The tavern was strewn with bodies.
The only survivor… was Aliban…
The rest had been frozen to death by Mashiro’s magic.
“Ouga, how was it? My magic?”
There’s something wrong with you!
Why is she committed to the bit too? Was this really her first battle?
I was the fool, for hoping that someone as bright and gentle as her would resolve this without killing…?
“More than I imagined… But from next time, think about the aftermath. We can’t leave this many corpses lying around, and the tavern is unusable now. This won’t do.”
“The aftermath… surrounding damage… next time, leave none of it behind either… mm, got it!”
Good. Mashiro is a smart girl.
She’ll work on not leaving corpses next time.
One of my goals was achieved — Mashiro’s strength is now known.
I was thinking of her as a member of my boob-harem, but it’s fine to count her as combat strength too.
“Well done, Lord Ouga.”
Alice, who hadn’t participated in combat this time, brought me a towel.
“That was hardly even exercise.”
“Given Lord Ouga’s abilities, of course. So, Lord Ouga — shall I take his head off?”
“——Wait.”
“Understood.”
The sword swinging down at the fallen Aliban stopped on a dime.
Terrifying! Why are you executing before you ask permission!?
It’s bad enough everyone else is dead — don’t go robbing me of future business opportunities.
“There’s still much I want to ask of him, and much I want him to do.”
“To ask of him?”
“This.”
I picked up the small glass bottle from the floor.
“He called it a [Body-Strengthening Doping Extract]. He lost to me because his base ability was weak, but his strength was definitely amplified.”
Of all of us, I felt its effect the most — having been hit by him.
Alice, understanding, was studying the bottle intently.
“By his manner of speech, it’s safe to assume it’s traded in the underworld. Already out in the world.”
“Going forward, there will be more who try to abuse it. …Or — it may already be in use.”
“Right. He’s a valuable source of information.”
And if we trace the supplier and manufacture site, an enormous business opportunity opens up.
A volatile substance that produces that kind of sudden bodily transformation — almost certainly a failed product from an attempt to make something else.
But it works. With my genius brain, I could refine it into a kind of combat drug for fighting the Demon races and put it to market.
For that gleaming future, I’m absolutely keeping this guy by my side.
I was looking for one more piece that could move freely outside, anyway.
“I have always thought we should give people the chance to reform. That’s what they call — uh, [Salvjudgment], right?”
I really hate saying [Salvjudgment]! Permanent embarrassment unlocked, but I know it’ll satisfy Alice.
See — she’s beaming.
“As expected of Lord Ouga. I’m honored to serve you.”
“Mm, take pride in it your whole life. I’ll be a master worth boasting of.”
“Yes!”
“Wow…! You’re both so cool!”
Moved by the theatrical exchange, Mashiro broke into applause — clap clap, ringing through the wrecked tavern.
Right. There’s no point staying here.
I tied up Aliban so he couldn’t move, and we slipped back to the orphanage.
“Right? Don’t wake anyone. Quietly.”
The two nodded.
The mission to secure the orphanage was complete.
But — one more thing. Before leaving, I never came up with an answer to the question Mio had thrown at me.
So I’d been betting on her being asleep — let me sneak past!
With that prayer in mind, I gently pushed open the front door.
“Welcome back, Lord Veret.”
…She was awake.
I put my hands on my head at the worst-case scenario.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
My time of solitary prayer turned out to be much shorter than I had expected.
I had never doubted their victory, but to return so quickly…
“The orphanage’s threats have been removed. You can be at ease. There are no longer any people who will menace your daily life.”
“I see…”
I let out a long-held breath at Alice’s report.
“All of you — truly, thank you…!”
“Ehehe… kind of embarrassing.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank Lord Ouga, who heard your wish.”
“Yes… Lord Veret.”
When I called, Lord Veret — standing behind the other two — gave a small jolt.
He must have been hiding so as not to make me feel obligated, but no such considerations were needed.
We had truly been saved by him.
“Thank you so much. How can I possibly put my gratitude into words…”
“As I’ve said many times — don’t worry about it. I did it because I wanted to.”
”…If everyone in this world had the kindness Lord Veret has, what a wonderful place it would be.”
…Yes. If a parent had loved me as evenly as Lord Veret… would I not have suffered as I did?
I couldn’t help thinking such thoughts.
“And so, Mio. The matter we spoke of before I left…”
Ah… he’s going to give me the answer.
Whatever form it takes, I will accept it.
It is love bestowed by a man of Lord Veret’s high spirit.
“My answer is—”
“Wait, big bro Ouga!”
”…Eh?”
Just as Lord Veret was about to speak, the children — who should have been asleep — burst into the room.
They surrounded Lord Veret and raised their voices, all at once.
“Big bro! As for payment, we’ll work to pay it!”
“That was the deal, right!?”
“Don’t take money from Mio nee-chan!”
“Keep your promise!”
…What is happening?
I couldn’t follow, and looked at Lord Veret.
“Heh heh heh… nice timing, kids.”
Lord Veret laughed for a moment, then put his arms over the children’s shoulders and turned toward me.
“Aaall right, kids. What was it you came to ask me — before I went to sleep?”
“We said we’d work, so don’t take money from Mio nee-chan!”
“We’ll pay properly, so give us jobs!”
“Work is hard, you know. You really sure?”
“Yes! Because we love Mio nee-chan!”
“Eh…”
A grin lifted on Lord Veret’s lips at the reaction.
“This is the only way we can repay her…!”
“Because we want our nee-chan to be happier!”
“Right, right. So you all want to do your best, for Mio?”
“YES!!”
The children answered with full-blown smiles.
Tears spilled, one after another.
Through the blur, Lord Veret approached.
He patted my head.
“Plenty of love right here. You’re doing just fine.”
“Aah… aah…”
Joy welled up from the bottom of my heart.
Ah… I had been loving the children, properly.
And these children gave me their love back.
I see… this feeling… this is love…
“Mio nee-chan!”
“We’ll work hard!”
“Let’s stay together forever!”
“Yes… yes…! Thank you… I too… always together… with all of you…”
I gathered the children rushing to me into my arms.
Feeling the warmth, the love, in my embrace.
◇ Next time, Ouga’s POV wraps up the arc — I think the orphanage arc will close. ◇