The Author's POV

"Don't let yourself be led astray. Choose the right side… Don't let yourself be led astray. Choose the right side… Don't let yourself be led astray. Choose the right side... Hah."

I laughed when I thought back on those words.

'Was she threatening me?'

It sure as hell sounded like one. It didn't matter much to me anyway. Whether it was a threat or not, I already knew which side I was on.

There was no need for her to remind me.

Walking around the empty streets in front of me, I mused back on the words Sister Viviana told me. There was quite a bit of information that I learned.

"So Waylan's wife used to work at the orphanage, huh…"

But most importantly, I came to learn of a very strange fact.

The fact that Waylan's wife formerly held a position at this orphanage was interesting. It clarified why he continued to come here after such a long time, but what remained unclear to me was whether or not they were connected to the so-called Protector.

'A pity I don't really know much about Waylan.'

Emma was the only person he ever mentioned in any of his conversations. Other than that, I didn't really know that much about him.

In addition to that, it wasn't really within my rights to inquire about his wife or his past at all. It wasn't any of my business.

'Things are different now, though.'

When my thoughts paused thus far, I took out my phone and dialed a number.

―How can I help you?

I smiled the moment I heard the voice coming from the speaker of the phone.

It was very polite. A stark contrast to how it was a while back.

"It's nice to hear your voice again, Jerome. I have to say, you've done a good job so far."

―Haha, it is only right that I do this much.

The smile on my face grew larger when I heard his words.

'I did the right thing by getting them on my side.'

They saved me a lot of trouble.

―Ehm… Is there a reason why you've called me?

"Hm, yes."

me, at where the orphanage was. Although it was quite a distance away from where I was standing, I was still able to make

over there, the smile I previously

orphanage I sent you previously... Ashton City

instruction wasn't clear enough, I repeated the full name

to show me, and closer to finding the key to the identity of

up

finally be able to get out of

the date of its founding, its founders, how it was twenty years ago, just any information that you can find about them. Useless or not useless.

I paused.

anything. Regardless of how trivial it is. It's very important that I know everything

***

be considered one of the largest in the city with more

the mansion, beside a large oval wooden

"Hear this, dad."

still chewing on her food with her mouth

with your

"Shut up."

chewing her food with her mouth closed and

and if there was one thing she couldn't stand about Emma, it was the fact that she chewed with her mouth

She hated the sound.

always hounding me about

"Because it's disgusting."

Emma rolled her eyes.

"Whatever."

said that, she complied with Amanda's request and started eating

food, she looked at her

I was saying… believe it or not, someone actually said

"Oh?"

and he looked

what she

After chewing and swallowing her

"Yes, it's true."

"That's rather surprising."

the piece of

anything come out of that

"No, not really."

Emma answered for Amanda.

said she still doesn't believe him. That's also the reason why I brought her

the slice

confirm with me whether I agreed with that statement

steak, he cleaned his mouth

Do what you feel is right. Back then, I said you were fitted for the sword because I believe that you are indeed talented in that aspect… Your results have shown me that my words are right. You're

considered at the top of the human race. She

and Emma