Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: 5. Orphan Awakening System Open
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A sweet smell wafted through the air.
It wasn't from the honey bread the bakery owner who bought Eric had brought.
Nor was it the scent of Laila's magical detergent that lingered whenever she slept beside him occasionally.
Jingle.
"Ah."
Money.
It was the smell of money.
"Perfect."
In this situation where the sale price of the 4-Star Orphan Karen had been doubled, the only problem was the size of my meager safe. It was so full of gold coins that I had to hide sacks of them in every corner of the director's office.
Was this really the business that started with just three pouches of silver coins? My chest swelled with pride.
I knew nobles were wealthy, and I thought I'd handled quite a bit of money during my adventurer days...
But truly, there was a world above even the heavens.
The fortune of families that had ruled cities or regions for generations—sometimes over a hundred years—far exceeded my imagination. If I'd sold Karen to the Elan Count family or the Magic Tower, I could have made even more.
That said, I had no regrets about my choice.
'There can't be just one 4-Star Orphan like Karen.'
Right now was the time to build a solid foundation rather than chasing big money recklessly. According to the letter from Karen recently, she was doing well in the baron's family. Once the baron died, she would truly inherit it.
If a noble joined the orphan cartel that way, I wouldn't need to cooperate with Heinckel like now and give him his cut. The information network and sales routes would become even tighter.
'Still, I should try to keep getting along well with Heinckel as much as possible.'
Fortunately, they seemed to recognize the business potential and cooperated without complaint. Of course, I had to prepare for the possibility of a knife in the back at any moment.
With those thoughts concluded, I resumed what I'd been doing. What was that? Stacking gold coins high.
It could be called the world's most luxurious and trivial game.
'I'm so happy. Really.'
Unlike my adventurer days when money came in but vanished just as quickly, this was different. Even after spending on product quality control and training, plenty remained—enough to secure my future life.
I was even more convinced that starting an orphanage had been the right call. I'd considered other self-employment options, but market research showed the orphanage was the best.
Especially since His Majesty the great Emperor was providing subsidies.
'But even for an empire, is it really okay to give orphanages this much support?'
For a moment, I questioned the empire's fiscal health, but I quickly forgot it and focused on stacking the gold. The imperial family wasn't run by fools; they must have their reasons.
Anyway, as the recipient, it wasn't my worry. Well, not exactly.
...
Lately, one worry had arisen regarding that 'receiving.'
Knock knock.
"Director? We have a guest."
"Ah, Laila. Could you wait a moment?"
At Laila's knock, I hurriedly cleared the tower of gold coins and somehow hid the sacks in the corners of the director's office. The reception room was through the door anyway, so the guest wouldn't come in here, but safety first.
Opening the bedroom door, I saw Laila standing with a familiar face.
"Sir Galen?"
"It's been a while, Director."
"I wasn't expecting letters yet."
The blond knight who had once visited the orphanage on a magical beast, Galen, nodded knowingly.
He was currently acting as the messenger delivering letters between Richard the Count and Laila. I wondered if it was okay for a knight to handle such a role, but entrusting the count's letters to outsiders wasn't ideal either, so he was a necessary personnel choice.
Thanks to that, I'd seen him occasionally over the past year, but since he always delivered the letters and left immediately, we hadn't talked much.
"As you said, it's not about letters. Lately, I've been staying in Luton instead of returning to the count family."
"Ah, I see. Are you on leave by any chance?"
"It's part of my duties. Please understand that I can't go into too much detail..."
"Of course."
For some reason, as he spoke, Galen glanced at Laila and continued naturally. Their eyes seemed to meet in some subtle understanding, but rather than feeling left out, I felt satisfaction.
'Laila finally saying she'll go to the Beril Count family is a sign too.'
I could feel my gaslighting over time was finally taking effect. Galen and Laila getting closer? Excellent. The more that happened, the higher the chance Laila would be sold to the Beril Count family.
So it was satisfying—definitely satisfying—
"Director? What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. So, is your visit to the orphanage part of that duty?"
"...Not exactly. Strictly speaking, it's my own initiative."
"Pardon?"
"I have something to tell you."
Galen turned deadly serious in an instant and spread his mana. The entire director's office was enveloped in his mana, and just as I realized it was blocking sound...
Galen spoke.
"All contact from the count family has ceased."
"...You mean?"
"Do you remember the content of last month's letter?"
"Of course. I said I'd visit as planned, but the count asked me to come next month due to circumstances."
It had already been two months since Laila said she'd go to the Beril Count family. Naturally, I'd planned to head there immediately, but even after sending letters expressing my intent, the only replies were requests to delay.
Richard the Count would be the happiest and most welcoming if Laila came. It was odd to think he'd changed his mind now.
Still, I'd let it slide, assuming they had their reasons.
"Normally, the count family should have contacted me by now. They use communication magic tools, so there's no delay or forgetting."
"......"
"But this time, no contact came. I even tried reaching out from my end, but silence."
"Couldn't the magic tool have broken, or communication been disrupted unexpectedly?"
As an adventurer who'd relied on various magic tools to compensate for my lack of strength, I knew they weren't infallible. Magic tools were just tools. Without proper maintenance, or due to unforeseen issues, they broke.
Galen nodded in agreement.
"You're right. However, there's never been a single instance of delayed contact. Our count family's knight order is like an army—especially strict about punctuality."
"That's..."
"That's why I'm planning to return to the Beril Count family. My original duty was to stay in Luton, but without knowing what's happening at home, I have to go back even if it means disobeying orders."
I understood perfectly. The Beril Count family was in some unexpected situation, and Galen was upright and loyal enough to be called a model knight.
However, bluntly speaking, this was an internal matter of the Beril Count family. Why come to me specifically?
"You want me to accompany you?"
"...Yes."
There were plenty of reasons to want company. I needed to go to the Beril Count family anyway, it was part of Galen's job to escort us, and originally, this month was when I was supposed to go. Of course, beyond those obvious reasons, the way Galen kept glancing at Laila suggested something else.
But one problem here.
'I have no need to accompany him.'
Bluntly, the count family might not just be in trouble—they could be in dire crisis. In that case, I'd be delivering valuable merchandise straight into danger.
Even if not, Galen could just go back and return to Luton later. He knew that well, which was why he waited for my answer, sweating coldly.
There must be some reason known only to him, requiring him to take me and Laila. But I had no obligation to oblige.
Well, not exactly.
"It's the place Laila will be adopted into—practically her home. If it's in trouble, of course we should help."
"Director...!!"
I had no intention of refusing the accompaniment request anyway. More precisely, I welcomed it.
Because the monthly donations from the Beril Count family had stopped since last month!
'Whether they've lost interest in Laila or can't send donations anymore, I need to check.'
The Beril Count family was the prime sales outlet. I couldn't sell a 1-Star Orphan like Laila for more than that. And now this prospective VVIP customer was in danger?
As a proper merchant, it was my duty to help.
Ah, of course.
"It's like my home too, since it's the children's home."
"Thank you!"
"I'm the one grateful you told me."
I should claim some compensation for the trouble, of course. If the count family's safe is practically mine too, since Laila will become the adopted daughter or even the count. Same difference.
Not that I plan to take the whole safe.
'Given the delivery conditions, naturally.'
Shouldn't I get a delivery tip?
Order up, Orphan Nation!
Unlike the last trip to the Beril Count family, this time I didn't have to worry about leaving the orphanage empty.
Not only were local ties solidified unlike before.
"Please return safely, Director."
"Yes, Kyle. While I'm gone, you're acting director, so take good care of the kids with Tricksy."
"Thank you for trusting me!"
"Have a safe trip, Director! La, La, Laila, you too!"
Very reliable 3-Star Orphans were watching the place.
On top of that, after telling the residents and Heinckel I'd be away briefly, Heinckel offered knights, and the residents volunteered for meals and daily care. This was what collusion with authorities and community ties meant.
For some reason, Kyle and Tricksy seemed happier about Laila leaving temporarily than me... whatever.
And so, I, Laila, and Galen left the orphanage for the Beril Count family. With a solid navigator unlike last time, we took the shortest route.
"......"
Days passed traveling with Laila, who said not a word unless I spoke first—yet clung to me and slept in my tent every night.
Finally, the three of us reached the major city serving as the gateway to the north.
"What? All carriages to the north are canceled?"
"Yes, sir knight. Since last month, the blizzards have been too severe for the horses. We can't get through either."
"Such..."
Galen gritted his teeth at the coachman's words. We hadn't properly entered the north yet, but with the Beril Count family atop the snow mountains, piercing severe blizzards was inevitable.
Galen alone might manage, but without a carriage, taking me and Laila was impossible. Had he not known the situation was this bad? Galen looked troubled.
"The north often has blizzards, but this is abnormal. Now I understand why no contact from the family."
"Sir Galen, what do you plan to do?"
"...First, find a way into the north. If even north-hardened coachmen can't go, I'd just get lost too."
At the same time, Galen judged the reality accurately. He was a knight, superhuman even, but navigation was separate. With landmarks likely buried in snow.
So Galen needed a way to precisely locate the Beril Count family in the vast north.
"And you two, stay here."
"Is that alright?"
"I can't guarantee your safety, so it's only right. You're honored guests of our count family. I'm sorry even to leave you after escorting you this far."
"Hmm..."
"Our count family's name is well-known in this city, so use it at the finest inn for lodging. Wait there and..."
"Laila."
"Yes, Director."
Normally, we'd follow Galen's advice. Outsiders like us couldn't risk danger for the count family.
But I had delivery tips and donations to collect from them.
I looked at Laila, who had been silent but subtly mindful of Galen.
"What do you think?"
"......"
"You can be honest."
"...I want to help."
"Can I hear why?"
"I've... received help from the count family before. But if that hurts you, Director..."
"I told you at the orphanage, Laila."
"Yes?"
"If it's the home you'll be adopted into, it's like my home too."
"...Director."
If something really happened to the Beril Count family like this, I'd be the most troubled. Even with the hefty sum from Karen's sale, their donations still made up a big portion.
And to sell the 1-Star Orphan Laila at the highest price, I needed the Beril Count family.
Having heard Laila's answer, I steeled myself.
"Sir Galen, Laila. Follow me."
"Director Yujin?"
"Going to meet an old acquaintance."
Last time, I'd deliberately avoided this city fearing I'd run into that guy. This time, I was seeking him out.
Chuckling wryly for a moment, I walked ahead. A metropolis incomparable to Luton. And every such metropolis had one indispensable place.
"Adventurer... guild?"
"Let's go in. Laila, stay close to me."
"Yes."
That was my destination.
Opening the ornate door revealed a grand lobby. The bulletin board bristled with quest papers, wanted posters, and info sheets. At tables scattered around, adventurers radiating serious mana power gathered, chatting.
As expected of a major city's guild branch, the adventurers were high-level. Galen and Laila, seeing such a place for the first time, scanned warily while I headed straight for the counter.
The counter staff smiled brightly and asked kindly.
"Welcome to the Adventurer Guild. How may I help?"
"Hoo..."
"Sir?"
Good, deep breath done.
No turning back now.
"Is Ulfrik here?"
The moment I uttered the name Ulfrik, the beaming receptionist's face stiffened. Was it my imagination, or did the noisy lobby's adventurers quiet down a bit?
Glancing at me, then Laila and Galen behind, the receptionist forced an awkward smile.
"Uh, sir? It seems you're here for a quest, but Ulfrik only takes verified clients—"
"Someone looking for me?"
"U-Ulfrik!"
A deep, gravelly voice cut off the receptionist mid-rejection.
There stood a man draped in beast hides, eyepatch over one eye. His thick beard gave a savage look, but the scars covering his body and refined mana betrayed his strength.
"...Director Yujin, behind me."
Even Galen, a skilled knight of the count family, sensed the man's power and tensed, shielding me. Laila trembled slightly but stuck to my side, her product instincts kicking in for self-preservation.
Yet the man—this muscle-bound, two-meter-tall middle-aged warrior—ignored the resistance, staring solely at me.
Only just before Galen drew his sword did the heavy silence break.
"Senior Yujin? Is it really you, Senior?"
"...Yeah, Ulfrik."
"Whoa! Senior! Long time no see! Remember me? Ulfrik!"
"Of course. Unfortunately."
"Haha! Senior's the same as ever!"
"That's why I told you not to call me that..."
At the warrior's 'Senior' title—despite looking twice my age...
Galen and Laila gaped at me in bewilderment. Meanwhile, the fierce-faced warrior Ulfrik beamed innocently, bowing repeatedly.
'Sigh.'
This was exactly why I didn't want to meet this guy...