35: Ran into my childhood friend by chance. Feels like a flag, doesn’t it?

"I know my contract says I have to settle in the frontier village! But please—just let me go with Kyle! Let me go with Kyle!"

"Alright?"

…….

"Wait, what?"

"Actually, why’d you even think it’d be you staying behind?"

Guild Master peers at me, oddly puzzled.

Huh?

"Look, my contract only says I have to stay in a specific area, right?"

"Yeah... I see. Leifan, explain it."

"Ah, right. Well, technically, I’m supposed to stay long-term in the frontier village. But that name’s tied to the actual village."

"Huh? So that means…"

"Yeah. The village’s name was just a placeholder at first, but it’s been officially changed to Goldendown. So now, I can’t even if I wanted to. I’m stuck going with them."

"Seriously...?"

What was I even worried about, anyway?

"Ha ha ha ha ha! You're still young, Craft!"

"Shut up."

I stuck my lip out and turned away. Kinda acted like Maina, didn't I?

"But really, Craft, you're so fond of Kyle-sama, aren't you?"

"Fond? More like can't leave him alone, that guy."

"True. But ever since his illness cleared up, he's been so much livelier, huh?"

"Means his sickness was serious, that's all."

Persia answered with a wince.

"He was always that lively to begin with. So much more reason to keep an eye on him now."

"Yeah! That's right!"

"Exactly!"

"Whatever. Keep going like that, I'm counting on you! Ha ha ha ha!"

My pointless worry melted away. We left the Production Guild behind.

"Hey, wait—Craft, didn't you say you had something to do?"

"Just got somewhere I need to go. You two can head back."

Leifan and Persia exchanged glances, then sighed deeply.

"Hey, Craft. You got any idea why Persia came all this way?"

"Uh? Protection, right? So you can go back with Leifan."

"Ugh... Craft. You really don't get it, do you?"

"Wha—?"

"Craft... You're important. To the Marquis, to Kyle, to the Production Guild."

"Yeah, I guess I get that, kinda."

"Guessing isn't the same as knowing."

"No, no! I'm an ex-adventurer, okay?! And right now, I'm not someone just any commoner can take down!"

"That's not the point, Craft."

"Wha—?"

Guess I'm way off from how they see things.

No way, I'm not some weakling that gets caught in a crisis like that!

"Four years of being an adventurer—been dancing with death every damn day, you know?"

"Alright, alright. Whatever. Just follow me—where the hell are we—ah."

Huh?

"Wait. You're not thinking of sneaking into some shady shop, are you?"

"Wha—? Craft!?"

"No, no! Not at all! I'm just going to the orphanage!"

"The orphanage?"

"Yeah!"

"Why?"

"Didn't I say? I was raised there! Not here, but same church runs it. Just dropping a few coins, that's all!"

"Oh, that kind of thing."

"Man, you're acting like I'm up to something sneaky."

"Whatever. But don’t say stuff like that—it’s making me blush!"

"Aha-ha! Joke, joke! C'mon, let’s go!"

Leifan and Persia head off ahead.

Why am I the one getting pushed around!?

Makes no sense!

I’m scrambling to catch up, chasing after the two of them, head spinning.

◆

“Hey! There’s an Asian over here!”

“Ew! Gross Asian!”

“Throw stones at him—now!”

It was when we got close to the orphanage, just outside the church, near the cemetery, that we heard the noisy kids’ voices.

Rich-looking kids were throwing stones over the low fence, pelting a child working inside the orphanage grounds.

Familiar scene. Not a pretty one.

“Prismatic Barrier.”

I cast a faintly rainbow-hued barrier along the top of the orphanage’s wall.

Fast to activate. Blocks nearly every type of attack. But it burns through magic fast.

This wasn’t like the “Ten-Thousand-Li Earth Wall” or “Soil Bulwark” that blocked dragon breath—completely different kind of defense magic.

Magic’s all about using the right tool for the right job.

“What the hell is this!?”

“This is magic!”

“Who the hell is doing this!? Quit acting so cool!”

“Ah… over there…”

“Huh?”

I put my hand on my hip, leaning back with a lazy, ‘whatever’ kind of look, and the well-dressed kids scattered with “Waaah!”

I turned to check on the orphans inside the grounds—then blinked. The kids were grinning, eyes sparkling, swarming toward me in a rush.

“Whoa! That’s awesome! What’s this!?”

“A glowing wall?”

“Cool!”

“The guy in the robe over there cast it. Pretty wild, huh?”

“Old man did this!?”

“Don’t call me old! I’m only twenty!”

Huh. Thought they’d be broken. Guess they’re tougher than they look.

Still… too few, though?

Only four of them. All beastkin.

Seemed like they were crushing grapes and bottling the juice.

For an orphan, doing chores handed down by the church was just everyday stuff.

"...Wait. Could it be you, Craft?"

"Huh?"

A fox-eared, fox-tailed beastkin in church robes burst out from the crumbling building, drawn by the noise.

Huh?

That ear detail... I’ve seen that before...

Wait—

"Azure!? You’re Azure!? Seriously!?"

"Yep! Still you, Craft. Looks like you’ve gotten even more grumpy."

"Whatever. You haven’t changed much."

"What’s that supposed to mean!?"

"Uh, no, sorry. Anyway, what’s with the outfit?"

"I’m a novice priest now, since then."

"Seriously!? That’s amazing!"

A beastkin as a novice priest?

The church had long called for the abolition of anti-beastkin prejudice, but this was still... mind-blowing!

"Know each other?"

"Yeah, that's Azul—lived with me back at the orphanage."

"Hello. You're a knight, right?"

"No, just a personal guard. No need to bow. I'm Persia."

"Oh, I'm Leifan."

"Apologies. My greetings were late. I'm Azul Iglesia, in charge of this orphanage. Pleased to meet you."

"Huh. Never thought I'd see Azul here with Gandar. And a novice priest? The world's gone mad."

"Anyway, why are you here, Craft?"

"Oh, just got some extra coin. Came to donate…."

I walk through the orphanage.

Location next to the cemetery. Run-down building. The kids’ clothes are patched together, threadbare.

"Damn. This isn’t some minor fix-it-up situation."

"I'm sorry… Oh! Please, come inside! I’ll get tea right away!"

"Big brother! Do that magic again! Do it again, please!"

The boy, electrified by the magic, clings to me.

Feels kinda nostalgic, this.

I ruffle his hair absently, keeping him distracted, when the other kids seem to notice the two of us.

"...Same age?"

Yeah, looks like it, missy.

"Even so, I'm older than you all, okay? I'm the big sister!"

Another boy spots the two swords Persia carries.

One's the fine blade she had before, the other a masterwork of hard mithril.

Not bad eyes, kid.

"Whoa, those swords are insane! And she's gorgeous!"

"Really? Seriously?"

The difference in how the kids treat Leifan versus Persia.

I use wind magic to spin the kids around in circles, dizzying them, and while they're reeling, I hand off the guide duties to Azur.

"Should we all take a little break?"

"Phew... I'm dizzy..."

"My eyes... but it's fun..."

"The world's spinning!"

Yeah. That's good.

While the kids are distracted by the snacks Azur prepared, we keep talking with Azur.

He tells me, simply, how he became an apprentice priest.

"Huh. That’s impressive."

"N-No, not at all. The parish priest did all the work."

"Back then, you were such a rascal."

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

"Still, I originally planned to donate and leave right away..."

The inside of the building looked like repairs hadn’t caught up—pretty shabby.

Probably just faking it with unfamiliar carpentry.

"Shall I quick-fix it real quick?"

"Lord Leifan. Thank you for the offer. But it’s not necessary..."

"Got a reason for that?"

"Yeah. Actually, this place is scheduled to close down soon..."

"Is that so?"

Yeah. That was the usual story.

The church was a compassionate organization, but orphanages were money sinks. You always ended up hearing that talk.

Probably expanding the graveyard, most likely.

Only four kids left—that probably had something to do with it.

"So, what’s the plan for the future?"

"For the children. But they’re all set to be split up and sent to different orphanages..."

The kids, who’d been glued to their sweets just a second ago, suddenly looked up.

"I don’t wanna go! I wanna stay with Azu-sister!"

"I don’t want to be separated from everyone else!"

"Me neither!"

Five of them huddled tight, clutching each other.

The church didn’t discriminate against non-humans—beasts and others—but the world outside did.

"...Hey, Leifan. Think we could get a church and an orphanage set up in the new village?"

Kyle’s not gonna say no to Craft’s idea, that’s for sure.

Hmm… Hey, Azul. What if I said I wanted to take all of you to the new frontier village?

Huh? You mean everyone?

Yeah.

Huh!? If I can be with everyone, I’ll go anywhere!

Me too!

Everyone… but you see, frontier settlements are tough…

Azul knew that, all right.

He started speaking to the kids like a parent would.

Wait. Even though it’s a frontier village, it’s a new one directly under Kyle… You heard about the dragon incident, right?

Yes. Of course. I went to check it out last night, even though I was swamped with wine-making… Wait. Frontier village…?

That’s right. Kyle’s personal frontier zone. And of course, I’ll be there too.

A place with those terrifying monsters!?

Took care of it ages ago. You saw the head, didn’t you? And with all those top-tier adventurers hanging around, it’s probably safer than even that Gandar fellow. Besides, I’ll be guarding it myself.

“Huh?”

I explained the whole situation to Azur and the kids.

About the change to Professor Javir—so many of you said it felt off.

I’m honestly thrilled!

To think you all locked him down so quickly… my work is done.

And to anyone who felt uneasy about it—truly, I’m sorry.

But there was a reason for the change.

Now, everyone with old-man Javir stuck in your head!

Good news for those who’ve grown fond of the roly-poly Javir!

Our illustrator, 47AgDragon (Shirudora), actually drew a fan art of Professor Javir!

Looks like a book cover-level masterpiece, honestly. w

I really hope you check it out and rewrite the image of Professor Javir in your head.

It’s posted on Twitter, so please take a look there.

Keep supporting us, okay? <(_ _)>