"Good afternoon, Ms. Eberlen."
"Good afternoon, ma'am."
Best wishes.
...
Eberlen returned the greeting to every boy who passed by and greeted him.
She nodded slightly, then continued reading on the deck chair under the shade of the tree.
War always results in casualties.
Behind the casualties lies the shattering of countless families.
Even though the casualties in this battle were less than anyone expected, many people still gave their lives.
They sacrificed themselves for the sake of humanity's survival.
The parents fought as heroes, leaving behind a group of orphans of varying ages.
They are indeed descendants of heroes, but they are also a group of children who have lost their loved ones.
"They're just a bunch of kids..."
Aberron looked up from his book at the boys passing by.
This is a welfare institution established after the war, or to put it more bluntly... this is an orphanage.
A temporary haven for children who have lost loved ones for various reasons.
Eberron is now in charge here.
It's hard to imagine that a former deputy commander of a war zone would end up as a volunteer teacher in an orphanage, especially considering her former status as a noblewoman of the Baiyin clan.
But looking at it now, it's not hard to imagine, because...
She gently closed the book, let out a soft breath, and chuckled to herself:
"There's no more glory in being a Silver Saint."
The glory of silver...
The bloodline she was once so proud of has ultimately become a corrupt and filthy black blood.
Eberron knew the truth.
The Silver Council was not destroyed by an attack from any supernatural beings.
It was destroyed by "him" himself.
Do you resent it?
"All of this is their own fault."
They were the ones who betrayed us, and they are the ones who will be punished—that makes perfect sense.
"But even knowing they made a mistake, I still..."
She lowered her head, using the shadows to conceal her expression.
"I will miss them."
Sinners should be despised, but family members are different.
They share the same blood.
Even though she knew there was no reason for it, she still hoped to give them a chance to change their ways.
She was incredibly sad, but there were no tears in her eyes.
My tears have dried up, and those sinners don't deserve my tears.
She knows.
She knows everything.
"…………"
clatter.
Just as tears were about to fall, Eberlen suddenly felt a warmth on her body as a woolen coat was draped over her shoulders.
"……Thanks."
Andrew put down his coat, shook his head slightly, and sat down next to Eberron without saying a word.
They neither asked questions nor offered comfort.
I quietly stayed by her side, waiting for her emotions to calm down.
After an unknown amount of time, just as darkness began to fall, Eberron suddenly spoke:
"He is cruel."
Andrew: "…………"
Aberron gripped his coat tightly and whispered:
"The trees are rotten inside and out, and simple methods can no longer repair them."
"So he cut down the tree."
"Then let its branches be put to final use."
"Burning as fuel for the new world."
Andrew frowned slightly, but said nothing. He simply stood up quietly, preparing to leave without a word.
Just before he took a step, Eberron continued:
"But he wasn't that cruel."
Eberlen looked up at the group of children who were cleaning the room while playing around with buckets of water, and a complicated smile appeared on his face.
There was sadness in that smile, but even more so, hope.
"Only the trunk is rotting, but the seeds are innocent."
"He left the seeds behind."
What is hope?
Children are hope.
Looking down at Eberron, Andrew asked in a low voice:
Do you hate him?
resentment?
"How could that be?"
"I feel only gratitude."
Standing up, Eberron closed her eyes, gently rested her head against Andrew's chest, and whispered:
"I'm just a little afraid to see him."
In what capacity should I approach him?
Is it resentment that he killed those nobles?
Or are we grateful that he spared those children?
Or perhaps... as friends?
"So, let's not meet for now."
Time heals all wounds.
Let's wait until the wound has healed a little more before doing anything else...
"...Yes, I'll stay with you."
Hesitantly, Andrew finally pulled the frail body into his arms.
"Until you're ready."
...
...
"Sophie!"
"Don't come any closer!"
"If you come any closer... I'll..."
Half-naked, Anthony looked utterly exhausted and weak as he walked toward the window, his legs trembling.
"I'll jump from here! Let everyone see just how heartless you really are!"
Oh shit!
So what if I didn't come home on time? Is it really necessary to torture me like this?!
Is it really necessary?!
?
"Honey, what are you doing?"
Wrapped in a thin blanket, Sophie stopped, frowning, and raised an eyebrow as she asked:
"You're not going to make it?"
That's it?
Provoked by that look, Anthony immediately wanted to show that he couldn't possibly be incapable.
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