At noon, outside the gates of the Charity Orphanage in the southeastern outskirts of Igwynt.
What was ant to be a celebratory mont was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected turn of events. A group of black-clad individuals suddenly appeared and surrounded Viscount Field, who had just been welcoming his seventh adoptive daughter. The unexpected developnt left everyone present in shock.
“Father… this… what is this…”
Anna, clearly frightened by the scene before her, clung nervously to the viscount. The butler standing nearby attempted to console her.
“Don’t worry, young lady. His Lordship will handle this.”
The black-clad n encircled Viscount Field, the butler, and Anna, all of them ard and maintaining a tense vigil. Surveying the black-clad individuals before him, Viscount Field spoke in a serious tone.
“Hunters? Bring out your captain to speak with .”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m already here.”
A steady voice erged from among the group of hunters. The n shifted aside to make way for an older gentleman dressed in a well-fitted suit, sporting a neatly trimd mustache and impeccably combed hair. This was none other than Jas, the current director of Igwynt’s Serenity Bureau. Given the gravity of this operation, Jas had personally decided to oversee it.
“Well, well… so it’s Director Jas.”
Upon seeing Jas step forward, Viscount Field offered a faint smile, spreading his arms wide as he continued.
“Would you care to explain what’s going on here, Director? Has sothing beyond our ordinary comprehension occurred here?”
Jas stepped forward two paces, fixing his gaze on the viscount as he replied slowly.
“Not yet, Viscount. However, we received intelligence indicating that you might be in danger. We are here to protect you.”
“Oh? Protection? That’s very considerate of you, Director, but I don’t require such protection. You may leave now.”
Viscount Field waved dismissively, a trace of irritation evident in his expression. Yet Jas showed no intention of retreating.
“Viscount, this case is of grave importance and involves the lives of many innocent people. I must ask you to accompany us for further investigation.”
“I said I’m not going! Jas, let warn you—you have no authority to take any coercive asures against ! Order your n to step aside! Otherwise, I’ll summon the City Guard!”
Viscount Field raised his voice, his tone now fully infused with anger and agitation.
In stark contrast to Field’s anger, Jas remained calm.
“The City Guard also has no jurisdiction over us, Viscount. Rest assured—we’ll guarantee your safety.”
Faced with Jas’s unwavering resolve, Field montarily found himself at a loss for words. Just then, the butler, who had been standing silently behind him, stepped forward. Holding a cup of tea, the butler approached the viscount and offered it with a calm deanor.
“Sir, please don’t be upset. Have so tea to calm your nerves. Perhaps you could accompany this gentleman for now, and I’ll take Miss Anna ho in the anti.”
Taking the tea handed to him, Viscount Field stared at the butler. After a brief mont of eye contact, he drank the tea, returned the cup, and turned back to Jas.
“Fine. I’ll go with you. Have your n step aside—my butler will take the child ho.”
“That won’t do. The child must stay here for now. Once we’ve finished our business, you may return to fetch her, Viscount.”
Jas’s stern response left Field frowning in frustration. After a brief pause, he reluctantly agreed.
“Fine.”
With that, Viscount Field crouched down and smiled at the still-nervous Anna.
“Anna, wait here in the orphanage for a bit. I’ll co back to pick you up later. Be good, alright?”
“Yes… I understand, Father.”
Though unwilling, Anna nodded obediently. She reluctantly picked up her suitcase and walked toward the orphanage gates.
“After you, Viscount.”
Jas stepped forward and personally invited Viscount Field to board one of the hunters’ carriages. Without a word, Field followed Jas into the vehicle. Seeing this, the other hunters quickly returned to their own carriages.
As the last of them boarded, one hunter glanced back toward the orphanage. His gaze settled on a white-haired girl standing anxiously at the entrance to the main hall. Only after seeing her did he exhale in relief, then joined his comrades in the carriage.
The black carriages began to pull away, driven by coachn, heading off into the distance.
Holding her small suitcase, Anna walked dejectedly back into the orphanage. Several companions and the nun in charge approached her to offer comfort.
“Sister Diedre, Viscount Field is a kind man. He’ll be alright, won’t he?”
Anna looked up at the elderly nun, the orphanage’s director, with pleading eyes. The director clasped her hands in prayer as she responded.
“The Holy Mother protects those with pure and kind hearts. If the Viscount is such a man, then he will surely be fine… Now, Anna, go rest in the dormitory. I’ll let you know when the Viscount returns.”
“Okay…”
Nodding, Anna walked through the orphanage, her eyes scanning the hall in search of Dorothy, but she found no trace of her.
Disheartened, Anna lowered her head and made her way to the dormitory.
As she passed through an empty corridor, a shadow silently approached her from behind.
Suddenly, a pair of rough hands grabbed Anna, lifting her off the ground and covering her mouth.
“Mmm! Mm! Mmmph!”
Anna struggled desperately, but her feeble strength was no match for her captor. Her suitcase fell to the floor as a bald man with a nacing expression—a janitor nad Fetch—restrained her tightly.
“Stop struggling, kid…”
Carrying Anna, Fetch leaped out of the corridor window, sprinting toward the orphanage’s outer wall. He slipped through a hidden side gate and escaped into the forest beyond.
Fetch ran through the woods until he reached a road where a luxurious, triple-horse-drawn carriage awaited. Standing by the open door, the viscount’s butler, Luer, leaned on a cane.
“Sir! I’ve got the target!” Fetch reported respectfully as he approached. Luer nodded in acknowledgnt.
“Bring her in. We leave imdiately.”
“Yes, sir!”
The n climbed into the carriage, which quickly sped away.
Unbeknownst to them, the entire scene had been observed by a raven perched high above, its sharp eyes capturing every detail.
“Hmph… Just as I thought. Those people have an informant inside the orphanage, monitoring and orchestrating all this,” a voice muttered.
Inside a carriage parked along another road, Dorothy spoke softly to herself. Turning to the nun seated beside her, she gave an order.
“They’ve begun their operation ahead of schedule. Be prepared to track them, Sister Vania.”
“Yes… Yes, understood,” the nun replied nervously.
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