Chapter 86 86 – The Kids

I can only teleport with a few individuals, so we had to take the 30 kids with me. Not all of them could be brought by the succubus or wyverns. So, we made roofed containers for the kids, and the undeads carried them.

At first, they were afraid because those who transported them were mainly bones. Only on the third day of the journey they began to calm down.

But still, the long journey must have been tough for them.

Xenora was already wearing a casual dress and walking beside me while carrying the baby. The little creature's big eyes gleamed at me, causing me to smile.

"He's so strong. He rarely cries." Xenora touched the tip of the baby's nose with her index finger. The baby laughed at that. "And he drinks a lot of milk. He will surely grow up to be a strong man."

"It's wild that some succubus can breastfeed even if they don't have children yet." Emily, who was walking on the other side of me, mumbled. "You've never breastfed that baby, so I guess you can't do it, Xenora? Or lord Vorn forbid you?"

I sighed. "Why would I forbid her?"

"I don't know." Emily shrugged. "Maybe you're jealous if this baby sucks the milk from Xenora."

"He's a baby, Emily." I shook my head. I can't believe we had this kind of conversation. "Why should I be jealous of him?"

"I can't produce milk yet, Emily." Xenora chimed in. "But I think Madam Phisovia can."

Hmmm... I've never drunk a woman's milk in my adult life. Let alone from a succubus.....

Noticing my two women staring intently at me, I shook my head even harder. "No, no, no."

What the fuck am I thinking about?

"We haven't even asked anything yet." Emily chuckled.

I pointed at the city buildings that came into view. "Look, we'll be here soon."

"I'm going with the others to base instead." Emily shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not into this kind of thing."

I turned to face the three roofed containers that the undeads were carrying. "Get ready. After this, we have to walk to our destination, kids."

***

Father Jude was already waiting at the door of an orphanage when we finally arrived. The old man smiled widely, hugging Xenora and me. I did tell him I would come to that place.

"Are you all right, Lord?" He studied the bandages on my face and hands.

"It's okay." I smiled back, although I still felt a stinging pain in some parts of my body and face. "These are all just ordinary battle wounds."

He nodded with a worried expression, then squatted down in front of the children.

"Welcome." He smiled again as the children looked at the largest two-story building in the area. At first glance, you'd think the cream-walled building was an inn, not an orphanage. "Let's go in. We've already prepared lunch."

Several women, who I think were caretakers of the orphanage, invited the children to come in. One of them also took over the baby in Xenora's arms.

Xenora waved her hand at those children. "Don't be afraid. They are good."

"I wanted to invite you to eat with them, but our dining room is getting too full because of the new residents," Jude explained. "So, we'll eat at a different place."

"I hope this is enough for them. You can contact me if that's not enough." I put a small bag of gold coins into his hand. "Sorry to bother you. And thank you for taking the time for us. I know taking care of this temple and orphanage takes up much of your time."

"I will always have time for you." He chuckled, then started walking. "Please, follow me."

We entered the building and went straight up to the second floor. Along the way, I didn't see anything colorful. Everything is plain.

It's actually quite sad as a place for children to live.

"I didn't mean to offend you, lord." Jude opened the door to a room. "But I didn't completely trust you the day you brought my friend from the dead. Even when I came to you to ask you to help that suicidal man, I didn't really have full faith in you yet."

I chuckled, approaching a round table with food already served on it. "Well, I also guessed that you weren't easily influenced by me. You are a very faithful person."

"Back then, my heart was divided in two, lord. Either worship you or return to the religion I've followed for years." He pulled out two chairs for Xenora and me. "Please."

"So, what made you say you were going to follow me, Jude?" I sat in one of the chairs.

"If my faith was still strong, I would have continued to reject you. However, at that time, I was experiencing tremendous doubts. I needed time to reflect. And I feel that I will be killed if I ask to think about your offer."

I chuckled. "Believe me, Jude. I wouldn't do that."

"At the time, I didn't know." Jude sat next to me. "I've been thinking for a long time, lord. Maybe too long. After seeing the good things you've done, I'm convinced your path is right. If you were really evil, you wouldn't give those orphans a chance."

"Yeah, the old Vorn would throw them to his subordinates as food." I pat Jude on the shoulder. "Thank you for finally trusting me completely."

I wouldn't say that my primary purpose for doing this is to attract people's hearts. The story of me rescuing the orphans will surely touch them.

Those who have worshiped me will have more faith in me, just like Jude. While those who haven't followed my way will start to think.

"Well, let's eat." Jude smiled again. "Sorry, we only have this."

I took the prepared spoon and fork. "This is more than enough...."

My words were cut off by footsteps from outside the room. Then, the children I brought to the orphanage came in.

"Sorry, I tried to stop them, but they insisted." One of the orphanage helpers, Grimaced. "I am really, really sorry."

"It's okay." I stood up and approached a boy in front of that group of children. He was probably about ten years old, with orange hair and a face full of freckles. And during the few days of traveling with him, I remembered his name. "Hi, Alain. What's wrong?"

"I heard you were going to leave us here!" That boy glared at me. "But we want to fight for you, lord Vorn. This is in return for our favor to you. You and your companions have saved us."

I crouched in front of him. "Have you asked your friends if they want to come with you too?"

"They have to do this for you..." His words were cut off because I rubbed his head.

"The reason I saved you all was so that you could choose your path." I put on a faint smile. "If you force them to fight with me, that's very different from my goal, Alain."

Alain winked. "But, how can we repay you?"

I smiled at the other kids. Some of them still looked scared to see me. "If any of you want to come with me, sure. However, my home isn't as comfortable and safe as this place. Everyone knows where I am, and they can attack us at any moment."

I could see the doubts on the faces of the children, except for Alain. He seemed to have made up his mind.

"And even if you guys come with me, it doesn't mean you're all trained to be fighters. You can help with cooking, making things, or whatever." I continued. "The important thing is that you do it of your own accord."

Alain turned to his friends again. "You've all heard, right? We don't have to fight, so we're going with lord Vorn."

"No." I tapped Alain's shoulder. "Let your friends choose."

Alain just looked down. The corners of his mouth dropped. I think he still wants to be with his friends.

"Don't worry. Even if some want to stay here, it doesn't mean you guys will be separated forever." Father Jude added. "Once in a while, you can visit here, or I'll escort a group from here to lord Vorn's place."

"Ah, and I have one more thing to tell you." I stood up and spoke in a more serious tone. "I am a demon, and my comrades are demons. Do you want to live in a place full of demons?"

I could see their bodies starting to shake, including Alain's.