Orphans of war

I followed the directions to the orphanage from what I saw and remembered from Roderick's instructions. I should have borrowed the map to make it easier, but I forgot to tell him. Meanwhile, the little girl whose name I don't know is still asleep. It seems like she is really tired since yesterday. I feel sorry for her because as soon as she wakes up, she will find herself in an unknown place. However, I hope she will be treated well by the orphanage.

I reached the undamaged part of the city where there is a bustling atmosphere. People are going about their lives, children are playing in the street, and vendors are selling their products. It feels like no battle occurred here yesterday. I notice that they are staring at me, perhaps because of my Gernmanian Military uniform.

I spot a bench and realize that I am a little tired from carrying this little girl. I decide to take a little break and sit on a park bench in the city. I gently place the little girl beside me, hoping she won't wake up from this. However, she remains asleep, perhaps in a deep slumber?

As I sit and gaze at this undamaged part of the city, I also catch a glimpse of Friedstein Castle. I close my eyes and focus on the sounds of the city, imagining what life could have been if I had not died, still alive in my own world.

I imagined what life could have been like after I served justice for Ishida's death. Maybe Hana and I would get married. I realized that I liked Hana after we started living together in the same house. I convinced Hana to move to my house for security. She is eight months pregnant at that time, and I planned to confess my feelings to her after she gives birth to her child and after I have served justice for Ishida's death. Maybe we can live a happy life with Ishida's child.

But now, it will not happen as I have died and reincarnated into this world. However, I still worry about how Hana is doing and if she safely delivered her child, hoping that the yakuza did not harass her or anything. My only regret is that I was unable to serve justice for Ishida's death. If given the chance to return to my old world, I would gladly accept it.

I opened my eyes and realized that tears filled my eyes. I reached for my pocket watch to check the time. It appeared that fifteen minutes had passed; perhaps I had fallen asleep. Glancing at the little girl beside me, I noticed she was still sound asleep. I stood up from the bench and carefully lifted the girl, making sure not to wake her. I continued walking towards the orphanage.

While I was walking, I saw a vendor selling stuffed toys. So, I approached the vendor and asked, "How much is this small stuffed bear?" He said, "That is 300 res a little expensive but." Without hesitation, I purchased it. I intentionally bought it as a parting gift for a little girl. After buying the stuffed bear, I realized I was having a hard time finding the orphanage. The map and the actual location seemed quite different from what Roderick had instructed. So, I asked some locals. Some of them were avoiding me; it seemed like my uniform scared them or something. However, I continued asking, and finally, someone answered my question. It was a teenage girl. She answered all my questions about the orphanage's location and which direction I should go. In the end, I thanked her and gave her some money as a token of my appreciation.

I finally arrived at the orphanage. It was a big place, and perhaps they are capable of accommodating hundreds of children since they are funded by the princess of Friedstein. I saw many kids playing happily outside. These children are what I call the orphans of war. They have become orphans because of this war. I hope they have a better future. I entered the orphanage, and as I entered, I saw two nuns talking. When they saw me, they stopped talking and gazed at me. Um, excuse me, I just want to bring this child into your orphanage." One of the nuns approached me and said,

Um, okay, sir. If you don't mind, could you please sit and wait for a minute? I will call someone to speak to you. Is that alright?

"I understand I will wait here,"

Then If you'll excuse Us.

I sat down and placed the little girl beside me. She is still asleep, and since there is nothing to do, I just have to wait for someone to talk to me. Maybe they are scared to talk to me because of my uniform. Is my uniform really that intimidating? It's just a dark green coat with black collar and cuffs, and a black Cross armband. Well, our uniforms are feared by the enemy, especially the Mage Marksmen Regiment. I close my eyes and try to get five minutes of sleep.

********

Okay You make the preparation of the coronation Since I'm busy managing the orphanage and after this I will go to bernun to discuss the peace treaty with the gernmania and maybe that's all you may leave now

Then if you'll excuse me princess Anna,

"Princess Anna," one of the nuns, ran towards Ana and came to a stop, her face filled with exhaustion.

"What's the matter, Zofia?" Ana asked with a worried expression.

"There's a guy in a Germanian military uniform!"

"What are his intentions toward the orphanage, and why is he here?"

"I don't know, but he brought a child and said he wants to bring the child into our orphanage."

"Why did you not assist him?"

I'm scared of the guy with Princess Ana."

"Princess Ana sighed and shook her head. 'Okay, I will talk to this guy, and you will accompany me. By the way, where is Natalia, your sister?'"

"After we talk and leave the guy, we will part ways. She said she will do the laundry."

"I see, shall we go now and talk to this soldier?"

******

After a few minutes had passed, I heard footsteps. I opened my eyes and gazed in the direction the sounds came from. I saw the nun I had spoken to before returning. Beside her was a familiar face. As they approached, I recognized her. It was the princess of Friedstein. As soon as she came close to me, I stood up and saluted her as a sign of respect.

You don't have to salute me, soldier. What do you need for our orphanage?" she said.

I dropped my hand and replied to her questions. 'I want this child to be in your care,' as I said. She looked at the little girl who was still asleep. That child has been searching for her mother since yesterday, and I fear that her mother has died. She said her father is gone since he joined the military, which I assume means he died in the Battle of Poskian.

I see, I understand. Many children have turned into orphans because of this war. We will take care of the child, Zofia

Yes, Princess?

"Please bring this child to the bedroom and stay there until she wakes up."

I Understand Princess,

"She lifted the child, and I handed her the stuffed bear that I bought a while ago. After that, she started walking towards the hall, and they disappeared from my sight."

Thank you so much, Princess. I hope that the child will be in your good care. I salute her and say goodbye.

Before you leave, would you care for some tea and have a little talk about the child that you brought? She asked

I took a moment to think before replying to his offer, and I said, "If that's what you want, I would gladly accompany you, Princess."

Then please follow me through the garden.

I followed through the garden and sat at the table. I talked about how I met the little girl. After that, with nothing else to talk about, I felt awkward. So we watched the little kids happily playing in the garden. After that, she said...

What date is today?

"It's Decen 23, Princess. Why do you ask?" I replied.

"So tomorrow is Holy Holiday Eve. It seems I can't celebrate the holy holiday with the children because I have to go to Bernun tonight." She Murmured

I gazed at my pocket watch, and the time was 2:20 PM. I realized that my superior might be looking for me and waiting for the survey results. So, I stood up from the table and said, "I must apologize, Princess, but I must leave now. My superior may be looking for me. Thank you for the tea and the time we spent talking." I saluted Again to her

No, I should apologize. I took up your time. It's alright, and I hope we can see each other again.

After we said goodbye, I left in the orphanage hoping that the little girl, whose name I don't know, would be treated right in this orphanage. I quickly returned to my superior and reported the results of my survey, including the number of dead bodies left.