Chapter 128.5: The Cherished Doll Once Again

(This is a side story from around the time of Chapter 19)

I visit the orphanage from time to time. Previously, when I brought furniture that I couldn’t fit in my storage to the Northernford orphanage, the children were happier than I expected. So, when I make a lot of things and have extras, I try to donate them to the orphanage.

When I told Theo about this, he said, “That is a wonderful activity,” and started helping me. The other day, when Theo and I brought some wooden toys, I was happy to see the children’s eyes sparkle.

Winter has arrived, and although it is warmer than usual without snow, the mornings and evenings are getting cold. Before its renovation, the Knight Order’s dormitory apparently had terrible drafts, so the knights are delighted that it is comfortable now thanks to the renovation. That made me worry, remembering that the orphanage building was also old.

“Hey Theo, the orphanage building is old, so I wonder if the drafts make winter hard for them. If it’s damaged, I want to repair it; what do you think?” “Yes, that is certainly worrying. Let’s go see how it is.”

When I went to the orphanage with Theo, the walls were indeed damaged in several places. So, I spoke to the Director and decided to renovate it. We selected wood that looked good for the orphanage walls at the workshop and transported it using Storage Magic.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, I took out the wood and visualized the walls after renovation. Praying that the children could spend their time warmly and safely, I activated my Production Skill. When the warm light faded, the walls had become clean and new.

“Wow, the shabby walls look brand new!” “Now we won’t be cold in winter!” “No, they aren’t just new; they look like high-class walls. Is this okay?”

I’m glad the children are happy. Stopping the Director, who was thanking us repeatedly, Theo and I tried to leave. Then, a single girl toddled over and grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“What’s wrong?” I crouched down to meet the girl’s eye level and asked. Mother had taught me that looking down from above when talking to small children isn’t good.

“Um, can you big brothers fix old and damaged things?” “Yeah, if I can visualize the finished product and have the materials, I can manage.” “Then, can you fix this?”

The girl showed me an old doll she had been clutching preciously. “Mom bought this for me, you see.” “So it’s an important doll.”

“Yeah. Dad and Mom died of sickness, and when I came to this house, I brought only this doll.” “Master, let us fix this doll no matter what.” Theo‘s expression became serious. “You’re right. I want to do something.”

But there is a problem. The doll is faded and worn out in places, making it hard to tell what it originally looked like. If I use the Production Skill and turn it into a different doll, it would be irreversible.

I wish I had a little more information. “Do you remember where you got this doll?” “Umm, Mom said she bought it at a big shop in the Royal Capital.”

“A big shop in the Royal Capital. Do you remember the shop’s name?” “Umm… Rebato Company, maybe?” “Could it be Levant Company?” “Yeah, that!”

In that case, we might be able to work something out. “I’m going to investigate this doll, so can you wait a little while longer?” The girl gave a small nod.

Upon returning to the mansion, I decided to write a letter to Olivier of the Levant Company, whom I met at the Summer Solstice Festival. I explained the features of the old doll the girl had, wrote that it seemed to have been sold at the Levant Company shop in the Royal Capital, and asked him to send one if he could identify it, promising to purchase it.

After a while, a doll arrived from Olivier along with a reply. The letter said, “I think this is the doll, but the color might be different. By the way, no payment is necessary.”

Consulting with Theo, we gathered cloths of various colors made of the same fabric used for that doll. Carrying wood similar to what was used for the doll as well, we headed to the orphanage.

“This is a doll my friend sent me, but is this the right doll that your Mom bought for you?” “Umm, it’s the same, but the dress color is different.”

Theo also crouched down and showed the cloth we brought to the girl. “Then, which of these cloths is the same color?” “This color!” The girl chose a pale cream-colored cloth.

Now preparations are complete. “Alright, I’ll fix the doll.” Using the doll Olivier sent as a reference, I concentrated on the image.

Praying that the girl would smile when the doll her mother gave her was fixed, I activated the Production Skill. Magic power gathered at my fingertips, and my hands were enveloped in warm light from the wrists down. A beautiful magic circle floated in the air above my outstretched palms. The damaged doll, the new cloth, and the wood were also enveloped in warm light.

Eventually, when the light faded, a beautiful doll appeared. “Waaah, the doll is fixed!” Thank goodness. It seems it went well.

“Thank you, big brothers. Now I can stay with the doll Mom gave me forever. So I can do my best even all alone.” The girl showed us a smile, but clear tears were flowing from her eyes.

“I’m glad. If you do your best, surely good things will happen.” Crying in sympathy, Theo patted the girl’s head. Theo, having experienced the same loss, surely understands the pain of losing parents well.

It is difficult to save every child who has met with misfortune. So, what I did this time might just be hypocrisy. Even so, within my reach, I hope I can continue to encourage children using my Production Skill.