Chapter 97: I'll Bid You Farewell Under Clear Skies

"Zeke, Cocolia, your sanctuary here is truly remarkable."

Welt shook his head, smiling broadly.

Heaven knows how much joy seeing the children's smiles brought him.

Welt had been quietly traveling on his path to save the world for quite some time. If not for this extended stay and the chance to bond with these children, he might have forgotten why he persisted all along.

Wasn't it simply so more children could experience happiness like them?

Of course, Welt would be even happier if their parents were alive instead of most having faced hardships.

"So, when do you plan to leave?" Zeke turned to Welt, choosing not to comment on his sentiments, and asked lazily.

Taken aback, Welt shook his head with a wry smile. "How can you always tell everything?"

"Last night, you visited Dr. Tesla's room for one hour and thirteen minutes, then went to Dr. Ein's room for another hour and forty-five minutes. It's not hard to guess that you were likely saying your goodbyes," Zeke replied languidly.

Unfazed, Welt chuckled, "Just how many eyes do you have around here? You seem to know everything."

"Except for private areas, everything is monitored. With so many valuable treasures here, including a Valkyrie and even a crow, we can't be too careful, haah..." Zeke yawned, feeling slightly drowsy.

Indeed, there were numerous treasures, but it was unclear if he referred to the Divine Keys and Herrscher Cores or the children themselves. Perhaps both? And likely with more emphasis on the latter.

Welt chuckled, thinking along similar lines: "It's not just any crow; it's a Raven. Haven't you been sleeping well these past few days?"

"Crow or Raven, same difference. It's not that I haven't slept well—it's just that I haven't slept at all for several days. Must've gotten carried away with my research. You Herrschers sure have remarkable constitutions, staying energetic despite going without sleep for days..."

The two engaged in casual conversation, oblivious to anything amiss in their dialogue.

Unbeknownst to them, Cocolia and Raiden Ryoma nearby suddenly perked up their ears, simultaneously glancing downward toward Welt's lower body.

'One hour and fifteen minutes?!'

'One hour and forty-five minutes?!'

Lord Alliance Leader, you're truly mighty/impressive!

Welt had finished reading the book Zeke gave him.

Only he knew how much insight he'd gleaned from it.

But to Zeke's eyes, the change was quite noticeable. The gentle smile remained, but Welt's once clear and transparent gaze now held depths of wisdom, reflecting a newfound unwavering determination in his every movement.

Perhaps this journey truly would bring unexpected surprises for Welt.

As Welt prepared to depart, fate seemed against him. The first major blizzard of the year howled, enveloping the mountain forest.

Most residents of the orphanage came out to bid him farewell, but stepping from the spring-like warmth indoors into the bone-chilling cold cast a gloomy shadow over many hearts.

"Yang, why not wait another couple of days? Look at this damn weather, it's just too harsh."

Tesla, his nose red from the cold, tugged at Welt's sleeve.

Welt smiled warmly and gently brushed snowflakes off Tesla's head and shoulders. After a moment's thought, he untied the deep blue scarf that he always wore around his neck.

He wrapped the scarf twice around Tesla's neck, paused briefly, then noticed Einstein nearby, rubbing her arms for warmth. Welt proceeded to loop the other end of the scarf around Einstein's neck as well, sharing its warmth between them.

Tesla and Einstein leaned close together, exchanging glances, each feeling the lingering warmth from the scarf with their hands, speechless.

Raiden Ryoma and Cocolia's eyes sparkled, both mentally giving Welt their thumbs up.

Impressive, Lord Leader! × 2

At that moment, Zeke stepped forward, exhaling onto his hands for warmth, and asked nonchalantly:

"Still not changing your plans?"

"Why should I?"

"Don't you think it's a bad omen?"

"Not at all. If I wish to go, then I will, regardless of the weather." Welt replied warmly, showing no hesitation or wavering despite the blizzard before him.

Zeke's lips curved upwards.

"It seems like you've changed quite a bit."

"Not really, just gained clarity on many things, though I'm still uncertain. Hopefully, upon my return from this journey, I'll truly understand what path I must follow." Smiling, Welt turned towards the group of children huddled together for warmth and said,

"I'm about to leave. Any ladies who want to bid me farewell?"

"Uncle Welt, here's my number! Call if you need help; this young lady will definitely assist you!"

"Bronya built this drone. It doesn't have any combat capabilities, but it can play music, movies, and games—perfect for entertainment on your journey. It even chats to keep you from getting bored."

"Uncle Welt, Rozaliya wants a present!"

"Liliya +1. And count me in too, everyone!"

"Uncle Welt, Seele made you lunch... But with this weather, I'm afraid it'll freeze solid by the time you get there. Sorry—I didn't think about insulation."

"Alliance Leader, Mei couldn't offer anything fancy, just this protective charm I crafted last night. May fortune smile upon your travels!"

"Hmph! What are you all staring at me for? I'm just out here breathing fresh air as usual; no way am I going to bless the Anti-Entropy Alliance leader... What? The weather? How does bad weather relate to breathing fresh air?! My wheelchair is unstoppable! No need for your concern!"

Each girl bid their farewells individually, and Welt responded accordingly.

Finally, with his cold lunchbox in hand and Raiden Mei's protective charm around his neck, Welt waved goodbye to the sassy Wendy one last time before turning to leave.

The swirling snow gradually obscured his stalwart figure, resembling a towering mountain peak. Just barely visible, he seemed to wave once more behind everyone's backs—a final farewell.

"Zeke, Uncle Welt just left like that? The snow is so heavy; what if he gets lost?"

After losing sight of Welt, Kia wiped her runny nose and tugged at Zeke's sleeve.

Zeke glanced sideways at her, then pulled out something resembling a remote control from his pocket and pressed it.

ROOOOOMMM!

The ground began to tremble. Beside the orphanage building, the snow-covered earth slowly cracked open, revealing a massive cannon reaching toward the sky.

Bzzz... ZZZZ—

Whoooosh!

BOOMMMM!!!

With a blinding white flash and deafening roar, a colossal beam pierced through the wind-blown, snow-filled skies, shattering miles of dark clouds and flooding the world below with warm sunlight.

"Huh?!?"

Kiana sniffled, staring bewilderedly at the suddenly brightened heavens.

Finally, the incessant falling snow ceased, and even the howling cold wind quietened down after the recent storm.

"Ah~"

Zeke put away the remote control, rubbed his eyes, and yawned.

Simultaneously, amidst the rumbling ground tremors, the massive cannon slowly retreated underground. If not for the undeniable change in weather, one might suspect it was all an illusion.

"Have a safe journey, Welt... Alright, time to head back. I want to sleep now."

Zeke leisurely walked away, his shadow cast beneath him, expressionless face, and weary mood detracting from any sense of beauty. Everyone silently stepped aside to clear a path for him.

On the other side, in the corner restroom of the orphanage's second floor, Raven clutched an unexpectedly delivered communicator. Glancing at the clear sky above, he swallowed nervously.

"Uh, Gray Serpent, about that inside-out operation, maybe we could discuss it further?"

"Are you afraid to die?"

"It's not about being afraid to die, I..."

"You're simply scared."

Raven fell silent for a moment, then crushed the communicator, dropped it into the toilet, and flushed it clean away.

Hmm, the living room hasn't been cleaned yet today. After using the restroom, better get back to work promptly.

I, Cioara, absolutely adore doing household chores!