Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Starting the next day, we began making the rounds to say our goodbyes before our departure.

To be honest, I can’t help but feel like the town is trying to flush us out, but frankly, Sufi and the others are nearing their limit.

I understand that being on the receiving end of hostility is incredibly frustrating, and that holding back that frustration is incredibly exhausting.

I could really feel how exhausted Sufi and the others were. The smiles had vanished from their faces, and they were visibly giving off an aura of bad temper.

That’s only natural—Sufi and the others are the ones spending most of their time in a town with clear malice directed at them left and right. It’s different from me, who’s always safe from such malice.

But I couldn’t possibly tell them to just stay quietly locked up in their rooms, not when they’re protecting me.

Sufi loves to be active, and Noche is curious and loves to go for walks. Filia is about the only one who can stand being cooped up.

Even though they’d already put up with so much living in the slums of the neighboring town, forcing them to endure any more would break them both under the stress.

Knowing the risks, the best course of action was to head east as soon as possible.

I consulted Chytis Philip and Chytis Khalid about this, and they agreed.

■■■■■

“Wow, it’s all spruced up.”
“Right?”

Led by Sufi, who seemed oddly proud for some reason, we had arrived at the rebuilt orphanage.

Architectural experts were dispatched by the Alchemists’ Guild, and the reconstruction was completed in less than a week from start to finish.

Not only was the building itself restored, but the paintwork on the older sections was also flawlessly finished, so at first glance, it looked like a brand-new, shiny building. I guess they’re architectural engineers for a reason.

“Welcome! Thank you so much for coming.”

As we passed through the gate, the Sister greeted us just as she had that time before.

“Excuse us for intruding!”
“We’re intruding, nya.”
“Excuse us for intruding…”

Filia followed Sufi and Noche as we strode in confidently. I, of course, was quietly riding on Filia’s back, acting like a piece of luggage.

When we went to the dining hall, all the children from the orphanage were gathered there. Including Zig, who was glaring at me intensely.

The area around the orphanage was completely under Sufi and the others’ care, and before I knew it, they had reconciled with the Sister and the children… though calling it “reconciliation” might be a stretch. Anyway, they were getting along again.

I’d been bedridden while they were at the Guild dorm, so it was a spectacular case of missing each other.

“What the hell are you doing here?! You…oowwwwcchh?!”
“Shut up.”

Nick slapped the back of Zig’s head with the flat of his hand just as he was about to curse. It was a light slap, but Zig let out an unexpected scream and recoiled.

“Y-you there, you ugly bi—!?”
“Seriously, cut it out already!”

Another blow to the back of Zig’s head—this time not a slap, but a fist.

I wondered what was going on, but then I remembered I’d hit him with the beam rifle on the back of his head. I guess it hasn’t healed yet…

“I-I’ll never, ever accept any of you…!”
“…Listen, you only got to come here because you promised you’d apologize properly, you know?”

Zig was crying, clutching the back of his head, sniffling and cursing under his breath.

Apparently, he lied and said he’d apologize so they’d take him along, only to come here and cause trouble. I’ll give him credit for that kind of guts, at least.

Nick, on the other hand, seemed very angry with Zig. He must realize just how dangerous things were when Zig stepped outside to fetch the Sister whilst she was fighting the snake woman.

We can’t really criticize him since we also followed suit, but at least we’ve been doing enough to justify our actions.

I even used my trump card right in the middle of town.

“Zig, you shouldn’t say such cruel things.”
“They’re the cruel ones! Everyone’s saying they’re the cause of this! That’s why you got hurt, Sister! They’re fooling you!
“No, that’s not true. I just want to protect them too…”
“Why?! Are those half beasts more important to you than us?!
“No, that’s not it. You’re all precious children to me.”
“Then kick them out! They’re bad people! I know it! Everyone says the half-beasts are the cause! That’s them, right?!”
“Zig, ‘half-beast’ is a word meant to hurt people. I always tell you not to use it against others, don’t I? Besides, you promised you’d apologize for using such harsh words.”
“But! But!”

Sister Anansha’s earnest pleas seemed to have no effect at all; his face flushed bright red as Zig continued to protest.

“Sister Anansha, that won’t do.”

A stout middle-aged woman who had been watching from a corner of the dining hall stepped forward.

“Sister Cremona…”

As the flustered Sister took a step back, Cremona sat down in her place and met Zig’s gaze.

“I hear she’s the former director of the orphanage.”
“She comes by to help out every now and then.”
“Mm.”

After thanking Sufi and the others for the quiet tip, I leaned in to listen to what Sister Cremona had to say.

Zig’s completely lost in his anger, and he’s become stubborn. When he gets like that, he can’t accept anything except information that suits him.

But Sister Cremona looks like a veteran, so maybe she has a plan.

“Zig. Sister Anansha is important to you, no?”
“Of course she is! That’s why!”
“Right, so that’s why you tried to kick out the bad kids?”
“That’s right!”
“Why did you think they were bad kids?”
“Because they’re half-beasts! Everyone says they’re bad!”

“Sister Anansha doesn’t think those kids are bad, you know?”
“She’s being deceived! That’s why I have to take them down!”
“…Is something right just because everyone says so? The God of Light once said that numbers do not determine what is right. The power of numbers can even turn white into black—that is precisely why we must not wield the power of numbers to determine what is right. Instead of listening to ‘everyone’ who has nothing to do with this, can’t you trust Sister Anansha, who has lived alongside you all, just a little bit?”
“If everyone’s saying it, then it must be right! You’re the weird one, Sister Cremona! You’re wrong!”
“……”