With just a few words, a spontaneous arrangement was made to spend one night at the orphanage.
Yareli found this unplanned itinerary both perplexing and somewhat enjoyable.
Having always adhered to structured and meticulously planned routines, she found this change of pace to be quite refreshing. It reminded her of the stories she had heard about Oliver's past.
"Ah… Can I stay the night here?"
It appeared that Oliver had remembered a bit late and was seeking Yareli's approval.
"I think it would be fine."
"Ah, thank you."
As Yareli consented, Oliver expressed his gratitude and promptly rolled up his sleeves, ready to assist Director Amelin with the roof repairs, leaving Yareli alone.
Feeling a bit bewildered once more, Yareli observed the orphanage's children and staff who were now gazing at her. In Galrosian, she inquired, "……Is there anything I can help with?"
Shortly after lunch, Oliver, who had originally visited Ark Orphanage for a brief visit, found himself staying overnight and lending a hand with various tasks around the facility.
He collaborated with Director Amelin on fixing the roof, constructed a new fence, patched up a hole in the wall, and even replaced some creaky floorboards.
Although these tasks demanded significant physical effort, Oliver quickly adapted and skillfully completed them.
He was somewhat fatigued but didn't mind it too much. Physical labor, while exhausting if done daily, could be refreshing and clear one's mind from time to time.
"So I think I had an okay day today. How about you, Miss Yareli?"
Seated at the same table as Yareli in the first-floor dining area of the Ark Orphanage, Oliver inquired. She appeared somewhat tired but generally okay.
"It was fine. There were just some absurd moments."
"Absurd moments?"
"My companion suddenly left me and went off to repair the roof alone."
"Ah… Do you have more companions besides me?"
Yareli slightly raised her thick glasses and rubbed her eyes as if genuinely fatigued. In that moment, her ice-blue eyes were fully visible.
"Joli!"
A lively five-year-old girl approached Yareli and enthusiastically exclaimed. Like the other children, she was quite fond of Yareli.
"What did she say?"
"She said… my eyes are beautiful."
Yareli blushed, seemingly unaccustomed to such genuine praise.
"That's true. Your eyes are beautiful," Oliver replied, as he had been taught by the employees of Angels House, irrespective of whether she was objectively beautiful or not.
Oliver recalled a conversation he had once had. He had endeavored to follow the teachings of the Angels House employees, who had invested so much effort in his education. But now, it seemed like a mistake.
Upon hearing Oliver's words, Yareli's expression hardened, and her emotions appeared conflicted. After a brief pause, she finally spoke, "Did you learn that somewhere too? Constantly saying ‘beautiful'?"
"Oh, how did you know? I was taught to always compliment women as beautiful, regardless of whether they actually are or not," Oliver responded without hesitation. Yareli seemed to possess a keen insight; she was indeed a gifted wizard.
"……"
"……Am I making a mistake? You look contemptuous," Oliver asked, observing Yareli, whose eyes conveyed disdain. Even without the eyes of a warlock, he could sense it. The children around them sensed the tension and discreetly moved away.
"Should I ask again what went wrong?"
As Oliver contemplated this, the sound of a cart being wheeled in reached their ears. From the kitchen, a large pot of soup, a basket filled with bread, and a cart laden with dishes and utensils had arrived.
The children, who had been eagerly awaiting the meal, rose from their seats upon catching the aroma of the food. They formed a line, collected dishes, spoons, a slice of bread, and soup, and returned to their seats.
"The food is good here," Oliver remarked. Yareli momentarily set aside her disdain and asked,
"Is it?"
"Yes, the soup is rich and they give bread," Oliver said, reminiscing about the thin potato soup he had consumed in the orphanage and mine.
Since being taken in by Joseph, the quality of the food had improved significantly, but Oliver couldn't forget the taste from before. He had spent more time eating watery soup than enjoying good food.
"I'm sorry for being late," the director said as she emerged with trays of bread and soup for Oliver, Yareli, and herself while they observed the children receiving their meals. She adeptly distributed the food to Oliver and Yareli and took a seat across from them.
Shortly after, a black-haired girl who appeared to be an employee approached.
"Director, the food has been distributed."
The director nodded and then summoned the children to say grace in Galrosian.
As soon as the director's words fell, everyone joined hands and closed their eyes; the director and Yareli did the same. Oliver followed suit, clasping his hands and closing his eyes.
A moment later, the meal prayer commenced in both Galrosian and the kingdom's language.
"Our Father in Heaven, thank you for giving us our daily bread today. Bless us with abundance as we eat the food you have provided, and bless everyone who has worked hard to prepare this meal. May those who have not received your grace escape from their suffering. We thank you in your name. Mallelujah."
Yareli fluently recited the grace, with Oliver following suit a half-beat later.
As soon as the prayer in two languages concluded, everyone began to eat.
Oliver sampled the soup first with his spoon. It not only looked appetizing but was also bursting with flavor and nutrients.
"Is the meal to your liking?"the director inquired as Oliver tore off pieces of bread and Yareli savored her soup slowly.
"Yes, it's delicious, Director."
"I find it delicious too."
"I'm relieved. I felt sorry that the food might not be up to par, considering all you've both been through."
Yareli shook her head, and Oliver also expressed his contentment.
In truth, Oliver was more than satisfied with the meal.
"It wasn’t hard entertaining the kids. It was rather good… I've had some headaches lately, and it made me forget about them for a while," Yareli sincerely shared.
"Thank you. The kids are excited today because it's their first time meeting someone from across the sea."
"I just answered their questions, that's all."
Indeed, while Oliver was busy with roof repairs, Yareli had engaged the children, responding to inquiries about her place of origin, the reason for her visit, what Landa was like, and so on. She had only withheld the fact that they had come because of Joanna, captivating the children who had grown up in an area with only a small town and fields.
"Landa indeed has its charm to draw people in."
"Enjoying that charm is another story."
"And thank you for helping with the repairs," the director said to Oliver.
"I was worried with so many places that needed fixing, but thanks to you, we finished a week’s work in just half a day."
"I'm glad I could help… Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Do you usually repair the broken places yourself?"
Oliver recalled the orphanage where he had lived and inquired, "Usually, when the roof leaked, wouldn't they either hire a laborer by deducting a bit from the children's living expenses or have the kids catch the water with buckets."
"I usually handle minor repairs myself. Hiring someone costs money."
"Don't you get any subsidies?" Yareli interjected, also displaying interest in the orphanage.
"The government has reduced the subsidies. Also, new regulations limit support to up to twenty children."
Yareli surveyed the dining table where the children were seated, and it became apparent that there were at least three times more children than the official limit allowed. In other words, they were caring for over three times the number of children for which they received funding.
While Yareli was taken aback by this revelation, Oliver remained composed, as he had already been informed of this situation by Carver.
The director spoke again, "But don't fret too much. We also receive funds from the Parter Church, and we have an anonymous donor who regularly contributes."
"Anonymous donations?"
"Yes, they regularly send money along with letters."
"That's a very generous person."
Oliver silently tore off a piece of bread and savored it.
"Yes… They're very generous. Especially in difficult times."
"Difficult times?"
"Ah… It's nothing. By the way, may I ask your names? It's been so long since we had visitors, I forgot to ask."
"Ah… I am Yareli Issai, from the Skadi School of Magic Tower. I apologize for not revealing my name earlier."
"I'm Zenon Bright, an employee at Magical Tower. I too apologize for not mentioning my name sooner."
"No, it's a pleasure to have kind visitors, especially from Landa."
There appeared to be a hidden meaning behind her words, and the guess wasn't wrong.
"May I ask why you're learning the Kingdom's language?"
"To write letters to the Paladins of Pater Church in Landa."
"Letters?"
"Yes, I have something to inquire."
"What is it?"
"I am curious about Joanna's well-being. She became a Paladin and left for England. She used to send letters once a week or once a month, but suddenly she stopped. Do you know anything?"
It was confirmed that the director was unaware of Joanna's demotion.
Yareli glanced at Oliver, bewildered. After a moment's consideration, Oliver spoke up.
"I'm not sure. As mentioned earlier, Magic Tower and the Paladins don't have much interaction. We've been busy lately."
Oliver lied without hesitation.
"Ah, is that so?"
"Yes… I'll find out when we get to Landa."
Upon hearing Oliver's response, Director Amelin nodded with a gentle expression.
"That would be enough. Thank you."
***
After the conversation with the director, Oliver, Yareli, and the director continued their meal in silence.
Once the meal concluded, the children gathered around Yareli, bombarding her with various questions about Landa. They inquired about the number of cars on the roads, the abundance of airships in the skies, whether ice cream was freely available, and more.
Yareli patiently answered each question, a stark contrast to her typically haughty and reserved demeanor at the Magic Tower.
‘I don't feel a great sense of incongruity.' Oliver contemplated as he observed her from a distance. Perhaps this was Yareli's genuine self. It was not definite, but people do adapt to their environments.
Amidst the curiosity and chatter, a seven-year-old boy approached Oliver and tugged at his pants, indicating that he had something to say. Oliver asked Yareli to interpret, and the boy inquired,
"Did you also come from Landa? What brought you here?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Sister said she came from Landa. Did you, by any chance, come from Landa?"
"Yes, I came from Landa."
"Do you, by any chance, know my sister? She's really amazing. Her name is Joanna."
The boy asked with a bright smile, and the other children eagerly gazed at Oliver, their eyes filled with hope that he might know their sister.
As Oliver recalled Joanna, he slowly began to speak. Joanna had always been preoccupied with her younger siblings, which led her to ignore the other children.
"I…."
***
"Can't you sleep?"
It was well past bedtime, in the middle of the night.
Amelin, the director, appeared behind Oliver, who had stepped outside the orphanage to gaze at the dark sky shrouding the village in silence.
Without turning around, Oliver replied.
"Yes… Strangely, I can't fall asleep. Normally, I sleep well at a set time."
"It's possible you can't sleep well because you're in a new place. Or it might be because something's bothering you."
"I see… Director, are you also unable to sleep because something is bothering you?"
"As you age, you naturally sleep less. But yes, something is bothering me."
"What is it?"
"There are various things, but what I'm most curious about is whether Joanna is in Landa."
The director broached the topic that had been left unfinished during dinner. She had sensed the falsehood all along.
"How did you know?"
"As you age, you naturally learn whether someone is lying or telling the truth… It's not always correct, but sometimes it is."
She didn't seem to be boasting, given her emotional state. She exuded a different aura but shared a similar dignity with Forrest, Kent, and Merlin.
Oliver wondered if this was a common occurrence as people grew older.
"So why didn't you ask earlier?"
"Because the children were present. Joanna is a hero to those children."
"Ah, I think I understand."
The reason Oliver had evaded the child's earlier question was precisely this. Mentioning Joanna's name had stirred bright affection and reverence in the children's hearts.
"Also, it looked like you were reluctant to talk about it. I didn't want to make our guest uncomfortable."
"So you're saying that's not the case now?"
"In my old eyes, yes. Or do you have another reason for being out here in the middle of the night?"
"Oh… That's persuasive. I was feeling restless and couldn't sleep, and it might indeed be because of that."
"If it's alright with you, can you tell me what happened to Joanna?"
The director made a request. Oliver fell into deep thought.
"Um… I don't know the details, but may I propose a deal?"
Oliver unexpectedly suggested a deal, surprising the director. However, she remained composed and responded calmly.
"What is it?"
"The truth is, I came here because of Miss Joanna, but I don't know the specific reason. I feel like I need to resolve that to feel at ease… Can you help me with that? In return, I'll tell you everything I know."
Oliver had laid bare all the hidden facts. It could have caused a commotion.
But he wanted it this way.
Fortunately, the director neither panicked nor became fearful.
"I don't know how much I can help, but I certainly can try. By any chance, did you not come from the Magic Tower?"
"No, I did come from the magic tower, but I have another identity."
"What is it?"
"I am a Warlock."
