Chapter 153: "Pastor Otto wisdom words"

The next day...

When everyone got out of bed, the first thing they did was look at Pastor current condition.

Theresa who was awake all night looked very haggard today. Seele tried to persuade her to rest, but she politely refused.

However, everyone was getting very worried. The atmosphere at the orphanage began to change.

"(It's getting worse. The spreading lines of the honkai infection are starting to slowly swallow up half of his body. If it's not treated immediately...)"

Bronya, who was checking the condition Pastor body using the Project Bunny, looked at this blonde haired man with a worried look, and she couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

It seems like...

The only hope is in Kiana.

"How, big sis Bronya, Pastor is okay?" Seele asked worriedly.

Bronya nodded her head stiffly: "For the time being, everything is fine."

Theresa looked out the window: "Bronya, can you help me take Pastor away to town? We have to send him to the hospital immediately."

Hearing this, Bronya shook her head: "It's a pity, that's impossible. It's still early in the morning, and the temperature outside is enough to kill a sickly person."

"Bronya knows that you are currently very anxious, but you mustn't act recklessly."

"Let's just wait for the sun to rise a little bit higher."

Hearing what Bronya said. Theresa bit her lower lip tightly, and she nodded.

"Cough! Cough! All of you... How many times have I told you, don't worry too much about me..."

"Pastor, are you awake? Sorry that we were too noisy to disturb your rest time." Theresa lowered her head sadly.

Pastor Otto also smiled helplessly: "It's okay, I should be grateful that I woke up early. Otherwise, you all might do something weird because of me."

Opened his limp eyelids, and could see all eyes full of worry were fixed on him. Pastor Otto asked gently.

"What about Joachim, is he gone?"

Noting the quiet surroundings, no one dared to speak. He now knew the answer.

"Haha, apparently he's gone. it's okay..."

The Pastor took a deep breath.

Every time he breathed, it felt like he was inhaling thousands of razor blades down his throat.

Maybe this is punishment for the sins he has committed.

Pastor began to daydream.

"I understand his feelings... After all the person who made him an orphan... Was me."

Theresa shook her head: "Pastor, you did the right thing."

Pastor closed his eyes: "No Theresa. Right or wrong... Can't answer all the questions in this world."

"I... I always asked myself if there was another way to save Joachim's father. But in the end, I chose to kill him that day..."

"It was his father who I cursed to death... I saw myself in him..."

"In the end, I didn't want to save him. But... I just wanted to save myself in a selfish way..."

Inhale again, and exhale slowly. When Pastor opened his eyelids again, the light in his eyes became a little dim.

"I have also fallen into painful darkness... and... I killed a lot of innocent people."

"One day, the paladin came, and she freed me from the dark abyss."

"We ran away..."

"Very far..."

"Until we no longer remember where we went."

"...Even though we have buried the source of sin in an unknown place, we are still cursed by it."

"She left me two years ago... When I asked her if she regretted it, she just gave me a very pure smile."

Remembering all the memories that have been dusty. Pastor Otto gave a small smile, the same smile that paladin had made back then.

"Listen kids, these are her last words she gave me..."

"A person will experience three phases in their life."

"The first phase teaches us how to differentiate between what is right, and what is wrong."

"The second phase, teaches us that there is no right, or wrong."

"The third phase... teaches us to do what we believe is right, and to take responsibility for the results."

After saying all this, the Pastor's eyes sparkled brightly, as if saying what kind of principle he believed in all this time.

The pain that was all over his body, also disappeared for a while.

"Those... are her words that imprint the most in my heart... now I know why she never regrets."

"I buried her in a foreign land, and came to this place to set up an orphanage..."

"I understand how Joachim feels... I know what it means to be lost and confused..."

"I have to... Respect his choice..."

"Just like her... cough! Cough!"

Theresa was shocked: "Pastor please calm down, stop talking! Seele, get me some water!"

"Y-Yes, wait a minute!"

Seeing the entire contents of the room suddenly became panicked. Bronya who was doing nothing, glanced at her Genius device, and her eyes immediately fell to the bedroom door.

"Joachim, if you have something to say then say it. Don't hide."

Pastor: "...Joachim?"

There was a clicking sound, and the bedroom door opened slowly. Joachim, who was doubtful, entered the room slowly, and he held the golden cross in his hand tightly.

"Pastor... You lost this cross last night, so I found it again."

"I... I'll give it back to you."

Walk step by step to the Pastor's bed. Joachim wanted to put it in the Pastor's hands, but he was stopped by him.

"Joachim... From the start the cross was yours. You can keep it." The Pastor smiled gently.

"... Mine?"

Pastor nodded his head: "Yes, yesterday I was walking in the market, and didn't know what kind of parting gift to give you. After thinking about it, I bought the same cross as mine."

"This cross is also a symbol of my belief in the atone of the sin I committed. I want you to keep it for me Joachim."

"I hope that one day... you too can get out of that confusion that has enveloped your heart."

"Pastor..."

Joachim was silent.

Holding the cross in his hand tightly, was like holding a very precious object. The tighter Joachim clenched his fists, the determination in his eyes also started to increase.

Just like Pastor said.

Currently, Joachim is making a decision as to whether he can get out of this abyss of confusion, or not.

Do you choose to run from your past, or accept what you can do?

Adopt, or stay...

Joachim, choose his decision.

"I'm lost, Pastor. I don't know what else to do. But, if there's something I want to say..."

"I am willing... Let me follow in your footsteps, inherit this orphanage and continue your duties..."

"Pastor, please remain my family, and don't let me get lost."

Hearing this, Pastor Otto opened his eyes wide, because he never expected that Joachim would make a decision like this.

"Joachim..."

Seeing Joachim kneeling beside his bed, and sobbing bitterly. Pastor placed his pale hand on Joachim's head, and he rubbed it lightly.

Theresa, who didn't want to be left alone, also hugged Joachim gently without saying a word.

"I believe in you Joachim, I believe you will find your way."

"You.. can do it..."

"You are..."

"Always..."

Pastor Otto smiled proudly, and he lowered his head slowly.

Bronya: "Ah?"

Found out there was something wrong with Pastor's current condition. Bronya summoned Project Bunny in a panic, and she noticed that Pastor's heart rate was starting to slowly slow down.

Bronya held her breath deeply.

Her mouth and body stiffened, not knowing whether to say what he encountered at this time or not.

However...

When Bronya didn't know what to choose, and her brain slowly went blank. She suddenly heard the sound of a door slamming loudly.

Bronya looked to the side.

"I'm back! Everyone, I finally managed to get the reagent medicine!!"

Entered the orphanage excitedly, and went straight to Otto's room with a big smile on her face. When Kiana saw Otto's current condition, she also opened her mouth wide in fear.

Doing very fast movements, like opening a packet of medicine, and directly injecting it into the pastor's body. After doing all these things, Kiana took a few steps back.

"...Is the medicine working?"

Bronya, who had been monitoring Pastor Otto's condition, looked at Kiana with dead fish eyes.

Kiana: "... What?"

Bronya: ".... d(ﾟｰﾟ@) Good job."

Giving both thumbs up without hesitation at all. Project Bunny behind Bronya, also clapped her hands happily.

Great job, Kiana!