Chapter 739
‘......Now, how should I answer?’
While Simon was deeply lost in thought, Richard was busy examining his own outfit.
“ Tch, of all days, my clothes look terrible today. If I want attention, should I reveal that I’m a Legion Commander?”
Simon flinched in alarm and quickly replied.
“You can’t reveal your identity! People in this region dislike both the Dark Alliance and the Holy Federation.”
“That’s true.”
Simon began persuading him in a calm tone.
“Instead of thinking you have to do better, how about you loosen up, act more comfortably and honestly, and face people as your true self?”
“What?”
“In my eyes, Yona is a good person. Show yourself as you are.”
At those words, Richard wrinkled his nose sharply.
“What do you know about me to say something like that?”
‘Of course I know.’
Because I’m your son.
The times I spent with you. The days I grew up admiring you. To Simon, that was Richard’s true self.
“So what if you look a little shabby? As the man Yona, show your natural self. Relax your shoulders, speak with ease. That kind of atmosphere makes women feel comfortable too, doesn’t it?”
“......”
“I’m sorry if that was unwelcome interference.”
Richard extinguished his pipe and gave a small laugh.
“You’re actually quite the player, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“You look like a greenhorn, but you sure talk smoothly.”
Richard rose from his seat and began to walk.
* * *
The children woke up, and the volunteer work at the orphanage began in earnest.
Now he understood why the head of orphanage insisted on preparing breakfast before the children woke up.
—Kya hahahahaha!
—Kyarurururuk!
Because it was pure chaos.
The moment the children opened their eyes, they started chattering nonstop and darting everywhere. Curious about the new faces, they peeked and crowded over, babbling, “Who are you, brother?”
‘There are so many.’
Handling the children was an essential skill in this volunteer work. No matter what job you did, you had to keep the kids occupied for a moment to get anything done.
And in the middle of it all, the one having the most fun was Anna.
“Hello, everyone~”
Perhaps the children instantly sensed Anna’s warm heart. They flocked to her, asking endless questions. Anna smiled and answered each one sincerely.
Meanwhile, the least popular was Richard. Standing with arms crossed against a tree, exuding a cold aura, no child dared to approach him.
“......”
Anna frowned slightly at him, then deliberately led the children elsewhere.
Left behind, Richard’s surroundings quickly became quiet. Just as he was about to pull out his pipe again—
Peek, peek—
A young boy approached, full of curiosity.
“Mister, who are you?”
‘Mister, huh.’
Richard sighed inwardly and tucked his pipe away.
“If you knew who I was, you’d be surprised.”
“I want to know!”
“I am a ‘warrior’.”
Pfft—!
The boy snickered behind his hand, and Richard raised a brow.
“The greatest warrior on the continent, in fact.”
“Eh~ Liar.”
“Oh, really?”
Richard let mana flow through his fingertips and swung his hand. A branch above was cut clean and dropped into his grasp. The boy’s eyes widened with a sparkling “Wow~!”
“With one strike, I split the seas.”
Whoooong!
He swung the branch forcefully.
“With my majesty, mountains and rivers bowed low to the earth.”
As he thrust forward, the air cracked with a sharp rip. The trees around them swayed wildly.
“Still don’t believe me?”
“I don’t!”
“You cheeky brat.”
Richard ruffled the boy’s hair roughly, then said,
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll tell you of my adventures in the Southern Kingdoms.”
“Okay!”
Surprisingly, Richard got along well with children.
His unique bluster and exaggerated jokes suited them perfectly. As he began telling adventure tales, more children gathered around, eyes shining.
“That time, I shouted, ‘Make way, the princess of Anibaba Kingdom approaches!’”
He hoisted a little girl onto his shoulders and ran across the yard. Other kids giggled and chased after him.
Before long, the playground was full of laughter.
“Here I come! Human!”
Imitating a monster’s voice, Richard sent the children shrieking with laughter as they ran away. Soon, more than half the orphanage was playing with him.
“......”
Anna, who had come to call the kids for snacks, froze in shock.
That delinquent-looking man was playing wonderfully with the children. His face was covered in scribbles, his hair braided with ribbons by the girls, but he didn’t care. Crawling on all fours, he let out a loud “Kraaagh!” making the kids laugh so hard they nearly toppled over.
“Children, it’s time for lunch now, isn’t it?”
Anna called.
“We want to play more with Richard uncle!”
“Me too!”
The children were reluctant to leave.
At that moment, Richard gave Anna a signal with his eyes, then cleared his throat.
“Far ahead, an island! A new island appears! Our Viking warriors decide to dock and rest for a while!”
“Waaah!”
Thud!
He drove the branch into the ground.
“And what must we do at port, Navigator Oliver?”
“Prepare for the next voyage!”
“Good, and over there, I smell something delicious.”
Tap, tap.
“To secure supplies for the next journey, forward!”
“Yaaahhh!”
The children charged toward the dining hall. Anna smiled softly, watching them dash away in excitement.
“......”
With the children gone, only the two of them remained.
Richard patted his waist and sighed in relief.
“You’re good with children.”
To his surprise, Anna spoke first. Her tone carried far less wariness than before.
“They were the ones who played with me. Normally, I just play like this alone in my room.”
“Pfft.”
Anna covered her mouth, laughing.
Before long, the two fell into casual chatter.
Surprisingly, the conversation flowed easily. Richard spoke smoothly, without cheesy lines, and Anna laughed and clapped as she joined in.
“I’m Ayla. May I ask your name?”
So only now she asked.
As Richard prepared to answer, he suddenly froze.
Ever since leaving his family, he had lived under the alias ‘Yona’. That name had become his real identity, one of the most infamous in the world, the very symbol of the Dark Alliance.
But here, he couldn’t use it.
“My name is......”
Anna tilted her head.
“Is something wrong?”
How could he waste such precious attention? Dragging it out over a name would do no good. In the end, he let the word slip from his lips.
“My name is Richard.”
He startled himself the moment he said it.
For the first time since leaving his abusive family, he had spoken his real name.
It was the cruel name given by his father, a name he thought he would never use again.
And yet—
“Oh my.”
Anna smiled brightly, like a flower blooming in full.
“That’s a wonderful name, Richard.”
“......”
His heart raced.
For the first time in his life.
Richard found that he liked the sound of his name.
* * *
Simon and Lete finished serving food to the children and stepped outside.
“Hah, that was exhausting.”
Simon trudged out of the building, muttering under his breath. He had been so busy that he hadn’t been able to pay any attention to Richard and Anna.
“But what about those two?”
“Shh!”
Lete pressed a finger to her lips, then grabbed Simon by the collar and dragged him to the wall. She peeked her head out just enough to look at Richard and Anna.
The two were sitting side by side on a bench, chatting warmly.
Richard’s face was flushed red, and Anna was smiling with unmistakable fondness.
“Yes! Yes! We did itttt!”
Overcome with excitement, Lete let out a muffled squeal and shook Simon’s body wildly.
“We did it!”
“Th-they really grew close? Just like that?”
“Why not, they’re practically destined future spouses, aren’t they?”
Lete cupped her cheeks and smiled slyly.
“Hmph, I hate to admit it, but seeing them like this, they do look good together.”
They looked like a perfect pair of a fine man and woman.
Richard must have cracked a joke, because Anna covered her mouth with her hand, laughing gracefully. The closeness between them was undeniable.
‘It’s done.’
Simon let out a sigh of relief.
‘History is slowly being corrected.’
Lete giggled, patting Simon’s shoulder.
“Lucky you don’t have to worry about being unborn, huh?”
“Be quiet.”
* * *
Richard and Anna stayed together throughout the volunteer work.
While tending to the orphans, they never stopped talking. Richard shared tales of his adventures across the continent, and Anna, who had never traveled and had always been confined to the church, listened with excitement and admiration.
She longed for Richard’s freedom, for the way he lived doing as he pleased.
Time passed, and before long the day drew to a close. The children, worn out from running around, returned one by one to the shelter. Now came the time for parting.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Yes, I had a wonderful time.”
“Good.”
They bowed lightly to one another and turned away.
But then Anna stopped and turned back.
“Richard.”
“Ah, yes.”
Blushing faintly, Anna drew her toes together before speaking.
“Will you be coming to next week’s volunteer work as well?”
Richard blinked in surprise, then slowly, a smile of joy spread across his face.
“Without fail.”
“No need to say ‘without fail’.”
They both smiled.
Then Richard strode forward and placed something in her hands.
“What is this?”
“You said you’ve never seen the sea before.”
It was a small seashell. She let out a soft gasp.
“It’s beautiful.”
“One day, I’ll take you there myself.”
Clutching his hands tightly, Anna replied with a trembling, emotional voice.
“Yes!”
And so, after a single day of volunteer work, the two returned with Simon and Lete to their respective sides.
“Miss Anna! How was it?”
Inside the carriage, Lete asked slyly. Anna placed a hand over her chest and leaned against the backrest.
“I was happy! So fulfilled! Seeing the children laugh brightly despite their hardships made my heart soar. I’m glad I came, just like Rena suggested.”
“Hmm—”
Lete narrowed her eyes, leaning in closer.
“Come to think of it, you were glued to someone all day~”
Anna flinched, her cheeks immediately flushing pink. Lete caught it instantly.
‘Ughh, so cute!’
Lete stomped her feet silently in excitement, then gave a knowing smile.
“Who was that man?”
“Ah. His name is Richard. He’s a wandering adventurer on the continent....”
Surprisingly, quiet Anna began chattering about Richard’s adventures. Lete listened, smiling, while glancing at Anna’s hand.
Anna was holding Richard’s seashell as if it were a precious jewel.
* * *
“You seemed to enjoy yourself.”
On the way back on horseback, Simon spoke with a grin.
“...Shut up.”
“Hahaha.”
Richard rode on with a blank face for a moment, then spoke as he looked ahead.
“Still, your advice helped. Thank you.”
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
Of course, Simon had expected that. As Richard’s son, he knew exactly what traits of his father Anna would like.
“Well, it seems things are progressing nicely there.”
Richard glanced at Simon and smirked.
“That woman who came with Ayla, wasn’t she your responsibility? How’s that going?”
Simon’s face turned red.
“Wh-what are you talking about all of a sudden!”
“Seems you shouldn’t be the one giving advice.”
Richard tapped Simon’s chest with his fist.
“You’ve got a look not too different from mine. Once you sharpen your sense a little, you’ll have no trouble charming women.”
“I-it’s not like that at all!”
No matter what Simon said, Richard laughed heartily, slinging an arm around his neck.
“You’re coming with me again next week, got it? Hahahaha!”
* * *
“Their location?”
—We have not yet found it.
The mansion was shrouded in pitch-black darkness, as if ink had been spilled over it. A man seated on a sofa placed the communication crystal on the desk.
Rustle—
Slowly, he removed the glove from his right hand.
Once bare, his hand looked as though it might vanish at any moment, fading into nothingness.
“......”
He pulled the glove back on and rose from his seat.
Step, step.
The man walked over and studied the map pinned to the wall.
Where the name Bahila Fiefdom should have been, it instead read ‘Neutral Zone’. Countless markings were scrawled across it.
Regions marked with an X. Others checked off and labeled ‘resolved’.
“......Surely, Neftis must have sent people as well.”
In the darkness, the man’s expression twisted.
“Use any means necessary. Find them.”
No comments yet. Be the first to leave a review!