Chapter 113: Action
At noon, outside the gate of the Orphanage of Mercy southeast of Igewent.
The joyous moment was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected turn of events. The Black-clothed People appeared out of nowhere and surrounded Viscount Field, who was welcoming his seventh adopted daughter. This sudden development left everyone on the scene in shock.
“Father… this is…”
Anna looked at the scene before her, feeling afraid, while the butler beside her tried to comfort her with words.
“Don’t worry, Lord Viscount will handle this.”
The Black-clothed People surrounded Viscount Field, the butler, and Anna, all holding firearms in a defensive posture. After scanning the Black-clothed People, Viscount Field spoke seriously.
“Hunters, call out your captain.”
“There’s no need for the captain. I’m here.”
A steady voice came from among the Hunters, and several of them stepped aside, allowing a well-dressed older man with a neatly groomed mustache and hair to slowly walk forward. This was James, the current chief of the An Yin Bureau in Igewent. Due to the importance of this mission, he had come personally.
“Hmm… So it’s Chief James.” Viscount Field smiled slightly as he watched James emerge from the Hunters, then continued with his hands spread open.
“Can you explain the situation? Mr. Chief, has something beyond our understanding occurred here?”
James took two steps forward and looked at Viscount Field slowly.
“Not yet, Lord Viscount. However, we received information indicating that you are currently in danger, so we have come to protect you.”
“Oh? Protect? Well, thank you for your concern, but I don’t need any protection. Please leave.” Viscount Field waved dismissively, his expression showing some anger. However, James did not seem to be backing down.
“Lord Viscount, this case involves many innocent lives. I hope you can come with us to cooperate with our investigation.”
“I said I won’t go! James, I warn you, you have no right to take any coercive measures against me! Order your people to move aside! Otherwise, I’ll call the city guard!” Viscount Field raised his hand and shouted loudly, clearly very angry.
Compared to Viscount Field’s agitation and anger, James remained calm.
“The city guard also has no authority to interfere. Rest assured, Lord Viscount… We will ensure your safety.”
Seeing James’ determination, Viscount Field was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. At that moment, the butler, who had been standing silently behind Viscount Field, stepped forward and walked to Viscount Field’s side, holding a cup of tea.
“Sir, don’t rush. Have some tea to calm down. Perhaps today you could go with this gentleman, and I’ll bring Miss Anna back home.”
Taking the cup of tea handed to him, Viscount Field stared at the butler. After a two-second exchange, he drank the tea and returned the cup to the butler before turning back to James.
“Alright, I’ll go with you. Move your people aside. My butler will take the child home first.”
“No, the child must stay first. Once our business is done, you can come here to pick her up, Lord Viscount,” James responded sternly. Viscount Field frowned, then reluctantly agreed.
“Alright.”
Then, Viscount Field bent down and said to the still very nervous Anna.
“Anna, wait inside the orphanage for a while. I’ll come back to get you later. Be good.”
“Um… Alright, Father.”
Although somewhat reluctant, Anna nodded obediently and, carrying her small suitcase, walked towards the orphanage gate with a hint of sadness.
“Please, Lord Viscount.”
James approached and invited Viscount Field personally. Viscount Field followed silently as James led him onto one of the Hunters’ carriages. Seeing this, all the Hunters returned to their own carriages.
Finally, one of the Hunters glanced back at the orphanage twice, only relaxing when he saw a worried-looking white-haired girl at the entrance of the orphanage hall. He then left with peace of mind and boarded the carriage.
The coachmen drove the black carriages away from the orphanage gate and headed toward the distance.
Carrying her small suitcase, Anna walked back into the orphanage with a hint of sadness. The nuns and a few companions went up to comfort her.
“Sister Dideli, Viscount Field is a great benefactor. He’ll be fine, right?”
Anna looked eagerly at the old nun, who was the principal, as she prayed.
“The Holy Mother will protect those with sincere and kind hearts. If Lord Viscount is like that, he will surely be fine… Now, Anna, go back to your dormitory and rest. I’ll notify you when Lord Viscount returns.”
“Um…”
Nodding, Anna entered the orphanage. She looked around the hall, hoping to find Dorothy, but couldn’t find her.
Disappointed, Anna lowered her head and walked toward her dormitory.
Just as she passed through an empty corridor, a figure approached silently from behind.
Then, from behind Anna, a rough, strong hand suddenly reached out, lifting her up and covering her mouth.
“Mm! Mmph! Mm!”
Anna struggled fiercely, but it was useless. Her weak strength could not break free from the restraint. Her suitcase fell to the ground. A bald, fierce-looking man tightly held Anna from behind. He was Feiqi, one of the orphanage workers.
“Don’t struggle, little brat…”
Feiqi carried Anna out through the corridor window and quickly ran toward the front wall, then escaped the orphanage through a hidden side door.
Next, Feiqi ran forward, crossed a small thicket, and arrived at a road where a luxurious carriage drawn by three horses was waiting for him. Standing at the opened carriage door, Lu’e, the butler, was leaning on a cane.
“Sir! I’ve brought what you asked for!” Feiqi said respectfully as he approached the carriage. Lu’e nodded in response.
“Get in. We’re leaving immediately.”
“Yes!”
Then, the group got into the carriage and left quickly. All of this was observed by a crow in the sky.
“Hmm… As expected, there were insiders within the orphanage, used to monitor the children and organize rehearsals… ”
In another carriage on the roadside, Dorothy murmured, then turned to the nun sitting beside her.
“They couldn’t wait and started acting. Prepare to track them, Sister Vania.”
“Um… Okay, okay…”
