Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

"Can you tell me what you brought for the children?" Akira asked, looking at the bag curiously.

Astraea pointed to the bag on the left and said, "These are some story books that I carefully selected. I hope they can help them gain knowledge and enrich their emotions."

"And on the right side, there are some small toys they want."

Akira said, "See. Astraea-sama really likes children."

Astraea teased, "Haha, after all, children are hope for the future. Of course, you are also my hope."

"What gift did you prepare?"

Akira replied, "I only prepared the most basic supplies for them."

Astraea said, "Valis? It's true that money is also very important."

"Um."

When Akira reached the gate, he remembered that it would take at least an hour for him and Astraea to walk to the orphanage.

Akira immediately said, "Astraea-sama, let's not walk to the orphanage this time."

Hearing this, Astraea asked in confusion, "Then how do you plan to go to the orphanage? If you are worried that I will be too tired, I don't think I am a weak goddess."

Akira put the bag into [Backpack] and transformed himself into a Swift Master. He approached Astraea and held her horizontally in his arms, like a princess.

After Astraea put her arms around Akira's neck, Akira said, "Astraea-sama, hold tight."

Akira carefully looked around, and when he found no one watching him, his magic power quietly emerged. In an instant, a strong wind gathered around the two of them, gently lifting them up.

Surrounded by strong winds, the two quickly soared into the sky and flew towards Maria's Orphanage.

A few minutes later.

Akira held Astraea in his arms and slowly landed in an uninhabited area near the orphanage, bending down to let Astraea land.

Astraea tidied her hair and said softly, "Your magic is really amazing. You can fly so high and control the flow of wind perfectly."

Akira said proudly as he took out a gift from [Backpack], "Hehe, I will definitely surprise you even more in the future."

After that, the two walked out of the no-man's land. Astraea led Akira along the complicated road, going up, down, left, and right for several times before reaching their destination.

A quiet church located deep in the maze of streets - Maria's Orphanage.

Astraea walked forward slowly, stretched out her hand and knocked on the door. With the sound of footsteps, the door quietly opened a crack.

Ten children carefully poked their heads out. When they saw that it was the goddess who often came to take care of everyone, a bright smile appeared on their faces, and they quickly opened the door, revealing the figures of other children, who were holding "weapons" in their hands.

All the children were very happy when they saw Astraea. They gathered around her and greeted her.

Two older children came to Akira and wanted to take the bag, but Akira only gave them the bag with toys and took the heavier books himself.

When Akira first came here that day, he didn't realize that this was an orphanage, but now he sees... there are indeed many children.

In Orario where many adventurers gather, many children are born among the countless adventurers coming and going.

However, not all of these children are the fruit of love. Some may have been abandoned simply because of their parents' momentary passion. Others may have become orphans because their adventurer larents died young in the Dungeon.

Children who are not cared for by their families or abandoned by their biological parents often end up in Daedalus Street, which is known as the slum.

Akira and Astraea entered the church hall surrounded by the children. Last time, he only thought about donating Valis and did not observe the church carefully.

The interior of the church was deeper than its exterior. In the spacious hall, several doors led to different rooms.

Although the walls and pillars were covered with traces of time, the graffiti and daily necessities left over from long-term use added a touch of life to this place.

For the children growing up here, although the environment was a bit tough, it was enough to meet their needs.

Astralia smiled and gently asked the children, "Is Maria not at home? If anyone knows where she went, I will give him a small reward."

"Me, me"

"Goddess, choose me."

"It's my turn now, goddess."

The younger children raised their hands and cheered.

Astraea picked out a little girl who was trying to tiptoe and said with a smile, "Then let's go with this cute child."

"Maria mom went out to buy ingredients." The little girl answered excitedly.

Astraea picked out a cute doll from the toy bag and handed it to her. "Is that so? Then, this cute child is handed over to you. Please cherish it."

"I understand!" A clear voice came from the girl's mouth.

Before Maria arrived, Astraea and Akira could only do their respective duties. Astraea was responsible for distributing the toys she had brought and telling them stories.

Akira could only sigh helplessly and play games with these active children, searching his mind for those simple and interesting games.

Akira first brought some children to an open space and drew 9 numbered squares on the ground, deciding to play "hopscotch".

Then he explained the rules of the game to them and demonstrated how to play it.

There was also a stone catching game introduced to those children who did not like sports. Akira went outside, picked out a few stones of suitable sizes, and taught them how to play.

"Hahaha, you didn't hit the grid, you lose, it's my turn now."

"Damn it! I won't lose next time."

After hearing the excited voices of the children, Akira finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although these children were all well-behaved, sensible and lovable, it was indeed not an easy task to deal with them. He didn't know how Maria handled them.

"It seems that the games proposed by Akira are very much to their liking. Even the children who were originally concentrating on listening to my story ran over to play." Astraea said with a smile as she sat next to Akira.

"Isn't this the nature of children? Playing is often much more interesting than sitting there quietly reading a book." Akira said slowly, a trace of nostalgia appearing on his face.

"Besides, it's fine if it's just for fun. Unlike when I was a kid, I was so reckless."

Astraea, who was standing by, looked at Akira with interest, and gently took his hand.

She smiled and softly said, "So, as your goddess, may I have the honor of listening to those interesting stories from your childhood?"

There was nothing that could not be said. As Akira described the situation vividly, Astraea sometimes opened her eyes wide in surprise, and sometimes chuckled. Akira was also infected by her smile and his face was also filled with a smile.

The whole scene was filled with laughter and joy, as if time had stopped at this moment.