Prologue 5: Returning to the orphanage? (1/2)

Visiting after an interval of 2 years, the orphanage hadn’t changed and welcomed the three warmly.

Apparently the number of newcomers had increased a bit as well, but many are friends with whom they shared food from the same iron pot before. That didn’t mean that they were necessarily on good terms with all of them, however, as it has become a reunion after a long time, there is no one bringing back the  animosity from the old days. Everyone joyfully approached the three and began to ask them questions about this and that.

For the orphans, who have practically no chance to step outside the orphanage, the stories of Kamui’s group, who is living in a remote territory, were something that completely draws their curiosity, similar to tales of adventure.

Kamui wanted to slowly renew the old friends.h.i.+ps with each of them, but unfortunately, there’s no way he can do that. Telling everyone that he hasn’t met the bishop yet, he left the place leaving Lutz and Alto behind.

Advancing without getting lost in the corridors of the orphanage, which he remembered from before, he finds himself in front of the bishop’s room.

“Oh my, aren’t you Kamui?”

An a.s.sociate priest, who waited besides the door, called out to him. Since before she is a person who helps the bishop in a role similar to that of a secretary.

“h.e.l.lo, it’s been a while. Is bishop-sama in?” (Kamui)

“Please, come in. Just wait a moment.”

Saying that, the a.s.sociate priest leaves the waiting seat and enters the room. Returning before long, she invited Kamui in.

When Kamui entered the room, the bishop was sitting in his chair showing a displeased expression, which hasn’t changed from the past.

“It’s been a while, bishop-sama.” (Kamui)

“You returned, eh? I have received the message from Viscount Kreutz-sama. I hear you will attend the academy? Together with Lutz and Alto?” (Bishop)

“Yes. Today the entrance ceremony finished.” (Kamui)

“Uh huh. So, what’s your business?” (Bishop)

Despite it being a reunion after quite some time, the bishop does the greetings in a hurry and inquires about his purpose.

“This quickly? It’s been 2 years, you know?” (Kamui)

“My duty is to look after the orphans. I don’t have this much spare time to take people, who already graduated from here, into consideration.” (Bishop)

“The same as usual, eh? I have 2 matters to discuss. First, I brought something I was told to deliver to you by my parents, Bishop.” (Kamui)

“Something to deliver?” (Bishop)

“Yes. It’s this.” (Kamui)

Kamui suddenly thrust his hand into his pocket, took out a single coin from there and placed it on top of the bishop’s desk. It’s a gleaming honey-colored gold coin.

“This is?” (Bishop)

“It’s a donation to the orphanage. If I take out a leather bag and then put it down with a thud, it will be a bit more fitting. But, I don’t have that leeway.” (Kamui)

“Even a single gold coin is a large amount of money. I will express my feelings of grat.i.tude to your honorable parents in a letter.” (Bishop)

“By the way, since there’s no point in having G.o.d remember the name this late in the game, book-keeping is unnecessary.” (Kamui)

“… You have my grat.i.tude for your consideration.” (Bishop)

It has been decided that donations have the donors name and the amount of money entered into an account book. Officially it is for the sake of G.o.d becoming aware of the depth of the donor’s belief, but in reality that’s not it.

It’s simply for the purpose of allowing the church to control how much donations have been collected. Examining that account book, the church decides the sum of donations to be delivered by the orphanage. As result of the church having no means to grasp donations, which haven’t been recorded in the account book, those donations will become money freely usable by the orphanage.

“And, one more thing.” (Kamui)

“I wonder what it might be?” (Bishop)

“Is it fine for us to stay here?” (Kamui)

Kamui suddenly make a request in a familiar tone. It’s a way of telling that his role as his parents’ messenger has finished.

“What was that?” (Bishop)

“No, my family doesn’t possess something like a mansion in the imperial capital. If it’s the fees at an inn, that’s nothing to sneeze at, I guess? As I told you just before, we don’t have leeway with money. We have to economize.” (Kamui)

“This place isn’t an inn!” (Bishop)

Kamui’s explanation only angered the bishop.

“No, I’m well aware of that. I lived here after all.” (Kamui)

“Then, even if I don’t approve, you will understand, right?” (Bishop)

“Isn’t it somehow possible? Once we find a way to earn money, we will leave. So, just until then.” (Kamui)

“… It’s impossible.” (Bishop)

The bishop pondered about it a bit, but the answer, that came out of his mouth, was a refusal after all.

“You are as stubborn as usual.” (Kamui)

“That’s not the problem here. You have to consider your own situation a bit more. You aren’t an orphan anymore. You are a person of the Viscount Kreutz household. And, although this place is called an orphanage, it doesn’t change the fact that this place is part of the church. Won’t the Viscount Kreutz household’s situation deteriorate, if it’s deemed that the church has been accommodating a specific n.o.ble?” (Bishop)

The empire itself doesn’t consider it desirable for the church and a specific n.o.ble to have a connection. If a n.o.ble gets stronger with the backing of the church’s authority, it will weaken the power of the imperial family by that amount. It is very unlikely for them to stay silent about that.

“… I see. As expected of an old man’s wisdom. My thinking didn't come around that far. The accommodation towards a n.o.ble by the church, huh…? Ah, then how about the opposite?” (Kamui)

“Opposite, you say?” (Bishop)

“Is it fine, if it takes the shape of the n.o.ble’s side cooperating with the church? How about us three working as live-in’s in the orphanage to teach the orphans? Isn’t it natural for us, who originally were orphans ourselves, to return the favor?” (Kamui)

“… That’s quite the crafty sort of thing to work with.” (Bishop)

Following up on Kamui’s words, the bishop showed an att.i.tude of revising his thinking. Before long he raised his face and formed words making it difficult to understand whether he was praising or blaming him.

“That means that there’s no problem?” (Kamui)

“Yea. If it’s like that, it will probably be alright.” (Bishop)

“O, hooray.” (Kamui)

“But!” (Bishop)

“What’s up?” (Kamui)

“It’s only teaching related to study. I won’t approve anything besides that.” (Bishop)

The bishop prohibited them to teach swordsmans.h.i.+p and magic. That was prohibited since the time when Kamui was at the orphanage, but the bishop reminded him of that once again.

“Why?” (Kamui)

“There will be those who will misunderstand while holding half-baked powers. That will only invite disastrous consequences. Everyone is everyone, it’s not like they are geniuses. Not to mention, you won’t be able to continue teaching them always either. You guys will sooner or later return to your territory, right?” (Bishop)

He wants the orphans to walk the path of a peaceful life. This is the bishop’s hope.

“That’s true as well… Got it. The basis will be characters and arithmetic. The intelligent ones will be taught beyond that.” (Kamui)

At the time of being at the orphanage Kamui didn’t comprehend the bishop’s view, but he has reached the point that he understands it a bit as well. It’s thanks to him knowing the pain of being burdened with something.

“Yes, please do so. However, are you guys able to teach?” (Bishop)

“I was able to study.” (Kamui)

“I’m aware of that. But, the other two aren’t very different from the orphans, right?” (Bishop)

“No, they have been cramming quite intensely. They are completely different from the time when they were here. Especially Alto, when it comes to craftiness, he is even one or two steps ahead of me.” (Kamui)

It’s a very modest evaluation, but at that time the bishop hadn’t realized it.

“Although I don’t remember telling you to teach them craftiness… Well, I see. Even those two.” (Bishop)

Even while frowning the bishop appears to be somewhat happy. ‘If it was the previous me, I wouldn’t be able to notice it, this side of the bishop’s heart’, the current Kamui found out.

“How are the other two, Ignaz and Maria, doing?” (Bishop)

‘Did his att.i.tude soften during the talks?’ At last the bishop was frankly asking about personal matters worrying him.

“They are in the middle of special training in the territory. Since those two’s strong point is magic, their training is especially harsh. We didn’t bring them along because the magic learnt at the academy will likely be unsatisfactory for them.” (Kamui)

“To that extent?” (Bishop)

The bishop has been surprised by Kamui’s explanation. The academy is the most prominent school in the empire. If one is able to say that such a place will be unsatisfactory, the bishop can’t begin to imagine their level anymore either.

“It’s because their teacher is that great.” (Kamui)

“The wife of Viscount Kreutz is holding onto ability of such a degree?” (Bishop)

“No, magic is mother’s speciality too, but the teacher is someone else.” (Kamui)

“Oh?” (Bishop)

The bishop, who listened to Kamui’s words, is showing a rare smile on his usually surly face.

“… What is it?” (Kamui)

Kamui, who saw something like the bishop smiling for the first time, asked with a timid feeling, and finding the reason of his smile eerie in some way.

“Mother. You have reached the point to call her like that, eh?” (Bishop)

“Ah… be quiet! Mother is mother, right?” (Kamui)

“But, I’m well aware that adopted children often don’t reach the point of being able to call their adoptive parents like that. You calling her like that, without hesitation and in front of others, means that your relations.h.i.+p has turned out well, no?” (Bishop)

Especially at around Kamui’s age it’s difficult for the children to lower their reserve, since their ego hasn’t completely formed yet.

“I guess so. Both of them are good parents.” (Kamui)

“I see, I see.” (Bishop)

“It makes you this happy?” (Kamui)

“My wish is for all orphans, who leave this place, to have a happy family. If I consider that you were blessed with that one way or the other, I’m unable to suppress my joy.” (Bishop)

‘He is truly happy, I guess.’ It’s rare for the bishop to show his true feelings.

“If you convey those words to the orphans as well, they will probably follow you even more.” (Kamui)

“What’s the point in them following me? They should follow their new families or those possessing families. My role is to have the orphans hold onto emotions enabling them to endure the severity of the society and to not succ.u.mb to it. For that reason, the way of living with me was distant, strict and harsh. It can’t be helped if it appears to be like that.” (Bishop)

“…” (Kamui)

Kamui ended up staying silent with his eyes wide open due to the bishop’s words.

“What happened?” (Bishop)

“… No, I resisted the urge to burst into tears. You are really an awkward person.” (Kamui)

He is saying that as a joke, however it was true that Kamui withheld his tears. Currently, in his surroundings, which he believed to be besieged by the malice of society, there are many people he is able to respect. Kamui was able to actually feel this fact once more.

“It’s none of your business.” (Bishop)

“Well then, my business here is finished. Should I return to everyone, I wonder?” (Kamui)

“Is that so? There’s a single request from me as well, but is it alright?” (Bishop)

“How unusual, what’s up?” (Kamui)

“Could you talk with Dierk?” (Bishop)

As orphan, who was also there at the time when Kamui was one, Dierk is a comrade, who was able to declare his friends.h.i.+p in the same way as Lutz and Ignaz.

“Did something happen?” (Kamui)

Kamui believed there to be quite the circ.u.mstance for him to be asked to talk with that Dierk.

“It looks like he has been a.s.sociating with the wrong bunch. I’m worried whether he is being dragged onto the wrong path.” (Bishop)

“That Dierk is? As far as I know he is a prudent person though?” (Kamui)

Something like an orphan heading down a wrong path isn’t unusual. But Dierk wasn’t that kind of type.

“That’s why I’m worried. Actually I have discovered that he is entering the slums.” (Bishop)

“… Only talking is fine, right? I think that he most likely has some reason. If that reason is something understandable, I won’t be able to stop Dierk’s activities.” (Kamui)

Kamui doesn’t believe that he went off the right path. Dierk had such a reliable character that Kamui was able to believe in that.

“Are you able to stop him, in case it’s some irresponsible reason?” (Bishop)

“Yes, I will do what I can.” (Kamui)

“That’s fine then.” (Bishop)

“Has that Dierk properly come back?” (Kamui)

“Yes, he leaves many times, but he regularly comes back before it gets too late.” (Bishop)

At the moment he heard this, Kamui understood that he won’t be able to stop Dierk. ‘After all that means that he isn’t attempting to lead a life of depravity. There has to be some special circ.u.mstances.’

Still, now that he promised it, he should at least talk with him. Thinking like that, he didn’t voice out the things he thought about, for now.

“… Got it. Once he returns, I will try talking to him.” (Kamui)

“Of course, I leave it to you.” (Bishop)

Kamui had decided to speak with Dierk immediately on that day, but unlike what the bishop had said, Dierk didn’t come back for quite some time.

When Dierk returned, it was deep in the night, at a time when the orphans had already fallen asleep.

“You are late.” (Kamui)

“Kamui!?” (Dierk)

Dierk has been surprised by the fact of Kamui, who shouldn’t be there, suddenly appearing in front of his eyes. He is blinking his light brown eyes peeking through his grown bangs. His childish face and small build haven’t changed from before. “You haven’t grown taller” isn’t something Kamui can say about a person either though.

“It’s well past curfew. You will go out without food for today and tomorrow.” (Kamui)

“Yeah, I know. Rather than that, why are you here Kamui?” (Dierk)

“It has been decided that I will attend the Imperial Academy from spring onwards. I’m allowed to stay here for a while.” (Kamui)

“I see. … You seem to be in good health.” (Dierk)

“Yes, everyone including me is doing fine. Compared to that, you aren’t fine no matter how you look at it, are you?” (Kamui)

“… That’s right.” (Dierk)

Dierk’s expression has a gloomy shadow to the extent that Kamui might have realized it even without listening to the bishop’s talk.

Observing that face, Kamui hesitated slightly, however he decided to get to the core of it as there was no way he could ignore it, all the more if it’s a big problem.

“Did something happen?” (Kamui)

“Well.” (Dierk)

“Try telling me. I might be able to help you a bit.” (Kamui)

“That’s impossible. You won’t be able to do anything anymore.” (Dierk)

“Even so, there might be something if you tell me, right? Even if there’s nothing, rather than carrying all of it by yourself, it might ease your feelings a bit.” (Kamui)

Eventually, once Dierk pondered about it for a little while, he decided to explain the situation. As Kamui said, it was too painful to endure it by oneself.

“… I didn’t choose to go together with you, Kamui, right?” (Dierk)

“That’s right.” (Kamui)

“In truth, I was quite troubled. I wanted to go with your group Kamui. Those were my feelings.” (Dierk)

Even Kamui believed Dierk to be someone who would follow him. At the time he understood that Dierk woldn’t come, he received a slight shock.

“But you chose to stay behind. You had some reason, didn’t you?” (Kamui)

“Right. There was someone I didn’t want to leave.” (Dierk)

“It’s not your parents, is it?” (Kamui)

“I don’t even know where my parents are.” (Dierk)

In this orphanage there isn’t anyone knowing the whereabouts of their parents. At the point in time they enter the orphanage, they are obligated to part with their past, whatever the person’s own will might be.