Chapter 15
“As you said, young lady, I have wealth, power, and a proper education. That’s why I believe that for these people to truly live as human beings, this place needs a complete overhaul.”
The noisy surroundings fell silent. The priests who had come to volunteer and the people of the slums all turned their attention to my voice.
“You say the problem is that you have no place to live? Then I will provide housing. No work? I’ll arrange jobs for you. Of course, this alone won’t solve everything here.”
Even if houses were rebuilt and jobs handed out, people’s lives wouldn’t change drastically.
Because the root of the problem remained.
“That’s why I’ve decided to build a school here.”
When I spoke the results of my three weeks of persuading, coaxing, and negotiating with the duke, Mila was shocked.
“What?”
Even Wendima was staring in surprise, so I gestured for her to close her mouth, and she hurriedly composed herself.
“We have obtained permission from the royal court, and the related construction costs will be covered by the Aperdita ducal family. As subjects of the Empire, everyone—regardless of status—will have access to proper education and graduate with knowledge.”
While there had already been support and investment in the slums, tangible results had been scarce.
Even if housing improved a bit, or jobs appeared, poverty couldn’t be entirely eradicated.
Unless people had the chance to learn, experience, and witness a wider world, they would remain stuck in the same cycle.
So it couldn’t change on its own.
“I want you all to see the wider world. And I believe the starting point is education.”
No matter how long it takes, changing the starting point could make a difference.
“Education has the power to change people.”
Even before I joined the volunteer work, I had been persuading the duke, enduring his dismissals as nonsense, and never giving up.
And now, my efforts were revealed before everyone.
Recently, the leader of the pickpocket children in the slums, Kops, had been in a very bad mood.
He had heard the news that the saint Mila—the only one who looked upon them warmly in a world that never treated them as human—might not become a saint after all.
“If not her, then who deserves the title of Saint?”
Not only Kops, but most of the slum residents shared this thought.
Though the temple always provided aid, no one genuinely cared for them.
It was natural for the cold hearts of the slum people to melt in the warmth of her sunlight-like kindness, and they refused to accept any saint who was not Mila.
So they protested in their own way.
Even without clothes or blankets, they could survive somehow, and they openly rejected the new saint candidate to show their support for Mila.
“She really is beautiful.”
Yet, despite their desire to ignore her, the new girl naturally drew their gaze.
Her dark hair and extravagant appearance, unrelated to the saint, felt out of place in the streets, yet strangely compelling.
“Like a witch from a fairytale.”
This woman tormenting their saint was exactly that kind. In fact, that was just her nature.
“She’s from an extremely noble family, so she’s surely full of vanity. She’s doing this to get control of the temple and to bother the Saint!”
They concluded that a high-ranking noble caring for them was impossible, and everyone agreed.
“Of course, not only will we build a school, but also proper medical facilities. Temporary shelters will be prepared while the buildings are constructed, so don’t worry.”
Yet the girl before them didn’t anger at their insults, and rather than being intimidated, she boldly presented the results of her efforts to everyone.
Food, clothing, and even basic survival could be achieved with some effort.
But healthcare, education, and safe housing—
These couldn’t be solved by mere volunteer work.
“So she’s really going to cover all of this with her own money?”
“The wealth I have will definitely help rebuild your lives.”
A simple statement that touched everyone’s hearts.
Hearing the commotion, the cardinal responsible for this area arrived. He came running, startled at the situation, but sighed after hearing Grace’s speech.
“I fully understand your intentions, young lady.”
He seemed empathetic, yet added, “But unless you completely overhaul this area at once, it will be impossible.”
It sounded as if he had already given up on the slums changing.
As if waiting for this, she replied.
“That’s why I bought the entire district.”
“J-just how rich are you…?”
Someone muttered, and because the surrounding crowd was unusually quiet, Grace heard it.
Clutching a blanket to her chest, she smiled brightly.
“The most useless worry in the world is worrying about the rich.”
Even the cardinal couldn’t respond further.
His expression, briefly glimpsed, seemed displeased, but since he had always been kind, it was probably my imagination.
People with wealth were often objects of envy, but encountering someone whose wealth was on a completely different level, one felt awe rather than jealousy.
The sunlight glinted behind her. Strangely, in this moment, she looked more like an angel than a witch.
Perhaps it was her heart, not her appearance, that shone.
Kops thought this as he started moving.
“Is what you’re saying really possible? It could be a waste of time and money.”
It wasn’t unpleasant—I had heard similar reactions from the duke before.
“I don’t want to give up without trying. I won’t declare it impossible before even attempting.”
“But…”
“I want to uproot the deep-seated despair embedded in this slum. To do that, everything must change. Even the mindset of the people here.”
I turned my gaze from Mila to look at the people gathered in the slums.
“How long will you live relying only on the goodwill of others? If you refuse to change out of fear, nothing will change. You are also subjects of this Empire, born of the goddess’s breath, and deserve to live a shining life.”
Until now, the slum residents had looked at me with mockery, contempt, or fear.
“So no matter how hard it gets, don’t give up. Find ways to shine, work hard, and act to achieve results.”
Yet now, no trace of negativity remained in their eyes.
“Of course, escaping this pit won’t be easy. So I will help make it just a little easier.”
I smiled at the quiet crowd.
“This is my service and my effort for all of you.”
No response came back.
But in their eyes, a new light flickered.
A spark of hope that they could escape this life had ignited. Hope—a sweet word indeed.
From the group of children, a boy slowly approached.
“Will I really be able to get an education?”
Though young, he could not hide his worn and tired expression. With his hat pulled low, he looked like a pickpocket child.
I believed that if these children were given options, they could grow into great people rather than thieves.
“Of course. Absolutely.”
I firmly planted dreams and hope in the child’s heart.
“I even set up a scholarship foundation for you. Go to school so that my efforts don’t go to waste.”
A few of the children brightened at my words.
As the conversation ended, the awaited court officials stepped forward.
“Then we will inspect the area.”
The officials in charge of construction, carrying maps and tools, wove through the crowd and entered the slum.
Seeing this, the cardinal decided he would report back to the temple and left the scene.
“It really is true.”
“What should we do?”
At last, murmurs of awe and astonishment began to emerge, as if people were waking from a daze.
Hope—a sweet word indeed.
No matter what hardships come, they would never forget the hope they felt at this moment.
Strangely, seeing them so captivated by this sweetness, I realized the three weeks of effort had not been wasted.
