“Looks like we’re almost there.”
As I mulled over the story about the barrier and the witch that Dwight had shared, I snapped back to reality when I noticed that the vehicle we were in was slowing down after what felt like quite a ride.
Out the window, I spotted a building that resembled a factory with white walls.
That must be the purification facility.
With no time to dwell on my thoughts any longer, I took a deep breath to calm my confused mind and gently shook Florene, who had been resting on my shoulder.
“Hey, Florene, I think it’s time to wake up.”
“Mmm… Just five more minutes…”
Her groggy response made me chuckle. She had been sleeping on my shoulder for a while, and it seemed like my shoulder was the fluffiest pillow imaginable since she showed no signs of wanting to get up.
Well, to be fair, she was the type of kid who wouldn’t flinch even if she were hit by a truck, so why would she care about sleeping on my shoulder?
She could probably wake up feeling refreshed even after sleeping on the bare ground.
Still, based on my experience, not a single person who says “just five more minutes” actually means it, so I decisively held onto Florene’s head.
“…Huh? Uh…?”
After a few gentle scalp massages to wake her up, Florene blinked her eyes open, making weird sounds as she finally lifted her head from my shoulder.
Only then did I notice the wet spot she had left behind.
As cute as she was, I couldn’t help but feel relieved that I was wearing protective gear at that moment.
While I rubbed away the drool, a half-asleep Florene looked at Dwight and me with a puzzled expression.
“…Uh? When did I fall asleep?”
“…You must have been tired; you fell asleep shortly after we got in. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh, really? Hehe, sorry, Scarlet. I guess I was a bit sleepy from working hard today.”
Florene blushed a little and apologized after hearing Dwight’s comment.
I shook my head to tell her it was fine, stealing a quick glare at Dwight, who was shamelessly trying to avoid responsibility for putting her to sleep.
He seemed to feel a bit guilty as he diverted his gaze.
If he’s sorry, he better treat us to a meal later.
As I mumbled that internally, Florene stretched and cheerfully exclaimed, “Heehee, anyway, now that I’m awake, it feels like we just got here! Since we’re here, let’s get to our job right away!”
“Right. We need to finish our tasks before we can tour around.”
Following Florene as she hopped out of the car, Dwight nodded in agreement and climbed out too.
As I followed suit, I was greeted by the sight of cargo trucks parked nearby, filled to the brim with beast corpses.
As I took that scene in, I couldn’t help but mutter, “…Whoa, that’s a lot. Thinking back, the building is huge too. So, are all the miasma that need purification processed here?”
Dwight looked at me as if I had grown a second head and responded, “…Don’t be ridiculous. There are several facilities of a similar size aside from this place. It’s essential that we have enough facilities; they’re distributed in various locations in case something goes wrong and affects the operation.”
“I see… So, there are several huge facilities like this… Is purifying miasma really that profitable?”
I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of profit margin would necessitate such large facilities.
Just as I was thinking that, Dwight shot me a look as if to say, “What do you know?” and replied.
“Profit? There’s no profit involved. These facilities exist solely to eliminate miasmas. They generate zero revenue. They’re not for profit but strictly for public welfare.”
“…So, it’s a facility that runs at a loss then?”
…Considering the size of that building, the maintenance costs would be insane.
Is there really someone out there who would willingly take on losses like that?
That thought crossed my mind until I glanced at Florene.
Her family is the one handling this kind of work.
I shot her a worried look, and she burst out laughing as she explained, “Ahaha, it’s okay! It’s alright! The place is funded enough to operate, and the Dolos family can easily cover any losses made here from the profits we make elsewhere!”
“…Still, taking on losses isn’t something easy. It’s impressive that you do that.”
“It’s just standard procedure for my family, the Dolos!”
“Standard procedure?”
“Everyone has the right to be happy. That’s the Dolos family motto. So, in the Dolos household, everyone learns how they can find their happiness.”
When I asked what that had to do with anything, Florene rambled about her family’s values with a beaming smile.
Naturally, she continued to shed light on her thoughts.
“When I wear pretty clothes, I feel happy. When I look at myself all dressed up, I get floaty and happy inside!”
It was so quintessentially her that I couldn’t help but chuckle and nod.
“That’s why I make pretty clothes and cosmetics. I want everyone to be happy when they wear nice outfits and see themselves all dolled up.”
She then shared how she ended up creating clothes and cosmetics.
I didn’t quite get why she was talking about this until she mentioned her father’s desire.
“Papa thought if we lived in a better city, we could be happier. So he joined the Central Committee to create a better city for people.”
After hearing that, I understood what she really wanted to convey.
“Florene’s grandfather believed that having a strong hero to protect them from the demonic beasts would make them happy, so he became a hero and rose to the position of squad leader.”
What she was expressing was the philosophy and spirit of Dolos.
And for the first time, I realized why Dolos had such a high reputation in this city.
“Surely someone from Dolos must have thought that if this miasma purification facility could result in greater safety from miasma, it would lead to happiness.”
Sometimes it felt like the world was teeming with people who crush others’ happiness to find their own.
Yet here were people who effortlessly shared the happiness they found through their own endeavors.
“To be happy themselves, they make sure others can share that happiness. That’s what Dolos has learned and teaches.”
Their passed-down spirit was truly commendable.
“That’s how, over time, everyone in Dolos has contributed, whether big or small, to create the Dolos we see today. So, how much money it costs to do what Dolos does isn’t what matters.”
That’s why even a seemingly clueless girl like her could be so filled with pride and dignity.
“It may look like they’re doing things for others, but in the end, it’s all about Dolos’s happiness. No one skimp on the effort to be happy, right?”
As she spoke with a smile, her eyes shone brightly.
I was forced to reflect on how I had viewed her as just another naive girl in the past.
This is what the bloodline of a true hero and a family of heroes is like.
As I admired her, Florene tilted her head and muttered.
“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…I don’t know, just feels like you’re something special.”
“Ehehe, special? It’s really not a big deal.”
After laughing sheepishly for a moment, Florene smiled and asked me, “So, Scarlet, what do you think would make you happy?”
“…Me?”
“Yep!”
I took a moment to contemplate her question about happiness.
The first thought that sprang to my mind was the cozy evenings spent laughing over dinner with my parents during childhood.
Next was the joyful times spent with my friends from my previous life, laughing and playing together.
However, both of those were now unattainable sources of happiness.
I quietly recalled the precious faces of the bonds I forged in this new world and replied.
“…I think I’d be happy if I could be around the people I cherish and see them smile.”
Florene then said, “In that case, Scarlet should probably smile more! If you want your cherished people to be happy, they’re probably wanting to see you smile too. I’m sure that way, you could become happy too!”
I hesitated momentarily at her words.
Could I really find happiness?
That thought lingered on my mind.
While I was caught in my doubts, a certain biblical verse I had seen once flashed in my mind.
Knock, and it shall be opened.
In this situation, I wasn’t sure if I could truly become happy.
However, for the sake of finding happiness, it seemed I could at least make an effort.
I lifted the corners of my mouth into a small smile.
At that moment, the girl in front of me beamed back at me.
“Hehe, seeing Scarlet smile makes me feel happy too!”
Feeling a wave of happiness wash over me as I gazed at the girl smiling before me, I realized without a doubt that she had become someone dearer to me.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.