Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: 2. Orphan Gacha Probability-Up Event
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From now on, I withdraw my support for Karen.
Today onward, I break free from that support relationship. Karen and I become one body.
Attacks on Karen will be treated as attacks on me...!!
‘2-Star Orphan? 3-Star Orphan? Get lost.’
Right now, there's a 4-Star Orphan by my side! A full-on 4-Star! A talent I hardly ever saw even back in my adventurer days!
This goes beyond just calling it a jackpot. In a mere 10-pull streak, pulling multiple 2-Stars, a 3-Star, and now even a 4-Star? It felt like I'd jumped right into the Orphan Gacha probability-up event period.
The pickup orphan seemed to be that 3-Star boy who was the leader type, so this must be a pickup breakthrough. The very definition of a super breakthrough.
It was clear the God of Orphans was protecting me.
‘Not that I really mean get lost completely.’
No doubt about it—Karen is my top priority. They call it a product for a reason? That's how it works with these kinds: you get emotionally invested in them, and that's when the best potential comes out.
And not just any talent—magic, of all things.
‘Even when I was an adventurer, mages were so rare we couldn't hire them no matter how much we wanted.’
Becoming a mage is incredibly tough, but once you do, you make money no matter what. It's like a product that prints cash.
Who wouldn't do Orphan Gacha after this? Who wouldn't run an orphanage? You're basically handing out retirement funds and pensions. Why wouldn't you do this!?
...I got a bit excited there for a moment, but anyway.
“Karen, could you touch this book again?”
At my words, Karen placed her hand on the magic tome without a reply.
Right after, a brilliant light poured out, just as I'd seen before—proof it wasn't my imagination.
‘Definite. Magic, and at 4-Star Orphan level...!!’
Not just some noble family. Maybe even higher. I could sell her for an adoption fee beyond imagination.
My face split into a grin, and I immediately proposed to Karen.
“Karen, would you like to learn magic?”
“...Magic?”
“Yeah. From what I see, you have a talent for it. A truly outstanding one.”
She'll definitely say yes. To kids like her, swordsmanship or magic is like a shining dream brighter than anything else.
For now, I could teach her just the basics from the magic book and gauge her potential...
“No.”
“...Huh? Karen?”
“Whether I learn magic or not, it won't matter. People end up dying cold and stiff anyway.”
“Ka, Karen?”
“I don't want to spend time and effort learning something. That's all.”
Wha, what?
This isn't right...
“Wait, Karen? Think it over again. Karen?”
“.........”
Cold sweat dripped from my forehead as I watched Karen stay silent, as if she had nothing more to say.
Even after confirming her talent, I stuck by Karen's side. I left Tricksy and the other products to Laila and focused solely on her.
But.
“Karen, magic is really amazing. Your future will definitely be happy.”
“............”
“Don't you want to make flowers bloom in thin air? Or talk to cute creatures like rabbits?”
Karen didn't respond or react. She just stared blankly at the sky with empty eyes.
When mealtime came, she ate the bare minimum. At night, she slept. In the morning, she woke. During the day, she stared at the sky.
That was Karen's entire day—and everything.
“Tricksy, do you know anything about Karen?”
“...You should give up, Director.”
“What do you mean?”
“Karen's always been like this. Even when she got whipped, starved for three days, or locked in a tiny room all day—she stayed the same. So...”
“Even so, I can't give up on Karen. I'm the orphanage director.”
I'm a merchant—I can't give up on a 4-Star Orphan.
Tricksy and the other kids were brightening up day by day, but Karen stayed the same. What's the point of a 4-Star if she won't learn? No orphan leveling, no strengthening!
No matter the rank, compare a Lv.1 4-Star to a Lv.10 3-Star, and the result is obvious. At this rate, 4-Star or not, she's useless.
Of course, I had no intention of abandoning my prime product. For days, I stuck to her side, desperately trying to change her mind.
“Want some bread? You barely ate breakfast.”
“I'm fine.”
“How about checking for other talents besides magic?”
“I'm fine.”
“What if you just read this book once...”
“I'm fine.”
Karen showed no sign of annoyance toward me. Mechanically, expressionlessly, she answered my questions while staring at the sky.
Minimal communication was possible, but that was it.
Karen rejected every reaction, effort, learning, and relationship.
I had only one option left.
“I got these snacks from the neighboring city. Want to try?”
“.........”
“If you read this book just once, I'll give you a whole box. How about it?”
Churai, churai.
Just take one bite of this magic, please!
*
Lately, Laila's mood had been foul.
Because of Tricksy? Partly. But the Tricksy issue resolved itself far sooner than Laila expected.
‘Director really is something.’
The Director was incredible. He even embraced kids like Tricksy, who hid their true intentions upon joining the orphanage, with such gentleness.
Just as Laila had found her dream in that warmth, Tricksy too had been moved by the Director.
It was something to be thrilled and proud about. She wanted to boast that the man who pulled her from the back alleys was this kind of person. She wished the whole world would admire and respect him.
But at the same time, Laila's mood was sour.
‘...There are more people now.’
It was only natural. This was an orphanage, a place to protect and raise orphans. A year ago, orphanage meant something entirely different to her, but now she knew what it truly was.
And with the Director's personality, he'd surely embrace not just her and her siblings, but many more orphans. It was utterly natural.
Yet Laila hated it.
‘When there are more people, the attention the Director gives me decreases.’
It was the exact opposite of what Tricksy thought.
Tricksy believed more people was better. That way, the orphanage director's whip and scoldings would be spread thin.
But Laila thought fewer people was better. That way, she could feel more of his warmth and kindness.
Of course, it was a thought she could never voice to the Director—one she buried deep in her heart.
That's why, when Tricksy and the others came, she couldn't outright say no. Instead, she subtly tried to persuade him by saying those kids were rejecting it and wanted to leave.
“.........”
“...Um, Laila?”
“What?”
“D-Did I do something wrong...?”
“It's not that, so just do your work. You gonna leave unfinished the special task the Director asked for while stroking your clever head?”
“O-Of course not! I'll do it right now!”
Tricksy, who had been watching Laila's mood, dropped everything at her harsh words and focused solely on kneading the clay. Making bowls for the orphanage to use. As Laila said, it was a task the Director had specially requested of Tricksy, so she had no intention of slacking.
And Laila was glaring at Tricksy's head.
‘That hand used to stroke me.’
It was an honor too great for an impure element like you, who hid your intentions to infiltrate the orphanage.
If Tricksy had developed romantic feelings for the Director because of it, Laila wouldn't have held back. But luckily, Tricksy seemed to feel only respect and gratitude toward him—nothing more. Lucky in every way.
For Laila, and for Tricksy too.
Well, Tricksy did listen well to the Director now. Laila had no desire to harm a comrade who understood his greatness.
But.
“Karen, how about this? It's a bear doll that's all the rage in the capital lately. Doesn't it interest you?”
“............”
“Hmm, another failure...”
You.
What the hell are you?
There she was—an insolent girl sitting on the lap of the revered, beloved Director. A girl who occupied a spot even Laila hadn't dared claim, yet didn't twitch an eyebrow.
For days now, she'd monopolized his attention, his touch, his gentleness, his warmth, his care—and showed no reaction to him.
‘Damn bitch.’
At first, Laila tried to hold back. But watching him stroke that Karen wench's head, seat her on his lap, and chase desperately after her—it wore her patience thin.
What gives you the right to ignore his care and warmth? Who are you to hog his attention and not even care? What makes a wretch like you worthy?
That warmth was mine to feel.
‘Mine to feel.’
The softness I experienced—and should experience.
Seeing her receive all his kindness and attention in one body, yet gaze at the sky as if she didn't care—it twisted her guts. Every time he tried to draw that wench's interest from her side, Laila's teeth ground together.
‘Ah, Director.’
You're such a kind adult. The model orphanage director. It's touching to see you try to open your heart even to a wench like that, treating her like your own child.
But do you know?
‘I started dreaming because of you, Director.’
My dream is to be by your side—and ultimately, you yourself are my dream.
You gave a back-alley orphan scraping by day to day a reason to live, a future.
‘But people can't live on dreams alone...’
Please give me your attention. Share just a little of your overflowing love and mercy.
Just, just that alone—
“Ah, Laila. Isn't it about time to write that letter to the Beril Count Family?”
“...Director.”
“You know this, but I'm always on your side. If you have any worries about the letter or something to say about it, come find me anytime, okay?”
“......Yes.”
“Then I'll... Ah, Karen! How about this one? It's a snack called a cream puff...!!”
Just that alone.
Would make me the happiest.
“Eek.”
Tricksy glanced at Laila and shuddered, dropping the bowl she'd been fiddling with—but Laila didn't care.
Her eyes reflected only the Director.
“Karen, this time for real...”
“............”
And she hated the uninvited guest constantly intruding on that gaze.
Lately, Laila's mood had been foul.
Today too... she'd barely held back.