Day 65 Evening, the Souvenir Store, the Capital Outskirts Branch
It has been decided that we are going to move. We just settled outside the gates of the Capital, but we are changing locations already. Why does he have to do construction every day? And why is Angelica-san dressed as a bus guide?
Could it be a sightseeing bus tour (no bus) through a fake Kyoto?
And Haruka-kun is narrating. Naturally, no one is listening.
Digging into the depths of the enemy camp and tearing them apart from the inside, destroying from the vulnerable inner side, and since the enemy is already inside their lines, rendering them incapable of launching a proper counterattack as they are getting devoured.
Yes, thats what moving is all about! I guess this is a promotion to The Capital Branch?
Thats not a moving, alright? People who moved to a new place dont tear apart after digging in or destroy from inside to devour? Just what on earth is Haruka-kuns idea of a moving? Perhaps its better to sit down and have a proper talk about this Or maybe not?
And so, a going-out-of-business sale was opened out of the blue.
And so, with the opening of the Capital Branch Store, we are commencing a liquidation sale for the Capital Outskirts Branch Store! A special offer only for today, how special is it? You will find out tomorrow?
However, its a special store closure sale, moreover, its a time sale with only one hour left before its over, it might be super great value?
Or sort of like that, everything is 10% off, actually, its 10% off after a bit of price hike, but its still 10% off, so even though its a rip-off, it feels sort of like a good deal! Only feels though?
KYAAAA!
At last, maiden wars (bargain sale) have come even to this world! Finally, even still medieval ladies of this world became prey to the maiden wars (bargain sale). Lured in by the promises of good value and discounts they couldnt withstand the appeal of time-limited offer.
Men and women of all ages are jumbled together, scrambling and fighting for the goods, but for now this is a mere commotion.
It is yet to reach the scale of a true maiden warfare (bargain sale), still way below the critical point.
But the rumors will definitely spread. In fact, word of mouth shouldve already spread the news. They will come, they will definitely come!
And then, They showed up.
Finally, the True Champions have arrived. The menace and demise of maiden warfare. Veteran maidens of thousand battles. The people are calling them Aunties, with fear and respect!
The aunties boldly jump into the fray. Freely traversing the bargains battlefield that by now utterly transformed into a scene of tragedy, they trample the weak, snatching away the spoils of war without care, completely dominating their surroundings in peerless merchandise plunder spree.
Dashing through the battlefield the Aunties capture all that is there for purchase.
That is the true hell, that is onslaught, after all, even the Ex-Dungeon Emperor is afraid! Scared to the point of tears, the Ex-Dungeon Emperor is trembling with teary eyes, witnessing for the first time the terrifying image of bargain sale. Yup, a mere maiden has no chance of winning against that.
We completely sold out.
Good job~. We totally sold out, so time to move? Or rather, what do we do with the Capital Outskirts Branch Store? Ah, might as well just give it away to Meripapa-san, he so conveniently arrived after all?
A lone horseman approaches. Again, riding ahead all alone.
After all, we wanted to give those children food and a place to live as soon as possible. Thats why we couldnt care less if it was the Phoenix Hall or Edo Castle or Izumo Oyashiro or Horyuji as long as it was a safe, warm, and nice place where they could feel at home.
Well, looking at it once again, it might not be okay at all, but back then, it somehow felt fine? Yeah, the sign Souvenir Store, Sort of Orphanage Branch? Kind of? hanging from the roof of the Phoenix Hall, which is said to be built in the image of Sukhavati, probably wasnt a great touch.
I mean Its neon? It looks kind of indecent?
Welcome back!
A welcome from the children and the group that stayed back.
The children changed beyond recognition, clean and lovely they shine with angel-like smiles. There are still hints of exhaustion, malnourishment, and illness that can be noticed But everyone is smiling. Happily, delightfully, they are waving hands, calling us.
They no longer have those utterly exhausted expressionless faces of despaired resignation. They are beaming with smiles.
The children are smiling like angels.
We are back.
Everyone reunited with smiles. Except just one person.
Only one person was unable to smile.
Upon reaching the orphanage, the Princess, Shari-sama, kneeled, bowing down. Almost slamming into the floor she lowered her head, crying.
Its because we told her everything on the way here, in what state the children were in and in which conditions they lived. Everything. Haruka-kun didnt say anything. The Princess also remained silent.
Having nothing she could say back mustve been the most bitter part, as she felt like she abandoned them. She made her way here despairing over herself, the Kingdom, its Nobles and the Royal Family. The children that no one helped, the children that werent offered a helping hand by anyone.
She came to atone as the leader of the Kingdom that abandoned them.
There is no point to apologies, and even if she apologized, she wont be forgiven, thats why the Princess kept rubbing her forehead on the floor, crying, without saying anything, as if carving this moment into her heart.
She learned the true nature of the Kingdom that she tried so hard to protect. Despite the Royal Familys pledge to protect its people, she didnt even know how the people were abandoned. There was a pitiful Royalty that couldnt do anything but bow down before those abandoned children.
But in this alone no one can cover her. This alone cant be forgiven. Because it would mean insulting the Princess herself, who even risked her life to protect her people. Because it would mean mocking the pledge of protecting their people, inherited by each successive generation of the Royal Family.
Thats why we told her everything as it is. That the orphans were on the verge of death, that sickness was rampant, that they were malnourished and exhausted to the brink of dying. It couldve turned really bad if not for Haruka-kuns medical mushroom potions.
We told her that the most vulnerable of the people of the Kingdom, the orphans, were completely abandoned.
Because not knowing what is going on is a crime in itself for the Royal Family for they swore to protect its people.
Crying, lamenting, and repenting while groveling on the ground, she has no choice but to stand up on her own. She cant find pardon for the sins of the past, so there is no choice but to deliver from now on.If she cant stand up and face forward, then even the future will turn unforgivable, you know?
Well, fortunately, the Princess didnt see Haruka-kuns face yesterday. She didnt have to see that tender smile as he was gazing at the aristocratic district. Such a soft and gentle smile.
Such an infinitely kind smile, as if he was gazing at the poor souls about to descend into the hellfire while pleading for their lives.