I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 143: Return Home (2)

Lukas sat down between Aurora and Judite, his shoulders finally relaxing after hours of tension. Tilbo rested near the wall, his enormous body taking up considerable space, but no one complained. Prata climbed onto the ceiling, watching the feast from above, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Astra landed on his shoulder, her light, warm body resting against his skin. The little eagle was tired but satisfied, and her eyes slowly closed as the warmth of the room enveloped her.

The little gray rat was carefully placed inside Astra’s old box, which still had a soft fabric lining. Lukas reinforced the sides with thin yet sturdy webs, ensuring the animal wouldn’t be able to escape.

He worked carefully, creating a small fortress that kept the rat secure without harming it.

"There. Now you won’t escape." He murmured to the rat, which watched him cautiously. The animal’s eyes remained fixed on his movements, its breathing short and controlled. But it didn’t struggle, nor did it try to escape. It simply waited.

Dinner was warm and lively. The atmosphere in the dining hall was one of celebration and relief, the feeling of having survived the impossible. Stories were shared, some with vivid detail, others with careful omissions so as not to disturb the more sensitive listeners.

Laughter echoed through the stone walls, a sound that had seemed impossible only a few hours earlier. Cups were raised in honor of the fallen, those who had given their lives so that the others could be there that night.

Count Hark recounted the final moments of the battle with good humor, his voice animated and his gestures broad. He praised Clavor’s courage, vividly describing how the swordsman had faced the giant in close combat. He praised the mage’s precision, whose spell had created the opening needed for the final strike.

Thorne, though still weak, came downstairs for a few minutes to join the celebration. His face was still pale, and his movements were slow and careful, but his eyes shone with pride. He received heartfelt applause for the traps that had saved so many lives during the battle against the horde the previous day.

Lukas listened in silence, absentmindedly stroking Astra. His fingers ran through the little eagle’s soft feathers, following the rhythm of her breathing. Every now and then, his eyes drifted toward the box where the rat was, checking to make sure the animal was alright.

The little creature remained still, curled up in the corner, watching everyone with those intelligent red eyes. It neither moved nor squeaked. It simply watched.

Aurora noticed.

"What is that?" She asked curiously. Her eyes followed Lukas’s gaze, settling on the box he had prepared so carefully.

"A rat Astra brought back. It has a golden mark on its forehead. I’ve never seen anything like it. I wanted to bring it back to study it and find out what it is."

Clavor shrugged from the other side of the table. The gesture was casual and unconcerned, a reflection of his confidence in his son’s judgment.

"Let the boy be. After everything he’s been through, a pet rat is the least of our worries."

The evening continued with light conversations and occasional laughter. Judite insisted on hearing details about the battle, her eyes shining with a mixture of fascination and terror. She asked endless questions, wanting to know every detail, every moment.

Aurora, however, stopped her from hearing the bloodiest parts, covering her ears whenever the stories became too graphic. She protected Judite with the same intensity with which she had waited for Clavor throughout the entire battle.

Count Hark promised generous rewards for everyone involved. He spoke enthusiastically about his plans for the future.

"Dmond Manor will always be remembered as the place where the Rat King fell." He declared, raising his cup.

"May this night mark the beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity."

When dinner ended, exhaustion finally won. Their weary bodies demanded rest, and their burdened minds longed for silence. The knights were settled into the guest rooms, each receiving a comfortable room with clean bedding and fresh water.

The manor sank into peaceful silence. The servants’ footsteps grew quieter, the voices faded away, and only the crackling of candles and the night wind against the windows broke the stillness.

The following morning, the sun rose bright and clear, as though nature itself were celebrating the end of the threat. Golden light streamed through the bedroom windows, awakening the guests to a new day.

Count Hark and his men were already in the courtyard, mounted and ready to depart. Their armor had been polished, their weapons cleaned, and their postures were upright. A night of rest had worked wonders, and they all looked refreshed.

Clavor, Aurora, Lukas, and Judite bid them farewell at the gate. The family stood together, their faces illuminated by the morning light, their hearts filled with gratitude.

"It was an honor to fight beside you again, old friend." Said the Count, firmly gripping Clavor’s forearm. His eyes shone with deep respect, forged through years of shared battles.

"The honor was mine, Hark. Come back whenever you wish. The manor will always be open to you."

The Count looked at Lukas and smiled. His eyes swept over the boy, evaluating him with an expression of approval.

"Take care of yourself, boy. Come visit my castle once you’re a little older."

"Yes, my lord. I will."

With one final wave, the column of knights departed. The sound of hooves gradually faded until it disappeared down the road, a distant echo carried away by the wind.

The manor became peaceful once more.

Lukas went upstairs to his room with his companions. His steps were slow, his shoulders relaxed. The weight of the battle was still there, but now it was lighter, easier to bear.

The gray rat was still inside the box, quiet. It hadn’t tried to escape during the night, hadn’t made any noise, or attempted to gnaw through the wood. It had simply waited, patiently.

Lukas carefully opened the lid and looked at the animal. His eyes met the rat’s red eyes, and for a moment, the two remained motionless, staring at one another.

"You’re going to stay here for now." He said softly, his voice low and reassuring.

"I don’t know what you are... but I’m not going to kill you or hurt you."

The rat simply stared back at him, the golden slit on its forehead glowing faintly. The light seemed to pulse in a slow rhythm, like a silent breath.

Lukas closed the box again, reinforcing the webbing with a few extra strands. Then he sat down on the bed, exhausted but at peace.

Tilbo lay down beside him, his enormous body creating a comforting sense of security. Prata climbed onto the ceiling, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. Astra landed on his lap, her warm, soft body resting against his legs.

The Rat King’s threat was over.

The forest was safe. The monsters that had terrorized the region were dead or scattered. Peace had returned.

And life at Dmond Manor could finally return to normal.