Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Contract Written in Blood (4)
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Whoosh.
Several pairs of eyes turned toward me.
"Master, can I go first?"
"I'll do it first."
"No, me first!"
The children's eyes gleamed with a pure, unmatched cruelty. They were simply pondering how to play with the toy named Kevin right in front of them, without a shred of hesitation.
'These aren't ordinary kids.'
Having been raised as assassins from childhood, the children of Arsil Orphanage were something else entirely.
"Hey, even cold water has an order to it!"
Helena growled, and the kids faltered. But they soon pouted, voicing their complaints.
"That's not fair, Helena. Boo..."
"We've been holding back so much!"
"We've had it rough while you were gone, Helena."
Helena brushed off the swarm of jeers and clamor like it was nothing.
"Alright, alright. Who's saying no one's getting a turn? It's just about order."
"You have to give it quick!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"We'll hold out for just one day!"
"Sure thing~"
The kids whined but didn't push for their turns anymore.
"You handle them well."
Helena shrugged at my comment.
"Well, I'm the oldest here. Basically like their mom."
Helena usually smiled brightly, but it always felt like a mask she wore for protection.
Right now, though, her smile was genuinely joyful, plain and simple.
"You look happy."
"Do I?"
Helena beamed and winked.
"Thanks, Master. Best gift of my life."
"Your standards aren't too low?"
"You wouldn't say that if you knew what I got for my last birthday."
As she spoke, Helena's gaze flicked to the sofa nearby. It was laced with deep disgust.
'Ah, right. I remember.'
It was one of the stories Helena had shared while she and Rose were locked up together. Something about Kevin promising her a birthday gift and throwing her onto that very sofa.
"Might as well smash that thing too while we're at it."
Just as Helena's eyes flashed toward the sofa...
"Your Excellency...!"
Rose's slender voice called from the doorway.
Rose looked pristine, without a scratch on her. But the scene before her had clearly startled her, leaving her face a bit pale.
Step.
I naturally stepped forward, blocking Kevin and the children from view.
"May I come in?"
"No. Wait there a moment. We'll head out soon."
"Pardon?"
"Not a sight fit for my wife's eyes."
Rose had teared up just seeing the assassins, so she might faint at the state Kevin was in.
"Hmph."
Ignoring Helena's snort, I asked Casto, who stood by the door.
"Is there somewhere else we can talk?"
"The kids' lounge should be fine... sir."
Casto straightened up and answered promptly.
From what I'd observed, he seemed to handle the practical work by Kevin's side. His immediate use of formal speech with me and his brisk demeanor were decent enough.
"Then finish up here and meet us there. We'll go ahead."
Casto hesitated, glancing at Helena,
"Do as he says."
Helena cut in decisively. Only then did Casto bow his head, as if settling into his new path.
"Understood. What should we do with the director, then?"
"As Helena said."
"Yes, sir."
Casto answered obediently and stepped into the room. Brushing past Helena,
"Your Excellency."
I approached Rose, who waited by the door.
"Are you alright?"
Rose immediately checked on me. Her worried gaze lingered on my blood-soaked hands.
"Just sealing a contract with the director."
"A contract?"
"One written in blood."
Though Kevin hadn't agreed, we'd just drawn up papers handing Arsil Orphanage over to me.
"People really do write contracts in blood."
Rose's expression turned peculiar, as if recalling something.
"I never thought Your Excellency meant it that day."
It was something I'd said to loosen her up while she was overly tense during the contract signing.
"You remembered that."
"It was something Your Excellency said."
Her serious tone left me momentarily speechless. As I gazed at Rose,
"Ugh, seriously."
Helena, standing behind us, burst forward in irritation.
"You two always act like it's just the two of you? There's people around!"
"Helena!"
Rose greeted her with a bright smile. She then checked Helena's bloodstained knees.
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"This? It's the director's blood."
"Good. You really gave him what he deserved?"
"Yeah. Were you worried?"
Helena giggled and hugged Rose. So naturally.
"...?"
I stared in momentary confusion, then masked my awkward expression and asked.
"When did you two get so close?"
Still hugging Rose tightly, Helena grinned at me.
"Madam and I had some quality girls' time."
"Quality?"
"The director was probably planning to take Madam hostage if things went south."
Helena's hand gently stroked Rose's hair. It flowed smoothly, looking incredibly soft.
"Master sending me ahead let me meet the kids first. Saved our Madam from a rough time."
"Thank you, Helena."
Rose smiled warmly, leaning into her.
Helena was half a head taller than Rose. Rose's face pressed against Helena's cheek.
"...."
My ears heard Helena's words, but my eyes were fixed on Rose nestled so comfortably against her, accepting the touch without resistance.
'...She was trembling like a leaf back then.'
I couldn't help recalling the closet incident. The same actions, but different reactions depending on the person—anyone would feel this way.
...No, wait. Enough with the petty comparisons.
'Anyway, it's for the best.'
Better than them fighting. My thoughts drifted elsewhere.
'So it ends up like this after all.'
The regressed Rose had broken Helena out of prison, just like me.
But unlike my immediate raid on Arsil Orphanage, she'd only used Helena as an informant. She lacked the power for more.
In the original story, Rose and Helena didn't raid Arsil until much later.
'They were pretty close by then too.'
Rose had a knack for winning people over quickly. The estate staff like Bill, Selma, Fabry—not to mention me.
How could anyone hate someone who smiles so innocently? Spending even a little time with her shows she's a good person.
In any case, I'd secured Helena and Arsil Orphanage far ahead of the original timeline. Now it was up to me how to use them.
A moment later.
Helena, Casto, Rose, and I gathered in the now spotless lounge.
"I've heard the gist from Helena."
Casto spoke up right after we settled in.
"What do you plan to do with the orphanage going forward?"
Casto's gray eyes gleamed cautiously. Sizing up his new master.
'A bit younger than me? Quiet kid, but gets things done. He passed on the director's orders to us. Calls me sis and follows me well.'
As Helena had briefed me earlier, he seemed capable enough to entrust with this place.
"Same as before."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Casto's face. He'd hoped a new master might free the kids.
"You'll handle operations."
"Pardon? Won't you be running it, Master?"
"I'm busy. Better left to someone who knows the job."
Casto stammered, caught off guard.
"...Are you sure about leaving it to me?"
"Didn't you assist the director? With that skill, you'll pick it up quick."
"Understood."
Casto looked relieved. I was interested in exploiting the orphanage well, not micromanaging it.
"You'll act as interim director. Go through Helena for any contact with me."
"Master, isn't this basically making him a figurehead?"
Helena grumbled, but Casto seemed grateful even for that.
"Then I'll summarize the key points you need to know."
His quick grasp of his role was satisfying.
"We have funds left, but no recent jobs mean operations could falter soon."
"No worries there. I'll provide the jobs."
Jobs would only increase from here.
Even from a glance, the kids' ruthlessness and boldness were clear. I had a feeling they'd excel at my tasks.
"Funds too. Donations have always been great for hiding money."
Rose blinked at my words. She hadn't expected me to use such methods.
Going forward, I had no intention of walking the righteous path. I needed to clearly divide allies from enemies and show what happens when lines are crossed.
Arsil Orphanage and its children would be perfect tools for that.
"By the way, what did my wife think of the facilities?"
"...Hm."
Rose thought back calmly before answering.
"Lacking, compared to the director's boasts. Most were just for show to impress visitors. Dust on fine china? So slipshod."
"I see."
I turned to Casto, whose face had darkened.
"Healthy kids do better work, right?"
"Pardon? Y-Yes, of course."
Thud.
I set down the money pouch I'd brought.
"Open it."
Casto hesitated, then carefully took it at my nod and peered inside.
"Gasp...!"
He jumped, staring at me in shock.
"Operating funds."
"A-All of this?"
"Keep the kids fed and healthy. Can't have work suffering."
Casto's eyes wavered in confusion. Unsure whether to laugh or cry.