Chapter 22: Part (7): Almsgiving

The afternoon activities were practically a marathon…

After finishing the distribution at the gathering square, she still had to follow Kaya and the soldiers from one point to the next, moving nonstop.

At every stop, thousands of people waited around the area, repeating the same process over and over:

Step up to the stage and give a short speech.

Then distribute food.

Step up again.

Distribute again…

She didn’t even need to speak—just at that station, people who had already heard the speech before would help explain things.

All she could do was force a smile.

By the time they reached the third distribution point, Mili had fully entered “machine mode.”

Scoop food, hand it to people, say thank you, be bowed to, next.

Scoop food, hand it to people, say thank you, be bowed to, next…

—Next!

Her movements had become a well-practiced assembly line.

She could’ve actually slacked off, since most of the work was already taken over by others.

But it felt… wrong.

Besides, it was just for today—opportunities like this wouldn’t come again easily.

“小 Saint, your expression is way too stiff. You look like you’re being forced,” Kaya whispered nearby. “Come on, smile a little.”

Mili forced a smile so ugly it was worse than crying.

“Forget it, forget it… you really shouldn’t smile,” the woman said, horrified, shaking her head. “Too scary.”

“…”

Just as Mili was drifting into exhaustion, a figure made her pause.

A frail elderly woman, after receiving her portion of food, didn’t leave immediately. She trembled as she dug into her chest and pulled out a small cloth bundle.

“Saint…” the old woman’s eyes glistened with tears, “this is just a little dried vegetables from my home… please… please try some too.”

Mili froze.

These people couldn’t even fill their own stomachs, yet they were offering her food…

“Grandma, I… I can’t take this.”

“Take it, child,” the old woman insisted, stuffing the bundle into her hands. “You’ve given us so much—I must show my gratitude too!”

With that, the old woman stepped away, her little steps surprisingly quick, too fast for Mili to catch up.

The girl looked at the small cloth bundle in her hands and let out a helpless sigh.

“Well? Looks like you’re quite popular,” the traveling merchant woman teased from behind, peeking and laughing. “Hurry, open it! I want to see what goodies are inside!”

“Nothing much…” Mili carefully opened the bundle.

Inside were a few dried cabbage leaves…

—and a small pinch of pure white fine salt.

In a world where food was scarce, this was an extremely precious seasoning.

“Whoa?!” Kaya’s eyes widened as she stared at the salt. “Oh my god! That old lady must really see you as her granddaughter…”

“Maybe…?” Mili said, holding out the bundle toward Kaya. “Do you… want it?”

“Huh?”

“You’re always out running errands. I won’t need this…”

“I’m fine, silly. Just keep the old lady’s intentions safe, don’t lose it!”

“Oh…”

Mili carefully put the bundle away again, feeling a mix of emotions.

…

By evening, the activities were nearing their end.

The last distribution point was in an empty lot in the slums.

Most of the crowd here were homeless wanderers, along with some workers just off their shifts…

Of course, there were also volunteers who had followed the team, growing in number, and plenty of curious onlookers. Looking around, the scene was chaotic.

The vagrants’ clothing was even more tattered, and their expressions openly showed exhaustion.

Yet, when they saw Mili surrounded by a large crowd, their dull eyes first went blank, then filled with curiosity.

After the news spread through the crowd, the previously lifeless atmosphere suddenly erupted.

“Saint! It really is the Saint!”

“We’re saved!”

“Thanks to heaven! Thanks to Her Majesty!”

These people, usually marginalized, now had eyes shining with unprecedented vitality.

“Everyone,” she said, stepping onto the temporary stage, her voice hoarse, “although today’s food… may not be enough to fill everyone’s stomach…”

She paused, scanning the eager faces below.

“I will do my best to make sure everyone gets a meal.”

Instantly, the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Long live the Saint!”

“Bountiful Saint!”

“Our savior!”

Mili took a deep breath and announced the start of the final distribution for the day.

Actually, by the second distribution point, the stockpile had already begun to run low.

Most of the food came from the newly converted western district—previously barren land that, under Mili’s efforts and controlled monitoring of specialized equipment, had become a high-yield “super farm” in just three days.

But time was tight, and the gap was still daunting.

It was only thanks to the massive release of food from the Eisenburg granary that everyone could have a proper meal.

She didn’t know why Seraphina had suddenly changed her mind and approved all this…

Even Evelyn couldn’t be found at the moment.

Kaya kept complaining that it was an absurdly extravagant situation.

But in the end… everyone shared the joy together.

With so many volunteers, Mili didn’t have to do anything at this point.

“Hey, little Saint,” Kaya walked over, holding a steaming bowl of porridge with bits of greens floating on top. “Here, try the food you grew yourself.”

The girl took the bowl, looking down at the plain white porridge.

It had been made from the crops she had cultivated with her abilities—at first glance, it looked unremarkable.

A “miracle”?

She carefully scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and tasted it.

Sweet, soft, with a faint scent of rice…

—Truly ordinary.

Just plain porridge, slightly sweet.

No salt.

No sugar.

“How is it?” Kaya asked, leaning in. “Good?”

“Pretty good,” Mili said softly. “Just… normal porridge taste?”

“Well, duh!” the woman laughed and patted her shoulder. “But look at their faces—they’re happier than at New Year’s.”

Mili looked up and saw exactly what Kaya said.

Those usually bowed down by life now had rare smiles on their faces.

Children circled the big pot, full of laughter and excitement.

Elderly people sat under trees, slowly sipping porridge, their eyes glistening.

“Yeah… it’s really nice,” Mili murmured.

“Sir Traveler! Lady Saint!”

Just as she was lost in thought, a voice interrupted.

Mili turned to see a young soldier, having removed his exoskeleton helmet, approaching.

He looked barely in his twenties, still a bit boyish, holding an empty lunchbox.

“Hey, little soldier!” Kaya called loudly. “Changed shifts?”

“Yes!” the young soldier smiled shyly, blushing as he looked at the two of them. “Um… Lady Saint, may I… have some porridge too? I’ve been standing guard for six hours…”

“Of course,” Mili immediately stood. “Thank you for your hard work.”

The soldier was overwhelmed, waving his hands repeatedly.

“No hardship at all! It’s an honor to guard for Lady Saint!”

The staff in charge of distributing food smiled and scooped a generous ladle of steaming rice porridge into his box.

The young soldier held it carefully, eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you! Really, thank you! My whole family admires you!”

“Admire me… that’s unnecessary,” Mili said awkwardly, smiling. “Everyone is the same, it’s not easy for anyone.”

The soldier took a sip, his eyes lighting up immediately.

“This is too good!” he exclaimed. “I’ve never had porridge this tasty!”

He carefully found a corner to squat and began eating heartily.

Watching him eat, Mili thought to herself,

“They work really hard too…”

“Obviously,” Kaya said, smirking.

“Soldiers may look impressive, but they’re ordinary people.”

“They have families to care for, parents to respect.”

“For a few meals, who wouldn’t work hard?”

Pointing at the young soldier, she continued, “Look at him—probably not wealthy at home. Just making it into Eisenburg’s army is already impressive.”

After finishing the porridge, the soldier eagerly ran back to the pot, pointing at the remaining rice soup and scorched rice at the bottom.

“Uh… can I take this home?” he asked shyly. “I want to save some for my family…”

“This dried, it can make lots of noodle soup…”

“Of course,” Mili nodded.

“Awesome!” the soldier was like a child.

“Can’t remember the last time I had something this good!”

“They definitely won’t believe I met the real Saint!”

Watching his joyful expression, Mili sighed.

“Who else is in your family?”

“My mom, and my little sister,” the soldier said, his eyes full of tenderness. “She’s only twelve, loves sweets. I couldn’t get any for her…”

“She says she wants to be a soldier when she grows up to protect everyone, but I hope she can just study properly…”

“That’s fine, let her do what she likes… she’s a good kid.” Mili said, helping him scoop the remaining rice crust into a full bag.

“Take plenty back home.”

“This… this is too much…”

“It’s okay.”

The soldier accepted the food, his eyes reddening.

“Thank you, Lady Saint… really… I will never forget your kindness…”

“Pfft…” Mili almost laughed, quickly stopping herself. “Cough! Don’t say that—take care of your family.”

But the young soldier didn’t leave immediately; after gathering what he needed, he actively helped other vagrants pack and collect.

He was quick, careful, and kindhearted.

Kaya wandered back, idly amazed.

“You really… I wouldn’t have guessed, little Saint.”

“What wouldn’t you have guessed?”