All I Wanted Was Affection and Donations from the Beautiful Girls Who Left the Orphanage... sobs

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Chapter 05 [Leon’s Perspective]

The decision was made for the first generation orphans to leave the home: the Sword Saint Rebecca, the Holy Maiden Eris, the creation alchemist Kuu, the great merchant Shion, the bestselling author Speare, the princess Letifa, and the genius magician—the great archmage Lydia.

I had been living and sharing meals with these girls for nearly a decade. Even though I had ulterior motives for seeking their erotic favors and support, as their father figure, I felt a certain emotional surge at their graduation.

However, as a symbol of money, eroticism, and laziness, I couldn’t help but hold some expectations for the past year or two. Perhaps, one of them might decide to stay with me? Maybe a beautiful girl with natural talents would become my patron?

Even I, with all my bravado, lacked the courage to visit a brothel using the money that the orphans had earned. I had barely touched the funds I was keeping as their guardian. Frankly speaking, the fortune in my possession was enough for a lifetime of luxury.

I wondered, could I just disappear with this money? Surely, they would be shocked. That’s when they might realize that I am no great sage.

That wouldn’t be so bad. Time and time again, I have insisted that I am just an ordinary person, but they never seem to wake up to that reality. It’s ironic – like not seeing what’s right under your nose, even though they’re geniuses. It makes me worry that they might fall for the wrong guy in the future.

But I understand. I get it. In their hunger for food and love, they were doted on without expecting anything in return.

It’s not like anyone would expect me to become a freeloader, soliciting donations after they’ve become independent. And no matter how much of a pervert I am as the head of the orphanage, I’m not a beast who would project my desires onto children.

In other words, I’ve hardly ever sought any return.

I am Mother Leon-sama, who has given unconditional love. Of course, most of them, having turned sixteen and reached adulthood, have fully matured into women’s bodies. Letifa, for instance, is so seductive I often want to jokingly ask if she’s not some kind of succubus.

I would have gladly accepted any offers if it weren’t for their special circumstances, like being a princess in her case. But I would never force anything. Using gratitude to coerce them into a relationship is a plot best left to cheap novels. What I aim for is a lovey-dovey, harem-like relationship. Or maybe being a freeloader who, despite seeming indifferent, doesn’t resist physical intimacy and might not actually mind such a relationship.

In any case, I don’t want to take on the murderous workload and responsibilities that come with being a princess’s husband. Ruining my life for a moment of pleasure is an absolute no-go. But the idea of living a runaway life of luxury with the fortune earned by these talented women is terrible. Too scummy. Definitely not.

It’s not good for my mental health to continue living with a guilty conscience. And what was the point of running an orphanage, anyway? So, here’s a thought.

First, I’ll return the money. There are three reasons for this. One, it allows me to maintain my dignity. I would have been content if they simply held some fondness for me, but their vision towards me is, well, not just poor but rather blind.

Sometimes, I feel like they look at me as if I’m some sort of fanatical cult leader. I’d rather they didn’t widen their pupils like that. Of course, I enjoy the respect and gratitude directed towards me. It feels good, and I don’t mind it.

I do think it’s a bit excessive, but there’s no need to intentionally lower their good opinion of me. If they find out I’ve barely touched the money they’ve earned, their image of me as a saint might intensify even more… I wonder if that’s okay. It does make me a bit worried.

Second, investment. It’s well-known that the rich get richer. If you think about it, it’s obvious. For example, between someone with ten million in hand and another with only thirty, who can more easily earn a million? Obviously, the former.

Even I, a genius who came up with and executed the scary-intelligent ‘Loli Leech Spiral Plan’, haven’t increased the vast amount of money at my disposal.

Even setting aside the fact that I spend my days having too much fun with the orphans and before I know it, the day is over, it’s better to return the money to its owners who can make money earn more money, rather than just keeping it.

Essentially, the plan is to return the principal and then ask for a few percent of interest as a donation to the orphanage. What a fund strategy! I’m amazed at my own intelligence. Get drunk on me, the dance of ruin! No, ruin is bad.

Third, peace of mind. Yeah, the amount is a bit… could this compete with the budget of a small country? If my previous life had been a president accustomed to owning a lot of money, my heart might have been stronger, but this is no joke.

So, I decided to return the money for mainly three reasons, but what was unexpected was that all the members of the ‘Divine Seven’ (the first generation) would leave me. And they all seemed incredibly happy about it.

Shion, the great merchant, even took on the role of organizing and hosting the party! What’s sad is that it seemed like they were all too happy to leave me, using her status as a great merchant to put on a lavish event. And all the members of the Divine Seven looked so happy!

I mean, couldn’t at least one of them have mixed feelings and be sad about the separation? They were all beaming with bright smiles, as if they were finally liberated from the clutches of the lecherous, sleazy director.

Wait, what? Was my ‘Loli Leech Spiral Plan’ exposed? Did all the girls of the Divine Seven figure out my intentions? Is that why they threw such a joyous party?!

Unable to bear it any longer, I asked them in front of everyone. If they would stay with me. And guess what they replied. With the most carefree smiles, they said:

““We’re sad to leave, but we’re graduating!””

Imagine how I felt when, after returning all the money to them, I was told this.