variable- Funeral (3)
the next morning.
Yerina visited the orphanage she sponsored. It wasn’t like the last time I watched over the fence, but there was a formal invitation from the nursery school.
“Yerina Sponsor?”
“yes. I am.”
“Thank you for accepting the invitation. I will take you inside.”
Following the teacher’s guidance, Yerina entered the nursery school’s gymnasium. The interior was filled with simple chairs decorated with garlands and banners, and several reporters gathered under the podium.
Today is the day of the sponsor appreciation plaque presentation.
I had attended several times before, but this time it was exceptionally large. The number of seated guests and reporters was incomparably greater than the last time.
Yerina soon realized the reason.
“You can stand right in the middle of the stage over there.”
“Yep.”
position indicated by the teacher.
Next to him stood a middle-aged man in a luxurious suit. Count Latesio was the biggest benefactor of the orphanage. The reason why the award ceremony was so grand was because he was visiting.
But why did a nobleman who didn’t show his face every year come here? Ah… you came to pay condolences to Terios’s funeral.
After all, Furuoka is an island owned by Latecio.
Yerina strode up to the podium and stood on her own. Soon after, the award ceremony began.
– I would like to express my gratitude to the sponsors who support our orphanage every year for the future of children, and to the distinguished guests who attended to celebrate this event. In addition, our nursery school…
The director of the orphanage read the thank-you note. It’s the same every year, but it seems that Count Latesio is coming today, so he’s a little concerned.
Thanks to that, it was relatively less boring.
– The next order is the awarding of awards. The cuties of our nursery school enter!
After the speech, children with plaques and bouquets rushed up to the podium. A cute boy stood in front of Yerina. The child nodded and handed over a plaque and a bouquet of flowers.
“Here you go! Thank you for helping us.”
“Ugh, thank you. I am also grateful for growing up so well.”
Yerina stroked the boy’s head. The first time I saw it, I thought I was stupid, but I can’t believe I’m talking so clearly.
I was so proud that my heart broke. It seemed that his eyes were slightly red.
I can’t, but the picture should come out pretty.
“Okay, let’s take a picture. Let’s see in front.”
Yerina, barely holding back her tears, turned the child around. Just in time, reporters also raised their cameras. Yerina smiled brightly while looking through the lens.
Click-click-click-
Flashes going off in all directions.
The sound of countless applause from the audience.
As the retinas and eardrums pounded non-stop, I heard a greasy voice next to me.
“Esca, when did you become so mature? I am really proud of you.”
Yerina stared at the camera, not caring. It was because it was a story that could be said enough if it was a sponsor.
But
“yes? Ah yes. Thank you······”
I glanced to the side at the embarrassing tone that followed. Yerina’s face, which had a beautiful smile, crumpled.
“You have to grow up and come under me. I’ve prepared all four seats.”
“yes······”
A girl with a dark expression.
Standing next to him, Count Latesio was caressing the child’s forearm insiniously. It was almost on the level of a joke. That nasty hand, which wouldn’t be cool even if it was changed, slowly went down to the waist, and soon started squatting at the top of the hip.
It’s an angle not captured by the camera, but Yerina witnessed it clearly.
“It’s nice, our pretty.”
“·······”
The girl’s face hardened. However, he neither asked for help nor resisted. I just bit my lip hard.
Have you seen this dog trash…
Anger like fever boiled in his chest.
Yerina groaned.
“What are you doing right now!?”
A high-pitched voice that spreads like lightning in a friendly atmosphere.
For an instant, the applause from the audience stopped. Reporters also lowered their cameras with puzzled faces. A cold silence hung over the gym.
“·······”
Jizz- Yerina’s sharp eyes reached Count Latesio.
Surprised, the Count hurriedly removed his hand.
“Did you just tell me?”
“Yes, uncle. What are you doing to a child in this sacred nursery? Are you crazy?”
Yerina raised her index finger and pointed at Latesio. Reporters and guests looked at Latecio at that gunpoint-like pointing.
Confused, Latesio stuttered.
“My, where did I touch?”
“Because I saw it clearly? Where did you get away from!”
“It’s like a daughter, just petting it a little.”
“What, what? daughter? Taal~?”
A laugh escaped Yerina’s mouth.
You touched me like a daughter? butt?
“How old is the man’s daughter, so she’s rubbing her ass? Seriously, even a newborn baby wouldn’t touch it like that.”
Yerina sarcastically crossed her arms. At the same time, the people around him also started whispering.
“I touched your ass.”
“really? i didn’t see Do you have any photos?”
“I’ll check it. Wait a minute.”
“Oh my God, what a hideous thing that is.”
Is it because the eyes are getting sharper one by one? Or did the thief numb my feet?
Ah, at times like this, it must be true that the fart gets angry.
Count Latesio’s face blushed and his blood lined up.
“My, where did I touch!? Do you have any evidence? How dare you know who I am and frame you?”
On the contrary, he shouted.
I grabbed the girl and asked out loud.
“Tell me with your own mouth! I said I put my hands on you!?”
“yes? Oh that’s it… that’s why…”
The frightened child could not tell the truth. I burst into tears because I was suppressed by the oppressive atmosphere.
“Ahhhh-”
The award ceremony turned into chaos in an instant.
Teachers came running to soothe the crying child, and the principal urgently stopped them both.
“First of all, calm down, both of you-”
“Do I look real now? They drive people into molestation!?”
Count Latesio said, looking directly at Yerina.
“Do you know how much I’m sponsoring here? To think that I have to be treated like this even after spending that much money.”
Count Latesio threw away the bouquet. Broken flower petals scattered across the gym floor. I shouted loudly, as if everyone was listening.
“As of today, I will cut off all support. If there is a problem with the operation of the nursery school and the children are harmed, it is all your fault!”
“·······”
The moment he heard those words, Yerina’s heart sank. A cold sweat ran down my back, and it was only then that I realized something was wrong.
Count Latesio is a wealthy man who even owns a private island.
No matter how much money Yerina said, she couldn’t even keep up with his toes. Her wealth was only comparable to that of a lower aristocrat.
Furthermore, I heard that 80% of the nursery school’s operating expenses come from Count Latesio’s sponsorship, but to think he cut off his sponsorship.
If that really happens, if there is a problem with the children’s care because of me…
In an instant, chills went down my spine. Such a catastrophe had to be prevented.
“Aye! It just made me feel dirty.”
Count Latesio came down from the stage.
The director hurriedly followed.
“Wait a minute, Count Latesio! Talk to us first-”
Yerina also hurriedly tried to move on.
I’m really proud of myself, but no matter how much I think about it, this isn’t it, but I tried to apologize for the sake of the children. I would even get down on my knees if necessary.
That was then.
“I will do the sponsorship.”
A voice echoed through the tumult. The soft but heavy tone calmed the commotion in the area.
For a moment, everyone’s eyes focused on them at once.
“·······”
The door to the half-open gym.
He stood there, where a cool breeze blew and warm sunlight fell.
She shines more than anyone else at the celebration, has a perfect appearance to match, and possesses financial power that will not be surpassed by anyone in the empire.
Deputy Professor at the Imperial Academy, Leonard Adonis.
The unexpected appearance made the guests freeze at once. I just stared blankly with my mouth open.
Before long, Leonard moved on.
jerk- jerk-
As he got closer, the fragrant smell spread.
It acted as a kind of tranquilizer, calming the heightened atmosphere and the frightened minds of the children.
A bright smile appeared on the faces of the guests.
jerk- jerk-
Arriving in front of the podium, Leonard picked up the fallen bouquet with [Depression]. At the same time, as if time is reversed, scattered petals rise into the air and aggregate into lumps.
“Wow······”
A magic that impresses everyone.
Leonard said while holding the bouquet.
“As much as the Count sponsored it, I will support it. He has a personality that can’t stand by irresponsible giving up.”
And then lightly climbed onto the podium.
Count Latesio, who was watching it from below, frowned slightly. I asked disapprovingly.
“What is it, Professor Leonard? appear suddenly.”
“This is a new sponsor. You are no longer the Count, so go on your way.”
Leonard lightly snapped his finger. Then, a huge force pushed Count Latesio on his back.
uh-! uh-! Count Latesio, who had been pushed forward, collapsed to the floor. He clutched his knee and complained of pain.
“Aww…”
“Are you okay Count?”
Latesio’s aides urgently took care of him.
Either way, Leonard carelessly stroked the crying girl’s head.
“You’re prettier to laugh than to cry, kid.”
“Really…?”
“Yes, really.”
sniff-
The child bravely stopped crying. The terrified face soon returned to a bright smile. His good looks were something that even a child could relate to.
When the child stopped crying, Leonard turned his gaze to the director.
“Do you even proceed with the ceremony?”
“······yes. I understand, Sponsor.”
The director nodded resolutely. Then I went to the end of the podium and grabbed the mic.
-Then, we will proceed with the conferment ceremony. Please give a thunderous applause to the sponsors.
The sound of applause filled the gym again.
The reporters held up their cameras as if they were always like that. The children laughed brightly, and the sponsors wore gentle smiles.
“Okay, let’s take a picture.”
Is it because Leonard appeared?
Shutter baptism by reporters has become more severe than before. As if it were a competition, quick-actions continued everywhere.
Click-click-click-
A flash that obstructs your vision.
The sound of applause hitting the eardrum.
In that hectic space, Yerina blankly looked at Leonard. His intelligent profile was reflected in Yerina’s retina.
“·······”
An unfamiliar appearance and an unexpected appearance from a while ago.
It was as if I was looking at someone else. Everything about Leonard touched me unrealistically.
Like the prince I used to see in fairy tales when I was young, before I had my identity.
Yerina blinked slowly.
Originally… was it this cool?
Appearance and personality.
＊＊＊
yesternight.
I waited for Karios all night.
He sat there for hours, wandered around the hospital, asked Karios’ servant, personal assistant, and even the Immortal Knights, but no one knew his whereabouts. Even the private sedan was still in the parking lot.
There’s no way he’ll go somewhere else during his funeral, but there’s no way the main character will be kidnapped.
Does the child rise to the sky or fall to the ground?
The morning sun rose without meeting Karios until the end. I was about to go back to Jeniel’s hospital room. Then, at the funeral home, he ran into Count Latesio, who came to pay his condolences.
He is an outright black magician.
Because of the variable called Terios’ death, unlike the original work, he visited Archinia. I followed him to see if it would cause any problems, but I think he did well in many ways.
– This concludes the award ceremony.
After the award ceremony, we headed to the director’s office.
Like something out of a movie or TV show. The director’s office is neither that old nor good. The director personally served tea and rummaged through a pile of documents.
“please wait for a moment. It was somewhere around here…”
A cloud of dust illuminated by the sun.
After a while, the director handed me a document. So far, it was a sponsorship certificate sponsored by Count Latesio.
“Here it is.”
“yes.”
Without thinking, I checked the documentation.
I didn’t show it on the outside, but on the inside I was very surprised.
[Imperial year 786.- 2,000,000 per]
[Imperial year 787.- 2,000,000 per]
[Imperial year 788.- 2,000,000 per]
[Imperial year 789.- 2,000,000 per]
2 million per year.
Latesio has consistently donated an amount of 2 billion won in Korean currency for four years.
Sponsored once on the subject of the black magician…
Now that I think about it again, it seems that Yerina did something wrong…
“·······”
It was a huge amount of money that I would have been on my knees begging for in my present life, but it was a different story if I was in a novel. It was a lot of money, but it was well worth it.
It’s good, but it’s money to be spent, and there’s something to be gained.
“It is suitable.”
I handed over a blank check with family hair. The director held up a blank check with trembling hands.
“Thank you very much, Professor Leonard. Every month, we will send home details of childcare expenses and thank-you letters from the children.”
“Thank you letters from the children. If there is something missing, please feel free to tell me. We are always here to help.”
“thank you. You will be blessed, Professor Leonard.”
“Enough then.”
I got up from my seat leaving behind a burdensome thank you. Let’s open the door to the director’s office
“Wow!!”
“100 million!”
“Kheop!”
Yerina and the Ministry of Magic agents poured in. He seemed to be eavesdropping on the conversation at the door.
It almost collided with my body, but I managed to stop the collision by manifesting 「No Film」. Yerina and the Ministry of Magic agents who passed through my body fell over.
“Aww…”
Yerina stroked her elbow. Then, looking at me and the director, I laughed awkwardly.
“Haha- I also want to say hello to the director… then bye!”
Yerina ran out of the director’s office in a huff. Not to be outdone by this, the agents also hurriedly ran.
““Good job!””
what is this trick you are doing now?
I silently watched the distant figure behind me.
······
The path across the nursery school grounds to the main gate.
There is a group of people who have been stealthily following us since before. Unusual gazes were pierced behind his back.
I said looking straight ahead.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“·······”
The presence of a complete stop for an instant.
Soon, the sound of footsteps came closer. Before I knew it, Yerina came to my side and was walking side by side.
“How long have you known?”
“I’ve known since I left the director’s office.”
“Ah… Then, pretend you knew it a while ago. It was quite difficult to follow secretly.”
Yerina shyly scratched the back of her head. And then, without a word, he continued to follow.
I told you yesterday that you can visit the VIP room only once.
“There is no point in continuing to follow me.”
“yes······?”
“It’s a rule set by the hospital, so I can’t help myself anymore.”
The words he spat in anticipation of Jeniel’s visit.
However, Yerina firmly shook her head.
“I’m not following you for that.”
“Then why are you following me?”
“It’s just a nice day, but I wanted to have a cup of coffee…”
Is it a strategy that if you can’t go, I can’t go too?
Anyway, it’s a unique character.
Staying in the hospital room for a long time is not good for me anyway.
As Yerina said, the weather is nice, so why not enjoy some leisure time outside?
“good.”
I looked at Yerina. However, Yerina’s condition was strange. The usual bubblyness was gone, and he was biting his lips uncharacteristically.
He seems a bit shy.
“Don’t you like it?”
“Oh, no. like.”
He couldn’t even look at me anymore. He looked at the floor and said softly.
“There is a cafe I know well near here. Go there.”
“All right.”
I answered briefly. I walked along the road in silence following Yerina.
The bright sunlight, the cool breeze of early autumn, and the faintly heard chirping of birds and the awkward yet harmonious silence.
It was a time when a subtle air current flowed somewhere.
I could hear the agents talking behind me. It was a small but serious voice.
– What? Is that true?
– Yes. I just got a text from headquarters.
-Look where you are. ······this.
– What should I do? There doesn’t seem to be any way here either.
—-Well, I’ll have to ask Leonard-sama.
-But the two of you are close friends…
-The only person who can stop him is Leonard-sama.
Urgent footsteps followed.
Jake, who ran hastily, blocked my path. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke politely.
“Professor Leonard. I have an urgent request for you.”
“What is it?”
“Right now, in Gererman Prison, Karios-sama…”