Chapter 33 The Mastermind Behind The Orphanage Attack
"Reisha!"
"Marianne-sensei! The children are safe!"
After defeating the Flame Eater, we escaped from the burning building back to the garden where we started.
Luckily, all the kids only had minor injuries, with one child suffering from a slight burn.
"Maia, Teti, you did a great job."
"Oh, it was nothing. Adel-sama had it much tougher. ...Well, for Adel-sama, even an S-class monster is a piece of cake."
"Huh... really?"
"That's right, Teti-chan. Adel-sama has even taken down SS-class monsters effortlessly."
"Wow... I'm not even that surprised anymore."
I reunited with Maia and Teti, sharing the details of how the Flame Eater caused the fire and how we successfully defeated it.
In a distant place, there were rescued children, and it seems Reisha is reporting to Marianne. Even the people around who heard the commotion from a distance could be seen.
"Is everyone safe...?"
"Yes, Marianne-sensei. There was a monster that controls fire inside the building, which seemed to be the cause of the fire."
"...What happened to that monster?"
"He over there defeated it."
"Defeated it...?"
I felt a sense of unease watching that scene.
――Director Marianne's reaction. Rather than relief, it seemed more like unexpected... Unexpected? Unexpected about what?
As I pondered, Maia called out to me.
"Adel-sama? Is something wrong?"
"...Ah, no."
Reisha had to steal to put money into the orphanage.
Considering that I had been supporting the orphanage through the informant Fran, it shouldn't have been to the point of financial hardship.
And then, there was this Flame Eater that appeared out of nowhere.
...
From the way she was interacting, it seemed like Reisha trusted Director Marianne.
However, I needed to confirm.
――If I'm wrong, I apologize."
I muttered to myself and measured Director Marianne's Execution Coefficient.
====================
Subject: Marianne Rentzel
Execution Coefficient: 302,738 points
====================
"..."
The Execution Coefficient rises based on the amount of misdeeds the subject has committed.
Director Marianne's value showed an abnormal number.
"Maia, Teti. Listen to this."
""Huh...?""
I informed the two of them about this fact.
They looked surprised for a moment, but quickly seemed to understand the situation and composed themselves.
"So, does that mean the Flame Eater that Adel-sama fought was that person...?"
"I'm not sure. But I think there's a high possibility she is involved."
"What will you do, Adel-sama?"
"I'll go check it out. You two take care of the children. If that director is the mastermind, it's better not to show too much to the children."
"Understood. We leave that to Adel-sama."
Judging from the high Execution Coefficient and the previous reactions, it's likely that Director Marianne set fire to the orphanage.
But there's something I don't understand.
――Why would she do such a thing?
Two years ago, when I inspected the orphanage, Director Marianne was there.
No, she must have been the director of this orphanage even before that.
If it's indeed Director Marianne who set the fire, why would she try to harm the children now?
As I ponder these thoughts, I approach Director Marianne.
"Excuse me. Director Marianne, can I have a moment with you?"
"...Oh, you saved the children, didn't you? How can I thank you..."
"No, it was the least I could do. ...Anyway, it seems some of the kids have injuries or burns. I'll leave the treatment to my two companions. And then――"
"And then?"
"And then, I'd like to talk to you for a bit. Reisha, could you come too?"
"Uh, sure..."
Saying that, I guide Director Marianne to a place a little away from the orphanage.
This way, the children won't see us.
"Ah, wait――!"
"Hm?"
As we moved away from the orphanage and reached the back alley, Reisha called out to me.
Reisha bowed deeply towards me.
"Thank you so much. I can't express enough gratitude for saving those children."
"I would like to express my gratitude once again. I don't know who you are, but thank you very much."
Next, Director Marianne bows her head.
If this is an act, it's quite impressive, I thought.
"Director Marianne, I have something I want to ask."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Besides the money delivered by Reisha over there, I know there is money being sent to the orphanage. Where did that money go?"
"――!?"
Perhaps unable to react well to the sudden revelation, Director Marianne seemed unable to hide her agitation. She trembled with her arms while keeping her face down.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Reisha. You said that if you didn't put in money, everyone at the orphanage wouldn't be able to live."
"Uh, yes."
"That's strange. There should be money coming from elsewhere to that orphanage. More precisely, it sent to Director Marianne who is there."
"That, that can't be true! Because Director Marianne always says there isn't enough money to raise the children..."
"Is that's true? Director Marianne."
I turn my head and directed the conversation towards Director Marianne.
"W-What do you mean...? It's true that the orphanage is really short on money, and we always rely on the money Reisha delivers. There's no truth to money being sent from someone else."
"I see."
She seemed intent on cutting off the conversation about that matter.
However, her reaction was enough to confirm my suspicions.
It was clear that she was lying about not receiving the money.
"Changing the subject, Director Marianne. Could you show me your Job ability?"
"J-Job ability?"
"Yes. The Flame Eater monster inside that building didn't occur naturally. In my opinion, it was the work of someone with a summoning-type Job."
"..."
"To be honest, I suspect you. So, I want to see your job ability. I want you to prove that your job is not a summoning type job."
Director Marianne kept her face down, her expression hidden.
But soon, a low voice leaked out.
"K-kuku... Really, unnecessary. Just a little more and the plan would have gone smoothly."
"Marianne-sensei...?"
Reisha called out, and next to her, Director Marianne lifted her face.
On that face was a wicked, a very wicked smile.
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