6.5.

Mane’s Home for Disaster Children. It served as both an educational center and orphanage. Accommodations and food are provided three times a day in a timely manner, and they don’t compromise on this, unlike many orphanages that have the children fight for the limited meals.

It was honestly a blessing that Sequencee ended up in this home.

“Wha-wha-wha? Sequencee is back?!”

“Really! He’s back, and he looks so cool. He’s an enforcer I think–and he’s got three girls following him!”

“Three? Are they good looking?”

“Very beautiful girls. And one of them is Leticia too!”

“No way!”

“Is he a mercenary? Does he have any stories?”

“Why is he back? It’s only been six months.”

“Beautiful girls? Where?”

The place was abuzz. The children were talking among themselves, and similar to the sardine pack development during Her Highness Titania’s arrival, there were a bunch of them waiting at the stairs.

The four had gone straight to Mane’s office after they bumped into one of the caretakers here.

“Here’s my donation to the home. I thank you for protecting these children,” Schwii slid a check to the director of the orphanage, Mane.

Normally, he would be happy to accept a donation from past students that benefited from this program, however, it was clear here that the person doing the donation was an outsider which Sequencee had ‘seduced’. She must be some incredible noble, seeing as the check had a value of 500,000G. It was a ludicrous amount. Yet, he couldn’t simply reject it. The orphanage needed funding in order to continue operation.

“My deepest gratitude for this generous charity,” as such, to make up for it however he can, Mane got on his knees and bowed with his forehead on the floor.

Leticia, Sequencee and Reese gasped. Schwii, being the one to elicit this charade, didn't seem to find it wrong.

‘As much as I want to tell Sir Mane to stop..’

The money was Schwii’s, so she had the right to say, not him. Sequencee felt like he had just seen a different side of Schwii.

Leaving the office, they were greeted by a swarm of kids.

‘How nostalgic.’

The teachers and caretakers had to break up a path for them. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much time to stay.

“Congratulations Sequencee,” amidst the crowd, Suzy’s voice stood out.

“Miss Suzy..”

“Thank you for everything Miss Suzy,” Sequencee lowered his head to her in respect.

She was the homeroom teacher of the last year of their stay here, the person who supported Sequencee and Leticia more than anything. He had her to thank for the care she gave.

Just as he was about to leave, he noticed for a moment how the wrinkles on her face had become more prominent.

===

The scene of the passing forest reflected past the window, the rumble of the engine in the background. Sequencee and Leticia were looking out the window on both sides. Meanwhile, Schwii and Reese were observing the two.

Estia. Their home.

To return after the devastation that struck it, the pain they had to endure, the people lost, safety denied. It was this disaster that showed them the harsh realities of the world, the change forced upon them.

“Oh, right. Reese, can you take out my bag? The small one.”

“Bag? Sure.”

A bag extended from the shadow. Sequencee opened the top and took out the milk-nim cream buns which he bought yesterday night.

“Here, I got everyone something to snack on.”

“How many..?!” Schwii was stunned.

The entire bag was full. Actually, it wasn’t only limited to the creamed buns, there were also things like small mooncakes and chewy candies.

“How long is it to Estia?” Reese asked, tearing open the paper bag, she chomped down on the bread.

“We should be able to reach there before dark.”

“It should be soon then.”

How long would they stay in Estia, they didn’t know. But one thing was for sure..

“Sequencee, take your time. I’ll be here for you, we’ll be here for you. Your mother’s passing.. is something which I can only apologize, and sympathize for. I was naive then, I’m sorry,” Schwii lowered her head.

“What’s past is past. I’m just glad you didn’t give up on me.”

With not many conversations taking place, the journey to Estia was a dull one.

‘I’m glad I brought food.’

===

Estia Barony.

Located at the juncture of a bifurcating river, it was once a peaceful agricultural town which focused on grain products. And as it was also the resting home for Anna, it helped in the tourism and real estate industry. It became a tourist site and retirement home for quite a number of people back then.

However, that was all in the past.

The Estia Barony they were seeing now– it looked nothing like the tranquil home they recognized. New buildings, new layouts, a tall fort was now seen built towards the mountain side. Instead of a splitting juncture of the river, a small lake now formed in the middle– a crater.

Various vacant mansions could be seen along the hillside, the streets were sparse. The plot of farmlands which once covered a large portion of the territory had become tea leaf plantations and vineyards. However, there were still many large patches of black barren soil lands seen. Though it is not to say that the territory no longer planted wheat, the focus on revitalizing the economy had put that focus as a secondary priority.

As they bid the caravan goodbye, they headed to Estia’s Dimitri guild branch. They had heard from Leo just before they left that some of the staff from their branch had moved here.

“Let’s put our stuff in first before we visit the memorial site,” Sequencee suggested.

“Isn’t it quite late now?” Reese muttered, looking at the sky glowing in the vibrant colours of twilight. “I know it’s impertinent of me to stop you here, but how about tomorrow?”

Leticia and Sequencee looked at each other.

“I agree with Reese’s suggestion. I think it would be best if everyone rested before paying our proper respects. As much as I would want to visit the memorial site right now, we still have a whole day tomorrow.. we can take our time, instead of exhausting ourselves later. What do you think?” said Schwii.

“You’re right,” Leticia said with a bitter smile.

“You’ve convinced me,” Sequencee nodded.

They booked a room for one, a suite which had partitioned rooms and private bathrooms. The guild branch here was new, hence why there were newer facilities present.

Though not as lavish as the apartment at Riestallia, it had more than enough for the average mercenary. Reese revealed everyone’s luggage, each person began sorting through their items.

They would be here for a couple days at least, so some preparation would be needed.

“Who should go bath first?” Reese asked.

“Reese, bad girl,” Leticia narrowed her eyes.

“What? What did I say?” A smug smile formed on her face.

“Is this really a time to be joking around?” Sequencee sighed.

“Isn’t it nice to lighten the mood?” Leticia retorted.

‘Yeah, no shit. I’m overreacting, calm down me.’

Sequencee knocked his head with his fist.

“Hey!” Schwii yelped.

“What?”

“Okay, that’s it. Leticia, we’re bring him into the bath,” a dead serious expression spread across her face.

“What?” Leticia’s mind couldn’t comprehend.

“Then I’ll help with that–” Reese was about to extend a shadow to restrain Sequencee in place when..

“No. Reese, you’re not permitted.”

“What? Why?”

“For obvious reasons.”

The shadow empress raised a brow.

“Is this war?”

“Reese, don’t make things difficult. You’ve already committed yourself to Shiro, don’t be greedy.”

“That was before I became master’s eternal servant wasn’t it?”

“Reese..” Schwii voice bubbled in rage.

Two was tolerable, three was breaking the limits, now there’s going to be four?

‘No way in hell I'm going to allow her to take a piece of Sequencee!’

“C-Calm down. If you two fight it’s only going to make a mess..” Leticia pleaded.

Schwii frowned, Reese sighed.

“Speaking of which, where did the person in question go?” Reese looked around.

“”Eh??””

They quickly searched the room.

And then it hit them.

“Hold on, Reese..”

“She’s gone too..?”

“What, when? Don’t tell me..”

Leticia and Schwii turned to the open window.