Ch 256: What’s With That Expression? That Look In Your Eyes? And Those Tears?

Bal and Phia arrived at a room led by a child. The child left after opening the door for the two people. Bal silently entered the room, pulled up a chair, sat down, and took out the bloodstained experimental record report from his jacket pocket.

“Don’t be sad, it’s not your fault.”

Phia hugged Bal from behind. She knew this matter was a great blow to Bal, who always valued his promises.

“I couldn’t save her…”

“She left yesterday, it’s not your fault at all. No one expected this to happen.”

“I wonder if I was too naive. This country is no longer the country I was willing to serve.”

Phia slapped Bal in the face after hearing his disheartened words.

“What’s with this expression? What’s with that look? And what are those tears? Can your tears resurrect the deceased Vena?”

Bal covered his face and looked at Phia.

“You’re using my words to lecture me? And I’m crying because it hurts, not because I’m sad.”

“Look at your disheartened appearance. Are you still the hero who would go it alone even if facing millions?”

“…You’re right. I shouldn’t stagnate because of this setback. I will carry the deceased’s wishes and their souls forward, stopping or ending this war.”

Seeing Bal regain his composure, Phia gently stroked his face where she had slapped him.

“I fell in love with the sunny, optimistic hero who never gives up, not a coward defeated by a little setback. You missed this appointment, so you have to do better next time and make up for it.”

“I didn’t expect a Demon King to be the one encouraging me.”

Bal chuckled and shook his head. His hand covered Phia’s hand.

“Hmph, I should have recorded your appearance just now, and let Nia and Randall laugh at you.”

“Just don’t mock me.”

“So, do you have a plan for the next step?”

“Yes.”

Bal was full of determination, and the light returned to his eyes.

“Let’s go see Madam Winidel first. She might be even more devastated.”

Bal stood up, preparing to leave, but Phia stopped him.

“Are you planning to go out with that handprint? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

“Um…didn’t you hit me?”

“It’s because you weren’t clear-headed. Alright, sit down quickly, I’ll help you fade the mark.”

Phia pushed Bal back onto the chair. Standing in front of him, she extended her hand to his face. A green, warm Healing Light emanated from Phia’s hand, and the red mark on Bal’s face slowly faded.

“Hmm, handsome. As expected of the man I like.”

Phia pulled Bal up and linked arms with him.

“Let’s go see Madam Winidel.”

“Yes.”

Bal opened the door, and a young boy ran past the doorway. Bal called out to the boy.

“Young boy, wait a minute.”

“Huh? Me?”

The young boy stopped and turned to Bal.

“Yes, you. Come here.”

“Madam Winidel told us not to approach strange adults. I’d better stay here.”

Phia looked at Bal and covered her mouth, giggling.

“We have something to discuss with Madam Winidel. Can you take me to her?”

The young boy thought for a moment and nodded.

“Follow me.”

Bal and Phia followed the young boy. Bal took the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

“What’s your name?”

“Cohen, Cohen Kress.”

“Young Cohen, I remember running isn’t allowed in the corridors here.”

“Um…please don’t tell Madam Winidel!”

Bal smiled and ruffled Cohen’s hair.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to report you.”

“What are Uncle and Sister here for?”

“Do you know Bal?”

“Yes, he’s an idol to all of us.”

“We were saved by him. Initially, we intended to help him, but when I heard his news again, he had already passed away, so we decided to help the place where he once lived.”

“So you came here out of admiration.”

“Yes.”

“I thought you were the subordinates of those villains, trying to buy this place.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, quite a few. Yesterday, someone came to see Madam Winidel, and she was unusually angry. The day before yesterday, and the day before that; anyway, since last month, people have been talking about this matter. Madam Winidel scolded them all away.”

“Madam Winidel really works hard.”

“Yeah, although the income here is decreasing day by day, Madam Winidel still tries her best to make sure we have enough to eat.”

“That’s her.”

The three of them chatted along the way, and finally, Cohen led the two to a room.

“This is it. I’ll go now. Don’t betray me, Uncle Barn.”

“It’s Brother, I’m not that old yet!”

Bal sighed, watching Cohen run away.

“Do I look that old?”

“Although your face doesn’t look that old, your body is starting to give off the scent of an old man.”

Bal checked his clothes, looking quite comical.

“No way.”

“Hilarious, you actually believed it. Okay, don’t be silly. Quickly go and talk to Madam Winidel.”

“Right, this is important.”

Bal knocked on Winidel’s door.

“Madam Winidel, it’s Barn. May I come in and say a few words?”

“Please come in.”

Bal opened the door and he and Phia entered Winidel’s room.

“Alright, how much are you planning to pay to buy this orphanage? Although I don’t intend to sell it.”

“Madam Winidel, you’ve misunderstood. We don’t want to buy this place. We plan to find the children who were taken away by the army.”

“Why are you taking such a big risk to help us? What are your plans?”

Seeing Winidel approach the bedside, Bal knew she might intend to threaten him with force, regardless of whether she could beat him.

“It’s still the same thing. We were saved by Mr. Bal, and we want to help him, at least let us help you.”

“Do you know that your actions will put this place in danger? Do you know that your actions could be considered treason?”

“This country is already corrupt, I think you’ve seen that too.”

“But this is the only place where we can live.”

“If I said there’s another place, where the children can get an education, you won’t be discriminated against because of your background, and the grown-up children can get enough work to live on, would you be willing to take the children there?”

Bal looked at Winidel sincerely, but Winidel showed a disappointed expression.

“So you finally showed your true colors. You want us to leave here. I won’t allow it. Don’t try to test me anymore. I won’t let you succeed. Please leave.”

Facing Madam Winidel, who had made up her mind, Bal knew he couldn’t provoke her further. He and Phia bowed to Madam Winidel before leaving the orphanage, which was located in the church.

“Are you giving up on persuasion already?”

Phia looked at Bal in confusion. She felt something was wrong, but couldn’t pinpoint the source of this incongruity.

“I was prepared for Madam Winidel’s refusal. I have many more plans. Of course, I also have a last resort.”

“What should we do now?”

“First, find a place to stay, find out why Madam Winidel is so insistent from the children, and find out where the children who were taken away were taken.”

“Okay.”

Bal and Phia found an inn near the orphanage, so they could provide reinforcement if anything happened to the orphanage.

After confirming their accommodation, Bal bought some popcorn and waited at an intersection.

“Do you think the child will really come?”

Phia grabbed some popcorn and started eating, asking Bal.

“Eat less. This is to bribe the child.”

Bal also grabbed some and continued.

“If you finish it all, how will you bribe the child? So delicious.”

“You’re eating too.”

“I’m replenishing my sugar. I exercised a lot this morning; I need to replenish it.”

“So can I replenish mine too.”

With that, Phia started to compete with Bal. At this time, Cohen ran out from an alley, waving to Bal.

“Hey, Uncle Barn!”

Hearing Cohen’s voice, Bal stopped his competition with Phia.

“Is this the child you’re bribing?”

“That’s right.”

“Uncle Barn, where’s my stuff?”

Cohen held out his hand, wanting something. Bal gave Cohen the popcorn. After receiving it, Cohen grabbed a handful and started eating, saying as he ate.

“You’d better hurry, I snuck out.”

“Then I’ll ask directly. Where were the children taken by the army?”

“They said they were border guards, and they said they would take those brothers to defend the country.”

“Then why doesn’t Madam Winidel want to leave?”

Hearing Bal’s question, Cohen swallowed a mouthful of popcorn and looked at Bal cautiously.

“Uncle Barn, that’s beyond the scope of this question. You wouldn’t be trying to drive us away like those bad adults, would you?”

Bal took out a gold coin and put it in Cohen’s hand.

“What are you doing? Even if you give me money, I won’t betray Madam Winidel and the orphanage.”

“I’m not asking you to betray Madam Winidel, nor am I planning to drive you away. I’m just under commission.”

“But you said before that you were going to help Brother Bal.”

“Both are true, but I didn’t intend to move the person who commissioned me at first.”

“Who?”

“Nia Kress.”

“Sister Nia!?”

Cohen looked at Bal in surprise.