Chapter 54

Returning home with Kohaku, who was grinning, I called Fred and, as usual, we gathered around the dinner table with the four of us. At that time, I told the two of them about how Kohaku had saved the children, and that the children were unharmed and the orphanage was very grateful.

Kohaku, praised by the two, became even more pleased with herself.

“So… the director of the orphanage that Kohaku saved said he wants to properly thank us. I have something I want to discuss with the two of you.”

“Is there some problem with that orphanage…?”

I told the two about the orphanage where the children Kohaku saved were, and that I wanted to help with its operation. I was thinking about how to offer support without making them feel uncomfortable.

“Hmm… Riana, I think it’s a bad habit of yours to try to get involved in everything you think you can solve.”

“Ugh…”

“Yes, I agree. I… it hurts to hear it, but… Lady Riana… the day is approaching when we will register the alchemy workshop and start operations, and we need to prepare items to sell. Do you really have the time to get involved…? Are you sure you’re okay?”

I was taken aback by their comments. They hit the nail on the head.

“Then Kohaku will help them! If it’s not Riana but Kohaku doing it on her own, there’s no problem, right?!”

We all were startled by those words. …It seemed she was very happy and grateful, to the point of tears. It looked like her desire to help had gotten a bit out of control. I could feel that Kohaku had been strongly affected, but I didn’t expect this much.

In the end, I decided to accompany her, “to prevent any unnecessary trouble.” As an adventurer, Kohaku can use her own earned money as she pleases, but giving charity just to be thanked is not a healthy state. I have some… no, quite a bit of concern about how she uses it, so I decided to take responsibility for supervising her.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until Riana’s business is more stable?”

“No, it’s fine! I used to be busier and could handle it! I still have plenty of time.”

“Lady Riana, please don’t use that abnormally tight schedule as a benchmark!! You were always being chased by some task or deadline, except for sleep and baths!”

I was scolded by Anna for the first time in a while.

I promised not to overwork myself and to ensure enough sleep, and with a few conditions, I decided to help Kohaku and that orphanage. Kohaku also agreed that it’s not just about giving money or items, but about finding a way that won’t collapse even if we can’t help anymore. Yeah, that’s right. Kohaku could earn money, but she couldn’t live a normal life on her own.

It’s not just about giving money or items; we need to think of a way that won’t collapse if Kohaku or I can’t help anymore.

Hmm, but for me… at least for now, it would be a big help if someone could take care of Kohaku when I can’t be with her during the day. Even after Kohaku goes to sleep, I’m still thinking about the alchemy workshop’s opening plan, spreading out the notebook.

Right now, Kohaku and I are almost always together. But I want to make magical devices and potions for the alchemy workshop, and there will be many difficult situations. Currently, I’m using the alchemy guild’s workspace, but Kohaku doesn’t like it because “it smells bad.”

It’s sad that the smell bothers her. Her sense of smell is different, and I think it must be more uncomfortable than I imagine.

Kohaku still tends to lose control when she gets excited about fighting, so she can’t go on missions without someone to stop her in case of an emergency. Anna has started to help proactively, but honestly… in this small living space, Anna, who is very capable, doesn’t need much help. When Anna finishes her housework, she spends time on her hobby of crafting, but Kohaku isn’t interested in that. I tried letting her do it, but she quickly lost interest and got bored.

But it would be too harsh to make the active Kohaku stay in the room all the time, like this time.

Kohaku doesn’t really have any hobbies. She said she loves eating delicious food, so maybe that’s her hobby? She probably paid an unfair price, but all her earnings as an adventurer went to food, so it must be a significant part of her life. One reason she doesn’t want to return to her country is that “there are so many things I haven’t eaten, and I want to try all the delicious things.” She doesn’t like cooking, and after burning an egg, she only helps with setting the table and washing vegetables.

But I can’t just give her food and leave her alone…

Also, now that she has learned common manners, I want to teach her reading and basic math. I think it’s essential for her as an adventurer. She doesn’t need to memorize everything, but understanding the parts of monsters to be killed, materials, and dissection methods in adventure books is difficult without reading skills.

She can control her strength now, but that’s not enough. She can carry a guidebook and review the necessary parts for each mission. For math, even basic knowledge to calculate rewards and shop is necessary.

Thinking about this, I realized… wouldn’t it be good to have her learn at that orphanage?

Honestly, I don’t have the skills to teach a child who knows nothing from scratch. When I was at home, I sometimes taught other apprentices of the family I was apprenticed to, but they were all top-level in their fields.

Teaching the basics to someone without a foundation is something I can’t figure out at all. I can do what I’m told, but I’m not good at thinking from scratch… In terms of combat skills, even though Kohaku is a sensory type, she has a solid foundation, so I can teach her.

The orphanage, on the other hand, educates children to stand on their own for employment. The staff at the orphanage can definitely read, write, and do math. They are definitely better at teaching children from scratch than I am.

I can give them money and food as payment, and say, “Please use it for Kohaku’s education, and you can keep it after use,” so I can naturally donate books and stationery as teaching materials. Giving it to the other children as well… I think Kohaku will improve faster with many competitors, so I can push it through.

I told Anna, who was getting ready for bed, my thoughts, and she agreed, saying, “There are also their considerations, but if there are mutual benefits, why not propose it?”

I’ll tell Fred tomorrow. I’ll visit Miel, who said she wants to properly thank us, and propose it. This is just my wishful thinking, but I think it will be a good encounter for Kohaku.