Walking through the corridors, already bathed in the light of the setting sun, the only sound was that of our footsteps.
Seeing the empty hallway reminded me of when I found the head maid walking through here.
I was lucky I didn't erase her... at least now I have someone to manage the new maids, and I asked her to find or hire more if possible.
Snapping out of those thoughts, I looked at Livia, who was walking beside me excitedly. I got curious about where the orphanage was, so I asked,
"Tell me more about the orphanage you're taking me to. I'm a little curious."
"It's just a small orphanage in the city. Nothing compared to what we have in the Sacred Land."
Sacred Land? I don't remember putting that in the island...
"Sacred Land?"
"Yes~! The holiest place of all, where you blessed the Infinite Lake," she replied cheerfully.
Huh? That's from another project I worked on separately... wait, does that mean other projects also merged into the island?
To try and clear my doubts, I asked,
"The Spiral Life Garden, is it on the island too?"
"Yes, it's more to the southwest."
This... can't be happening.
Thinking about the island's settings and checking the map...
The map glitched a little as that new information popped up.
The island expanded in a strange way, like my discovery had just been placed onto it.
Shit, this is just the map I think is the island...
I sighed, still thinking.
Couldn't this map just behave simply, like in a standard isekai where you're born with the map and that's it...
Then another question hit me.
How many projects have merged with the island?
With that in mind, I asked out loud,
"Is the Pillar System active?"
That would tell me if seven or more maps had merged with the island.
The system only worked if all seven maps were combined — each one was a separate project dedicated to one of them, telling bits of each character's story.
I didn't spend nearly 30 years just on the Vazio Project... the Vazio Project was actually a massive compilation of summaries from those other projects, to make my work easier later.
"-faith," Livia finished saying something I hadn't heard.
Feeling embarrassed, I asked,
"Could you repeat that? I got lost in my thoughts, sorry."
"It's fine," she said with a beautiful smile. "Repeating, yes, we are the Pillars for the people of the island. I am the Pillar of Faith~."
She paused slightly, stepped closer, and I could smell her sweet scent as she asked,
"You don't like it, Khan?"
"N-No, it's not that. I was just curious."
Honestly, I felt embarrassed.
That whole 'Pillars' thing was meant to be private... now that it's public, I feel like an idiot...
Pushing those thoughts aside, I changed the subject.
"Is the orphanage close to the castle?"
"Hm~, I'd say no... but we just need to find a garden or open space so I can teleport us."
"I see," I replied, wondering why it had to be in an open space.
Hm... if I remember right, it's because her teleportation works by moving through pillars of light. Indoors, it might damage the ceiling or not work if it's too thick.
We arrived at a small garden — not the Primavera one, just a resting area with a big tree in the middle and four benches forming a square around it.
Livia turned to me and asked, "Ready~?"
I replied simply, "I am."
She wrapped her arms around my waist. I felt her softness and was a little surprised by the sudden gesture.
A bit dazed, I heard a faint sniff and then a flash of light in front of me.
Once I could see again — and forgot whatever sound I just heard — I still felt warmth around my body.
Looking down, Livia was still hugging me.
"Livia? We arrived…"
"Just a little longer~," she murmured, burying her face into my chest.
Not knowing why she was doing this here — and since it was just a hug — I didn't mind too much.
A few seconds passed, and she still hadn't let go. I wondered...
Maybe she wants me to return the hug?
I gently hugged her back, feeling her soft body.
It had been a long time since I'd hugged or been hugged...
Caught in that sensation, I squeezed a bit more — and heard a crack in her back.
"Ah–" I quickly let go, panicking a bit, checking if I hurt her.
Once I realized she was fine, I tried to convince her to let go.
"Please, Livia, I think that's enough."
Still hugging me and now looking up with a blushing face, she said,
"I'd like to enjoy this a little more~."
Not sure what to do, afraid of using force and hurting her...
I can't do anything... I still don't fully control my strength...
As if someone came to save me, the orphanage door opened.
Livia let go so fast I didn't even see her move — she was already gracefully standing at my side.
From the door emerged a nun, barely reaching halfway up my body — she was about 160cm tall.
I recently found out I'm around 250cm... It shocked me, but it made sense why humans seemed so small.
She ran up to me and bowed.
"Oh, my great Creator, I am honored by your visit, accompanied by the Voicebearer."
Confused by that title for Livia, I remembered I came up with it as the official title for believers to call her. That's so embarrassing...
Before I could say anything, Livia spoke on my behalf.
"We've come to see the children. You may return to your duties. I'll be the Creator's guide."
Speaking in a more divine and formal tone — even if cold — I just watched.
...So this is how she acts in front of others. Completely different from the Livia I know.
The woman didn't say anything, just followed Livia's order, got up (still bowing her head).
"This way, my Creator."
She started walking, and I followed. The nun returned to her work after we passed.
Entering the orphanage, I had to duck under the doors — they were about 20cm too short for me.
Once inside, I could stand normally. The ceilings were high. Right away, I saw stairs to the second floor, several nuns, and a few friar.
Everyone looked at the entrance, but seeing half my body, they immediately bowed and prostrated.
Looks like the rule of not looking at my face without permission is still in place...
Just watching it all, Livia kept walking, and I followed, heading toward the back.
Looks like the kids are playing behind the orphanage.
As expected, children were running around, and a tall friar with a cloth over his face stood nearby. The cloth had the symbol of the Order of Light.
Talos... so he's guarding this place too. He shouldn't be on the island...
Sighing, realizing I'd have to rethink everything about the island again, I moved forward.
As I got closer, all the children stopped playing and looked at me.
Among those looks, I saw curiosity, fear, and admiration.
Talos knelt at my approach — unlike the others who had prostrated earlier.
"Talos, good to see you," I greeted.
He spoke gently, "The honor is mine, to be in the presence of the Creator. I hope you can forgive this being for only being one of my branches."
I expected that — Talos is a guardian of the Sacred Land, splitting himself into branches to protect churches and orphanages.
"It's fine," I said, then asked, "Do you know where I can find a child named Lucy?"
"Of course. She's playing further in the back with some children she seems familiar with. Unfortunately, they're all quite shy and haven't joined the other kids," Talos replied with a hint of regret.
"Thanks. Livia, can you guide me?" I asked, seeing her quietly at my side.
"Of course~, this way."
She led me again while Talos stood up and resumed watching the kids who returned to play.
Reaching further back, I saw a sand area with swings and slides.
On a sand mound, some kids were building a small sandcastle. One girl, taller than the rest and with green hair, stood out.
That must be Lucy — she matches what Iris said too: green hair and eyes.
As I approached, Lucy noticed and looked our way. The other kids quickly ran behind her — some even trampling the sandcastle just to reach her.
Seeing that, I tried to calm them.
"Hello, I'm not here to hurt anyone." But with my terrible communication skills, voice, and appearance… that only made them more afraid.
Now even Lucy looked scared. Livia stepped in to reassure them.
"This is our Creator~. Iris must've mentioned him to you, right?"
"Y-Yes, sorry," Lucy lowered her head, and the other kids copied her.
"It's okay. It happens, especially in a new place," I said, understanding their fear.
Once they seemed a bit calmer, I continued,
"I'd like to talk to you, Lucy."
At that, she started trembling again.
Sighing internally... Haah, dealing with kids is hard...
"I just wanted to ask about some events. Iris only gave me a vague summary. So I came to hear it from you."
Still tense, Lucy asked, "W-What exactly?"
Lowering myself and sitting in the sand, Livia mirrored me.
Lucy seemed to relax a little and sat down too, with the children sitting close beside her.
What happened to these kids? Why are they copying everything Lucy does?
"I came to ask for more details about what the Lantches did."