Chapter 7:

Chapter 07

A Bloody Methodology


The other children had returned back inside, sobbing with reddened eyes, tears trickling down their cheeks. They become glum and the atmosphere stagnant. With a loud and reverberating clap, the children looked towards Esia.

“It’s not time to be all gloomy. Rather, we should celebrate!” Esia stood up from her chair and drew closer to the children. “True, he may be leaving now. But someday, you guys will meet each other again. Doesn’t that make you excited?”

The kids’ expressions lightened up a bit as they listened to Esia.

“Think about it. When you grow up to be adults, you’re going to tell each other stories and what not. So it’s not like you won’t ever see him again.”

“Yeah! I’m going to be a hunter when I grow up!”

“Maybe I’ll try my hand on baking.”

“You’re going to eat and not work. I can see it.”

“No, I would not! Maybe a little...”

“See!”

The children were sharing ideas, dreams, aspirations, and ambitions with each other until it became much livelier than earlier.

Generally, children are sent out of the orphanage once they become of age, meaning an adult. In the Kingdom of Alrus, the age of 14 is considered as an adult. And before the children reaches that age, the orphanage keeper, Esia, teaches the children how to read and write, as well as basic maths. She hoped that with that, they could find employment almost anywhere.

“Good! Now, let’s all have a feast.” After seeing the mood brighten up, Esia declared such.

“But, Esia. We haven’t prepared any food anything at all.” Frianne worriedly interjected.

“... Okay, everyone. Let’s make a feast!” After a bit of silence, Esia asked everyone to help make dinner.

Although there was no food prepared yet for a feast, the children were all excited in a way.

Ahhh. There goes the stock we saved up. Maybe there was another way to cheer up the children without using so much food? Those guys should really arrive with the products before first snow fall, else their flesh will suffice.

Esia had a bitter expression while cold sweat trickled down her head, thinking it was too late to take her words back. Shew could do nothing but sigh.

Alongside Frianne, they headed inside the kitchen. But before they could enter, Osar called out to the both of them and brought back the topic of the identity of Veyrr’s adopters.

“Like I said, Grandpa, I can’t just give out personal details of adopters.” Esia stood ground, refusing to speak.

“Esia...” Osar had released such a terrifying pressure as he spoke in a low voice. “They are technically my grandchildren or even great grandchildren. Of course, I’d be worried if they were to be with someone uncaring.”

Esia could only sigh, disappointed to see the once respected and revered hunter.

She then told him their names. Esia also said that they look trustworthy and caring. The woman, Aldia, who is unable to birth a child, even teared when she saw Veyrr. Hugging him and screaming ‘I want him!’.

“Do they live here?” Osar pushed for more questions.

“No. They said the plan to migrate to Monfam to the east.”

“When did they arrive here at Heom?”

“About two weeks ago or so.” Esia didn’t mind answering him.

“Hmmm...”

“Is something the matter, Grandpa?”

“Hm? No, it’s nothing. It’s just that I don’t recognise them.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t. There are over a hundred thousand people living in Heom.”

“Well, you see, not many people travel here to Heom or to this region especially its nearing winter.” Osar sat down on one of the chairs in front of him and began to describe how he knew the names of certain people entering the city.

“Those who travel in and out of this city this time around are either well known merchants, large merchant businesses, armies of the Kingdom, or short-term stay immigrants usually staying until spring or late winter time. Civilians normally wouldn’t travel at this kind of time, especially during the transition between autumn and winter. When winter comes, it’s usually a harsh one. It’s pretty normal to see houses buried under snow. And even if it isn’t buried, the winds are too strong it can even push someone who is sturdily built, like soldiers.”

Esia and Frianne both made sour faces when the word harsh winter came out. After all, it really is normal to see houses buried in winter. That is why houses in the city are built sturdy with thick walls, raised floors, and large and thick rooves.

“Well, they might be merchants. They had colourful and expensive-looking clothes.” Frianne nodded so, supporting Esia’s statement.

“So, what does that have to do with the Komriyas?” Esia was still confused what its relationship is with the family that adopted Veyrr.” Esia was still confused what its relationship is with the family that adopted Veyrr.

Osar was silent for a while until he opened his mouth.

“... No, I think it’s best not to speak of it.” Osar spoke is a low voice.

“First, you egg me onto revealing their identities, now you won’t speak?!” Esia slightly raised her voice and a brow while making weird movements. Just say it, for god’s sake.”

“Alright, but it will have to be on another day. I don’t want to ruin the mood.” Osar said as if bidding goodbye.

“Then why don’t you have dinner with us?” Frianne suggested to him to join them. “I’m sure the children would feel much more delighted if you’re there.

“You can tell it after eating.” Esia agreed to Frianne’s suggestion and added to her statement. And without much of a reason to decline, he accepted. And since he has also accepted, he was dragged to the kitchen to help out.

He had the skill to skin animals and beasts. He had the skill to cut and wound animals and beasts. But it turns out he has no skill in chopping, dicing, and slicing meat and vegetables. Even the eldest children had much better control of their knives.

The night drew quickly and dinner was prepared slightly slower than usual. Everyone sat at the tables as they chowed on their food. Soup with plenty of meat and vegetables in it. Strong scents of spices permeated the room. Everyone’s mouth salivated as the rich flavour of the soup tickled their tastebuds.

“Esia, Frianne, you make this every day?” As Osar speaks and brings another spoonful of soup towards his mouth, the girls make a very sour face.

Esia leaned closer to Osar’s face and whispered.

“Actually, I just said that speech earlier to cheer the children up. Now, we two weeks of food left even if we become frugal.” Esia whispered beside Osar.

“Alright, I’ll arrange some food supplies to be sent over.”

“Really?!” Esia shouted with an elated expression. Her shout startled everyone in the room, all eyes on her as they wonder what happened.

Esia later realised the room has gone silent. Embarrassed, she apologised and turned to her bowl of soup. She recovered within a matter of seconds and whispered in a loud way.

‘Really?!’

“Yes, but not so much.” Osar replied back to her. “I also have my family and servants to look after.”

“Thank you very much Grandpa!”

Esia was all smiles while eating her food.

Hehe! The orphanage might be able to last a month and a half if grandpa would donate some to the orphanage.

The smile of Esia was so contagious that even Frianne and Osar couldn’t help but smile.


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It was late night and the children were fast asleep. When Esia, Frianne, and Osar had reached the main hall, Esia asked Osar what he was about to say before they had their dinner.

“Right.” Osar sat at one of the chairs placed in front of Esia’s desk in the main hall. “It hasn’t been made public yet, but cases of kidnappings have increased since a few months back.”

Expressions of both girls twisted in shock. Esia’s brows furrowed and her face become one filled with bitterness and Frianne covered her mouth.

“So, you’re saying the Komriyas are kidnappers?” With a serious face and a threatening tone of voice, Esia asked Osar. By her side, Frianne frantically shifts her gaze to Osar and back to Esia.

“That’s not it. But it may be a possibility. I can’t say for sure.” Osar could only look down and shake his head. “But him being a merchant, I can say it’s not an easy thing to just commit crime with all the watchful gazes of clients and such.”

Esia and Frianne hung their heads, dejected. Have they made the right choice? Should they have investigated their backgrounds before letting Veyrr be adopted?

Esia slowly stood from her chair while hanging her head.

“I’m... going to bed first. Frianne, could I ask you to lock up?” Esia trembled as she slowly walked out of the hall, headed towards her room.

“... Yeah. Good night.” Frianne could say no more than that.

She thought it would be harder on Esia, being the one who approved of the adoption and the orphanage keeper.

Osar also got up from his seat and said his farewells as his family is most likely worried that he has not arrived home yet. He waved his hands to Frianne and left the orphanage. Now, Frianne is the only one left in the hall. She locked the main door as Osar left.

She, too, grabbed her things and left from the garden entrance, making sure to close all windows and lock all doors as she exited. As she walked through the dim streets, her expression slowly grew glum. The thought of handing over the custody over Veyrr to the Komriyas, who might be kidnappers, plagued her mind until early in the morning.

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