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318. Orphanage Grania

/ Welcome to the Grania Orphanage. /

In the lobby where those words were inscribed, a young man was seated.

Though he hadn’t yet turned twenty, they say that a position shapes a person. As the dormitory supervisor of this orphanage, he read the house rules with a serious demeanor.

/ Chapter 1 General Principles

Article 1. The purpose of these rules is to establish guidelines that orphans must adhere to in order to live a harmonious communal life.

Article 2. Room and class assignments are done randomly, and assigned rooms and classes cannot be changed at the discretion of the orphans.

Article 3. Depending on the behavior and attitude of the orphans in daily life and classes, the supervising dormitory supervisor may instruct changes in rooms and classes. /

Though he had read this countless times, he diligently repeated it.

The Grania Orphanage was much younger and less organized than the outside world believed. Until last year, ‘official’ priests had visited to oversee things, but this year, they had begun operating independently.

It was due to a lack of funds. No, to be precise, it was because the funding was expected to end within a few years.

Lord Berg had prepared for this by ensuring that the orphanage became self-sufficient from the beginning of the year.

If they wanted to hire the priests from the Cross Church, they had to at least make some nominal donations, so they transferred many responsibilities to the orphans. Now, 11 years since the orphanage was established, orphans who had entered as children were now wielding hoes.

It had been a tumultuous year.

I graduated from the orphanage two years ago and received divine power from Lord Berg. Like most of the orphans here, I had no desire to leave and had been living as a supervisor, guiding the younger children, but I recently received the role of dormitory supervisor.

It was a heavy responsibility.

Moreover, since my respected Lord Berg had high expectations, I would do my best to repay him. The young man silently read the rules written by Lord Berg himself.

/ Chapter 2 Compliance Regulations

Article 4. Daily Schedule. Orphans must lead a righteous day under the guidance of their respective class teachers. The daily schedule is based on the solar calendar of Leisia, from dawn (prima lux) to dusk (crepusculum).

Article 5. Leisure Time. Orphans must spend their leisure time safely and according to the guidance of the dormitory supervisor. Leisure time is based on the solar calendar of Leisia, from sunrise (diluculum) to dawn, and from dusk to sunset (vespera).

Article 6. Sunset. It is recommended to sleep at sunset; however, in cases where activities must continue due to unavoidable circumstances, entry checks may be exempted if there are two or more orphans participating together.

Article 7. Entry Check. Orphans must arrange their bedding and personal items per the supervisor’s instructions… /

However, while reading, some strange rules caught his eye. Article 6 allowing nighttime activities, the chapter on going out and requesting leave, and the regulations on romance, marriage, and childbirth listed in Chapter 4 were particularly puzzling.

These rules were of no help in managing communal life and served as a hindrance to raising virtuous priests; this was Lord Berg’s unique philosophy.

Romance and marriage were to be self-directed. Thanks to this, the Grania Orphanage became a calm yet overall bright place that exuded a sense of humanity.

Of course, this made management more challenging… Just when the young man had almost finished reading the rules without any grievances.

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, a stranger barged in. Not just one, but seven. The young man spoke, slightly flustered.

“Who are you? How did you find this place?”

Grania Orphanage was well-known in the capital of the Conrad Kingdom, Rutina. It was a place that took in many orphaned city children.

However, not many knew exactly where it was located, as few would expect the orphanage to occupy a vast estate on the outskirts of the capital.

There were no signs or anything indicating within, so even if someone knew about it, they would often end up caught by the orphans, who would suspect outsiders.

The intruders smiled and responded.

“I came to see Cardinal Berg. I know he’s out on a pilgrimage, but I was wondering if I could stay here until he returns.”

With that, she gestured towards her chest. The young man realized the woman before him was not an outsider.

“Ah, you are a guest of the director. It will take a few months for him to return… Please, have a seat for now?”

“Yes. Reb, you come here too.”

“Do you know how to write? Then please fill this out. You don’t have to write everything, just your name, purpose of visit, and expected length of stay. In the top right corner, please write your graduation number, or if you haven’t graduated, your life number. Thank you. Where…”

Since there wasn’t much to write, the paper quickly came back. However, the young man tilted his head.

“Ah, Lady Leah. Did you forget your graduation number?”

“No. I neither live here nor enrolled here.”

“Then… are you an outsider? I’m sorry, but we can’t allow outsiders to enter…”

“I did work here at one point, though it was a long time ago.”

“Were you a priest?”

But that couldn’t be. The girl before him was far too young. Leah shook her head.

“No. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but I have some connections with Cardinal Berg and stopped by for a bit. I… no, I worked in Building B.”

“Building B?”

“…What was it called again? It was the building filled with those… Trimpekläfer (Malus asiatica) trees.”

“Oh! You mean the apple tree pavilion. I guess it was once called Building B, huh?”

No, actually, it was in the future.

The orphanage I saw (in a dream) was not just an estate full of fields like this. It was a university filled with buildings. Berg, inspired by Lean de Yeriel, developed it into a specialized higher education facility.

While wandering around looking for Reb, I had once stayed here.

I discovered a friend’s grave in the national cemetery of the kingdom and thought it to be the will of the gods, ending my wandering amidst the devastated Conrad Kingdom from the war with the Orun Kingdom.

I felt sorry for lying… No, it wasn’t completely a lie, was it? Leah simply replied.

“Yes. Back then, I had just made up a name. Hmm… it has changed a lot. Oh, the people behind me are my companions.”

“Understood. I will prepare a guest room for you. You worked here, so you know the rules, right?”

“Yes.”

I may not know what the rules were like back in the orphanage days, but… for now, I needed a place to stay.

Leah, getting up from her seat, patted Reb’s back. He looked serious even as he walked away.

“Reb, stop looking so grim. Things can work out just fine if you adjust to the changes.”

However, Reb couldn’t change his expression. The king had died. The plans he had made had all tangled up in an instant.

First, he needed to secure Ambegrees (saliva of Valeina). This was necessary to capture Oriax, and applying it would prevent his body from melting into his blood.

And to persuade the knights.

It was considerably riskier than Lean doing the convincing himself, and there were fewer knights who could be swayed, but he knew a number of knights who were discontent with the current situation, like Jenia Jaqueri.

Rumors of Lean’s survival had spread like wildfire, so he was planning to make use of his name. But there was no time for that, and even more pressing issues had arisen…

‘The Cardinal Berg is gone!’

Currently, Cardinal Berg was on a pilgrimage to the Baron Monarch’s territory. He would set out in late autumn and wouldn’t return until the following spring.

During the beggar siblings arc, it was easy to meet him since he would usually head north… but now, I had no idea what to do. Capturing Oriax was nearly impossible without Cardinal Berg.

Just relying on a gem…

“Hang in there!” Leah encouraged Reb as he entered the room assigned to the men along with five royal knights, unpacking his belongings.

After a moment of thought, Reb spoke.

“Galen.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard you’re excellent with horseback riding. You rest today, and tomorrow, go to Baron Monarch’s territory and kidnap Cardinal Berg. If he resists, use Lean de Yeriel’s name.”

“…Is that really okay?”

“No, actually it’s not, but we have to try. Take all the horses. That fellow is a former holy knight, so he’ll struggle alone; take two more with you.”

I must hurry. I need to figure out what’s going on.

The next day, Galen took seven horses north. As he ventured outside and eavesdropped here and there, Reb was able to glean the general situation.

The citizens didn’t yet know the king had died. He heard some truly unexpected news; the princess of Aisel Kingdom, Elika de Isadora, was marrying Prince Eric de Yeriel.

‘Aha… since news of Lean’s survival has spread, Prince Eric must be in a hurry.’

So, this wasn’t due to any mistakes I made but was a consequence of the ongoing beggar siblings scenario.

I thought this change was a result of stealing the gem.

Then, there was still a chance.

This was the reason Reb had been so terrified. He believed he had been spotted by Oriax and thought his future was already booked in a hell of fire.

But that wasn’t the case, and after some inquiries, he learned that the princess still had some distance to travel before her arrival.

About two months.

That was enough time to wait for Cardinal Berg and to also persuade the knights.

Prince Eric seemed to think of ascending the throne soon after marrying the princess, proclaiming the king’s death. The day of that ceremony would be the perfect moment to create an incident.

Reb returned with a brightened face. I need to tell Leah this good news, he thought, feeling excited yet still wary.

Turning the tracking skill back around.

Reb recalled all the dangerous individuals in the Conrad Kingdom. Namely, knights or soldiers that Eric might command.

Although the tracking skill doesn’t tell you how far away the target is, if the direction shifts while walking, it’s indicative that you’re close, meaning he was potentially being followed. Naturally, his eyes were scanning his surroundings.

However, there was one presence Reb did not expect… A man atop the castle spire mumbled to himself.

“Tsk, after coming here, this is the task I’m given… what a waste of a trip.”

It was Count Soarel Demetri Ogerton. The Count wielded an ancient oak staff to erase the ‘cloud eyes’ magic as he headed to meet the prince.

Three out of the seven people he had been told to watch had headed north, while the remaining four remained at the orphanage to report. Upon receiving the report, Prince Eric de Yeriel smiled slyly.

“Thank you for finding him. You’re much better than the last sorcerer. I look forward to your continued efforts.”

“Too kind.”

“Right. That gem… no, that necklace must be in his hands, correct?”

“Yes. I found seven people with red gems. But why do we have to keep an eye on him? If he’s a criminal, I can just capture him.”

The prince slightly frowned.

“Indeed. If it weren’t for that orphanage… ah, this is a secret. It’s managed by our kingdom’s cardinal, so it’s quite burdensome to interfere.”

“Should I inform you when they come outside?”

“No, that’s alright. They will meet me anyway… haha! I’ll reach out again soon. But in the meantime, just let me know when they infiltrate the castle.”

Not waiting for the response, Prince Eric turned away. Meanwhile, Count Ogerton, with his oak staff, saw a strange vision.

It looked like a dozen horns sprouted from the prince’s head.

Count Soarel Demetri Ogerton shook his head. The vision vanished, and the Count thought.

It seems the latest magic touted by the Bolinyu Tower, the Short Distance Magic, was used excessively. Overlaying mana shortened the distance was fine, but maybe there were too many passengers.

Feeling a strange dizziness, the Count hurriedly returned home to his mansion, where his wife and son awaited him.

The previously present sorcerer, Ristad Jegen Dorph, had long since broken off his contract with the Yeriel royal family and disappeared.