The chief of the shadowy organization Night Crow, Boronbo, is a Halfling who could easily be mistaken for a child. Despite Pal's constant teasing about her being a "loli," she's actually much older than me.

Having taken Boronbo under my wing, I’ve put her to work.

"Thank you for providing the children with a place to work, my lord."

Boronbo, who had been caring for orphaned children, now has them tending to the medicinal herbs in my manor's garden. The kids range from as young as four to around thirteen years old. If they acquire blessings or skills suited for assassination, Boronbo trains them in the deadly craft.

It’s too late to expect these children to lead ordinary lives, but their skills in assassination could prove useful in many ways.

"You understand, right? The children’s choices must be respected. Whether they become assassins, adventurers, farmers, or merchants, it's up to them."

"Understood."

"Also, make sure the ones working in the fields are taught reading, writing, and basic math. Can you handle that?"

"I know just the person for that. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are his forte, my lord."

"And stop calling me ‘my lord.’ It’s Sai. Got it?"

"As you wish, Lord Sai."

The perfect candidate for teaching the children? None other than Medis Orban—the ex-knight I encountered recently.

Medis was once part of the royal knights but was cast out after a heated altercation with a superior, who happened to be the son of a count. Jobless and desperate, Medis’s wife and young daughter both succumbed to illness, leaving him broken. Boronbo took him in, seeing potential in his steadfast nature. Apparently, despite his intimidating looks, Medis has a soft spot for children—likely because they remind him of the daughter he lost.

Even now, I can see him working alongside the children in the fields, his once-stern face now softened with unexpected kindness.

"It’s all thanks to Lord Sai for saving everyone’s lives."

I returned the vitality I had drained with the Sage Stone to everyone. However, since the Sage Stone’s conversion efficiency isn’t perfect, I couldn’t restore even half of what I took. I had to compensate by hunting monsters and harvesting their vitality—a tedious and regretful process.

On the coldest day so far this year, the clinic opened as usual.

"Hmm? You again. Ready to talk this time?"

"Tch."

The black-haired, one-eyed boy from before clicked his tongue as he sat on the examination table.

"Just here to cause trouble? Then leave."

"Fine, I’ll talk."

"Good. Let’s hear it, then."

The boy recounted how he lost his eye. It was taken during an altercation with the son of some noble. He doesn’t know which family the boy belonged to, but he remembers his face and harbors a deep-seated grudge.

"Well, it was your fault for getting involved with nobles. Forget about revenge."

"Shut up."

"And your parents?"

"Don’t know my dad. Mom’s probably drunk somewhere."

Sadly, such a backstory isn’t unusual.

"What will you do if your eye gets healed?"

"Why do you care?!"

"Because I’m curious now."

"Tch."

The boy glared at me as if I were exploiting his weakness.

"So? What’s the plan?"

"I’ll become an adventurer! And no, I’m not planning to track down that noble or anything."

"If you say so. Lie down."

This wasn’t me bullying him. I wanted to get him talking—to make him realize he still had options.

"When your eye is healed, work for me."

"Huh?! What are you talking about?"

"What, didn’t understand? Or is there something wrong with your ears?"

"Why the hell would I work for you?!"

"First of all, it’s Mr. Sai, got it?"

"Screw you!"

The boy lunged, but I grabbed his arm and stopped him effortlessly.

"You can’t even beat me. What makes you think you can take on monsters?"

"Shut up!"

"Let’s be honest: with your blessing and skills, fighting is suicide. How do you expect to survive with the Farmer skill?"

"H-how do you know that?!"

His skill, "Farmer," is useful for tilling land and growing crops—not for combat. Unlike me, who is blessed by the goddess Amalia, he lacks the kind of divine gift that could transform his skill.

"So? Made up your mind? Gonna work for me?"

"Like hell I will!"

"Fine. Then leave."

"W-what about my eye?!"

"If being an adventurer will just get you killed, isn’t it better to stay as you are now?"

"You—!"

He glared at me, his anger practically radiating from his entire body. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to ignore him.

"Shall I... correct him?"

Pal appeared behind him, lifting him by the scruff of his neck like a kitten.

"No corrections. Put him down."

"You’re too soft, master. This Farmer will just die on the roadside. Heal him and toss him out."

"I can’t do that."

Once I’d chosen to get involved, I couldn’t let him die. Even if he’s just a reckless fool with a death wish, I’d make sure he found a reason to live.