Turns out I do not need an appointment to meet with the Emperor.

While this sort of privilege is typically reserved for dukes and higher titles, my position as a marquis is overlooked due to me being the hero who saved the country. I can therefore meet with him at any time.

In the morning I discussed with Dalish to find potential real estate opportunities in the Imperial Capital. And in the afternoon, I headed up to the castle.

「I apologize for the sudden visit」

「No, no need to apologize, Touya-dono, you’re my son-in-law after all, you may visit whenever you please. I am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren very soon」

I chuckled at his forwardness. Char is still only my fiance, and as of late, I have not seen her and the others much. After all, the city is still in the process of reconstruction, and she is fulfilling her role as a princess by providing encouragement in many areas.

After a bit of catching up, we got down to business.

「The reason I am here is that an acquaintance of mine is planning on opening an orphanage in the Capital—–」

As I explained yesterday’s situation to His Majesty, he placed his hand on his chin and pondered for a moment.

「As I recall, the orphanages are managed by…… Viscount McGrath. The increase in the number of orphans has no doubt caused a budget shortfall, but this blatant disparity is alarming…… I will personally investigate this matter further. By the way, if you, Touya-dono, will help in the running of the orphanage, I will grant you permission right away」

「Thank you very much. I am currently searching for a suitable property and will inform you as soon as I have found one」

「I see. I feel I should also apologize for not being more aware of things happening right under my nose」

After thanking him, I left the castle with the thought of finding a suitable building in my mind.

At the mansion, I found Dalish finishing up a meeting with a guest.

「Right on time. I have just been shown a property I think you will be interested in. Luhan-san, this is His Excellency Kisaragi」

Luhan, whom I was introduced to, looked to be a real estate agent. He was a bit taken aback when he saw me, probably by my youth, but being a businessman, he quickly composed himself.

「It is a true honour to meet His Excellency Kisaragi, our country’s saviour. I have prepared a property as requested, and thought you should immediately see it」

I greeted Luhan, who in turn bowed with some grace before spreading out the documents he had just shown Dalish on the table.

「This is the property I recommend the most. It originally was an inn, but due to the recent war, it went out of business」

On the sheet of paper spread out on the table is a simple floor plan.

On the first floor is a dining room, kitchen, office, and bathroom. While on the second and third floors are guest rooms, and each floor has its own toilet. It is big enough for an orphanage.

There is plenty of room for all the children currently under Saya’s care, and even if there are more children in the future, they can be accommodated easily.

Perhaps sensing my approval, Luhan continued with his explanation.

「It is in a safe part of the district, and although the garden is not extensive, there is one in the back of the house. The building itself has been preserved over the time since it was an inn after all. This is by far the most preferable property」

「Yes, I don’t see any problem with this site or floor plan. Dalish, you can carry on with the negotiations」

「Th, thank you very much!」

I decided to leave the rest of the meeting to Dalish, the only requirement from me will be the signature on the final sales contract, so after our introductions I went back to my room.

I have given him some funds for renovations and getting the orphanage ready. So he should be fine.

Leaning back into the sofa, my thoughts drifted to one particular orphanage I visited yesterday.

I felt there was something afoot going on behind the scenes over there. The faces of those children spoke volumes. Should I maybe go check it out on my own……?

As I was deep in my thoughts, Ferris and Till appeared, concerned about me.

「Touya, is something wrong? 」

「……」

Till did not say anything, as she never does…… I did not worry much about her as Ferris is always with her.

「Yes? I was just thinking. I’m fine, it’s nothing to worry about. Thank you for your concern, Ferris 」

「That’s good to hear 」

Ferris nodded with a smile, and Till simply tilted her head to the side. The gesture brought a smile to my face.

I could not think of anything else to do at the moment. So, I decided to visit more orphanages and study them until the new one was ready……

For the next few days I went around visiting different orphanages, but all were in similar conditions except for that single one.

This furthered my suspicions of that orphanage run by that money-grabbing priest.

I’m going back there……

I have time since the contract for the purchased inn is done, and I am currently just waiting for renovations to be completed for it to be ready for use as an orphanage.

I strolled through the city to my destination, a certain orphanage.

When I got there, I once again marveled at how it seemed that a sizable fund was used for it. From the size of the grounds to the size of the building.

Arriving at the gate, I saw a man dressed in government official attire exit. He was a visitor.

「Then, as planned. I’m looking forward to it 」

「Yes, of course. As always thank you for your continued patronage, Superintendent 」

The priest was rubbing his hands together as if it was a performance as he spoke to his visitor, about to see him off.

Our gazes met with the man who came out. His expression changed from what it was a second ago and he threw me a glare with a raised brow.

「…… What are you looking at, adventurer? Don’t you know who I am? I’m the Senior Superintendent 」

A Senior Superintendent is a high-ranking position among many bureaucrats in the service of nobility. I have only heard of it.

In my previous world, it would be Department Head.

That being said, it does not give him any right to have such a nasty attitude.

「Superintendent-sama, this is the adventurer who said something about opening a new orphanage「

「You mean…… He plans to open an orphanage……Hmmm. I see….. 」

In order to open an orphanage, a permit has to be granted by the government. With the right connections, approval can be made quickly, otherwise it takes a considerable amount of time.

In my case, I have already received permission from His Majesty, meaning I do not need to go through the authorities now……

I guess I should continue to play along in order to get a chance to explore this place further. I need to find the reason behind why this orphanage differs from the rest.

「…… Actually, it’s a friend of mine who previously owned an orphanage in another city, and now thinks of opening a new one in the Imperial Capital 」

「Is that so, I suppose more orphanages are needed after the war…… But still, at such a young age. Anyway, I’ll be the one to talk to if you need anything. Of course, there are some arrangements that need to be made」

「I understand. Thank you very much. I will appreciate your assistance 」

「All right, then 」

The Superintendent raised one hand, cutting our conversation short and left.

After seeing him off, the priest and I stood facing each other.

「So, what can I do for you today? Didn’t we have a tour the other day? 」

「Yes, just that, there is something different about this orphanage from the others, it is really well managed, so I was wondering if you could give me some tips 」

The priest seemed to mellow when I played the similar trick on him like he had done to the Superintendent earlier.

「Oh, I see. Just tell me what you need to know. Also, I’m on good terms with the Senior Superintendent as well as you have seen 」

「Yes, thank you 」

I followed the priest into the orphanage.

It was as luxurious as ever, others could not begin to compare.

No matter how many donations were made here, this looked nothing like an orphanage.

I walked down the hallway looking at the ornaments, and was led to the reception room where I sat down as told.

「Well, in order to run an orphanage well, you have to have a good reputation with the nobles and the superintendents who manage the orphanages. You see, I believe you get the picture, right? 」

The priest poured some wine into a glass and began to gulp it down.

Bribery as I suspected…… But that does not explain everything, if it was just bribes, the orphanage would be running out of money.

I need to figure it out.

Even if they profited from selling the children’s wares to the Chamber of Commerce, it would still not be sufficient…..

I have not heard a single child’s voice for a few minutes now. There is more to this orphanage that makes it different from the others.

The priest rambled on, obviously trying to show off, tiring me out. In the end I felt I had no choice but to donate a gold coin.

I now knew my way around, so I left the priest in the reception room to go check on the children.

I proceeded down the hallway and peered into the room where the children had previously been working.

Inside, dozens of children were working silently at a table. But none of their faces showed a smile.

Looking closely, their arms were covered in bruises.

…… It seems like it.

When I entered the room, the children eyed me.

「Everyone be quiet 」

I held up my index finger to my lips as a sign, and the children nodded their heads in understanding.

『Area Heal』

I spread my focus across the room and casted a healing spell. The children’s bodies began to glow.

They were surprised to see this happen to them, and pain they had been enduring seemed to leave their faces.

I smiled and waved to the children before leaving the orphanage, hoping the staff would not notice.

「Are they actually being abused……? 」

I have to do something about it, but it is hard to do anything since I have no proof.

Their wounds have been healed for now with the Recovery Magic I used.

I just have to monitor the situation more carefully from now on.

With this in mind, I decided to return to my mansion.