Seeker 176

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Chapter 176. Orphanage

The military police were like the equivalent of neighborhood patrol officers in our world, similar to community police officers who were stationed in towns. 

They didn't possess the kind of power adventurers had; instead, they dealt with issues involving ordinary citizens within the city. 

Because of that, their wages were said to be much lower compared to knights and such, but let's put that aside for now.

"Oh, I see. I got the gist of the story. Evan, no matter what, stealing is not okay. Reflect on your actions." 

Said a young military police officer as he ruffled the hair of the boy who had committed the theft.

His name was Gilbert. 

He's in his early to mid-twenties, with brown hair and eyes, giving off a refreshing impression. 

In short, he seemed like someone who would be popular.

We were walking down the street towards the orphanage with Evan, the boy who had committed the theft, and Gilbert, the military police officer.

The fruit vendor had explained the situation to Gilbert, which led to the decision to escort the boy to the orphanage. 

You could also call it a "detention". 

We didn't need to accompany them, but circumstances had led us to tag along. 

This was because an unexpected special mission had appeared.

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Special Mission: Deliver Apples to the Orphanage

Experience Points Upon Completion: 1000 Points

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We would receive 1000 experience points. 

It felt like a completely trivial errand mission. 

Nevertheless, we might as well accept what we could get, so here we were.

Setting that aside, the boy who had been gently scolded started to argue with the young military police officer. 

"But Gil, the teacher is sick. We need to give him good food."

"I understand that, but stealing is still wrong. Besides, don't you have money to buy food? I heard that someone leaves money for the orphanage."

"Yeah, but... there's hardly anything left for this month. They take everything."

"The debt collectors, huh?"

"Yeah."

It seemed that Evan and Gilbert, the military police officer, were acquaintances from before. 

They spoke to each other in a friendly manner. 

Maybe that's why their reaction to the theft seemed somewhat lenient.

However, as outsiders, it wasn't our place to interfere, so we decided to let it slide for now.

While we continued to chat and walk, we eventually arrived in front of a worn-out wooden building, which was reasonably spacious. 

This was presumably the orphanage mentioned in the conversation.

Outside the building, several children were running around, playing. 

There were both boys and girls, all appearing to be under 10 years old.

"Hey, Gil! Welcome back!"

"Hey, Gil, the teacher is sick. What should we do?"

"Who are these people, Gil?"

"Wow, what's this? So cute!"

The children approached us one after another. 

The griffin (of course, in puppy size) was particularly popular, and the children were petting it enthusiastically, causing it to become dizzy.

Gilbert asked the children. 

"Is Karen-sensei inside?"

"Yeah, she only wakes up when it's time to make food today and has been sleeping the rest of the time."

"I see. I thought about having Karen-san scold Evan. But maybe I'll hold off on that today. Let's see how things go for now. I don't want to interfere too much."

"Okay."

"You guys are visitors too, right?"

"Welcome!"

"Oh, yes."

"Yeah, thanks. We appreciate it."

"Then come on in. By the way, Senpai, why are you using polite language with the kids?"

"They're... noisy. I don't know how to interact with children, so I'm not very good with them. Also, isn't your way of speaking not polite?"

"This is my identity."

With such lively interactions, we entered the building.

Inside, several more children surrounded Gilbert and Evan as they headed toward the back bedroom. 

We followed behind them.

The bedroom we reached was spacious among the rooms within the orphanage, with several beds placed inside. 

One of the beds held a young woman, probably in her late 20s.

She had beautiful silver hair and was quite attractive, although she seemed worn out. She was currently breathing heavily as if she had a fever.

"Karen-san, are you okay?" 

Gilbert asked, and the woman lying in the bed slowly opened her closed eyelids. 

Her striking sapphire-blue eyes met his gaze.

"Oh... Gilbert-san. Yes, I think it's just a cold. If I rest for a day or two, I should be fine," she replied.

"Well, that's good to hear. Please don't push yourself."

"Thank you. But Gilbert-san, you're on duty, right? Is something the matter?"

The woman called Karen sat up on the bed. 

When her eyes found us, she tilted her head curiously, so I gave her a slight acknowledgment nod. 

Gilbert was the one who spoke to her, being the military police officer.

"No, it's just that Evan got into trouble again. I'll talk to you about it once you're feeling better."

"It doesn't sound like good news. By the way, who are those people over there? They seem like traveling adventurers."

Upon hearing that, I raised the bag containing the apples and placed it on a nearby table. 

"Nice to meet you. We happened to pass by due to certain circumstances. This is a little gift as a token of our introduction."

"Eh...? Oh, thank you. But that bag. It seems there are some complicated circumstances."

To that, I replied with a vague smile. 

Evan looked uncomfortable, fidgeting in his place.

And at that moment, the usual notification sound chimed.

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Special Mission Deliver Apples to the Orphanage completed!

All party members receive 1000 experience points!

Current Experience Points:

Musou Daichi... 281,924/303,707 (Next level: 21,783)

Kodachi Kazane... 282,296/303,707 (Next level: 21,411)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 290,041/303,707 (Next level: 13,666)

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The errand mission was now complete. 

Our business here was finished. 

Although the situation left us feeling somewhat uneasy, we should probably take our leave—just as I was thinking.

"Ah, it's the same filthy orphanage as always."

"Hey, you brats, move it! I'll kick you out!"

From outside the building, we heard the voices of rough men.