The caretaker's single eye glinted with cold suspicion as he repeated his question:
"I'll ask one last time… who are you?"
Achie instinctively placed his arm in front of the slum boy beside him, shielding him. He swallowed, forcing a shaky grin.
"W-we were only visiting," he replied fast. "We wanted to see the orphanage. For some kids living on the streets, and we hoped that… maybe—"
"No."
The scary caretaker cut him off, voice sharp as a blade. "We do not take in more. We lack personnel and funds."
Achie hesitated but then straightened his shoulders.
"Money wouldn't be a problem. We have someone willing to cover all the costs."
"Well… that changed everything" he replied.
The oppressive aura around the caretaker vanished. He stepped back, expression returning to neutrality.
"Go discuss this with the other caretakers first," he said curtly. "And bring Eliot to them as well. And then leave!"
Eliot tugged gently on the caretaker's coat.
"But mister… I wanted to spend time with you."
The man placed his hand on the blind child's head, voice suddenly soft.
"Another time, kid. I'm busy now."
Eliot pouted but nodded. The caretaker guided the boy's small hand back into Achie's.
Then without another word, he slipped behind the door and shut it tight —click.
The lock returned.
Achie stared at the door for a moment before whispering, "Who is that man? And why do you feel comfortable around him?"
Eliot smiled faintly.
"He's a good person… just very hard towards strangers. He's the best caretaker out of the three."
Suddenly, Achie heard a loud stomach growl. He looked down at the street kid who stood beside him, red-faced with embarrassment.
Eliot tilted his head. "What was that sound?"
Achie laughed. "Someone is hungry again, even after all the fruit he wolfed down earlier."
Eliot nodded thoughtfully.
"Everyone is probably already eating now. If you help me get there, I can tell you the way. And don't worry, the other two caretakers are much kinder towards strangers than mister."
"Does that mister of yours have a name?" Achie asked.
Eliot shook his head. "I just call him 'mister.' As no other men work here as caretakers."
On the first floor, Sol and Noor were helping the female caretaker serve dinner to the children.
Children crowded the long tables, eating dinner.
Or… attempting to.
Some had begun throwing food. Vegetables sailed across the room like flying projectiles.
One kid raised his arm to toss a slice of potato, only to freeze mid-motion.
Thin strings wrapped around his wrist.
Sol smirked. Using his Sinisa power, he restrained not only him but every single food-thrower in the room. Their hands dangled helplessly, unable to move.
"Try eating normally now and not waste any more food guys," he muttered.
To test things, Noor turned to the kid beside her and whispered:
"Want to get slapped by this sausage?"
"…Sure," the kid said, happily.
Noor gasped dramatically and replied disappointed:
"Noooo! You're not supposed to say yes!"
At that exact moment, the doors swung open.
Achie walked in, guiding Eliot by the hand, with the slum boy following closely behind.
The caretaker woman reacted surprised, "Eliot!"
And simultaneously, two familiar voices chimed in: "Achie!" Sol and Noor shot up from their seats and hurried towards them.
The caretaker knelt down before Eliot.
"Where have you been, little one?"
"I went to Mister and these people helped me get back."
The woman smiled warmly at Achie and the slum boy.
"Thank you."
Noor tilted her head. "What are you doing here, Achie? And who's that with you?"
"It's a long story," Achie said. "But this little guy needs a home. Since I knew you were here, I thought I'd bring him."
The caretaker nodded. "He is always welcome. You all arrived just in time for dinner. Sit."
The room filled with curious stares from every child present.
The caretaker clapped twice.
"Everyone, we have some new guests so behave yourselves."
Achie sat down beside the slum boy, who was immediately handed food by the caretaker.
He bowed his head politely.
"Thank you."
Then he dug in, tearing into the warm meal like he hadn't eaten in days.
Achie watched the boy enjoying the food, then took in the warmth of the hall, the laughter, the chatter, the kindness that flowed so naturally here.
And the tension in his shoulders melted. So he began eating as well.
Meanwhile on the city walls of Verdane, Axel stood beside Professor Stoker. The wind howled around them.
"It's been a while, kid," the Professor said with a crooked grin.
"It has," Axel replied. "I didn't know they brought you to this city."
Stoker gazed down at the city streets.
"This city is filled with poverty. Lower-class citizens, always at risk because they live closest to the outer layer of the Empire. Death follows this place like a shadow."
Then he waved it off. "But enough about me. Why are you here? became a university dropout already?"
Axel scowled.
"We… got into an incident. And the principal sent us here for a mission."
"We?"
Axel nodded.
"Three other students and myself. Our mission was supposed to be outside the walls. But the lieutenant is unavailable to give us mission details. So we've been stranded inside the city for two days."
Stoker hummed thoughtfully.
"Well, at least there's a festival going on that you guys can enjoy, right?"
Axel stared silently at the streets below.
"…Not enjoying the festival?" the Professor asked.
Axel took a breath.
"This cheerful façade… in a city associated with death? No. This festival isn't a celebration… It's a distraction or preparation. Something's coming."
"Oh?" Stoker raised a brow. "What are you getting at?"
"Look at the walls. The cannons face inward. The guards watch the city more than the outside. Something is about to happen within, not outside."
Professor Stoker burst into laughter. Loud enough that several soldiers turned to stare.
Axel glared back at the professor.
"I thought you'd understand. Guess you think I'm crazy."
The Professor wiped a tear from his eye from his laughter.
"Oh, I understand perfectly. We just reached the same conclusion through different methods. Many roads lead to Rome, kid."
Axel scrunched his face.
"Rome…?"
"Name of a city beyond the Empire," Stoker replied casually.
Silence returned for a moment, heavier this time.
Stoker saw from Axel's expression that he wanted to ask something.
"You're holding back a question, kid. Ask it already."
Axel looked up slowly.
"Do you think you can stop it? The massacre that's coming… the one that will turn this city into the gateway of death?"
The Professor fell silent. Thinking deeply.
Axel waited… and waited.
Finally the professor answered:
"…No idea."
Axel flung his hands up in disappointment.
"How can you say that? You're a genius, you can predict the future using formulas!"
Professor Stoker met his gaze coldly.
"I already know what will happen. I already know how it ends. But I won't reveal anything, because telling you would change the outcome."
"That makes no sense! Didn't you just tell me that many roads lead to that place. R-r-r… "
"Rome," Stoker answered with a smirk, "Alright then. I'll give you a location that holds the answer you seek."
Axel blinked.
"What location?"
"Probably nothing," Stoker replied while laughing.
Axel groaned while rubbing his eyes in disappointment.
"A kid asking an adult to be serious… what a world."
Still wiping tears of laughter, Stoker said:
"It was the location of an old orphanage of this city. The original one. It no longer exists and is replaced. But there you will find your answer."
Axel's voice dropped to a whisper.
"An old orphanage… huh."