Bab 3: Survivors (2)

I joined the church when I was 12 years old. A priest in my town discovered that I have a talent for conjuring holy mana.

Holy mana is different from usual Mana. Since the usual Mana can only be generated using the 'Manas' in the surroundings and after processing, they were released as what we call 'Magic spell'. Holy Mana works in a completely different way, instead of generating Manas from the surroundings, a priest could only gather Manas if they were chosen and a devoted follower to the Goddess of Life and Death, Xedea.

By receiving the Manas from the Goddess, it will turn into a Holy Mana that will involve a 'Healing Spell' that cures wounds and even regenerate new limbs. The more devoted they are, the more Holy Mana they could conjure.

Well, that was about 15 years ago, and currently, I'm helping the other priests in treating the survivors. It's painful for me to think that only about 50 people survived.

But I have no other strength other than treating them. I could see the sorrows in Gulliver's eyes even if he tries to hide it. That man is like an open book, but there are also times that he looks cool as well.

"Why won't he confess already, I know that he has had feelings for me since long ago, that stupid idiot," I grumbled.

"Ha-a-ah~" I exasperated. "Someone might steal me away, does he know? Well, that's impossible for me to imagine anyway."

I think I need to see my cute Xercus now to chill out. I turned around tramping with my light feet. After a few moments, I've arrived at his tent.

"Hi, sweetie! Did you miss me?" I greeted him as soon as I saw him laying on the bed with his usually stoic face.

"..."

This kid doesn't talk that much, does he? Well, I kind of notice it when we were talking. He's too calm for a kid, especially after encountering those kinds of events. Usually, kids around his age would cry or get frightened just from a minor incident.

But he's different, no one among the kids around me is similar to him.

Typically, after a short while spending their time with me they make them open their hearts. Then, I would pamper them to my heart's content until they want me to be their mom.

"Fufufu~ —Oops!" It seems I can't contain my emotions thinking about those kids.

"Perhaps, do you want something to eat?"

He still didn't answer but he gave me a nod. I will make you warm up to me, be prepared, I'll make sure you'll want my pampering soon enough.

I went to the shelves and took some apples, I also took the peeling knife as well. I started peeling them and went back.

"Can you sit up?"

He seated up after I asked him. It feels like he's giving me a cold shoulder.

"Here you go, chew then slowly okay?" I said while picking up a slice with a fork.

He seemed reluctant with me feeding him but he started chewing them soon enough.

"Great! You've finished all of them, good job, Xercus!" I applauded.

"Thanks," I barely said a word.

His reply made me smile more and I couldn't stop my hand from caressing the back of his head.

I wonder what it feels like to have a real son. Not long after, my thought was occupied by many things.

°°°

Yesterday, I made sure my body could recover enough strength. And the day finally came. Mairade and Gulliver are now in my tent to discuss it.

It'd be better if I say something that will make them bring me to a town, a city would be better.

"So you don't have any parents?" Mairade said.

"No, I was supposed to have parents and even siblings, however, those bad guys suddenly entered our house and just started to kill my family. I saw it with my two eyes, and when my head was about to get cut, my father managed to grab the man's foot so I just received a wound in my chest and I lost consciousness from the pain."

"That's—" Just before Gulliver finishes talking.

"That's just horrible!" She busted out with clear anger seen in her eyes.

"Hey, wait, just calm down okay? So do you want to try and look for some people for now? Maybe there is someone among the survivors you know."

"No, there is no need. We were just a peasant and because of our unique traits, people treated us as slaves even though we weren't. Some of them are even peasants like us." I was surprised I spoke to them naturally as if I was there.

Well, I was kinda speaking in a monotonous tone anyway so they'll find it hard cracking down some of my lies.

They listened well to my made story. I made sure to keep things under my control so they won't be suspicious. But the further I tell my story while adding more details made a heavy atmosphere inside the tent.

"Okay, I got it. We will send you to an orphanage." Gulliver said. "You don't have to worry about the bad guys there. There are lots of strong big brothers and sisters protecting the City you know?" He added.

"Yes, what this uncle said is true," Mairade commented. "He grew up at the orphanage and... We met during the time I joined the church to be a priest, didn't we?" She added.

"Oh! That's right! We became friends after a while and I used to play pranks on you. Hahaha!"

"Yeah, but you always cry at the end because you're the one who got played by me." She grinned at him.

"That's not true at all! It was not always, it was just, Uhm, you know, sometimes." He replied with slight blushing on his tanned cheeks.

I continued to watch the lovely lady with long wavy brunette hair and a tanned man with brown hair and a solid build. I could see just from his atmosphere and the volume as well as the density of his muscles that he was an experienced and well-trained combat veteran. They continued flirting for a while and finally after they were done, they both bade goodbye and left.

They're stressing me out, they should just date already. I cut off my thoughts so that I won't recollect about the past.

After a few days, when Gulliver requested to send us to the City, I can now finally start my journey But he made sure to cover my body with a black robe so people won't see me in the open. Yet, riding on a horse hurts. But I was the one who chose to ride with Gulliver, I don't want to spend my time with more strangers inside the carriage.

Mairade stayed behind because she's in charge of overseeing the priests treating the survivors that still didn't recover. She said that if a critical wound is healed by a healing spell, the vitality isn't affected. So that person needs to rest for a few more days than usual.

But from what I noticed from the military system in this world, or specifically these guys, are somewhat similar to my homeworld. Supposedly, during medieval times, titles like Private, Lieutenant, Major, etc. haven't been formulated yet. But these guys said those titles, maybe something similar to me happened to someone and created a system just like this one.

I drove out my thoughts because I don't want to reach a conclusion based on my assumptions. I just enjoyed the painful journey to our destination.

But there's another thing I've noticed, these horses are running too fast from the horses I know. Is it magic? Or these aren't exactly horses but just look like one. I'll just call it a horse for now.

We were currently traveling at about 60 miles per hour which is close to how fast a cheetah would sprint. The carriage is also fine being dragged at this speed and the surprising thing is, these horses aren't even sprinting, —there isn't any meaning musing to these kinds of stuff. Now, I realized I'd need to gather more information than I have expected.

We've arrived at the city just before evening comes nonetheless, it took us about 8 long hours with just a single time to take a rest to eat.

"We've arrived on time Captain," a blonde man in his 20s said.

"That's right it's dangerous to travel at night after all. We won't know when those beasts pop out. They rarely come out at daylight, " Gulliver answered. "Torin, send those survivors to the safe house. They'll be in the care of the helpers there."

"What about that boy sir?" The blonde man named Torin asked.

"He's the only kid that survived so I'll be sending him to the orphanage," Gulliver replied.

"Ah, you mean that place, sir."

"Stop asking and move your asses!" Gulliver exclaimed.

"Aye, sir!"

'What?' I contemplated.

Isn't that supposed to be a navy thing? This is so messed up. The person who made this must be a comedian.

The soldiers which I think were composed of swordsmen and spearmen rode their horses inside the city after being checked by the City Guards.

"Well, let's go inside as well, Xercus." He said with a smile.

"Mm," I nodded.

The city itself isn't bad, it's what you expect to see in the medieval era. But I noticed that some buildings have see-through glasses and doors. It might be an influence of a transmigrator or the science in this world is already evolving.

Before I noticed it, we came to a stop.

"This is your new home now, buddy."

"Mm," I nodded.

The Orphanage itself looks being maintained well added by a yard for many purposes. It's still dusk so I can somehow see the playgrounds just behind the building in the right corner.

I hope they'll have books for me to study, I'm sure we have different languages and the original Xercus didn't know how to read.

"It's beautiful isn't it, this is one of the best orphanages you can find in the Kingdom." Gulliver bloated.

"I see," I replied.

He unmounted and lifted me with his arms to the ground. Then we slowly walked to the front door. The building was bigger than it was from the gates. These double doors are enough to fit 5 adults entering side by side.

At the side of the door, I saw a well-aged woman that seemed to be the owner of this Orphanage.

"You're as beautiful as always, Mrs. Mailon," Gulliver said.

"Don't be silly, say those words to Mairade I'm sure she'll be happy." the woman Gulliver called Mrs. Mailon responded.

"Haha~" He made a dry laugh. "Well, you might have received my letter so you know what purpose did I came here for." He said then turned his eyes on me.

"Yes, I know. So this is him, right? Mairade said that he's quite a unique one. He didn't cling to her even after a few days of pampering. Fufufu~"

What is she saying? I don't know about the pampering thing, but, any kid would indeed want to stay with a caring woman like her.

"Ah, yes he seems different than a normal kid. Maybe it's because he was still traumatized by the event he went through. That's why I want to send him here and maybe he'll become lively as the other kids." Gulliver somehow made a gentle smile. The first time I saw him wearing that kind of smile.

"So, this is goodbye, for now, Xercus." He went back to his easygoing attitude soon enough.

"Mm, take care, Gulliver," I said.

"Ugh! Can you just call me big brother? Even once would be enough." he pleaded.

"I don't want to," Now that I've achieved my goal, I'll stop playing kid here. "But, why don't you just tell her that you love her, old man. I saw her flirting with a guy. You better confess to her now before she'll get taken away by someone." I said turning around to hide behind Mrs. Mailon. I pushed him a little, it'll also be bad for me if I showed a bad attitude in front of this woman.

Interestingly though, Gulliver showed an expression from being offended and embarrassed.

"See that now? Even this little boy knows more than you do." Mrs.Malion giggled.

"Ugh! Fine! I'll be sure to make you pay for this, kid!" Gulliver yelled. However, I know that he was not angry, instead, he made a smile on his face and waved his hand while facing back. And soon, he mounted on his horse and faded away.

'Seems like they'll be a couple soon enough.' I mused. Let's just say that this is the payment for taking care of me. Now, I don't owe them anything.

"Now, don't be sad okay? This Auntie will be taking care of you now. Come on let's go inside, I'll show you your room." She said.

"Mm," I just nodded and didn't say anything.

We've reached my room and it's more or less a nice one, it was a pin and had enough just for 2 people. It's more likely that there is already someone using the room since there are things like clothes and stuff.

"You'll be sharing the room with a boy your age so get along with him okay?"

I wanted to have a room for myself, but, this is fine for now. If a chance came by, I'll ask her if it's possible to have a room on my own.

"Mm-kay," I replied with a somewhat dissatisfied voice. But I doubt she'll notice it. I can't make the expression the way I wanted. Somehow, I wish I could control my face expertly.

"Just rest for now okay? I'll bring something for you to eat. I'm sure you're tired from your travel." She gave me a warm smile before leaving the room.

I flopped down to my bed to relax my exhausted body. I'm not planning to move and just continue to loosen up until she returns.

"What should I be doing first?" I mumbled.

Now that I'm here, I should practice introducing myself. I expected that to happen today but, I guess she took into account that I'm exhausted so she just made me rest for now.

I was planning not to move but, I'll just endure it for now. It felt like ever since I've lived in this body, I'm becoming lazy as the day passes by.

I stood up and faced the mirror at the corner of the room from the center of the two beds.

Unexpectedly, well, I already know what my appearance was. Dark red eyes, slightly tan skin, and white hair, or more like ash-white. Because it is somehow between white and gray. Is this hair common? Xercus' family had the same traits. The people at the camp didn't react even after seeing my hair. I was wearing a robe when I came here so people can't see it. Well, I knew that those pity look most people gave to me was due to that incident, or maybe—

My thoughts were cut off when I heard the door clicking. Mrs. Mailon entered carrying a tray with bread and soup as well as a cup of milk.

"Here's your dinner, swallow them slowly okay? Just enjoy this light meal for now, soon enough will be eating delicious foods"

"Mm," I nodded and starts eating slowly.