The Fukaros Familia, starting from DanMachi.

Chapter 199 The Ever-Changing Bird

Robin doesn't just visit this one orphanage; she's been to many.

However, the Fukaros Familia currently has limited resources, and Robin never uses the family's public funds to help them. He only visits the orphans when he has free time, along with Tifa or Violet.

This is the robin's justice—to help the weak with the strong, but only to do what is within its power.

She didn't have that savior-like arrogance; she never thought she could save everyone.

She knew very well that there was very little she could do.

Rather than simply "saving" them, she hopes to give these children the courage and hope to face the future and teach them to be independent and self-reliant.

Her behavior can be described with a metaphor.

If these children are like fledglings, then she can adopt and rescue them, feed them, and teach them.

But in the end, she will definitely choose to let go and let these little birds return to their own sky.

Even if it fails, even if it falls from the sky, that is the bird's own fate and should be respected.

All she did was preen their feathers and feed them before they took off.

Compared to the robin's vast knowledge as the "Galaxy Diva," Burning Feather's experiences, whether in her past or present life, seem somewhat limited.

So when he heard about the origins of these orphans, he couldn't help but fall silent.

His gaze as he looked at the children laughing and playing around him inevitably carried a hint of pity.

However, some children did not buy it.

"What the hell, Xin Yan?"

The most mischievous human boy, Ray, whose face was covered in scrapes, suddenly stood up with a displeased look. "Don't look at us like that. We're happy living with our mother. We don't need your pity."

"----Feel sorry."

Fen Yu paused for a moment, then said apologetically.

He was indeed wrong. Taking it upon himself to sympathize with others often deeply hurts their self-esteem.

"Ray, you can't do this!"

Ms. Maria immediately put on a stern face and reprimanded Ray.

"It's okay, it was my fault."

Fenyu shook his head, stopping Ms. Maria from saying anything more.

"Don't say that, Mr. Xin Yan."

Maria shook her head, her face filled with genuine gratitude. "Your presence to visit the children has already been a great help to me."

Despite the support of the goddesses, she was still incredibly busy taking care of so many children all by herself.

Thanks to the kind-hearted robins who often come to play with the children and teach them knowledge, she was able to barely keep this "home" afloat.

"Stop talking about that!"

Lai was clearly a natural at making friends. He quickly composed himself, pulled up a small stool, and plopped down next to Yu. "Tell us your adventure stories in the dungeon."

"Oh? You really enjoy listening to adventure stories?"

Fen Yu smiled and reached out to touch the other's little head.

Lai instinctively tried to dodge, but unfortunately, all his resistance was futile in the face of the powerful hand of capital, and he could only glare at Fen Yu in frustration.

"Yes, we'd love to hear your adventures with Sister Robin," Ray said with a look of longing.

Not only him, but the other children also gathered around, their eyes sparkling with longing.

Fen Yu smiled and began to recount their adventures in the dungeon.

From thrilling monster encounters to grand scenes of teaming up with Loki's Familia to defeat the "Dead End Butcher," the children screamed in amazement, their eyes filled with excitement and admiration.

This gave Fen Yu a small sense of vanity. Just as he was about to boast about how he walked around with one hand in his pocket in a cool manner, he suddenly noticed that Ms. Maria's expression was a little gloomy, so he stopped talking.

Noticing his gaze, Ms. Maria quickly forced a somewhat sad smile and apologized, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, I just—I don't really want these children to become adventurers."

She spoke softly: "Many children who grew up here chose to join the Familia and venture into the dungeons to earn money to donate to the church—and then, they never came back."

Both the robin and the brook fell silent.

Adventurers are inherently in a high-risk, high-reward, life-risking profession.

These kind-hearted children, ignoring her warnings, ventured into the underground city for the sake of this "home," only to—

Fen Yu suddenly felt that he had been a bit too irresponsible to make the adventure story so interesting and arouse the children's imagination.

"I'm sorry—" He could only sigh again.

Seeing Maria's worried expression, Ray suddenly stood up.

"Don't worry, Mom, I'll go to the 'school district'."

The oldest of the children said this with a smile.

"I want to study hard there, become very smart, and then make a lot of money."

"Hmm—if it's a 'school district,' I won't stop it—"

"You don't need to worry about tuition fees, right? There are scholarships available!" "The school district will be back in Orario next year, isn't that perfect?"

Ray, his short brown hair swaying, gave Ms. Maria, who was smiling wryly, a broad smile, as if the scholarship was already his for the taking.

Fina and the others raised their hands and shouted, "I want to go too!?"

"I want one too—!"

The restaurant suddenly became lively again.

Upon seeing this, the robin also revealed a gentle smile.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Do you remember what I taught you last time? I'm going to check on you this time, especially you, Lei. Aren't you going to the school district? You'll have to study even harder."

Upon hearing the robin's words, the children immediately raised their hands eagerly, indicating that they remembered everything clearly, and waited expectantly for the robin's questions.

The Robin's Little Classroom Begins Here.

She taught literacy, arithmetic, drawing, and singing—all simple, easy-to-understand, yet crucial basic knowledge, clearly demonstrating her dedication.

Fenyu sat among the children, watching the robin earnestly teaching them. She had shed her usual nobility and elegance, and gained an intellectual and gentle radiance that made it impossible for him to look away.

He discovered that the robin is truly a versatile bird, capable of perfectly mastering any style.

Whether it's elegance, nobility, intellect, handsomeness, or even majesty, charm, playfulness, and gentleness—almost all these distinct qualities can be perfectly blended in her.

The more he looked at it, the more he liked it.

As the mini-lesson ended, the girls, led by Fina, immediately surrounded the robin, chirping excitedly, eager to hear her sing. The boys, including Lai, also perked up their ears, their faces full of interest.

Singing is the robin's specialty.

The children in the orphanage had long been completely captivated by her singing.

Of course, the robin wouldn't refuse.

She has always loved singing and using her voice to give people hope and courage.

She cleared her throat and began to hum softly in the simple church restaurant, without any accompaniment or elaborate stage.

That singing voice was like heavenly music.

At first, it was like a clear mountain spring, tinkling and gently flowing into everyone's heart, soothing all anxiety and unease.

The children's noise gradually subsided, and they all stared at her with wide eyes.

Then, the melody began to rise, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the darkness, bringing endless hope and warmth.

The song was full of power, making Fen Yu feel as if he were bathed in holy light, and all his fatigue was swept away.

Even Xiaolu, who had been clinging to Maria's arm, let go, staring blankly up at the robin's reflection in his eyes.

When the song reached its climax, the voice seemed to transform into tangible wings, carrying everyone's souls to the high sky, overlooking the magnificent mountains and rivers.

Even creatures from the outside world are attracted to it.

A few sparrows landed on the broken windowsill of the church, tilting their heads and listening quietly.

A stray cat also quietly strolled in, curled up in a corner, and began to purr contentedly.

Fen Yu closed his eyes, a look of ultimate enjoyment on his face.

At this moment, the robin is neither the "Saintess of War" nor the "Galactic Diva"; she is a goddess who sows hope and healing.

When the music ended, unable to refuse Ms. Maria's hospitality, the two stayed and had a simple yet incredibly heartwarming lunch with the children.

After the meal, the energetic and bouncy children pulled the two out of the church without saying a word and came to the square in front of it.

Soon, the children automatically split into two factions.

The girls naturally gathered around the robin, singing the nursery rhymes she had just taught them, and playing games like drop the handkerchief and cat's cradle, their silvery laughter ringing out.

Meanwhile, Fen Yu was surrounded by a group of boys led by Lai Yi, who strongly urged him to join them in playing the "Adventurer's Game".

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Looking at those expectant little faces, Fen Yu felt helpless, but in the end, she didn't refuse and played the adventurer role-playing game with Lai Yi and the others.

The role he plays is naturally that of a powerful and evil "monster king".