Chapter 81

"Marked the location of the orphanage on the map of the capital city."

Looking at the map he received from Dalish, several marks were placed in the civilian district near the outer walls of the capital city.

I was relieved that I wouldn't have to search the entire capital city aimlessly.

"Thank you, I'll go take a look around with this."

While putting on the robe from his adventurer days, he stored the map in his timed storage.

Although he showed some reluctance about going alone as the Marquis, there was no one in the country stronger than him. Even the hero couldn't defeat him, so a bodyguard was unnecessary. If he needed someone to go with him, he thought of inviting someone like Lumina.

He walked through the noble district and the commercial district on foot, eventually reaching the first orphanage near the outer wall.

The building could hardly be called beautiful, with visible signs of manual repairs everywhere. Inside, children were playing in the courtyard. Though they were dressed in rags, their expressions were bright. The boys were kicking around a ball that looked patched up.

However, they seemed to have noticed his sudden appearance and were looking at him curiously.

Thinking it was pointless to just stand there, he called out.

"Hello. I'd like to take a look around. Is there someone in charge here?"

"Yeah! There is! Just wait a moment! Sister! A strange person is here!"

... Strange person...

A sister in an apron soon came out from the door. She looked to be in her thirties, slightly tired but seemed to be in good condition.

"Is there something you need? I don't think there's anything to gain from visiting such a poor orphanage..."

He smiled and replied to the suspicious sister.

"Actually, a friend of mine wants to open an orphanage, so I wanted to see what goes on here."

"I see... Currently, all orphanages in the country are at full capacity. Many of the children here are war orphans..."

"However, I've heard that the king is increasing the subsidies for orphanages, which would be a relief."

He had heard this directly from the king himself. A significant amount of money from the compensation from the Kingdom of Jenereate was being allocated.

"Is that so? Our orphanage has received a slight increase, but it hasn't made much of a difference... Please come in."

Guided by the sister, he entered the building, which was in poor condition despite the increased subsidies, making him suspicious.

He was led to a simple reception room and sat on a sofa, which creaked due to its poor condition.

"I apologize for the sudden visit. I'm Tōya, an adventurer in this capital city. As I mentioned earlier, I'm here to visit on behalf of a friend who wants to open an orphanage here..."

"I see, but these are tough times. Until a few years ago, we received adequate subsidies and donations, but after the war, the subsidies were drastically reduced, and we can barely provide enough food for the children..."

The sister, who looked apologetic, seemed to be rationing her own meals, as her cheeks were sunken.

"By the way, how many children do you take care of here?"

"We take care of twenty children. That's the limit of this building..."

"Once they turn fifteen, they become adventurers or work for merchants, and we receive some donations. However, several of them have lost contact after the war..."

They might have lost their lives in the war. The capital city had fallen before he joined the battle, and the number of casualties during that period was immeasurable. Many of the children who had left this place might have...

He clenched his fists involuntarily.

"Here, it's not much, but I hope it helps with the operation of this place."

He placed a small bag containing three gold coins on the table from his timed storage.

"Thank you. This will help provide some nutrition for the children."

The sister made the sign of the cross and bowed deeply to him, placing the small bag on a small altar in the reception room.

"It's almost lunchtime, so may I use the kitchen? I can serve the children a meal, if that's okay."

"Of course, but I don't see any luggage..."

"I'm fine. I have timed storage."

He took out several large loaves of bread from the table, which he had bought at the market.

The sister's eyes widened, and she bowed deeply again.

"I can't thank you enough, Tōya. Please follow me."

He followed the sister to the kitchen, which was simple but had many dishes set out for the children.

"Feel free to use this. Thank you so much."

"The preparations will be quick."

He took out two large pots from his timed storage and placed them side by side. They were still hot and steaming, as he had made them and stored them earlier.

He placed a mountain of bread next to them. This should be enough for dinner as well.

"... What? So much!?"

"No, this is all I can do..."

"Thank you, God..."

The sister knelt and started praying to him.

He scratched his cheek and then took her hand to help her stand up.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just doing what I can. Can you help me with the preparations?"

"Ah, yes!"

At that moment, voices echoed from outside the kitchen.

"It smells good today. Sister, what's for lunch?"

"Wow, it smells delicious! There's so much bread!"

Other children noticed the food and started gathering in the kitchen.

"Hey, that's bad manners. Wash your hands and help out, okay?"

"Okay!"

The children, eager for their meal, ran off quickly.

"I apologize for showing you this embarrassing scene."

"No, no, it's good to see them so lively. Let's get the preparations done."

He helped carry the plates and bread to the dining room and continued with the preparations. The children were curious about the contents of the pots.

The pots contained creamy stew, made with monster meat and vegetables, with milk added at the end.

He served the stew to the children one by one, and they helped distribute the bread. There was plenty left even after serving everyone.

"Today's meal was prepared by the adventurer Tōya for all of you. Let's show our gratitude."

"Thank you, big brother!"

"Thank you!"

The children's words of gratitude echoed in the dining room.

"Let's pray to God before we eat."

He joined the children in prayer. He didn't really believe in God, but he didn't want to ignore the children's earnest prayers, so he joined in.

"Let's eat."

He started eating with the children.

Yes, it's delicious. Recently, he had been leaving the cooking to the head chef at the mansion, but the food was still good. He received large amounts of food and stored them in his timed storage, which made him feel guilty.

He should tell Dalish to increase the chef's salary... though he wasn't sure if it would be accepted.

The children were saying "delicious" all around, and they were smiling as they ate.

Many of them had lost their parents due to the war and were raised in this orphanage, but their smiles were so bright that it didn't seem like it. He thought the sister must be doing a great job raising them.

"Here, there's plenty of seconds. Eat as much as you like."

The children cheered and rushed to the pots.

Before long, the pots were empty, but the children looked satisfied, patting their bellies.

Seeing their faces made him smile.

After the meal, he helped the children on duty wash the dishes and put the empty pots back in his timed storage.

The remaining pot could be used for dinner.

"Thank you very much."

He had plans to visit other orphanages, so he left the orphanage after finishing his meal.

"If I have time, I'll come back to visit."

"Big brother, come back and play with us!"

"We're waiting for more delicious food!"

Waving goodbye to the children, he left the orphanage.

"The next place is..."

He looked at the map and headed to the next orphanage.

The next orphanage was similar to the others. However, the children were smiling and playing in the courtyard. He had a brief conversation with the priest, and donated a pot, bread for the number of children, and a small bag of gold coins.

The priest, who thought it was silver, was so surprised by the contents of the bag that he nearly fainted and bowed repeatedly.

It seemed that all the orphanages were struggling financially.

He was sent off by the smiling children and the embarrassed priest and headed to the next orphanage.

"The next one... This one is a bit closer to the center."

The other orphanages were located far from the center, near the outer walls, but this one was closer to the center.

When he arrived at the orphanage, he couldn't help but look up at the building.

... Why is it so grand?

It was completely different from the other orphanages. It had been repaired multiple times with a significant investment, and the size of the building was incomparable to the others.

However, there was one significant difference.

--- There were no children's voices.

He used his exploration skill and confirmed that there were people inside the building.

The children were gathered in one place.

"Are they doing something...?"

He entered the orphanage, and a young sister approached him.

"Is there something you need at this orphanage?"

The sister was wearing a white robe, but her figure was curvaceous and full of allure, making his cheeks slightly warm.

"No, a friend of mine wants to open an orphanage, so I'm visiting the orphanages in the capital to see if I can help."

"Oh, I see. The priest is here, so I'll show you around."

He followed the sister, who walked sensually, to a grand door that didn't seem to belong in an orphanage, and she knocked.

"Father, a visitor has come to see the orphanage."

When permission to enter was given, the sister opened the door. The room was lavishly decorated, like a noble's reception room.

... Is this an orphanage? It's completely different from the others. Why is there such a difference...?

He had questions but didn't voice them, and sat on the sofa as he was guided.

The priest, who didn't look like he lived a simple life, had a large body and wore several rings with large gemstones.

"Welcome to our orphanage. I'm Kamara, the one in charge here."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Tōya, an adventurer in this capital. Actually—"

He explained that he was visiting the orphanages to help a friend who wanted to open a new one.

"I see. The children here focus on vocational training from a young age to prepare them for work as adults. They are currently working in the workshop."

That's why it was so quiet. Even though there were young children, they were already in vocational training... But it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, so he couldn't say anything.

"I see. I thought it was quiet from the outside. It must be tough to start vocational training so young."

"Yes, but thanks to the large donations from nobles and merchant guilds, our orphanage can function. The items made by the children are also purchased by the guilds."

The priest smiled and answered confidently.

"... I see. That's why this building is so well-maintained."

However, something about the priest didn't sit well with him.

"Yes, we need to entertain the donors. We do put in some effort."

... The rings alone make it hard to believe. If it were tough, he wouldn't be wearing such rings.

"Can I see the children's faces?"

"Sure, no problem. However, they are working, so I'm not sure if they can entertain you."

The priest stood up and led the way.

They walked down the corridor and opened a large door, where children were sitting and working on something.

"Various vocational training is conducted here. After they turn eighteen, we help them find jobs through the guilds."

Looking at the children, they were working silently at the tables, but their expressions were dark, different from the other orphanages. Moreover, upon closer inspection, their bodies were dirty, not just their clothes.

--- Could it be...?

When he showed a serious expression, the priest stepped in front of the children and smiled.

"Well, they are working now, so perhaps you can come back another day."

"...