The sounds of children running around, joyfully talking to each others.


    Some appeared younger, and some looked older.


    Numerous orphans were living in a village with well-built housing and clean streets.


    "This... is shocking. I wasn''t expecting to see orphans close to my age around here."


    Those were Orion''s first words.


    He could see a few children in their twenties, which was a surprise.


    "Noah rescued a few people around the age of sixteen to eighteen at the beginning, so they are in their early twenties currently."


    Tetra explained it with a satisfied expression.


    "This is the only thing I can do for the children who lost their families."


    "I used my knowledge to instruct the oldest on how to create a society. Tetra, do you have the rations?"


    She nodded as he turned to her.


    "I have. I can teleport the resources here at any time, so ask me later."


    "Sure. I''ll do that once I''ve met with everyone."


    Suddenly, Orion felt eyes fall on him. Not one, but countless.


    "Noah!"


    "He has returned!"


    Heads poked out of the houses'' windows, and rapidly, hundreds of children rushed out to greet the Hero.


    The oldest remained behind, watching over their younger friends as they surrounded Orion, Noah, Tetra, and the four children.


    But, as Noah was talking to them, one woman walked toward them. The children all made a path for her as she smiled warmly.


    Orion''s eyes opened wide as he recognized the person approaching them.


    ''Alyssia?!''


    The Priestess of Light, who revealed herself during Orion''s trial, was alive in front of him.


    ''Orion, how do you know Alyssia?!''


    Shocked to hear the name of the woman before she had introduced herself, Tetra couldn''t stop herself from asking.


    With concealed bewilderment on his face, Orion explained rapidly.


    ''I know she''s the first person to become an angel. I''ll explain everything later.''


    ''Alright. Be careful around her, though.''


    Internally nodding, Orion focused on her.


    "I have returned with a few other children, Alyssia."


    She stopped in front of the group with the same smile before lightly bowing.


    "It is good to see you, sir."


    "I told you, just call me Noah."


    She straightened up and smiled dryly.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "As one of the few adults in this settlement, I can''t be careless with my words. Please understand."


    The person in front of Orion was far younger than the Alyssia he met during the Sovereign trials.


    ''From a single glance, I can say that she already possesses magic. Maybe her aura purified the corruption around here, which was the reason for the angels and demons being unaffected by the corruption.''


    ''You might be on to something. It was only after Noah''s death and after receiving the artifacts that magic began to manifest in them and affect their physique.''


    Orion carefully examined Alyssia while she received an explanation from Noah about how to treat the new additions to the village.


    ''But you''re seeing the same thing as me. How can you explain the aura surrounding her?''


    ''I don''t know what to tell you. It isn''t normal.''


    The duo was seeing the same aura that Noah and Orion were bathed in while using the light element.


    This was a confusing development, as light magic was supposedly only available to the Heroes.


    ''Wait... Orion. Alyssia never used light magic.''


    Confusion showed on his face.


    ''That can''t be, Tetra. I know for a fact that she used light magic.''


    ''Orion, light magic is a special case. How can a human manage to become a light user?''


    A sense of incongruity welled up inside both of them.


    ''You''re right... I took it at face value, but it was indeed strange to see two other users of lost elements who were never spoken about in our history.''


    ''Two?! You''re telling me that someone else can use a lost magic?!''


    This was entirely new to her. But, there was a good explanation for her lack of knowledge on the matter.


    Both she and Henrietta were too preoccupied after Noah''s death to manage the settlement of orphans.


    They entirely ignored them for thousands of years, until Reon and Orianne managed to bring peace to the two opposing factions.


    If they had taken the time to support these children after Noah vanished from their lives, maybe the future where they split off wouldn''t have existed.


    ''...''


    Orion pondered.


    ''Perhaps the ones close to the artifacts were the ones to obtain the elements. She appears to be capable of holding the light element inside her as of now, so it''s only logical that she...''


    His thoughts stopped, making Tetra apprehensive about his next words.


    ''This is because she obtained the light element that the angels came to be...''


    ''And the same happened with Alaric, who became the first demon to use the dark element.''


    Tetra sighed inside his head.


    ''Of course it was Alaric...''


    ''We''ve missed something so important. I am ashamed of our mistake, to the point that I don''t know what to say.''


    Orion understood her feelings.


    ''Don''t beat yourself over it. Noah was probably the reason for these changes. Remember, in history, it is said that Noah was the progenitor of the angel and demon factions.''


    ''This was literal. His energy was diffused between two of the most compatible people in this village.''


    His assumptions weren''t wrong. This was how everything fell into place.


    But there was one little detail, which, again, only someone like Henrietta or Tetra would be able to notice.


    ''Nature...''


    With this single name, Orion frowned.


    ''Seems like Nature played a considerable part in doing various tasks in order to stop Miasma...''


    ''Even if that choice causes two people to part ways because of it.''


    His expression wasn''t pretty. He knew from the two that they were forced to pick sides during the separation of the two factions.


    Suddenly, he noticed the face of a young maiden inches away from his.


    "So, you are the one called Orion?"


    "I would love to chat with you once out of your daydream."


    Her voice was soothing to his ears. She had the capacity to relieve stress just by talking to someone, thanks to her incredible calmness and brightness.


    "Orion, this is Alyssia. She is one of the two orphans I saved first after becoming a Hero."


    "She''s also the oldest and the one who acts as a leader for these children."


    Alyssia took a step back and bowed lightly with a dignity unseen before. Even a Queen''s dignity was nothing in front of this person.


    "My name is Alyssia. It is a pleasure to meet you."


    But, as she was greeting him, her eyes gradually went downward. She couldn''t help but look at his waist.


    "..."


    "Alyssia?"


    Noah called her name, which made her jump slightly as she recovered her composure.


    ''Was she looking at your crotch? What the fuck?!''


    Tetra began to freak out, but to Orion, something was entirely different in her gaze.


    ''She was staring at the pocket where the bracelet is...''


    ''Oh.''


    Calming down instantly, Tetra silently breathed a sigh of relief.


    "My apologies."


    Alyssia coughed nervously as she took another step back.


    "My offer still stands. In fact, I would even go so far as to demand it. Something picked up my curiosity, and I would very much like to take the time to discuss it."


    As her warm smile returned, she turned to Noah.


    "Sir, Alaric is at the same place as usual. I''m sure he would be glad to meet you."


    Noah nodded, looking toward a lone tree on top of a hill in the distance.


    "I''ll go speak with him. He also needs to be made aware of what happened on the continent."


    "Alright everyone, let''s go see Alaric."


    With a smirk, Noah talked to the hundreds of children, who nodded.


    "Yes! Let''s go see Alaric!"


    "Eh~? Isn''t he going to shout at us?"


    "Not if we stay silent."


    "Oh!"


    The group of children began to whisper to each other as they followed Noah.


    Alyssia bowed toward him, staying with Orion and the four kids.


    "Orion... I''m returning for now."


    "Good luck with Henrietta."


    With a defeated smile, Tetra warped back to their hideout, ready to get an earful from Henrietta.


    "Well, with Noah going to meet Alaric, let''s move on to what''s important."


    Alyssia kneeled in front of the children and hugged them one by one. They showed no resistance at all.


    "From today onward, we are family. We are just like you. We''ve all lost our families."


    "We understand your pain more than anyone else. That''s why we will support you with everything we have."


    *Thump*


    The moment she finished her sentence, four large crates appeared from nowhere.


    "That''s the provisions?"


    "Most likely."


    Orion looked at the inside before nodding.


    "There are large quantities of food in those two and clothing in the other two."


    "I will have Alaric move them later. Since it''s a fine day today, I don''t have to worry about rain."


    With a smile, Alyssia stood up.


    "Alright, everyone. Follow me to your new home."


    She gently pointed forward, marching with the children toward an empty house.


    "Please wait for me. I will return shortly."


    Orion nodded.


    As her figure disappeared inside the large village, his mind wandered.


    ''So... this is the birthplace of my factions.''


    ''Tetra.''


    He was about to say something, but Tetra knew exactly what it was.


    ''No. Don''t even think about it.''


    ''We can''t stop what''s about to happen. This would put your entire existence in danger.''


    Orion frowned.


    ''You know it as well as we do. If you interfere now, there is a chance you will not be allowed to survive.''


    ''It was because of the separation between the angel and demon factions, because of Orianne and Reon, who fought back to bring peace between the two factions, that you were born.''


    Orion shrugged and smiled.


    ''That''s just like you. Well, I wasn''t going to. It was a fleeting idea.''


    As he continued to observe the village, Alyssia returned.


    "I appreciate your patience."


    "Now, let''s go."


    Orion followed her into a large house in the center of the settlement, where he and Alyssia could discuss in private.