Chương 24: 23 - Flashback Begins

Chapter 23 *Flashback Begins*

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

The day had been a long one and the roads were slick with constantly pouring rain. There was no indication that it would let up anytime soon either. The director of Flange Orphanage was annoyed, to put it mildly. "That entire meeting was a waste of time," Doyle Moline wasn't in a good mood. Not only that but he'd received reports of ruffians going around and wrecking establishments similar to what he ran. "Those bastards must be desperate for gullible brats if they're trying to break into orphanages and foundling shelters."

The problem was an ongoing one. He was sitting in his vehicle drawn by two horses that were receiving energy-saving buffs through magic systems that kept it weatherproof as well. Soundproof was something else altogether.

His hearing picked up something downright disturbing. Especially on such a crummy night. "Coachman Grimes, please stop the vehicle." Doyle requested.

"So, you heard the crying as well?" Grimes called to him as he eased the vehicle to a halt.

The continuous pattering rain should've drowned everything out, but not this distinctive sound. It was a mixture of growling, keening, and shrieking. Grimes visibly shook with anxiety.

Doyle couldn't blame him. Something horrible happened to some of the monsters again. Either that or a child was abandoned. "I'm going to go check." He told Grimes. "You call ahead and make preparations for receiving another baby into Flange's register."

There wasn't any point in delaying the paperwork to be processed. If anything, Doyle recognized when something was going dreadfully wrong I this stormy night. He left the comfort of the vehicle and began searching. Using a combination of senses and devices, Doyle finally located the child. He was shocked at what he discovered.

A very dead dragon was coiled around two more bodies--humanoid in appearance and both deceased--most shocking was what lay between them.

A very live baby squirming and shrieking madly. Yes, it was on the verge of dying, but it was loud and defiant.

Doyle had to admire its tenacity and will to live. "My, you're a lively one indeed." He looked at the sight with a sigh.

"Well, this is going to get complicated." Doyle grimaced with discomfort. He wasn't going to let the child go. If anything, he would guard it and raise the boy so that he would be self-sufficient enough to stay alive. "I fear you are going to have a rough life ahead of you child." He gathered the squirming child into his arms.

It didn't miss Doyle's attention that there were letters scattered around. He picked up all of them and skimmed the contents. He nodded soberly, having confirmed his suspicions.

"Hey, master, are you alive?" Grimes called to him.

"Yes, I'm alive," Doyle responded. "I'm going to need your help. I think there's more than one child around here. I just found the loudest one." He knew there had to be more of this one.

One of the letters indicated there were at least three more somewhere in this wreckage.

Grimes came down and promptly gagged in horror. "What is this?"

Doyle rolled his eyes. "A massacre obviously." He grumbled. "Did you call for help?"

"Yes, I did, but it's going to take time for assistance to arrive, even though we're at the entrance of the driveway." Grimes wasn't pleased with the delay. "Should I notify the authorities?"

"Yes," Doyle studied the scene with a sigh. "However, not before we find the other children." He just hoped they were still alive.

Grimes moved to where he spotted something that Doyle missed in his earlier survey. "I found them. They're alive, but not as lively as the one in your arms." He looked around and located a box. With patience, he put the three silent babies into it.

Grimes looked at Doyle. "Ah, right, I don't think he's going to fit in there."

There was indeed a huge difference in size between the child in Doyle's arms and the box with the other babies.

Doyle mused on the problem. "I don't think separating them is a good thing though." He cautiously put the piteously crying child in with the others and the horrible noise stopped. All of the babies immediately curled up together in a small lump.

"Huh, that is unexpected." Grimes shook his head. "Much more convenient to getting them out of here though."

"Yes," Doyle agreed. He explored a bit further, assessing the situation with a critical eye. Indeed, as he suspected, it had been a massacre. No one should've survived the attack. The fact that there were four live babies showed their stubbornness and drive to survive.

Now, however, Doyle faced quite a quandary. "Well, I will induct all four of them into the register." He would have to alter their identities to safeguard their lives. When they reached the age of fifteen, then Doyle would tell them the circumstances of their past. That is if they all lived that long.

This was beyond his scope of imagination.

As his coachman stated firmly. More authorities were going to need notification. Doyle sighed. "I think if there hadn't been dragons there wouldn't have been a problem."

Grimes shivered. "So, dragons are involved, eh?" He swallowed convulsively. "That isn't a good thing, now, is it?"

Doyle shook his head wearily. "No."

Flashing lights soon alerted them to the arrival of various authority entities that governed Three Pronged Forks.

The commander of the central unit and agencies surprised Doyle with his appearance. "You're actually showing up for this?"

Commander Darmono nodded. "Yes," He tilted his head slightly and Doyle winced. "Ah, you're of the draconian legacy?" The news stunned him.

"Yes, which is why I'm surprised you even found them." Commander Darmono frowned at Doyle.

"One of the children was shrieking its lungs out. None of them are in good health though." Doyle showed him the box with the four babies in it.

Commander Darmono's face darkened when he saw the state the babies were in. "I trust that you'll take good care of them?" He immediately turned to the scene of the murder.

"Yes, I will." So, the commander didn't intend to assume responsibility for any of the babies. That didn't shock Doyle because he knew the man was a playboy and had far too many illegitimate and legitimate children in his name already.