Summoned As A Mere Nobody-Yet Possesses An SSS-Rank Ability-Chapter 233: Guardian’s Burden

Jeremy, the caretaker, hesitated. "To feed them, clothes them, and provide for their needs... about 10,000 gold coins a month. That would allow us to care for every single orphan properly without worrying."

Nolan reached into his inventory and produced a small pouch, golden light glinting off the clasp. "Take this," he said calmly, setting it on the table. "This will cover two years. 240,000 gold coins. Enough for the orphans and lily to live safely, happily... without ever worrying about a single meal, a roof over her head, or her education."

Jeremy’s eyes widened, tears welling. "Are... are you sure? This is... incredible. I’ve been praying for something like this for so long... I never thought..."

"You don’t need to worry about the money anymore," Nolan said, smiling faintly. "It’s done. Now, please... come meet her. See for yourself that she’s safe."

Jeremy’s voice trembled with gratitude. "Thank you... thank you... thank you. Truly, the Lord has answered my prayer today."

Nolan nodded once, resolute. "It’s not me you should thank. Just make sure she grows up happy and strong. That’s all I ask."

He motioned toward Lily, who had been quietly observing the exchange. Her eyes were wide, her tiny hands clutching the hem of her dress. Nolan stepped forward, beckoning her gently. "Come on, Lily. This is your new home... a place where you can play, learn, and smile without fear."

For the first time in a long while, Lily’s lips curled into a small, genuine smile. She took a tentative step forward, then another, until she was standing fully in Nolan’s presence.

Jeremy knelt down, opening his arms to her. "Welcome," he said softly. "You’re safe now."

Lily’s eyes shimmered as she looked around at the other children playing, at the warm, welcoming faces of the caretakers. For the first time, she felt the weight on her shoulders lift, even if just a little. Nolan watched silently, his chest tight with emotion, but also calm.

This is right. This is where she belongs. Safe... protected... happy.

Then she looked at Nolan as he turned away, her small hands still holding onto the toy she had been playing with. The other two children at the orphanage called her again, urging her to continue the game. She hesitated for a moment, then ran back to them with a bright laugh.

Nolan let out a soft smile as he watched her return to play. For the first time since he arrived in Sindra, he looked... at ease. He turned to leave, steps light.

But then—

Something hugged him tightly around the leg.

He stopped and looked down.

It was Lily.

Her small fingers clenched his trousers as she looked up at him with trembling eyes.

"Don’t leave... Take me with you," Lily whispered.

Nolan blinked, taken aback. Then his expression softened. He knelt down slowly and rested his palm on her head, gently rubbing her hair and lightly tugging her ear the way she liked.

"I wish I could," Nolan said with a warm smile, "but I won’t be in town for a few days—maybe three. But... on the third or fourth day, I’ll invite you to my home. You’ll meet my friends. Is that okay?"

Lily’s lips quivered, then she nodded. "Okay..."

"You’re still holding me," Nolan joked lightly.

"Oh—!" She quickly let go and stepped back, cheeks red.

Nolan ruffled her hair once more. "See you, Lily. Be safe."

She waved as Nolan walked out of the orphanage gates and headed back toward the mansion.

"Hey, I’m back," Nolan called as he entered.

"Master, where did you go?" Lyra asked instantly, rushing toward him. "You should at least tell someone before leaving! That’s not good!"

Nolan raised both hands. "My bad, my bad. I just went to the forest outside Sindra to tame a monster."

Lyra sighed. "Is everyone done preparing? We’ve been waiting. You said we’re leaving for the Dwarf Kingdom today."

"Yeah, we’re still going," Nolan said. "You don’t need to pack much. Just two or three clothes, and the basic cooking stuff. I don’t know if the Dwarf Kingdom has food that suits us. It’ll be a two or three day trip."

As he spoke, footsteps echoed from the staircase.

"Master!" Celia jumped down and marched toward him. "Where have you been?! You didn’t tell anyone! I was worried!"

"I’m sorry. It won’t happen again," Nolan said.

Celia narrowed her eyes, then grabbed his arm.

"Where did he go, Master?" she muttered—then suddenly leaned closer, frowning. Her nose twitched.

And then she started sniffing him.

Repeatedly.

"Ma—Celia!? What the hell!?" Nolan stepped back.

"I’m a demi-human! I have a strong sense of smell!" Celia declared dramatically, continuing her inspection. "You were with a lady. Master... who was she?" She leaned closer and closer, almost pressing her forehead to his chest.

"H-Hey—back up a little!" Nolan held his hand forward, awkward.

Celia stopped, blinking at his expression.

"It was a little girl," Nolan said. "Her parents were killed. She was about to be killed too. I saved her in the forest. It seems like she might be royalty... Someone probably wanted her family dead. Maybe for power. Maybe for wealth. I don’t know."

His voice grew cold.

"But even if I send her back to her relatives, someone there might try to kill her again."

Celia’s eyes widened. "Oh my... So where is she now?"

"She’s at the orphanage," Nolan replied.

"Master, is that true?" Linda asked from behind. She had returned earlier.

"Yes," Linda said. "She’s safe. Not a single injury."

"And even if someone attacks the orphanage," Nolan added, "I’ve already set a protection barrier over it. Not an ordinary one—anyone with evil intent won’t be able to pass through it."

"A barrier that reacts to malice itself... Such malevolence control..." Celia whispered in awe.

Damian walked in, adjusting his gloves. "Is there anything you need me to do, Master?"

"Nah," Nolan replied. "All of you get ready. Pack your things and bring my equipment outside."

He stepped toward the door, eyes glowing faintly.

"I’m about to summon the Wyvern. We leave for the Dwarf Kingdom immediately."

Nolan stepped outside, the sunlight brushing against his face as he raised his right hand. Mana swirled around his palm, spiraling outward like wind being pulled from every direction.

"Summon—Wyverns."

A magic circle burst open beneath him, glowing with layered runes. Then another circle appeared above it, spinning slowly as a deep rumble shook the ground.

FWOOOM—

Five massive wyverns emerged one after another, spreading their wings with powerful gusts that made the trees bend. Their scales shimmered under the light, and their roars cracked through the entire mansion courtyard.

Celia, Lyra, Damian, and Linda stepped outside just in time to see the beasts settling.

"It’s time to go, Master... right?" Linda said, adjusting her gloves. "I’m ready."

Celia immediately pointed at one of the wyverns. "Master, I don’t want to enter a wyvern alone! And I’m definitely not staying in the same one as you—let’s all four ride together!"

"No way in hell I’m letting that happen!" Linda snapped back instantly.

"Oh? Bring it on, then," Celia replied, stepping forward with her tail flicking. "If you want a fight, I’m not backing down."

Nolan stared at them, a smile pulling at his lips. He sighed like a tired older brother dealing with troublesome siblings.

"You guys... calm down," he said. "Each and every one of us is taking a different wyvern. It’s more comfortable that way."

Celia shot Linda a long, dramatic glare—Linda returned it with a victorious smirk.

Lyra quietly walked up behind them and closed the mansion door. Click. She locked it and tucked the key into her pocket.

"All right," she said calmly. "Let’s not delay the journey."

"You’re right," Nolan said, tightening the straps on his wyvern’s saddle. "It’s about time we leave."

But then he paused and turned to Lyra.

"Wait. Lyra—you don’t have a porter. You can’t create a porter that just... lives. Do they even have something like that over there?"

Lyra blinked. "A porter? No, not really... I mean, yes, I could make one, but... I haven’t seen the Dwarf Kingdom. I’ve never been there before. I can only visualize it. I know what’s happening around us, but the place itself—I haven’t seen it with my eyes." She pressed a finger to her chin. "So creating a porter that can stay there and survive might be a problem. I could try, but—"

"There’s no need for that," Nolan cut in gently. "We’ll manage."

He looked at his party.

"Now everyone—each and every one of you—get into your wyvern."

The group nodded. One by one, they climbed onto the backs of the massive beasts. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Nolan mounted the biggest wyvern—its scales dark, its wings wider than a house, its presence nearly overwhelming. When he pulled the reins lightly, the wyvern responded with a deep growl before spreading its vast wings.

FWOOOOOSH—

With a powerful burst of wind, Nolan’s wyvern ascended into the sky