About the Time I Was Picked Up and Adopted by Talula Chapter 29

Orson's primary objective, however, was to divert Duke Baikal's surveillance personnel, making it easier for Isaac to carry out a certain mission.

Orson, the trusted butler of Andrei, the head of the Rostov family, and considered the second-in-command of the Rostov family, had the three teams carrying out different activities. Even Duke Baikal couldn't deploy so many surveillance forces.

Secondly, Orson needed to gather intelligence in Kazimierz City's densely populated areas to plan for any actions Reunion might need to take if they participated.

There wasn't much time. Although the head of the Rostov family had a trump card, its use would inevitably lead to full-scale sanctions from Duke Baikal. Therefore, the remaining time was likely only a few days.

Orson's task was to decide within this timeframe whether Reunion would participate and how.

More specific decisions would be left to Talula and Alina to handle. What I need to do now is...

Orson glanced at Lumen, recalling the problematic remarks Lumen's father made yesterday, and almost choked again.

"In any case, this is our first stop!"

Orson shook his head and then announced with full energy that the club's activities had officially begun.

"Um, I'm actually just here to ask for the answer to the riddle. It feels like it's going to be very troublesome later, so can I leave now?"

Truth raised her hand and said softly.

"If it's not combat training, then I pass too. Bye, Anna."

Lumiere ran off briskly.

"Don't pour cold water on me before the activity even starts...!"

Orson cried tears of despair, but in the end, after some struggling and rolling around (?), he managed to keep the two of them there.

In any case, the first stop was Chernobyl Central Park.

"I came here a few times when I was little. Thinking about it now, it feels surprisingly unfamiliar. But the environment is indeed great." Looking at the scene before them, Truth pushed up her glasses.

"What's the point of coming here?" Lumiere asked impatiently.

"Central Park... Father said he wanted to build a fountain here. It seems it wasn't implemented," Lumen said with emotion.

"Hmm... the Shield Guards could be stationed here," Orson nodded.

"...?"

The other three glanced at Orson. Did this guy just say something incredibly significant?

The group arrived at a resting area. Truth was very interested in the differently shaped statues along the way, while Lumen explained the meaning behind each statue.

"This statue was erected to commemorate the sacrifices of the Second Army Corps in the Seventh Uka Campaign. The current Army Corps has been reorganized and merged many times. The statue over there records the generals who sacrificed their lives in the Blood Peak Campaign."

"They're all sculptures related to war. Natalia, you know so much. This is the first time I've learned this knowledge."

Truth nodded and praised Lumen.

"After all, I have an obligation to remember this history, right, Orson..."

Lumen happily looked towards Orson, as she rarely had the chance to showcase the "talents" of a noble in front of everyone. However, as soon as Lumen's gaze landed on Orson, the white bear girl's smile vanished instantly, replaced by anger and a hint of shy embarrassment.

"Zzzz... Zzzz..."

Lumiere thought Orson would appreciate her scholarly side, but the person in question was now leaning against the back of a bench with Lumiere, both fast asleep, having entered classroom study mode.

"Zzz—Pfft! I-I'm listening, teacher!"

Orson, hit by a snowball to the face, startled awake and stammered that he was listening, only to see Lumen's sulking back as she walked away.

"...?"

Orson looked at Truth in confusion, and Truth sighed and pushed up her glasses.

Orson was indeed easy to get along with and had a good personality, but sometimes he was as dense as a steel plate.

"How did I upset Sister Luzi...?"

Orson rubbed his face, wondering what he had done and why he had fallen asleep.

And during this time, while Orson was unaware, a tragedy was unfolding within Reunion—

FrostNova sat blankly in the command room. The room, usually not quiet, now felt exceptionally dead, devoid of any sound.

"...Boss."

The Abyssal Hunters wanted to say something, but even they, known for their optimism, understood the current situation of Reunion. There was nothing they could see that would allow them to "be optimistic."

"I... I know this is an unavoidable sacrifice, but—"

FrostNova's expression was like that of an abandoned girl, helpless and angry.

"But why couldn't Talula and Alina take me with them when they secretly went to Kazimierz City!"

Snow Rabbit threw the sorcerer's staff in her hand to the ground, stomping her foot in a huff.

After talking with Orson, Talula insisted on going to Kazimierz City immediately, and FrostNova naturally wanted to go too.

But in the end, based on the situation and tactical considerations, FrostNova could only stay home, and she reluctantly accepted the arrangement.

Accepted, but still resentful.

"Boss, sigh..."

The Abyssal Hunters sighed as they looked at FrostNova.

It wasn't just out of sympathy for FrostNova's fragile young heart, but also out of regret for the thought that "Orson will probably be killed by Patriot the next time he comes back."

In conclusion, Reunion had already quietly begun its operations.

Chernobyl was about to welcome this force that was unknown to all and unrecognized by the world.

43. Lumen and Lumiere's Fan Service

The park trip ended abruptly. Lumen didn't speak to Orson for a long time afterward. It was only when she couldn't stand watching Lumiere chat with Orson continuously that she rejoined the conversation.

After surveying the park's terrain, everyone's next stop was Kazimierz City's most prosperous shopping center.

"I feel like this kind of place doesn't really suit me, but it looks like there are many bookstores," Truth initially wasn't very interested, but her spirits instantly lifted upon seeing several bookstores.

"There are so many strangely dressed girls. Are there people in Kazimierz City who dress like that?" Lumiere's eyes widened as she stared at the girls on the street wearing wonderfully fashionable clothes, her expression one of disbelief.

"Not much has changed, but since no other companies have moved into Kazimierz City, and considering the current purchasing power and willingness to spend, there's really no need to change the scale and mechanism of the commercial street's operation," Lumen analyzed the area with a serious expression.

"Hmm... the Crossbowmen Squad could be stationed here," Orson nodded.

"...?"

The other three looked at Orson again. This guy was definitely researching something incredible!

"Alright, since we're here, everyone take this opportunity to look around and see if there's anything you want to buy."

Orson clapped his hands, signaling them not to mind what he had said, and went to browse the pedestrian street with some members of the Bear Squad.

"I don't have anything I want to buy."

Lumiere had her hands in her school uniform pockets, looking impatient.

"Don't say that, Sonia. Just treat it as casual browsing,"

Orson persuaded her from the side.

—They're all underage girls anyway, they should be quickly captivated by those strange and novel things.

Orson thought with such certainty.

Ten minutes later...

"An electric kettle that can boil water with one button...!? Has Kazimierz City's technology reached this point!"

"A color, a color screen mobile phone, this can't be real..."

"Windproof matches! I want to buy this—no, wait, hold on, Orson!"

"Windproof down jacket? Haa... (swallows)"

"..." "..." "..."

Orson, who had a "seen it all" expression just moments ago, was now like Granny Liu who had her willows uprooted, finding everything incredibly novel and astonishing.

"Um, Orson... although it might sound strange to ask, how do you usually boil water?"

Lumiere couldn't help but ask Orson.

"Huh? I just use firewood, like everyone else, right?"

—Not even gas!?

The three were startled.

"Then, Orson, how do you usually contact others?"

Lumen also asked with some curiosity.

"I used to inquire around, but now it's much more convenient~ All thanks to myself: Terra Da Vinci!"

"...Mm, really, I see."

Lumen smiled and nodded, echoing Orson's proud and smug tone.

—Orson, you haven't been living in the wild camping and survival style all this time, have you...?

The three accurately guessed Orson's past experiences.

Before Reunion was established, life in the northern territories was basically devoid of high technology. Forget cars; even basic necessities like gas and electricity didn't exist.

Even after Reunion was established and Talula managed to obtain some resources through Koschei's connections, Orson didn't have much opportunity to enjoy the convenience of technology because priority was given to establishing the trade network.

Over a long period, Orson even sometimes had the illusion that he was in a "medieval era with Originium Arts," so naturally, he was startled by this "high technology."

"I'm sorry, Orson, I never noticed... It's okay, from now on, big sister will let you enjoy the convenience of high technology."

Lumen hugged Orson, looking as if she regretted not discovering this unfortunate child sooner.

"No... I mean, I'm older than you, and what's with this inexplicable big sister vibe..."

Orson, being hugged and having his head petted, was completely bewildered.

"Orson, um... I'm sorry, I won't encourage you to sleep in class anymore. You must really want to change your social status through knowledge."

Lumiere turned her head away, placed a hand on Orson's shoulder, and apologized to him with an embarrassed expression.

"...?"

"If you wish to subsidize your family by becoming a novelist, I will help you with all my might."

Truth nodded to Orson.

"Uh, thanks?"

Orson was completely bewildered. He had been a spirited, big brother figure in the club before, so why had he suddenly become a "special student" who needed to be coddled?

"Orson, I'm giving you this axe. At least don't use a stone axe to chop trees anymore."

Lumiere bought Orson a mountaineering axe.

"I didn't use that thing to chop trees before either!"

"Orson, I hope this book can help you."

Truth bought Orson a copy of "Eating Across Terra with Bear Grylls."

"...So, do you guys have some kind of misunderstanding?"

"Orson, I didn't think there was anything I could give you, so this 500,000 Ursus Coins—"

"The nature of this gift is terrible in every way!"

Orson fled in disarray.

After leaving the commercial street, everyone arrived at the Chernobyl Hotel—the largest hotel in the area.

"I feel like a hotel this large would have a high vacancy rate," Truth analyzed rationally.

"Tch, something built by idle nobles after they'd eaten their fill," Lumiere said with displeasure.

"Actually, this hotel has a surprisingly long history," Lumen said calmly.

"Um... Uh, why are you all looking at me?"