Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“They are doing a good deed, so we must join in as well!”
“I came because my heart compelled me to assist, even if my contributions are modest!”
“Goodness, who could these young gentlemen be?”
A significant number of local residents who usually maintained warm and cordial relations with Nicholas had gathered together.
The well-dressed individual explained that they operated a textile store, while a hooded, middle-aged woman nearby identified herself as a farmer and the mother of seven children.
There were also independent farmers, local dairy farmers, and various other community members present.
“Nicholas does not typically behave in this manner…”
“They mentioned they were deeply moved by the kindness of the young masters.”
“We simply wish to lend a hand, even if our part is small.”
They were genuine working-class people toiling diligently in their respective trades.
Lastly.
“Yes, exactly. My husband wanted to attend because he was thinking of the youngsters, but the smithy is far too busy right now, so I came in his place…”
Leah, the wife of Mudu the blacksmith.
She was present as well.
As Leah spoke, her gaze crossed paths with the two brothers.
To be precise, she glanced briefly at Rikschel before locking eyes directly with Lion.
‘…I certainly did not anticipate running into you here.’
Lion felt a momentary flutter of surprise, yet he offered a subtle nod to conceal his reaction, while Leah wore an expression of sudden realization and quickly looked away.
Fortunately, Leah possessed a remarkably sharp wit.
She must have concluded that he had a deliberate reason for keeping his identity concealed.
Moreover, given the events of the past, she showed no sign of suspecting Lion of malicious intent.
It was a tremendous relief overall.
After all, Rikschel had no desire for his true background to become public knowledge.
Indeed, if the heir of Asteri became embroiled in such matters, it could easily turn into quite a complication.
“Ahem… Anyway! Since you are engaged in such a noble undertaking, I brought along a few provisions.”
As Leah began unpacking various kitchen tools along with everyday necessities like hoes crafted at the forge from her bundle, the other townspeople also started producing the goods they had carried.
Garments stitched from leftover fabrics and sturdy blankets for sleeping.
Several flasks of fresh milk, alongside blocks of cheese and butter.
Then, a local farm laborer stepped forward with a grand flourish…
“I could not manage very much.”
She set down a large, thoroughly cured ham.
“Oh.”
“Such a prized delicacy!”
The faces of everyone present brightened at the sight of the salted meat, which was considered quite a luxury.
“To offer so many provisions… This is wonderful, Brother.”
“Indeed. The people of our territory possess truly generous hearts.”
Because Rikschel and Lion had to leave certain items out of the official donation pool to protect their anonymity, they exchanged pleased whispers with one another.
That was not the end of it.
“My word, everyone has brought such lovely items… I am afraid I do not have much…”
Thump!
As the farmhand lowered the heavy burden she was carrying, the wooden floorboards of the kitchen trembled.
Five bulging sacks filled with plump potatoes!
“Good grief, what on earth is that?”
“Look at the size of those forearms…!”
“That is an absolute blessing…”
While several onlookers murmured in envious astonishment, the farmhand shyly pulled her hood down further over her face.
“I did not bring a great deal. It is simply that I happen to have an abundance of potatoes… Hehe. I am quite strong, so I am glad to be of use.”
The hooded laborer smiled bashfully, mentioning that she used to hunt wild bears during her younger days.
“…I feel remarkably secure.”
Should one call this physical reassurance?
Lion cast a glance around the room.
A far greater crowd had assembled than anticipated.
This should easily ensure that the children would not face starvation for quite some time.
Rikschel’s ambitious scheme appeared to be yielding remarkably positive results.
“…”
Meanwhile, Rikschel stood in a state of mild astonishment.
He had neither hoped nor planned for a turnout of this magnitude.
Rikschel had no prior acquaintance with these individuals whatsoever.
He had merely assumed that establishing a modest rapport with Nicholas would suffice…
Yet somehow, with the spontaneous backing of the local townspeople, this outcome had materialized.
Rikschel gazed over at Lion, who was lightly dusted with flour.
‘All of this stems from Brother’s inner strength.’
It was the natural outcome of pouring genuine sincerity into even the most trivial tasks and striving for excellence.
Suddenly, the current situation reminded him of the legendary heroes from the tales he had heard in his youth.
‘That legendary hero began his journey as a simple, ordinary adventurer as well, did he not?’
Granted, he had not performed any deeds quite as grand as those of a storybook champion.
Even so, these small acts of kindness…
People moved by each of those modest gestures had banded together to form the party that ultimately defeated the demon king, achieving ultimate victory.
At its core, was the underlying principle not identical?
‘Just as I thought…’
He is truly an exceptional person.
Therefore!
‘I must ensure that Brother and the Priest meet face-to-face, no matter what it takes.’
If Brother’s constitution were to improve, he was a man capable of accomplishing monumental tasks.
“Let us be on our way.”
Rikschel hardened his resolve and led the way toward the orphanage.
“No…”
“It is not much, but we brought a small offering.”
“We are perpetually short on both food and garments.”
It was only natural for the director of the orphanage to be utterly astounded.
“Everyone… oh dear!”
This marked the very first occasion they had ever received such an overwhelming influx of assistance from outsiders.
The significance went far beyond the physical goods.
The fact that so many villagers had stepped forward to help carried profound implications.
It meant that a steady stream of supplies might continue in the future, that the children would be spared from hunger, and that they might even be treated to special meals from time to time.
Was that all?
It felt like a glimmer of hope that they would no longer be marginalized simply for belonging to an orphanage affiliated with the ‘temple’.
While reality might prove different, as the director representing a temple-run facility, she had harbored deep anxieties because the future of the children rested on such precarious ground.
Today, however, that heavy burden was lifted.
“Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I am at a loss for how we could ever repay such kindness…”
Just as she moved to direct her specific gratitude toward Nicholas.
“I did not gather these supplies. The credit belongs entirely to these two young gentlemen.”
“Ah.”
It was then that the director’s gaze shifted toward the pair.
Judging by the fine quality of their attire, they appeared to be youths from an affluent household.
One of them clearly had not yet reached adulthood.
As for the other…
‘Is he fully grown?’
He appeared older than his companion, though it was difficult to say for certain.
“How could such noble young masters… I am endlessly grateful.”
“It is nothing out of the ordinary. However.”
Once the director finished conveying her thanks, Rikschel stepped forward to address her.
He explained everything from their initial motivation to make a donation to how he had first learned of the location through Nicholas.
“To my great shame, I was previously unaware that places in such desperate need even existed.”
After he feigned an appropriate degree of embarrassment, the director’s face radiated with warmth.
“No, no. The mere intention to perform a charitable act, followed by the willingness to carry it through, is a truly noble decision. I bow my head in profound appreciation to both of you.”
“Appreciation? We are simply glad that we could be of service.”
“Shall we carry the baggage inside first, then?”
Guided by the farmhand who was a mother of seven, the residents set to work with brisk efficiency.
The previously cramped kitchen now boasted knives and graters for slicing meat, the storage room was stacked high with fresh hoes, sickles, and ingredients, while new blankets and bolts of cloth occupied a quiet corner of the main room.
Naturally, the labor did not stop there.
“Now, let us get to work on some cleaning.”
The townspeople showed no hesitation in performing further good deeds.
They swept away accumulated dust, sorted through bundles of soiled clothing, and neatly arranged the tableware.
“…I am left with no opportunity to ask for assistance. Haha.”
The director stared at them in quiet wonder before offering a gentle smile.
“In that case, would the two of you care to share some bread with the youngsters?”
The director glanced toward the side of the room, where several young children—still appearing somewhat wary of the visitors—were peeking out from behind a partition.
“Please overlook any blunt remarks they might happen to make.”
“Blunt remarks…”
“Some of them are entering their adolescent years, you see… and they tend to harbor countless questions. They harbor no ill intent, however, so I ask for your understanding.”
She added that she would be keeping a watchful eye on the area and would step in immediately should the mood turn sour, before waving them onward.
‘Well, that hardly poses a problem.’
Lion had baked the bread in the first place with these very children in mind, so everything was fine.
No matter how guarded someone might feel, it is difficult to remain hostile toward the person bearing food.
“Very well, Rikschel. Shall we proceed?”
“Yes.”
Lion and Rikschel began handing out pieces of bread to the waiting children.
While some of the youngsters accepted their portions politely with small smiles, others snatched the bread hurriedly and sprinted away.
If one were to characterize the general mood… truthfully, the latter group made up the majority.
‘If the atmosphere remains this frigid, I will never catch the Priest’s attention.’
Rikschel worried anxiously to himself.
It was entirely his own oversight for failing to anticipate the guarded reactions of young children.
To be entirely honest, he had assumed there would be no downside since acquiring even an extra pair of helping hands was fundamentally beneficial.
Yet human dynamics proved far more complex.
‘I understand it logically, but…’
Even though his mind comprehended the situation, his emotions refused to find peace.
‘That is entirely natural.’
After all, Rikschel was still a child himself.
Furthermore, he was someone who had never navigated this sort of social environment before.
Consequently, a bit more explanation was in order.
“Um… allow me to offer an analogy. To those children, we must seem rather like banana sweet potatoes.”
“…Banana sweet potatoes?”
Ah.
It was at that exact moment that Rikschel let out a brief breath, as though the comparison had finally allowed him to process the reality of the situation.
After all, he had been fiercely resistant to eating those same banana sweet potatoes when Lion first offered them only days ago.
Was that all? Had he not even conjured wind magic to blow the banana sweet potatoes away?
“Indeed. It simply requires time for them to adapt and accept.”
When he first laid eyes on banana sweet potatoes, they had appeared as nothing more than dirty roots caked in earth.
Yet once he discovered what lay hidden beneath the surface, had he not understood?
That they were remarkably delicious.
That they were entirely safe.
‘Partaking in those banana sweet potatoes helped mend our awkward relationship with Brother as well.’
Throughout that period, Brother had patiently waited for him.
And he had maintained that patience for quite a considerable duration.
‘It taught me another vital lesson.’
Merely relying on cold logic and impatience does nothing to accelerate the natural flow of things.
Much like Brother, if one remains composed and executes their responsibilities to the best of their ability, matters tend to resolve themselves in due time.
‘That is correct. Calm yourself, Rikschel.’
They would simply wait patiently until those children realized the true flavor of the bread.
“…”
Meanwhile, having subtly calmed Rikschel’s nerves, Lion kept a watchful eye on the children.
There was no need for elaborate secrets.
He simply placed his faith in the quality of the freshly baked bread.
True to Lion’s expectations, a murmuring of astonished voices soon rippled from the far side of the room.
“It is, it is delicious!”
“It has such a soft texture… and a nutty flavor…”
Having tasted the rich food, the children—led by the older ones—approached Lion and Rikschel once more.
“Mister! You must try this. It is wonderful!”
“Um, would it be possible to have just one more piece?”
“Haha, eat your fill, and if you want more, simply let me know. There is plenty of bread to go around.”
“…Thank you very much.”
By the time the vast majority of the children had finished their meals and expressed their contentment.
“There appears to be a single portion of bread remaining.”
“Indeed. It seems someone has yet to claim their share.”
Bread precisely sufficient for one person was left over.
“Ah, I will attend to that matter personally. That particular child is somewhat…”