When Dungeon Master 07 suggested that I be sent back to Theta to explore what happened to us, prompting me to voice out a protest, Dungeon Master 14 stepped forward with a suggestion of her own. Her suggestion was simple: instead of being sent to Theta, I should be sent to Lunary Grace—an orphanage funded by the church, in other words an orphanage backed by Dungeon Master 04 and by extension her.
I'm not sure why, but when I heard "orphanage," part of me was expecting the place to be somewhat miserable. However, even if it were, being sent there would be a far better fate than being sent to Theta. So very naturally, when Dungeon Master 14 made that suggestion, I wasn't going to complain, and it was with great relief that I saw Dungeon Master 07 agree to it.
So, even though in my mind I was expecting some rundown orphanage, it was with relief that I expected it. But then, as we finally arrived, what I saw was the very opposite of what could be described as run-down; it was opulent. After Dungeon Master 07 showed me the orphanage from a distance, we rode the carriage back and headed toward it.
A few minutes later, we made it past the estate's imposing walls, allowing me to behold the city from within. Even more than it felt from the outside, the estate with its village-like disposition felt threateningly dwarfing. I could partially blame that feeling on my current size, but even if I were still in control of ‘my’ body, I would still find this place imposing—especially considering what it was supposed to be: an orphanage.
"It wasn't just the church alone," Dungeon Master 07 explained. "Some other parties were also involved in funding this establishment, including Dungeon Master 16 and some others."
Dungeon Master 16, huh? So, that's what it is. A money laundering scheme or some scammy ploy he made to siphon the church's money?
"I see," I nodded. I wanted to inquire further, but for some reason, I had the feeling now was not the time.
Within the village-like estate, there was a lively atmosphere with mostly workers bustling around. Now that I was within its walls, I could tell the estate was still in the middle of construction. Scaffolding adorned some of the buildings, and the sound of hammers and saws echoed through the air. The workers, clad in rough attire, moved with purpose, some carrying building materials while others were engaged in various tasks to advance the construction. Despite the organized chaos of construction, there was an air of determination and progress that filled the estate—a sense that this place was being built with a purpose beyond its current state.
Noticing my gaze cast outside the window, Dungeon Master 07 explained, "This project is new—very new. It was raised two years ago, and the orphanage was planned to be operational in roughly three years, meaning it was expected to open its doors for the 'orphans' only next year, so don't be too surprised by that sight."
"I see," I mumbled, despite being a little perplexed by the emphasis he made on orphans.
"That being said, it being still under construction doesn't mean that it is not yet operational. It is. There is, in fact, already one orphan living in the facility."
Hearing that word, "facility," the strange emphasis he made about orphans finally started to make sense to me. My perplexity was replaced with something else entirely. I wanted to ask a question but couldn't bring myself to. Not because I felt it wasn't the right time to ask, but because I really didn't want to hear the answer to it.
After riding for another while, the carriage came to a halt in front of a large structure, one of the three buildings that actually looked complete. With Dungeon Master 07 helping me, I got out of the carriage for the second time, allowing me to see the committee gathered for us at the entrance of the large structure. At least thirty people were gathered there, mostly women dressed in a joint scholarly uniform that I was all but too familiar with, waiting to welcome us. A satisfied look on his face, Dungeon Master 07 advanced toward them, and as he came to a halt, the gathering of mostly women went to their knees and reverently bowed, "We pay our respects to our Young Lord Schwarz."
I have been in Fiendfell long enough to be familiar with the various courtesies of this strange world, and such a reverent greeting was no common occurrence, even for those who call themselves noble races. The only ones who might be greeted with such grand reverence would be kings, princes, but certainly not a Lord like Dungeon Master 07. However, there was a very distinct group of "people," if one could call them that, who would display such behavior toward a certain unhinged psychopath and anyone closely tied to her. This included Dungeon Master 07, whose public persona was closely related to hers.
Clearly used to this display of reverence, Dungeon Master 07 nodded with a satisfied look on his face and turned around in my direction. Upon leaving the carriage, I hadn't made a single move. Locking gazes with him, he motioned for me to come over. Resignedly, I did. As I reached his side, he said with a lowered voice, "If it is her presence that you're afraid of, worry not. It might look like it is the case, but this place is not one of her facilities. In other words, she is not here."
Even though I had to admit to myself that there was a relief in hearing that this place was not one of her alternative facilities she from time to time travels to, after all considering who the women in front of us were, it clearly looked like it was. Nonetheless, I denied, "I'm not afraid of her..."
"You're not? You look like you are to me."
"I'm not," I once again insisted, though holding little belief in my own words, "I just know what kind of person she is."
While I guess it's most likely not the case from Dungeon Master 07’s perspective, considering all contributions over the years, Dungeon Master 20 was, in my eyes, just a more useful version of Dungeon Master 20. Hell, the fact that out of all of the homunculi born of the Homunculi project, Dungeon Master 20 was long considered her favorite kid, in spite—or maybe because—of how uncontrolled and unstable he was from the very beginning was a clear proof of that. Just like him, she has a problem, but in her case, unlike Dungeon Master 07, it's that her "problem" is serving not her but also our goal.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"What kind of person she is, huh? Well, I guess there's no one to better know than you," he said, before adding, "To be frank with you, with how long you two have been together, I would've assumed that you two got along. It seems I have failed to ascertain that fact." As he said those words, a strange silence settled between us. It was only a few breaths after that he said, "Anyway, back to the matter at hand. It is just as I said. While this place might look like one of her facilities, it is not. This orphanage is a project born from the funds of three parties: The Church of the Three Moon—The Wöhppr Faith, The Magic Guild, and last but not least, our benevolent friend of the Merchant Guild."
When I heard the mention of all parties involved and immediately made connections as to who exactly was behind these organizations, I understood how wrong I was in my assumption that this was one bold attempt at laundering money. There was a possibility that it was the case, but it could not just be that, not with the involvement of these two organizations. As I glanced at the women dressed in uniforms that looked exactly the same, including the emblem they had on their chest, as the uniform worn by Theta's worshipers, with the exception that the color of their uniform wasn't black but white, I felt that in spite of Dungeon Master 07's assurance that this place was not any of Theta's facilities, it still awfully felt like it were.
"You still don't look convinced, aren't you?" He said, before I even got the opportunity to reply, he clapped his hands to bring the women's attention back to him.
"Everyone, as I have informed you earlier in the morning, this orphanage will welcome a new resident, this is..." In that moment, perhaps remembering that he had no name to actually call me with, he glanced my way as if seeking an answer, but the only answer I had for him was a shake of the head. He sighed then corrected, "There's yet to be a name assigned to him, but nonetheless she—he'll be the second official resident of this orphanage."
"Understood," they all replied reverently. As he finished, he motioned for a woman to step forward. She was slightly older compared to the others, who mostly averaged between 20 to 30 years old. The woman he called over was at least in her fifties. She was dressed in the same white uniform as the others; however, she had on her left shoulder a four-striped epaulet, and on the right one, a single striped one. Being all too familiar with this ranking system, which seemed to be the same as that of Theta's worshippers, both her epaulets suggested that she was at the head of a department—most likely this whole orphanage.
"Yes, Lord Schwarz?" the middle-aged woman said with utmost reverence, as though the person to whom she bowed would barely qualify as old enough to drink.
"Damaelle, I will be soon leaving," he explained, "but before I go, I would like for him to meet her."
Upon hearing Dungeon Master 07, the woman manifested a frown she quickly dispelled, "Ti... Celestina?" "Oh, that's what she's called nowadays," Dungeon Master 07 said, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes," the middle-aged woman confirmed.
"I suppose that's a better name than the one she came with; naming sense has never been 'her' strong suit, and it's clearly running in the family," he commented, casting a sidelong glance at me. I wasn't even able to focus on that comment; my mind was stuck on what he just said.
"Anyway, as I said, I want her, Celestina, to meet him," he said, casting a glance around. "I don't see her. Where is she? She's still around, isn't she?"
"Yes, of course, my lord. She is in the dormitory," she hurriedly explained, before adding with a first display of anything other than the usual behavior I see Theta's worshippers behave in, by asking hesitantly, "You want me to bring her over?"
Dungeon Master 07, who most likely noticed it, didn't answer her question, and simply replied with a stare, prompting her to apologetically declare, "Understood, my Lord, I'll have her come over right away."
After the middle-aged woman left to summon the girl, Dungeon Master 07 and I entered the building and proceeded into a lounge room, which I have to admit, given the situation I've lived in the past few years, made me feel like a former rich turned beggar, then once again introduced back to opulence. It was a little confusing. I was sitting on a sofa when Dungeon Master 04, sitting cross-legged on an adjacent chair, asked, "So what do you think of it?"
"Of what?" I inquired.
"Of all of this, of course," he said, spreading his arms to show everything around. "After all, this place will become your new home."
I sighed and said, "I have no comment about this place, except that it's opulent. However, I do have a question. Can I ask it?"
"Ask away," he replied.
Looking at him straight in the eyes, I asked, "Is this place really an orphanage?"
Staring back at me, he leisurely said, "I think what you truly want to ask me here is what exactly is this place. But here's another question, do you really want to know?"
"No, I don't really want to," I mentally replied, but nonetheless, I wanted to know. I was about to ask for the answer when he answered on my behalf.
"See? Then I will give you the relief to not know. What you have to know, however, is that the reason for which I allowed Dungeon Master 14's suggestion is because of the very unique 'circumstances' surrounding this orphanage."
"You refused to be sent back to Theta's side because of your unique concerns about how she is. Since I'm also familiar with what you mentioned, I've agreed to that demand. And yet I can't simply allow you to roam freely—allowing you to return to that dwelling of yours in the forest was out of the question, with or without, but especially considering your current predicament. You—both of you—are to be kept an eye on. However, there was no Dungeon Master fitting the criteria to do that. Dungeon Master 08 would be the most apt, as she possesses both the tools and manpower to do so. She's the one most likely to rapidly figure out what happened back then that made you the way you currently are. However, as per your demand, she's out of the way. I suppose the next most fitting candidate to monitor you two would be me. Though I suppose with how we look, you two could pass off as a bastard of mine. But the fact that he is Verdenkind and my persona is officially a high-ranking Highbreed, this won't be possible. Besides, I don't think I want to bother myself with a kid—especially so when the kid in question is partially another Dungeon Master and partially just a kid."
"So you can guess that it was a heavy headache that was lifted from me when Dungeon Master 14 made that suggestion that you be sent here. Isn't this orphanage the perfect place?" Dungeon Master 07 remarked.
"Because I can be monitored by Theta through her followers?" I replied.
"You could have just stopped at 'monitored,' but yes. You might not like it, but at least she'll be doing it indirectly instead of in person. It should be a relief to you. Besides, another positive aspect to being here is that this place was built with freaks in mind," Dungeon Master 07 slowed to look at me.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Just that you won't really have to hold yourself much back, except perhaps with that one 'ability.' You're in this orphanage ground free to experiment as you see fit to try to figure out what happened to you. That is, of course, as long as you don't go overboard. I can only hope you'll be reasonable enough for that."
Well, I'm not Dungeon Master 20, so you don't have to worry about that, I thought to myself but refrained from making that comment.
We remained in the room for a couple of minutes talking the way we did until a knock reverberated at the room's door.