I Have a Task Log

Chapter 310: Chapter 309: The Tiefling’s Wish

"What about you?"

Colin stopped and turned back to look at Orelia, who was bathed in the moonlight.

Her yellow eyes glinted in the darkness, faint magical light swirling within her pupils.

The Tiefling’s appearance was getting quite close to that of a true Demon.

To be honest, if he hadn’t already known her, Colin would have definitely avoided her on the street.

Then again, if she weren’t a Tiefling, her path in the Church of Morninglord would have likely been much smoother, especially with her powerful talent for Perception.

’Perhaps this is what they call fate,’ Colin thought.

The sound of waves crashing against the rocks reached them. Orelia reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

She smiled and said, "I can’t use Divine Arts anymore, Mr. Colin."

"Didn’t Edwin say there was a way?"

"But that would take a long time to train, and I don’t want to waste your time."

"So, do you want to adventure with us and become a stronger Priest?"

"I can’t use Divine..."

"I’m asking if you want to adventure with us, to walk the path of a Priest, and to finally realize your dream of running an orphanage?"

Colin said, "I’m not asking about anything else. This is my question. If you didn’t hear me, I’ll keep asking until the sun comes up."

"I... I..."

Orelia’s lips trembled. She lowered her head, hiding her expression in the shadows.

"I want to, but my blood, Mr. Colin, my blood has changed... During the days I was unconscious, I kept dreaming. Mr. Colin, I dreamt I was in the sewers of Thousand Masts City, performing a ritual and summoning those Demons. I dreamt that I... to all of you..."

Orelia sniffled, took a deep breath, and continued, "I’ve been angry ever since I woke up. The anger just won’t stop. If this is how it’s going to be, I don’t think I’m suited for adventuring anymore."

’So this is how a bloodline affects someone?’

Colin thought of certain mental illnesses, things that don’t change just because a person wills them to. ’Maybe the effects of her bloodline are similar.’

’The sensible thing to do now would be to find a new teammate, but...’

"What kind of person do you think I am? Strictly as an Adventurer."

Orelia answered honestly, "You’re very diligent, Mr. Colin, and very smart. You always know what you want and how to achieve it. I’m sure you’ll become incredibly formidable one day."

"So, do you trust me?"

Orelia silently nodded.

"Then just come with us for now. If you turn into a real Demon in the future and want to do something evil—I’ll stop you."

Colin said this with a seriousness that surprised even himself.

Hearing this, the Tiefling suddenly looked up at him.

Her eyes went wide, and flecks of silver light welled up within them, as if pieces of the moon itself had broken off and fallen inside.

Tears welled up, and a few shimmering drops rolled down.

"Mr. Colin, I don’t want to do bad things. I don’t want to become a Demon... M-Mr. Colin, I don’t want to live by stealing, I don’t want to join a gang, I don’t want... *whimper*..."

The Tiefling whimpered softly.

Colin bent down and patted Orelia’s shoulder, comforting her. He realized that the young girl’s crying was very quiet, almost inaudible even when standing right next to her.

The reason was simple: for an unpopular orphan, crying loudly only ever earned her irritation. The only way to let out the pain was to bleed her wounded heart through quiet sobs.

Perhaps because her emotions had been suppressed for too long, the Tiefling cried for a long time. Colin just stood aside, silently waiting for her to compose herself.

After taking an exhausted Orelia back to her room, he returned to his own and went to sleep.

「The next morning.」

Colin was in the washroom, brushing his teeth and looking out the window, when he suddenly spotted a figure hurrying in his direction. Looking closer, he was surprised to see it was Edwin.

Once he was sure it was him, Colin ran downstairs without even bothering to wash his face.

Just as he reached the door to Ale’s room, he saw Edwin practically "flying" up the stairs, taking them several steps at a time.

"Is Orelia here? I’ve contacted a friend who should be able to solve this problem," Edwin said.

Hearing the noise outside, Orelia opened her door.

Her eyes were downcast, and she glanced at Colin with some embarrassment. The young girl’s eyes were still a little swollen.

"I’ve found the people we need," Edwin said. "Most of them are my friends—creatures born of evil, but who are devoted to good. They’re very experienced with this sort of thing."

Hearing this, Colin frowned and asked, "So about the bloodline..."

"There’s nothing to be done about that. No one can separate saltwater and freshwater once they’ve been mixed in a barrel."

After a moment, Edwin continued, "Let me state my position clearly. As long as Orelia’s faith and conduct remain true, we will never treat her any differently!

"To this day, we have accepted many races considered evil, including Kase’s Orc Tribe. ’To guide any possible source of good’ is one of the Morninglord’s core tenets. You don’t need to worry."

’The Morninglord’s followers in the south probably don’t see it that way,’ Colin grumbled to himself.

He had actually thought Edwin would just purify Orelia’s bloodline. ’Guess that was wishful thinking.’

"Then, what should I..."

"Come with me today to meet the master. The actual training will begin very soon," Edwin said.

Orelia looked at Colin, a little uneasy.

Colin reached out and patted her shoulder, saying: "You should go. We were going to rest for a while anyway, and we still have to wait for Ale to get back."

"Okay, Mr. Colin." After saying that, Orelia turned back to pack her things.

"By the way, Colin?"

Hearing his name, Colin responded.

"You guys should stay in the city for a while," Edwin said. "That secret letter from the Demons you intercepted has been sent to the Holy City. We should have a result soon, and we’ll notify you when we do."

Colin waved a hand dismissively. "Honestly, if it’s real trouble, you don’t have to tell us."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Edwin, Colin went back upstairs.

After finishing washing up, he stood in his room and thought for a moment. He stuffed his full set of Plated Chain Armor into his Dimension Bag, then slung it over his shoulder and headed for the Black Heart Tavern.

The moment he stepped through the tavern door, he spotted Kase in a corner, mouth slick with grease as he gnawed on a pig knuckle and drank beer.