The Idealist

“It can’t really be called working for nothing… I did keep some money for daily necessities.

If possible, I can first use what I have now as compensation for you.

As for more, I’ll need to ask the church to return part of what I handed in.”

The troubled expression on Falk’s face never faded.

It was clear that he was genuinely nervous about this matter.

It seemed that in the previous life, Falk had this kind of personality as well…

though he was a bit more forceful, and wouldn’t show it on his face.

In the previous life, Falk was the kind of person who said, “I don’t care what happens to me, I only want to fulfill my long-cherished wish.”

He didn’t care whether he would survive in the end.

He only wanted to create a dreamlike utopia.

Aili didn’t know whether that utopia was ever successfully established.

Because the two of them died on the same day, and no one knew what happened after their deaths.

Eric handed the throne over to Solor, hoping for the dynasty he would build in the future.

Falk, too, simply entrusted all of his wishes to Eric.

…They were practically extreme idealists.

Though that’s how Falk could be described, Eric was no different.

That was why the two of them could always find resonance with each other.

They could chat from time to time, after all, in the Nightingale House, Falk was considered the most mentally normal one.

“… ”

“I’m a little curious, why?”

Aili sat under the tree, her frail figure hugging her legs.

She looked like a small creature curled up into herself.

“Ah… um… I want those children to eat something good.

They’re at the age where they’re growing, so I hope they can be healthy.”

When Falk said this, he looked a little shy.

It was as if he knew his kindness might sound strange to others.

But from the smile on his face, it was clear he was sincere toward those children.

Just like in the previous life…

Even when Falk worked as an assassin and eliminated many people, he never accepted missions that involved children.

“I see. You’re really kind.”

“It’s just something insignificant.

I live at the church and eat there as well.

What I usually wear is also my priest uniform.

I don’t really have any expenses, so even if I hand in my money, it doesn’t matter.

After all, I enjoy the benefits provided here.”

“… ”

Aili pursed her lips, thinking that he was still as idealistic as ever.

Someone like him was far too easy to satisfy.

As long as he had food and drink, even having no money didn’t matter—

Ah, right.

After all, when he was young, his parents were killed by bandits.

Alright, Aili, stop reminiscing about the past and sighing over the present.

Think about what you need to do.

“Did you grow up here since you were little?

If you only joined the church later, you probably wouldn’t have this kind of awareness.”

“You’re joking, miss. I don’t have any such awareness…

But I did grow up here since childhood.

Back then, I was similar to these children, just a bit older than them.

I exchanged my labor for food, and it’s the same now.

I eat here, so naturally I should work.

As for wages, being able to fill my stomach is enough.”

That’s kindness to an excessive degree.

Thinking back to their earlier conversation in the prayer room, Falk had also seemed like someone who wished for everyone to be happy.

At that time, Aili thought he might just be reciting standard lines used by priests.

But it turned out he really was this good of a person.

“Did your parents send you here when you were young?

Was it for training?”

It sounded like a very rude question.

A normal person would easily tell from his words that he had no parents by his side.

But now, Aili intended to act like an ignorant young lady.

After all, she did somewhat have that noble lady demeanor.

Besides, wasn’t she here to poke at his wounds?

Even though Falk in this life was a kind person…

Well, kindness was correct.

From a moral standpoint, people should indeed be kind.

But being overly kind wasn’t right.

Falk now looked like the kind of person who could be tricked out of all his possessions by a con artist.

If he ever encountered someone malicious who put him into heavy debt or deceived him into losing the church’s funds, she even suspected he might hang himself from the church rafters to atone.

“… ”

Hearing such offensive words, Falk didn’t get angry.

He simply showed a bitter smile, his brows slightly furrowed.

“My parents passed away early.

In those chaotic times, there were many bandits.

Many children became displaced.

I was one of them, and so are these children.

So… I want them to feel something here.

Even if they lost their original homes, at least here, they can gain a new one.”

Aili rested her chin on her hand, looking toward the distance Falk was gazing at.

The other children were still playing there.

The child who had accidentally bumped into him earlier seemed frightened, sitting obediently on the grass.

He kept glancing toward Aili, and when their eyes met, he was startled and quickly pressed his hands together to apologize.

Children… how nice.

She herself also wanted to return to the past.

To when she was still a child, carefree and without worries.

As long as she held her brother’s hand every day, even crawling through dog holes and getting covered in dirt, only to be scolded by the head maid—she had still been happy.

“Your parents were killed by bandits? That’s too much.”

After a few seconds of sentiment, Aili continued the previous topic.

“Did you never think of finding them?

Back then you were a child, so you couldn’t fight back.

But now you’ve grown up—you should have the ability to resist, right?

Ah— I remember my friends… I had a friend who experienced something like this…

No, more than one.

Those were chaotic times.

Some of my friends became knights after their families were killed, their goal being to wipe out those bandits.

And some… were less fortunate.

Because they lacked the ability, they couldn’t confront the bandits and could only regret it at home…”

As she spoke, Aili raised her head and looked at Falk, whose expression had already begun to change slightly.

“Are you the latter?

You must feel a lot of regret, not being able to avenge your parents.”

“… ”

Falk was stunned by the question.

His mouth opened slightly, and his hands clenched together nervously.

“Regret…”

Originally—he shouldn’t think about such things.

After coming to the church, he should have learned to slowly let go of his past.

To use the suffering he once endured to weave an umbrella for others.

But he still remembered the words of a certain woman he had heard in the confessional.

She was probably the same kind of person as those Aili mentioned—someone who regretted being unable to avenge her parents.

He clearly remembered her furious expression.

That emotion infected him, causing the hand holding the cross to waver.

Regret?

If he were to peel away the protective shell he believed himself to be safe within—

Ah… yes.

Of course he regretted it.

His father.

His mother.

And the people in his village…

They were all so kind to him.

They were all good people, and yet—

“—Sigh, why do good people not get good outcomes?”

Aili muttered this, making Falk’s heart tremble.

“Those who were killed by bandits were probably people who worked hard to live.

They had lovers, children, even elderly family members to take care of.

And yet they were killed just like that…

Meanwhile, those bandits take the clothes and money stripped from corpses and live freely.

They leave those pitiful bodies to become food for beasts.

Someone’s family lies exposed in the wilderness, without even a grave, hacked apart and left on the ground…”

Aili seemed to be venting her emotions, continuously speaking such cruel words.

Her sentences came one after another, leaving Falk no chance to interrupt.

Yet her pace wasn’t fast, ensuring every word reached his ears clearly.

“You also think it’s unfair, don’t you?”

She looked into Falk’s eyes as she spoke.

“I genuinely feel anger for those pitiful people.

You do too, right?”