Chapter 12 : Could They Accept Something This Precious
Chapter 12 : Could They Accept Something This Precious
Robin, Jeremy, and Lina all looked forward to the journey home without exception.
However, the atmosphere of the city had sunk heavily.
The orphans who used to beg in the streets were nowhere to be seen.
Not only the orphans, but people in general had decreased.
“The streets feel empty.”
Until they reached Lina’s house, the number of people they saw could be counted on one hand.
Jeremy, too, seemed deep in thought and kept his mouth tightly shut.
In any case, they had succeeded in their original goal of finding Lina.
Lina stood in front of the door and knocked.
“Lina……!”
“Mom! Dad!”
A couple with deep dark circles rushed forward and pulled Lina into a tight embrace.
“Where did you go and why are you only coming back now, you rascal!”
“I went up the hill behind the house to pick raspberries, and then I just…….”
“It’s a relief… such a relief…….”
After a short but heartfelt reunion, the family bowed their heads to Robin and Jeremy in gratitude.
“Thank you so much for saving Lina. We will never forget this favor.”
“We’re just glad she’s safe, hehe.”
Seeing Lina’s family tightly huddled together made Robin’s heart swell.
He felt as though he understood a little of what parental love—something he had never experienced—might be.
On the other hand, even at that sight, Jeremy’s eyes remained calm.
“You two can have free fruit for the rest of your lives!”
“Really?”
“Your fruit tastes the best, Mister. We’re lucky.”
With tear tracks still left on her cheeks, Lina slipped shyly into the house.
‘I thought she’d at least see us off.’
Robin awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Once Jacob finished expressing his thanks, Jeremy asked the question he had been curious about.
“There weren’t many people on the streets. Did something happen?”
“That, I’m not too sure about either. I came back this morning after searching for Lina.”
“The atmosphere feels unusual. Like the calm before a storm. It’ll be better to stay home for a while.”
Jeremy gave Jacob advice. Anyone watching would have thought him arrogant.
But because he had brought Lina home, Jacob listened without displeasure.
“Stonegoth has been pretty quiet lately. You two be careful as well. If you want fruit, come by anytime.”
“Don’t worry. You know who our boss is.”
When Jeremy mentioned Burt, Jacob nodded.
Burt, though a one-legged disabled man, had many connections and was not someone others could treat carelessly.
Under someone like Burt, Robin and Jeremy would surely be safe.
“Well then, we’ll get going.”
As Robin turned away, Lina came running with quick, pattering steps.
She held four pinkish fruits in both hands.
“Take these.”
“Lina, those are…….”
“Take them.”
Jacob looked troubled, but Lina firmly held them out.
Robin did not know what kind of fruit they were, but since she was giving them, he had no intention of refusing.
“Could we really accept something this precious?”
Jeremy’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open as if going, “Waaah!”
“What are these?”
“Vitalitis. When a child eats it, it accelerates growth and increases stamina. It’s so rare you can’t get it even with money, so why would she…….”
Before Robin’s hand, stretched toward the Vitalitis, could touch it, he froze.
After hearing Jeremy’s explanation, he hesitated, unsure if they should accept it.
Lina, cheeks flushed, handed them to Robin and Jeremy.
“You saved Lina, so fruits like these are nothing.”
“Mister, your hands are shaking right now.”
“Hmm… hmm… I tracked down the seeds ten years ago, and they finally bore fruit not long ago, but you saved our daughter’s life—there’s nothing to regret.”
His words and expression showed reluctance, but they decided to accept his sincerity.
“Thank you. We’ll enjoy them. Thanks, Lina.”
“Wh-what… I’m the one who should be thanking you…….”
When Robin smiled brightly, Lina’s face reddened even more, and she replied in a tiny voice.
Robin had worried she might be traumatized after being trapped in a monster den, but seeing the color in her face reassured him.
Once they stepped out, having received sincere gratitude, Jeremy smirked beside him.
“Robin, you’re pretty good, huh?”
“At what?”
“Lina, obviously. She looked completely smitten with you.”
“With me? Why?”
Jeremy slapped his forehead at Robin’s genuine curiosity.
“You… I have so much to teach you.”
“Yeah. I’ll count on you from now on.”
Having brought Lina home safely, Robin’s eyes shone with pride.
Born with a selfless nature, he didn’t lose his goodwill even under harsh circumstances.
Jeremy had just realized that Robin’s temperament stemmed from his innocent purity.
‘It’s like I’m becoming his older brother.’
Robin responded so innocently that he wasn’t even fun to tease, and Jeremy grumbled inwardly.
“I thought you died outside since you weren’t coming in, but you somehow survived.”
“We’re sorry, Boss.”
Robin and Jeremy’s shoulders sank.
They had left without a word.
Since they had neglected the general store, Robin swallowed nervously, wondering if they would be punished.
“Did you eat?”
“…No.”
Burt reached under the counter and pulled out bread, cheese, and milk.
“Eat and take the rest of the day off.”
“Aren’t you going to scold us?”
Robin, who had survived by begging at the orphanage, had been sold to the general store by Timmy in exchange for unpaid debts.
From Burt’s point of view, Robin was labor, yet even after he disappeared without a word, Burt did not scold him—Robin found it strange.
“Not scolding.”
At the blunt, concise answer, Robin didn’t know how he should react.
“Of course! Our boss is a big-hearted man—he wouldn’t scold us over something like this.”
Jeremy hurriedly carried the food over to the table.
Burt shot a glance at them and added only one more line.
“Eat the fruit as dessert after your meal.”
“Yes. Thank you for the food.”
The hard bread had been difficult to chew, but once dipped in milk it softened.
When he added the savory, slightly salty cheese, the bread vanished into his mouth in an instant.
After wolfing everything down and drinking the milk, a pleasant sense of fullness washed over him.
Feeling someone’s gaze, he turned his head to find Burt watching with a faint smile.
“Eating well.”
“Since I moved around a lot, it tastes even better.”
Burt gave a short laugh and waved his hand. It meant to go to the room.
Before heading in, Robin handed one Vitalitis to Burt.
Seeing that, Jeremy’s expression filled with dismay.
“Lina gave it to us, but you should have some too, Boss.”
“Do you even know what this is before giving it away?”
“Yes. If you eat it, it promotes growth and helps increase stamina.”
Without hesitation, Burt snatched the Vitalitis.
“Robin, if you do that, I can’t just sit still!”
Grumbling, Jeremy slapped one of his own Vitalitis onto the counter.
Burt again accepted it without refusing.
“You’re giving away a fruit that would fetch at least 1 Gold even if you sold it right now. Still a kid, I see.”
“Thanks to you, we can live safely. Don’t feel burdened.”
“Never felt burdened. I’ll gladly accept the Vitalitis.”
Inside the room, Jeremy let out a deep sigh, his expression full of frustration.
“What’s wrong, Jeremy.”
“Do you know how precious that is? And you gave it to the Boss. Should we ask him to give it back even now?”
“Thanks to Burt, we get to eat delicious meals and read books. Don’t feel so regretful.”
“Robin, you’re too naive. Didn’t you see how his eyes lingered on the Vitalitis when we walked in? Giving us cheese and milk was all because he knew you’d hand it over yourself.”
“No way.”
Jeremy beat his chest in exasperation, but it was already done.
Even knowing a Vitalitis was worth at least 1 Gold, Robin did not regret giving it to Burt.
Though he had his peculiarities, Burt was the first real adult Robin had ever met.
“Since you said all that, now I’m curious about the taste. Is there a special way to eat it?”
“…Just chew it. Don’t eat the seed—set it aside. The seed is expensive too.”
The surface of a Vitalitis bore curved lines like contour markings.
When he bit into it with the peel, sweetness spread with a slight hint of bitterness.
The white flesh, dotted with tiny black specks, looked unusual.
At the center lay a glossy seed of mixed red and gold.
Robin chewed and swallowed everything except the seed.
“No wonder it’s expensive—it tastes good.”
“It’s tasty, healthy, and worth every coin people pay for it……”
Still regretful, Jeremy went on and on about the Vitalitis’ effects.
Since he felt no noticeable changes, Robin simply enjoyed having eaten a delicious fruit.
“Jeremy, since we’ve finally got some time, let’s read.”
“Yeah, better than nothing.”
“There’s a bunch of interesting books: 『History of the Empire』, 『How to Survive in a Dungeon』, 『Collection of Rare Herbs』, 『Elixir Cultivation Techniques』.”
“If cultivated properly, you could be sitting on a pile of money. There’s still a chance……”
“This book, 『Elixir Cultivation Techniques』, suits you right now.”
Jeremy took the book Robin selected without complaint.
The two boys opened their books on their knees and read with frightening speed.
One because he discovered the joy of learning, the other to find a way to sprout seeds.
In the narrow room, only the sound of turning pages marked the passage of time.
A week had passed since Lina was rescued.
The streets were even quieter than before.
In the once lively marketplace, more and more shops were closing one by one.
In their place, shady-looking men wandered the streets.
‘Something is happening. Are the rumors true?’
Lost in thought, Robin finished cleaning.
Jeremy had slept in, and Burt had gone out to buy ingredients, leaving Robin alone.
The door of the general store opened, and a brown-haired girl walked in.
“Welcome. Oh? Lina, you’re here again?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“The atmosphere outside hasn’t been good lately. Is it okay for you to be out?”
“Daddy brought me.”
“I see. Are you looking for something?”
Robin was now used to handling customers.
Even if someone came in while he was alone, he greeted them without panic.
“I’m just, you know, looking around.”
“Take your time. Let me know if you need anything.”
Since that day, Lina had come to Burt’s general store every single day.
On the first day, she asked Robin where the flowerpots and trowels were.
Robin guided her, but she never bought anything, and Burt found her bothersome.
Perhaps noticing that, Lina began visiting only when Burt was away.
‘She’s just browsing again today.’
After circling the store, Jacob would show up and take Lina home.
It had become their familiar routine.
“Yaaawn. Morning, Robin. Did Lina stop by again today?”
“I thought you were asleep. You heard all that?”
“I never let down my guard, even while sleeping.”
Seeing the tidy store, Jeremy wore a proud expression as if he had been the one to clean it.
They set the breakfast Burt had prepared on the table and enjoyed a relaxed meal.
As they sipped the cool, mild milk, the door opened.
“Welcome——”
“Long time no see, Robin.”
Five boys as tall as grown men walked in with their hands shoved in their pockets.
It was Marcus’ gang.
“Wow, look at you. Leaving the orphanage and working in a dump like this—enjoying life, huh?”
“…What do you want.”
“Guess you don’t know anything.”
Marcus looked down at Robin, who frowned.
“We’ve come to collect protection fees. You know our Director is someone big, right? You’d better pay up. Out of old times’ sake, we’ll cut you a deal—10 Silver a week.”
The boys behind Marcus snickered.
But their laughter stopped at Robin’s next words.
“I don’t want to.”
“What? Did I hear that wrong.”
“I said I don’t want to, Marcus.”
Marcus’ face twisted as he glared at Robin.
Robin did not look away.
“You’ve grown a lot, Robin. Talking back to me.”
“Grown a lot…….”
Before Robin could finish—
Marcus swung his fist toward him.