Blasé and Eina were standing in the very middle of the healed grounds. They weren't alone, but they were the only ones wearing formal clothing. The other workers all around were Elves wearing their culture’s traditional garb. The clan they were from were experts in healing the ground of any impurities, and it was thanks to them this future site of an orphanage had recovered so fast.  

“Captain,” said Blasé when he saw the armored one-armed arm approach him. He nodded at the captain and the two girls he was with.  

“Good afternoon, Fisher. How is your wound?” Eina smiled.  

“I’m doing well, Eina. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Governor Blasé, I’ve brought the financier of the orphanage.” Fisher stepped back, and Servi and Momo stepped forward. The former had a hand out for a proper shake.  

And here we finally have it… The children of Virin Keywater are about to shake hands with the girl who killed their brother. Coincidentally, the same girl is an immortal who shares a soul with a Goddess… Secrets… Secrets… Secrets… Frankly, it’s so outlandish that it’s so hard to believe… Fisher said within his mind. He quietly watched the encounter play out.

“Hmm, I believe we’ve met before. Flyneria, right?” Blasé shook Servi’s hand.  

“You’re right and wrong. That was just a fake name I used. My real one’s Servi. Take a look.” She handed over her ID for proof and took it back. Next, she shook Eina’s hand as the two introduced themselves.  

“When Fisher told us he found someone to pay, I never thought it was you. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but you do not look that particularly wealthy.” 

“If anything, I look like the daughter of a farmer, right? Looks can be deceiving. As proof that I have the money, Fisher opened an account with the bank that I deposited them in.” Fisher retrieved the paperwork and handed it and his ID to Eina. Her intelligent eyes scanned it from top to bottom and found nothing suggesting it was anything less than authentic.

“It checks out, sir. The funds are there,” Eina said upon handing Fisher’s ID back to him. She kept the papers. The reason for that was because Fisher had added Governor Blasé and his secretary as people who had access to this exclusive account. It was a stroke of good luck the bank manager was close enough to them that he knew their real identities.  He was told to expect something similar to what had happened. 

“I guess I do owe an apology for my rudeness,” Blasé said. He wasn’t apologizing for real. It was a small tactic he had used many times before to allow anyone he was conversing with to lower their guard by a hair. Servi didn’t fall for it.  

“There’s none needed. I’d have just as much skepticism if I was in your position. There’s twenty million in the account. The documents said the most expensive options were only fifteen, but use the extra five to correct any mistakes or errors if they happen to show up.” 

“That answers my next question. I assume you’re happy with everything? Do you have anything you want to change about it? You are paying for it, so now would be the time to request any alterations.” asked Blasé.  

Servi put a hand to her chin and thought for a few seconds. “Not particularly… Fisher did say you have a list of caregivers ready to hire?” 

Eina nodded. “That’s correct. As per the documents, we have fifteen highly qualified individuals personally headhunted from all across Lando. They’re all great with children and have experience working in other orphanages across the land. Included within the fifteen million is their salary for a year. That also includes the pay for the sixteen guards and a set of weapons. As for the produce and livestock, do you have any preferences?” 

“What’s in demand right now?” Servi asked. 

“Cotton is always a cash crop, but the farmland allotted isn’t big enough to be worth the hassle. In an adequately sufficient environment, you would want at least a hundred acres of land for it to be economically viable. As a suggestion, Servi, I recommend plants that are seldom seen in southeastern Lando. For example, have you heard of a green-skinned tomato?” 

“Green tomato? Not red?” Momo inquired with a pensive voice.  

“I have, actually,” Servi said.  

“Then you know how rare they are in and around Canary. The only surefire way to find them is in Lando, and they go for a pretty coin because of the color. In all actuality, they’re fairly easy to grow because they have the same requirements as a normal tomato.” 

Blasé picked up after his secretary. “I know a botanist who cultivates green tomatoes. The seeds are a bit pricy. With your permission, I can put in an order when the orphanage is nearly complete. Speaking of that, may I ask where we should send the proceeds?” 

“What proceeds?” 

“Err… I assume you want the orphanage to sell what it produces, yes? How should we handle the profits? Is there an account we can deposit it into? 

“There isn’t,” Servi said while shaking her head. “I do want the orphanage to be self-sufficient, but I do not wish to receive any money.” 

“Then…?” Blasé was at a loss.  

“Servy, you want the dupla to be funneled back into the orphanage, right?” 

Servi smiled and squeezed Momo’s hand. “That’s right.  I do want a good portion to be put away in case of emergencies. And I want the children to work the gardens to teach them how to grow food. But I don’t want them to be subjected to harsh hours and a terrible environment. I want them to be properly compensated for their work and taught the value of money along with financial stability. Ideally, each of them will be offered the chance to learn how to fight from the guards stationed around. For the livestock, I suppose chicken and pigs. Maybe a few goats? If that’s too much, drop the goats. Don’t have enough for cows to graze, so I’ll pass on that.” 

“I see…” Eina had brought out a small journal and was writing everything down. “You want them to have the skills to look after themselves, right? That’s the gist of it?” 

“That’s right. Ideally, they’ll be educated, have the strength to defend themselves, and be able to grow their own food. All the skills one must need to survive and thrive.” 

“That’s oddly idealistic, but I can’t say I hate it. It’s a noble goal full of selflessness… That’s something that’s sorely lacking in the world.” Blasé closed his eyes and nodded. He had never met a person who had millions to be given away so easily without wanting it back.  

“Now, let’s talk about the name. What do you want it to be called?” Eina asked.  

“Fia’s Sanctuary,” Servi hastily answered.  

“Sounds like there’s a story behind it,” Blasé said.  

“There is. Don’t want to talk about it, but a place where children can learn to love themselves and the world again was her father’s innermost wish. Even if he never said it outright, I know every father wants the best for their little girls.” 

Blasé looked apologetic and offered his condolences. “Didn’t mean to open an old wound. One more thing. I don’t expect there to be any trouble in its construction, but if a situation arises, how should we contact you?” 

“You don’t. I’ll leave Fisher in charge of it all. Sorry I didn’t ask you before this, but are you fine with it?” Servi turned to face him.  

Fisher nodded. “I am. Thank you, Servi.” 

“There we have it,” she said while turning around. “In reverse, if I have anything to ask or add…” 

“You can talk to the good captain to have him ask us, or he can arrange a meeting with me. I don’t have a permanent office because there’s a lot of work for me to do. Fisher’s the only one I keep constantly informed of my location.” 

“Got it.” 

Suddenly, Eina squinted her eyes and stared at Momo. “You… You’re the one who won the tournament, right?” 

The adorable girl nodded.  

“I’m sorry we weren’t in attendance, but a late congratulations is better than none. Good work on winning it.” Eina pleasantly smiled.  

“Thank you very much, ma’am! It was a fun experience. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it!” Momo’s tail started to dance around.  

A few seconds later, one of the Elves working on repairing the land ran over to Blasé and waved his hands. He excused himself and walked away with the Elf.  

“It is a good thing you caught us. We have business to take care of in Adenaford, and we don’t know how long that’ll be. It shouldn't be longer than a day or two. Fisher, you’re in charge while we’re gone, but we don’t expect anything drastic to happen.” 

“Of course, ma’am. Be safe on your travel.”  

“Word about what happened at the HQ has already reached our ears. Don’t worry, no one’s in trouble. The governor has a statement coming out tomorrow morning regarding your injury. The only thing you need to do is rest and recover from your wound. Take it easy, okay?” Fisher, you did well in fabricating that false story about a chase. What a way to drum up more public support. Ah… I’m starting to sound like my brother now… Oh, mother… I miss you more than ever… Eina recovered from her brisk trip into her inner thoughts and adjusted her skirt.  

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, and I will.” 

“Servi, Momo? It was a pleasure meeting the two of you. Thank you again for offering to fund the orphanage. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we still have a little bit of work to take care of here before our trip.” After a lovely little wave and a goodbye smile, Eina turned tail and walked over to the governor.  

Fisher took that as his cue to return to the headquarters to take care of any business. “They’ll handle it, but there is still something I can do.” 

“Do you mind some company? For at least part of the walk, anyway.” 

Fisher answered Momo. “Not at all.” They started walking when Servi suddenly spoke up and asked Fisher if he was scared when he told his wife his past. He answered that nothing was scarier, then deduced her fears. He correctly guessed Servi was stressing about revealing her past to Claire, Srassa, and the others.  

That was because the immortal girl did not want any secrecy between her and her friends. Servi had held her tongue once before. That gave birth to a week of pure chaos. Her never-ending heart could not take that happening again. The sharp words of hatred had more than enough strength to reduce Servi to a babbling mess.  

Fisher replied that he shared those worries and brought up Mire and Tim. Out of everyone on the force, he had grown quite close to them over the weeks. He was learning about Elvish culture from Mire, and Tim looked up to him as someone worthy of his respect. Actually, both guards were loyal and respectful to Fisher. His awful past, though, if revealed, would tarnish those loyal thoughts and corrupt them in a vat of loathing.  

On the topic of speaking the truth about Itarr, Servi figured they could handle that with somewhat ease. The Goddess herself joined the conversation and said she didn’t mind if her divinity was kept hidden. Being introduced as Servi’s teacher and instructor wouldn’t be a lie since it was through her that Servi could fight as well as she could.  

“As for the more pressing topic, you always have the option to say nothing at all. Imagine this scenario. Let’s say you meet someone who will become a friend. Not a close one like Claire or Srassa, but someone you see once a week. Someone that engages you in idle chatter and wouldn’t go as far to invite you to their home. Would you feel the need to tell them about everything?” 

Servi answered Fisher, and she knew what he was hinting at. “I get that. I want to say it’s not relevant, but maybe it is. If I keep worrying like this, I’ll start to feel uncomfortable whenever I have to talk with someone. I didn’t feel the need to say anything about my past to the governor… But it’s hard, man. Claire’s the kind of girl to give me the shirt off her back if I was capable of freezing to death. I feel like I’m betraying our friendship. Even if she did once say she’ll never be mad or upset at me, she obviously didn’t mean it in the literal sense.” 

Fisher found the phrase ‘capable of freezing’ to be odd, but he waved that intrusive thought away because it didn’t matter right now.  

“Maybe I can argue that my destruction of the slave markets to be just because I believe no one has the right to own another as property. I think my friends would respect that in a way. But it’s everything else. Even if I kept it to just Sakdu’s army, that was fifteen thousand lives I’ve personally taken. Claire thinks I took just the one. There is no other outcome but for them to look at me with terrified eyes at the power I hold? The sprinkling of fear that I might use it against them? I’d never hurt them, but that worry will already be in their heads. I don’t know how I know that, but I do. Mosie?” 

“Yes?” 

“I’ll always have you and Itarr, right?” 

Momo smiled and wrapped her arms around Servi’s waist. She gave her a hearty hug. “Duh! I said it last night, right? You’re stuck with me until the end. Better get used to having me around because I won’t leave for anything.” 

As we share a soul, it is impossible for me to be anywhere but with you. Regardless, I will never leave your side. There is nothing in this world that can tear me away from you.  

“You guys…” The strange sight of a crying girl hugging her ID and a Singi was just about the oddest thing imaginable to those not in the know. Servi dared not actively think about this, but what if the abandonment of her three closest friends after Momo and Itarr was the punishment she deserved?  There was a saying that said no good deed goes unpunished. Likewise, the same could be said for every bad deed.  

The one thing Servi did have that was previously violently stripped away from her was hope. 

She hoped to come across a way to keep the helpful Claire as a close friend.  

She hoped to discover the narrow path that kept Dineria on as a beacon of tutelage for her lovely Momo.  

She hoped that it wouldn’t be her to inflict the sharp blade of betrayal within Srassa’s rich bosom for the second time.  

She had hopes upon hopes upon hopes. For a girl who didn’t have any… Or at least believed she wasn’t worthy of having any at all. It was an improvement on her psyche. Perhaps that was another boon following her ‘rebirth.’ 

“You’ve got good friends there, Servi. It might not be my place to say anything, but don’t lose hope.” 

“I won’t, Fisher. I won’t.” Servi’s reply wasn’t entirely filled with confidence, but it didn’t hold a trace of any negative connotations.  The group restarted their walk towards the headquarters while prioritizing the less densely packed streets.  

“Servy, we still have some time before you have to be at the theatre hall. What’re we going do?”  

“Well… Since I returned those clothes to the Old Onyx, I just have this outfit and that dress you picked out for me when we first met. I might just need a cute Singi and a nearby Goddess to help me rebuild my wardrobe.” 

“Haha! It’s hard to believe that I did that. I mean, who lets a random girl pick out clothes for her?” Momo’s laugh was just about the cutest thing Servi had ever heard.  

“Someone crazy, that’s who. And I haven’t regretted it for a second," Servi answered.

Ahh… Servy!!! I love you so much.  

Fisher took a breath and offered a small smile. “I suppose this is where I will leave you. Again, I’m sorry I won’t be able to come tonight, but I'll find a way to bring Marissa and the girls to it.” Fisher held out his hand.  

With a smile and a powerful grip, Servi shook his hands and stared into the eyes of a close friend. Not even three months ago, she wanted to wring his head and split his body in half. First impressions were said to be incredibly vital when it came to meeting someone new. Oh, how false it was when it came to this friendship that only blossomed over a series of misunderstandings. After the obvious Singi and Goddess, Fisher was probably the person Servi trusted the most. He only beat out Claire because he shared the same worries and once tasted the same sin as Servi.  

“I should be thanking you for the orphanage idea. Don’t suppose you have any idea when construction will begin? Should have asked when I had the chance.” 

“I do not. I don’t think the governor would have filed the permits needed before receiving money, so that will take a few days. He might have to do something in Adenaford before it can begin. And then the workers need to travel to Canary if they’re off on another job. If that’s the case, they have to finish that one first. But he’s a good man. An honorable one. He isn’t the kind to take the money and run. If I did have to guess… I’d say maybe two or three years. The most time-consuming portion will be gathering and transporting the materials like lumber, stone, and metal. Fia’s Sanctuary requires a tremendous amount.” 

If that’s the case, I can offer my assistance. With my abilities, I can absorb anything within fifteen meters. If someone can teach me how to process the wood into something usable, I… I want to help. If not, then maybe I can assist in transporting items from one place to the other. 

“Thank you, Itarr. I’ll keep that in mind.” 

“If you trust Blasé, Fisher, that’s good enough for me. Remember, we'll heal your arm. All you have to do is ask.” 

“I know. I appreciate that as well. You all take care, okay?” 

“We will. Bye, Fisher!” said Momo. She waved to the captain as he walked away. She noticed he had a small hop to his step and smiled.