Neria's City Outing

Before meeting old acquaintances, I first headed to The Depths. Since I was already going to the City, I wanted to take care of other matters at the same time.

For example, there was Neria's City outing. Although we went out into the wilderness to catch Amon this time, I couldn't just leave the Kid in The Depths indefinitely. Like me, she would probably feel stifled. It would likely make Neria happy to come out of the Forest periodically.

A few days later, I went to The Depths. As soon as I entered, Barbatos greeted me with an unenthusiastic expression.

“Ohh... You've come quickly again. Surely it's to give *this one* a snack, isn't it?”

“No? I came to see Neria.”

I kept buying those snacks every time I came, and now they've gotten completely spoiled. I vowed to torment them with an extra-large sausage bun when I sent Neria back.

Neria was quietly lying in a corner of the Altar. When she spotted me, she tilted her head and asked.

“...What's wrong?”

At that moment, I couldn't help but be a little flustered. Her voice was quite hoarse. In fact, it had been like that the entire way back in the carriage.

Are there still side effects remaining?

It seems overusing her abilities during the fierce battle with Amon is having prolonged effects. A hoarse voice isn't a major side effect, but even minor ones can be quite bothersome if they last this long. Well, I decided to let it go, as long as it's just her throat and not her body that hurts.

First, I answered her.

“I was just thinking of going to the City. I wondered if you wanted to come along.”

She immediately nodded at my words. Her crimson eyes sparkled as she looked at me. When I saw that reaction, it seemed she really wanted to go to the City.

I muttered, thinking that I should take her out occasionally.

“For that, we'll need a disguised identity...”

Although she performed well last time, it doesn't mean she can just walk around freely. We don't know how people will react, so a disguised identity is still necessary.

The easiest option is still an Adventurer Card. Just having that can ward off most suspicions. Given her past performance, she also has a decent background.

But the problem was how to get another Adventurer Card. The last one burned away, and she was currently suffering from side effects. Of course, if she used her abilities, she could easily forge an Adventurer Card, but...

It would probably be difficult in that state.

So, I decided to think of another method, a way for her to have a Disguised Identity without necessarily using her abilities...

“Ah.”

Just then, a good person came to mind who could help.

*

So, a few days later, I set out for the City with Neria.

“So, you want me to cast Illusion Magic on her?”

However, I had added one more to our party: Im Haneul, the Mage with a particularly prominent chest. In the past, I had often gone to the City secretly with her help. I intended to give Neria the same Disguised Identity.

Fortunately, Haneul readily nodded.

“Well, it doesn't really matter, but...”

For a moment, a question appeared in her eyes. As she looked back and forth between Neria and me, it seemed she had something she was curious about.

“Where exactly does Neria live? I didn't see her when I went to the Cave last time.”

Hearing that, I couldn't help but flinch internally. Come to think of it, I had only said I took in a kid, but never mentioned where she lived. I opened my mouth, feigning nonchalance.

“There's a decent Cave in The Depths. I set up a spot for her there and visit occasionally.”

“My goodness, she's alone?”

“Don't worry, *Lady Haneul*. *Sir Yor* regularly goes out and takes care of the surrounding Monsters.”

Quick-witted Neria stepped forward to elaborate. Fortunately, Haneul nodded in understanding. Well, since she herself said it was fine, she naturally moved on. Seeing that, I internally let out a sigh of relief.

*Thank goodness.*

Because the Demon in The Depths was still a secret, it wasn't easy to say that I was raising the Demon, no matter how trustworthy she was.

A Manifestor is at least Human, but that head-only Demon wasn't even Human. Of course, based on its actions, it's worse than a Human brat, but... there was no need to increase the number of people who knew.

That was also why I only brought Neria this time. There was no way to bring out a head-only Demon in the first place. Moreover, its body was connected to the Altar, so it couldn't come out.

Barbatos seemed to want to come out too, though...

It didn't say anything, but I could tell. The subtle regret surfaced in its green eyes. Though it didn't explicitly say so, Barbatos was probably just as curious about the outside world. After all, it had been in that altar for at least decades.

“...”

Of course, I only felt a little pity and didn't dwell on it. It wasn't like I was going to personally resurrect it. The day would come to decide Barbatos's fate. For now, keeping it a secret was enough.

“Then, let's go.”

Thinking that, I entered the City.

*

To my delight, Neria absolutely loved it.

“Whoa—”

As soon as she saw the city street spread out before her, she let out a small gasp of admiration. Neria was usually stoic and quiet, but seeing this, she certainly acted like a minor.

Come to think of it, she said she lived in a remote village.

Indeed, a large city like this would be amazing then. The Empire's cities are quite large, after all. So, people began to wander around.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much to do for fun. Unlike modern times, this place didn't have many entertainment facilities like modern amusements.

It was mostly just walking around the street, people-watching, or eating delicious food. At least there was a play happening in the middle, which they watched. From Yor's perspective, it wasn't particularly interesting.

But Neria seemed to find even this enjoyable, maintaining a constant smile. Having lived a difficult life until now, Neria found these small stimuli pleasant.

It was a reaction that felt rewarding to witness. Haneul looked at Neria and smiled contentedly.

*This is nice too...*

This was one of the game's strengths: the ability to find small joys like this, even without engaging in combat. For Haneul, who would access the game for relaxation after a day of editing, this kind of healing content was quite enjoyable.

On the other hand, she also had this thought.

I wish I could make a family like this too.

It was because this scene felt like a harmonious household. A young, handsome husband (Yor) and a Kid (16 years old) were happy about an outing. Seeing this made her want to get married.

If only I knew a man in reality...

Haneul smiled bitterly at that thought. Whenever this happened, she sometimes felt a sense of *Reality Denial* that this was just a game. She found it hard to think that this World, so vivid and offering her so many experiences, was fake.

Even while Haneul was enjoying the game so much, the thought that This Place was an illusion would sometimes make her inexplicably sad. Of course, thinking too deeply would only harm her mental health, so Haneul quickly erased it from her mind.

*Am I, an A-rank Adventurer, a fake?*

No, that couldn't be. Im Haneul, the lonely, awkward virgin who only edits in her room without a single male friend—*that's* the fake one. There's no way that kind of world is real.

“Ah, come to think of it, there's somewhere I need to go for a bit.”

As Haneul was in the midst of her Reality Denial, Yor suddenly spoke. Under the red glow of the setting sun, he looked more serious than usual. She already knew where he was going. He was heading to the Orphanage where his old acquaintances were.

“Should I go alone, or...”

“Let's go together.”

Haneul cut him off and began to follow him. He seemed a little hesitant, perhaps embarrassed to bring others along, but Haneul had no intention of backing out. She was a little curious about where he had lived in the past. Neria also didn't seem to want to be left behind.

In the end, Yor sighed, *Hoo*, and headed for the Orphanage. His steps towards the Orphanage were heavier than he expected. Unlike last time when he secretly peeked, this time he was going to confront them directly.

*What kind of expression will they make...?*

Will they tremble with fear, or will they get angry, telling the Demon to get lost? Since they didn't part on good terms, only negative reactions came to mind.

I didn't blame them for chasing me out back then. Considering common sense, it would have been stranger *not* to chase me out. The middle-aged Nun had the correct reaction.

I just hoped... that when I visited again, they would deny it for a moment, but eventually accept it. Whatever their reaction, I just hoped they would at least remember me.

With a trembling heart, he entered the orphanage. It was a small building set up near a back alley, not receiving proper support. The walls were cracked, showing its dilapidated state, but it seemed well-maintained, as there was no mold.

And an old woman was watering potted plants in the yard.

“Ah.”

It was a face he remembered. This small orphanage had limited people to care for the children. It was the nun of the orphanage. Her face was now deeply wrinkled, but she steadfastly remained, protecting this decaying building.

I quietly approached the nun, hiding my trembling heart.

“You're a young man I haven't seen before. What brings a fine-looking person like you here?”

First, the nun didn't recognize him. That was understandable. More than 10 years had passed since that day. Yor had expected this reaction, so he wasn't particularly shocked. Instead, he began to explain.

“I am someone who was indebted to This Place long ago.”

More than a decade ago, I was taken in here from a childhood I can barely remember. Looking back now, it is not all bad. Although I was eventually chased out due to an unfortunate incident, I hold no ill will towards it. I simply came to express my gratitude for that time.

As I said this much, the Woman's eyes widened for a moment. She carefully observed the face of the Man standing opposite her.

Black hair and amber eyes—these were features that remained in her memory. No, they were unforgettable features, because even in this Orphanage, that day remained a particularly painful memory.

“Yor? Is that really you, Yor?”

The Woman called his name in surprise. Her eyes trembled slightly, as if greatly shocked. It was as if a ghost had appeared before her.

Yor flinched slightly at her reaction. He had prepared himself, but facing it like this still made him a little nervous.

Soon, the Woman firmly grasped Yor's hand. Then, with a face slightly moist with tears, she spoke.

“My goodness... Yor, you really were alive.” “Huh? Yes...”

It wasn't the reaction he expected, so he couldn't help but be a little flustered. Regardless, the nun continued speaking.

“Back then, after you were taken away by the Knights, I couldn't sleep properly for a long time...”

It was impossible to know for sure if it was the truth or a polite lie. But looking at her expression, he thought it was probably the truth.

“So you were alive. I'm so glad you came back like this. Truly, I'm so glad...”

Perhaps the Nun had also suffered a lot since her 10th birthday. She was such an affectionate person, after all. It wouldn't have been easy for her to accept a kid who was doing well being suddenly dragged away by knights overnight.

The nun stroked Yor's arm for a while. He remained still for a moment, then spoke the words he hadn't been able to say earlier.

“It's been a long time.”

It was an orphanage he had visited without many worries. And the reunion wasn't bad at all.