At noon, outside the gates of the Charity Orphanage in the southeastern outskirts of Igwynt.
What was meant to be a celebratory moment 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 development 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 men encircled Viscount Field, the butler, and Anna, all of them armed 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 me.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m already here.”
A steady voice emerged from among the group of hunters. The men shifted aside to make way for an older gentleman dressed in a well-fitted suit, sporting a neatly trimmed mustache and impeccably combed hair. This was none other than James, the current director of Igwynt’s Serenity Bureau. Given the gravity of this operation, James had personally decided to oversee it.
“Well, well… so it’s Director James.”Upon seeing James 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 something beyond our ordinary comprehension occurred here?”
James 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 James 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! James, let me warn you—you have no authority to take any coercive measures against me! Order your men 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, James remained calm.
“The City Guard also has no jurisdiction over us, Viscount. Rest assured—we’ll guarantee your safety.”
Faced with James’s unwavering resolve, Field momentarily 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 demeanor.
“Sir, please don’t be upset. Have some tea to calm your nerves. Perhaps you could accompany this gentleman for now, and I’ll take Miss Anna home in the meantime.”
Taking the tea handed to him, Viscount Field stared at the butler. After a brief moment of eye contact, he drank the tea, returned the cup, and turned back to James.
“Fine. I’ll go with you. Have your men step aside—my butler will take the child home.”
“That won’t do. The child must stay here for now. Once we’ve finished our business, you may return to fetch her, Viscount.”
James’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 come 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.”
James stepped forward and personally invited Viscount Field to board one of the hunters’ carriages. Without a word, Field followed James 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 coachmen, 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 menacing expression—a janitor named 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 acknowledgment.
“Bring her in. We leave immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
The men 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.