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Chapter 26 - The Ant Hill (1)
Weekend Morning.
I woke up earlier than usual and completed my regular mana training routine (although others wouldn't think it was mana training). After that, I stood in front of the mirror.
"Hmm."
The thought that comes to mind every time I see my face reflected in the mirror.
"I’m pretty decent, right?"
I turned my face in various angles, a satisfied smile lingering on my lips.
Of course, the voice of conscience deep inside me chimed in with a cheeky question: "But what if you compare yourself to Yuren?" I decided to ignore that.
"My hair looks neat since I got it trimmed yesterday."
I also managed to borrow a decent outfit for the outing, free of charge, from my dear "friend."
‘A date with Iris, huh.’
I’ve been on dates with her in my previous life, but this is my first time going out with her as a cadet.
"Guess I should head out now."
With an expression full of anticipation, I headed to the meeting spot with Iris.
Waiting at the promised place were Iris, dressed neatly in the holy nation's priestly robes, and...
"What’s with that look?"
"......"
And Camilla, who looked like she was ready for battle in full armor.
"Why are you here?"
"Why am I here? To escort the saint, of course."
"...Sigh."
Right.
It’s only natural that Iris wouldn’t be allowed to go out of school alone.
Especially since we’re going to "Ant Hill," one of the most notorious areas for bad public safety in Valhalla City.
"Hmph. You didn’t actually think you’d get to go out with the Saint alone, did you?"
Camilla crossed her arms, shooting me a fierce glare.
"Ugh... Why did she have to show up this morning...?"
Next to her, I saw Iris with a dejected expression, her shoulders slumped.
Judging by her look, it seems she was caught trying to sneak out without Camilla noticing.
"Why did she have to show up, you ask! Saint, didn’t I tell you that you must never leave the school grounds without an escort?"
"But Dale is with me."
"Hah, as if a mere cadet like him could protect you..."
Camilla scoffed and glanced at me, but her expression quickly stiffened.
It seemed she remembered the time she couldn’t even draw her sword against me and was defeated.
Camilla awkwardly cleared her throat, avoiding my gaze.
"Ahem. Anyway, if it gets out that the Saint went out alone, I’ll be in big trouble."
"Sigh. Alright, Camilla, you can come too."
"By the way, if you’re heading to Ant Hill... Are you going to ‘that place’?"
"Yes, that’s right."
"Haa. Saint, you’re just... unstoppable."
Camilla sighed, shaking her head, but her expression seemed rather relaxed.
"Why~ Camilla, you like going there too, don’t you?"
"Hmph. Who said I like it?"
"Come on, you’re the one who gets the most excited when we’re there."
"I-I’ve never done that!"
"Hmm~ Is that so?"
The two women exchanged words as if they’d been to that place together before.
"Where exactly are you talking about?"
"Hm? Didn’t the Saint tell you?"
"No."
"Hmm."
Camilla looked at Iris as if asking for permission to tell me.
Iris playfully shook her head.
"Let’s leave it as a surprise."
A surprise, huh.
‘Where could it be?’
Even with my past life’s memories, I had no idea where she intended to go.
‘Well, I guess I’ll find out soon enough.’
It’s not like she’s planning to head to an Ant Hill base of the Demonic Cult, like I would.
"Oh, right, there’s something we need to buy before we go."
"What is it?"
I tilted my head, curious, and Iris smiled brightly.
"Ramen."
"......?"
And so, my first date(?) with my old lover after reincarnation began.
* * *
Ant Hill, the largest slum in the continent, located within Valhalla City.
Being the largest slum, Ant Hill had areas divided into the worst and the second worst regions.
The place Iris wanted to go was on the outskirts of Ant Hill, classified as the "second worst."
It was where an orphanage, operated with support from the Holy Nation, was located.
"Kyaaah!"
"Iris noonaaaaa!!"
"Kids! Come out quickly! The noonas are here!"
"Huff, huff... Camilla noona... Can you grab my hair and spank me just once?"
"We thought you’d forgotten about us!"
As soon as we entered the orphanage’s entrance, the children rushed toward us like hungry hyenas.
The eyes of the children running toward us were filled with unconcealed excitement and joy.
"You little rascals! Didn’t I tell you to stay quietly inside?!"
An elderly priest shouted sternly at the children rushing toward us.
"Gasp, the priest is here!"
"Everyone, scatter!"
The kids who had been charging at us scattered like ants doused in water.
"Sigh. Really...."
An old priest in the Seven Stars Church's robe approached Iris and made the sign of the cross.
"I’m sorry, Saint. My inadequate education has led to this...."
"Hehe, no, Father Antonio. Seeing the kids so healthy makes me happy instead."
Iris shook her head with a gentle smile.
"Have you been well?"
"Hoho, of course. Despite my age, I still have the energy of a young man."
Father Antonio chuckled, slightly rolling up the sleeve of his priestly robe.
His claim of having the energy of a young man wasn’t an exaggeration.
The muscles on Father Antonio's arms, revealed beneath the rolled-up sleeve, were as well-toned as those of a trained warrior.
"I’m sorry I haven’t visited often."
"Not at all, Lady Camilla. Just the fact that you both visit occasionally gives this old man great strength. But... who is this gentleman?"
Father Antonio’s gaze turned to me.
"He’s Dale Han, a student in the same class as us."
"As you know, Father Antonio, in our third year, we have more party-based classes, right? Dale is the one who will be part of our ‘fixed’ party."
Wait a minute.
When did I become a fixed member?
"Oh, I see."
Father Antonio looked at me with an intrigued expression.
"Up until now, the Saint has never brought anyone else here... This is surprising."
"Dale is someone I can trust."
"Hmm?"
Father Antonio briefly tilted his head at Iris’s confident response.
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Then, with a sly grin, he looked at Iris and let out a chuckle.
"Well... I've lived long enough to see a day like this come."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"The little girl I've watched since she was young has grown up so splendidly, even bringing along a man..."
"W-wait a minute! Saying it like that makes it sound like I've brought a fiancé or something!"
Iris shouted with a flushed face.
"Since you were young...?"
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Antonio, and I had a small connection with the Saint before she became 'The Saint.'"
The elderly priest made the sign of the cross with a dignified motion, exuding a sense of deep wisdom and experience.
'Father Antonio.'
This was another name I had never heard in my previous life.
'Iris never talked much about her past.'
She would smile bitterly and change the subject even if I hinted at it.
It was as if she deliberately avoided talking about her past.
'I sure know nothing for someone who claims to have regressed.'
I shook my head with a self-deprecating smile, but honestly, I didn’t feel too bad about it.
Things I didn't know in my previous life.
Scenes I hadn't seen.
Stories I hadn't heard.
With each new thing I learned, it made me feel more and more that I was truly living a new life.
"All three of you, please come inside the orphanage. Even though it's spring, it's still quite chilly."
Father Antonio smiled kindly and led us inside the orphanage.
I looked at Iris and asked,
"Is this where you wanted to come?"
"Yes, that's right. Sometimes, I come here with Camilla to help take care of the children. I thought it would be nice if you joined us this time, so I invited you."
Iris glanced at me cautiously.
"So... are you disappointed?"
"Huh? About what?"
"This isn't exactly the kind of place you'd take time off on a weekend to visit."
"Hmm..."
Indeed, this place was very different from what I had imagined when she first suggested going out.
"But I like it."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Actually, it's a place I'm somewhat familiar with."
"Familiar?"
"I grew up in an orphanage in the Republic too."
"...Oh."
It wasn't as happy-go-lucky as this place, but I was also an orphan who grew up in an orphanage.
'Though I barely remember my time there.'
My memories of my time at the Hero School were already fading, so there's no way I'd remember anything from even earlier.
"So, you were from an orphanage too, Mr. Dale."
"...Too?"
"Oh, no, it's nothing. Ahem. Anyway, we should hurry inside. The kids are probably waiting for us."
"Got it."
As we stepped inside following Iris, we heard the children's lively chatter.
"Camilla, sis! Let's spar with swords, sparring!"
"I want to do it too!"
"Huh... Camilla, sis... Please punish me with your mighty sword...!"
"This time, I'm definitely going to win!"
"W-wait. Everyone, calm down...!"
Camilla looked flustered, surrounded by children.
With an uncertain expression, she glanced around before grabbing a branch lying in one corner of the orphanage and spoke up.
"Haa. Looks like I have no choice. Everyone, let's go outside."
"Yay!"
The children eagerly followed Camilla outside.
I watched them with interest as they trailed behind her.
"The kids seem to like Camilla more than I expected."
"Hehe. She pretends to be strict, but she actually loves playing with the kids."
"I can see that."
I chuckled as I watched Camilla sparring with the children.
"Ow!"
"You're too fast!"
"Kyaa!"
The kids rushed at her with a seemingly well-rehearsed formation, but there was no way they could stand a chance against Camilla.
She had the children subdued in the blink of an eye, and with a triumphant grin, she declared.
"Hehe. Come back after you've had more milk, you little brats!"
Oh.
Wait a minute.
Saying something like that here...
"I don't have a mom!"
"Chuup... Can I have some of your milk instead, sis?"
[PR/N: Dawg….. This child is down HORRENDOUS 😭]
"I wonder... what mommy's milk tastes like?"
"...Gasp!"
Only then did Camilla realize her blunder, and she began sweating profusely as she frantically shook her head.
"N-no! That's not what I meant! I-I mean...!"
"Hehehe!"
"You're so cute, sis!"
The children laughed heartily at Camilla's flustered reaction.
Just from their bright smiles, it was easy to tell how much love and effort had gone into making this orphanage what it was.
"By the way... is that guy a swordsman too?"
One of the children pointed at the sword hanging from my waist and asked.
I nodded as I approached the child.
"Yeah, I am."
Well, I could do more than just swordsmanship, but for now, let's leave it at that.
"Then... who would win if you and sis fought?"
A question full of innocent curiosity.
It was a casual question from the child’s perspective, but its impact was significant.
"Come on, of course, Camilla sis would win!"
"Why are you even asking?"
"She's going to be a hero, the 'Sword of the Holy Kingdom' someday!"
"But still, that guy looks really strong too!"
"Yeah, yeah! Isn't this the first time Iris sis has brought someone along? He can't be an ordinary person!"
In an instant, the orphanage yard turned into a chaotic mess.
"......"
"......"
Camilla and I exchanged glances, both realizing the same thing.
'This is.'
There was no way out.
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