"Fret not, for I am saying the truth and only the truth. If I mean otherwise, may I be stricken by His wrath." Noah promised to the children.
"It seems that what he is saying is the truth."
One of the children said as they slowly lower their guard to him. Promises that involves the deities are very delicate and must be upheld by the person who gave the promise at all cost, lest they die from the involved deity's wrath for sullying their name. Everyone in this world, even the children, knows this for a fact. This person's words held strong to them.
Even the other people who heard his promise was shocked at how brave the man was. When they remembered what he had just said a while ago, some were struck with terror. Of course, some still had the belief that their own god can defeat the mysterious sorcerer's God.
After gathering all of the children, Noah led them to a journey that would bring them far from the mountain to continue his travel back to where he was supposed to build the ark.
Now without any good show to watch, the people who had gathered a while ago left one by one. The townspeople of Gehenna were scared since the sacrifice hadn't been done, while the Great Beast grows ever so near their lands. Soon, every resident of the town hurriedly packed their things and left.
As for Noah and the rescued children, they continued to march their way West, to the forest where Noah had been staying before the whole conundrum.
When they arrived, Noah was shocked to see that his previously humble abode had already turned into quite a large village with its very own farmlands to sustain its residents.
As their group neared the village, some of the people inside saw their arrival as some of the men quickly ran deeper within the village.
"Greetings, humble traveler. What seems to be thy purpose here?" an old man with a tall stature asked Noah kindly.
"I am Noah, Son of Lamech, Servant of The Almighty God." Noah introduced himself to everyone.
When they registered what they just heard, everyone became so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Shortly after, the old man who had been so amiable a while ago turned cold and wary. "Thou claimest to be the first village chief's son, yet thine face hath not even the slightest trace of age that match that of Chief Lamech's son. If thy goal here is to lie, then leave, for we doth not need filthy scums of such here in our peaceful abode." The old man spat.
"Thou'st claimeth me to be a lying scum, yet thou hast not ask me whether the words I speak is of truth. Bringeth forth my father to know that I am speaking the truth and only the truth." Noah gazed at them with confidence and said unto them.
The old man retained his gaze at him without even blinking. He waved his hand, making one of the men come over. After whispering something to the man, the latter then went inside the village.
A while later, the man that was sent inside returned with quite a few people, one of which held a staff of wood to support his body. When that person looked a Noah, he suddenly shed tears as he cried out loud, "My son is back! Praiseth be to God!"
When he was confirmed to be who he was saying he was, everyone cheered and welcomed him inside the village together with the children. The children were provided food and clothes while Noah and the leaders of the village gathered within the village hall.
Inside the hall, Noah, together with seven other people, sat together at a long table. Although Noah had just returned, he already had the privilege of sitting on the Village Chief's chair. The old man from earlier, who was seated at his left side, bowed towards him and addressed the previous encounter, "I sincerely apologize for calling thy peerage a filthy scum, Master Noah. There had been a lot of buzz outside the village lately and we needed to be cautious of everyone who came from those corrupted lands."
Noah sighed and replied, "It is only right to be wary of the outside. But thou first need to know who thou art dealing with, lest risking offending a powerful demon, letting it ravage this abode of ours."
"I forgot to introduce myself, Master Noah." The old man immediately stood up and began, "I am Ilmar, Son of Shanti of the House of Ishtar. I am the current Head Steward presiding over The Knights Templar in thy place."
"What hath happened to Fellow Shanti? Hadst he stepped down?" Noah asked. Ilmar's father was a friend he had encountered during his journey in the Eastern Mainland. Them, together with three other men from different Houses, formed The Knights Templar to gather the believers and bring them to safety before God's Judgement rain down over the lands of the Earth.
Noah soon noticed that Ilmar became down at the mention of his father. He then immediately knew what his friend's fate was. "I'm sorry." He consoled the man's son.
Ilmar shook his head and replied with a saddened smile, "My father died an honorable death protecting the lives of hundreds of faithful as they raced to safety, and for that, I am proud."
Noah then placed his hand above Ilmar's head and prayed, "Almighty God, Thine servant Noah calls upon Thy power. May our fellow brother Shanti, who died protecting Thy brethren, be granted peace as he be welcomed into Thine most loving embrace. Saveth him from the gnawing fangs of the demons who wishes to do him harm."
As he said this, a bright, holy light shined upon Ilmar's head. The man immediately felt warmth as the feeling of being embraced by a caring father descend upon him. Slowly, tears streaked down the old man's cheeks.
Everyone who witnessed the light coming from his hand were shocked and amazed. They could never be more convinced that this man in front of them had been in contact with the Divine.