"Harvest Festival?" Rea's voice echoed throughout Zack's house.

"Is it already that time? I thought we had more time," Max, sitting in a chair, remarked. Unlike Rea's excited tone, Max's voice trembled slightly.

"Are you still on that? Do you really think Matthew would do something harmful to you?" Rea asked with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"You don't think so either, right, Sally?" he turned to the other person in the room.

It had been a week since Zack visited the orphanage at the request of one of the children. Judging by Sally's attitude towards him, Zack knew it would be impossible to treat her. Zack harbored no resentment for that. On the contrary, feeling distrust towards a stranger entering a house full of children can only be called common sense. It would be highly alarming if it were otherwise.

When he left, he told Manny, the child who brought him there, that Sister Sally was very ill and needed help. Remembering Manny mentioning that sometimes people came to help with the children, Zack asked him to fetch them and keep Sally in bed.

Who would have imagined that the people he referred to were Rea and Max?

It turns out the three of them lived in that orphanage since childhood. Apparently, Sally had also acquired the warrior class. Due to their similar circumstances, they quickly became friends as children. The three had made plans to become adventurers when they left the orphanage and worked to build a better life.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans for them.

When they reached adulthood, the matron of the orphanage passed away, and there was no one to take her place. There were talks of closing the orphanage several times. The three, hearing the rumors and having grown up there, could not allow such a thing to happen. So, Sally went to the mayor and decided to take responsibility for running the orphanage. However, despite all their efforts, the money from the townspeople and assistance from the municipality became increasingly scarce.

It was at that moment that Max and Rea, who were already working as adventurers, began donating their earnings to the orphanage to keep it going. Standing in their free time, they even helped the new matron with some tasks.

When they were telling the story, Zack finally understood why they were short on money. It wasn't that they spent it thoughtlessly; it was just that they used it for something more important.

After learning the truth, Zack looked at them with kinder eyes. Initially, he thought of sending the forest elves to gather herbs instead to pay their debts once Max recovered from his sprain. But perhaps it might be possible to assign them something different and less challenging.

Don't think that collecting herbs is easy. On more than one occasion, Zack lost his way and couldn't escape the forest for hours.

One of the worst situations he encountered while searching for medicinal herbs was when he ventured a little into the deep forest. There, the beasts were not as docile as on the periphery. His life could have been in danger if he had advanced without caution. Fortunately, thanks to his caution and magical power, he could detect them in advance and get out of there.

Zack doesn't want to imagine what would have happened if he had encountered one of them directly. This is not his world, and the beasts are much more lethal here due to the presence of mana that strengthens and makes them more dangerous.

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That's why Zack didn't want to personally go herb hunting with Titan. It's often not only dangerous but would also delay his magic studies. Now it seems he'll have to look for another alternative.

As for the reason he came to their house, it was because of these two meddlers. Once they learned that he had been brought to the orphanage to treat her, they took it upon themselves to clear his name.

With the testimony of his friends, Sally realized there had been a misunderstanding. The reason Rea and Max brought Sally here yesterday was to apologize for their behavior. And seeing her here again, it seems she's going to join the freeloaders' club that's accumulating.

While Zack was thinking about what he could assign them to pay for Max's treatment, Rea's voice sounded again.

"That's enough. Matthew has clearly told you that your wound is not fully healed. No matter how many times you ask, the result will be the same."

That's right.

The official reason they had come to his house was to see how Max's leg was doing.

After Zack examined his leg with magic (without anyone noticing), he observed that the leg was healing faster than expected. Nevertheless, it wasn't fully healed. It would take at least another week before considering removing the cast. This is an anomalous healing speed in his world, but here it is normal.

"But the money..." Max mentioned uncomfortably.

Rea remained silent upon hearing what Max had to say. Sally also seemed uncomfortable with this matter.

Apparently, these days, with Max in this condition, earning money was very difficult, and the orphanage's finances were also precarious. The only reason they had held on until now was that most of their money went to prevent the orphanage from collapsing. Considering they are novice mercenaries, it's surprising that what they earn has helped the children survive.

Seeing their expressions, Zack also considered this problematic. When he visited the orphanage, the children seemed happy. They were a bit dirty from playing, and their clothes were old, but it was evident they were not malnourished, and they were given a lot of love. He didn't want things to end like this.

The problem is he didn't know what to do to help.

"Have you talked to the mayor?"

The orphanage's economic situation should theoretically be resolved by the mayor. In a village like this, where everyone knows everyone if those in charge don't show a willingness to help those who have lost their family, no one would be willing to support them.

Rea and Sally looked at each other. "We tried, but he says there are currently not enough funds to sustain the orphanage. In fact, the aids he has been providing have been getting smaller," Sally responded softly.

"Heh," upon hearing what Sally said, Max couldn't help but laugh. "That old man doesn't lift a finger to help the orphanage."

"Max!" Sally shouted horrified that he spoke like that. "The mayor has helped a lot over the years. If it weren't for occasional financial aid, the orphanage would be in much worse condition."

Max smiled insolently. "You said it yourself: the orphanage is in poor condition! How many times has the mayor come to see the place for himself and visit the children? None." Max's words made Sally, who was trying to defend the mayor, unable to speak.

"If he really cared about helping us, the aid we would have received would be enough so that Rea and I wouldn't have to lend a hand. The only reason he gives any money in the first place is that if he didn't, his reputation would plummet."

"Max, that's enough," Rea's voice sounded, appearing behind him, telling him to be quiet.

"No matter the reasons. It's undeniable that without his help, we would be worse off. Instead of pointing fingers, we should start looking for solutions."

A wave of silence enveloped the room.

Seeing how the three of them were concerned about the issue, Zack couldn't help but sigh.

(Why do these things always happen to me?) That's something he doesn't quite understand. In his world, he was just one among many. Maybe his family was more influential than others, but he wasn't too special among all the people at school.

There is no logical explanation that can clarify how he gets into such trouble. Nor is he going to not try to help them. After hearing about their past and about the children from the orphanage, it would be a lie to say he didn't want to do something.

Perhaps it's not that the problems come to him, but that he can't ignore them.

"I have an idea."