The Exiled First-born of the Noble House. Rising to the Top With the Worthless Skill [Null Poison]

Consideration

Having obtained the [Bloody tears], I gave my thanks to Kalifa before leaving [Rakanka], and then went to a different store located a little away from the main street to some food and provisions.

Most of it was to donate to the orphanage as a show of my thanks, and for us, I simply bought the bare minimum necessary for survival aka dried jerky and crackers.

After that, I bought some melons for Snow as well, and then I made my way back to the west district and towards the orphanage.

Since it was early morning the last time we came here, we only got to meet Uzef inside the orphanage but, right now it was afternoon so I could see a bunch of kids running around having fun.

I didn’t want to get surrounded by them and seen as someone suspicious so I activated [Stealth] and [Silent Steps] to enter the orphanage grounds, and looked for Uzef without getting detected by the kids.

Since she was in the shed slightly away from the main building last time, I decided to check there first this time as well and, sure enough, Uzef was indeed there folding and picking up clothes.

It’d be a bit too rude for me to enter directly inside the without invitation so I’m glad she was here outside.

“Uzef, do have a moment?”

“—–!? Wh, what, oh, it’s you, Jeanvier’s acquaintance.
Could you not surprise me like that!?”

Since I had my skills still active, calling her name from behind her made her jump in place from shock.

Seeing Uzef put a hand on her chest trying to calm her heart down, I felt a little apologetic.

“Sorry about that.
I didn’t think you’d be this surprised.”

“I mean, you made absolutely no sound, I couldn’t even feel anyone’s presence either!…….but all that aside, how can I help you today? Did Isabelle drive you lot out or something, and now you’re looking for a new place to stay?”

“No.
We have left Isabelle’s place now but, that’s because our problem has been solved so there’s no need to worry any longer.
I’m here today to give my thanks for helping us out back then, that’s all.”

“thanks? I barely did anything though? You don’t need to give anything.”

Uzef really sounded uninterested as she said that but, I have already bought all this so it’d be a waste so I’d prefer if she did accept it all anyway.

“You may say that, but I have already bought a fair few things.
It’s better if you just take it rather than it all go to waste.”

“By that, do you mean that huge bag you’re holding right now?”

“Yeah, it’s got a lot of food for everyone.
I figured that’d make the kids happy the most.”

“Well, yes………..there can never be enough food when raising a bunch of kids after all.”

“Then, by all means, take it.
If it’s a matter of feelings, you can think of it as a donation to the orphanage instead.”

“In that case, you have my thanks.
We will accept it gladly.”

That’s good to hear.

I handed over the bags to Uzef, and then began to quietly leave the place again when…..

“Oi, you little runts! We just got a whole bunch of nice food so come here and say thank you properly!”

“Wai, Hey!?”

Uzef began to suddenly shout, and call all the kids that were playing in the frontyard.

I tried to stop her but I was a second too late, and it would seem my attempt to stay inconspicuous had been made useless.

While I was fretting over what to do, a big bunch of kids gathered up, and quickly surrounded me.

“Look, this person just brought a lot of food for everyone.
C’mon, quickly say your thanks properly.”

“””THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!”””

“Uh, yeah, enjoy it.”

A shrill sound of the kids saying thanks in unison attacked my ears, and I could only show a wry smile as I awkwardly replied.

Uzef seemed to find that amusing as she chuckled, and suddenly as if recalling something, she seemed to make an apologetic face.

“I guess I’ll really have to go all out today in the kitchen eh? Ah, but I can’t carry these big bags myself so sorry, but can you help me carry it all to the kitchen?”

“………..sure, I don’t mind but, that’s all I have to do right?”

I inquired but she gave no further response.
Regardless, I obediently carried the stuff to the kitchen.

After that, for some reason, I was made to help with the cooking as well, and I also had to deal with the kids while I helped Uzef in the kitchen.

And after all the cooking was done, I was also treated alongside the kids to the many dishes that she had made as we all had a late lunch together, and in the end, I ended up staying here for far longer than I had planned.

“In the end, I even ended up staying for lunch.
Sorry for making you treat me as well.
Even though I brought the ingredients for the kids, I ended up eating a part of it myself.”

“I was the one who invited you so don’t apologize.
The kids were all very happy and having fun as well, so if anything, I should be the one thanking you.”

That’s true.
Seeing all the kids looks so happy from the food made me feel genuinely happy inside as well.
It really was worth it bringing everything here after all.
And honestly, Uzef’s cooking was really good as well.

“That’s good to hear.
Even without the ‘thanks’ part,  I’m glad I brought all this for the kids regardless.”

“fufufu, if you really feel that way, you can always come and donate more ingredients here.”

“Sure……..if I feel like it, I’ll come again.”

“Then, we can have a meal together again as well.
The kids would be very happy to play with you again as well, I’m sure.”

At an emotional level, I wanted to say I would definitely come back again but………

The truth is, I don’t know if I really will be able to come back alive from my battle with Klaus.

But if I live, I will definitely come again with a whole bunch of food and ingredients again.

Making a resolve to myself, I parted with the smiling Uzef, and then left the orphanage.