Chapter 51

As Arundilano rolled on the ground, Cain led everyone around to the back of the orphanage after getting off the carriage, which had taken about 30 minutes to reach the orphanage and its attached temple.

At the back of the temple was the orphanage. Cain stood in front of the wooden gate leading to the orphanage courtyard but did not open it, instead turning around.

"Your Highness Arun. Please take off your clothes."

"Why?"

"Surely you're wearing shorts and a tracksuit underneath, right? Take off those fancy, frilly shirt and pants."

"Shorts? What?"

Cain did not know the name of the thin shorts worn under pants, so he used the term "shorts" from his previous life, but it did not seem to be understood. Cain took off his own clothes, leaving only the thin pants that reached just below his knees and a T-shirt-like shirt. He then rolled up the clothes he had taken off and stuffed them into the backpack Ilvareno was carrying.

Incidentally, this backpack was made by Cain. He remembered making one in home economics class when he was in elementary school and made this one by hand. The bags in the duke's household were all luxurious, heavy, and bulky, making them difficult to use.

Seeing Cain take the lead in undressing, Arundilano hesitantly began to take off his clothes. Fabian stared with wide eyes, looking angry but clenched his fists and remained silent, apparently wanting to see how things would unfold. Once Arundilano had finished undressing, Cain rolled up his clothes and stuffed them into Ilvareno's backpack.

"Your Highness, please excuse me."

With that, Cain grabbed Arundilano's wrist and tried to trip him. Although he did not fall completely because Cain was holding his wrist, Cain slowly lowered his hand, causing Arundilano to fall sideways onto the ground. Cain then began to roll Arundilano on the ground.

"C-Cain!? What? What? I'm getting dizzy!"

Just as Cain stopped rolling Arundilano, he lay down next to him and started rolling in the opposite direction. Their clothes quickly became covered in dirt and dust. Fabian, who had been watching the entire scene, was so stunned that he forgot to be angry.

Noticing the deputy leader's reaction, Cain decided to go inside before he could say anything. He helped Arundilano up by holding his hand and led him through the wooden gate.

"Hello everyone! How are you all doing?"

"It's Cain-sama!"

"Cain-sama! You came to play!"

"Let's play! Are we playing outside today?"

"It's Il-bro! Who's the person behind him?"

As Cain greeted the children and entered the orphanage courtyard, they all gathered and responded. Seeing Ilvareno and Arundilano, they looked curious.

"Everyone, this boy is His Highness Arun. He's more important than me, so please call him 'Arun-sama.'"

"Okay. Arun-sama! Hello!"

"Arun-sama! Nice to meet you!"

Arundilano took a step back as the children approached, surprised by their lack of shyness and repulsed by their shabby appearance. Their hair was greasy and matted, their clothes were patched and dirty, and it was unclear when they had last been washed.

As the children approached with interest, Arundilano could not back away further because Cain was holding his hand. Cain pulled him closer and whispered in his ear.

"Feel better? I made you dirty before we came in so you wouldn't stand out. You can play with them without being left out."

Arundilano looked at his own dirty, thin 7/8 pants and thin shirt. He noticed that the other children were dressed similarly, though their clothes were a bit thicker. He realized that he was in his underwear, but for the other children, this was their play clothes.

Noticing Arundilano's slightly pale face, Cain ignored it and continued to pull him by the hand to the center of the courtyard. He talked with the children about what games to play, all of which were new to Arundilano. As he became curious about the games, he stopped noticing how dirty the children were.

After playing various physical games, they decided to take a break and moved to the orphanage dining hall. Arundilano's eyes widened again when he was given just water, but he tentatively took a sip after seeing the other children drink it with relish. The water tasted especially good after sweating from the games. Seeing Arundilano enthusiastically discussing strong stones for playing marbles with the children, Cain felt relieved, having considered the possibility that he might not fit in and continue to feel repulsed.

Looking around the dining hall, Cain noticed Selenosta, who was supposed to be working as an apprentice in a neighboring town's blacksmith shop.

"Ilvareno, didn't Selenosta go to work as an apprentice?"

Selenosta had recently turned seven and was supposed to have left the orphanage to work as an apprentice. Cain remembered entrusting her with the "strongest stone" to give to Dianara, which she had proudly taken with her, determined to forge a hero's sword one day. Moreover, Selenosta, who loved physical activities and rarely played indoors even when it rained, was now doing embroidery. Cain was puzzled by this change.

"Selenosta was sent back because she injured her leg at her apprenticeship. She had been doing fine with handcrafts for a while after the injury, but..."

"Her leg..."

Ilvareno's face was grim, reflecting the harsh reality that Selenosta, who loved physical activities, had suffered an injury that prevented her from continuing her work. Cain also looked grim.

Ilvareno stood next to Cain and leaned in close.

"I have something to talk about when we get back to the mansion. Can I have some time after dinner?"

Cain nodded quietly in response to the words whispered in his ear. Although there was little he could do as a child, Cain had always been thinking about how to help the orphanage, considering if there might be a way given his unique situation as a reincarnated person.

After spending time discussing embroidery with Selenosta, listening to Arundilano read a book to the children, and playing a chair game with Cain's singing, it was time to return to the castle. Arundilano waved goodbye to the children until they were out of sight.

As they boarded the carriage to leave the orphanage, Arundilano continued to wave until the children were no longer visible.