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.

prickled at

out of nowhere. He recalled what Rael had told him when describing how he

and run by a woman who was once a trafficked orphan, determined to offer a loving home to orphans

he had yet to process the many even more shocking revelations

ring across Kandria. They would set up

week before that child was never

Martial Union, had worked together to systematically suppress this sector, although it was impossible to eliminate it entirely. It wasn't not longer prevalent

winced at

sorry, that was an insensitive

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

even harder. "I

putting

was because of those unfortunate circumstances that I found my calling, that I grew determined to create a truly loving orphanage," She remarked. "Determined

her eyes. "And it was the best decision of my life. That is why I do not resent my childhood if those experiences were necessary for me to

words as she returned to

"Thank you for creating this wonderful

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

"…You know, you're the only person who didn't ask me or talk

gaze. "Thank you. Thank you for that.

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

"…Thanks," Rui smiled, resigned.

more reminded about why

crazier, while the way people treated and talked to him changed, she would make him feel warm and fuzzy inside

was something that grew increasingly precious to him as

the orphanage still loved and adored him, many of the caretakers could not hide their new awe and amazement towards