Twilight Alchemist 35.2

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35.2. Coincidentally Running Into A Childhood Friend Feels Like Some Sort Of Flag, Isn't It?

"There are demi-humans here!"

"Eww, filthy demi-humans!"

"Throw stones at them!"

As we approached the orphanage near the graveyard, a noisy commotion of children's voices could be heard. Wealthy-looking children from outside the grounds were throwing stones at orphans who were working on something within the confines of a low fence.

While it was a familiar scene, it wasn't amusing at all.

"[Rainbow Light Barrier]."

I deployed a faintly rainbow-colored magical barrier along the orphanage's fence. 

It was a handy magic that activated quickly and could block almost all elemental attacks.

But it had the drawback of consuming a considerable amount of magical energy. 

It was a defensive magic of a completely different nature from the [Miles-long Earthen Wall] or [Earthen Rampart Shield] used to fend off dragon breath attacks. 

The key to magic was using it appropriately.

"What's this!?"

"This is magic!"

"Who did that? How annoying!"

"Ah... over there."

"Huh?"

I rested my hand on my hip, adopting a deliberately nonchalant attitude, and the wealthy-looking children fled with a "Wow!" as soon as they noticed. 

As I turned to check on the orphans inside the compound, the children, their eyes sparkling, began to flock towards us.

"Wow! What's this?"

"A glowing wall?"

"So cool!"

"It seems like the magician in the robe over there cast it. Amazing!"

"It was that old guy over there!?"

"Don't call me an old guy! I'm only twenty!"

I thought they might be discouraged, but these orphans seemed quite resilient. But there were fewer of them than I expected. Four in total, and they were all demi-humans. It seemed they were crushing grapes and filling barrels with the liquid. For the orphans, completing tasks assigned by the church was routine.

"Could it be Craft-kun?"

"Hmm?"

Appearing from a dilapidated building nearby, dressed in church attire, was a beastman with fox ears and tail.

Huh? There was something familiar about those ears. Oh!

"Azure!? Is that you, Azure!?"

"Indeed! Craft-kun! You seem to have become quite intimidating."

"Never mind that. You haven't changed much."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Um, sorry. Anyway, what's with the outfit?"

"After that, I became an apprentice priest."

"Seriously!? That's amazing!"

A beastman as an apprentice priest? While the church advocated for the abolition of demi-human discrimination, this was revolutionary!

"Do you know each other?"

"Yes, Azure and I used to live together in the orphanage."

"Hello. Are you a knight?"

"No, I'm a personal guard. No need to be formal. I'm Persia."

"I'm Leafan."

"Sorry for my late introduction. I'm Azure Iglesia, in charge of this orphanage. Nice to meet you."

"However, I was planning to donate and leave right away..."

I surveyed the orphanage. Situated beside a graveyard, the building was dilapidated, and the orphans' clothes were all patched up. "This isn't something that can be fixed with just a little effort.", I thought.

"Shall we take a break, everyone?"

"Yay... my eyes... but it's fun..."

"The world is spinning..."

Yes, they seemed energetic. While the children were distracted by the snacks Azure had prepared, we continued our conversation.

Azure explained how he became an apprentice priest quite easily.

"I see. You've worked hard."

"It's not that. It's thanks to the efforts of the parish leader."

"You used to be quite mischievous."

"P-Please don't say that..."

"But I initially planned to donate and leave..."

The building seemed barely keeping up with repairs, and they were probably relying on makeshift fixes due to unfamiliarity with carpentry work.

"Shall I quickly fix it up?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Leafan-sama. But it's unnecessary..."

"Is there a reason?"

"Yes. Actually, this orphanage is about to be closed down..."

"I see."

It was a common story. While the church was a compassionate organization, orphanages were money sinks. 

It was inevitable to hear such stories. 

They were probably going to expand the graveyard. 

Perhaps that's why there were only four children, all demi-humans.

"Do you have plans for the future?"

"The children do. They're all going to be sent to different orphanages..."

The children, who had been engrossed in their snacks until then, suddenly looked up.

"I don't want to go! I want to stay with Azure-nee!"

"I don't want to be separated from everyone!"

"Me neither!"

The five of them huddled together. While the church didn't discriminate against demi-humans, society was different.

"Hey, Leafan. Can we bring the church and orphanage to a new village?"

"Kyle-sama wouldn't refuse Craft-kun's proposal."

"Hmm... Azure, what if I said I wanted to take you all to the pioneering village?"

"Huh? Does that mean all of us?"

"Yeah."

"Huh!? If we can all be together, then I'll go anywhere!"

"Me too!"

"Everyone... But you see, about the pioneering village..."

Azure seemed to understand the harshness of life in a pioneering village and began to counsel the children.

"Wait a minute. Even though it's called a pioneering village, it's directly managed by Kyle-sama. Do you know about the dragon incident?"

"Yes. Of course. Even though I'm busy with wine production, I visited to see what the children were begging for... Huh? A pioneering village...?"

"That's right. It's under Kyle's direct jurisdiction. I'm there too."

"In an area with such terrifying creatures!?"

"They've long been eradicated. We even got the head. Besides, there are plenty of excellent adventurers staying there, so it's probably as safe as Gandarl now. And I'll protect you."

"Huh?"

I explained the situation to Azure and the children.