What should I do if the hero is resurrected in the Monster Girl Encyclopedia?

Chapter 173 Orphanage

St. Garde Orphanage.

Like many orphanages under the supervision of the Church of Jesus in Rescue, its name comes from a saint recorded in the canon.

Built over three hundred years ago, this orphanage stands out among the many low, dark buildings in the slums... not because of its luxury, but simply because of its solemnity that is so out of place with its surroundings.

This property was once owned by the Church of the Lord God, and after changing hands several times, it eventually came into the possession of the young Priestess Emnis.

At that time, Priestess Emni was just beginning to make a name for herself within the Order. She bought the dilapidated orphanage, meticulously renovated it, and transformed it into a sanctuary for children displaced by monsters or other causes. She also personally taught those children, telling them stories of Saint Gard or other saints, dreaming of nurturing a new generation of loyal and courageous believers... However, she far overestimated her own piety and underestimated the surging tide of Lescade that was so powerful it swallowed up all ideals.

The priest, still full of ambition, had no idea that decades later she would lose everything and could only rely on the child who had come out of this orphanage, whom she regarded as her last trump card, to try to make a comeback, but in the end she died a ridiculous death.

Just like thousands of years ago, when Saint Gard, who raised the banner of the iris and led the believers of his homeland's main god in a counterattack and finally succeeded in reclaiming the capital city that had been occupied by demons, could never have imagined that his name would be remembered in this way in later generations.

During the liquidation of the Emni priests' estate, this place was naturally and completely forgotten by the nobles who gathered around the table, like hungry pigs sharing the scraps.

Running an orphanage that yields no profit? Alas, His Excellency St. Garde will surely protect those poor children… Besides, life and death are predestined, and perhaps this is also the will of the supreme god. Of course, in reality, even these pretentious pleasantries never crossed the minds of the powerful… Land in the lower city is simply not worthy of being on the dinner table.

Fortunately, Priestess Emni had only provided the bare minimum of funding during her lifetime, so the orphanage didn't immediately fall into ruin after her downfall. It could still manage to keep going by relying on small donations from neighbors. Although the nearby residents weren't wealthy, some would quietly leave a bag of potatoes, a few pieces of old clothing, or a small jar of beans as they passed by.

Of course, there's also the brave older sister the children look forward to most… that radiant, sun-like figure who always wears a bright smile. Every time she sneaks back, the food and money she brings ensures the orphanage can live a good life for a while.

But the children will grow up and leave one by one, and no new children will be sent here. The hero who kissed the fire will bow his head and admit that this orphanage, which has witnessed three hundred years of joy and sorrow, has completed its mission.

The poor people in the neighborhood would move into those empty rooms, cook in the drafty halls, and find a place to stay in the wind, rain, ice, and snow.

Even then, the name St. Gard will still circulate on this street... though those who come after may not be literate and will not recognize the blurred inscription on the dilapidated plaque.

Or perhaps... things will take a small turn for the better.

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency Saint Milady. There’s nothing here to offer you… just some boiled beans.”

A simply dressed nun placed a steaming bowl of peas on the table; her skirt was embroidered with a beautiful iris, the symbol of the orphanage.

The children eagerly peeked out of the doorway to see the legendary saint, but when Mirad looked back, they shyly shrank back, talking excitedly about the saint's approachable nature and the holy sword he wore at his waist... It really was just like in the legends, an almost edgeless black rock sword!
"Um... thank you for the treat."

Without refusing the bowl of peas, Mirand scooped some up with a spoon and put it in his mouth. Compared to the food at the dinner party, these overcooked peas were practically tasteless, but he didn't waste them, eating each bite carefully and attentively.

He ate the whole bowl of pea soup!
Hiolitta sat quietly to the side, her hands clasped together in a prayerful gesture, looking every bit like a devout believer.

As for Lorenz... she finally reunited with Mirad after the banquet. When they first met, her huge ears were drooping listlessly, and now they had disappeared due to the humanization magic, but they probably hadn't been able to perk up again.

It probably wasn't because Obola suddenly visited, left behind a pile of exam papers to be completed in three days, and then suddenly left again.

Right now, she's keeping quiet, adjusting the magical tools in her hands.

Pantelekia's blessing of the rising sun does not essentially rely on the sun disc hanging in the sky, but rather on the blessing of the sun god himself. However, the magical artifact that Loran is preparing to create seems to be able to directly absorb the sun disc's heat energy, store it using the magic power in the air, and then use it directly when needed.

"It should be able to be used for heating, cooking... or boiling water. Of course, you don't need to know the corresponding magic to use it."

She declared this.

"This must be... your former partner, Mr. Logan...?"

Sister Joanna was quite surprised, looking at Roger's short, gray hair. "Or is the historical record wrong?"

“There must be something wrong… She’s not just a partner, she’s my partner now too.”

Luo Gen's hand trembled, and she almost instinctively dropped the part she was holding. Through her hair, her complexion visibly flushed, as if she were slightly tipsy.

Dude, I'm not used to you being so direct all of a sudden, and you don't have to say it to everyone you meet... although it feels pretty good.

After muttering a few words, she continued her work, despite the meaningful look in Hiolitta's eyes. "I came here this time... also to learn about some things."

"Yes, please ask. I'll answer to the best of my knowledge, although..."

The nun's face showed a slight apology. "Although I was only transferred here a few days ago to replace that old nanny who can't keep up with the work, there are still some things I'm not clear about."

"Transferred here... Is the church still keeping an eye on this place?"

Mirad was somewhat surprised. After Priestess Emni's downfall, this orphanage, whose ownership remained unclear to this day, hadn't been completely abandoned, but instead a young nun had been transferred there...?
“I did this voluntarily because His Excellency Saint Gard is a saint I have always admired... However, I never expected things to turn out this way. But since we're here, let's stay until these children grow up.”

The nun smiled and waved to the children who were peeking. Some of the bolder ones left behind the door and tentatively approached Mirad.

The latter untied the holy sword from his waist and placed it on the table, eliciting a gasp of surprise. Those who had been peeking around couldn't help but gather around to examine the holy sword on the table... but they didn't dare to reach out and touch it, they just squeezed in to feast their eyes.

"So, who was that before...?"

“Oh…the nun is sleeping on the second floor. Some guards wanted to invite her to stay at the church-built welfare home…but the nun said she left, and if a girl named Kieslfield wants to come back here, there will be no one to receive her.”

The orphanage… Mirad frowned.

If he remembered correctly, it was a public facility claimed by the upper echelons of Rescatje to care for the homeless, the elderly, and the poor.

The decision was made in a very hasty manner, so hastily that some buildings had not even had their foundations laid before officials, accompanied by guards, went from house to house, street to street, inviting people to move in.

Many of the people who were urgently taken away and taken in by the extremists of the monsters became homeless because of this policy... As for whether those who actually moved into the welfare home lived the good life advertised, or even existed at all, Mirad thought it was all questionable.

"Judging from your expression, you seem to be dissatisfied with the welfare home's policies?"

Joanna asked cautiously, her fingers tracing the iris pattern on the hem of her skirt.

Mirad didn't answer directly, but instead gently placed his hand on the holy sword. A warm golden glow emanated from the blade, illuminating the children's surprised faces.

The children gasped in unison. A bold boy reached out and looked at Mirand with a questioning gaze. After she nodded, he gently touched the soft light with his fingertips, and when he found it wasn't hot, he smiled happily. The other children followed suit.

"The policy itself is not wrong. Perhaps the purpose is not very honorable, or the means are too harsh... but I believe there are still a group of well-intentioned people who want to rein in its noose and bring it back to the right track,"

Mirad watched the children happily circling around the holy sword, oblivious to what Joanna and the saint were talking about.

The glowing holy sword in front of them had already captured the children's attention, allowing even the usually restless children to settle down and admire its dazzling golden light.

"...Therefore, I will not deny the efforts of these people."

"But... your efforts haven't yielded the corresponding rewards, is that what you're saying?"

Sister Joanna, along with the children, looked up at the holy sword on the table, its golden light shimmering in her eyes. "I admire Lady St. Gard, largely because I admire the circumstances she faced. All it took was devout faith to gain the power to change everything, waving a flag to ignite the flames in everyone's hearts, and continuous effort... to reclaim the capital from the monsters was not just a pipe dream... she actually did it."

"But now, everyone sees the situation in Rescadeer very clearly, and everyone knows their own powerlessness. The noose you mentioned to prevent derailment... was just a way for us to comfort ourselves from the beginning."

Mirand suddenly asked, his voice low and easily overlooked amidst the children's noise, "...Sister Joanna, you haven't met Kissfield before, have you?"

"That hero who kissed the fire? I heard she went on some secret mission... I haven't had a chance to meet her yet."

"She hasn't given up hope... the hope that these decaying, withered branches and leaves will sprout new buds."

...although the initial approach was too radical.

But the fire in that girl's heart was real.

(End of this chapter)