As always, the streets of [Gary] were bustling with activity.
And in the alleys that could be found everywhere, shadowy corners were often visible.
To the locals, this place seemed as prosperous as most ordinary towns, and outsiders viewed it the same way.
Vendors’ stalls lined both sides of the street, leaving no room for carriages to pass. As a result, they had to take detours. Those who wished to enter the town via the main thoroughfares had to pay an additional entry tax to the guards blocking the way.
These fees sometimes weren’t accounted for by newly arrived merchant caravans. Reluctantly, they would scrape together money from here and there, just to enter the town.
Because [Gary] was not just a marketplace—it also functioned as a black market for trading goods that couldn’t be sold “openly.”
The guards, holding their collected coin pouches, exchanged glances with the vendors who illegally occupied the streets to set up their stalls. The residents who understood the situation knew better than to say much.
It was hard to imagine such a profit-driven relationship between vendors and guards.
But that was just how life in [Gary] was.
A man sighed, closed the notebook in his hands, and withdrew his gaze from the window.
His old-fashioned clothing, appearance, and prematurely gray hair made it hard to believe he was a man in his thirties. But the people living here had come to know him and had given him considerable renown.
Croton Marksteed, a “great” philanthropist of the new era, currently operated four major charitable institutions across [Colovet]. One of them was the “Tan’er Welfare Home” (a chain) located in [Gary].
Deep down, he knew this wasn’t enough—not enough to cleanse the blood from his dirty hands.
Croton Marksteed, a renowned assassin of the old era, had blood of all kinds on his hands. It was said that he had accidentally burned down the only orphanage of the old era, which became the fundamental reason for him to leave that life behind.
“Mr. Al, we can stop here. Sorry for troubling you to give me a ride.”
“Ahaha, not at all, Mr. Croton. You’re the only truly good person in [Gary]. Giving you a lift is the least I could do.”
“Well, thank you. Let me at least pay for the ride—”
“No, no, I couldn’t possibly trouble you. This, ah…”
Old Man Al sighed deeply as he looked at the three silver coins left on the carriage seat. He pocketed the coins, glanced at Croton, who was walking with an almost stumbling gait, and drove away.
“Ah, Mr. Croton, hello!”
“Hey, isn’t that Croton? Back from [Malletus]?”
“Hello, Mr. Croton. How are the children doing?”
Facing the greetings and questions from the neighbors, Croton didn’t respond. He simply quickened his pace, heading toward the “Tan’er Welfare Home,” which was located in a corner of [Gary] but covered a large area.
He had returned unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning, only to find another abandoned child. Except for Xi’erwei, he hadn’t run into any of the children… He hoped they were all doing well and were happy.
Old Lady Al wasn’t in the best health, and the children were well aware of that. He hoped she could stay strong for a few more years and enjoy a peaceful life.
As Croton walked, a familiar clang sound reached his ears. He immediately turned his head toward the source, his jaw tightening uncontrollably.
It was just a pair of brothers playfully roughhousing—nothing serious.
After reassuring himself, Croton continued on his way, entered the “Tan’er Welfare Home,” glanced around to ensure no one was watching, and closed the heavy, worn wooden door behind him.
Hearing the familiar click of the bolt, the weight in Croton’s heart finally lifted. This welfare home, the only place where he could relax, was finally back.
“Ah! Mr. Croton is back!”
“Yes, Lite, I’m back. Everyone—” Before Croton could finish, the one-armed boy named Lite excitedly ran inside.
“That child, still so optimistic.”
Croton straightened his posture, putting on a “vigorous” demeanor, and followed Lite’s path.
“Oh, by the way, Lite. Did you meet the new friend who arrived at our welfare home today?”
“New friend… Yes! She said her name is Ling Shi Yueyu. Sister Xi’erwei said the name is quite a mouthful.” Lite hopped up and down excitedly, just like always.
“Ling Shi Yueyu… Yueyu… Seems like an optimistic child. It takes courage and optimism to introduce yourself to unfamiliar peers.”
Just as Croton was about to ramble about his first foray into psychological observations, a sudden sound came from the playground.
“Yah—!! Whoa!”
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?! Wait! I’m coming right away!” Croton’s curiosity instantly turned to panic. He broke into a run, hoping to get there as quickly as possible.
Please be safe, please be safe! Croton prayed silently until he saw the child “flying” in the air, grinning widely to “show” that there was no danger. Only then did he calm down again.
“Really, don’t scare me like that. By the way, Pani! How are you flying?”
Pani waved at Croton, then pointed to a particular child—”Ling Shi Yueyu.”
A girl was casually holding out her right hand, swaying it left and right. And Pani “flew” along with the motion. However, it looked less like flying and more like clothes hanging from a laundry pole.
So, her actions weren’t meaningless after all. Croton thought to himself, taking advantage of the girl’s diverted attention to slip into everyone’s blind spot.
…
Why am I using this bloodstained ability to entertain children who are actually younger than me? It was just a coincidence—catching a child who was about to fall… Well, I guess I meddled unnecessarily.
The child’s name is “Pani.” I greeted him earlier (reluctantly) and found out he has a vocal cord disorder.
What a pity.
“Pani! How are you flying?” An adult man’s voice. Where is it…
At the entrance. He just arrived. Who could it be…
Based on his attire and the affectionate way the children treated him, it must be Director Croton.
His soul is half-turbid but shows a trend of “mutual erosion.”
Is he a once-terrible villain trying to atone for his sins?
Or a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Or perhaps an ordinary person standing at a crossroads?
Gradually reducing the force, I set Pani down on the ground. Then, I quickly turned around and fixed my gaze on the director, who was trying to approach me.
Except for the visually impaired children, everyone’s eyes were on the director, whose movements had become awkward. He had no choice but to stop.
“Mr. Croton!” “Mr. Croton!” “Director Croton!!”
The children’s shouts surged like waves, much like their crowding footsteps, trapping Croton in place.
Xi’erwei followed suit. It seemed Croton left a good impression on the children.
They’re all good people, every one I’ve met. Yet, in the end, they all left me behind for their own reasons.
I wonder how long I’ll stay here this time…
Taking advantage of the commotion, I quickly slipped out of Croton’s line of sight and entered the uniquely shabby yet simply furnished “sleeping area.”
The children called this place their “sweet home,” and it truly was. For them, Croton and this welfare home provided the best treatment they could hope for, given their previous circumstances.
No one could possibly be ungrateful.
Oh? Something interesting caught my eye~
While walking down the corridor leading to the central hall, I noticed several special notebooks hanging on the wall—”Graduation Records,” “Past Rosters,” “Mischief Records,” and so on.
The notebooks were hung unusually high. Even standing on tiptoe and stretching my fingers as far as I could, I couldn’t reach them… In the end, I used the force to retrieve them.
Come to think of it, I could have used the same method for that map earlier…
Never mind.
“Graduation Records? (Opening and reading) No surnames… Past Rosters (opening and reading), all children with full names, aged over 16… Mischief Records (reading), Xi’erwei—stealing fruits from neighbors? Lite—aiding theft? All within reason. And also…”
I flipped through the notebooks one by one, hoping to uncover some truth about this welfare home…
Finally, I held the “Failure Records” in my hands.
I didn’t want to overthink it. Since it was in my hands, I might as well read it.
“(Opening and reading)… Cause, severe infection on left side of the body; cause, chest pain followed by unconsciousness; cause, trampled by a carriage while playing outside…”
I quickly closed the book and returned it to its place. Then, without looking back, I headed upstairs and entered “my” room.
What’s wrong with me… Why am I digging into someone else’s past when they seem like such a good person, and the children trust him so much…
With a creak, I almost reflexively turned to look at the pushed-open door. Director Croton stood frozen at the doorway, his slightly parted lips as if ready to make a request.
But he probably just wants to get to know me and ask about the force.
“Hello, Yueyu. May I call you that?”
I nodded without speaking. Croton paused for a moment, then quickly understood. He took out paper and a pen from his satchel and handed them to me.
“Well then, Yueyu, I’m the director here— (Seeing me write) Yes, yes, Director Croton.”
