No matter what the government planned or what schemes they had in motion, none of it should concern Altair right now. It was time to settle things. He needed to focus on his tasks.
He looked at Alvis, then at Verda, whose tiny hands clung tightly to her brother's sleeve.
"Now that your plan has fallen through," Altair said calmly, crouching to meet Alvis's eyes, "What do you plan on doing next? Do you have any other relatives you can go to?"
He had to be sure they truly had no one left.
Alvis shook his head slowly. Verda followed immediately, shaking her head with such fervor that it seemed like she was competing with her brother.
"Silly girl," Altair murmured, gently placing a hand on her head, worried it might fall off from the force of her nodding. Her hair became messy.
He exhaled. "You have no relatives, and you don't even have your household registration with you. If anything were to happen to the two of you... the government wouldn't even care."
Alvis lowered his head in silence. He knew it too. Their situation was truly miserable. He had even started considering the government orphanage for Verda. The thought of separating from her made his chest tighten, but it was better than letting her starve to death.
Frustration weighed on him. He couldn't retrieve their registration papers—he had no idea where their mother had hidden them before leaving. Without them, they couldn't leave the town legally. With them, perhaps they could sneak away to another city.
But his main concern wasn't the lack of papers. It was their parents. If they stayed in this town, there was a real chance they'd be found—and if that happened, Verda would be taken away.
He felt like a rat hiding in the shadows. Every trip into town for rations was nerve-wracking. He never dared bring Verda with him, leaving her outside in the woods while he lined up for a portion of food. It was barely enough for one person, let alone two.
They couldn't leave the town by foot. The nearest settlement was too far, and traveling without supplies was a death sentence. They'd never make it.
In their current situation, the orphanage... was the lesser evil.
Just as Alvis was about to speak, Altair gently tapped his forehead.
"In fact," he said softly, "if you two are willing, I can take you with me. What I mean is... I can be your guardian from now on. I'll provide you with a place to stay and food to eat."
Alvis's eyes widened in disbelief. "T-That's... But... we don't have registration, and—"
He faltered. Altair had already helped them. If he didn't step out earlier and the authorities found out that they don't have a guardian around. They'll immediately be taken. He couldn't possibly ask for more.
Altair smiled, placing a hand on both their heads. "You don't have to worry about that. You're scared your parents will find you. Scared the government will take Verda away. I understand. So I'll make a promise to you—if you agree, I'll protect both of you. It's okay even if you don't have your registration. I'll take care of it."
Altair didn't want to force them. The decision had to come from them. If the children trusted him, he would receive 200 trust points—enough to unlock two key tasks. If not, he would continue earning their trust slowly, building the foundation for the Stronghold System, which would take time.
He hoped he could start unlocking the task soon. His current food supplies wouldn't last long for three of them.
Though they'd only met today, Altair had already shown his goodwill. Children were often quicker to trust when their hearts were moved. Verda already trusted him—she was still innocent and trusted easily. Alvis had been shaken when Altair stepped in earlier. The system didn't say the exact trust level needed, as long as there was trust between them, it'll become valid.
He watched Alvis's hesitant expression, waiting patiently.
Finally, Alvis spoke, voice trembling, "Uncle... do you mean... you're really going to take us in? We can leave this place?"
Altair nodded. "Yes. Once you agree, I'll take you to a new place. Somewhere safe, where you won't have to worry anymore."
—Of course, that's only if you both give me enough trust points to open the Stronghold, Altair added silently.
Alvis's eyes turned red. He stood up and gently pulled his sister to her feet, then bowed deeply.
"Then... Uncle, please take care of us."
Verda, though slightly confused, mirrored her brother's bow. "Take care," she echoed.
Altair smiled warmly. "Alright, alright. You two don't have to bow like that. Come, sit down." He urged them to sit back as people were beginning to look their way with curious eyes.
He glanced around, then called out to the system in his mind.
"System, how can I make them my children? Are there steps I need to take?"
[Adoption contract will now be issued. Host can confirm with the children before proceeding.]
Two golden scrolls appeared above the children—visible only to him. It was an adoption contract with his name on it and there was a blank part indented for the children.
Altair studied them, then turned to the children again.
"Have you really thought it through? If you agree, from this moment on, I'll be your guardian—Or your father. Do you accept that?"
Alvis nodded. "Yes."
Verda, as if understanding the weight of his words, nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
The scrolls dissolved in golden light and melted into their bodies.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[System Notification: A child has been registered to the System. Pillar 1 obtained.]
[Trust Points: +100. Current Points: 100]
[System Notification: A child has been registered to the System. Pillar 2 obtained.]
[Trust Points: +100. Current Points: 200]
He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Now, he can finally start building the stronghold.