Chapter 87

"Hey, Tōya!"

"Big brother!!"

The children ran towards me, pulling out their swords. I caught the children as they jumped at me one after another.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? How have you been?"

"We've been doing well! Big sister Boobs has been living with us too."

...What, 'Big sister Boobs'...? Oh, you mean Lumina. I see.

Saya walked up slowly behind the children.

"Tōya, it's been a while. Thank you so much for all the support. Thanks to you, we've been able to feed the children enough to grow this much."

"I'm glad to see you're doing well, Saya. Lumina told me, but it seems we've been more of a bother. I'm sorry..."

I bowed my head slightly, but she quickly denied it.

"That's not true at all. Thanks to Lumina, there are no more bad people around the orphanage, and she's been taking care of the children. We've really been helped a lot."

I can easily guess that the bad guys probably targeted Lumina and got beaten back. Still, it's good to see everyone, including the children, is doing well.

"I'm glad to hear that... So..."

I turned my gaze to where my sleeve was being tugged, and a child was pulling on it.

"It's been a while, Leor. How have you been?"

My words seemed to make him happy, as he beamed with a big smile.

I could never forget him. He came to the Adventurer's Guild with only three copper coins, desperately trying to help Saya. That's how I found out about the orphanage.

"Yeah, big brother looks well too. We've been getting a lot of food, so we're full of energy."

I couldn't help but smile and gently patted Leor's head.

"Feel free to eat as much as you want from today. This house will be your home too!"

I chased after the children.

They ran around the hall in front of the entrance, screaming with delight.

I realized that a new life was about to begin.

"Hey, I'll show you the rooms, follow me!"

"Okay!"

The children followed me. As we entered the hall from the entrance, they were amazed by its beauty.

"Big brother, this place is amazing! You live here?"

"Yeah, but I don't stay here all the time since I travel a lot..."

"Is that so? From now on, we'll be here to welcome you!"

Their innocent questions made me feel warm inside.

I guided the running children, and halfway through, I handed them over to the servants and moved to the living room.

When I entered, Saya was already waiting.

She seemed a bit nervous, probably because it was a noble's mansion.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I left the children with the servants. Can you tell me what's been happening?"

We sat across from each other, and the servants brought tea and snacks.

After the servants left, Saya began to tell me what had happened.

"After that—"

It was just as Lumina had explained yesterday.

"I see... You can think of this mansion as your home from now on. I'll also start preparing a new orphanage, though it might take some time."

While they can stay in this mansion indefinitely, as a noble, I need to handle guests and other responsibilities.

Personally, I think it's fine as it is, but the butler who manages the mansion suggested otherwise.

Apparently, it would be impolite to guests, so he suggested finding a new place for the orphanage.

This mansion is in the noble district, which might be a bit inconvenient for the children.

A more stable location in the commoner district would be better for the children's peace of mind.

"I'm causing you so much trouble, Tōya..."

"It's fine. I told you to come to me if you needed help. I'm glad to see the children. Let's work together from now on."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

I smiled and extended my hand, which she gently took.

And so, a new communal life began.

◇◇◇

In the audience chamber, I knelt on one knee before the emperor, bowing my head.

Today, I would explain the events in Arkland and receive a medal.

My deeds were being read out, and while I did them, it felt a bit embarrassing to hear them again.

Especially when the exchange conditions with the Kingdom of Genera and the battle with the hero were mentioned, the nobles in attendance were quite vocal.

"Let's move on to the rewards. Duke Tōya von Kisaichi, step forward."

I moved forward and knelt again.

"Tōya, you have represented the Lunette Empire and shown the Kingdom of Genera that we are not to be underestimated, even driving back the hero. You have brought wealth to our country through substantial reparations. As a reward, I grant you this medal and a mansion in the capital."

...What? A mansion? I already have one in the capital.

Why are you giving me another mansion now?

Despite my confusion, I accepted the medal from the emperor and had it pinned to my chest.

—This medal...

It looks like the necklace I have—the spirit stone.

"The gemstone used in this medal is a spirit stone."

The nobles cheered loudly at this explanation. I remember Shal mentioning that there are only a handful of spirit stones in the Lunette Empire. Giving one to me is quite a gesture.

And a mansion too... I can't read the emperor's intentions.

"I am honored. I will continue to serve the Lunette Empire as a noble."

After expressing my gratitude, the audience ended.

I moved to another room for a detailed explanation.

The civil servant explained about the mansion. Apparently, high-ranking nobles can have multiple mansions in the capital.

Providing a mansion also means providing jobs for the staff, which helps the commoners.

In short, the nobles are being told to spend their wealth extravagantly to support the commoners. While I understand the logic, I'm not sure why they're giving me such a valuable spirit stone.

I looked down at the blue gemstone on my chest.

It matched the color of the necklace I wore around my neck.

As I compared the two, the door opened, and the emperor entered.

I stood up to bow, but he waved me off.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I didn't tell the nobles about the spirit stone, so there was a bit of a fuss."

I chuckled at his casual explanation.

He sat down on the sofa, and his chief minister joined him.

"Explain the mansion to him."

"Understood. I'll explain the mansion. The location is—"

I listened to the formal explanation and agreed.

The location was good and quiet, which suited me since I don't like noisy places.

"However, there is one issue..."

The emperor spoke with a hint of hesitation.

"Actually, there's a house spirit living in that mansion, and it hasn't recognized anyone as its master."

Another house spirit... Honestly, I don't need one since I already have Felis...

Oh, moving a house spirit requires a spirit stone. That's why the medal has a spirit stone...

"I thought you could handle it, Tōya. That's why I decided on this."

The emperor smiled, but I was in a bind. I know house spirits can communicate with each other, but I have no idea what will happen.

I returned to the mansion, unsure of what to expect.

Later, the mansion was officially handed over to me, and I went to inspect it.

There were no servants in the mansion yet, as the house spirit hadn't chosen a master.

I opened the door with the key.

Despite not being used for decades, the mansion was well-maintained and spotless.

I stood in the center of the entrance hall.

"If you're there, come out. I've become the master of this mansion and would like to meet you."

In response to my words, a white vortex appeared in front of me, and a house spirit emerged.

"No way..."

I was shocked.

Because the new house spirit that appeared looked like a young girl, not even ten years old...