REGRESSOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Chapter 1119: A Comrade Whose Trustworthiness is Uncertain (4)

“...”

“...”

“So…”

“Yes, and I just happened to end up in this place. To reach the southern region, I need to pass through Felkan Village. Of course, the southern region isn’t known for its hunting grounds… but I wanted to see for myself,” I explained.

“I see. You’re right…” Raymond commented.

“It wasn’t my intention to startle you, Mr. Raymond Bolt,” I said.

“It’s fine. I wasn’t startled. I was just surprised because I’ve never seen you before. Don’t worry about my initial reaction too much. I… I should actually be thanking you,” Raymond reassured me.

“You don’t need to thank—”

“Haha…” Raymond laughed. He seemed a bit calmer now.

Perhaps it was because this place was located on the outskirts of the village, but people usually wouldn't visit this place. It applied to busy adventurers and busy villagers, who were too busy working to look after the orphans here.

To make matters worse, the orphanage was located in a remote place instead of within a big city.

This was why I needed to give a reasonable explanation. My presence here was strange when I had been working in Harizel. My story was that I accepted a commission, and I stopped by this small village. In order to rest, I made a reservation at an inn, but I saw children running around, and coincidentally found an orphanage in Felkan Village.

I wasn’t lying. I actually arrived here a few days ago to create a fateful encounter under the guise of a coincidence. I meticulously orchestrated this event with that in mind. Aside from the fact that the commission was fake, everything was true. Of course…

‘Being suspicious of me is pretty shocking.’

If I were that old man, I would question myself.

‘But there’s no reason to question me in the first place.’

I was an adventurer with a bright future, so why would I sneak into an orphanage and harm these children? Of course, he didn’t think that I was after him.

The idea that Lee Ki-Young, who had received an offer from the Flower and Fertility Familia, had orchestrated this kind of situation to recruit a seventy-one-year-old retired veteran warrior was more ridiculous than saying that I was trying to cause harm to the orphanage.

Moreover…

‘I’m a professional when it comes to volunteer work.’

Getting along with children was the basics of the basics, and I was used to handling the remaining tasks at the orphanage. Doing the children’s laundry, helping with making food, and other trivial tasks were my specialty.

It was easy to sweat, not complain, and make it look like I was simply doing this because I wanted to do so. I also cast simple holy spells to treat the wounds of the children. I wrapped my hand around a child’s hand filled with pus and cast a holy spell…

‘I even think I look like a saint.’

The old man was kind of surprised when he first saw me, but he really put down his guard at some point. He was known to not make connections with other people, but opening his heart ended up being a piece of cake.

“Mr. Raymond Bolt… how did you end up here…” I asked.

“Ah, the same way you ended up here. I had business in Felkan Village so I visited, and these children stole my heart,” Raymond answered.

“I see.”

“Alsiphon was the one who dragged me here. Can you believe it? He was trying to steal from me, and not only that, but he was a lot smaller back then. He was probably this tall… It’s probably because he thought I was a dying old man.

"Anyway, I wanted to see his parents, so I came here, right? Alsiphon?”

“I-I really thought you were just an ordinary old man back then. You weren’t even wearing armor back then…” Alsiphon answered.

“Hahaha. So are you saying you did nothing wrong?” Raymond questioned.

“I-I know what I did was wrong, but I had no choice back then. I… had to… take care of my… younger siblings. In the end, I did the right thing because we’re able to live together like this thanks to you. After my older sister disappeared…” Alsiphon said.

“Alsiphon.”

“Ah, then… in the beginning…” I paused.

“Yeah, there wasn’t anyone here, hyung. And we didn’t live in a nice house like this. This place changed a lot after he came. It’s all… thanks to him,” Alsiphon said.

“You’re embarrassing me, kid. You can stop now and get ready to eat,” Raymond told him.

Alsiphon was acting cute in front of Raymond Bolt.

‘Ah… that’s what I should be doing.’

Raymond also patted Alsiphon's head.

“I’m happy for the children,” I commented.

“You’re right. It is a good thing,” Raymond agreed.

‘It’s perfect.’

I was relieved that he wasn't that different from what I had imagined. If he turned out to be a foul-mouthed old man, I would be a bit surprised. Of course, I had already deduced his personality based on the information that I had received from William, but meeting and talking to him was completely different.

‘He seems open-minded as well.’

At least, he wasn’t like the gramps who were trying to take over the Blue Guild.

He was an old gentleman with great manners. He wasn’t regretting the past too much and he had a lot of stories to tell. He was simply waiting for the day of his demise as well. He obviously had no regrets in life, except for this orphanage.

“It worked out. It worked out for everyone,” Raymond commented.

“...”

“That also includes meeting you,” Raymond added.

“What?”

“Think about it. How long do you think I have to live? I’m not trying to hand you the burden, but it’s really comforting to know that there’s another person who can look after the children,” Raymond answered.

‘Look at this old man. He’s trying to hand over his responsibility. This is only our first meeting.’

“I’m not trying to pressure you. When you live in a place like this, it’s not easy to take your time and look around. I was the same way in the past…” Raymond said.

“...”

“Just knowing there’s someone who will visit them occasionally when they have time or when they think of them… I'm sure the children will find that fact to be quite comforting,” Raymond added.

“I see.”

“Just think of it as an old man getting a little overexcited,” he said.

He had a soft side as well. It was also a sign that I made a good impression. Even if he was saying those things out of courtesy, it’s not easy saying those things to someone you’ve just met, especially on a continent where people were slowly losing their humanity and people were becoming untrustworthy.

‘This is why you need to leave a good impression.’

A bright smile, an innocent look, and a face that seemed to be carrying all the innocence and the purity of the entire world. Acting like I was ignorant was a plus as well.

I had yet to be tainted by the Rohen Continent. I was just summoned here and had just exited the Beginner’s Trial, so I still had my innocent side. I was protecting my humanity while showing the GENIUSES everything I had to offer.

He probably thought that I was shining brightly.

Yeah, I was like… I was like the Master of the Shaded Sun Crown Familia. I was like Isabel Sunstrider.

‘He should’ve caught on by now.’

“...”

‘I guess not.’

I smiled and lowered my head slightly.

‘How about now?’

I made eye contact with the people talking to me and nodded at them with a smile.

'I’ll open my eyes wide.'

‘How’s this?’

I grabbed onto the necklace containing my family’s photo. These were Isabel Sunstrider’s habits. They were information I obtained from the remaining survivors of the Shaded Sun Crown Familia.

Although they were small habits, I was sure they were enough to remind him of her.

‘He was close to her, so he should catch on.’

In fact, this orphanage was part of Isabel Sunstrider’s legacy.

‘Saying that he coincidentally found this place was a lie…’

I was sure he knew that Isabel was secretly helping the children in Felkan Village.

Actually, I could be wrong, but the fact was that he eventually discovered it.

He could have discovered it from the children or had figured it out through various hints.

The orphanage was probably the biggest reason Raymond Bolt was able to stand back on his feet after losing everyone in his family and living a wretched life.

Just as he was about to give up everything, he coincidentally found the orphans, and he got involved after realizing that they had a connection with Isabel Sunstrider.

The Felkan orphanage became his driving force to live, his legacy, and his everything after losing many things. It was safe to say this was the only connection he had left to the late Isbael Sunstrider.

The old man looked like he was reminiscing about the old days.

‘He’s smiling. The old man is happy.’

He definitely noticed something. Obviously, it wasn’t easy to form a bond with someone one had just met, and it was especially true for an old warrior who had experienced the hardships that life had to offer.

‘This was intercepting his bond.’

Not really. This wasn’t an interception. It was more like I was continuing Isabel Sunstrider’s will and legacy. He probably wanted that as well. No, I was sure he wanted that.

'Are you watching, Isabel Sunstrider?'

‘The emotional old man is starting to cry.’

“Mr. Raymond Bolt?” I called out.

“It’s nothing. Something just got in my eye,” Raymond said.

What if Isabel Sunstrider were still alive? I was sure he was thinking about that question.

“Right. So you said your name was Lee Ki-Young, right?” Raymond asked.

“That’s right,” I replied.

“When… were you summoned here?” Raymond asked.

“I completed the Beginner’s Trial, graduated from the academy, and immediately came to Harizel… so it’s been less than two months,” I answered.

“...”

“...”

“I don’t know much about you, but I’ve heard things about you,” Raymond said.

“What? About… me?” I asked.

“Hahaha. You really aren’t familiar with the things happening in the world. The information guild in Rohen is really advanced… so rumors spread rather quickly.

"GENIUSES and gossipers who enjoy rumors make a living by spreading rumors about you in pubs and squares. You're a competent young man, after all. I’m saying that you're a talented player capable of entering the mainstream,” Raymond answered.

“Exactly what kind of rumor…” I asked.

“I think they're calling you 'Genius Commander,' and they said that you rejected offers from many major familias…” Raymond replied.

“...”

“...”

“I never imagined that there would be such rumors about me…” I replied.

“Can I ask why you made that choice?” Raymond asked.

“...”

“Ah! I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just… I’m curious as to why you rejected such a good offer when you have such a bright future,” Raymond said.

“...”

“...”

The answer was already there because I was aware of the line that Isabel Sunstrider often said.

“It’s just…” I paused.

“...”

“I’m not really sure. I just… didn’t want to leave just like that. I…” I paused again.

“...”

'Pause.'

“I just want to be someone who can shine a light on things I can see,” I continued.

This line would surely elicit tears from an old man who had been living to keep his memories alive.

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