Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 3: Coastal towns (Part 01)

To the southeast of Luke's Mansion is a coastal town nestled between rocky hills and the high seas. The city under Marquess Luke and entrusted to the Baron where it could be spelled out not too big, even the extent of no more than six villages.

Even so, in terms of economy of the city which is a producer of marine wealth and mining products can be categorized as medium average in the Kingdom of Felixia.

The coastal city is surrounded by a three-meter-high wall in the north, facing the hills, and stretching east and west covering the city. While in the south direction, there is a port large enough to anchor several fishing boats.

At some point outside the city walls, there are several trenches that branch out from the direction of the hills to the sea through the city.

Of the few trenches that entered the city through the floodgates at the bottom of the walls, the, there are some that are dry and there are some that flow with abundant water because each trench is not sourced from the same spring.

Arriving in front of the Main Gate of the coastal city on the northern wall, Odo and Nanra turned and chose a breakthrough path to enter the city. The reason they did that was because before coming out Nanra did not ask for permission, in other words stealth.

This also benefits Odo. If they entered through the Main Gate, it was likely that any warrior who recognized his face and identity as the child of Marquess Luke would be exposed.

They walked near the wall to the east. When it comes to dry ditches for the irrigation system of land in the city, the, they descended into the irrigation canal and walked into the city through the wall above them which was only half a meter thick.

The reason the trench is dry is because of autumn. To save on supplies during the coming winter, the, fresh water that is usually used to irrigate land is now regulated by several water gates and directed to artificial lakes that exist in the city to be fully used for certain needs such as drinking and cooking just.

Odo climbed up from the trench first, then extended his hand to Nanra. The girl grabbed him, then climbed to the edge of the trench. After entering the city and coming out of the ditch that was still a little muddy, Nanra invited Odo to go to the Orphanage where he lived.

Odo was reluctant to accept the offer because his original purpose came to the combing city just to find the sea breeze. But after considering Nanra's face, in the end Odo joined the snow-white-haired girl.

Brick roads were bustling with wagon and people traffic, semi-timber and stone buildings with chimneys, and several moats full of clear water streams leading to one place. In some corners of the city there are trees that have been browned, and in some other corners there are some trees whose leaves have completely fallen.

Then-passes in the city were not only humans, but Demi-humans, or a race that if in the empire called Ajin also filled the city as residents. They do not discriminate against each other, each existing population interacts with normal and familiar with each other according to their respective interests.

If there was an ominous atmosphere, perhaps it was a talk that sounded like hearsay about nobles having power over the city. They whispered to each other behind the guard soldiers on patrol, talking about the expedition to the Astral World by Dart Luke and its aftermath in the city's economy.

After getting out of the hustle of the city and arriving at the road near one of the trenches leading to the sea, the atmosphere between the two children turned silent for a moment as no one spoke to each other.

"Nanra," call Odo. "Is this really the atmosphere? The last time I played in the city it wasn't like this, I guess," he said with the intention of making a topic of conversation.

The girl stopped stepping, then turned to look at Odo who was walking following with a lazy face. The girl's hair fluttered in the sea breeze, revealing her still timid face to the black-haired boy.

"What's wrong? Is there a reason?" asked Odo as he stopped stepping, then looked at him casually.

That question slightly made Nanra show an awkward expression. He put on a dark face, and his gaze looked lifeless and full of dark thoughts.

"That's because of the expedition that Mr. Luke conducted .... Because he drew more tribute than usual .., the city was short of food and money to deal with the coming winter. What's more ..., since most of the soldiers in this city are required to participate, the security around this city will be weakened. It's natural that they say like that in the back and gossip, I also feel so ...."

The answer that came out of Nanra's mouth made Odo startled for a moment. The girl who had always looked shy and awkward, now she looked at Odo with eyes as blue as a bright sea that was very sharp. Odo did not question the content of his sentence, but what made him confused was his words that seemed to have thoughts and views that were not like a child.

Smiling darkly and staring intently, Odo walked up to Nenra. Gaining that gaze, the girl trembled and lowered her head. Seeing the reaction, Odo was a little relieved because his words were just an overflow of disappointment.

"Great yes .., but still a child but have thought that far," said Odo, patting him on the shoulder.

Nanra flinched and raised her head, looking at Odo in confusion. When he saw her smile, the girl was momentarily relieved and did not understand the purpose of her words earlier.

"Odo ..., if you say that .. mean you understand what that means?" ask Nanra.

"Hem, of course," replied Odo.

"Odo ..., you're still a kid, aren't you? If you can tell, how old are you?" nanra asked with a doubtful expression.

The question made Odo gasp in shock. He only realized that his previous words triggered unnecessary suspicion.

"De-Eight," Odo answered using the body's age standard.

"Eh ..., younger ....?"

"C.?".ee ...?"

"My life is ten years ...."

"A .., maybe I should call you Ma'am or something. It was so disrespectful."

"Ti-No need, just call Nanra."

In the end, without finding out each other's doubts, they continued on their way. Odo chose not to ask about Nanra's thoughts that are classified as adults, and vice versa.

After walking for a few minutes, the two of them reached the Orphanage where Nanra lived. The Orphanage is located near the pier in its port area, about a few hundred meters from the marine storage warehouse.

From the front, the Orphanage looks not too big and the building looks like a church, has a wooden fence that surrounds, and some garden plants such as tea and tomatoes that grow in the yard. The walls of the building are made of brick and have a medieval Gothic impression, have a pointed roof, and a dark gray color dominates.

The appearance of the place is not a stranger, most of the buildings such as Orphanage or Church in the city of Felixia do look like that.

Nanra pushed the gate, then stepped into the courtyard of the Orphanage filled with short grass. Seeing him get to his destination safely, Odo turned around and decided to leave because there was no obligation for him to go inside with the girl.

"Odo ..., why don't you come in?" nanra asked while looking at Odo who was walking away. The girl's face looked confused for some reason.

While looking back and putting on a dark-looking face, Odo said in a pressing tone, "No need. What's it for? Anyway we just met earlier, it's not nice if I come to your place like this."

"You saved me ..., ja-so at least let me thank pa⸻"

Kreek ....!

At first glance his eyes immediately looked at Odo. As if having known something, the nun nodded then walked towards Nanra who looked scared for some reason.

"Nanra ..., from the morning you go anywhere?" ask the nun gently.

The girl lowered her head trembling, guilt filling her heart. As he fell silent without answering the question, Odo walked up to Nanra and said, "He went into the forest."

The nun turned to look at Odo. The nun's blue eyes looked very pure, in contrast to Odo who, although still a child, had a dark and dirty look.

"You ...."

"I'm Odo, my name is Odo ...."

The emphasized words made the nun understand. He basically knew that Odo was the son of Marquess Luke because he had come to the Mansion, but got the word made the nun nod in agreement not to bring up her status.

"Russia .... In that case, can you explain why Nanra went to the forest and just returned now? As And⸻ you know ..., in late autumn like this is very dangerous, many monsters are wandering around looking for groceries for winter ...."

After that Odo explained everything, honestly and without lies. About Nanra being captured by a group of Orcs, she who saved him, and how she got into the city through a secret passage. As she explained all that, Nanra simply lowered her head in fear and regret.

"That's it, so things like that .... I am so confused as to thank you for saving this child" said the nun.

Odo stared flatly. After observing the woman whose aura was calming, Odo slightly sighed lightly while turning his face to the right.

"Before that, can you introduce yourself? I'm confused what to call ...."

The nun was a little surprised. He was a little surprised by the tone and arrangement of the words spoken by the boy.

"My name is Siska, the nun who runs this Orphanage. For now, I also work as a pastor in the church in this town."

Odo stared hard at Siska. Gaining such a gaze, the nun felt a bit of a truly awkward feeling from the child. Nanra raised her head, then looked towards Odo and she also felt a strange thing from the boy.

"A-What's up? Why are you staring at big brother like that?" ask Siska.

"No .., it's just .. I'm a little curious. Is it just the sister who takes care of this Orphanage? And also, from earlier it felt like this place was too quiet. Don't any more children live in this place?"

The question made Siska a little surprised. He began to know the reason why Odo was staring intently at him. The reason is very simple but it may never be thought of by an eight-year-old. Odo was only suspicious about the Orphanage, whether because of economic problems they did nothing to the children living there.

Smiling sincerely, Siska replied, "Just calm down, this place is not what you think it is. This Orphanage doesn't have much left, only I'm a nun who takes care of this place and only six children live. Ever since the previous administrator died, most of the grown orphans chose to become soldiers or go out of town."

That answer did not make Odo believe, but it did not mean that he continued to doubt them. He slightly looked away, then thought for a moment about the condition of the Orphanage. Fundamentally, the economic problem that hit the coastal city and made the Orphanage difficult to get food was his father who started an expedition to the Astral World.

Feeling an obligation as the son of a regional leader, Odo became unable to stay still seeing the Orphanage lack something to eat.

"Siska sir ..., about the food in this Orphanage .. has it been fulfilled?" ask Odo.

"As long as we are grateful, nothing is not enough."

That answer does not answer Odo's question. With a flat gaze, he briefly pondered for a moment considering that the woman was indeed a church person who was mostly mental and stoic like that.

"I don't discriminate against such thinking, but less is better to say less. Hah, the Puritans have always confused me," Odo thought.

[Note: Puritans, people who live pious lives and consider worldly luxuries and pleasures as sinful]

"Siska sir .. sure to say that?" ask Odo. Siska put on a confused face at the words.

"Ah .., whereas I can give you some food for you with a simple exchange fee to eat. If you have fulfilled the needs, how else, I save it for the winter," said Odo while glancing at Siska and Nanra alternately.

Nanra was completely hooked and her face was very captivated, whereas Siska only reacted in surprise and showed a slightly surprised face to the words of the little boy.

"If you want, I can give you food every week until winter is over. Of course not free, I want to make dishes that can be eaten. How, wanna?"

At first he hesitated to accept such an offer from a noble boy like Odo, but upon hearing a false background explanation that Odo was a hilly village boy from Nanra, he refused to accept it, Siska became little understood that the help was given not from an element of mere interest, but purely from a sense of wanting to help.

After considering several things, Siska finally accepted the offer. He agreed to receive some raw materials each week, and in return he made a meal for Odo from some of them.

Because now Odo was not carrying the promised groceries, he decided to go and deliver the groceries tomorrow. Before returning to the Mansion, Odo decided to look around the harbor area for a moment.

The crowd of servants who were dismantling the catch with mediocre results, several ships that were anchored on the dock, and, and a view of the twilight sky decorated with cloudy clouds and some seagulls flying freely.

Odo walked over to one of the wooden ships anchored at the dock. Using throwing magic, he jumped up to the top of the deck of the ship and then walked to the other side to see the ocean. Although the sun is covered with clouds, the light is still visible and makes the clouds turn reddish. It was a beautiful sight, at least for Odo.

"Senja is always beautiful ..," he said in a slightly hariu tone.

After enjoying the view and contemplating, Odo returns home to the Mansion before a truly nightly day in the same way he went. While at the Mansion, due to some problems that arise before leaving makes it a little awkward with Julia, his personal servant.

But Odo did not dispute that. Reasonably tired, he avoided dinner together and went straight to his own room after washing his body. Odo locked the bedroom door coupled with some magic safety for security from the attack of sensual beings, then tidied up before sleeping on his bed.