"Thank you for your hard work so far. Here is the remaining payment."
"Hahaha. No problem. We plan to stay in this city for a while, so if you have any other business, feel free to call us anytime."
I bid farewell to the mercenaries who had escorted me to Rapella City, settling the remaining payment.
This time, there were no major issues with the mercenaries I had hired, and we arrived in the city smoothly.
"So, this is Rapella City... It's quite large."
Diana exclaimed, holding Aaron's hand and marveling at the city.
It was incomparable to Ajantu City and was the largest city we had passed through so far.
'It's probably because it's close to the capital. Talalia, the capital of the Talia Kingdom, is just a few days' journey from here.'
Even though Talia Kingdom was a small country on the border, once it became the capital, it played in a different league in terms of scale.
The surrounding cities couldn't escape its influence either.
"I'm worried about how to find uncle here..."
Diana said anxiously, sighing.
Watching her worry unnecessarily, I casually shrugged my shoulders.
"We know his name and what he does. What's there to worry about? It won't take that long."
I had already gathered enough information during my time in the Outerica dimension.
Collecting that kind of information was a piece of cake.
Three days passed since we arrived in the city.
It took that time to find out the location of Diana's uncle through the available information.
"You found it really quickly."
"Well, there's nothing you can't do with enough money. There's no rush, so I took my time. It could have been even faster."
On the first day, we sold the carriage and found a place to stay to rest with the kids.
On the second day, we inquired about information and put in a request.
And today, the third day, we received the information.
"Your uncle operates a grocery store in the commercial district to the south. Doesn't seem to be any major issues."
"It's fortunate that there are no complications."
On the way to the grocery store.
Diana took deep breaths, calming her mind.
"Why are you so nervous? It seems like you're very tense."
"Well... I guess it's because I haven't seen him since I was very young. Do you think he'll remember me?"
Seeing her visibly worried, I chuckled, gently patting her head.
"All that unnecessary worry. For adults, a few years pass by quickly. He'll probably be surprised and welcome you, saying, 'When did you grow up like this?'"
As I continued to pat her head, Diana looked at me with a somewhat awkward expression.
Awkwardly, I cleared my throat and withdrew my hand from her head.
She giggled and ran her fingers through her own hair.
"Indeed, Mister, you're still you. I was worried because your personality seemed to change a lot recently."
"...My personality changed? Me?"
"Yes. Your way of speaking has changed, becoming more serious and calm. Well, it's admirable, but still."
Diana smiled lightly, sticking out her tongue.
Reflecting on it calmly, it was indeed true.
I hadn't been aware of it at all.
When did it change?
It was clear.
'Is it because of the influence of 'Persona'? I've changed naturally without realizing it.'
Loneliness, the desire to be recognized, and other negative emotions were given to Arch-lich Hans.
In contrast, Vampire Heinz II seemed to possess a calm and composed personality.
'Is it a natural manifestation based on the characteristics of the individual... Well, it's not a bad thing.'
I could control it if I wanted.
I just left it alone because it was more convenient not to meddle.
While conversing and walking, we finally arrived at our destination.
It was an ordinary grocery store with no distinctive features.
"Welcome~ Do you need anything?"
As we approached, a middle-aged man who seemed to be the owner came out cheerfully from the inside.
"Hello, uncle! I'm Diana. And this is my brother, Aaron..."
"...Hello..."
Diana stepped forward, holding Aaron's hand.
Aaron hesitated for a moment before bowing his head.
It had been more than five years since they last met, so to young Aaron, this might as well have been the first time encountering him.
"Huh? Diana? Aaron? You've really grown a lot since I last saw you! But how did you two end up here..."
I explained the situation to the bewildered store owner, Volt.
I omitted the part about vampires and simply told him about the siblings losing their parents in Ajantu, struggling to survive, and eventually finding me.
"Oh... I see. Brother and sister... You've been through a lot. Well done. Well done indeed..."
He listened to the explanation, choked up, and then embraced the siblings who were standing awkwardly.
"Oh... no. We're fine... sniff!"
"Sis... don't cry..."
The children's eyes, momentarily stiffened in a warm embrace, welled up with tears as they soon hugged him, wailing loudly.
'Well, he seems to be a good person. That's fortunate.'
Among the information I gathered about him through sources, his reputation was also included.
I couldn't entrust the children to a villain.
If that had been the case, I would have had to explain to Diana that I couldn't find him and resort to other means.
'Now, a little bit of greasing should do the trick.'
Startled by the commotion outside, I explained the situation to his wife, who had come out.
After that, I went inside.
Shortly after entering the living space attached to the shop, I met the gaze of a small girl, around three or four years old, playing with a doll on the floor.
"Sob..."
With a sniffle, the girl with round, teary eyes looked at us.
Perhaps surprised by the sudden visitors, she hesitated for a moment, then got up from her seat and approached, burying her face in her mother's skirt.
She carefully observed us, tilting her head with a cautious expression.
Seemingly interested in the siblings, who didn't look much older than her, her little eyes sparkled.
"Oh... These little ones must have been through a lot until now..."
The wife, who skillfully held her daughter and consoled her, looked at the siblings with a sympathetic expression.
Then, as if feeling sorry for their disheveled faces, she took the children inside, promising to clean them up.
"Bringing the children here couldn't have been easy. Thank you for taking such good care of them."
With just the two of us left, Volt lowered his head in gratitude.
"No problem. I also received a lot of help from the children, and it was enjoyable traveling with them."
However, there wasn't much time for such conversations. He had to attend to his business.
"Is the owner here?"
"Yes, yes! Welcome!"
Upon hearing signs of customers outside, Volt hurriedly went out to attend to them.
Since I planned to stay in the city for a few more days to observe, I parted ways with them, planning to return later.
***
"I, I can't accept such a large sum of money. The children are already in a difficult situation..."
The next day, I had a separate conversation with Volt, discussing financial support for raising the children.
"No, it's fine. As I mentioned before, I also received various forms of help from the children. This amount shouldn't be a burden. I hope it serves as assistance in taking care of the children."
From the perspective of ordinary people, it might be a considerable sum, but for someone like me, who had swallowed up those who monopolized the wealth of the city, it was just a drop in the bucket.
"Given the assistance from Diana, it's nothing much. I apologize for not being able to provide more, but holding onto unmanageable wealth can be risky."
After hesitating for a moment, he reluctantly accepted the money pouch.
While he initially declined, the burden of having two more mouths to feed was undoubtedly substantial.
"I've grown fond of the children during this time. I plan to visit from time to time when I have the chance."
And each time, I subtly hinted at continuing the sponsorship.
In return, I requested active support for any education the children desired.
"Of course! I'll cherish them like my own, without any discrimination."
Whether there would be true equality remained to be seen, but the financial aid was originally meant to prevent any bias.
As long as I continued consistent support, even if it seemed apparent, there wouldn't be any interference.
So, after spending a week in Rapella City, it was time to bid farewell to the siblings.
"Uh... Mister, I'm truly grateful for everything. Sniff! I, I really..."
"Ohh, Mister!"
Diana, struggling to hold back tears, and Aaron, wailing loudly, came in for a hug.
Over the nearly two months spent together, I had grown attached as well, and my nose tingled with emotion.
"Well, it's not like we won't see each other again. Make sure to listen to Volt, and stay healthy, alright?"
With Diana starting to learn the ropes of the business and Aaron taking care of their 4-year-old cousin, I embraced the two children.
"How often is 'often'?"
"Huh?"
"You said you'd visit often. How often are you planning to come?"
Oh, I hadn't thought about that.
Pausing for a moment to organize my thoughts in response to Diana's straightforward question.
"Well... at least once a year, even if I can't make it more often."
"Once a year? Well, it can't be helped. And... if you ever feel like it's too much trouble, don't force yourself to come. Drop by whenever you have the time."
Trying to ease the burden on me, Diana smiled through eyes filled with teary gratitude.
Although using transmission magic would have been feasible, I appreciated her sincerity and gently patted her head.
After bidding farewell, I turned away but couldn't shake the persistent feeling.
Continuously glancing back, I waved to the siblings until they completely disappeared from view.
'This feels a bit emotional. I hope things go well for them. I'll have to make an effort to check on them regularly.'
In many ways, these children had become quite dear to me.
They were the first connections I made in Outerica.
'Well then, shall we head to the capital?'
Handing over financial support to Volt and generously providing an emergency fund for Diana, I didn't have much money left.
However, Heinze didn't require much money for traveling alone.
I left the city and continued walking aimlessly until sunset.
As time passed, darkness enveloped the surroundings.
Flap!
A group of bats crossed the night sky.
***
Around dawn, after traveling through the night, I finally arrived in Talalia, a city that would take a few days to reach by horse.
'So, this is the capital of the Talia Kingdom... Wonder if I can enter?'
Until now, I managed to conceal my identity, but passing through the capital might prove challenging.
'Should I call Heinrich around this point?'
The reason I had come this far was for Heinrich.
I was impressed by the Holy Knights I encountered as Hans not long ago.
The might of wielding a sacred sword, the respect and honor received by all in the church.
While gathering information in the city, I also investigated the clergy further.
After considering various factors, I concluded that it was quite plausible and came this far to enroll Heinrich.
The capital, Talalia, had a temple of the Sacred Order, making it a suitable place.
As I gazed at the city from the hill—.
At that moment.
"Hmm... Excuse me, may I ask who you are?"
Suddenly hearing a woman's voice, I felt a chill down my spine.
'I didn't sense any presence...!'
Turning around, I distanced myself, but the other person was quietly looking at her fingertips.
Fingertips stained with blood.
Blood—
At that moment, I felt a sharp pain in my throat.
I quickly controlled the bleeding and heightened my vigilance.
'Darn it... Just when things seemed to be going well.'
She looked at the blood on her fingertips and slowly brought it to her lips, licking it with elegance.
"As expected... You are undoubtedly someone who inherited the blood of our clan."
With radiant blonde hair swept up, revealing a fair neck, a beautiful woman in her early twenties adorned in a vibrant red dress and holding a parasol.
The identity of the individual was probably a Noble-blooded vampire from the Brokolak Clan.
"I smelled the scent of blood and wondered if you... you fed on your own kind? Even a member of the same clan?"
Meeting her crimson eyes felt paralyzing.
"How was that possible? Please reveal who your direct kin was. It seems they didn't properly impose constraints on the blood to be inherited."
Her red eyes glowed ominously, exerting pressure on my limbs.
Despite my will, my mouth tried to open.
"In any case, since you violated the clan's laws, I will punish both you and your direct kin together... if he is still alive."
'...So this is the Mana Eye.'
The eyes that glowed red with magical energy forced my actions.
It seemed almost impossible to resist at my current level.
"Resistance is futile at your level. Just open your mouth willingly."
Of course, this didn't apply to me.
'Sigh... It feels like this pattern repeats every time. How many times is this now? I need to strengthen myself quickly.'
Every time I thought I had become stronger, stronger adversaries kept emerging.
It seemed that unless I stood at the pinnacle of this world, this cycle would continue.
For now, there was nothing I could do.
"You've managed to hold on quite long. But even so..."
Ignoring the vampire who was ranting in front of me, I went ahead and performed the all-purpose escape method—cancelling the summoning.
Although I achieved my goal and it didn't matter, it was a bit annoying.
'Well, let's see what happens next time.'
Perhaps that time wouldn't be too far away.