Chapter 85: Orphanage

"Excuse me!" Nero banged on the door.

Several children were praying in the church with the nun sitting in the middle.

Even though Nero banged the door earlier, no one turned to him or even got distracted by the noise.

Annoyed, Nero walked in, and Emilia and Sophia followed him.

"And that's how evil was defeated," the young nun read from the book. 

She was wearing a veil on her head, and she looked to be in her early twenties.

"Evil was defeated? Now that's very unrealistic," Nero commented.

The nun gazed at Nero but didn't seem to be disturbed by his comment. 

She flipped the page of the book and continued reading, "There is evil in everyone. Even the good have evil, and it is acceptable as long as they don't commit any sins."

A girl from the group raised her hand and asked, "What happens if someone good does something bad? Do they become evil?"

The nun smiled at the girl and said, "No. As long as they repent and ask forgiveness for the sins they have committed, they will be forgiven by the gods."

"Then, if I kill someone and ask for forgiveness, would I be forgiven?" Nero sneered.

The children finally gazed at Nero with the same expression on their faces, "You can't talk about committing sins in the church, uncle."

Nero's face twitched after hearing he was called 'uncle'.

"Oh, come on." Nero faked his laugh and said, "I surely don't look like an uncle, do I?"

"You have two daughters, so you are an uncle," one of the girls said.

"Hmm?" Nero glanced at his right and saw Emilia clutching his sleeve, and then looked at his left to see Sophia hugging his arm.

'Why are these two scared? I should be scared here since I am a demon here who is standing in the church,' Nero groaned.

Nero shrugged his hands and walked to the girl, "I don't know these girls."

"Then why are they with you?" the girl asked with an innocent smile.

Nero chuckled and patted the girl, saying, "Just as famished turns to food and thirsty turns to water; Lost returns home just as evil resides in good."

"That was an excellent example," the nun praised.

"Of course it was." Nero glanced at the book and uttered, "Can I see that book?"

"Sure," the nun handed the book to Nero.

Nero first looked at the cover and skimmed through the pages, "Hmm, just how it was back then."

Nero handed the book back to the nun.

"Do you perhaps know this book? I found it buried under the big tree outside with many other books," the nun asserted.

After a brief silence, Nero uttered, "It was written by someone who I loved with all my heart."

The nun froze after hearing Nero's reply and looked at the children. "You all are getting an early break today. Go have fun outside."

"Yay!" all the children cheered up and ran outside the door.

"But don't go near the river!" the nun yelled.

Nero sighed and sat on the nearest row, and looked at the nun. "I am looking for someone."

"This church is independent, and the capital or no one is supporting it. So I don't think you have any right to ask or do anything here," the nun asserted.

"Relax.  Why are you suddenly so hostile?" 

"Can I get some alone time?" Nero glanced at Emilia and Sophia and asked them to leave. 

Sophia was ready to leave, but Emilia squinted her eyes and stared at Nero.

Nero shook his hand and said, "It's not like that."

Emilia reluctantly left with Sophia, although she kept looking at Nero until they passed the door.

Nero looked at the nun and chuckled, "I think you should sit."

The nun sat on the row next to Nero and covered her face with a veil.

"Does this church have any father or head priest? Or just you— sister?" Nero asked.

"What do you want?"

"I already said my purpose of coming here: I am looking for someone."

"If that's what you are here for, then please leave," the nun sighed and stood up.

"I can give some donation to the church if you want— but in return, I just want some information," Nero showed his universal guild card.

The nun sat back and glared at Nero, "Do you think I would sell the children for money?"

Nero groaned and said, "I think you are misunderstanding something. I just want to meet that certain someone."

"Actually," After a brief pause, Nero walked out of the row and stretched his hands after saying, "I won't even meet that certain someone. I just want to see her."

"Who is it?" 

"Oh? I thought you said you wouldn't sell your children," Nero smirked.

"And I don't plan to," the nun asserted.

Nero scoffed and laughed out loud, "You don't act like a nun at all. And I assume you aren't one, are you?"

The nun stood up, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Nero watched as the nun walked through the door after saying, "Follow me."

Nero followed the nun out of the door and saw Emilia and Sophia were playing with the kids. He couldn't help but smile after seeing the happy smiles on their faces.

One of the girls rushed to Nero after noticing him and pulled his hand, "Uncle. Uncle! Play with us."

Nero shrugged his hand and said with a forced smile, "I am a little busy at the moment. And don't call me uncle."

All the children looked less than ten years old, but there were some 10 to 15 years old kids too.

The girl then turned to the nun and jumped as she asked, "Mother! Play with us."

The nun patted the girl and said with a gentle smile on her face, "Not now, Nia. Go play with other kids."

"Okay~!" The girl hopped to Emilia and Sophia.

"So, who are you looking for?" the nun asked Nero.

"Actually, I am now more interested in you. Why did that girl call you mother?"