_________________________________________________
[Demon kingdom]
[Female paladin point of view]
After introducing ourselves as the caretaker of the orphanage, their reaction aren't exactly what I hope it is to be. I imagine the orphans will be happy, laughing and playing around with us, like how Charlotte, Savel, Singa and Farhah usually were, but this
"..." [Ashen hair girl]
"..." [Orphans]
"..." [Demon Duchess]
Maybe because Ash was bestowed upon the title of guardian of children, that he had an easier time earning the trust of the orphans.
No. Think logically... We might be their caretaker, but we have a maid working for the demon king, we have a demon lady with the title of Duchess, and we have someone that replaces the infamous Paladin Aries.
"Are there any questions?" [Female paladin]
"..." [orphans]
"..." [Ashen hair girl]
This is awkward. Should I imitate Ash, Mira or Mrs Saga? They are more "kid friendly" as opposed of the calm and composed me...
"Alright, ashen hair girl there, mind telling me your name?" [Female paladin]
I have already memorized their names based on the information given to me, but I wanted to hear it from them themselves
"You shouldn't talk to me..." [Ashen hair girl]
"Why is that?" [Female paladin]
Mimicking Ash and Princess Diana, I sit down near the eleven year old long ashen hair girl with ashen horn. I try to build a trust by smiling constantly, but in a small voice, she whispered something into my ear
"No... You shouldn't. Doppelganger like me will only curse other..." [Ashen hair girl]
"Nonsense" [Female paladin]
"But all of them said it that way. Even my parents ditch me out for fear of it!" [Ashen hair girl]
"Well..." [Female paladin]
Again, mimicking both of them (especially Princess Diana), I hug the scared girl, all the while patting her head softly. If it was the old me, I would freak out hearing about the doppelganger, but now, I'm different. I have sworn to serve as the paladin for Princess Diana, Saintess Rumia and Demon king Druser, abandoning the old teaching all the while embracing Saint Louis and Saintess Rumia teaching. That's why, even if the doppelganger turn out to be true, I would act like how they act, full of compassion even for someone of different races
"Trust me dear, tear didn't compliment your sweet face" [Female paladin]
"But... Hicks... Hicks..." [Ashen hair girl]
"There there, take your time" [Female paladin]
"Htilorez" [Ashen hair girl]
"?" [Female paladin]
"My name... Htilorez. Sorry if I ever cursed you and die..." [Htilorez]
And she quickly hide in a corner, all the while being seen by the other anxious orphans. Well, one of them suddenly cry after being hug, so it make sense...
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"I'll get to her, so..." [Female paladin]
"Leave the other to us" [Lilith maid]
"Right, how about the other? Can you tell us your name?" [Demon Duchess]
Still... A doppelganger? Why would she said that? And more importantly, she resembles someone that I knew, but who...
(Could it be...) [Female paladin]
_________________________________________________
[Rafiah point of view]
After hearing the commotion happening outside, Claude, Filvisar and I quickly went out to help the neighborhood. The orphans wanted to lend a hand as well but
"No! They are after Farhah! So, all of you please stay here and protect her with Mrs Aries" [Rafiah]
"Then bring me with you! I'll handle them!" [Farhah]
"No! I won't yield on this one!" [Rafiah]
"But!" [Farhah]
"No means no!" [Rafiah]
"But..." [Farhah]
"Please understand, we don't want anything bad to happen to any one of you" [Claude]
"Even if you aren't an Avery or the ten heroes, do you really think we will allow you to help us? My duty aren't simply protecting all of you, but also nurturing all of you, so please, stay down and think why only the three of us are going" [Filvisar]
"Fine!!!" [Farhah]
"Farhah!" [Mara]
""She ran to her room!!"" [Lara, Nara]
"Please, tell her we are sorry" [Rafiah]
"It's alright, but it's understandable..." [Rean]
"True. Rean and Elise might be able to handle without using Chrono Mellontikós, but the rest of us still rely on it, and will only become a burden as of now" [Kara]
"It's frustrating, but it's the truth" [Karon]
Hearing them saying it makes me sigh a bit, and a positive sigh at that. I am happy to see that they're not only becoming stronger, but also becoming more mature.
"Mahsuri?" [Aries]
"Where are you going?" [Zerolith]
"I'm proud" [Mahsuri]
"!?" [Other]
"Unlike last time, when you guys carelessly went to the dungeon all alone, this time around, you manage to gauge your own level and decided to hold back. I couldn't be prouder as my constant nagging did stuck in your head. I will talk to Farhah, so you guys can just stay here" [Mahsuri]
"Please, don't scold Farhah..." [Charlotte]
"I won't. Plus, she understands it better than all of you about holding back right now" [Mahsuri]
"""???""" [Singa, Savel, Charlotte]
"Really?" [Elise]
"It is. The three of you, just go ahead. Aries, stay behind" [Mahsuri]
"""Right""" [Rafiah, Claude, Filvisar]
"I will" [Aries]
"Calypso, please stay with her" [Filvisar]
"Aye aye!" [Calypso]
Before going outside, I use the Zombie spawning block to summon an A rank mage water zombie, and quickly control the mage zombie. In a situation like this, being a witch sure come in handy
And after that, we went straight outside. The mage zombie quickly use water magic to put out the fire while Mr Filvisar help putting out the fire by applying fire resistance wood into a shape of a large fan and generate a strong upward gust as to prevent fire spreading to other houses. He also ask any water fairies that resides in the elemental trees nearby to spread out as to better control the situation
"This might come out strange, but Farhah. I understand that she's a special elf, an Avery, but why is she so highly sought?" [Rafiah]
"Well... For once, once she's mature enough and do the ritual, her power will be far powerful than mine, making me looks like someone that just learn to control my racial magic, and that's putting it lightly" [Filvisar]
""!!"" [Rafiah, Claude]
Someone like him, a surviving ten heroes, looks like a baby? I can't even imagine how powerful Farhah will be... Stronger than Mrs Khamishah, or perhaps, than Mahsuri!?
"Kadeus! Kadeus! Snap out of it!" [Lily]
"Lily, what happen?" [Claude]
Rean's friend, the succubus girl, keep on shouting the name of his closest friends, the centaur Kadeus, all the while pointing finger at a big horse monster
"Don't tell me!" [Rafiah]
Please, don't tell me that
"Kadeus, he, he turns into monster!" [Lily]