Chapter 52
After a while, the mystery of this magic artifact was finally solved. This magic lamp has a strong magical power, but it takes a long time to get started.
Its operation is quite simple, just rub it while mana is flowing, then something will appear from behind the smoke. Obviously, the user must first have a specific wish in mind.
Immediately after Elene deactivated her mana flow, we returned to the main hall of the old mansion. The atmosphere was back to what it had been when we first entered.
Less than a day was the time we spent in this dimension. The sun had already started its descent. The orange twilight sky, just like on Earth, signaled that it was almost nightfall, a time when many of the city's chores had been left behind.
"I'm sorry, I can only escort you from behind this gate. My soul is bound to the mansion and cannot leave. I'm very grateful to you, ma'am, and to all of you for allowing me to stay here. I will make sure to take good care of this place"
"Wasn't this once your home?"
"Yes and no, I just live here and you must think I'm a noble, right? Actually, I'm a commoner who was chosen as a substitute role because the son of the nobleman here looks like me. And I've learned a little aristocratic etiquette"
"I'll leave this here to you Harvey but please don't disturb the workers who will be renovating this place."
"As you wish, ma'am."
I leave everything here to Harvey. As a ghost he has strong magical powers.
He has the ability to interact with anything with the help of his poltergeist. Though his form looks like a child, he is adept at all tasks.
Add his elegant style and servant's clothing, and he truly becomes a butler!
'A large estate, a big house, servants lined up and probably training to do things like royalty. Maybe soon I will enjoy the life of a medieval aristocrat'
"And… Not a chance in hell”
**
"Damn... finally able to get away from that damn ghost. By the way, will you come to church with me?"
“Don't we have to fulfill our responsibility?”
"You're right! Even though we have the intention of helping but something can't be bought with just a ‘thank you’, ha ha"
Before leaving, I told Elene to pick up Jimmy because it was getting late.
"Elene go get Jimmy now. Wait for us at the inn."
"No need to worry, Mom. I want to get back to reading my book as soon as possible. Please bring the cake from yesterday, I'm starting to like the taste of real food"
Elene was able to transform her body into that of a teenager because her mana had recovered. She immediately went to the daycare center.
'After I look again it seems that she is no longer flat. If that's her future, she certainly has the genes. I'll ask her for more'
Every time she picked up Jimmy, she would use that form.
But only with the use of high-level magic was her mana drained to make her form return to that of a helpless baby. And it takes a while to replenish it.
I think I'll limit its use to emergency situations only. And that applies to this little old man as well.
Elene and Michael are veteran heroes who have had experience in battle. However, for the time being, they have only limited use of their powers.
The world is vast, and I'm afraid of encountering a much stronger enemy that they can't fight. Needless to say, the weaker me won't be able to survive.
What is certain is that I must try to be strong. And that's the only way.
After I get the will to live, I have to be able to survive. At least until I can live in peace.
In reality, I have no choice but to live here.
"I'm not blind, and I don't know if I can keep this secret. Do you understand, ma’am?"
Crazy priest looked at Elene while telling her to reveal our secret.
I knew sooner or later things like this would happen too.
"You should be able to close your eyes to what's in there, our esteemed priest. We saved your life"
"Calm down, I'm just bluffing! Just making sure you're a responsible parent"
"I don't think you are"
"I may not tell anyone now, but every secret will be revealed one day. Although there are many strong people out there, I've never seen anything like this, and at such a young age"
"Listen to me. You're just drunk on your holy water and hallucinating"
"I have witnessed their extraordinary abilities! That's the Goddess' blessing! As their parents, you should be proud to be blessed in ways that not everyone can be"
'Parents? I'll leave this misunderstanding'
"I will erase your memory if you think so"
"For what?"
I clenched my fist in front of her, the sound of rattling bones indicating that I was ready to use force.
"Okay-Okay I'm just kidding, ma'am. I'm just kidding. Okay, stop it, you're scary"
"I'll just give a quick solution because I'm pretty tired from today's incidents"
“You're lucky to have met me, a highly credible person who respects the privacy of her clients. Then silence me with something good. I do not want money right now and I'd rather make my own choices, OK?"
"For a devout servant of God, you are so easily tempted"
"Honestly, I'm a person who thinks of trying to enjoy life before my body breaks down completely. At least people like that are easy to associate with, right?"
"Whatever, let's hurry you two very slowly"
We walked rather slowly so that the two porters who were lifting weights could keep up with us.
"Huh-hah-hah... Isn't this too heavy for a skinny girl like me, nyaa!"
"Why are you making us carry all this furniture out of here, big sis? Aren't we going to occupy the mansion as well?”
"First, it's old and worn out, I don't want it. Second, it can be sold at the local auction for a much higher price. Lastly, I told you to do it because it will increase your stamina. Especially you, Rose, you said your tribe is power crazy"
"The auction place and the church are both far away, nyaa! Help me..."
We walked to the church leisurely. I told Rose and Celi to bring the antiques because the selling price was more expensive than selling them using the system's help.
And I also didn't want others to know I had space storage ability.
**
"Finally- arrived..."
Celi, unable to bear the heavy load she was carrying, instantly collapsed again.
Under the influence of the binding magical collar, she was forced to obey all my orders, or rather Elene's, and tried desperately to complete her task.
The power of the slave necklace does not only provide physical attacks but will also affect the wearer's mentality to cause prolonged trauma effects. Therefore, the use outside the rules is actually prohibited.
"What about that cat? Leaving her behind?"
"Stay with her, Rose. I won't be long"
Rose who was carrying a heavy load on her back was only sweating slightly.
Sure, with her big body and strong muscles, she must be used to it. Although she didn't look tired, she also lay down next to Celi.
Mia immediately invited us to enter the church. In front of us a building that was neither grand nor modest stood at the northern end of the city, near the area where the nobles lived.
From the shape of the building, which is easily visible, it is very similar to the church in my world without the symbol of the cross. This is because religion and God are understood to mean different things in this world.
At a glance at the back of the church there is a building that looks crowded. There were many small children who seemed to be doing home chores. Despite their shabby clothes and dirty appearance, they looked happy as they prepared plates and served simple meals in turn.
"If you want to know, we also set up an orphanage for abandoned children. Minimal education in the morning and two meals a day. And even then, they like it a lot"
"Yet, even with their appearance?"
"They also work during the day, such as selling and helping clean other people's houses. They will return in the evening with their dirty clothes. Don't worry, we don't take a penny from them. But we can't help more than that"
"I've felt that too"
"You too? No wonder you know Celi so well. She used to be here"
"Not that close either. I only knew her when we met at the market."
"Wait, you were actually the victim of her prank?"
"Almost, before she got caught and became my temporary slave. I have her in obedience to my command"
I clenched my fist forward again as I threatened Priest Mia, and she knew what I meant.
"Ha ha, no wonder she's not violent anymore. She is notorious for her mischievousness and temper. We've tried to correct her behavior, but all we hear is news of robberies by gangs of young blackmailers. Of course, we are grateful to you for the taming of this wild cat"
"You're welcome"
"We have cooperated with some nobles in the region so that the trained children can work at their place. But not a few are trying their luck as adventurers. There are also those who join the church but those are all jobs that are available"
"At least not abandoning them is a gift. I know that."
"Okay, enough with the sad stories. Let's get your business done here and continue our deal. I can't wait for that."
"A promise is a promise, don't worry, I won't break it."
Before entering, I looked again at the children. I was a little reminded of my previous life when I left home. Even though my memory is starting to blur but I still feel the difficulty of surviving.
I was forced to go to an orphanage but that didn't last long and I continued to fend for myself on the streets. I was still able to survive because of my childhood friend who always accompanied me under any circumstances.
'But she was the one who destroyed me...'
Maybe I'm a little grateful that my memories are getting blurred now so that I can slowly forget that shadow of fear and hatred.
***