Chapter 80

In the study of the new mansion, I decided to have a meeting with Dari, the steward, about the orphanage. I need to prepare a place for Saya and the children as soon as possible.

Dari is still in his mid-twenties, but he is sharp and can be trusted with most tasks. He is also well-versed in the affairs of the capital, making him the perfect person to consult.

"Hey, Dari. I want to build an orphanage in the civilian district. What do you think I should do?"

"For Saya and the children, right? Well, I believe there are a few orphanages in the capital. Perhaps it would be better to join one of them. I heard that Saya has been running it alone, and it would be easier to manage with multiple people in case something happens."

That makes sense. The first time I met Saya, she was bedridden due to illness. It must have been a constant struggle for her to manage alone. There's also a possibility that the same situation could arise again.

As I nod, Dari continues.

"If it's a registered orphanage, there is also government assistance. It might be a good idea to visit one and see for yourself."

"Yeah, that's true. Since it's a place where Saya and the children will be staying, I want to check it out."

If Saya and the children are to be entrusted to an orphanage, it should be run by a person of good character, and I'm also concerned about whether they will get along with the children already there. If it turns out to be a corrupt orphanage, I might just destroy the entire building.

"But if you do go, it might be better to go as an adventurer rather than as a noble. If you go as a noble, they might be too intimidated, and it would also affect the dignity of the noble managing the orphanage."

Dari informs me that there is a noble in the empire who oversees all the orphanages. The noble is in charge of the orphanages and provides subsidies to each one. Moreover, the noble is responsible for deciding the subsidies, which can be quite arbitrary. Due to the recent war, the number of children in need of protection has increased.

"However, with the number of children affected by the war, we need to confirm if they will be accepted."

That's true. Before I joined the war, the Lunette Empire was at a disadvantage. Many soldiers lost their lives, and the number of children in need of protection skyrocketed. I heard that a large sum of compensation from the Kingdom of Generato is being used as subsidies.

"I'll go around the orphanages tomorrow."

"Understood. I'll prepare a map for you."

"Thanks."

After the meeting, I head to the old mansion where the children used to live to see them. I intended to walk, but Dari scolded me, so I ended up going by carriage. Apparently, as a marquis, it wouldn't be proper for me to walk alone in the noble district.

"It's not like anything will happen if I walk alone... I can handle anything that comes up."

Honestly, I have the confidence to defeat any number of attackers. I even defeated a hero, so there's no way I would lose to some attackers.

"Sometimes I want to do something more like an adventurer..."

While thinking about this, I looked out the carriage window at the streets of the noble district.

◇◇◇

"Ah, it's Tuya-niisan!"

When I arrived at the house where the children live and got out of the carriage, the children who noticed me greeted me with welcoming voices.

"Are you all doing well?"

At my words, the children enthusiastically raised their hands.

"Yeah! This house is big, and we can eat a lot, so it's fun!"

"That's good to hear. Is Saya around?"

"She's over here!"

I held a child's hand and went to the hall, where Saya was sewing with a few girls.

"Saya, I came to visit."

At my words, Saya stopped her hands and turned around. When she saw my face, she broke into a wide smile.

"Welcome, Tuya-san."

After telling the children who were still sewing, "I'll be away from my seat for a moment," she came over. The child who guided me ran off to play in the garden. Saya and I sat across from each other in the living room.

"How are you doing here?"

"Living in such a large mansion is a bit nerve-wracking, but I am very grateful to you for allowing us to live here safely. However, staying here indefinitely is a bit..."

Ideally, I would like them to stay here, but that's not possible. Living in the noble district is only temporary, and there is a set time limit. Normally, just walking outside the mansion could result in arrest. I am being accommodated because of my position as a marquis, but it is an unprecedented situation. I was able to push for this because of my contributions to the empire. However, not everyone agrees, and some nobles have been complaining. They can't directly complain to me, the "Hero of the Nation," so they reluctantly accept it.

"I am currently investigating whether we can build a new orphanage or join an existing one, so please bear with it for a little longer."

"Yes, if you say so, Tuya-san..."

Since coming to this country, Saya has been a bit more reserved with me. Before, she was more familiar, but when we met again after moving to the Lunette Empire and I came to the mansion, she was shocked. Not only had I become a noble, but I had even attained the rank of marquis, which is a high-ranking noble. I haven't told her, but she might have heard from the servants who manage the mansion that I am the "Hero of the Nation" who ended the war between the Kingdom of Generato and the Lunette Empire. She understands that, under normal circumstances, she wouldn't be able to have a face-to-face conversation with me. The children, who don't seem to understand this, still treat me as they did before, which is a relief.

I have provided enough food and funds, so they don't seem to be struggling with their daily lives. After chatting with Saya for a while, I left the mansion.

"I need to find a place for them to live soon..."

I muttered this while looking out the slowly moving carriage window.

I'll post about one chapter for now.