This world…really can be cruel sometimes.

Tamara rapped her temple. “An old lady’s tale. It’s been a long time, the original batch of children have all left the nest, so to speak. They do come to visit sometimes, the kids love it when they do.” A shadow fell over Tamara’s face. “Of course, with the state the world is in, there’ll be more children filling this hut before you know it.”

‘The state the world is in?’ What did Tamara mean by that? Thinking back, the Devil had said something similar, about how the world was falling into anarchy and balance was lost. Did the children lose their parents as a cause of that?

Alice paused in her task, ruminating on what Tamara said. Everything was connected together, she knew that. It was like a ginormous puzzle, with strings attached in all the corners of the world.

Alice set the last plate down on the pile and turned to look at the children. They seemed happy and full of life right now, but Alice could see that they weren’t living in optimal conditions. Tamara didn’t have enough money to provide for so many kids, and presumably, the village didn’t pay her for taking care of the kids. The thought of seeing more people join these ranks, pushing already limited resources past the brink…Alice grit her teeth. If these were related to the ‘task’ the Devil had issued her, didn’t that mean this was her duty?

It had been easy to push the task of ‘fixing the world’ as a meaningless quest that Alice would be able to do whenever, after she reunited Charlotte. Maybe she’d subconsciously made herself feel better by convincing herself that waiting was beneficial for fixing the world.

Alice was good at compartmentalizing, putting the things she wanted first and filing the rest away. Since it hadn’t looked like the world was going to die any time soon, Alice hadn’t found an issue with waiting to fulfill the task, figuring it would be better if she went at it with support and power. This belief had been reinforced by the Devil itself telling her to not try to interfere.

But how could she not, staring at these childrens? The way their clothes cling to their stomach, shaking their ribs jutting out? The way their movements seemed sluggish, even with their child-like energy propelling them forward? It wasn’t possible to simply look forward to meeting Charlotte again and not try to fix the world, not after seeing what was happening to the people.

That was all it came down to, wasn’t it? When Alice didn’t know the effects it was having on individuals, she could pretend it wasn’t harmful because it didn’t hinder her. Wasn’t that the definition of selfish? Only doing things when it was related to her? Was Alice determined to help these children because she truly felt bad for their circumstances, or because she didn’t want to live with this ball of guilt weighing her down?

“You seem to be having heavy thoughts,” Tamara commented. “I’m sorry for that. You’re still young, I shouldn’t be telling you these things and ruining your childhood.”

Alice was torn between bawling in the kitchen and hugging Tamara as tightly as possible. Who else did Tamara have to talk to about these things if not for her? Angelica? Blanche? Tamara was all alone in a difficult position.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“On a positive note, you take kids and go to the Juggarntorn,” Tamara said.

“What? Are you sure?” Alice asked. She wouldn’t say no to it anymore, couldn’t deny giving the children whatever morsel of joy she could. But didn’t Tamara want to join them in the endeavor, to ensure the children’s safety? And for her own health as well. Alice didn’t think being stuck in a cramped hut with mold growing on the walls was good for anybody, dwarf or human.

Tamara smirked wryly. “I have business to take care of. I can’t risk the children running around and messing things up. Lilah will know where the Juggarntorn is held, and when in doubt, follow the loud noises.” Tamara held up a hand to belay any arguments that were forming on the tip of Alice’s tongue. “Let me get the children ready.”

Alice watched her hobble off, her forehead furrowed. What was this ‘business’ Tamara was talking about, and why did she look so sad? Even now as she went around picking up stray blocks, grabbing stragglers, and combing the children’s hair, there was an ever-present sadness present in her eyes.

Tamara’s hand lingered in every kid’s hair for a couple of seconds as she stared at them like she was committing every inch of them, from their toes to the tip of their head, to memory. Like she was preparing for the possibility this would be the last time she’d ever see them.

“Okay, children,” Tamara said when she’d finally managed to arrange everybody into a single file line. Alice sighed from the end. Why did she get roped into this too?

“Listen to Blanche’s apprent—listen to Alice, all right? She doesn’t know her way around here, so you’ll have to help her.” Tamara said, her tone soft and motherly. The corner of her eyes crinkled as she stared at her children, and Alice couldn’t help but feel like she was intruding on a sacred moment. She sheepishly turned her head askew, trying not to listen.

“Okaaaaaaay,” was the drawled out response from the children. They fidgeted, clearly anxious to dash from the hut and go to the Juggarntorn. Tamara smiled sweetly.

“Well, run along then.” Tamara said, and that was all the permission the kids needed before bolting from the line. Alice watched them shove and push each other to the ground, wincing when one of them tripped over a rock jutting out. What commenced was a domino effect, with all of the children stumbling on the bodies and scattering onto the floor. With no small amount of amusement, Alice sniggered as the mound of children began fighting.

“Protect them.” Tamara said in a tone so soft, Alice thought she’d imagined it at first.

“Huh?” Alice asked, glancing at Tamara. Her eyes widened when she spotted the beginnings of tears in Tamara’s eyes. “W-what’s wrong?!”

Tamara sniffed, wiping her face. “Nothing.” She turned to face Alice, her face as serious as Alice had ever seen it. “You must protect them. No matter what.”

Taken back by the intensity of the request—no, order, Alice found herself nodding without really thinking about it. But even when she mulled over the thought, she realized she would have come to the same conclusion without Tamara’s prodding.

This is my Quest. My dream.

“I will.” Alice stated resolutely. There was no doubt in her mind.

Tamara sighed. “Thank you,” she said with shuddering gasps. Facing the children, who were still struggling to pry out of the pile, she clapped her hands. “Get up! Single file!”

Tamara pushed the group out of the hut, and began closing the door. As the children waved cheerfully and told her they’d see her soon, Alice wondered if she was the only one to notice the way Tamara’s hand quivered as the door shut.