Chapter 21: Donating to an Orphanage

A crackling sphere of lightning struck the werewolf head-on, and in the next moment, the electricity leapt like wild serpents across the soaked ground. The water Akira had released moments ago served as the perfect conductor, creating a brilliant flash of light and a symphony of screams. "Gyaaaahhh!!" The narrow alley echoed with pained howls as arcs of lightning coursed through the bodies of the four attackers. The scent of burnt fabric and scorched hair filled the air, and the flickering blue of residual sparks danced over the wet cobblestones. As the final surge of power dissipated, Akira strode over the unconscious forms, his boots splashing through shallow puddles. He knelt beside the werewolf, whose twitching fingers still clutched at the ground. The others were knocked out cold, but this one... this one was made of tougher stuff. Still conscious, even if barely. Akira rifled through his belongings without hesitation. "Fifty thousand Valis. Tsk. Not bad." He murmured, pocketing the purse. "No wonder you've been robbing people." Pasteur's face contorted with fear, forcing out trembling words, "P-please... spare us... sir..." Akira froze. His golden eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Spare you?" He echoed softly, voice laced with a cold amusement. He planned to just take their money and be done with it but when he heard them ask for mercy, his mood changed for the worse. "Let me check something first." His short hair gradually grew longer and his eyes turned bloodshot. Without waiting, he reached out, and grabbed some of their blood to make a judgement. "Tch... just as I thought. You all are inhumane" "Your spirits are saturated with malice and the curses of those you've harmed. You've preyed on others so much that their hatred has stained your very soul." He rose slowly, his gaze sweeping the bodies around him with growing disdain. "Letting you go means someone else gets hurt later. That's not justice. That's negligence." Akira's voice turned cold, devoid of sympathy. "Choose. A long, painful death where you have time for repentance, or a clean, swift end into eternal silence." "W-we're sorry! We'll never do it again!" one of the half-conscious men croaked weakly. "It's not that you won't. It's that you can't." Akira raised his hand. "I'm not a villain... but sometimes justice is cruel." A spear of blood-red light materialized above him. It hovered, humming with energy, then shot down without hesitation. Shunk! The crimson spear pierced through their skulls one after another and the alley grew silent. As their bodies twitched once, then went still, dark-blue flames—Ghost Flame—ignited above them. Their souls were cleansed, and their lingering curses burned away in the cold flames of judgement. Blood flowed like a river across the stone, pooling beneath them. Akira's [Dark Eye] activated, absorbing the residual energy and strengthening his own body. "You're insatiable, aren't you?" He muttered to the eye embedded in his hand. "Always hungry for death and power." The flames slowly faded. Akira stood there in the quiet aftermath, expression unreadable, then turned his gaze toward the end of the alley, where a quiet church stood silhouetted against the dusk. Maria Orphanage A peaceful haven tucked deep within the chaotic labyrinth of Daedalus Street. Akira knocked gently at the heavy wooden doors. It was several minutes before the door creaked open, revealing a kind-faced black-haired nun. She blinked in surprise at the boy standing at the doorstep. "Yes? Can I help you?" Akira gave her a soft smile and said, "I'm here to... make a donation." The words were awkward, yet sincere. He handed her a small bag bulging with coins—today's spoils, earned through combat and survival. "Oh!" She gasped. "Please, come in!" Rather than taking the money right away, the nun gently grasped his hands and led him inside the building. Despite its age and disrepair, the orphanage had a warm atmosphere. Children ran around the hallways, laughing and playing simple games. Akira and the nun sat down on an old, frayed sofa. Curious children peeked from behind furniture or clung protectively to her, wary of the unfamiliar guest. The nun calmed them with a gentle touch and a smile. "I'm Maria Martel, the head caretaker here." She introduced warmly. "And you are?" "Akira." He replied. Her eyes softened and she said, "Akira... why would a young adventurer like you donate such a generous amount? Valis isn't easy to earn, especially for those who risk their lives in the dungeon." He scratched his cheek awkwardly and said, "It just felt right. My familia... they're good people. We do what we can." A flicker of admiration passed through Maria's eyes. She finally accepted the pouch of money with both hands, as if it were a sacred offering. "Some of our children went on to become adventurers too. They used to visit... bring back food, toys, books. But time passes, and eventually... they stop coming." Her voice trailed into silence, heavy with memory. Then she straightened and smiled again. "Thank you, Akira. I can't offer anything in return but prayers." She took his hands again. Her hands were rough from labor yet warm and full of gratitude. "May the gods bless you, and may your path be safe." The gesture triggered a bittersweet warmth in Akira's chest. The feeling reminded him of... home. Of something long lost. He stood abruptly, cheeks faintly flushed. "I should go. My familia might be waiting for dinner." Maria nodded with a smile and said, "Of course. I was going to invite you to eat here... but another time, perhaps?" "Definitely." Akira said with a grin, "I'll visit again when I can. See you, Maria-san." She walked him to the door and waved. "Be careful out there, Akira." — — — Back at the Stardust Garden, the sun had dipped beyond the rooftops, casting a golden hue over the garden. "Akira's still not back?" Maryuu looked toward the entrance with slight concern. Lyra said with a smirk, "Shall we eat first and let him have cold leftovers as punishment?" "Raise your hands if you agree!" Noin declared with a grin. Three hands shot up immediately. "Ha! Even Astraea-sama raised hers! That settles it!" Lyra laughed. Astraea smiled softly, eyes closed. "It's only the three of you who find this amusing." "Useless elf, go check the door!" Kaguya shouted playfully. "Why don't you go yourself?" Ryuu replied, brow twitching. But with a sigh, she stood and made her way to the entrance. Just as she approached, the door swung open. "I'm back," Akira said, stepping inside— Bonk! "Guh—!" Ryuu collapsed backward, having taken the full brunt of the opening door to the forehead. "Ryuu?!" Akira panicked, crouching beside her. He used a bit of ice elemental magic and gently pressed a cool hand to her temple. "Sorry, sorry! Are you alright?!" Ryuu's face turned red as she said, "I-I'm fine. But could you please... move your hand now?" Alise burst out laughing and said, "Ryuu! Why does this always happen to you?!" "Dinner's ready!" Maryuu called, setting dishes on the table. "Wash up, everyone!"