The people quieted down, murmurs fading as the nun stepped forward.
Her tired hands trembled as she pulled out a small cloth pouch of coins.
I wanted to give the meat for free.
But if I did, the crowd would tear me apart.
So I swallowed my guilt, lowered my head, and reached out with shaking hands to take the money.
Even though the six kids looked half starved, the nun looked worse.
Anyone could tell she hadn't eaten in days saving every coin for them.
Some spectators grew angry as they saw me accept her payment.
Inside the pouch… only ten copper coins.
The nun leaned in, lowering her head in embarrassment, and whispered:
"...I'm sorry. Can I have the meat now? I'll bring the remaining forty copper later."
I simply nodded and handed her one of the rabbits.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
They finally recognized what it was a Carnilepus, a killer rabbit that hunted snakes, rodents, anything it could sink its teeth into.
The nun bowed in gratitude.
Before she left, I leaned in and whispered something to her.
The crowd watched in confusion as the nun walked away crying, the six children following in silence.
Rumors started immediately. Whispers that I must have threatened her.
But in the end… they were just rumors.
Nobody else bought meat after that.
So I took the leftovers home and handed the coins to Dad.
"Dad, can you go buy more vegetables? And… something nice for the kids too."
He didn't know why, but he agreed. He left with my younger siblings.
I turned to Mom.
"Mom, today's magic training is postponed. We're having guests."
Mom immediately got excited, she thought I had brought home a girl.
But when she learned who the guests actually were, her smile deflated… just a bit.
We cooked together.
Thanks to recipes I remembered from Earth, we put together far more dishes than usual.
Father returned right on time with Leon and Ina.
Both rushed toward the table, but I grabbed them.
"No you don't. Wait for the guests."
They stopped struggling, my grip was too strong.
I wasn't religious on Earth, or even now.
But I still felt grateful toward Saint Madeline.
Soon, the nun and the six children arrived.
Everyone sat at the table, eyes widening at the rare sight of a lavish meal.
"Sister," I said gently, "it would be an honor if you blessed the food."
She smiled.
The six children took her hands and bowed their heads in prayer.
Little Leon tried to pray too, copying them.
It was… cute.
Ina just stared at me and Father, confused but silent.
After dinner, the children laughed for the first time in who-knows-how-long, running around the yard.
Meanwhile, my parents were pretending not to eavesdrop while I spoke with the nun.
I didn't care if they listened.
"Sister… do you know anything about Sister Madeline?"
The nun hesitated.
"You mean… Saint Madeline?"
My heart jumped. She knew.
I grabbed her hand without realizing it.
"Where is she now? Please tell me."
The nun gently pulled her hand away and lowered her eyes.
"Saint Madeline died… defending the kingdom from the East."
"Oh… Thank you…" My voice cracked.
The whole world became silent as my mind darkened.
Her eyes widened, she saw my face darken, hope collapsing into empty and defeated.
She must have felt pity.
Just moments ago I was smiling; now I looked like someone who'd lost everything.
Maybe in this life…
Madeline, John, Nexi, Raven… none of them were alive.
My parents quietly slipped away.
"How does Sam know about Madeline? She died long before he was born…" Father whispered.
Mother frowned. "Think about it. He knows who we are. And he knows the king's schemes."
Father stared at her. "Are you saying he's like those people from the East…?"
"Perhaps," she murmured. Even she looked uneasy with how much I knew.
The nun didn't know how to comfort me, so she hugged me. I was so surprised I snapped out of my thoughts.
"...Thank you for the hug," I said softly.
I looked toward the door.
"Mother. Father. No need to hide now."
The nun jumped back, startled.
Mother crossed her arms. "So you knew we were there?"
"Yeah. But the reason I called you all is…" I gestured to the nun.
"She and the six children will work here."
A heavy silence filled the room.
So I continued before they could object.
"They need food. We need help on the farm. It works."
My parents glanced at each other, then nodded.
I laid out the plan.
"The nun helps Mom in the kitchen.
Dad, you'll start taking Ina into the forest to teach her swordsmanship and hunting. The kids will help on the farm with Leon."
Father narrowed his eyes.
"And what are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet… but I'll find out after getting clues from Grandmuck."
All three of them flinched.
Grandmuck: A grand slave fighting arena run by the richest of scumbags.
Also it's a place where winning could give a slave freedom.
"It's a far away place so it's better to go early." Gesturing at the sword and the bag.
Grandmuck was on the other side of the kingdom even if I had the fastest carriage it would take half a month.
They nodded at my journey. As time was getting late I helped the nun and the kids walk to the church.
The silver moon glow luminate the whole town.
She's technically same age as me yet to become a nun.
After arriving the nun tucked them into bed. I was about to leave when she called out to me.
"Thank you, it has been a long time since I have seen them be so happy." She bowed her head.
She genuinely loves these children.
Smiling slightly I reached my hand and patted her head while she was bowing.
"Don't bow down, you worked hard, so have some courage."
With that I left.
When I returned home, Leon and Ina rushed to me, their small arms wrapping tightly around my legs before I had even closed the door.
They didn't say anything, just clung. My parents must have told them.
I knelt, pulling them both into a proper hug. Ina buried her face in my shoulder, and Leon's lower lip trembled.
"I'll be back," I whispered, yet they didn't let me go.
So grabbing them I tucked them into bed. Telling stories from earth.
Soon I could hear snoring as both of them were asleep.
"I have to do this for us." I looked at the door to leave.
Ina opening her eyes silently started crying.