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

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

a trafficked orphan, determined to offer

it since, at the time, he had yet to process the many even more shocking revelations that his father had revealed to him. But as he sat here, he could not help but

happened. The Mantian Region once had a rather extensive child trafficking ring across Kandria.

a week before that

together to systematically suppress this sector, although it was impossible to eliminate it entirely. It wasn't not

winced at his

was an insensitive

her head. "…It's not you, baby. It's just…I

fruits even harder. "I haven't had the

putting

that I grew determined to create a truly loving orphanage," She remarked. "Determined to give to

her eyes. "And it was the best decision of my life. That is why I do not resent my childhood

words as she returned to squeezing fruit with

himself saying. "Thank you for

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

her words. "…You know, you're the only person who didn't ask

you. Thank you for that. Thank

smiled as she returned to squeezing fruits. "Everybody needs space and time. To think, to decide, to build up the courage needed to take the first step. Take all the space and time you

"…Thanks," Rui smiled, resigned.

more reminded about why he loved

while the way people treated and talked to him changed, she would make him feel warm and fuzzy inside with just a simple conversation. No matter what he did or became, he was always

increasingly precious

get in the way. Of course, while the orphanage still loved and adored him, many of