Chapter 143 – The Shrine Maiden and the Orphanage

“By the way, this security device distinguishes based on the size of anyone crossing the line. Otherwise, it would react to small animals as well.”

“I see… How large does something need to be to trigger it?”

“About the size of a medium dog, I believe. Animals of that size could pose a threat to children, I think. Conversely, it might not react to small children entering or escaping.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The size-based distinction was to prevent false alarms from small animals like birds, cats, and insects.

To be precise, since the mechanism was designed to link with the Contract Magic description when the barrier detected something, the barrier magic was adjusted to allow small animals to pass through.

Not being able to distinguish and respond to everything was an area for future improvement. The current assumption was primarily about intrusions by Duoveris Cult followers, drunks, assailants, thieves, etc., and they understood that aspect.

Actually, a simple communication device was also incorporated internally, designed to alert my communication device when triggered… But since the communication device was currently a secret, that part had to remain a black box.

Just then, while I was explaining various details about the alarm device, the alarm suddenly went off.

“What’s happening?!”

Sandra rushed out into the courtyard with a panicked expression, where she found children who had apparently jumped over the barrier line and were amusing themselves with the triggered response.

Ah… I should have anticipated this too. It’s like those people who can’t resist pressing emergency buttons. Since alarm devices aren’t common here, they probably don’t feel any hesitation about activating it.

“Brad! This is not a toy! It’s something important for emergencies!”

Sandra frowned as she turned off the alarm and called out to the boy who seemed to be the ringleader. Staff members hurried over, and the boys scattered like spiders. This triggered the alarm again.

Hmm… It’s problematic if they play with the alarm like this. If it becomes habitual, like the boy who cried wolf, we won’t be able to distinguish real emergencies. Hmm. I should think of some countermeasures.

Brad was apparently what you’d call the boss kid. He looked after others well, but his tendency to act like a boss and lead the other boys into occasional mischief was his flaw.

However, he didn’t bully the weak. Both Penelope and Sandra shared the view that he wasn’t a bad kid at heart.

If that’s the case, then I think we can take measures. First, I got permission from Sandra and Penelope. Then I contacted Seraphina via communication device and asked her to come. Since Seraphina didn’t know the orphanage’s location, Caduceus was scheduled to bring her.

With the preparations complete, I arranged to speak with Brad one-on-one.

“What’s this? You gonna lecture me too?”

While I was talking with the director, Brad seemed thoroughly sulky, probably having been scolded quite a bit by the staff.

“Not exactly. If you promise not to play with the alarm device and make sure the others don’t either, I could build a hidden room for the orphanage.”

When I said this, Brad’s eyes widened as he looked at me. Seems he took the bait.

“You can make something like that? You?”

“I am a magician, after all.”

When I lit a flame on my fingertip, Brad stared at me with wide eyes.

A hidden room made by a magician. There’s no way that wouldn’t capture a child’s interest.

Well, actually, it’s a Safe Room created through Magic Construction. It’s safer to have a place to hide and buy time between the alarm sounding and help arriving.

We decided to create a hidden door and basement at the end of the hallway, and both Penelope and Sandra agreed.

“That sounds more interesting, but…”

Brad looked at me. Probably thinking the offer was too good to be true.

“Naturally, there are conditions. If you continue playing pranks with the alarm, I’ll come back to seal up the hidden room entrance.”

“…Well, that’s…”

“And the real purpose is as a shelter. For emergencies, so everyone can escape there – no locking it up or anything like that.”

“So that’s what it is…”

“I heard you’re good at looking after others, so I’m counting on that. What do you think?”

The idea that Brad would take the lead in making other children follow the rules ultimately depended on others’ cooperation. Naturally, he couldn’t monopolize it. It’s a hidden room, but not a secret base.

“Why would a complete stranger like you go this far? You just came to install that box, right?”

“It pisses me off when Duoveris does various things. Even more so if they target children because they’re children.”

When I said this, Brad’s eyes widened.

Brad seemed to think for a while with his arms crossed, then looked up and said,

“…So I just need to protect the little ones from dangerous people?”

He said this while looking straight at me. …Surprisingly sound thinking, but I hadn’t asked him to take that much responsibility.

“I respect that sentiment. But I’m not asking for more than the conditions. You might find it unsatisfying, but if you do something reckless, I’ll be in trouble since I proposed this.”

“…You talk like an adult. Well, since you’re a magician, I guess I’m just a kid to you.”

Brad looked somewhat dissatisfied, but eventually grinned, showing his teeth, and nodded.

“Got it. A promise between men. I won’t do anything reckless.”

He extended his fist. I bumped it with mine and nodded.

“I’ll trust your word.”

I got the promise. I’ll take it that Brad’s group will now be on the side of preventing alarm pranks in the future.

“Mathius, you called?”

“Yeah. I’m going to make a basement with magic, so I’d like you to check its durability and such.”

“Leave it to me!”

With everything settled, we began construction once Seraphina arrived.

We decided to create a hidden door at the end of the hallway where the orphans slept, originally a dead end, and build a basement beyond it.

The hidden door was like a Revolving Concealment. That image from ninja houses where the wall spins around.

Using Create Golem to make golems from earth material to dig the ground and carry out soil. Leveling with Earth Magic to create stairs, and then a second door under the stairs.

This one could be bolted from the basement side. Beyond the door, we expanded the space to become the basement.

“Here. Putting a pillar around here might be good.”

“Around here?”

“Yeah.”

We formed pillars with Earth Magic at the locations Seraphina specified, then solidified and reinforced them with the Petrification spell for earth. The construction work proceeded with Seraphina’s advice, consulting about durability and safety. As expected of a Brownie.

We created air vents and also made an exit that could only be opened from inside, allowing escape after taking refuge. We used the dead space behind the stairs for this. The plan was to hide on the stairs, observe the situation outside, and then escape.

We made it spacious enough for everyone at the orphanage to take refuge… though it ended up being a simple stone construction.

Since there’s no furniture or furnishings of any kind, it’s somewhat bare, but that can’t be helped. If some furniture were placed there, it would look better.

“The hallway wall spun around!”

“What’s this! So cool!”

Though currently empty except for space, the children seemed to like it. Now I just have to hope that Brad and the others properly keep their promise.

“The children were delighted. With that, I feel relieved. Let me thank you again, Theodore-sama.”

As I was seeing Penelope off, she smiled happily in the carriage.

“Not at all. Rather, please take care yourself, Penelope-sama.”

“I rarely leave the inner parts of the Temple. But, there’s always the possibility of the unexpected. I’ll be careful. Speaking of which, about the payment for the Magic Construction—”

“Ah… That’s quite unnecessary. It was a sudden request, and I should have anticipated children’s pranks.”

It was like environmental preparation or aftercare for proper barrier operation.

“I cannot accept that. The orphanage was built according to Shuath-sama’s wishes.”

“What do you mean…”

“Shuath-sama occasionally grants Oracles to outstanding clerics and shrine maidens. Regarding the orphanage, it was established because a shrine maiden received an Oracle, so the Head Shrine Maiden has been responsible for it through generations.”

I see. So there was a reason behind Penelope offering to accompany me.

That said, for her, that very pretext might be the excuse to visit the orphanage. Penelope seemed to enjoy watching the children, and she didn’t seem to have much freedom of movement either.

Still… Shuath’s Oracle, huh.

“…Among those Oracles, was there one about getting along with other races and friendly monsters?”

“Yes, there is. ‘Those who can join hands are not limited to humans alone,’ it says.”

…One could say that Claudia estimated Irmhild would be protected at the orphanage because she knew about Termwills’ cultural climate. Regarding her, many things still remain in the realm of speculation.

—Penelope insisted on paying the compensation.

I understood it was because she cared deeply about the orphanage, so I nodded in agreement.

That said, I don’t know the market price for Magic Construction. So I decided to cut the conversation short by saying I’d contact her later. I’ll just propose a lower price later.

Several days had passed since setting up the barrier at the orphanage.

Perhaps because the alert level had increased throughout Termwills, nothing particular happened—days passed with labyrinth exploration, training, and assisting Alfred’s work in the workshop.

One point to note was that I made sure to return from labyrinth exploration before sunset. I adjusted things so I could be home by night.

Then, while relaxing at home, it came.

“The alarm seems to have been activated.”

“…That is—”

Sheila and Irmhild’s eyes widened.

“I’ll go ahead on wyvern to check. I’ll leave Caduceus here.”

“Be careful!”

“Theodore-kun, don’t do anything reckless!”

I knew there was no time for discussion.

Since it was an anticipated situation, no one tried to stop me and they saw me off.

I blew the Dragon Flute to call the Lindwurm from the Royal Castle. Putting on the disguise ring, I mounted the Lindwurm’s back and soared into the sky. Tonight was cloudy with no moon. The Lindwurm’s black body would be hard to see even at sufficient altitude… but I further used Dark Magic to conceal our presence, camouflaging us so we couldn’t be seen from the ground.

Now then—I wonder what triggered the alarm.