Chapter 35

"Understand that my contract stipulates living in the pioneer village! But! Please, let me go with Kyle... let me go with Kyle!"

"Sure, why not?"

...

"Eh?"

"Actually, why did you even think of staying behind alone?"

For some reason, the guild master was looking at me with a strangely curious expression. Huh, what?

"But, isn't my contract about living in a specific area?"

"Ah... I see. Reifan, explain it to him."

"Ah, sure. Well, while it's true that the contract requires a long-term stay in the pioneer village, it's actually tied to the name of the village."

"Eh? So, that means..."

"Exactly. Even though the village's name was a placeholder at first, it was officially changed to Golden Dawn later on, so you can't avoid going there even if you wanted to."

"Seriously...?"

I had no idea what I was worried about.

"Hahahaha! You're still young, Craft!"

"Shut up."

I pouted a bit and turned away. Maybe I was being a bit like Myuna.

"But, Craft, you really do like Kyle, don't you?"

"It's not that I like him, it's just that I can't leave him alone."

"True. But, he's been so much more energetic since he recovered from his illness, right?"

"That just shows how serious his condition was."

Persia replied with a pained expression.

"He was originally a lively person. So, we should watch over him even more."

"Right! That's true!"

"Of course!"

"I don't really understand, but keep it up! Hahahaha!"

With my unnecessary worries dispelled, we left the production guild.

"By the way, Craft, didn't you have something to do?"

"I just want to go somewhere. You two can go back."

Reifan and Persia exchanged glances and sighed deeply.

"Craft, do you understand why Persia came here?"

"Eh? She's here to guard me, right? So, Reifan, you can go back with her."

"Ha... Craft, you really lack self-awareness."

"Eh?"

"Craft, you're important to the Margrave, to Kyle, and to the production guild."

"Ah, I kind of get that."

"Don't think you understand."

"No, no! In the city, it's one thing, but I'm a former adventurer! And I'm not just any ordinary person now!"

"That's not the point, Craft."

"Eh?"

It seems my perception is quite different from theirs.

No, no, I'm not that naive to get into trouble in the city.

"I've been an adventurer for four years, dealing with life and death situations."

"Alright, alright. I get it. But, I'll still follow you. Where are you going... oh."

Huh?

"Don't tell me you're planning to go to some shady place?"

"Eh!? Craft!?"

"No, no! It's not that! I'm just going to the orphanage!"

"The orphanage?"

"Right!"

"Why?"

"I told you, I grew up in an orphanage! Not this one, but it's run by the same church. I just want to make a donation."

"Oh, I see."

"Got it. You're at that age where you want to do good things in secret."

"Stop saying that! I'm getting embarrassed!"

"Hahaha! Just kidding! Let's go!"

Reifan and Persia started walking ahead.

Why are they taking the lead!?

I can't understand!

I scratched my head and followed them.

◆

"There are demi-humans!"

"Ugh! Dirty demi-humans!"

"Throw stones at them!"

As we approached the orphanage, which was near a cemetery a short distance from the church, we heard the noisy voices of children. Wealthy-looking children were throwing stones from outside the low fence at the orphans who were working inside.

It was a familiar scene, but not a pleasant one.

"Rainbow Light Barrier"

I cast a faintly rainbow-colored magical barrier along the top of the orphanage's fence. It's a convenient spell that activates quickly and can defend against almost all types of attacks, but it consumes a lot of mana.

It's a different type of defensive magic from the "Ten Thousand Mile Earth Wall" or "Earth Bulwark" that can withstand a dragon's breath. The right spell for the right situation is important.

"What's this!?"

"It's magic!"

"Who did it? This is no fun!"

"Over there..."

"Eh?"

I put my hands on my hips and showed a deliberately exasperated attitude. The wealthy children shouted "Wah!" and ran away. I turned to check if the orphans inside were okay, and saw children with sparkling eyes gathering around me.

"Awesome! What is this?"

"A glowing wall?"

"Cool!"

"The robed magician over there must have cast it. Amazing!"

"Did that guy over there do it!?"

"Don't call me 'guy'! I'm only twenty!"

I thought they might be depressed, but these orphans are pretty tough. Still, there are so few of them? Four, and all of them are beastmen.

They seemed to be crushing grapes and putting the liquid into barrels. For orphans, doing the work given by the church is a daily routine.

"Craft, is that you?"

"Huh?"

Hearing the commotion, a beastman with fox ears and a tail, dressed in church attire, rushed out of the dilapidated building.

Hmm?

That ear design looks familiar...

Ah!

"Azure!? Is that you, Azure!?"

"Sure enough! Craft! Your eyes look much more intense now."

"Whatever. You haven't grown much, have you?"

"What do you mean by that!"

"Sorry. But, what's with the outfit?"

"I became a novice priest after that."

"Really!? That's amazing!"

A beastman as a novice priest?

The church has been advocating for the abolition of discrimination against demi-humans for a long time, but this is still revolutionary!

"An acquaintance?"

"Yeah, Azure, who lived with me in the orphanage."

"Hello. Are you a knight?"

"No, I'm a bodyguard. No need to be formal. I'm Persia."

"I'm Reifan."

"Excuse me. I should have greeted you earlier. I'm Azure Iglesia, in charge of this orphanage. Nice to meet you."

"Wow. I didn't expect to see you here in Gandar, and as a novice priest. The world is unpredictable."

"More importantly, why are you here, Craft?"

"Ah, I got some extra money, so I came to make a donation..."

I looked around the orphanage.

The location next to the cemetery, the dilapidated building, and the patched-up clothes of the orphans.

"This isn't something that can be fixed with a little money."

"I'm embarrassed... Ah, please come inside! I'll make some tea!"

"Brother! Show us the magic again! Please!"

A boy, excited by the magic, clung to me.

This feeling is nostalgic.

I patted his head and played along, and the other children seemed to take an interest in my companions.

"Are you the same age?"

Yeah, that's how it looks, little girl.

"But, I'm older than you, little one!"

Another boy noticed the two swords Persia was carrying.

One was a high-quality sword she originally had, and the other was a fine mithril sword.

Not bad, kid, you have a good eye.

"Awesome swords! And she's beautiful!"

"Wha!? Really!?"

The difference in the children's attitudes toward Reifan and Persia.

I used wind magic to spin the children around, and while they were dazed, I asked Azure to show us around.

"Let's take a break, everyone."

"Okay..."

"My eyes... but it's fun..."

"The world is spinning..."

Yeah. They're energetic, which is good.

While the children were distracted by the snacks Azure prepared, we talked with her.

She explained how she became a novice priest in a simple way.

"I see, you worked hard."

"It's not that. The parish priest helped me a lot."

"You used to be a tomboy."

"Please don't say that..."

"Still, I thought I'd just make a donation and leave, but..."

The inside of the building was also in poor condition, as if the repairs hadn't caught up.

It looked like they were trying to make do with amateur carpentry.

"Should I quickly fix it up?"

"Thank you, Reifan, but it's not necessary..."

"Is there a reason?"

"Yes. This orphanage is scheduled to close soon..."

"Is that so?"

This is a common story.

While the church is a compassionate organization, orphanages are a financial burden. Such discussions often come up.

They probably plan to expand the cemetery.

The fact that there were only four orphans might be related to this.

"So, do you have plans for the future?"

"For the children. But, they are scheduled to be sent to different orphanages..."

The children, who had been engrossed in their snacks, suddenly looked up.

"I don't want to! I want to stay with Sister Azure forever!"

"I don't want to be separated from everyone!"

"Me too!"

The five of them hugged tightly.

While the church doesn't discriminate against demi-humans, the world does.

"Hey, Reifan. Is it possible to bring a church and an orphanage to the new village?"

"Kyle would definitely accept Craft's proposal."

"Hmm... Azure, if I said I want to bring you all to the pioneer village, what would you do?"

"Eh? You mean all of us?"

"Right."

"Eh!? If we can stay together, I'll go anywhere!"

"Me too!"

"Everyone... But, the pioneer village is..."

Azure, who knows the harshness of the pioneer village, began to explain to the children.

"Wait a moment. The pioneer village is under Kyle... Have you heard about the dragon incident?"

"Yes, of course. I took the children to see it yesterday, even though we were busy with winemaking... Wait, the pioneer village..."

"That's right. It's Kyle's direct jurisdiction. Of course, I'll be there too."

"To a region with such terrifying monsters!?"

"They've already been defeated. You saw the head, didn't you? Besides, there are many skilled adventurers staying there, so it might be as safe as Gandar. And I'll protect you."

"Eh?"

I explained the situation to Azure and the children.

Regarding the changes to Mr. Javial's character, I'm very grateful for the feedback from many people who found it jarring!

It's heartening to think that the character has been established in your minds in such a short time. I feel very rewarded as an author!

However, I'm truly sorry to those who felt the change was jarring.

There are reasons for the changes.

For those who have the old Javial stuck in their minds, I have good news for those who liked the new, younger Javial!

The illustrator, 47AgDragon, has drawn a fan art of Mr. Javial!

It's of a quality that could be on the cover of a book, w

Please check it out and consider rewriting the Javial in your mind.

The art will be published on Twitter, so please refer to that.

Thank you for your continued support <(_ _)>