Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Friendly Cooperation!
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"Huh?! Ru, Rubelt? Why are you here again…!"
"Oh my!"
As we stepped into the volunteer club room, Yamamoto Takeo, the volunteer club president, wore a stunned expression, while Maria flashed a radiant smile.
"Just like last time, I only came to take a quick look around."
"No, but today we're all heading out to the church orphanage for volunteer work as a group. There's no meeting."
"It's fine, President. Rubelt says he'll just drop by briefly and leave."
"Really?"
At Isihoon's words, President Yamamoto's face relaxed with relief.
He must get a stomachache from the tension whenever someone of my high social standing and reputation sticks around.
But seeing Maria's delighted face at my arrival made it feel a shame to just leave.
"Since I'm already here, why don't I join you all and help out with the volunteer work?"
"What!?"
"Really!?"
My announcement startled not just President Yamamoto but all the other club members too.
Only Maria approached me to confirm my intentions.
Watching her, I couldn't help but think the Prometheus Academy cadet uniform truly lived up to its nickname as the "titjob uniform."
Maria's ample breasts jiggled up and down, somewhat restrained by the belt, but that only squeezed them together, drawing every eye and accentuating their allure.
For a moment, I lost myself in her chest, but I quickly snapped back to reality and answered.
"Of course. Plus, I have something I want to ask of you anyway."
"Something to ask of me…!"
Maria beamed, interlocking her fingers in delight.
"Anything you want! Just say it!"
Seeing her so thrilled at the prospect of granting my request filled me with a natural smile.
"Thank you."
Having a busty, half-lidded nun character with such a sexy figure show this much affection felt amazing.
All the more so since she was one of the heroines from my favorite Blaze Blood.
"Let's talk about the request on the bus first. Rize."
"Yes, Young Master."
Rize, who had been quietly following behind me, pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Huh? Bus? What do you mean?"
President Yamamoto looked puzzled as he asked me.
"Weren't you planning to take public transportation anyway?"
"Uh, yeah."
"In that case, let's make it faster. Today, we'll ride the bus owned by the Eldra family."
"E-Eldra-owned bus?! No, that's too much!"
"Consider it my apology for showing up unannounced and startling you. Please don't refuse. It's nice to travel comfortably sometimes, isn't it? The rest of you would prefer that too, right?"
President Yamamoto turned to glance at the other volunteer club members.
They all looked hesitant at first, but tempted by the idea of a comfortable ride, they nodded.
Seeing that, President Yamamoto turned back to me.
"Alright. Thanks for this."
"Of course."
"Young Master, it will arrive in 10 minutes."
"That fast!?"
"The Eldra family runs a bus company too, so we can get it here quickly."
"The Eldras are insane…."
"This… this is what a tycoon is!"
From behind President Yamamoto, I heard cadets murmuring in admiration.
Mood… excellent!
"This… this is a luxury bus!"
"These seats are so comfy. I'm getting sleepy… so sleepy."
"These snacks are really free? Woo-hoo!"
The volunteer club members burst into exclamations of awe once they boarded the bus.
The seats were top-quality, the interior clean and stylish, and even the snacks prepared perfectly before arrival.
It was comfortable enough to bring a smile even to President Yamamoto, who had been wary of me earlier.
By the way, Maria was sitting next to me.
"If you'll excuse me, Rubelt."
She gave a slight bow and took the seat beside me.
I'd asked her to sit there since I had that request for her.
Once everyone was aboard and the bus set off, Maria turned to me.
"What is it you want to ask of me, Rubelt? Anything… anything at all."
She brimmed with anticipation.
I flashed a refreshing, gentle smile and said,
"First… tell me about yourself up until now."
"About me up until now…?"
"Yeah. I want to know how Maria's been living at the orphanage with my support. How much help my donations have been."
"Ah… Rubelt…!"
Maria's eyelids fluttered.
She clasped her hands together and replied in a slightly trembling voice.
"Yes, I'll tell you. Thanks to you, Rubelt… how much help I've received."
Maria spoke softly, her tone filled with joy.
I'd heard the basics last time, but this was more detailed.
I learned exactly what conveniences and joys my support had brought to her daily life.
And the more I heard, the prouder I felt—even if it started as a way to the heroine.
The joy of kids no longer fighting over hunger pangs.
The joy of no arguments over scarce necessities.
The joy of studying what they wanted.
The joy of anniversaries with not just songs but gifts, creating more smiles.
For Maria, who had taken on a big-sister role caring for the kids around middle school age, nothing made her happier than seeing them get along and laugh.
In Blaze Blood too, Maria came across as modest and ungreedy.
That personality might stem from growing up in an environment short on support, never even considering extravagance.
"Was there anything that made you personally happy about the support?"
"Pardon? Well, the other siblings…."
"I get that you're happy when the others are. But I want to know what made you happy directly. Like picking up a new hobby, or buying something you liked."
"Oh, that kind of thing… Yes, of course there is for me too. I love buying clothes. Now I can get all sorts of outfits I like."
A hobby of Maria's not mentioned in Blaze Blood.
Hearing about a hobby enabled by my support made my pride swell even more.
It felt like unlocking a secret profile hidden from the system.
"I see. That's great."
"Yes! It's all thanks to your support, Rubelt."
Soon after, the bus arrived at the church-affiliated orphanage, our volunteer destination.
The activities there weren't complicated.
Mainly transporting the supplies the club had prepared, handing them over, then doing light cleaning or playing with the kids.
"Horsey! Giddy-up!"
"Play with us! Play with us! Play!"
"Jump rope! Jump rope with me, big bro!"
"Whoa! Kids, hold on a sec!"
Isihoon was popular with the kids, swarmed by several of them.
Is that the protagonist's charm?
"Wow…."
"Cool big brother."
"Like a prince."
Not as many kids flocked to me, but a few girls gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
Better to approach them myself.
I knelt on one knee to meet their eye level.
"Hi there."
"Kyaaah!"
Just a greeting, and they jumped for joy in place.
"Young Master, if their standards get too high from a young age, it could be trouble. Leave them to me."
"Sure? Thanks, Rize."
"Yes. Now, shall we play together?"
"I wanna play with the prince brother…."
"Behold, dagger tricks."
"Dagger tricks…!"
The girls followed Rize right away.
Rize went to a spot where the kids could watch easily, pulled several daggers from Hepai, and performed juggling and other feats.
"Woooow! Amazing!"
"Sis, you're awesome!"
The children's attention instantly shifted to Rize.
"Seeing the kids so happy… it's always heartwarming."
Maria looked genuinely delighted watching them laugh.
"It really is."
"Yes. The siblings at the orphanage where I owe so much—thanks to your support, Rubelt, they've been making those faces so, so much more. Thank you."
She'd thanked me multiple times already in the club room and on the bus, with an energy that said it could never be enough.
"Hearing you say that much… now I'm curious."
"About what?"
"About how well the orphanage I've been supporting is doing."
"You mean…!"
Maria's narrow eyes curved into expectant crescents.
"How about I stop by after midterms? Would that be okay?"
"Of course! Oh, you're coming! Rubelt! What do you like? I'll prepare ahead! Yes, in advance!"
"No need for that. I'm just curious, that's all. Seeing the kids living happily will be enough."
"Rubelt…!"
Tears welled up in Maria's eyes, overcome with emotion.
Was it really that moving?
Well, considering her kind nature, I could understand.
The next day.
We went to an E-rank dungeon for dungeon practice again today.
D-rank dungeons come after midterms, once our skills improve.
Unlike F-rank, the gap between E and D requires real growth, so cadets can't jump ahead right away.
If you could skip ranks that easily, we'd be tackling A-rank by the end of first year—but reality doesn't work that way.
Average first-years can at best handle C-rank monsters in parties. Second-years with ace skills solo C-ranks, and third-years take down B-ranks in parties—that's standard for ordinary cadets.
After that, growth depends on your post-graduation hunter career.
Of course, this is for combat-track cadets aiming to be hunters. Plenty switch to clubs or other paths early on, deciding combat isn't for them.
Naturally, this is the norm—the protagonist's party defies it with exceptional combat prowess.
And in this D-rank dungeon with Wild Orcs…
"Please take care of us, Rubelt!"
"Looking forward to it, Rubelt."
"Same party as last time."
As promised, I teamed up with Iikawa Anastasia, Kudan, and Isihoon.