36.2. A New Journey Begins, Start With A Cheerful Conversation, Isn’t It?

And then, several days passed.
I enjoyed the town for the first time, bought materials, went on dates with Persia (just kidding), helped Azul pack, and had busy but fulfilling days.
Kyle seemed to be busy with the procedures for the new settlement, so we only spoke a little at night, but he seemed to be actively engaged.
“Ugh, I’m sleepy.”
“Are you okay, Craft-kun?”
“Yeah, I was just up all night reading Jabil-sensei’s book. I took a nap, so I’ll be fine with a stamina potion.”
“That’s good then.”
After drinking just a sip of the potion, my mind cleared up, but even the stamina potion wouldn’t work if I continued to lack sleep, so I needed to be careful.
The sensei’s book was amazing, and I reread it multiple times.
“Well, it’s finally time to say goodbye to Gandarl.”
“Yeah, the preparations are almost done. All that’s left is for Craft-kun to store the luggage.”
“I see. What about Azul and the others?”
“They’re already waiting in the garden.”
“I see.”
Although I had requested to meet with Viscount Veil Road, I couldn’t due to his busy schedule. In fact, being able to meet directly with one of the parties involved was unusual in itself.
When we stepped outside, the piled-up luggage in wooden crates greeted us.
The children from the orphanage and Azul were huddled together.
“Hey, you made it.”
“Y-Yes. But is it really okay for us to be here?”
“You didn’t actually enter the mansion, and the gatekeeper let you through, right?”
“T-That’s because His Eminence the Cardinal came with us.”
“Oh, so that important monk came too.”
“Craft-kun, watch your words…”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I had lived in the orphanage managed by the church, but I didn’t really understand much about the church organization.
Basically, I only remembered the face of the priest who raised me.
Despite being in the same environment, Azul managed to become a priest quite impressively.
“Well, since it seems the Viscount won’t be coming out, let’s go in without worrying too much.”
“I can’t do that…”
“Big brother… you’re amazing.”
“Even you guys get nervous, huh?”
“Look! Don’t underestimate us! We won’t do anything to embarrass Azu-oneechan!”
“I see. That’s admirable.”
“Hehe, you bet!”
Yeah, if they can show this level of consideration at their age, it’s more than enough.
As I effortlessly stored the wooden crates, the children’s eyes sparkled.
“Amazing!!! Hey, big brother! Can you teach me magic too?”
“Me too!”
“Me too!”
“I guess? It’d be nice if you could learn to read and write and do basic calculations first.”
I didn’t know if they had an aptitude for magic, but if they learned magic from this age, they might be able to use basic spells even if they couldn’t inscribe runes.
“Yay! It’s a promise!”
“Make sure you keep your promise.”
“Yeah!”
“You’re giving a good response, but Ed, you still can’t do multiplication, can you?”
“Ugh…”
Anyway, reading, writing, and calculations are essential for magic. The priest who raised me was very strict and taught me thoroughly. But now, I’m grateful for it.
“Hey, hey! More importantly, onii-chan, you defeated that dragon, right!?”
“I didn’t do it alone. We defeated it with many adventurers and Persia.”
The dragon’s head had finished its public display, and it was now moved to the edge of the garden (of course, I moved it there). Although I say “edge,” it was originally huge, so it just freed up space between the main gate and the mansion, but it still felt oppressive.
Dismantling had apparently started since last night, and dozens of craftsmen were carefully stripping the materials.
“Amazing! If I learn magic, can I defeat a dragon?”
“It’s impossible alone, but if you make many friends, you might be able to.”
“Really! Alright! I’ll become an adventurer! Let’s all become adventurers!”
Ed, the orphans’ leader, passionately spoke to the other orphans. By the way, Kai is a wolf beastman. However, he’s more human-like, except for his fangs and ears. This is the same characteristic for all the orphans, including Azul.
“I don’t want to… I don’t want to fight such a scary dragon… Ugh…”
“Kai is really cowardly!”
“Ed is just reckless.”
“I wouldn’t mind… It seems fun.”
“Wamika…”
It seems like fun, so that’s what matters.
With the preparations finished and while waiting for Kyle, I entertained the children with Persia’s tales of valor.
“So, I chopped off the horn that was interfering with the magic.”
“Amazing! Persia-oneechan is amazing!”
“Ugh… maybe I should aim to be an adventurer too…”
“Sai-chan, Persia-san is a knight.”
“Oh, right.”
Well, technically, she’s in a different organization now. But there’s no need to shatter dreams.
In any case, as long as they grow up well.
As the children moved to observe the dismantling of the dragon’s head, Jitaro quietly approached.
“Craft-san, who is that beautiful priestess!?”
“Hmm? That’s Azul, the priest from the church we invited to the settlement. She’s also going to be the director of the planned orphanage.”
“So, we’re going to live together!?”
“Yeah, please protect them along with the children.”
“Of course! Leave it to me! Azul-san! I’ll escort you all the way to the village!”
With that, Jitaro ran over to Azul.
Yeah, well, do your best.
“We’ve kept you waiting, Craft-oniisama.”
“Yeah.”
(Everyone! Make sure to behave yourselves in front of Kyle-sama!)
(Yes!)
The children suddenly changed their attitude to one like a borrowed cat.
“Then let’s go!”
“””Yeah!!!”””
We merged with the adventurers waiting outside and set off for the settlement.
Of course, everyone made it back in an unreasonable timeframe thanks to stamina potions.
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