The Martial Unity

"Mom," Rui glanced at his mother.

"Yes, baby?"

An unusual silence had permeated through the Quarrier Orphanage. The caretakers had the opportunity to take the children for a small outing in the nearby woods for half a day of fun while the season of spring lasted.

While the forest in the vicinity wasn't entirely safe, Max and Mana had accompanied them as bodyguards, so Rui wasn't particularly worried.

While managing and playing with the kids could be fun, he passed on the little trip.

"…What are you making?" Rui asked, glancing at her work.

"Fruit juice," Lashara smiled. "They'll be tired when they come back. Some good fruit juice will make them feel better. Mayra has planned for some yummy meals today, so look forward to it."

"Hm…"

Lashara glanced at him. "And what is my baby doing?"

"…Just thinking," Rui replied, glancing at the wall before him before turning back to Lashara. "Say, mom…could I ask you about something?"

"Of course," Lashara nodded as she squeezed the juice from an orange.

"…What was your childhood like?" Rui asked.

The silence grew more pointed.

at

of nowhere. He recalled what Rael had told him when describing how he found Rui a good

orphanage created and run by a woman who was once a trafficked orphan, determined to offer a loving home to orphans that she had

the time, he had yet to process the many even more shocking revelations that his father had revealed to him. But as he

he had an idea of what had happened. The Mantian Region once had a rather extensive child trafficking ring across Kandria. They would set up fake orphanages that looked like real orphanages

a week before that

this sector, although it was impossible

Lashara winced at

an insensitive question," Rui apologetically

you, baby.

even harder. "I haven't

putting it

unfortunate circumstances that I found my calling, that I grew determined to create a truly loving orphanage," She remarked. "Determined to give to others what I thought I

best decision of my life. That is why I do not resent my childhood if those experiences were

amazed at the graciousness in her words

"Thank you for creating this

quiet for a moment as Lashara met his gaze with an affectionate smile. "Thank you for being born in

her words. "…You know, you're the only person who

"Thank you. Thank you for

decide, to build up the courage

"…Thanks," Rui smiled, resigned.

about why he loved

and talked to him changed, she would make him feel warm and fuzzy inside with just a simple conversation. No matter what he

was something that grew increasingly precious to him

loved and adored him, many