Chapter 13: The Squad of Boastful Fools

While Harp and Eve were happily chatting away, enjoying their time together…

“What on earth is going on? She hasn’t stepped out of the orphanage, not even for a single moment, let alone visited the village!”

“Relax. She probably spent the whole day sleeping because of that new, comfy bed.”

“Who said I was worried? I just wanted to meet the kid everyone’s talking about.”

“Oh, so that’s what it is…”

The residents of Maru Village were in the midst of a mild state of chaos.

The single fact that “the child hasn’t left the orphanage” was enough to spark all sorts of wild and terrifying speculations among them.

“Wait, something must’ve happened, right?! Alex, there wasn’t anything strange yesterday, was there?”

“…The kid’s perfectly fine, so stop worrying. She’s probably just not in the mood to come out today.”

“But what if—oh no, what if a monster attacked the orphanage?! What if she’s hurt and can’t leave?!”

“Mrs. Gordon, calm down, please…”

“I can’t help it! I’m so worried about that sweet child!”

The villagers had only seen the child for a few days at most.

Some of them, busy during those days, didn’t even know what she looked like.

Yet, their fondness for her was soaring through the roof.

The reasons were simple.

First, she was a rare visitor to the village—a novelty in their quiet lives.

Second, the visitor was a delicate, young girl, stirring their protective instincts.

Third, the villagers were all childless and had lived lonely lives, so the idea of a child resonated deeply with them.

And lastly, distorted rumors spread among the villagers added layers to their affection, painting her as a tragic, pitiable figure.

“She didn’t look like she’d eaten properly.”

“Exactly! When I saw her the other day, her arms were so thin she could barely carry a small piece of firewood!”

“The next time she visits, we need to prepare a big feast for her!”

“What? Then our shop too! We’ll serve the kid everything on the menu for free!”

And so, by a mix of coincidences and inevitabilities, the child had unwittingly become Maru Village’s communal daughter, granddaughter, and precious child—a treasure they couldn’t bear to lose sight of for even a second without worrying.

“…If that poor kid is hurt, or even has a single scratch, we have to get her to the clinic immediately!”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll just go and check on her myself.”

“The doctor?! Then I’ll go with you!”

“Why don’t we all go together?”

After repeatedly expressing their worries and pacing in circles, the villagers finally started to unify under one brave suggestion.

“Let’s go!”

“Yeah!”

If they were that worried, they’d simply go and check for themselves.

It was a simple, straightforward solution.

The village doctor, the fruit vendor, the vegetable vendor, housewives, guards—all those who shared the same concerns nodded in agreement.

And so, a grand army of 150 people was formed.

The impromptu “Orphanage Protection Squad” marched resolutely toward the orphanage, their heavy footsteps echoing with determination.

Three hundred feet moved forward with steadfast resolve.

This squad was an unstoppable force, ready to crush anything in their path.

Demons, angels, monsters, or even the Demon King himself—they would all fall before this army of doting, overprotective villagers armed with nothing but their devotion.

“…Okay, this is a bit much.”

“Alex, aren’t you coming with us?”

“Doesn’t this seem excessive to you?”

“Hmm? What seems excessive?”

The advancing army of villagers, ready to trample anything in their way, came to a halt as Alex, the bald-headed skewer vendor, stepped forward to block their path.

Tap, tap.

The villagers, moving in synchronized formation without any prior instruction, demonstrated their unshakable resolve through their disciplined march.

“I’ll go to the orphanage alone.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“Alex, I think we’ll need a detailed explanation.”

The villagers turned sharp, questioning gazes toward Alex.

Even his shining bald head and massive muscles didn’t deter the intensity of their collective glare.

“…Let me explain. If all of us suddenly show up unannounced, don’t you think the child will be frightened?”

“…Oh.”

“And as you all saw last time, the kid is very shy. That’s why you all backed off and gave her space, remember?”

“Now that you mention it, that does make sense.”

“Maybe we were being a bit hasty.”

The fiery, almost menacing stares from the villagers gradually softened as realization dawned on them.

They finally understood that their overwhelming concern might cause the very child they worried about to feel scared.

“That’s why I’ll go by myself.”

“Alright. But there’s a condition.”

“…A condition?”

Thankfully, Alex’s suggestion was accepted.

However, his steps toward the orphanage felt heavy with responsibility.

“Man, everyone’s so worried it’s over the top.”

Phew. Alex let out a deep sigh as he recalled the conditions the villagers had insisted upon.

…There’s no way anything actually happened, right?

After spending the entire day listening to the villagers’ endless worries, Alex found himself becoming increasingly anxious about the child, too.

Logically, he told himself it was probably just a case of oversleeping or not feeling like going out.

…Still, just in case, I’d better have a weapon ready.

For some reason, with every step Alex took closer to the orphanage, his worries kept piling up.

Wild, unlikely scenarios, each more absurd than the last, began to take over his mind under the label of “What if?”

Phew.

The more nervous he became, the sooner the moment of truth arrived.

Before he realized it, Alex was already standing at the orphanage door.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked lightly.

Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

…Huh?

The voice sounded slightly different, deeper and heavier than usual.

Momentarily startled by the unfamiliar tone, Alex paused.

Creak.

The door opened slowly, revealing a small figure standing inside.

It wasn’t the white-haired child he was expecting.

Instead, it was a girl with black-and-white hair—and cat ears, no less.

A beastkin.

“…Who are you?”

There shouldn’t have been anyone else in the orphanage yesterday, and now a beastkin girl was here?

The unexpected figure threw Alex’s mind into chaos, derailing all the worst-case scenarios he’d been preparing for.

What’s going on?

Why is there suddenly a beastkin here?

Where’s the white-haired kid? Is she okay?

Should I break the door down right now?!

Dozens of concerns and possibilities swirled through his mind, countless situations flashing before him in rapid succession.

“You’re asking who I am? That’s what I should be asking you.”

“…”

“Are you not going to answer? Then I’ll just head back inside.”

“Wait, I’ll answer. My name’s Alex. Is there a white-haired child living here?”

“…Yes, but what’s your relationship with her?”

What’s my relationship?

That’s what I want to ask you!

Alex felt exasperated.

Who was this beastkin girl?

Why was she here?

Was the child safe?

His head was spinning with questions.

“For now, let me ask this: Is the kid safe?”

“Of course, she’s safe. What are you even talking about? Wait… don’t tell me you think I hurt her?”

“Uh, well…”

“And if I did?”

“…What?”

“Just kidding. By the way, you must be really close to her. The way you’re practically radiating murderous intent says it all.”

“…You should be more careful about who you joke with.”

Schwing.

Alex slid his heavy greatsword back into its sheath, his tone softening slightly.

“I’m serious.”

“Still not scared at all. Anyway, if you’re so close, you must know her name, right? Let’s hear it.”

“…What?”

“It’s a necessary step. I’ve never seen you before, so I need to verify your identity somehow.”

“Hmph. Well, of course, I know her name.”

“Alright then, what is it?”

“…It’s…”

Silence.

Alex opened his mouth confidently but quickly closed it again.

What’s her name again?

Come to think of it, the kid had never told Alex her name.

And Alex himself had only ever called her “kid” or “little one.”

“…I don’t know.”

“Wow.”

“…Ugh.”

The beastkin girl chuckled, openly mocking him.

“Pfft.”

Does she really know the kid’s name?

Honestly, Alex felt a bit envious. But there was no way he could back down now.

“Well, let me tell you something. That kid and I? We’ve hugged before.”

“…Ahem.”

“Hugged” (It was one-sided.)

“For a while” (It lasted about three seconds.)

“Hugged” (It was just her leg.)

Still, surely skipping over those minor details wouldn’t be a problem, right?

“I also caught a bit of her scent. Not intentionally, mind you! But, uh, I did notice. Anyway, it was nice.”

“…What?”

“That cozy, milky baby scent. Bet you haven’t smelled it, have you?”

“Ugh… Damn it… Fine. I admit defeat.”

Pfft!

“…Wait a second. Why does it feel like your tone’s gotten more casual?”

“Just your imagination.”

“Hey!”

“Yup.”

“Hey!”

Just as Alex was in the middle of his bizarre banter with the beastkin girl, the familiar voice he had missed so much rang out from deeper inside the orphanage.

It was warm and considerate, with a gentle tone that occasionally carried a sharpness—but never in a way that truly hurt anyone.

“Harp, what are you doing out there? Did someone come by?”

“Ah, Miss Eve!”

It was Eve’s voice.