Volume 7, Chapter 12 – Eibra, the Capital

After finishing our meeting with the President, we remained at the palace as their guests while I enchanted a thousand swords with Purification Magic.

We were also told that we were free to look around town as long as escort soldiers accompanied us, so we decided to do a bit of sightseeing.

And so, after about five days, the enchantment work finally reached a stopping point, and we headed out into town.

About ten escort soldiers trailed along behind us, but they never stopped us from going wherever we wanted.

“It’s quite prosperous, isn’t it? Even in the middle of a desert like this.”

“The Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates is a vital hub for trade. Almost all trade of the precious spices produced in the Green Cloud Kingdom to the east passes through the Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates, and then travels via Novarbour to our country and the Blue Star Republic.”

“Is that so? Is it not possible to transport them directly by ship?”

“I hear it is difficult because there are sea areas where monsters appear.”

I see. So that’s why I rarely saw pepper in the White Moon Kingdom.

“Ah, Fiene-sama. It looks like it’s over there…”

As Chris-san pointed, a grand building came into view. It looked like a nobleman’s manor, but apparently, it was an orphanage.

Someone who appeared to be a member of the staff was already waiting in front of the gate to welcome us.

“Saint-sama. Welcome to the First Orphanage.”

With that, he flung himself face-down onto the ground in prostration, so we went through the usual routine before starting the conversation.

It’s such a waste for him to get dirty when he’s wearing such nice clothes.

Rеаⅾ oո KatRеαⅾіոɡСаfе

“Nice to meet you. I am Fiene Argentata. Thank you for accepting our sudden visit.”

“Not at all. To have Saint-sama visit us for a courtesy call… I am sure it will be a wonderful memory for the children. I am Rashid, the director in charge of this First Orphanage.”

The director then guided us through the orphanage.

The interior of the orphanage was cleaned meticulously, and the children’s clothes were tidy.

I had come here thinking the orphanage might be struggling, but it didn’t seem that way at all.

“Somehow, this is different from what I expected. How should I put it… they don’t seem to be struggling much…?”

“Saint-sama. All the orphanages in our country are operated using the private funds of the Emir. Children are the nation’s greatest treasure; there is no Emir who would begrudge the money spent on them. Ah, though I do not know how it is in other countries…”

As the director said this, he glanced briefly at Chris-san, and Chris-san looked down with a frustrated expression.

Hmm, it’s true that the orphanages in the White Moon Kingdom didn’t seem to have much money.

While exchanging these words, we were guided to a place that looked like a hall.

“Now then, Saint-sama. This way, please.”

When we entered, the children were lined up to welcome us.

And just like the adults, the children threw themselves face-down onto the ground.

“””God is great! God is great! The Saint is the Apostle of God! Gratitude for the salvation of the Saint!”””

Rеаd оn КαtRеаdіոɡCаfе

The children’s voices were perfectly synchronized.

I mean, yeah. It’s impressive, but isn’t this a bit much?

“God forgives you.”

When I answered with a slight sense of exhaustion, the children all stood up at once.

“Saint-sama, the children have been practicing a song for you. Would you be so kind as to listen?”

“Y-Yes.”

Then the performance began.

A boy accompanied them on a trapezoidal stringed percussion instrument, and the choir began to sing along.

How should I put this… yeah.

Despite being children, they were incredibly skilled at singing.

They were incredibly good, but… well… the lyrics were praising the Emir-sama.

The content was along the lines of “This country is great because it has the great Emir-sama sent by God,” but is it really okay to have children sing a song like this?

After sitting through three songs, I praised them with my business smile. Then, after telling them “Blessings to you all,” it was time to say goodbye to the children.

I mean, even if I wanted to socialize, the director just whisked me away.

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After this, I had some polite small talk with the director before leaving the orphanage and visiting a hospital.

As expected, thanks to the splendidly equipped facilities and ample staff, there didn’t seem to be any shortages here either.

Apparently, by order of the Emirs, all treatment is carried out at hospitals rather than Temples.

Because of this, Healers work at hospitals instead of Temples.

It seems that doctors with medical knowledge, Healers who can use Healing Magic, and nurses who support the sick and injured each divide the treatment duties according to their respective roles.

Amazing!

After seeing how their medical system worked, and treating only the patients beyond their capabilities, we headed back.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Somehow, it’s a strange place.”

“Yes. It was unexpected that orphans could live such affluent lives. I wonder how they are able to do such a thing…”

Perhaps thinking about the orphanage, Chris-san had that frustrated expression again.

“The hospitals too… in the White Moon Kingdom, the Temple keeps most people with Healer or Priest Classes, so we can’t do it like that, can we?”

“…It is not so much that they ‘monopolize’ them, but I believe everyone has a desire to serve at the Temple.”

Chris-san had that frustrated face again.

Rеαԁ οn КαtReаⅾiոɡСαfе

“Eh, but something was weird, right? Especially at the place with the children we visited first.”

“Indeed. I think so as well.”

“Eh?”

Chris-san looked puzzled by the words of Lu-chan and Shizuku-san.

“That orphanage we visited today… I believe it is a facility meant to show the best side of things to foreign guests.”

Ah… come to think of it, I think I’d heard about something like that back in my previous world. What was it again?

“If that were not the case, would they not have made time for the children to play with Fiene-dono?”

“Hm.”

“I thought that meaningless conversation between Fiene-dono and the director was simply to make sure the children wouldn’t accidentally let something slip.”

“…”

“Well, that doesn’t mean there is anything we can do about it.”

Saying so, Shizuku-san smiled with a complicated expression.