"Sir Arsto!" Liam calls out to me. Behind him are the children ragged and covered in blood.
I gaze at him in disappointment. "You used the children?"
Liam scratches his head and looks away. "T-They are strong...anyways, you destroyed the Apostle Gem didn't you? The meat monsters stopped regeneration and weakened."
Liam goes up to me and whispers "I advise taking them in. All of them are orphans who are smart and decisive."
"Let's discuss this after we get out."
"Ah right, the Bureau of Virtue caught wind of suspicious activity here. They are coming with a squad to investigate," says Liam.
The Bureau of Virtue works similarly to the police back in my original world. However, they work mainly for Rodgof's governmental image rather than actual justice.
The children lead us to a small passage behind a large iron door. With the Apostle Mana's source gone, the barrier stops working and the iron door unlocks.
"Here, this is your share," Liam says. He holds out his storage ring and transfers several items into mine.
"Huh? Your ring is full? What did you put inside?" He exclaims with his brows up.
I ignore his question and check the contents.
---------------------
Storage Ring(5000/5000)
×1 Blade of Eternity
×1 Weird Rock(?)
×1 Dragon Slayer
×1 Dragon Essence
×1 Demonic Pill
×200,000 gold
---------------------
"Two hundred thousand gold and a demonic pill, where did you get this?" I ask.
"Kest's treasury."
"You had enough time to loot?!"
"The monsters had low intelligence and thus easy to trick," Liam says proudly with a smile.
At the end of the tunnel is a small trapdoor that leads to the outside world. All of us climb out and find ourselves in an abandoned dusty building far from the orphanage.
"So...what do you want to do now? I have many connections so let me help," asks Liam.
...
I look at the children. "What do all of you want to do? You now have freedom and I won't hold you back."
The children glance at each other. Kin steps up and says "If it's not inconvenient, may we follow you? We have nowhere to go..."
"Are you sure? My extravagant goal extends to the horizon. Many trials and tribulations will come your way."
"We owe our lives to you and only ask that you don't restrict our freedom and rights."
I stare at the children. Even without my help, they will soon rebel and escape from the facility but this is a good opportunity.
"Uh...Just asking, what exactly...are your goals?" Liam asks.
...
What am I fighting for? If I simply want survival, I could ingratiate myself with the demon lord.
Through Rena's eyes, I've seen many inexplicable suffering. The good and kind always die while the evil enjoys lavish comfort. In each playthrough, Rena always had a terrible fate. I suppose 'staying' with her for five years made me empathize with her pain.
"Peace," I say.
I realise that my actions were chasing her dreams of peace subconsciously.
Everyone grows silent in surprise.
To achieve peace, dethroning the current corrupted government, disbanding Despair, and exposing The Church of Axis are only the tip of the iceberg and each is considered an incredible feat.
"I want to follow you," Jon says with conviction, breaking the silence.
Kin immediately follows. "Please let me follow you too."
"Me too."
"M-Me too!"
"I had enough. Please let me join you."
Despite their age, their maturity is through the roof. Each of them displays impressive courage.
I smile. "If so, I will be your big brother from now on."
Liam tries to swoop in and get my attention.
...
"What?" I say.
Liam points to himself. "C-Can I-"
"Part of my goal consists of eliminating traitors of humanity."
"I-I never had any loyalty to the demon cult in the first place. Besides, you will need me. After taking down a huge criminal chain, you will need to lay low and leave Libra. I can help all of you take refuge somewhere. Also, I have easy and quick access to information and extensive connections." Liam desperately tries to extend his helpfulness.
...
I sigh and agree on the condition that he reports his daily activities.
---------------------
You have successfully created an organisation.
The Guild Menu is now unlocked. You can view the loyalty and status of anyone in your organisation. More functions will be unlocked as your guild grows.
Name: [Empty]
Level: 1
Member count: 42
List of members:
1. Kin
2. Jon
3. Liam
4. Lily
5. Osphus
6. Mani
[View more]
[Train]
[Guild Quests]
[Command]
---------------------
Liam peeks out of the building and notices a few people dressed in blue coats and black pants. The officers of the Virtue Bureau.
"They are here, we need to leave now," says Liam.
With his understanding of Libra's topography, we sneak past the government's eyes and approach the city's border. Liam contacts a man he knows and prepares a few carriages to smuggle everyone out.
==================================
A barrier engulfs a courtyard. Within the barrier, Rena charges at Marte with her sword up. Alongside her are many floating blades made up of mana.
Her final step creates a dent in the ground as she throws her entire strength into a slash. Her sword exudes extreme golden-yellow energy that explodes upon contact. All of her mana swords shoot along with her attack.
Nonetheless, Marte still stands unfazed as he casually stops her sword with his finger.
Rena clicks her tongue and kicks Marte back as she jumps away.
"Young lady, what's the point of a dazzling sword when it cannot kill?" says Marte. "Concentrate your energy. Focus on killing rather than showing."
Rena gulps and tries Marte's advice. Now, all of her energy forms a thin layer of aura around her sword. A quick leap to Marte's back and she slashes diagonally.
*BOOOM!*
Marte is pushed back across the entire courtyard with his sword drawn. He smiles.
"Impressive, this explosive growth rate of yours is a treasure. You might surpass me soon." Marte says.
After noticing Rena's upright justice, Marte decided to instruct her despite his hectic schedule in hopes of her becoming the beacon of light.
"Rena." a blonde lady with curly hair and azure eyes says outside the courtyard, she is Kate, the woman Samuel saved from the first dungeon.
She smiles at Rena's hard work. "Shouldn't you take a break?"
"But-"
"Lady Kate is right. Resting is also training," says Marte as he sheathes his sword.
...
Rena nods and wipes the sweat off her face with a towel.
"Sir Arsto!" Liam calls out to me. Behind him are the children ragged and covered in blood.
I gaze at him in disappointment. "You used the children?"
Liam scratches his head and looks away. "T-They are strong...anyways, you destroyed the Apostle Gem didn't you? The meat monsters stopped regeneration and weakened."
Liam goes up to me and whispers "I advise taking them in. All of them are orphans who are smart and decisive."
"Let's discuss this after we get out."
"Ah right, the Bureau of Virtue caught wind of suspicious activity here. They are coming with a squad to investigate," says Liam.
The Bureau of Virtue works similarly to the police back in my original world. However, they work mainly for Rodgof's governmental image rather than actual justice.
The children lead us to a small passage behind a large iron door. With the Apostle Mana's source gone, the barrier stops working and the iron door unlocks.
"Here, this is your share," Liam says. He holds out his storage ring and transfers several items into mine.
"Huh? Your ring is full? What did you put inside?" He exclaims with his brows up.
I ignore his question and check the contents.
---------------------
Storage Ring(5000/5000)
×1 Blade of Eternity
×1 Weird Rock(?)
×1 Dragon Slayer
×1 Dragon Essence
×1 Demonic Pill
×200,000 gold
---------------------
"Two hundred thousand gold and a demonic pill, where did you get this?" I ask.
"Kest's treasury."
"You had enough time to loot?!"
"The monsters had low intelligence and thus easy to trick," Liam says proudly with a smile.
At the end of the tunnel is a small trapdoor that leads to the outside world. All of us climb out and find ourselves in an abandoned dusty building far from the orphanage.
"So...what do you want to do now? I have many connections so let me help," asks Liam.
...
I look at the children. "What do all of you want to do? You now have freedom and I won't hold you back."
The children glance at each other. Kin steps up and says "If it's not inconvenient, may we follow you? We have nowhere to go..."
"Are you sure? My extravagant goal extends to the horizon. Many trials and tribulations will come your way."
"We owe our lives to you and only ask that you don't restrict our freedom and rights."
I stare at the children. Even without my help, they will soon rebel and escape from the facility but this is a good opportunity.
"Uh...Just asking, what exactly...are your goals?" Liam asks.
...
What am I fighting for? If I simply want survival, I could ingratiate myself with the demon lord.
Through Rena's eyes, I've seen many inexplicable suffering. The good and kind always die while the evil enjoys lavish comfort. In each playthrough, Rena always had a terrible fate. I suppose 'staying' with her for five years made me empathize with her pain.
"Peace," I say.
I realise that my actions were chasing her dreams of peace subconsciously.
Everyone grows silent in surprise.
To achieve peace, dethroning the current corrupted government, disbanding Despair, and exposing The Church of Axis are only the tip of the iceberg and each is considered an incredible feat.
"I want to follow you," Jon says with conviction, breaking the silence.
Kin immediately follows. "Please let me follow you too."
"Me too."
"M-Me too!"
"I had enough. Please let me join you."
Despite their age, their maturity is through the roof. Each of them displays impressive courage.
I smile. "If so, I will be your big brother from now on."
Liam tries to swoop in and get my attention.
...
"What?" I say.
Liam points to himself. "C-Can I-"
"Part of my goal consists of eliminating traitors of humanity."
"I-I never had any loyalty to the demon cult in the first place. Besides, you will need me. After taking down a huge criminal chain, you will need to lay low and leave Libra. I can help all of you take refuge somewhere. Also, I have easy and quick access to information and extensive connections." Liam desperately tries to extend his helpfulness.
...
I sigh and agree on the condition that he reports his daily activities.
---------------------
You have successfully created an organisation.
The Guild Menu is now unlocked. You can view the loyalty and status of anyone in your organisation. More functions will be unlocked as your guild grows.
Name: [Empty]
Level: 1
Member count: 42
List of members:
1. Kin
2. Jon
3. Liam
4. Lily
5. Osphus
6. Mani
[View more]
[Train]
[Guild Quests]
[Command]
---------------------
Liam peeks out of the building and notices a few people dressed in blue coats and black pants. The officers of the Virtue Bureau.
"They are here, we need to leave now," says Liam.
With his understanding of Libra's topography, we sneak past the government's eyes and approach the city's border. Liam contacts a man he knows and prepares a few carriages to smuggle everyone out.
==================================
A barrier engulfs a courtyard. Within the barrier, Rena charges at Marte with her sword up. Alongside her are many floating blades made up of mana.
Her final step creates a dent in the ground as she throws her entire strength into a slash. Her sword exudes extreme golden-yellow energy that explodes upon contact. All of her mana swords shoot along with her attack.
Nonetheless, Marte still stands unfazed as he casually stops her sword with his finger.
Rena clicks her tongue and kicks Marte back as she jumps away.
"Young lady, what's the point of a dazzling sword when it cannot kill?" says Marte. "Concentrate your energy. Focus on killing rather than showing."
Rena gulps and tries Marte's advice. Now, all of her energy forms a thin layer of aura around her sword. A quick leap to Marte's back and she slashes diagonally.
*BOOOM!*
Marte is pushed back across the entire courtyard with his sword drawn. He smiles.
"Impressive, this explosive growth rate of yours is a treasure. You might surpass me soon." Marte says.
After noticing Rena's upright justice, Marte decided to instruct her despite his hectic schedule in hopes of her becoming the beacon of light.
"Rena." a blonde lady with curly hair and azure eyes says outside the courtyard, she is Kate, the woman Samuel saved from the first dungeon.
She smiles at Rena's hard work. "Shouldn't you take a break?"
"But-"
"Lady Kate is right. Resting is also training," says Marte as he sheathes his sword.
...
Rena nods and wipes the sweat off her face with a towel.
