According to Maria, she saw a certain man several times over the past few days. A normal person would have thought that they had come to scout out the orphanage due to its sudden rise in prosperity, but Ristia, on the other hand, wondered to herself, Could they be here to look for little brother or sister candidates?
“Don’t worry. I won’t let him get to the children, mark my words!” she shouted, her inner intentions declaring, I’m going to be everyone’s Big Sis! I won’t let anyone who comes after me get to them! No way, no how! In that moment, Ristia was assaulted by some light vampiric impulses, and she furrowed her long, thin eyebrows.
Maria was oblivious to this, however, and smiled, “I kind of figured you might say something like that, Director Ristia.” All at once, the two of them were both on the same wavelength and having entirely different conversations. However, despite the crossed wires, they ended up finding a middle ground, both of them none the wiser. After that discussion...
“I have a present for you guys today~” Ristia said with a big smile for the children after they finished lunch.
She placed jewelry on the table—enough for several people. They were brooches with a design that depicted three fruits lined up on a leaf. It was a neutral design that even the boys could wear.
“Wow, they’re so pretty and sparkly...”
“What are these? They’re awesome.”
The children’s eyes lit up as bright as the brooches in front of them.
“These are my presents to all of you. They’re brooches I made.”
“Huh? You made these, Director?! These are so awesome! Wait, you’re giving these to us?!”
“Yup, that’s right~” These brooches were made with one goal in mind, that goal being: “These children are boys and girls that I’m trying to make into my younger siblings. I’m not giving anyone an opportunity to steal them after everything I’ve done!” Now I’m all set against that suspicious man! Ristia thought as she gleefully watched the children affix the brooches to their clothing. However, she realized that Maria was casting a doubtful look upon her and looked her way.
“...Um, problem?”
“Less a problem with me and more like there being too many problems for me to point out.”
“But I took your report into consideration.”
“Then I’ll just go ahead and say it: If we put on these expensive-looking brooches, it’s essentially the same as telling people, ‘Please pick us out as targets.’”
Maria had a point. The children were already cute by default, so adding any kind of allure with the brooch would obviously cause anyone to want to take them in as a younger sibling even more. There might’ve even been some people who wouldn’t be able to contain themselves and might try to take a child home with them. Warranted concerns, but Ristia replied simply.
“No need to worry about that.”
“What do you mean?” Maria asked curiously. Before Ristia even had a chance to answer her question, the children started to stir.
“H-Huh? The bruise on my hand is going away.”
“And I think I can see kind of clearer. Everything far away has been all blurry ‘til now!”
“My stomachache is gone!”
“My whole body feels lighter!”
“Wow, I feel stronger!”
Upon surveying the children, Maria asked, “What did you do this time?”
“I just enchanted the brooches I made. A boost to physical ability, and wound regeneration. Also, something to nullify bodily ailments, so they’ll be okay even if someone suspicious does accost them!” It was one of Ristia’s enchanted items, created with a bit of effort. If Ristia was the same as she had been before, she would’ve modestly claimed she was just a normal girl, but with the children showering her with praise, that humble attitude had disappeared. According to her, she was “just a normal girl who was capable of some slightly fantastic enchantments.”
Knowing for the past few days that pointing out the contradictions in her stories was no good, Maria replied, “If you can assure everyone’s safety, then fine,” and put on her own brooch.
“Oh, it’s true; my body does feel lighter. This is a handy little brooch.”
Maria was steadily adapting to Ristia’s illogical ideas and behavior. It helped that the children, who were raised behind the isolated walls of the orphanage, didn’t find Ristia’s antics unbelievable as much as they did plain incredible. Even Allen, who was on his guard like no tomorrow toward Ristia at first, had entirely softened up to her as of late and was just as impressed as everyone else.
“What the heck is this? This is awesome!”
It was a piece of cake getting him on her side—or rather, the blessings Ristia was bestowing them were so incredible that suspecting her of ill-intent seemed ridiculous. That was the truth of the matter. As such, Ristia continued to establish her normal—objectively speaking, extremely abnormal—territory on the outskirts of town.
Then, one fateful day, Gratt paid her a visit.
“Good afternoon, Lady Ristia. I am here to see you about the auction today.”
“Good afternoon to you, Mr. Gratt. Please, come inside, if you would,” Ristia said with a soft smile, inviting Gratt into the parlor of the old orphanage.
“My... I heard the rumors floating around, but this is quite the incredible room,” Gratt said in an impressed tone, scanning the room.
I really didn’t do anything much; I just prettied things up so that they would be about the same as my own room back home. Mr. Gratt is clearly just flattering me, Ristia thought with a wry smile.
“I just did some last-minute redecorating; giving me such high praise is going to make me blush.”
“Hahaha... Last-minute, was it? That’s what you seriously consider all of this, I see.”
“...Huh?”
“Oh, no. Just talking to myself. Now then, first things first: I will be returning the appraisal crystal you allowed me to have.” Gratt tried to return the appraisal crystal that Ristia made, but Ristia just glanced over it and declined the offer, even though it was made from a diamond fragment of her Crystal Cage.