been resting with her eyes closed on the bed, opened her eyes and sat up, supporting her weak upper body with her slender arms.

“Good, my Cecilia has grown up and can read letters to her mother now.” Felia smiled with relief, raised her thin arm, and gently ruffled her daughter’s hair.

“Mom, please sit down, I’m going to start reading.” Cecilia opened the letter and began reading it aloud, word by word, “My dearest Felia, during this month you’ve been sick, I’ve worried about your health every day…”

As Felia heard her daughter read aloud the tender, affectionate words between husband and wife in the letter, a faint blush rose to Felia's pale cheeks, and her eyes shone with happiness. Seeing her mother's joy, young Cecilia quickened her pace in reading the letter.

"One day, Prince Roy suddenly sent someone to tell me that I could join the diplomatic mission to Laterano. I believe it won't be long before we meet in the Holy City. I really hope that day comes soon; I can't wait to see you and Cecilia..."

Cecilia stopped reading here, her bright eyes looking at her mother, her childish voice full of excitement and joy, "Mom, Dad said in his letter that he's coming to see us."

"Yes, yes...this is wonderful, let me see." Felia covered her mouth, tears of excitement streaming down her cheeks. Even the regular monthly letters could only slightly alleviate her longing. Having raised her daughter alone, Felia had countless times wished her husband could be by her side, sharing the burdens of life with her.

However, her husband, the father of her child, was a Sarkaz who could not enter the Holy City. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, her daughter Cecilia inherited the racial characteristics of both parents and could not register her household at the notary office or receive a guardian musket like normal children.

This love, once unacceptable to the world, is now facing an unprecedented turning point with the convening of the International Conference. The union of the Sarkaz and Sakota races may become a commonplace social phenomenon. Then, Cecilia will be able to attend school and live the life of a normal child.

Felia read the letter several times until the paper was wrinkled, then reluctantly folded it and carefully placed it in the top drawer of her bedside table.

Cecilia peeked over the shoulder and noticed that her father's letters were all neatly stacked at the bottom. Her mother's guardian musket was placed on top, protecting these precious treasures.

In a good mood, Felia felt much better physically, and even the pain from her illness had lessened considerably.

Felia raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, then took her daughter's small hand and placed it in her palm.

“Cecilia, we'll go pick up your father together. Just stay close to me, don't be afraid or nervous…”

"I want Daddy to hold me and lift me up high, is that okay?" Cecilia's eyes shone with an unprecedented light.

For children who have long lacked their father's company, every simple hug is precious.

"of course can."

"I want ice cream, a large one."

“You can’t eat too much ice cream at once, or you’ll get a stomachache.” Felia shook her head and refused her daughter’s wish. Cecilia was different from ordinary Sakorta children.

If you have a weak immune system from a young age, it's best to eat as little cold and stimulating food as possible, such as ice cream.

“Oh…” Cecilia understood that her mother meant well, so she wasn’t too disappointed.

“But Cecilia can have the small cup, and Daddy can have the large one.” Felia couldn’t bear to see her daughter’s disappointed look, so she offered a compromise.

"Great! What about Mommy?"

"Mom and Dad eat together."

......

Cecilia made a series of simple wishes. Felia answered them all patiently, feeling increasingly guilty.

"Mom needs to get better soon so we can go out together to pick Dad up from school," Cecilia said earnestly, her little face tense as she gripped her mother's hands.

“Okay, Mommy promises Cecilia.” Felia smiled and nodded, touched by her daughter’s concern. “It’s already noon, Cecilia, are you hungry?”

"Mmm." Cecilia rubbed her belly and nodded obediently.

"Then let's make some porridge." Felia got out of bed and went to the kitchen, where she personally cooked a vegetable porridge. It was nutritionally balanced, easy to digest, and perfect for her current physical condition.

......

In the monastery on the wasteland, Bishop Stefano and Remian met the two legendary demon lords. Contrary to their expectations of imposing authority, they were surprisingly approachable.

Especially Princess Theresa, Remiuan saw in her eyes a gentle tolerance and equality towards everyone, which reminded her of the kind old man in the Holy City who always smiled with his eyes narrowed.

"Guests from afar, I am the bishop of this monastery, Stefano Torregrossa. Welcome to our monastery."

“Remien, member of the Special Operations Team of the Seventh Division of Laterano, it’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Bishop Stefano, thank you very much for taking in our homeless Sarkaz compatriots to live in the monastery.” Roy rose and bowed slightly to the kind and selfless bishop to express his gratitude.

“You don’t need to do that. In my eyes, everyone in the monastery is the same. There is no difference between Sarkaz and Sarkaz.”

"I've already learned about the situation at the monastery from Gerald. We still have some supplies on our landship that we can distribute to improve everyone's lives."

“On behalf of all the residents of the monastery, I thank you for your generosity. If possible, please allow us to prepare a sumptuous dinner to entertain our two distinguished guests.”

"Then I'll have to trouble everyone at the monastery."